Joe Abercrombie-First Law Series

[orcmauler]

A quick noob search didn't turn up anything, but has anyone read these yet?

Holy cow I am impressed. As a combination fantasy, political fable, etc. etc. the first two books are some of the better ones I've read this year (and I read a lot)

Not to mention Glokta could stand on his own two feet (Snicker) in the anti-hero thread alone.

Any one else given these a read yet?

[Nebuchadnezzar]

They're great. Abercrombie really took the rule that a good book comes from good characters to heart and the twist at the end of book 2 was very laughable. He's usually put in with the group of new younger authors that has come on scene recently (Ruckley, Sanderson, Abraham, Lynch, and Rothfuss are the others)

Can't wait till book 3 is released stateside (Sept I think, because that month isn't full enough with two Malazan releases).

[Koivu]

Read all 3 books so far, very very pleased with the series. Book 2 is the weakest in my opinion, as for me at least it's a bit too much waffling with sidestories and not enough actual advances in the main plot, but the book builds directly to the events of the 3rd book, which sucks if you don't have access to it immediately. Book 3 is major goodness, and Abercrombie really twists some characters around. Anything more said would be spoilers. Ends in a bit of a clifthanger, with some plotlines still open, so hoping for a 4th+ books in the series.

[DoctorSpooge]

I read the first book and thought it fun, if not groundbreaking. The second one is queued up.

Anyway, I like the author himself more than his books. As I've said before, he's a riot.

[Koivu]

Yeah, this is not epic fantasy a la George Martin or Steven Erikson, the weakest part of the books really is the lack of distinctive finale at the end of the first two books. Third book delivers in a far grander scale, though some of the storylines are still left unexplored, such as Ferro's past and why she hates the Gurkish Emperor so vehemently.

Once you can read all 3 books as a continuous story, it becomes a far better reading experience.

[Zanoan]

Sounds like another series I gotta add to the list!

[Grizzlebeard]

You know, I absolutely loved the first two novels in the series and waited avidly almost a year for the third. Maybe I expected too much but I was left feeling completely depressed when I closed the book, I honestly think he went overboard on the bleak, harsh reality front. Anyone familiar with fantasy novels will be more than used to all those cliches such as an adopted son who later turns out to be the heir to the kingdom, Abercrombie on the other hand actively attempts to steer clear of these obvious pitfalls and in some cases tries to dispel them entirely. The problem is, in doing so he falls foul of making his story seem so removed from certain cliches as to be artificial.

After finishing the third novel I was left feeling it has been rushed out to finish the first series. One of the other posters stated the second book was probably the worst, for me it was the best. From the developing of West, the scene with the Prince was amazing, through to the scene where Dogman and his companions captured the boy prisoner and the following discussion and inevitable conclusion. For me that novel was so powerful and left me expecting another two to three novels before the series reach a climax.

I'd still recommend reading it to anyone, just temper your excitement when opening Last Argument of Kings.

[Zanoan]

Ordered "The Blade Itself" two hours ago. Can't wait !