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amyapple's review against another edition
1.0
After picking this up and putting it down several times I made it a new year resolution for 2024 to finish it.
I started again from the start and powered through the boring self loathing Glokta who never once stopped to not complain about his ailments and how great he USED to be but is toothless and no longer so great…
Logen and his path to what?! And also still living in the past for most of the book..
The writing was palatable but the plot was sooooo slow moving that I would forget what the point was. May I also ask why each character has to be referred or by so many different names?!
The last three chapters gave me some reprieve with action and movement .. but otherwise I found the story ever so flat.
Perhaps it is because I’ve been recommended this by sooooo many people that I thought it would be a much better story.
I’m not sure if I care less what happens to anyone at this point…
I started again from the start and powered through the boring self loathing Glokta who never once stopped to not complain about his ailments and how great he USED to be but is toothless and no longer so great…
Logen and his path to what?! And also still living in the past for most of the book..
The writing was palatable but the plot was sooooo slow moving that I would forget what the point was. May I also ask why each character has to be referred or by so many different names?!
The last three chapters gave me some reprieve with action and movement .. but otherwise I found the story ever so flat.
Perhaps it is because I’ve been recommended this by sooooo many people that I thought it would be a much better story.
I’m not sure if I care less what happens to anyone at this point…
lukegw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lini002's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Logen Ninefingers is a barbarian out of luck, out of friends and out of will. Jezal dan Luthor, epitome of selfishness trains to become an elite dueler so he can become a hero for his people and defeat the evil northmen. Inquisitor Glokta hates everyone, once a military man and now a disabled torturer he'll do anything to keep his empire safe. Together all three of them have a real bad time.
I jest but the plot of this book is essentially these three unlikable guys have a real bad time. And honestly it worked for me. If you think of this book as a first act of a trilogy it works pretty well. I will say that the ladies in this book are sparse and the misogyny is front and center in this world but I think it will improve and isn't going to stay that way. I agree with most people on enjoying Glokta the most although I did like Logen as well. Jezal on the otherhand is annoying as hell so kudos to Abercrombie for embracing that. I'll definitely continue on.
I jest but the plot of this book is essentially these three unlikable guys have a real bad time. And honestly it worked for me. If you think of this book as a first act of a trilogy it works pretty well. I will say that the ladies in this book are sparse and the misogyny is front and center in this world but I think it will improve and isn't going to stay that way. I agree with most people on enjoying Glokta the most although I did like Logen as well. Jezal on the otherhand is annoying as hell so kudos to Abercrombie for embracing that. I'll definitely continue on.
moonunforgiven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
eldy_1991's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
iqra_saif's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
racytay's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't stop reading no matter what my needy husband wanted, he'll survive I suppose
Wow! I love this author's style, getting inside each character's head to feel their humanity. The last book I read this good was Lonesome Dove (highly recommend, btw). Despite the violence and the foul language, I was pulled into the story. It was devastating when some bled and died. I felt vindicated when some were about to die but rallied and killed their foe. Good show, Joe Abercrombie, high five to you. You made me care about fictional people I will never get to meet. I will be following you from now on. I will gladly help you pay your electricity bill and mortgage. It is the least I can do to be in the presence of such genius.
Wow! I love this author's style, getting inside each character's head to feel their humanity. The last book I read this good was Lonesome Dove (highly recommend, btw). Despite the violence and the foul language, I was pulled into the story. It was devastating when some bled and died. I felt vindicated when some were about to die but rallied and killed their foe. Good show, Joe Abercrombie, high five to you. You made me care about fictional people I will never get to meet. I will be following you from now on. I will gladly help you pay your electricity bill and mortgage. It is the least I can do to be in the presence of such genius.
jojoreads89's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
Entertaining in a few areas, but not enough for me to want to continue
cwens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5