The True Bastards by Jonathan French (The Lot Lands #2)

9/10

Jonathan French's The True Bastards is a masterclass in "high-octane" grimdark fantasy, a visceral and foul-mouthed journey that manages to be more intimate and emotionally resonant than its predecessor. While The Grey Bastards introduced us to the "Hogs" and the filth-strewn Lot Lands, this sequel elevates the stakes by placing Fetching at the centre of a crumbling world.

The transition to Fetching's perspective is a brilliant stroke. French explores the crushing weight of leadership through the eyes of a woman who must be twice as ruthless to command respect in a hyper-masculine culture. Her struggle is not merely against the invading orcs or the treacherous "Thick", but against the inherent frailty of her own kin. The prose remains muscular and unapologetically crude, yet it possesses a lyrical quality when describing the bond between rider and hog - a relationship that serves as the beating heart of the narrative.

French excels at world-building through consequence. Every scar, every broken tusk, and every fallen comrade carries the weight of history. The political machinations of the "human" world are portrayed with a cynicism that feels earned, highlighting the tragic irony that those viewed as "bastards" often possess the most rigid codes of honour. It is a world of mud, blood, and betrayal, but it is also one of profound loyalty.

This is not a book for the faint-hearted. It is a gritty, mud-caked epic that demands you feel every hoof-beat and every blade stroke. By the final page, French has not only expanded the lore of the Lot Lands but has crafted a story about the desperate, beautiful struggle to define oneself when the world has already cast its judgement.