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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
4.5 ⭐️
This one took some getting used to, but once the characters started growing on me I was hooked!
Joe Abercrombie has such a unique writing style that perfectly blends gritty darkness and violence with compelling humor.
This ragtag group of misfits- or “devils” to the religious world - includes a Polish werewolf, a necromancer, a vampire, an elf, and a knight who cannot die. This was the found family I didn’t know I needed. Those who, once you get to know them, are endearing in their own ways and painstakingly loyal to one another.
I’m not sure what that last chapter was all about, but it’s clearly setting up new characters for the next book. I’m excited to see where this series goes!
This one took some getting used to, but once the characters started growing on me I was hooked!
Joe Abercrombie has such a unique writing style that perfectly blends gritty darkness and violence with compelling humor.
This ragtag group of misfits- or “devils” to the religious world - includes a Polish werewolf, a necromancer, a vampire, an elf, and a knight who cannot die. This was the found family I didn’t know I needed. Those who, once you get to know them, are endearing in their own ways and painstakingly loyal to one another.
I’m not sure what that last chapter was all about, but it’s clearly setting up new characters for the next book. I’m excited to see where this series goes!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
took me a while but i really enjoyed this i ADORED the characters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The start felt rather stereotypical and sluggish, but after it hooked on, it was a brilliant read. To follow the characters in their struggle was a joy.
I would have preferred a happier ending though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit
Minor: Confinement
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really fun romp written in cinematic style. Only thing holding it back is a slight over reliance on tropey plot points and Whedon-esque witticisms which get tired over the length of the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Abercrombie is fascinated by the way that character development can be circular, by someone trying to be better and being unable to escape some fundamental flaw.
He's also very good at making this a funny punchline.
I loved the alt-history stuff in this, and the episodic nature shores up a lot of his plotting. It's leaning into his comedy chops a lot more than the First Law trilogy did (to its credit) if you're in the mood to read something very quippy. The characters constantly mirror and echo turns of phrase within paragraphs of each other, creating an almost skit-like cadence.
If anything this puts me in the mind of Abercombie trying his hand at a Stardust or Princess Bride, filtered through his usual cynicism, but there's some genuinely heartfelt stuff in here that the grimdark doesn't obscure.
Nothing served to push this book over the edge for me as a rereadable book, but it's got some excellent popcorn quality.
He's also very good at making this a funny punchline.
I loved the alt-history stuff in this, and the episodic nature shores up a lot of his plotting. It's leaning into his comedy chops a lot more than the First Law trilogy did (to its credit) if you're in the mood to read something very quippy. The characters constantly mirror and echo turns of phrase within paragraphs of each other, creating an almost skit-like cadence.
If anything this puts me in the mind of Abercombie trying his hand at a Stardust or Princess Bride, filtered through his usual cynicism, but there's some genuinely heartfelt stuff in here that the grimdark doesn't obscure.
Nothing served to push this book over the edge for me as a rereadable book, but it's got some excellent popcorn quality.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes