The First Law (Looking for books like Abercombie's trilogy)

**KatG** · December 4th, 2008, 09:50 PM

You're not supposed to like Jezal at first, and one of my few quibbles is that Abercrombie made Jezal a bit more clueless and over the top than I think he needed to be in the first book to establish Jezal as ignorant and shallow. But over time, of course, Jezal becomes a lot more likable. As for the other characters, I like them all, very much, though like doesn't always mean I admire them. Logen's tragic situation is the most heart-wrenching. (Imagine if the Hulk was an avatar of mad slaughter.)

As for Glotka's internal dialogues -- I love those. Here is a character who is continually arguing with himself about whether to live or die. Awaiting, expecting and welcoming death, but at the same time, hating the very idea of it. A man who has far more heart to him than when he was hale and strong, yet does evil things by choice and desperation. You're not going to forget Glotka once you read about him, or the sing-song of his dilemma.

**jamieem** · December 5th, 2008, 04:42 AM

And not only that, I find Glotka's internal sarcasm hilarious...

It could also be argued, that his imprisonment, torture and disfigurement at the hands of the Gurkish has unbalanced him and this constant, nagging internal voice is one of the consequences.

I think Glotka is one of the most brilliant new characters in the fantasy genre and sincerely hope Joe includes him in future novels and allows the depth of his character to grow even further - seems inevitable at this point, given the ending to book 3.

**Chirios** · December 5th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by jamieem

And not only that, I find Glotka's internal sarcasm hilarious

Kneel! Kneel before the mighty emperor of Ghurkhul!

**KatG** · December 5th, 2008, 12:33 PM

No, no, don't tell me anything! I haven't read it yet.

**Decado** · December 6th, 2008, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by KatG

You're not supposed to like Jezal, at least not at first. And yes, I sympathize about Bakker, but isn't it fascinating how he does that?

In book he is simply unbearable. One of the reasons the third was one of the more disappointing books I've read for a while and easily the worst of the trilogy.

**KatG** · December 6th, 2008, 02:04 PM

Which one, Abercrombie or Bakker? Wait, don't tell me. I haven't read Book 3 of either.

**Dyloot** · December 6th, 2008, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by KatG

Which one, Abercrombie or Bakker? Wait, don't tell me. I haven't read Book 3 of either.

KatG! Immediately read book three of Abercrombie so we may continue this thread!

**mjolnir** · December 6th, 2008, 05:23 PM

Abercrombie's third book does certainly cast some of the characters in a new light, [or, in some cases, recast them in an old ... but no]. Having read it, I find it very hard to talk about the earlier novels without knowledge of Last Argument of Kings informing what I say.

Oh, and about Bakker's Thousandfold Thought, ... might I humbly suggest that you read it soon? Because in about a month people are [hopefully] going to be talking about The Judging Eye all over the place, and the spoilers will be flying thick and fast.
________
Tdm850

**KatG** · December 7th, 2008, 02:02 PM

I'm working on Kings, Bakker may have to wait. The problem is that I am acquiring far too many series to follow.

**jamieem** · December 8th, 2008, 11:56 AM

Meanwhile, Joe will probably be very upset to discover how much he looks like Bono in this picture:

http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.co...omes-four.html

**KatG** · December 9th, 2008, 10:11 PM

LOL, Joe Abercrombie is really Bono! This explains a great deal.

**Joe Abercrombie** · December 10th, 2008, 02:17 AM

*sigh*

Yes, it's true, my secret is revealed.

The whole U2 thing just wasn't really making any money, so I've stepped up to the far more lucrative area of genre publishing.

My publishers were worried that 'Bono' wouldn't fit on a front cover very comfortably, so we went for the much punchier nom de plume, 'Joe Abercrombie'

**ChrisW** · December 10th, 2008, 02:23 AM

It's a nice name. Can I have a free book?

quick question, is the next book a stand alone?

**Alex** · December 10th, 2008, 04:32 AM

Hhahaha, nice one Joe. You must be the king of U2 kareoke at the bars around your place=)

As a sidenote I've noticed some people having suffered a "major letdown" by book 3 and I simply cannot understand it. For me book 3 was the best one in the series and I'm also waiting for Katg to finish reading the book already so we can resume the discussion. Giddi-yapp slow-poke!

**Joe Abercrombie** · December 10th, 2008, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisW

It's a nice name.

Thank you. What a gentleman.

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Can I have a free book?

Well, since it's Christmas ... no.

Originally Posted by ChrisW

quick question, is the next book a stand alone?

Yes, Best Served Cold can be read on its own, though it picks up some threads left over from the trilogy, and features a few minor characters in much more central roles. It's a self-contained story, though.

Originally Posted by Alex

I've noticed some people having suffered a "major letdown" by book 3 and I simply cannot understand it. For me book 3 was the best one in the series.

You are correct, book 3 was undeniably ABSOLUTELY ACE. I've been considering this bizarre reaction on the part of a tiny minority of readers, and can only conclude that the book was actually FAR TOO ACE for their fragile minds to comprehend, and caused a short-circuit in the aceness recognition centres of their brains, leaving them with the clearly mistaken impression that the book was actually quite poor.