I literally finished this book yesterday....gottta say what makes Joe Abercrombie books really fantastic is the dialogues they are just so entertaining and captivating
Best served cold is my all time favourite book (so far) I love revenge tales, kill bill and the count of monte cristo were among my favourite movies as a kid, and a similar plot line with the Joe Abercrombie voice is “chefs kiss”
What I love about First Law is that you always get something else: classic fantast, a heist, a war drama, western, french/industrial revolution etc. They are different yet they fit.
I really appreciate the spoiler free reviews. I'm just starting on the First Law series because of your reviews. Coming off the Robin Hobb Assisins books (I read the entire series) I must say it's nice have exciting things happening every few pages rather than every 50-100 pages.
Yes!!! I loved Best Served Cold. Every book in this world is an enjoyable read. This is the first grimdark series I ever read. And they hold a special place in my heart
I really liked Best Served Cold but I thought it dragged for so long, could probably have less people to kills because I thought it was getting old at by the ends, just my opinion !
The Heroes is actually my favorite by a fair amount. And I somehow have the non Pacey version on Audible, and it's BETTER. Specifically for the characters that are introduced as the returning are different. There's something about that story that deserves to be made into in epic movie. They are doing Best Served Cold, but damn I want that.. and I want them all to go with a Netflix original series based on the first first law trilogy. And as the dialogue is the best part, I want Quentin Tarantino to produce and coDirect
The Heroes is my favourite book i've read this year.It was so good ! Bremer Dan Gorst and Black Dow were awesome :D Just started Age Of Madness,im hoping to like those books at least as much !!!!! :)
I thought this book played out more along the lines of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western like the good the bad the ugly. Bunch of different characters teaming up out of neccissetty, not really trusting one another. Double crossing and killing eachother. Great story.
I love this book for some reason I had to restart the audio book multiple times which made me question reading it but I stuck with it and was well worth it like all of his first law books…this is #1or 2 for me by him
I wonder how I'll feel about this after I do a re-read. Cause it was my favorite out of the stand alones. Did not like Heroes and I thought Red Country was just fine.
I haven't watched one of your reviews in a while Matt sorry I kind of been out of pocket this is one of my favorite Joe Abercrombie books it goes hard from the first chapter to the last chapter this is one of the best revenge stories ever written in my opinion and his fight scenes are so visceral and intense which reminds me of a Tarantino movie I can't wait to see if they really do turn this into a movie getting Tarantino to do it would be awesome
Absolutely agreed, this is a great book. The worldbuildig is mediocre, but the character work is second to none. He is the only author comes close to GRRM for me. I gave it 4,5 stars only because of the coronation scene, I felt it was too much, started to turn the book to parody. And I immensely love Cosca, actually I love him even more than Glokta. I plan to read Heroes for the first time around Christmas, I am really looking forward to it.
Seems I'm in the minority here, but I didn't love this book. I gave it 3 stars. While the character work was obviously fantastic (as per usual with Abercrombie), I just found it dull. I got a bit more engaged again toward the end, but I found it tough to get through the whole thing. I guess I would have enjoyed it more if it was shorter.
One of the best First Law world books without a doubt.I could agree with Martin it was the best first law book when it was published. You got an awesome cast of characters and a solid story arc ! Big Love for the Snake of Talins Monza Murcatto,Nicomo Cosca,Morveer and of course Caul Shivers ! Definetly loved your review Matt,awesome thoughts :D
It disappoints me to hear that the female character is the weak link even when she's the protagonist; evidently Abercrombie hadn't yet reached the heights he would achieve with Rikke, Savine, and Victarine in the Age of Madness. I'm also not nearly as interested in Styria as I am in the Union and the North. But I'll listen to Best Served Cold anyway, just because it's Abercrombie/Pacey -- an unbeatable team. Time spent with them is always golden.
Probably my least favorite First Law book but it’s Abercrombie so still 5 stars lol. I think I just really disliked Monza as our main pov. She was kind of boring and unlikable for a First Law character. Shivers and Cosca are amazing though so it made up for it.
@@noname3609 I get why people like her, she just doesn’t have enough personality for me to still root for her when she’s being an asshole. (nice Zoro pfp btw)
I don't quite understand what I don't get about these books. For years I felt guilty for not having read the first trilogy so I bought them only to realize I had already read them years previously and they just weren't memorable. It isn't that I disliked the books I just don't think they're as grimdark as everyone says they are. Unless I'm still misremembering after 2 reads the world itself isn't in danger of dying like with say Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire or Erikson's Malazan. I also didn't feel like they were just as grimly depressing like with A Land Fit for Heroes or the Acts of Caine.
Haha I know! Everyone I know loves his work but I made it like 100 pages in and thought "I swear I've heard the name Glokta at some point". I think I just felt like the world was too bland, not enough was really at stake aside from 2 kingdoms fighting. I like my Grimdark to feel like humanity or whatever is at danger of being completely wiped out if things go wrong.
Anyone noticed, after HEROES Joe's writing style is very different, more important he lost his humour touch which is very rich in 1st 5 books . Am I the only one experiencing this. I never seen any book tuber mentioning this.
Definitely disagree. Maybe a re-read is required? Honestly, he makes me laugh out loud many, many times during a read. Have you read the last trilogy???
I literally finished this book yesterday....gottta say what makes Joe Abercrombie books really fantastic is the dialogues they are just so entertaining and captivating
A drink, a drink, a drink! Hot poker in the eye, loved it!
Best served cold is my all time favourite book (so far) I love revenge tales, kill bill and the count of monte cristo were among my favourite movies as a kid, and a similar plot line with the Joe Abercrombie voice is “chefs kiss”
Best Served Cold was my favorite First Law novel until The Trouble With Peace and The Wisdom Of Crowds came along.
I just started Age of Madness and I love it already ... now im hyped lol !!!
What I love about First Law is that you always get something else: classic fantast, a heist, a war drama, western, french/industrial revolution etc. They are different yet they fit.
Can’t wait to see if they make this a Movie! Honestly I would be so hyped!
They are! Rebecca Ferguson as Monza.
It would be awesome
Aren't they doing it? With Rebecca Ferguson in the leading role
I really appreciate the spoiler free reviews.
I'm just starting on the First Law series because of your reviews. Coming off the Robin Hobb Assisins books (I read the entire series) I must say it's nice have exciting things happening every few pages rather than every 50-100 pages.
Yeah - while I love Hobb...this change of pace is wonderful.
So glad to hear this since I think it is my next First Law Universe read.
I am listening to this as a reread. Steven Pacey is amazing.
Yes!!! I loved Best Served Cold. Every book in this world is an enjoyable read. This is the first grimdark series I ever read. And they hold a special place in my heart
Same here !!! Currently reading Age of Madness and I absolutely love it !!! :)
The Heroes was a banger for me. The first portion in particular before the battle is just bliss.
Read it recently and loved it so much. Castor Morveer is such a memorable and so Abercrombie-ish
I really liked Best Served Cold but I thought it dragged for so long, could probably have less people to kills because I thought it was getting old at by the ends, just my opinion !
Yeah, I could totally see that.
I think that in 2024 I need to do a reread of these on audio. Abercrombie is a top 5 active fantasy writer for me.
The Heroes is actually my favorite by a fair amount. And I somehow have the non Pacey version on Audible, and it's BETTER. Specifically for the characters that are introduced as the returning are different.
There's something about that story that deserves to be made into in epic movie. They are doing Best Served Cold, but damn I want that.. and I want them all to go with a Netflix original series based on the first first law trilogy.
And as the dialogue is the best part, I want Quentin Tarantino to produce and coDirect
The Heroes is my favourite book i've read this year.It was so good ! Bremer Dan Gorst and Black Dow were awesome :D
Just started Age Of Madness,im hoping to like those books at least as much !!!!! :)
I thought this book played out more along the lines of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western like the good the bad the ugly. Bunch of different characters teaming up out of neccissetty, not really trusting one another. Double crossing and killing eachother. Great story.
I love this book for some reason I had to restart the audio book multiple times which made me question reading it but I stuck with it and was well worth it like all of his first law books…this is #1or 2 for me by him
I felt disappointed by the first law trilogy. But this may be my favorite book ever. I loved this
I wonder how I'll feel about this after I do a re-read. Cause it was my favorite out of the stand alones. Did not like Heroes and I thought Red Country was just fine.
I remember this book was a surprise to me wasnt really expecting to like a stand alone as much as the original trilogy
Yeah 100%!
I liked this one a lot, though I found the side players were far more interesting than our main protagonist...though she had her moments.
There is magic in this one - shenkt
True...but it's LIGHT.
Heroes are my favorite out of them all, can't wait to watch your review :)
One of my favourite Joe Abercrombie books-such a good revenge story!
I haven't watched one of your reviews in a while Matt sorry I kind of been out of pocket this is one of my favorite Joe Abercrombie books it goes hard from the first chapter to the last chapter this is one of the best revenge stories ever written in my opinion and his fight scenes are so visceral and intense which reminds me of a Tarantino movie I can't wait to see if they really do turn this into a movie getting Tarantino to do it would be awesome
Absolutely agreed, this is a great book. The worldbuildig is mediocre, but the character work is second to none. He is the only author comes close to GRRM for me. I gave it 4,5 stars only because of the coronation scene, I felt it was too much, started to turn the book to parody. And I immensely love Cosca, actually I love him even more than Glokta. I plan to read Heroes for the first time around Christmas, I am really looking forward to it.
Seems I'm in the minority here, but I didn't love this book. I gave it 3 stars. While the character work was obviously fantastic (as per usual with Abercrombie), I just found it dull. I got a bit more engaged again toward the end, but I found it tough to get through the whole thing. I guess I would have enjoyed it more if it was shorter.
One of the best First Law world books without a doubt.I could agree with Martin it was the best first law book when it was published.
You got an awesome cast of characters and a solid story arc ! Big Love for the Snake of Talins Monza Murcatto,Nicomo Cosca,Morveer and of course Caul Shivers !
Definetly loved your review Matt,awesome thoughts :D
Another fantastic video! thank you!
Love this book!
It disappoints me to hear that the female character is the weak link even when she's the protagonist; evidently Abercrombie hadn't yet reached the heights he would achieve with Rikke, Savine, and Victarine in the Age of Madness. I'm also not nearly as interested in Styria as I am in the Union and the North. But I'll listen to Best Served Cold anyway, just because it's Abercrombie/Pacey -- an unbeatable team. Time spent with them is always golden.
There's another woman side character that is very well done.
@@MattsFantasyBookReviews Good to know! Thanks!
Imo fantasy Kill Bill better describes it.
Yeah that's much better actually. I'm going to edit the thumbnail.
Probably my least favorite First Law book but it’s Abercrombie so still 5 stars lol. I think I just really disliked Monza as our main pov. She was kind of boring and unlikable for a First Law character. Shivers and Cosca are amazing though so it made up for it.
Yeah 100%!
I can't believe there are people who dislike Monza !!! I thought she is interesting,cunning.ambitious,determinated,strong willed,sharp and decisive !
@@noname3609 I get why people like her, she just doesn’t have enough personality for me to still root for her when she’s being an asshole. (nice Zoro pfp btw)
I don't quite understand what I don't get about these books. For years I felt guilty for not having read the first trilogy so I bought them only to realize I had already read them years previously and they just weren't memorable. It isn't that I disliked the books I just don't think they're as grimdark as everyone says they are. Unless I'm still misremembering after 2 reads the world itself isn't in danger of dying like with say Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire or Erikson's Malazan. I also didn't feel like they were just as grimly depressing like with A Land Fit for Heroes or the Acts of Caine.
Wow! That’s suprising. Those characters are unforgettable for most people. Masterful character work imo
Haha I know! Everyone I know loves his work but I made it like 100 pages in and thought "I swear I've heard the name Glokta at some point". I think I just felt like the world was too bland, not enough was really at stake aside from 2 kingdoms fighting. I like my Grimdark to feel like humanity or whatever is at danger of being completely wiped out if things go wrong.
@@NerdBookReviewThat makes sense. First law is definitely more toned down in scope and worldbuilding in favor of characters
Do you suffer from memory loss?!
I have had some concussions in the past…
💯🔥🔥
Anyone noticed, after HEROES Joe's writing style is very different, more important he lost his humour touch which is very rich in 1st 5 books . Am I the only one experiencing this. I never seen any book tuber mentioning this.
First time I've ever heard this take, have to disagree.
I can't say I agree on my remembering of the books, but I'll be interested to keep an eye out for that when I read them again.
There's plenty of humor in The Heroes and it's my favourite first law world book so far ! Currently reading the age of madness yo :D
Definitely disagree. Maybe a re-read is required? Honestly, he makes me laugh out loud many, many times during a read. Have you read the last trilogy???
@@tanja9364 yes I loved Trouble with peace & Wisdom of crowds as overall but not the writing style
"My name is Nicomo Cosca, famed soldier of fortune, and I am here for dinner" .... Absolutely amazing 🤌🏻😂😂😂