thero159's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
megabyte117's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal start to a new trilogy, unlike his first trilogy in the First Law world, this one starts fast and never lets up. The depiction of the industrialization of this society was thrilling and makes the world feel far from static - a common flaw in long-running fantasy series. The main characters here are even more compelling than in the first trilogy, and Abercrombie is clearly at his best with writing his female characters (the clear turning point was in Best Served Cold however).
krakenite's review against another edition
5.0
It's going to be a long year waiting for the sequel...
ausieyank72's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
adammtucker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Joe Abercombie is back with an excellent take on fantasy meets the Industrial Revolution with all the names and characters you've grown to live with First Law, but the next generation! A fantastic opening book to the Age of Madness trilogy that tees up lovable and interesting character and starts more quickly than you might be accustomed to with Abercrombie. I liked this one more than The Blade Itself which is high praise as an outstanding debut, this is one not to miss. Gritty, fast-paced, and the usual brand of heartachingly sad and funny grimdark you know and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexism, Drug abuse, and War
gbm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
4.75
tacanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
The start of a new trilogy that follows the next generation of characters - the children of, the characters from the previous books. Some of the characters that survived the first trilogy, the short stories, and the three standalone books, make appearances in varying degrees in this book. I'm perpetually amazed at Abercrombie's writing and his character development. Reading his books is a masterclass unto themselves.
fugater096's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0