Joe Abercrombie

After the broad scope of the previous trilogy, this is set in the same world but only in one country and concentrates on fewer characters. Monza Mercatto, a too-successful woman general, is left for dead by her employer and sets out to be revenged on the 7 she holds responsible. You could read this as a stand-alone novel, but it was diverting to note the references to a few earlier characters and their cameo appearances here.

In this 2nd part of the First Law trilogy, the main characters follow 3 different paths: Inspector Glokta is sent to defend a desparate city; Colonel West has a key position in a divided and ill-equipped army sent north to retake Angland from the Northmen and Bayaz the mage leads a mismatched group on a mysterious quest. That quest takes in ancient cities and on the way, both the younger characters and the reader learn more about this world and its history.

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.

The setting and the most of the main characters seem familiar fantasy territory: Logen the craggy seasoned warrior, Jezal the dilettante nobleman and Bayaz the world-weary aged magician; in a medieval-ish Europe. Glokta, the bitter and conflicted victim-turned-torturer was a more unusual and refreshing point of view. Joe sets aside enough time for the reader to get know each of the main charaters in turn.