"I made a new year’s resolution this year to read more and this book made for a very easy start. I cannot say a single bad thing about this book to the point where this *may* be my new favourite book. All the characters � good or evil � are extremely likable in the best way, to the point where you pray they don’t die (unlike Game of Thrones where you’re waiting for the moment they get killed). I was worried that one of the characters may be a mary sue but he got pinned in the first fight straight away so that was a relief.

This is the first book to actually make me laugh out loud; or ‘lol� as the kids say which was a breath of fresh air after reading darker fantasies like Shadow of the Gods and The Black Company, yet this book can hit you like a truck with emotional moments which always catch you off guard in an exciting way. The idea that the characters are out of their prime shakes up the standard formula, creating flaws for the characters you wouldn’t get otherwise in a fantasy book about a fighter or sorcerer in the prime of his or her life.

The main band of mercs called “Saga� have amazing chemistry with grudges, which makes their long-standing friendships/professional relationships feel genuine as well as, of course, the respect the characters have for each other. Each character fills a story role well, as well as a role within the band making for each personality/skill set feel fresh.

Overall, the saddest part about this book though was the end, simply because I couldn’t read it anymore.

5/5, 10/10, 100/100. Perfect."