Reviews

Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

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hadeda's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

5.0

natcommon's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5

Joe Abercrombie is a great character writer. He knows how to write the duality of people especially in terrible situations. The reason wasn't a 5 because it just didn't feel like a 5 and I don't know how I feel like the ending. I am reading this as part of a read-along, so my rating may go up to a 5 after the discussion.

arnokottgen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

deavery's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

SPOILER ALERT
I had high expectations for the last chapter of The First Law trilogy, but it became clear quite early in the book that I was going to be left disappointed by it.
Overall, I feel that there wasn't enough space in the trilogy for dealing with all the narrative arks it was dealing with. This is clearly demonstrated by the amount of pages dedicated to the Gurkish's siege of Adua and the fights against Khalul's Eaters. Suffice it to say that you won't see Khalul at all (or the Gurkish's Emperor for that matter) and the mighty Eaters are dealt with in a handful of pages. The fight I was looking forward to the most (the Bloody-nine against the Feared) was quite good, it must be said, but it is just an event in a series and it lacked catharsis for the characters.
Also, the trilogy does not bring to an end any of the arks. Literally, not one reaches a conclusion.
I understand that other instalments within Abercrombie's world take place soon after the events of The First Law trilogy, but this book ends as if you were finishing a chapter. You expect (deserve) more. Is Logen still alive? Is Jezal going to have an heir? Is Ferro finally having her revenge? Will Bayaz fight Khalul? And many more questions...