This month we investigate whether or not The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston is metal, and considering this book is inspired by Die Hard and set in a fantasy world based on Bronze Age Scotland, you can probably guess our conclusion. We give spoilers galore, then discuss:

• The Die Hard inspo
• World-building and set pieces
• All druids, all day
• Youth versus experience and why both are valuable
• Work-life balance as a lord regent and a palace guard
• The protagonist’s adjustment to physical disability
• If this book had been inspired by a buddy cop movie instead of Die Hard
• If this protagonist had been cast in a different ‘80s action movie setup
• Action scenes in print versus film

You can find our Spotify profile with our Last Shield playlist at https://open.spotify.com/user/31kosaxlm6j56e44766ijo4ndzjq?si=cdd4a1a247c646e1

Special Features:

1. Post-Carnage Job Interviews
2. Cannibal Corpse Carnage Countdown
3. Rock, Paper, Whatever: Sunweald Palace Edition

Music Mentions:

Fighter by Kerrigan

Surrender also by Kerrigan

Loving the Dead by Vried and Djerv

“What Is Coworker Metal?” article, Metal Injection

Reading Recommendations:

1. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
2. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
3. Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines

August’s Book: Grab your sword and sandals, because we’re reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This modern classic retells the myth of Achilles through the eyes of his most beloved companion Patroclus. Epic love, epic action, epic spears in faces.

Playlist Contents:

• The Awakening - Saor
• To Live Is to Fight - Almora
• Betwixt Shield and Sword - Curta'n Wall
• Assassin - Trouble
• Walking Wounded - Frayle
• Hamrer Hippyer - Heilung
• Revenant - SuidAkrA
• Sanctuary - Adfeilion
• The Green Enchanted Forest of the Druid Wizard - Ifernach
• Dark Altar Magic - Hoaxed
• Let's Kill These Motherfuckers - Lair Of The Minotaur
• The Oaken Throne - Empyrium
• Shield Anvil - Queen of Dreams
• Taker of heads - Waylander
• Deep Stillness (Rest for a While) - Solstice Rider
• The Punisher - Kasck
• I Am Warrior - Cruachan
• Hammer Smashed Face - Cannibal Corpse
• Unbroken You Remain - Hand of Kalliach
• In Youth We Learn, in Age We Understand - Sakis Tolis