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A review by ryanberger
The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is my least favorite Abercrombie to date, but it's still a strong 3-4.
In many ways, I think this book sets out with a similar objective as what Starship Troopers tried to do, but it was executed better here. Both in clarity, profundity, and style.
Abercrombie packs this thing to the gills with bit players and sideshow acts that often steal the show of his other books. It was as if there were too many in his universe and he had to consolidate them in the meat grinder.
Craw is a terrific character, and Calder has some good moments. Gorst is probably the least entertaining POV character we've had to spend time with out of the first five books in this series. His inner monologue is a little too visible, a little too psychotic (and not in a fun way, like Friendly's dice obsession in Best Served Cold) and even a touch annoying at times when his constant asides break up the flow of what should be an easily readable sentence. And overall he's just not too interesting of a character.
Finree was captivating for much of it, but I feel her arc had a big story beat missing at the end that I can't quite put my thumb on.
I've LOVED the way Abercrombie has subverted expectations in this series, truly loved it. He goes back to his bag of tricks yet again but it was a little predictable, and he also left a few bullets in the chamber. There is one character in particular that has an incredibly cool introduction and then is simply shelved for the whole book.
Disappointing, but Abercrombie is really good at this. His floor is very high.
In many ways, I think this book sets out with a similar objective as what Starship Troopers tried to do, but it was executed better here. Both in clarity, profundity, and style.
Abercrombie packs this thing to the gills with bit players and sideshow acts that often steal the show of his other books. It was as if there were too many in his universe and he had to consolidate them in the meat grinder.
Craw is a terrific character, and Calder has some good moments. Gorst is probably the least entertaining POV character we've had to spend time with out of the first five books in this series. His inner monologue is a little too visible, a little too psychotic (and not in a fun way, like Friendly's dice obsession in Best Served Cold) and even a touch annoying at times when his constant asides break up the flow of what should be an easily readable sentence. And overall he's just not too interesting of a character.
Finree was captivating for much of it, but I feel her arc had a big story beat missing at the end that I can't quite put my thumb on.
I've LOVED the way Abercrombie has subverted expectations in this series, truly loved it. He goes back to his bag of tricks yet again but it was a little predictable, and he also left a few bullets in the chamber. There is one character in particular that has an incredibly cool introduction and then is simply shelved for the whole book.
Disappointing, but Abercrombie is really good at this. His floor is very high.