Posted in
|
Joe Abercrombie
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Book
|
||
Publisher | Gollancz | ||
ISBN | 978-057508416 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Steve
|
Synopsis
The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him but its going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the King of the Northmen still stands firm, and theres only one man who can stop him. His oldest friend, and his oldest enemy. Its past time for the Bloody-Nine to come home. With too many masters and too little time, Superior Glokta is fighting a different kind of war. A secret struggle in which no-one is safe, and no-one can be trusted. His days with a sword are far behind him. Its a good thing blackmail, threats and torture still work well enough. Jezal dan Luthar has decided that winning glory is far too painful, and turned his back on soldiering for a simple life with the woman he loves. But love can be painful too, and glory has a nasty habit of creeping up on a man when he least expects it. While the King of the Union lies on his deathbead, the peasants revolt and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No-one believes that the shadow of war is falling across the very heart of the Union. The First of the Magi has a plan to save the world, as he always does. But there are risks.There is no risk more terrible, after all, than to break the First Law . ..
Review
The 3rd and last part of 3, this book brings the main characters through to the conclusions of their stories, though often not quite how you might expect. Logen's beserker alter-ego is revealed and helps bring about triumph but at significant cost. Glokta has to cope with changing politics and loyalties in a capital under threat. Jezal is propelled into an unexpected position of prominence. Bayaz the mage and wider influence becomes clearer and his how far his ruthlessness will go.
I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and the fight scenes leave you in no doubt that hand to hand fighting can be a nasty way to die. The pace did leave me feeling more could have been written to colour in the background. The end leaves the surviving characters facing new challenges and the potential for more books in the future; in particular, the unresolved feud between Bayaz and the shadowy Khalul. However, its always a good sign to be left wanting to read more.
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
