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craig_tyler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
3.5
darksasquatch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
Not too often I actually struggle to put a book down! The last two sections in particular I ended up reading like a madman, it was just that compelling!
I do end up thinking the first trilogy as a whole surpasses this book, but in my opinion I think it surpasses at least The Last Argument of Kings on an individual level.
I do end up thinking the first trilogy as a whole surpasses this book, but in my opinion I think it surpasses at least The Last Argument of Kings on an individual level.
tkryan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.25
theneoriver's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
uneventhread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
akuks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
fast-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
hea0's review against another edition
4.0
Joe Ambercrombie's writing is fantastic. His characters are great, and I love the humour he adds to his dialogues.
morninglightmountain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pascalibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Not having read Sharp Ends and A Little Hatred, Best Served Cold is probably my favorite First Law book from Joe Abercrombie thus far. This was the only book besides The Heroes where none of the POVs made me groan when switched to. Unlike The Heroes, every character felt distinct to me. If references to names were largely removed, I feel like I could tell whose POV it was just by how they were speaking. No section of the book overstayed its welcome. Each "mission" ended just before it would have felt like it was dragging on. So unlike Red Country, and the main trilogy if im being honest, I didn't think the middle of the book suffered. I liked the ending because it didn't feel rushed to me. Many other endings feel like whirlwinds where everything ends in such a small space compared to the rest of the book. While the ending is still a shorter section, I felt like it was given the length it deserved.
One of the things I dont usually like in The First Law is that, despite being billed as gritty or even grimdark, the characters always feel immortal to me, unless the death happens to be in the last 50 pages. I never believe a character will die, and this is no different in Best Served Cold. When one character was supposedly killed, it was absolutely no surprise to me when they came back soon after. I even predicted the way they would come back. I also think the violence was a little over the top, although I am pretty sure Joe intended it to be that way.
Overall, a great book and, in my opinion, the best in The First Law series so far.
One of the things I dont usually like in The First Law is that, despite being billed as gritty or even grimdark, the characters always feel immortal to me, unless the death happens to be in the last 50 pages. I never believe a character will die, and this is no different in Best Served Cold. When one character was supposedly killed, it was absolutely no surprise to me when they came back soon after. I even predicted the way they would come back. I also think the violence was a little over the top, although I am pretty sure Joe intended it to be that way.
Overall, a great book and, in my opinion, the best in The First Law series so far.
elgh97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5