First Law

[Cracknut he/him]

I know a lot people hate it here but still. One month left till Red Country's publication. Anyone waiting for legendary Logen Rip-Your-[REDACTED]-Face-Off Ninefingers' comeback?

[Chaos he/him]

I tried reading the Blade Itself, and while the characters were interesting, I got busy, put the book down and never picked it back up. The plot and setting didn't compel me enough forward.

[Shivertongue he/him]

The writing is fantastic, and that was what kept me going. When I finished it, though, I found the story itself to be a big let-down, as The Blade Itself was nothing more than set-up for the second book. The characters were blah, the plot was dull, and the setting was completely generic. That said, I cannot praise Joe Abercrombie's skill as a writer, in terms of pure word-smithing, highly enough.

Another thing - don't read Glokta's chapters while waiting in the dentist's office. Trust me on this.

[Yados]

I didn't end up liking the First Law books themselves very much, but the two stand alones, Best Served Cold and The Heroes, rank up there with my favorite fantasy books of all time.

I feel like the First Law books had a lot of spite and vinegar in their DNA. It seemed like Abercrombie was telling a type of story he didn't want to tell and he took it out on the reader. As if telling an epic fantasy with messed up characters wasn't enough of a subversion because even the idea of an epic implies that there can be value and meaning attached to anything that humans hold dear beyond their own base or personal needs. Which was very effective, but a little strange as no one sat down and forced Joe to write an epic fantasy in the first place. Thus, you kind of eye the omnipresent resentment that's there on the page like you might eye a friend who pushes you in the mud for saying how nice the weather is.

The later two books two don't have the same chip on their shoulders and are allowed to be merely well-written engaging books in a gritty world whose bleakness, while pointed out, mirrors our own just enough to make it seem tangible. I know which I prefer.

So yes, looking forward to Red Country. I'm pre-ordering the British version along with the Alcatraz omnibus that just came out there. I'm a bit of a cover snob, but I'll also probably get it a month early since it's been delayed stateside.

I have a feeling that most of our "Yay Logen is back" feels and expectations are going to be subverted to tragic, crushing effect, though.

[Cracknut he/him]

I didn't end up liking the First Law books themselves very much, but the two stand alones, Best Served Cold and The Heroes, rank up there with my favorite fantasy books of all time.

I feel like the First Law books had a lot of spite and vinegar in their DNA. It seemed like Abercrombie was telling a type of story he didn't want to tell and he took it out on the reader. As if telling an epic fantasy with messed up characters wasn't enough of a subversion because even the idea of an epic implies that there can be value and meaning attached to anything that humans hold dear beyond their own base or personal needs. Which was very effective, but a little strange as no one sat down and forced Joe to write an epic fantasy in the first place. Thus, you kind of eye the omnipresent resentment that's there on the page like you might eye a friend who pushes you in the mud for saying how nice the weather is.

The later two books two don't have the same chip on their shoulders and are allowed to be merely well-written engaging books in a gritty world whose bleakness, while pointed out, mirrors our own just enough to make it seem tangible. I know which I prefer.

So yes, looking forward to Red Country. I'm pre-ordering the British version along with the Alcatraz omnibus that just came out there. I'm a bit of a cover snob, but I'll also probably get it a month early since it's been delayed stateside.

I have a feeling that most of our "Yay Logen is back" feels and expectations are going to be subverted to tragic, crushing effect, though.

Heroes was best for me in series but I liked first three too. I don't know if you're right or wrong about him hating epic fantasy but whatever reason for all the non-traditional-epic-fantasy parts, it doesn't matters to me because I liked these books just for those parts, not to mention gritty humor and awesome writing style.

Cowardly old step father Lamb turning out Bloody Nine just can't fail

[Yados]

I really, really liked Red Country.

I think others might not. I'm prepared for others to call it derivative of Abercrombie's other works. Not without cause. It's very similar in its themes and clarity of purpose to Best Served Cold. Much of the book is a travelogue like Before They Are Hanged. There are a good number of returning characters, Cosca, Logen, Friendly, and Shivers chief among them.

More than just that, many of the things that readers probably really wanted out of a new Logen book are lacking. While both Logen and Cosca return and play substantial roles, it isn't their book, and most of the PoV is filled in by the new characters Shy and Temple.

But I really liked it. I think it's my favorite after Best Served Cold.

I'll post more in-depth thoughts later.

[guess]

Red Country has gotten very good reviews.

Not sure when I'll get to it. I don't read as much as a lot of people on this forum. I just started Tom Lloyd's first book (based on great reviews from the Elitist Book Reviews), then I think I want to read Assassin's Apprentice. I also picked up a copy of the Marjipoor Chronicles. I have been meaning to read this for years.

January 8th is blocked out for Memory of Light. I am looking forward to and dreading the last book. I have been reading these books since I was 16.

[Cracknut he/him]

Yeah, it wasn't book about Logen Ninefingers. I enjoyed Logen from Red Country more than Logen from trilogy. Abercrombie is getting better and better and Red Country is his best work so far(imo).