A review by twxyz
A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In the mid 2010s I remember bouncing off of Abercrombie.  I am certain that I have changed: I try to meet books where they are.  I am glad that I gave Abercrombie another go with this series (for which I have immediately purchased book #2 in the trilogy).  A Little Hatred draws, sometimes unsubtle, lines to ideas of corporate and government corruption, as well as work rights and market regulation.  Abercrombie centres the people in the layers of society here.  He achieves one of the most effective realisations of hopelessness: maybe what we have is the best it can be.  Perhaps status quo and revolution are equally bound to burn themselves out eventually.  

Or maybe it's not that deep.  Maybe it's just a diverse, point of view, driven modern dark contemporary fantasy book in a Northern Europe analogue.  

It's well done enough to stand out in either field you put it in, both of which can feel a little crowded.