Reviews - A Little Hatred | The StoryGraph

1.86k reviews for:

A Little Hatred

Joe Abercrombie

4.41 AVERAGE

funnyonion's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark funny 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

setonai's review against another edition

5.0

fast-paced

Joe Abercrombie’s A Little Hatred is like waiting in line for a sip of water—once you’ve had that first taste, you just want more. Coming off the explosive end of The First Law trilogy, I had high expectations for the start of The Age of Madness, and Abercrombie did not disappoint. He brings the world vividly to life, weaving his characters into a brutal, living tapestry. Even the side characters had me hooked—I wanted to listen to them, support them, follow their stories.

The narrative follows several compelling characters, each deeply flawed, complex, and evolving in unforgettable ways:

Orso, Crown Prince and son of Jezal dan Luthar, begins the book as a seemingly useless, indulgent aristocrat—much like his father once was. At first, I had no sympathy for him. He came off as pathetic, out of touch, and lost. But as the story progresses, Abercrombie peels back his layers. Orso’s efforts to broker peace between the crown and the people mark a turning point, and when he discovers those he negotiated with have been executed by the Closed Council, you can feel his disillusionment. That moment of realization—that he’s just a tool of the system—hit hard. This kind of character development is where Abercrombie truly shines.

Savine dan Glokta, daughter of the infamous Arch Lector Glokta, is another standout. Initially portrayed as ruthless and calculating, she views people as nothing more than stepping stones toward wealth and influence. But beneath that cold, sharp exterior are moments of raw humanity. Her reunion with her father, where she briefly becomes a vulnerable little girl again, was incredibly touching. So was her intimacy with Orso—choosing to fund his war effort from the heart, with no contract or conditions. The most powerful moment, though, was when she experienced the riots firsthand. Hiding in a poor family’s home, stripped of status and power, she seemed to long for something simple and universal: touch, warmth, and the comfort of being truly cared for. Her emotional breakdown when reunited with her mother—only to be denied even a hug—was gut-wrenching. Abercrombie excels at showing the cracks in even the hardest people.

Vick dan Teufel, a former prisoner and now agent of the state, has one of the most ironic arcs. Her entire family was sent to the camps by Glokta—only for her to end up working for the very institution that destroyed her life. It’s darkly poetic and adds another layer to the themes of power, survival, and compromise.

Rikke, daughter of the Dogman, offers a different perspective. She’s driven by duty to her people, and while I appreciated her chapters, I wanted more depth to what makes her special—beyond her magical eye that sees the future. She’s intriguing, and I hope future books dig deeper into her identity and growth.

Leo dan Brock is another character who surprised me. At first, he reads like a hot-headed, spoiled noble boy living in his mother’s shadow. But he slowly comes into his own, shedding immaturity and forging his own path. Watching him evolve into a real leader was satisfying.

Abercrombie is a master storyteller. A Little Hatred could almost work as a standalone, but longtime fans of The First Law will find deeper emotional resonance thanks to the returning legacy characters and layered world-building. While I may have entered with towering expectations, this book still managed to blow me away. It’s a bold, brilliant start to The Age of Madness trilogy.

And to end on one of the most unforgettable lines:

“If she was to be cast as the villain, so be it. They were always the most interesting characters anyway.” – Savine dan Glokta

A must-read for fantasy lovers.

kendylldrilling's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark 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

rheagoveas's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective 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

Content Warnings

prisandherbooks's review against another edition

4.0

Actual rating: 4,5 stars

After a few rather mixed standalones, Joe Abercrombie returns with a new First Law trilogy that promises to be as memorable and epic as the first. As usual, the characters carried this novel. Twenty years have passed since the first trilogy and the next generation is now taking over. While some of our old favourites are still around, this new cast stands on its own and owns the narrative just as easily as the old one.

The world building is also very impressive and detailed, developing alongside the characters. The plot is full of action, and even during the slower scenes, it’s impossible take our eyes off the page. Abercrombie’s writing style remains one of my favourite, peppered with bits of humour that make this grimdark a delight to read. I had a wonderful time (re)falling in love with this world and its characters, and I’m already looking forward to continuing the series!