There are stories that are utterly forgettable, and ones that makes you ponder about the characters and yourself in relation. This is a story about a barbarian tribesman with no qualms about killing in a fictitious world not unlike our past, during age of exploration. So seeing myself resonate with the character was the last thing I expected. It is NOT a dark fantasy, but a bloody action adventure but is laden with gentle philosophy. Reminds me of an earlier Tokien or GRR Martin style work. It mirrors questions most people will ask in their lives yet it is kept optimistic because of the MC's talent and outliook.