Orcs: Inferno

This is the only one I bought through Amazon, so these are my thoughts on the entire series.By the end, I felt like a lot more could have been done with this story had it not felt the need to constantly be in a sword fight. Every character is pretty much the same by the end as when they began, nothing real in the way of development. That being said, the main members of the war band kinda grow on you. Would've been nice to see something more of the rest, but they maintained about as much significance as rocks.It had the makings of an interesting villain, but appeared content to let her be cartoonishly, absurdly, evil. Being vile is one thing, but being vile to the point of boring is a let down.SpoilerThe villain's death was unsatisfying. Suitably epic, but dealt by characters who had little time in the spotlight, and who arguably already had their shot. It's also too bad we didn't get more of the damsel in action. Might have felt more for her plight if we had. Also, the forbidden love story introduced in the second to last book and "completed" in this one was just kinda there. Given all that might have been done with it, another wasted opportunity.

ORCS was probably one of the most promising fantasy book series I had yet read: the story was epic the characters were really well thought out, yea the environment seemed a bit forced and easy to navigate given the size of the hoard, but who cares? The conflicts were great, the races well established and the battles were VERY well detailed.Then come the sequels, and with each sequel came a greater and greater disappointment. Characters grew repititious, dialogue became inane, twists were predictable and there was no real empathy for any character.By the time we got to Inferno, I was only reading it simply to say I finished the series. The pace is exhausting, the planet hopping is ridiculous and springs out more problems than they are worth. Not one of the characters revived in these sequels have any real growth, mostly because they have no conflicts to overcome. Even Coilla and Pepperdyne aren't really hashed out properly because rather than really try and hash out the obvious conflict between their races, and thus have an allegory for some contemporary issues regarding "different relationships," its always just a matter of fact, and the waters never really get tested because we are too busy planet hopping.A poor end to what started as a great series. Just read ORCS and be happy, stay as far away from ALL the sequels as you can.

Stryke and his band are sent on a wild and exciting ride on this latest adventure as all the players finally come together for an epic showdown. This was one of the best of the series and a fun read. If you have not read the prior three books, you will definitely want to start with the first in the series. Stan Nichols knows Orcs and he knows how to make you really care about a much-maligned race of the fantasy genre. I enjoyed all the other characters as well.

This is a really fun series to read. Nice premise.

I really hope this is not the last offering in this series.Inferno saw the warband chasing and chased through a myriad of dimensions...at times the pace was furious.As per the first 2 offerings the author was able to build on the character and plots well developed in earlier offerings.the story lines are generally light on with thought but packed with enough blood and guts to keep the reader ploughing on.Loved it

This is a surprisingly good book, every page made me want to keep reading more, This is probably one of ny favorite orc books, love the idea of the orc series, some better then others but this one is top notch writing, very well thought out.

Taken from the stand point od a series of Orcs the series changes the traditional relationships between fantasy races. Sends our Band of Orcs on a Magical inspired adventure and does it all with a refreshing dose of Dark Humour throughout.

This is a good series. I've never read anything from the perspective of the orcs. Everyone makes them out to be inherently evil and mindless drones but this is a welcome new change

I waited quite a long time for this final episode of the Orcs Bad Blood Trilogy and i have to agree with other reviewers who were under-whelmed by it.I wouldnt say it was boring, just showing signs of the author wanting to get it finished and chucking in anything to fill up the pages. Yes there were too many conversations between Standeven and Pepperdyne about the instrumentalities, and i had the feeling that Stan Nicholls was straining to find ways of describing battles that he hadnt used before. Just how many ways can you describe Haskeer cutting off an opponents arm with a battleaxe? Also, he seems to have totally confused two goblin characters, Weevan-Jirst and Gleaton-Rourk , the first being second in command of the Gateway Corps and the second a mercenary leading a band of goblins attached to Jennestas army. In the final chapter its obvious he is referring to the latter, but uses the formers name. Its almost like, 'well they 're goblins with hyphenated names, who cares?' Surprising no one at Gollancz picked it up - sloppy editing? Finally we are left with the question, can orcs and humans interbreed - apparently so as in the last page Coilla is pregnant with the deceased Pepperdynes baby.............

Well written, great characters, storyline was really smooth, my son got me to read the Orc books, good shout. Thanks to the author.

Stan writes in his own style and it is not to everyones liking. But, for me this is indulgent fun story written about a group that has to date been left out of books. The story of Orcs is fun, filled with strength and thoughtfulness, fighting and running around.

I have enjoyed Stan's Orc stories as you really get to see things from their perspective and feel like you are part of the gang. Some parts did tend to be a little bit repetitive but the action more than made up for it in the end. Long may the Orcs continue on new and exciting journeys.

A wonderful completion of a journey through six book. Wish the book could have been consisting of many more pages as I didn't want their adventures to end.My hope is that the story will continue in follow up books.The Wolverines bring pure enjoyment to the reader that allows him/herself to be transported into their magical world.Stan please bring more fun, excitement, comradery and blissful smiles to so many us in a follow up series.