Dargent’s Claws are a mercenary company hired to guard the great wall built to block the orc invasion that took advantage of the abyssal expansion to the east. The forces allied with the Green Lady flooded the abyss to end that threat, but in doing so also destroyed the homes of the mercenary Ogre tribes, who now had no home to return to once they had made their fortune.
While a "stand alone" novel set in the Kings of War world of Pannithor, this story does require quite a bit of knowledge of the recent history of the game. It starts out with a prelude that doesn't really explain where it is, who is involved, or what actually happened. Obviously this is important and will come back later, though unfortunately it takes a bit to recognize it when it actually does.
The main story follows the Claws, lead by their "Silver Cat" Uslo Dargent as they take on a new contract to help refugees of the war to get across the wall and return to their home on the Ardovikian plains, in exchange for information on the location of fabled treasures. They are joined by Alea, a mysterious guide who offers her assistance, and Nokrag the Ogre boomer striking out for adventure against the will of her father, the leader of the ogres tribe hired to replace the claws guarding the wall.
The story alternates chapters between the claws escorting the refugees, and a band of Orcs with a new krudger Orod (having defeated the previous one) advised by the godspeaker Arlok that just seems to show up.
At times it feels like too many factions are being thrown into the mix losing some of the focus in the story. There are some very good passages (the conversation between Uslo and the Ogre warlord about raising children gave an interesting perspective and depth to the Ogres). What starts as a simple story ends up quite complex at the end, not fully to my satisfaction.
Overall a decent first novel.
Because it is all fun and games . . .
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