Mark Yon reviewed the book here at SFFWorld recently, too: https://www.sffworld.com/2019/09/a-little-hatred-by-joe-abercrombie/
Joe Abercrombie needs little introduction to fantasy readers at this point, the man who dubbed himself @LordGrimdark on Twitter is at the forefront of modern fantasy and dark modern fantasy. When he releases a new novel, it is an event, especially a novel that features many of his most popular characters as well as their offspring. A Little Hatred picks up the world of the First Law Novels (and much of us adult fantasy) at time of change. His world is going through something of an industrial revolution and the old ways of sorcery are very much at odds with the new age of machines and mass production. Three decades separates A Little Hatred from Last Argument of Kings (the finale to The First Law Trilogytrilogy) and about half that between Hatred and the brilliant Red Country. Though many years have passed, magic is not something that goes away easily.
The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal’s son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments.
Savine dan Glokta – socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union – plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another…
While the mage Bayaz is still a major player in the world along with Glokta whose name still is intimidating, Joe focuses on “The Next Generation,” if you will. Glokta’s daughter, Savine is the most prominent player in A Little Hatred while Jezal’s son Orso’s story takes up a major portion of the novel. Joe also introduces reader to Rikke, daughter of longtime favorite Dogman, who was one of Logen Ninefingers closest “friends.” Leo van Brock is the son of Harod Brock is trying to make a name for himself, despite the rather dark shadow cast by his father. The great mage Bayaz is back, too, although unlike many of his co-stars from the previous novels, he has no offspring featured in this novel.
A Little Hatred, is far more than Joe just swapping in new characters. His voice and tone are definitely present from the very beginning; there’s plenty of squelching, violence, and all sorts of uncomfortable scenarios. But he also, as is his wont, has Things to Say. In the previous novels set in this world, magic was subtle, yet very powerful. While it didn’t pervade everything in the world, it was a great power. The new power taking over the world is Machinery and Human Ingenuity. The conflict between magic and industry isn’t necessarily a new power dynamic being explored in fantasy fiction, but Joe makes the conflict feel more human, real, and with a sense of urgency.
A thematic conflict is one element, of course. But characters who embody that conflict are what drive a story, the element(s) that pull readers along in a story and as ever, Joe Abercrombie has a great ability to create living evocative characters. For example, while Savine is Glokta’s daughter and shares some of his strong mindedness and ruthlessness, she is definitely her own person. For one, she actually expresses emotions and comes across as rather human although I would not want to try to transact business with her from an opposing viewpoint. Orso is somewhat foppish like his father, but maybe even more so. However, despite the outward appearances both Orso and Savine show to the world, they are hiding much more in the depth of their motivations. They don’t even know how deeply their inner selves differ from what they show to the world at large. Put simply, Joe once again excels at his nimble, elegant, and deft characterizations.
As I said, the bloody, griminess of everything is ever present, but something about the setting has shifted. There’s a lengthy, gripping, claustrophobic scene involving Savine that may be some of the more harrowing stuff Joe’s written. Perhaps because the setting is slightly more modern and closer to what is real for our world, this scene was so effective. Either way, Joe was able to transport the trapped feeling from his character to my reading experience. That transporting effect has always been a strong element in Joe Abercrombie’s fiction and here in A Little Hatred it is as potent as ever.
By setting this story three decades after the main First Law Trilogy, Joe Abercombie has made this book accessible to readers who haven’t had the good fortune to read any of his other books. That also helps readers like myself who haven’t read Mr. Abercombie’s novels in a few years. My point being is that A Little Hatred is a novel that will work for all readers looking for an enthralling story populated with uniquely fascinating characters.
I expect this to be near the top of many “Best of 2019” lists and I wouldn’t be shocked if A Little Hatred gets serious award discussion. For a writer who has proven great ability over the years at smart storytelling with some” Things To Say.” A Little Hatred may be the most accomplished work from a writer who many already consider a master.
Highly Recommended.
© 2019 Rob H. Bedford
Hardcover | 480 Pages
September 2019 | Orbit Books
https://joeabercrombie.com/
Review copy courtesy of the publisher Tor Books
