Reviews

Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie

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I’m not typically a fan of short story anthologies, but given how rich the First Law world has become by the release of this book - it feels earned. An exciting mix of old and new characters across the map in different times, many short stories afforded a fresh perspective into characters we’ve already spent books with.

rockmayhem's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

3.5

starbuck1344's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-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

5.0

tacanderson's review

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adventurous dark 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

Really good continuation of the world Abercrombie has built. The next generation of characters.

itkovian_books's review

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5.0

This was a good collection of short stories set in the world of First Law. Some of these stories showed the histories of characters that were only hinted at in the main series. Others introduced new characters, such as Shev and Javre, whose stories were actually some of my favorites in the whole collection. Standout stories were "Two's Company" (the funniest), "Tough Times All Over" (which had the most interesting format), and "Made a Monster" (which made me sympathize with a "villain" from the main series).

Rating: 9/10

the_coycaterpillar_reads's review

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4.0

3.5 stars

Sharp Ends is a collection of short stories that revisit characters from the First Law Series. We have reacquainted with favourites again, Glockta, Bremner Dan Gorst, Whirrun of Bligh, and Curnden Craw. Joe Abercrombie opens up his bag of tricks once again to remind us why we fell in love with this series in the first place. The characterisation, the exquisite narrative, and the worldbuilding are what you would come to expect from Abercrombie. More insight, more joy, and of course a large helping of depravity and mischievousness. Anthologies can be notoriously difficult to hit right – you either love them or hate them. However, the author nailed the process – we have a sense of structure and flow, as he has constructed them in chronological order.

“Welcome to my life of constant doubt, anxiety, and occasional sudden and unpredictable horror, Javre. I hope you enjoy your fucking visit.”

Like most short story collections, there are going to be stories you love, and stories that hit somewhere in the middle. My favourite was most definitely the story featuring Sand Dan Glockta. I was fully invested in finding out more about his character pre torture by the Gurkish. He was a supremely confident and arrogant character that isn’t afraid of waving it in everyone’s face. The only problem I had with the story was where it ended – I wanted more, I wanted to discover his experience with the Gurkish. Nicomo Cosca was also a brilliant story, it’s always an experience digging further into the character, the why and how of him leaves you feeling all kinds of emotions.

Bethod’s story was the most intriguing. He’s a character that I never particularly warmed to in the original trilogy. He’s viewed as a bad guy. He’s underestimated and misunderstood. We get new insight into why he is the way he is and for me at least it turned my perspective of him on its head. He was terrified of Logen “ninefingers” (well who wouldn’t be?) He reminds me of a Berserker, one with a split personality.

Sharp Ends is a collection that is a must-read for fans of The First Law Series. Like all anthologies, there will be some you love and some you don’t. however, nothing can take away Abercrombie’s flow and skill with plots. It has built upon and enhanced an already memorable tale.