The Five Realms #3: The Beasts of Grimheart by Kieran Larwood

Assassins called bonedancers have finally tracked me down, and my storytelling skills are the only thing that may save me... "Podkin and his friends had already defeated the Gorm a couple of times, but the enemy regrouped and inflicted even more devastation. It didn't seem possible that anything could destroy the whole Grimheart Forest, but the Gorm had created a new weapon of destruction. Podkin's forces numbered around sixty, while the Gorm countered with hundreds of metal warriors. Podkin and his sister Paz had collected several Gifts of the Goddess, but they knew they needed at least one more, a magic bow held by their uncle. They ventured into the forest in search of his warren, but his hate for their mother was powerful. Then, along the way, Podkin and Paz discovered there was a traitor among them."

You really need to read the previous books first. The unique twist to the series is how it is told in two settings. A bard named Wulf (his true identity was revealed in a previous book) shares the story of Podkin and his quest to stop Scramashank, leader of the Gorm. This book seems to end the war, but the resolution leaves some questions. Podkin is an endearing main character, as he's an unassuming hero. He's thrust into the role of a leader, but he questions all of his decisions. It's a lot of responsibility, and he thinks his sister Paz would make a great chief. However, women are rarely considered for that position, and the story addresses this injustice. The book unites unlikely allies to combat the Gorm juggernaut. At the core of the conflict is an ages old feud between the gods and goddesses. Podkin pursues the history of it and makes it the focus of his strategy. Overall, this is an entertaining series that's easy to read. It's being shared by a storytelling bard! Give it a shot.