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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Not as good as the other books, but still entertaining. I do need a break from murder and killing though.
"Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie is a standalone novel set in the same world as the First Law Trilogy, offering a thrilling and dark tale of revenge. The story follows Monza Murcatto, a former mercenary captain betrayed and left for dead, as she seeks vengeance against those who wronged her.
Abercrombie's signature writing style, characterized by sharp dialogue and gritty realism, is on full display. The narrative is a compelling blend of intricate plotting, intense action sequences, and exploration of the human condition. The author introduces a new cast of characters, each with their own motivations and flaws, adding depth to the story.
The world-building remains a strength, providing a vivid and immersive backdrop for the unfolding events. While "Best Served Cold" is a standalone novel, readers familiar with the First Law Trilogy will appreciate the connections and references to the broader world.
One of the highlights of the book is its exploration of the cost of revenge and the toll it takes on individuals. The characters are morally ambiguous, and their personal journeys contribute to the novel's depth. The pacing is well-managed, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.
In summary, "Best Served Cold" is a dark and gripping tale of revenge that showcases Abercrombie's storytelling prowess. It offers a satisfying blend of action, complex characters, and a nuanced exploration of themes, making it a compelling read for both fans of the First Law Trilogy and newcomers to Abercrombie's work.
Mycket bra! Som vanligt bygger Abercrombie fantastiska karaktärer med gråskalor på gråskalor och även hos de mest vidriga finns försonande drag.
Jag tycker mycket om hur spiraler av hämnd, lögner och förräderi vrider om karaktärerna allt mer och mer. Det är en krass, mörk värld där hjältemod och hög moral göra sig icke besvär. Ingen litar på någon annan och de som gör det råkar illa ut.
Ett stort plus är att flera karakärer från The first law trilogin återfinns här. Bikaraktärer som nu får huvudroller.
Jag tyckte boken blev väl babblig emellanåt med mycket konversationer och karaktärers reflektioner. Inte så det blev ett stort problem, men det sänkte tempot och fick mitt fokus att vackla ibland. Sexscenerna är inte heller de bästa som skrivits
Jag tycker mycket om hur spiraler av hämnd, lögner och förräderi vrider om karaktärerna allt mer och mer. Det är en krass, mörk värld där hjältemod och hög moral göra sig icke besvär. Ingen litar på någon annan och de som gör det råkar illa ut.
Ett stort plus är att flera karakärer från The first law trilogin återfinns här. Bikaraktärer som nu får huvudroller.
Jag tyckte boken blev väl babblig emellanåt med mycket konversationer och karaktärers reflektioner. Inte så det blev ett stort problem, men det sänkte tempot och fick mitt fokus att vackla ibland. Sexscenerna är inte heller de bästa som skrivits
If you enjoyed Abercrombie's prior books (The First Law series) chances are good you'll like this one too.
Not a very detailed review is it? No, I guess not and it does tend to ignore everyone who hasn't read a prior Abercrombie book (what? you haven't? Go read them, they are very good!). Okay, well, I'll try again then.
Best Served Cold is about revenge; all sorts of revenge. The book opens with a betrayal and then spends the rest of the tome describing how the betrayed, Monza Murcotto, exacts her revenge on those that betrayed her.
Monza is a well drawn character who's backstory is filled in as the novel unfolds. And, as we learn more about Monza, she is joined by a variety of characters that you may remember from the First Law books thus providing a robust cast of characters that, at times, keep the tale more interesting than the activity surrounding them.
Overall I thought this story was a bit simplistic but it was still a fun read and I wouldn't hesitate to suggest to others. However, as in the First Law books, there are some scenes that may be disturbing; especially scenes detailing torture so proceed with caution if that type of action, in it's written form, is difficult for you.
Not a very detailed review is it? No, I guess not and it does tend to ignore everyone who hasn't read a prior Abercrombie book (what? you haven't? Go read them, they are very good!). Okay, well, I'll try again then.
Best Served Cold is about revenge; all sorts of revenge. The book opens with a betrayal and then spends the rest of the tome describing how the betrayed, Monza Murcotto, exacts her revenge on those that betrayed her.
Monza is a well drawn character who's backstory is filled in as the novel unfolds. And, as we learn more about Monza, she is joined by a variety of characters that you may remember from the First Law books thus providing a robust cast of characters that, at times, keep the tale more interesting than the activity surrounding them.
Overall I thought this story was a bit simplistic but it was still a fun read and I wouldn't hesitate to suggest to others. However, as in the First Law books, there are some scenes that may be disturbing; especially scenes detailing torture so proceed with caution if that type of action, in it's written form, is difficult for you.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy grimdark, Batman. It's a compelling read, but really gory and full of general misery.
Loved it! Great characters and captivating storyline. I really appreciate his writing style.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really liked this story, which I hadn't expected after reading the First Law Trilogy. Those three books were "okay", a bit "meh", and a lot "trying too hard to be big and bad and gritty".
This one is a lot better.
The story is a cliché: person gets betrayed by someone, left for dead, recovers and swears bloody vengeance. Oh and gets that vengeance, oh, how she does.
It is not only this plot that gives me the Tarantino-feel, it is the writing. Gritty politicking in the end..
There are two twists even I hadn't seen coming, which is saying a lot.
Now, here's the rub (still). You can call this "grimdark" all you like... but that doesn't make it so. Alright, it isn't sparkly fairies fluffing unicorn er, icecream, but still... dark? No.
Mentioning toilet-habbits and swearing a lot doesn't make something dark, nor grim. There is just one grim bit: but even that is just... mildly dark. Bridget Wood does a lot worse than this and isn't considered grimdark.
I like that it isn't sugar and spice, but please, this isn't near as dark as a lot of other writers I love to read, so cut it out with the grimdark mkay. Go read some [a:Steven Erikson|31232|Steven Erikson|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1219169436p2/31232.jpg] if you want high end classy darkness. Or [a:Bridget Wood|95774|Bridget Wood|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] if you want real stomach turning. Or [a:Stephen Donaldson|7364771|Stephen Donaldson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] if you want angst and darkness and swearing, and a really unlikeable (yet likeable) main character. Or many others.
Then there is the narrator. The narrator is Michael Page, who also narrates The Lies of Locke Lamorra. And as it is a same style/setting book, I expected Locke to appear any moment ;-)
But the voice is too rich for this book. Waaaaaay to rich. It is a roley poley posh voice and totally unfitting the story. I would rather have someone more... gritty.
This voice distracts me, keeps making me notice it, breaking the story. That's bad. I had the same problem in the Locke Lamorra series, by the way.
Page is excellent for fairy tales and christmas carols and such, but please keep him away from (semi) grit. He is too theatrical for it.
Grimdark or no, I enjoyed this book. Monszcaro (however you write her name, that's the problem with audiobooks)
This one is a lot better.
The story is a cliché: person gets betrayed by someone, left for dead, recovers and swears bloody vengeance. Oh and gets that vengeance, oh, how she does.
It is not only this plot that gives me the Tarantino-feel, it is the writing. Gritty politicking in the end.
Spoiler
People betraying and killing everyone in the endThere are two twists even I hadn't seen coming, which is saying a lot.
Now, here's the rub (still). You can call this "grimdark" all you like... but that doesn't make it so. Alright, it isn't sparkly fairies fluffing unicorn er, icecream, but still... dark? No.
Mentioning toilet-habbits and swearing a lot doesn't make something dark, nor grim. There is just one grim bit:
Spoiler
the eye scene... you knowI like that it isn't sugar and spice, but please, this isn't near as dark as a lot of other writers I love to read, so cut it out with the grimdark mkay. Go read some [a:Steven Erikson|31232|Steven Erikson|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1219169436p2/31232.jpg] if you want high end classy darkness. Or [a:Bridget Wood|95774|Bridget Wood|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] if you want real stomach turning. Or [a:Stephen Donaldson|7364771|Stephen Donaldson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] if you want angst and darkness and swearing, and a really unlikeable (yet likeable) main character. Or many others.
Then there is the narrator. The narrator is Michael Page, who also narrates The Lies of Locke Lamorra. And as it is a same style/setting book, I expected Locke to appear any moment ;-)
But the voice is too rich for this book. Waaaaaay to rich. It is a roley poley posh voice and totally unfitting the story. I would rather have someone more... gritty.
This voice distracts me, keeps making me notice it, breaking the story. That's bad. I had the same problem in the Locke Lamorra series, by the way.
Page is excellent for fairy tales and christmas carols and such, but please keep him away from (semi) grit. He is too theatrical for it.
Grimdark or no, I enjoyed this book. Monszcaro (however you write her name, that's the problem with audiobooks)