amir_hamza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Violence, and Gore
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
My feelings are a bit complicated when it comes to this one, but I believe it's safe to say I didn't love it like the original trilogy, although it's an excellent standalone novel. I will explain what I liked first. As usual, Abercrombie excels at writing characterizations with such distinct voices and having delightful, humorous banter between each other, which often were among the highlights of this book for me. Without getting into direct spoilers, there were indeed several references and appearances of certain characters, both major and minor, from previous trilogy. They all served their purpose very well and was integrated rather tastefully with proper reasons, than just for the sake of cameos. The book also retains a cinematic effect during action sequences and other important scenes, just like in the trilogy and was also reminiscent of 'Kill Bill' movies which I really liked. Some of the character growth might be different from what you may expect at first, but they left me with a lot to ponder about in a bittersweet way, which I actually appreciate.
As for what I didn't like, I found the book to be dragging somewhat in certain sections which felt like a chore to read sometimes, but of course not in an extreme way, like with certain Wheel of time books. My major problem, which I'm sure your mileage will definitely vary, was that the main character wasn't much interesting to me. Now don't get me wrong, Monza is fine on her own and was definitely a strong badass who you can root for, it's just that I personally found her a bit too straightforward and bland with the goals she had in mind and her actions in general, while the side characters were simply more appealing as people to read about. I loved all of their arcs regardless either way, especially the irony surrounding some of them.
As for what I didn't like, I found the book to be dragging somewhat in certain sections which felt like a chore to read sometimes, but of course not in an extreme way, like with certain Wheel of time books. My major problem, which I'm sure your mileage will definitely vary, was that the main character wasn't much interesting to me. Now don't get me wrong, Monza is fine on her own and was definitely a strong badass who you can root for, it's just that I personally found her a bit too straightforward and bland with the goals she had in mind and her actions in general, while the side characters were simply more appealing as people to read about. I loved all of their arcs regardless either way, especially the irony surrounding some of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Child abuse
allierourke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Cannibalism
iono's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Torture, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest and Sexual content
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Simultaneously THE ABSOLUTE SHIT and a little problematic. I have a weak spot for ol' Joe and I am so happy to be back in The First Law. Monza is the Grand Duchess of my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content, Incest, and Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia and Misogyny
danprisk's review
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
For me this book goes way too far into violence. The other books in the series I've read have similarly awful graphic violence, but it didn't quite put me off like this one. I think that the others balance the violence with a decent amount of tension of other aspects going on which makes the violence feel like just one part of the story, whereas BSC leans fully into constant extreme violence. It feels like barely a page goes by without someone being killed, maimed, or tortured in an extremely graphic and brutal manner. The nihilistic philosophy becomes a lot more pronounced and centre stage here as well, so that the idea that there can be anyone or anything decent or good goes by the wayside. This total darkness kind of nullifies it's impact, so the book just began to feel a bit off putting for me. I think this might be the sort of book that appeals to those who enjoy "torture porn" type horror, but it's a bit too much for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and War
middlekmissie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Sexual content
lvl52_grant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
This book was crazy. I had a lot of expectations after the First Law trilogy, and this met them all. Meeting old characters again, being introduced to new ones, and seeing them all scattered violently over fictional Italy was a read worthy of numerous adaptions. So many scenes deserve to be put film, all described in beautiful and disgusting detail. It takes the tropes of a fantasy and makes them feel modern, and grabs you by the throat the whole time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
narsere's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Gore, Alcoholism, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Moderate: Incest and Cannibalism
scylla87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
Dark and hilarious from pretty much the start, this book is a great continuation of The First Law trilogy. A lot happened in this book, and occasionally it began to drag a little bit. There could have been an opportunity to dive this into more than one book, but I am glad that Abercrombie chose not to do so. There were some things that could have been expanded upon had there been more than one book, but stretching out the story would have made the slow parts all the more difficult to get through.
Of course, Nicomo Cosca was the best character in this book. From the moment he came back onto the scene the book got all the more better. Absolutely everything he did and said was amazing. I look forward to seeing what happens to him next.
Of course, Nicomo Cosca was the best character in this book. From the moment he came back onto the scene the book got all the more better. Absolutely everything he did and said was amazing. I look forward to seeing what happens to him next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Incest