I ended up liking this far more than I thought I would (especially with the dark, blood-spattered cover). I'm knocking off one star because of the witch - unless I find out that whole subplot plays a role in Abercrombie's larger world, it felt unnecessary and poorly thought out. What the book does well is its shifting, multiple POVs; though the majority had a similarity of voice they still separated well enough that you could sense the individual character, and yet you always felt that you were reading one cohesive story. Only one POV was more individualized in style, and I'm still wondering whether that was on purpose (as was that character's enigmatic conclusion)--perhaps that too was part of the greater world the author is writing in.I especially liked the battle sequences themselves, which felt very cinematic (has anyone yet written about the influence of cinema on novel construction?) and often showed us a character for the first and last time. In the circumstances, that device became poignant.Overall, it was an entertaining read, and a far more plausible presentation of a swords-and-armor battle than a lot of fantasy stuff out there. I ended up liking this far more than I thought I would (especially with the dark, blood-spattered cover). I'm knocking off one star because of the witch - unless I find out that whole subplot plays a role in Abercrombie's larger world, it felt unnecessary and poorly thought out. What the book does well is its shifting, multiple POVs; though the majority had a similarity of voice they still separated well enough that you could sense the individual character, and yet you always felt that you were reading one cohesive story. Only one POV was more individualized in style, and I'm still wondering whether that was on purpose (as was that character's enigmatic conclusion)--perhaps that too was part of the greater world the author is writing in.I especially liked the battle sequences themselves, which felt very cinematic (has anyone yet written about the influence of cinema on novel construction?) and often showed us a character for the first and last time. In the circumstances, that device became poignant.Overall, it was an entertaining read, and a far more plausible presentation of a swords-and-armor battle than a lot of fantasy stuff out there.
Do You like book Los Héroes (2012)?
The idea for the whole book being about one three-day battle was interesting but that ended up meaning there was a bit too much straight up slaughter and battle description for my tastes - at some point it got a little tedious to read. The saving grace of the book was the great insight into the characters' minds and hearts and the struggles some of them had about what's right and wrong, what is the right way to live that life of struggle and slaughter. Abercrombie also succeeded once again in making his characters complex and interesting enough to bring them to life in a realistic way.
—darthmul
I don't know if heroes deserves 5* it lets you down in so many ways. It teases you with your favorite characters from first law but just dangles the hook nothing important to the story. Sand Dan Gloka isn't in it either! I would have much rather preferred him instead of the first of the magi. Even though it lets you down in so many ways it raises you in others by creating more great characters and giving life to others you will already know I say read this book if you liked first law you will not be disappointed.
—Grace
Right y'are, Joe Abercrombie. Right y'are.
—taliwakitu11
