I think your take captures the breadth of opinions for this book, which is why it’s one of his more controversial works. My brother and I read this one together, and he had a hard time with it because he also didn’t like the two main characters, and the bleakness got to him. I think having the two protagonists take such dark paths (especially Shivers) really took away from his reading experience. I didn’t mind the grim take on fantasy as a contrast to epic fantasy such as Wheel of Time or Cosmere, and like you I admire Abercrombie’s prose. Also, as a D&D DM, I appreciate the attention to detail and consistency Abercrombie brings to bear when crafting his characters. And lastly, I really enjoyed the recurrent heist scenes playing out. I see Sanderson’s books as well thought-out, with intrigue and twists culminating in an epic finish, where Abercrombie’s are much more about the journey along the way, especially the push and pull of seeing the world through flawed characters’ perspectives. Two masters of the art who excel in such very different ways! I’ve only read Rothfuss’ book one, but like Martin, I just can’t get behind supporting an author who doesn’t finish what he starts. I encourage you to continue through Abercrombie’s works. You’ll see many of these same characters again, and I think you’ll be tickled by their continued evolution, as well as how different permutations of character interactions play out.
With Rothfuss I had no idea he wouldn’t finish of course, such a shame. But maybe there is no 3rd book so can’t miss what I don’t have. A bleak storyline can be a great read, arguably the first law is bleak throughout. Shivers depressed me though, there is a real lack of self belief and esteem in this book. In the first law trilogy we had a lot of characters that although had bleak storyline refused to give in and made the best of what they had and carved out what they could. Shivers gave in almost immediately and monza was too cold for me. Very good book still Shivers
@@conorreads I hear you, but let’s just say although Best Served Cold is billed as a standalone, as the plot is self-contained, I’d simply consider this world as interconnected by its people rather than by its plot. And so, if you take the perspective that Abercrombie’s creation is more about the characters and their story arcs rather than the world and its story arc, then it’s all one big fantasy world just like Wheel of Time. If you aren’t satisfied with a character’s evolution in one book, there is a chance you will change your mind in a later book. I suspect you’ll understand what I mean if you continue and might look back on Best Served Cold with a different perspective later.
I can see where you’re coming from with Monza and Shivers. For me I just accepted halfway through the book that Monza was the villain in the story. In the end, the reveal that the Duke was justified in killing her brother really cemented that for me, because she wasn’t really that justified in her revenge and was one of like 20 people seeking revenge in the book. If nothing else I found it really fascinating to see things from the eyes of a villain in a way I haven’t seen in a book before. Shivers descent did feel slightly rushed but I did feel like the similarities to the Bloody Nine were intentional- he became the thing he hated. Overall I loved the book, and had a weird fascination in seeing what I thought would be grey characters descend into more morally black characters in my opinion. Something in me has always kind of craved that full turn that so many books tease but don’t commit to. I also just loved the perfect poetic nature of some of the reveals- Murcatto talking about the orphanage in his inner monologue then being the one who poisoned his mom so he ended up there was beautiful to me 😂
Yeah Abercrombie does it differently. This one lacked the enjoyment and delight in the characters stories, it was, like you said, a villain story, but the issue being they both just hated themselves so much it was hard to read by the end. Great poetic justice and injustice, fantastic dialogue, characters always interesting. Enjoyable read but nothing on the first law trilogy.
I think your take captures the breadth of opinions for this book, which is why it’s one of his more controversial works. My brother and I read this one together, and he had a hard time with it because he also didn’t like the two main characters, and the bleakness got to him. I think having the two protagonists take such dark paths (especially Shivers) really took away from his reading experience. I didn’t mind the grim take on fantasy as a contrast to epic fantasy such as Wheel of Time or Cosmere, and like you I admire Abercrombie’s prose. Also, as a D&D DM, I appreciate the attention to detail and consistency Abercrombie brings to bear when crafting his characters. And lastly, I really enjoyed the recurrent heist scenes playing out.
I see Sanderson’s books as well thought-out, with intrigue and twists culminating in an epic finish, where Abercrombie’s are much more about the journey along the way, especially the push and pull of seeing the world through flawed characters’ perspectives. Two masters of the art who excel in such very different ways!
I’ve only read Rothfuss’ book one, but like Martin, I just can’t get behind supporting an author who doesn’t finish what he starts. I encourage you to continue through Abercrombie’s works. You’ll see many of these same characters again, and I think you’ll be tickled by their continued evolution, as well as how different permutations of character interactions play out.
With Rothfuss I had no idea he wouldn’t finish of course, such a shame. But maybe there is no 3rd book so can’t miss what I don’t have.
A bleak storyline can be a great read, arguably the first law is bleak throughout. Shivers depressed me though, there is a real lack of self belief and esteem in this book.
In the first law trilogy we had a lot of characters that although had bleak storyline refused to give in and made the best of what they had and carved out what they could.
Shivers gave in almost immediately and monza was too cold for me.
Very good book still
Shivers
@@conorreads I hear you, but let’s just say although Best Served Cold is billed as a standalone, as the plot is self-contained, I’d simply consider this world as interconnected by its people rather than by its plot. And so, if you take the perspective that Abercrombie’s creation is more about the characters and their story arcs rather than the world and its story arc, then it’s all one big fantasy world just like Wheel of Time. If you aren’t satisfied with a character’s evolution in one book, there is a chance you will change your mind in a later book. I suspect you’ll understand what I mean if you continue and might look back on Best Served Cold with a different perspective later.
I can see where you’re coming from with Monza and Shivers. For me I just accepted halfway through the book that Monza was the villain in the story. In the end, the reveal that the Duke was justified in killing her brother really cemented that for me, because she wasn’t really that justified in her revenge and was one of like 20 people seeking revenge in the book. If nothing else I found it really fascinating to see things from the eyes of a villain in a way I haven’t seen in a book before.
Shivers descent did feel slightly rushed but I did feel like the similarities to the Bloody Nine were intentional- he became the thing he hated.
Overall I loved the book, and had a weird fascination in seeing what I thought would be grey characters descend into more morally black characters in my opinion. Something in me has always kind of craved that full turn that so many books tease but don’t commit to.
I also just loved the perfect poetic nature of some of the reveals- Murcatto talking about the orphanage in his inner monologue then being the one who poisoned his mom so he ended up there was beautiful to me 😂
Yeah Abercrombie does it differently. This one lacked the enjoyment and delight in the characters stories, it was, like you said, a villain story, but the issue being they both just hated themselves so much it was hard to read by the end.
Great poetic justice and injustice, fantastic dialogue, characters always interesting.
Enjoyable read but nothing on the first law trilogy.