Reviews

3.5
I didn't connect with this one the way I eventually did with The First Law trilogy...revenge plots aren't for me, I don't think. I prefer the political machinations of the trilogy. And I truly disliked almost every character in this book, compared to how I liked almost all the morally grey characters in First Law. They were truly grey characters, but the characters in this book were just dark and unlikeable. I liked Shivers to start because I liked him in the trilogy and I really didn't enjoy his character arc (character descent?). I really didn't like Monza, and she felt fairly flat as a character too. The only one I liked was Cosca (and Vitari to some extent).

natenason's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

the ending really did it for me

kendylldrilling's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

3.0

_artemis_'s review against another edition

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4.0

4/5

mqabbadbest's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

The first half of the book was pretty good. It felt fresh. But after the same story repeating itself for 3 to 4 times, it gets old pretty quick. Each part of this book is split into the same sections: Arrive at place where target is, have sex, get betrayed, FIGHT/BATTLE SCENE, kill target, have sex again, leave place, repeat. All the characters involved are pretty much insufferable aswell (except

Vitari

). This book is the opposite of the first law trilogy: No characters but there is worldbuilding (not that great either, mind you). Anticlimactic ending as well. Very very obvious plot twists, that can be seen from a mile off. The positive I can give this book is that Abercrombie’s prose was still quite good throughout. Disappointing start to these stand alones.

Content Warnings

8a11istic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.25

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