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da3m0nic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, War, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
lvl52_grant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Joe Abercrombie is amazing, and even if this felt like his weakest book, it was still awesome. It was fun to get reacquainted with the Wheel of the World, and just get down to a good ol' medieval Western. Many old characters returned, and it felt like an easy way to re-enter the plot without needing to know all the details. The Wheel isn't a good world, and mos of the characters aren't good people, but I'm very excited to continue on with the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, and Sexual content
jombo65's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another cracker by Abercrombie, laden down by a bit of a slow start. Once things get going, however, they get bloody going.
A return of favorite characters and a sendoff to one in particular. Love it as much as I love the rest. Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he can't write a bad novel.
A return of favorite characters and a sendoff to one in particular. Love it as much as I love the rest. Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he can't write a bad novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood, and Murder
ripxw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Well, it certainly lives up to the name Red Country, as it felt like the darkest entry in the First Law universe so far. It's a brutal fantasy western that takes a while to get into at first but damn.. the payoff for me was certainly worth it! Like the previous standalone novels, this one has new & returning characters who are more than interesting enough, and I daresay their arcs had the perfect conclusions, which probably wouldn't have worked so well without the 'slow' sections in the first half. My favorites were Lamb & Temple , and I disagree with the notion that a returning character's arc was handled terribly ( Come on, Cosca has always been like that! ) . This is one of those books where I can't really explain why I love it without getting into too many spoilers, but it has all the hallmark tropes of a Western which I love, ( may or may not be your cup of tea ), the allusions are great and properly placed, plenty of dark humor and meaningful quotes, and while I think The Heroes was perhaps a better book where my enjoyment was consistent, this book delivered waaaaay more chills down my spine, especially the second half ( last part had me anxious for its entirety ). I felt like Shy was similar to Monza in the sense that they both were the least interesting characters in their own book, but they are still pretty good and I was invested in their fate. My favorite moments which I wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon involve the duel and the last stand in the fort . I can see people having gripes about animal cruelty, the slow journey of fellowship, Dragon people being undercooked, and Cosca's fate , but they didn't bother me personally, and considering the impact it had overall, this book has pushed its way to the 'favorites' shelf of mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Pedophilia
josiah17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pretty slow start, and some slow sections throughout. But the last quarter was fantastic.
The western setting is awesome. Abercrombie clearly loves his western stories and the inspiration bleeds through the pages.
Although most of my enjoyment did come from the appearance of a particular beloved character, the plot overall was good and the characters were entertaining per usual with First Law.
The western setting is awesome. Abercrombie clearly loves his western stories and the inspiration bleeds through the pages.
Although most of my enjoyment did come from the appearance of a particular beloved character, the plot overall was good and the characters were entertaining per usual with First Law.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
adammtucker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Abercombie's take on a western delivers in my favorite standalone yet, filled with tense scenes, great characters, and an enjoyable plot that sets the progressing world against a backdrop you're familiar with from other First Law books. Characters are predictably excellent, and the dialogue sparkles. Gritty, dirty, and fun from start to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Xenophobia, and Slavery
A work that makes exploring the standalones of the First Law worth it, my favorite yet - which is impressive given I thought The Heroes was also excellent.yknight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good to see some old characters returning for a (final?) hurrah. I really like Abercrombie's unique character quirks. I would love more set in the first law world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Sexual content, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit
bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.75
Gosh, has it really been 11 years since I read this for the first time? Unreal. This was a reread via audiobook narrated by the excellent Stephen Pacey. It has been a joy to rediscover these books this way, and I will definitely be continuing.
Looking at the previous review I wrote for this book, I think I was way too harsh on it. It stands up incredibly well in the wider context of The First Law series, and to tell the truth, I don’t remember reading the latter half of the book beyond a couple of very key events, so it was nice to go back and refresh my memory and realise it wasn’t that pointless or awful after all!
It really is wonderful to be back with with these characters again, both as a veteran reader and also after having recently reread ‘Best Served Cold’ and ‘The Heroes’. Cosca, Shivers and “Lamb” all make a welcome reappearance, whilst new characters Temple and Shy are just as entertaining as they were the first time around. Temple especially is a delight. I see the blueprint of my all time favourite Orso (from The Age of Madness trilogy) in him; he's that rare breed of Abercrombie character who is genuinely good and just trying to do the right thing, even if he sometimes fails spectacularly.
I also really loved the ending to this one; bittersweet after so much misery in previous instalments—sometimes the light is necessary to make the darkness hit that much harder.
It remains Joe’s weakest book in The First Law series for sure, but that’s not really the biting of a criticism you think it is. I love this world, this story and these characters in all their messy glory with all my heart.
Looking at the previous review I wrote for this book, I think I was way too harsh on it. It stands up incredibly well in the wider context of The First Law series, and to tell the truth, I don’t remember reading the latter half of the book beyond a couple of very key events, so it was nice to go back and refresh my memory and realise it wasn’t that pointless or awful after all!
It really is wonderful to be back with with these characters again, both as a veteran reader and also after having recently reread ‘Best Served Cold’ and ‘The Heroes’. Cosca, Shivers and “Lamb” all make a welcome reappearance, whilst new characters Temple and Shy are just as entertaining as they were the first time around. Temple especially is a delight. I see the blueprint of my all time favourite Orso (from The Age of Madness trilogy) in him; he's that rare breed of Abercrombie character who is genuinely good and just trying to do the right thing, even if he sometimes fails spectacularly.
I also really loved the ending to this one; bittersweet after so much misery in previous instalments—sometimes the light is necessary to make the darkness hit that much harder.
It remains Joe’s weakest book in The First Law series for sure, but that’s not really the biting of a criticism you think it is. I love this world, this story and these characters in all their messy glory with all my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Vomit, Cursing, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Trafficking, and War
Minor: Excrement, Sexual assault, and Torture
The story concerns the abuduction of children and their retrieval by the main character. The children are being trafficked to a buyer for a specfic plot reason, however they are not physically harmed or abused. Two of the characters are canonically alcoholics, one of whom is a lost cause and other who is trying to get better. There is also a backdrop subplot concerning rebellion (and consequently war) , and suppression of said rebellion by the inquisition. Contains the usual Joe Abercrombie grossness concerning bodily fluids, sex and swearing.onthesamepage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
In a pretty big departure from the rest of the First Law books, Abercrombie brings us a light fantasy Western. I think that's part of what didn't work me, since I don't tend to enjoy that genre for the most part. The pacing felt extremely slow, and not much happens until the last 25% of the book. I really liked the last part, but not enough to bring the rating up any further.
I enjoyed the POVs we got. Shy and Temple and their interactions were a highlight, and of course I can't forget about Lamb. There are sadly no chapters from his perspective, though. I'm curious to see how the Near/Far Country will fit in with the rest of the world, and what plans Abercrombie has for it.The dragon, specifically, really intrigued me, and I do hope we get to hear more about that at some point.
I enjoyed the POVs we got. Shy and Temple and their interactions were a highlight, and of course I can't forget about Lamb. There are sadly no chapters from his perspective, though. I'm curious to see how the Near/Far Country will fit in with the rest of the world, and what plans Abercrombie has for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder