I tend to favour the slower, more introspective fantasies, but What Remains of Heroes was a fun little tryst that starts quite different. Opening with a drunken sexual encounter, I did not expect too much, to be honest. It seemed like David Benem was setting up more of your typical quest fantasy with all action and no depth, but I was pleasantly surprised.

This book does an excellent job of blending both action and intrigue. It is a believably bleak world, with characters to match. It's definitely grimdark, packed full with fighting, sexual situations, less-than-comfortable scenes, and just a lot of fun. The main character is one that is very relatable, in that he is quite honest with himself, much different it would seem than some of the pompous asses (mind you I like them too) that tend to lead other epic fantasy. So if you're looking for a good read that you probably haven't yet heard of, check this one out for sure.

Lannick deVeers used to be somebody. A hero, even. Then, he ran afoul of the kingdom?s most powerful general and the cost he paid was nearly too much to bear. In the years that followed, his grief turned him into a shadow of his former self, and he spent his days drowning his regrets in tankards of ale. More on Goodreads.