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hollowman777 's review for:
Best Served Cold
by Joe Abercrombie
Best Served Cold...
By Joe Abercrombie
Best Served Cold the title is alluding to the proverbial saying "Revenge is a dish best served cold." Interestingly this fantasy book is more about a well spun literary journey into the darkness of revenge and actually very little fantasy elements. Think of the Clint Eastwood movies entitled "THE UNFORGIVEN" and "HANG EM HIGH" and you have set the place for what this book is all about... Cold and bloody revenge!
This book brings so much that I am somewhat puzzled as to how to start up this review. This one will not include any major spoilers as this should be a must read for anyone who likes a good revenge story.
The Setting
The setting takes place in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy. In fact, the events that occur here take place shortly after the ending and has a few characters that carry over from First Law. A well crafted world in which a person can get lost in. Since I began reading in Abercrombie's world I find myself dreaming of being in such a land.
The Summary with no spoilers
Monza Murgatto and her brother Benna lead Duke Orso's mercenary group who call themselves the Thousand Swords Army. Benna aspires to greater things and unknown to Monza is making a power play on beginning their conquests to rule Styria and perhaps all of Tannis.
After a meeting with the Duke and his hirelings things go terribly wrong and it begins with the Duke betraying the brother and sister duo. Both of the siblings were supposed to die but fate alone Monza manages to survive.
She survives but she is a broken women in body and in soul. The motivation that keeps her moving and enduring the pain is found in Monza fulfilling her revenge against the 7 individuals who were in the room at the time of the betrayal.
The Cast
Here is a list of the bad guys that Monza is going to attempt to stalk down:
1) Duke Orso - He dreams of one day being king
2) Gobba - Orso's bodyguard. Short on brains but big on muscle
3) Mauthis - Orso's banker.
4) Ario - first born and Heir to Duke Orso.
5) Foscar - the younger brother of Ario.
6) Ganmark - The new general of the Thousand Swords.
7) Carpi - Second in command to the Thousand Swords.
The So Called Good Guys
Here is list of the good guys. Well good guys is a stretch of the imagination. If good is covered in blood, the brain matter of their enemies, and pockets loaded with mercenary coin then yeah these are the good guys.
1) Monza Murgatto - She is the one after revenge for the death of her brother Benna. She has a broken body and a broken soul.
2) Caul Shivers - The Northman who travelled to Styria to be "A better man." Shivers doesn't take pride in killing and wants to turn his life towards a more nobler profession along with being able to develop a clearer conscience. He appeared in the First Law Series as well.
3) Morveer - The clever poisoner. He is aged and his skills are starting to diminish. Only regards in life is in taking no chances and to make money. Nobody likes or trusts a poisoner, especially this guy who seems to breed distrust with his every move.
4) Day The assistant and former apprentice to Morveer. She is more likely more talented and capable of a poisoner. She has a tendency to not be able to stop eating.
5) Friendly - A former convict that has few words. He has an obsession with numbers quite possibly has autism based upon his interactions and emotional strains as portrayed in the book.
6) Vitari - A former torturer. She was in the First Law series as well.
7) General Cosca - He was once the leader of the thousand swords prior to Monza. Now he is depressed drunkard trying to drink away his past. Cosca has a love/hate relationship with Monza based upon past experiences.I
Great Quotes
1) "Rotten salt fish, old corpses, coal smoke and overflowing latrine pits rolled up together. If this was home of the grand new man he was hoping to become, Shivers had admit to being more'n a touch disappointed."
2) " 'How did...' She had to wrestle with the words, jaw stiff as rusted hinges. It was like trying to talk with a turd in her mouth, and hardly better tasting."
3) " Monza never understood why getting out a tit or two made for a better painting. But painters seemed to think it did, so tits is what you got. "
4) " 'It's always the poor who are crushed under rich men's ambitions. And yet they rarely complain, because.... well...'
'They dream of having towers o' their own?'
Cosca chuckled, ' Why yes, I suppose they do. They don't see that the higher you climb, the further you have to fall.'
' Men rarely see that 'til the grounds rushing at 'em.' "
Statement and Observations
I don't anybody reads my review this far but in case you do here are some observations to hone in on as you read this book. The question is not about how the revenge takes place, rather, the questions are who turns on who during the avenging and what happens after the fires of revenge are put out.
Revenge breeds revenge, and revenge does not bring satisfaction. Revenge is best served cold because if you put emotions into it you only destroy yourself and all of those around you. In order to succeed at revenge you must be prepared to lose everything and everyone.
Star Review Breakdown
Plot: 5 Stars. Who doesn't like a good revenge adventure? If you fall asleep while reading this book something is seriously wrong with you and you need to consult a physician immediately.
Characters: 5 stars. Flawed, deep and intertwined with the other characters. A complete immersion.
Writing: 5 stars. As good as it gets in today's literature. This book stands up to anything that is being put out there on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Pace: 4 stars. There are one or two spots where the story fades to lower than great. But still... noway you are falling asleep while reading this book!
World Building: 5 stars. Abercrombie continues to develop this world. Rich and poor, Sweet and sour, pain and pleasure. Hot and Cold. The writer makes you feel and visualize all the elements. It doesn't get richer than this. Some argue that a map is needed. I disagree. I think a map would take away from what this book brings and that is rich characters.
Educational Value: 5 stars. I can understand why some would not want to give this book out as a reading assignment. Certainly not in high school at least. I would content that this is must read book on anyone who is wanting to delve into the understanding of the emotions and the costs of revenge. This story hits the nail on the head.
By Joe Abercrombie
Best Served Cold the title is alluding to the proverbial saying "Revenge is a dish best served cold." Interestingly this fantasy book is more about a well spun literary journey into the darkness of revenge and actually very little fantasy elements. Think of the Clint Eastwood movies entitled "THE UNFORGIVEN" and "HANG EM HIGH" and you have set the place for what this book is all about... Cold and bloody revenge!
This book brings so much that I am somewhat puzzled as to how to start up this review. This one will not include any major spoilers as this should be a must read for anyone who likes a good revenge story.
The Setting
The setting takes place in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy. In fact, the events that occur here take place shortly after the ending and has a few characters that carry over from First Law. A well crafted world in which a person can get lost in. Since I began reading in Abercrombie's world I find myself dreaming of being in such a land.
The Summary with no spoilers
Monza Murgatto and her brother Benna lead Duke Orso's mercenary group who call themselves the Thousand Swords Army. Benna aspires to greater things and unknown to Monza is making a power play on beginning their conquests to rule Styria and perhaps all of Tannis.
After a meeting with the Duke and his hirelings things go terribly wrong and it begins with the Duke betraying the brother and sister duo. Both of the siblings were supposed to die but fate alone Monza manages to survive.
She survives but she is a broken women in body and in soul. The motivation that keeps her moving and enduring the pain is found in Monza fulfilling her revenge against the 7 individuals who were in the room at the time of the betrayal.
The Cast
Here is a list of the bad guys that Monza is going to attempt to stalk down:
1) Duke Orso - He dreams of one day being king
2) Gobba - Orso's bodyguard. Short on brains but big on muscle
3) Mauthis - Orso's banker.
4) Ario - first born and Heir to Duke Orso.
5) Foscar - the younger brother of Ario.
6) Ganmark - The new general of the Thousand Swords.
7) Carpi - Second in command to the Thousand Swords.
The So Called Good Guys
Here is list of the good guys. Well good guys is a stretch of the imagination. If good is covered in blood, the brain matter of their enemies, and pockets loaded with mercenary coin then yeah these are the good guys.
1) Monza Murgatto - She is the one after revenge for the death of her brother Benna. She has a broken body and a broken soul.
2) Caul Shivers - The Northman who travelled to Styria to be "A better man." Shivers doesn't take pride in killing and wants to turn his life towards a more nobler profession along with being able to develop a clearer conscience. He appeared in the First Law Series as well.
3) Morveer - The clever poisoner. He is aged and his skills are starting to diminish. Only regards in life is in taking no chances and to make money. Nobody likes or trusts a poisoner, especially this guy who seems to breed distrust with his every move.
4) Day The assistant and former apprentice to Morveer. She is more likely more talented and capable of a poisoner. She has a tendency to not be able to stop eating.
5) Friendly - A former convict that has few words. He has an obsession with numbers quite possibly has autism based upon his interactions and emotional strains as portrayed in the book.
6) Vitari - A former torturer. She was in the First Law series as well.
7) General Cosca - He was once the leader of the thousand swords prior to Monza. Now he is depressed drunkard trying to drink away his past. Cosca has a love/hate relationship with Monza based upon past experiences.I
Great Quotes
1) "Rotten salt fish, old corpses, coal smoke and overflowing latrine pits rolled up together. If this was home of the grand new man he was hoping to become, Shivers had admit to being more'n a touch disappointed."
2) " 'How did...' She had to wrestle with the words, jaw stiff as rusted hinges. It was like trying to talk with a turd in her mouth, and hardly better tasting."
3) " Monza never understood why getting out a tit or two made for a better painting. But painters seemed to think it did, so tits is what you got. "
4) " 'It's always the poor who are crushed under rich men's ambitions. And yet they rarely complain, because.... well...'
'They dream of having towers o' their own?'
Cosca chuckled, ' Why yes, I suppose they do. They don't see that the higher you climb, the further you have to fall.'
' Men rarely see that 'til the grounds rushing at 'em.' "
Statement and Observations
I don't anybody reads my review this far but in case you do here are some observations to hone in on as you read this book. The question is not about how the revenge takes place, rather, the questions are who turns on who during the avenging and what happens after the fires of revenge are put out.
Revenge breeds revenge, and revenge does not bring satisfaction. Revenge is best served cold because if you put emotions into it you only destroy yourself and all of those around you. In order to succeed at revenge you must be prepared to lose everything and everyone.
Star Review Breakdown
Plot: 5 Stars. Who doesn't like a good revenge adventure? If you fall asleep while reading this book something is seriously wrong with you and you need to consult a physician immediately.
Characters: 5 stars. Flawed, deep and intertwined with the other characters. A complete immersion.
Writing: 5 stars. As good as it gets in today's literature. This book stands up to anything that is being put out there on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Pace: 4 stars. There are one or two spots where the story fades to lower than great. But still... noway you are falling asleep while reading this book!
World Building: 5 stars. Abercrombie continues to develop this world. Rich and poor, Sweet and sour, pain and pleasure. Hot and Cold. The writer makes you feel and visualize all the elements. It doesn't get richer than this. Some argue that a map is needed. I disagree. I think a map would take away from what this book brings and that is rich characters.
Educational Value: 5 stars. I can understand why some would not want to give this book out as a reading assignment. Certainly not in high school at least. I would content that this is must read book on anyone who is wanting to delve into the understanding of the emotions and the costs of revenge. This story hits the nail on the head.