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A review by zachreadsfantasy
The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie
5.0
The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie was an immersive, exhilarating experience. What a fantastic addition to the "First Law" series, bringing more of Abercrombie's customary blend of amazing action and hilarious humor in this dark, brutal world.
Abercrombie's typically incredible character writing shines through once again. My favorites were Bremer Dan Gorst and Corporal Tunny. Gorst's introspection brought back fond memories of Sand Dan Glokta, while his battle prowess felt like a call-back to The Bloody-Nine. Tunny's chapters had me cracking up, adding a refreshing layer of levity amidst the chaos of battle.
The Heroes exemplifies Abercrombie's mastery of character arcs. Beck's journey is particularly striking, as it evolves in ways that are surprisingly impactful. Finree's scheming and nearly toxic ambitions cause a cascade of captivating events. Craw's such a beautiful contrast to the all-too-typical young up-and-coming hero. He's a gruff, tired, old, battle-hardened leader of a band of Northmen, who is ready to be done. I loved his story. Then, last but not least, Calder. I hated Calder and the outcome of his arc. But that's the point, and another touché to the author, Lord Grimdark. Abercrombie seamlessly weaves these arcs together against the backdrop of a relentless three-day battle, creating a gripping, emotionally resonant, addicting read.
The book's structure, with its frequent shifts in point of view, may pose a challenge for some people, like it did for me. I often found it hard to keep my bearings amidst the constant POV changes. I frequently referenced the character list at the beginning of the book and maps provided at the beginning of each section to stay grounded in the story. However, while the rapid POV changes periodically created slight confusion, Abercrombie also uses this technique to create an absolutely thrilling experience during the battle scenes. I felt like I was experiencing a blockbuster movie in literary form. Amazing.
The Heroes remains an absolutely fantastic piece of entertainment for "First Law" fans like me. Abercrombie's skillful storytelling, combined with the book's ties to the wider conflict in the "First Law" world, ensures that it feels grand in scope while delving deep into this specific event in the series. If you're a fan of epic fantasy filled with vivid characters, intense action, and sharp wit, the "First Law" is a must-read, and this fifth book The Heroes will leave you eagerly anticipating your next journey into Abercrombie's world. I can't wait to pick up Red Country next!
The First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Book 1: The Blade Itself – 5/5
Book 2: Before They Are Hanged – 5/5
Book 3: Last Argument of Kings – 5/5
Book 4: Best Served Cold – 5/5
Book 5: The Heroes – 5/5
Abercrombie's typically incredible character writing shines through once again. My favorites were Bremer Dan Gorst and Corporal Tunny. Gorst's introspection brought back fond memories of Sand Dan Glokta, while his battle prowess felt like a call-back to The Bloody-Nine. Tunny's chapters had me cracking up, adding a refreshing layer of levity amidst the chaos of battle.
The Heroes exemplifies Abercrombie's mastery of character arcs. Beck's journey is particularly striking, as it evolves in ways that are surprisingly impactful. Finree's scheming and nearly toxic ambitions cause a cascade of captivating events. Craw's such a beautiful contrast to the all-too-typical young up-and-coming hero. He's a gruff, tired, old, battle-hardened leader of a band of Northmen, who is ready to be done. I loved his story. Then, last but not least, Calder. I hated Calder and the outcome of his arc. But that's the point, and another touché to the author, Lord Grimdark. Abercrombie seamlessly weaves these arcs together against the backdrop of a relentless three-day battle, creating a gripping, emotionally resonant, addicting read.
The book's structure, with its frequent shifts in point of view, may pose a challenge for some people, like it did for me. I often found it hard to keep my bearings amidst the constant POV changes. I frequently referenced the character list at the beginning of the book and maps provided at the beginning of each section to stay grounded in the story. However, while the rapid POV changes periodically created slight confusion, Abercrombie also uses this technique to create an absolutely thrilling experience during the battle scenes. I felt like I was experiencing a blockbuster movie in literary form. Amazing.
The Heroes remains an absolutely fantastic piece of entertainment for "First Law" fans like me. Abercrombie's skillful storytelling, combined with the book's ties to the wider conflict in the "First Law" world, ensures that it feels grand in scope while delving deep into this specific event in the series. If you're a fan of epic fantasy filled with vivid characters, intense action, and sharp wit, the "First Law" is a must-read, and this fifth book The Heroes will leave you eagerly anticipating your next journey into Abercrombie's world. I can't wait to pick up Red Country next!
The First Law by Joe Abercrombie
Book 1: The Blade Itself – 5/5
Book 2: Before They Are Hanged – 5/5
Book 3: Last Argument of Kings – 5/5
Book 4: Best Served Cold – 5/5
Book 5: The Heroes – 5/5