There’s a lot of humor in these books. It can be grim humor, gallows humor, but it’s still quite funny. Some people think grimdark means humorless but that’s not true at all.
I was just about to comment on this as well. I complained to a friend that all the fantasy-book I picked up were boring and bland. I said "Give me something gritty where the world is cruel and people are complete shits. Oh, and I want to laugh... A lot." And to this he said "The Blade Itself".
There is a scene in the second book, when Logen says something like "If I'm the whore, who is the northman then?" I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while I was reading.
I specifically remember one moment when Glokta goes up to a receptionist who was being a little shit who knew exactly who he was and was like Who ARE you,, DO YoU HAVE AN Appointment WITH Us and Glokta was like "I didn't realize you had so many crippled inquisitors, you dumb mother fucker" and I laughed so fucking hard I almost peed
I like to think of logan and the bloody 9 as 2 separate characters. Also bramadan Gorst is bloody hilarious an absolute brute of a man built like an ox with a high piping little girl voice
It is absolutly great: - Depth and realistic characters. - A plausible Story - good twists. - not just a quest, far more and deerper plot. - no plotholes - no good versus evil. - small amount of magic. Just absolutly great.
I always loved how this author tackled foreshadowing. Leaving little hints for later things. One of my favorite opening paragraphs is from 'Best Served Cold'. Set the rest of the book up so well. “The sunrise was the color of bad blood. It leaked out of the east and stained the dark sky red, marked the scraps of the cloud with stolen gold. Underneath it the road twisted up the mountainside towards the fortress of Fontezarmo - a cluster of sharp towers, ash-black against the wounded heavens. The sunrise was red, black and gold. The colors of their profession."
These books are great, but the audio for these books are even better. The audio of these 3 books stay on my phone, even when the phone tells me I'm running out of space. The audio performance may be the best I've ever heard.
I just finished The Blade Itself yesterday and absolutely loved it; was so gripped by the characters, in spite of the lack of a clear plot, that I breezed through the book in about 5 days; which is pretty fast considering i’m supposed to be working on my Thesis right now 😅😭 Can’t wait to read the rest of the books but kind of glad all the bookshops are shut or I would never get any work done
Glokta is so brilliantly written His inner monologues are masterpieces in fantasy if not the whole literature Also let's praise the narration of steven pacey❤ he did well narrating the novel and bringing the characters to life
I actually just added this to my wishlist! The "morally grey" aspect really intrigues me and, imo, makes the characters more relatable! Excited to finally pick this up. :)
Absolutely loved the this trilogy. The stand-alones are next on my TBR. I also got a signed copy of his first book “a little hatred” and got very excited. Definitely one of my favorite authors now. 👍🏻🤘🏻
Thanks for this review! I have a new trilogy for my TBR. I was hesitant about reading this since I have read some pretty bad reviews on goodreads but your reviews have never yet failed me! Have a great day ❤️
I felt the author put so much effort on character development that he just lost out on laying out a plot for the series. I didn't even get invested in the plot, but still loved the series because of the characters.
Many people say that, but I believe that the plot was awesome. And the subversion of classic themes like the old mentor or the journey of the hero was masterful.
Well I was hesitant about this series but now I might give it a try after all. I don't hate grim dark fantasy, I actually quite enjoy it so maybe I should give it a try :)
I didn't enjoy any grimdark I read before this, always came off as super edgelord writing. This series though, it's just so well written and so funny at parts, it quickly turned into one of, if not my favorite fantasy series. Characters are so rich and so well written like nothing I have read before.
@@camtuck Oh, I'm right there with you. Calling it grimdark might be the single biggest hurdle this series must overcome to become as popular as I think it deserves. When people talk about Game of Thrones, no one calls it grimdark, they just call them good books. I believe anyone who enjoys reading GoT would at least enjoy First Law, I just hope it get's to a place where it is considered a series of good books first and genre books distant last.
My other half doesn't really read at all. I told him all about Logan and Glotka and Major West and he decided to read the books for himself. He's half way through Best Served Cold now! These books are incredible!
The series that got me back to reading the genre, love it all. Characters were so incredibly real and just the way people talked was so good. Joe is a master
I’m a huge fan of The First Law Trilogy, but I’ll say that the three standalones that follow are perhaps even better! Brilliant character work throughout!
I love who quick after hearing about the books in your vlogs we get the reviews! This series are definitely higher and higher on my list since you and Eliot and Daniel praise them so much, plus I liked J.R.R. Martin, so I am very optimistic about my future reading grimdark :)
I read this years ago, before I was aware that grimdark was a thing, and went into it knowing little about it. Was half-expecting a Conan variation, but I was majorly impressed. I don't remember much except some character names and a scene or two, but I know I loved it. Sounds like it's time for a reread!
I maintain that Robert E. Howard is the grandfather of grimdark so your expectations weren't unreasonable. As for Conan have you read Howard's stories or are you just familiar with him from the movies?
Thanks for doing this video! First law is my favorite series. I also want to remind you not to forget about the collections of short stories (sharp ends). You can read that book after you are done with the standalones if you crave more of Joe Abercrombie, and also, Joe Abercrombies shattered sea trilogy is really good.
It always makes me happy to see readers not typically the target audience fall in love with this series. For newbies, I like to describe TFL as if Tarantino made a fantasy series. And while it is “grimdark”, I wouldn’t even say it’s as dark as ASOIAF and in at least half the cases it goes less dark than I expected. The “dark” elements aren’t there for simple shock value (like it seems to be with other books stretching to hit that genre tag). I’m excited for you to check out the standalones and of course the new trilogy.
Okay so my TBR has another series... Also I am almost done with Lies of Locke lamora and... ohhhhhh it's GREAT I am in the scene where Locke is acting as(spoilers)Grey King and was just put in the coffin drowned in that...thing and then we have the flash back of that Tesso boy and the ending of the scene where Locke is being beaten up so badly and he's just grinning and saying wait till Jean comes and...it just...the friendship( and that's just one scene) and then we have the Dona midnighters scene and ITS GREAT It has like Slytherine, Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw And Gryffindor all in one book
Another book to add to the list. At this rate my tbr list is going to be longer than my read list. Thanks for all the great recommendations you and your community always propose. Thanks 🙂
I'm actually currently reading the first book of the series and it did take me a long time to get into it because I kept wondering where the plot was. Now that I'm almost done with the first book I find myself thinking about the characters even when I'm not reading. I think it's one of those books that takes a long time establishing everything but it's definitely worth the wait.
I've read a book recently, called Nottingham, which is a take on the Robin Hood lore, and although I wouldn't call it "grim dark", it falls perfectly into the description you gave in the beginning of the video, where you describe how you weren't sure who was 'good' or 'bad' and having bad people doing good, and vice versa.
This trilogy is on my April TBR, and I'm reading The Blade Itself right now! It was a bit of a slow start for me, but now I'm fully invested and am excited for what's to come.
I pretty much binged the trilogy, it is just so good. I am normally a plot person when it comes to books but these characters were so well done that I never had an issue with slower plot. Hope more people will pick these books up!
I read all three of the original trilogy in a two-month span last summer. I loved everything about them. The thing that makes Abercrombie's style of grimdark as opposed to other authors or series, is his use of humor. Without Abercrombie's slick, wry, acerbic sense of humor, these characters and this world wouldn't be half as good. His character work is masterful. Let us know when you're going to continue on with the standalones; I haven't started them yet but I plan to in the next few months or so.
Abercrombie’s Character writing and wIt are so strong that even during the slower beginning of The Blade Itself, I found myself growing invested in Jezal, Logen, and the rest. This is an incredible trilogy, and I highly recommend the one shot follow ups Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and The short story collection Sharp Ends. His newest trilogy in this world also started last fall! The character writing and twists only get better!
Gotta love how this vid dropped as soon as my down time started. Perfect way to spend my work break lol. Btw, Merphy, I'm going to watch the whole video but I'm going to buy book one anyway. Your recommendations have not failed me yet! I hope you all have a great day. Edit: nvm, buying the trilogy now.
I just picked up the first book in the series and can't wait to start reading it. I have been really liking darker fantasy and think this is just calling to me!
Im glad you recommend these! Now i know they'll be worth it. Ive read the first 2 books of A Song of Ice and Fire but since its not a completed series (and the author seems to not be going to complete it), i didnt want to get too invested in them.
Amazing, that you liked it. This is very high on my TBR, since Mike, Daniel, and now you liked it so much. And as an ASOIAF fan I think this will be right up my alley :) BTW, your new outro song has grown so much on me that I always llok forqard to it now, and I distinctly remember being disappointed when you changed the old one. How things change :D
I love all Abercrombie''s books in this world. The stand alone books are excellent. Then he comes out with A Little Hatred which may be his best book so far. Can't wait for the next one.
Awesome book. I liked the reflection of real world conflict with one side driven by religious fanaticism and the other funded by rampant capitalism. Added to the grim realness of the story for me!
I am thinking getting the 1st book for my birthday. I am glad you enjoyed that series after you finished the Wheel of Time. I think you should check out the The Vampire Chronicles after you read Interview with the Vampire. It's a good epic fantasy series and it focuses on moral of grey with vampires. ☺
@Merphy, thanks for reminding me how good these books are, I've already re-read half of the first one! Really enjoying getting to know the characters again, and enjoying the humour.
I'm going to be starting Best Served Cold soon, and I'm excited to be getting back into the world again. it's been over a year since I read Last Argument of Kings - I'm hoping Abercrombie's writing is as good as I remember. I fell in love with the trilogy.
Me and my bro finally realized the only "good" person that exists in that world is west. He is the man that just wants the best for everyone. He still has flaws like every other character. But he actually takes accountability and resentment for his actions where nobody else does really
I love the first law series! All of the books are great. I've read them twice and I'll probably read them again. I love the inner voice narratives of Sand dan Glokta. Joe Abercrombie is an awesome author who knows how to tell interesting stories with amazing characters.
i'm reading the blade itself (along with the audiobook, which is excellent) right now and surprised at how much i'm enjoying it!! will definitely be picking up the rest of the trilogy
Joe Abercrombie is definitely my favourite fantasy author (Brandon Sanderson being a decently close second). The one aspect I admire in his writing is the POV/character voice, with different "styles" and, well, catchphrases (e.g. "You have to be realistic about these things"). For all his brilliance, though, not one of my handful of fantasy-reading friends has even heard of the guy before I took up converting said friends to the Church of Abercrombie
Loved this series, love the standalones even more! Curious to hear your ranking of the next three. Haven't read A Little Hatred yet, but looking forward to it. Thus far, my favorite in the series is the Heroes.
The stand-alones are pretty amazing, though I'm not sure you can say they exceed the The First Law trilogy, as far as execution of the whole. But I must say, think Monza Murcatto (Best Served Cold) is one of the best epic fantasy characters ever written. Period.For me, the amazing thing about Abercrombie is that he keeps reaching and growing as a storyteller. The new trilogy (only book one out so far) has a crop of characters with whom I can't wait to catch up. And he's twisted the world just enough that it's all new, and yet utterly familiar. Nice review/summary, Merphy. I really enjoyed your take. And the fan art.
Let's say I were an author and let's say I had a ton of money (enough to tempt you to do it) I'd have you do one of these videos for my books! This is some CONVINCING book praise! Nice video
Haven't read since high school tbh, wanted to get started, and I'm almost done with the blade itself. Trying to get my crippled brother to read it, I think he'd like a character.
I’ve spent weeks trying to get into these books. I’m a book and a half in and I feel like nothing of consequence has happened. I just can’t push through anymore. I wish I liked them more than I do, but I just can’t enjoy my time in this world because it all feels irrelevant.
Josh Grant Same here! Well I’m one book down but don’t see the point in continuing with the next two. Haven’t been this disappointed or confused by the hype since Name of the Wind.
I just finished the first law trilogy and am now reading name of the wind 🤣 I wasn't very interested in the story either, but I didn't really care, I enjoyed the characters just talking so much.
Sounds like an interesting series I need to keep in mind. Grimdark fiction does kinda grab me, though I do like the advice from Monty Python sometimes too. "Always look on the bright side of life....".
Hi merphy I like your videos so much 😊 Good luck for your upcoming vids You were my first booktuber And it was you that I came to know about a community Of people who talk books Thankyou very much
I think you should also give the Shattered Seas trilogy a go as well by him. They are grimdark but with a teen edge to them - still very good and the setting is brilliant. I saw the twist early but it is still full of fascinating detail and lots of brilliant characters.
I remember buying The Blade Itself years ago and being so excited. I ended up buying it again in ebook format. I really love Glotka's character but I have such hard time getting through the book since it's pretty slow. I do wanna go back and finish it one day though---I got a bit over 50% through it and I'd like to finish it as well as read the standalones and A Little Hatred.
I'll have to take a look at these sometime. Think malazon is the next on my list. Have you read anything by Elizabeth Moon? She has a couple standalones, such as 'The Speed of Dark' which you would probably enjoy. She also has a couple (short) series, two sci-fi and a fantasy, of which I would highly recommend both sci-fi series and I think that everyone should read her Deed of Paksenarrion fantasy omnibus.
just wanted to add if your thinking of picking up this series, the first book might not be to your liking(i personaly hated it), just because you will be wondering why the plots not setting in, but if you see potential for the characters realy just push through because the second and third book make it so worth it.
I've been done with stand alones for a year or more. I haven't found anything to replace this world. Every new book falls below the bar compared to this. It may have ruined me. This is the best of the gold standard. The stand alone books are indeed just as amazing. I listen to audio because i have to hear Pacy. Everything about this story and it's production are on the very top shelf.
Thanks for this. As someone who had no idea what grimdark is (I’m hooked) and never read fantasy before, I would recommend these novels to anyone who enjoys thriller, horror, epic long novels with dozens of characters, etc. Honestly, I never would have given this series a chance. But a couple people on reddit told me I’d regret it if I did not, so I bought The Blade Itself. Within the first 5-10 pages, I knew I’d never look back. This is fantasy, yes. Epic fucking fantasy. But even more so, it is incredible storytelling, detailed world building, and character development that will make you laugh, cry, scream, and everything in between. For people like me who wouldn’t give it a chance because of the genres, I say “NAY!” Seriously, you don’t want to miss this. If you love great stories, extremely well developed plot lines and characters you will lose sleep worrying about, then look no further.
I think you hit on it: it's satisfying because character actions make sense, even if their actions are often awful. Abercrombie takes them places that make sense, without holding back. Also, yeah, those battle scenes are amazingly well written and from different points of view.
Read the first book and loved it. Better read books 2 and 3. All the book stores are closed so lets order on-line. Ordered from Chapters/Indigo. Expected delivery: July. Great. Thanks.
In my mind: Sand dan Glokta - Christopher Waltz, Jezal dan Luthar - Cary Elwes, The Dogman - Guy Pearce, Bremer dan Gorst - Brock Lesnar, Ferro Maljinn - Summer Glau, Collem West - Jason Statham, Nicomo Cosca - Benicio del Toro, Bayaz - Jon Voight, Logan Ninefingers - Scott Glenn
It's better to read it than live with the fear of it.
There’s a lot of humor in these books. It can be grim humor, gallows humor, but it’s still quite funny. Some people think grimdark means humorless but that’s not true at all.
Body found floating by the docks....
One of the few fantasy series I've read where I've consistently laughed out loud throughout.
I was just about to comment on this as well. I complained to a friend that all the fantasy-book I picked up were boring and bland. I said "Give me something gritty where the world is cruel and people are complete shits. Oh, and I want to laugh... A lot." And to this he said "The Blade Itself".
There is a scene in the second book, when Logen says something like "If I'm the whore, who is the northman then?"
I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while I was reading.
I specifically remember one moment when Glokta goes up to a receptionist who was being a little shit who knew exactly who he was and was like Who ARE you,, DO YoU HAVE AN Appointment WITH Us and Glokta was like "I didn't realize you had so many crippled inquisitors, you dumb mother fucker" and I laughed so fucking hard I almost peed
Glotka remains still to this day one of the best characters ever written in fantasy.
truth
... I coudn't do anything else after...
I might be in the minority but Logen has to be my favourite. Bayaz as a (spoiler) as opposed to a wannabe Gandalf too!
Glokta and Logen are both all time great fantasy characters
I like to think of logan and the bloody 9 as 2 separate characters.
Also bramadan Gorst is bloody hilarious an absolute brute of a man built like an ox with a high piping little girl voice
It is absolutly great:
- Depth and realistic characters.
- A plausible Story
- good twists.
- not just a quest, far more and deerper plot.
- no plotholes
- no good versus evil.
- small amount of magic.
Just absolutly great.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaas! Glokta set the bar for character development for me. I want to find the "next" Glokta in all books I read now.
Merphy, I always quote this:
Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he's a genius!
Steven pacey's glokta is sooo good.....would highly recommend the audiobooks
so many griMACES
"Body found floating by the docks..."
- Sand Dan Dockta
Pacey is God among narrators.
Absolutely agree, would even argue that Steven Pacey delivered on all the characters... but Glokta was spot on.
@@sblinder1978 he did change how he pronounced it in the books in the second trilogy
I always loved how this author tackled foreshadowing. Leaving little hints for later things. One of my favorite opening paragraphs is from 'Best Served Cold'. Set the rest of the book up so well.
“The sunrise was the color of bad blood. It leaked out of the east and stained the dark sky red, marked the scraps of the cloud with stolen gold. Underneath it the road twisted up the mountainside towards the fortress of Fontezarmo - a cluster of sharp towers, ash-black against the wounded heavens. The sunrise was red, black and gold.
The colors of their profession."
Best Served Cold is my favorite book of all time. Can't wait for you to read it. It's just so freaking good.
These books are great, but the audio for these books are even better. The audio of these 3 books stay on my phone, even when the phone tells me I'm running out of space. The audio performance may be the best I've ever heard.
Absolutely agree, Steven Pacey does a phenomenal job with the audio books, he voices each character perfectly!
Haha, same. The audiobooks never leave my phone They're my security blanket, haha
The most entertaining series I’ve read, it’s never slow throughout the last two books. So much fun.
I just finished The Blade Itself yesterday and absolutely loved it; was so gripped by the characters, in spite of the lack of a clear plot, that I breezed through the book in about 5 days; which is pretty fast considering i’m supposed to be working on my Thesis right now 😅😭
Can’t wait to read the rest of the books but kind of glad all the bookshops are shut or I would never get any work done
Haha... Supposed to work on my thesis too xD
Glokta is so brilliantly written
His inner monologues are masterpieces in fantasy if not the whole literature
Also let's praise the narration of steven pacey❤ he did well narrating the novel and bringing the characters to life
I actually just added this to my wishlist! The "morally grey" aspect really intrigues me and, imo, makes the characters more relatable! Excited to finally pick this up. :)
I finally got around to reading the Lies of Lock Lamora, and just, thank you so so much.
Absolutely loved the this trilogy. The stand-alones are next on my TBR. I also got a signed copy of his first book “a little hatred” and got very excited. Definitely one of my favorite authors now. 👍🏻🤘🏻
Thanks for this review! I have a new trilogy for my TBR. I was hesitant about reading this since I have read some pretty bad reviews on goodreads but your reviews have never yet failed me! Have a great day ❤️
I felt the author put so much effort on character development that he just lost out on laying out a plot for the series.
I didn't even get invested in the plot, but still loved the series because of the characters.
Many people say that, but I believe that the plot was awesome. And the subversion of classic themes like the old mentor or the journey of the hero was masterful.
Well I was hesitant about this series but now I might give it a try after all. I don't hate grim dark fantasy, I actually quite enjoy it so maybe I should give it a try :)
Elke Jager you should definitely check them out. Soooo good!!
I didn't enjoy any grimdark I read before this, always came off as super edgelord writing. This series though, it's just so well written and so funny at parts, it quickly turned into one of, if not my favorite fantasy series. Characters are so rich and so well written like nothing I have read before.
@@camtuck Oh, I'm right there with you. Calling it grimdark might be the single biggest hurdle this series must overcome to become as popular as I think it deserves.
When people talk about Game of Thrones, no one calls it grimdark, they just call them good books. I believe anyone who enjoys reading GoT would at least enjoy First Law, I just hope it get's to a place where it is considered a series of good books first and genre books distant last.
My other half doesn't really read at all. I told him all about Logan and Glotka and Major West and he decided to read the books for himself. He's half way through Best Served Cold now! These books are incredible!
The series that got me back to reading the genre, love it all. Characters were so incredibly real and just the way people talked was so good. Joe is a master
Merphy !!! Reading The Blade Itself right now !!! Liking it a lot.
I’m a huge fan of The First Law Trilogy, but I’ll say that the three standalones that follow are perhaps even better! Brilliant character work throughout!
I LOVED best served cold and the heroes. What'd you think of red country? I'm debating reading it based on mixed reviews
I love who quick after hearing about the books in your vlogs we get the reviews! This series are definitely higher and higher on my list since you and Eliot and Daniel praise them so much, plus I liked J.R.R. Martin, so I am very optimistic about my future reading grimdark :)
I read this years ago, before I was aware that grimdark was a thing, and went into it knowing little about it. Was half-expecting a Conan variation, but I was majorly impressed. I don't remember much except some character names and a scene or two, but I know I loved it. Sounds like it's time for a reread!
I maintain that Robert E. Howard is the grandfather of grimdark so your expectations weren't unreasonable. As for Conan have you read Howard's stories or are you just familiar with him from the movies?
@@christopherbacon1077 I've actually only read Robert Jordan's Conan stories, never read the originals nor seen the movies.
@@dahakhamoontouched4133 You should definitely read Howard. Accept no substitutes
Thanks for doing this video! First law is my favorite series. I also want to remind you not to forget about the collections of short stories (sharp ends). You can read that book after you are done with the standalones if you crave more of Joe Abercrombie, and also, Joe Abercrombies shattered sea trilogy is really good.
It always makes me happy to see readers not typically the target audience fall in love with this series. For newbies, I like to describe TFL as if Tarantino made a fantasy series. And while it is “grimdark”, I wouldn’t even say it’s as dark as ASOIAF and in at least half the cases it goes less dark than I expected. The “dark” elements aren’t there for simple shock value (like it seems to be with other books stretching to hit that genre tag).
I’m excited for you to check out the standalones and of course the new trilogy.
Read "The Heroes" next. Best stand alone from this world setting. So good!
Okay so my TBR has another series...
Also I am almost done with Lies of Locke lamora and... ohhhhhh it's GREAT
I am in the scene where Locke is acting as(spoilers)Grey King and was just put in the coffin drowned in that...thing and then we have the flash back of that Tesso boy and the ending of the scene where Locke is being beaten up so badly and he's just grinning and saying wait till Jean comes and...it just...the friendship( and that's just one scene) and then we have the Dona midnighters scene and ITS GREAT
It has like Slytherine, Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw And Gryffindor all in one book
Another book to add to the list. At this rate my tbr list is going to be longer than my read list. Thanks for all the great recommendations you and your community always propose. Thanks 🙂
I'm actually currently reading the first book of the series and it did take me a long time to get into it because I kept wondering where the plot was. Now that I'm almost done with the first book I find myself thinking about the characters even when I'm not reading. I think it's one of those books that takes a long time establishing everything but it's definitely worth the wait.
I've read a book recently, called Nottingham, which is a take on the Robin Hood lore, and although I wouldn't call it "grim dark", it falls perfectly into the description you gave in the beginning of the video, where you describe how you weren't sure who was 'good' or 'bad' and having bad people doing good, and vice versa.
This trilogy is on my April TBR, and I'm reading The Blade Itself right now! It was a bit of a slow start for me, but now I'm fully invested and am excited for what's to come.
Finally!!! I've waited so long for a booktuber I actively watch to review The first law. So excited. This is my favorite series of all time. ♡
I JUST bought it OMG can’t wait
I pretty much binged the trilogy, it is just so good. I am normally a plot person when it comes to books but these characters were so well done that I never had an issue with slower plot. Hope more people will pick these books up!
I read all three of the original trilogy in a two-month span last summer. I loved everything about them. The thing that makes Abercrombie's style of grimdark as opposed to other authors or series, is his use of humor. Without Abercrombie's slick, wry, acerbic sense of humor, these characters and this world wouldn't be half as good. His character work is masterful. Let us know when you're going to continue on with the standalones; I haven't started them yet but I plan to in the next few months or so.
Abercrombie’s Character writing and wIt are so strong that even during the slower beginning of The Blade Itself, I found myself growing invested in Jezal, Logen, and the rest. This is an incredible trilogy, and I highly recommend the one shot follow ups Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and The short story collection Sharp Ends. His newest trilogy in this world also started last fall! The character writing and twists only get better!
Aight these books just climbed up my want to read list
Gotta love how this vid dropped as soon as my down time started. Perfect way to spend my work break lol.
Btw, Merphy, I'm going to watch the whole video but I'm going to buy book one anyway. Your recommendations have not failed me yet!
I hope you all have a great day.
Edit: nvm, buying the trilogy now.
I hope you love it as much as I did!
I'm so excited to try this series!!
great video
All right you convinced me. Found the trilogy bundle offered for $26 on Amazon
I just picked up the first book in the series and can't wait to start reading it. I have been really liking darker fantasy and think this is just calling to me!
Im glad you recommend these! Now i know they'll be worth it. Ive read the first 2 books of A Song of Ice and Fire but since its not a completed series (and the author seems to not be going to complete it), i didnt want to get too invested in them.
I am currently reading The Blade Itself. So this video was a happy coincidence :)
This sounds right up my alley. Thank you for the recommendation. :)
Amazing, that you liked it. This is very high on my TBR, since Mike, Daniel, and now you liked it so much. And as an ASOIAF fan I think this will be right up my alley :) BTW, your new outro song has grown so much on me that I always llok forqard to it now, and I distinctly remember being disappointed when you changed the old one. How things change :D
I love all Abercrombie''s books in this world. The stand alone books are excellent. Then he comes out with A Little Hatred which may be his best book so far. Can't wait for the next one.
The first book I Read from Abercrombie is "A little Hatred". Definately worth a read!!
That's a sequel to this trilogy...
Awesome book. I liked the reflection of real world conflict with one side driven by religious fanaticism and the other funded by rampant capitalism. Added to the grim realness of the story for me!
I am thinking getting the 1st book for my birthday. I am glad you enjoyed that series after you finished the Wheel of Time. I think you should check out the The Vampire Chronicles after you read Interview with the Vampire. It's a good epic fantasy series and it focuses on moral of grey with vampires. ☺
I am just reading the first book and loving it.
*heck-darnit* Merphy! Just as I suspected... *another* series I need to read ASAP...
@Merphy, thanks for reminding me how good these books are, I've already re-read half of the first one! Really enjoying getting to know the characters again, and enjoying the humour.
I just started reading The Eye of the World (wish me luck), but after that one I think I'm going to pick this series up. You convinced me.
Thanks for making this. I was thinking about this yesterday!
I'm going to be starting Best Served Cold soon, and I'm excited to be getting back into the world again. it's been over a year since I read Last Argument of Kings - I'm hoping Abercrombie's writing is as good as I remember. I fell in love with the trilogy.
Best served cold and the heroes are incredible
Me and my bro finally realized the only "good" person that exists in that world is west. He is the man that just wants the best for everyone. He still has flaws like every other character. But he actually takes accountability and resentment for his actions where nobody else does really
What about Yulwie though? .... He was a good person from the start .... Even at the end he was the hero .... Left alone to be that anyways 😆🥲
I love Grim Dark, but I also write horror, so the idea of Grim Dark appeals to me.
I have about 50 pages left in the blade itself. It's really good. Gonna start before they are hanged as soon as I'm done.
Joe Abercrombie is my favorite. "The Heros" is fantastic.
Glokta alone is a reason to say Yes to these books. I loved little Hatred the most.
I love the first law series! All of the books are great. I've read them twice and I'll probably read them again. I love the inner voice narratives of Sand dan Glokta. Joe Abercrombie is an awesome author who knows how to tell interesting stories with amazing characters.
i'm reading the blade itself (along with the audiobook, which is excellent) right now and surprised at how much i'm enjoying it!! will definitely be picking up the rest of the trilogy
Joe Abercrombie is definitely my favourite fantasy author (Brandon Sanderson being a decently close second). The one aspect I admire in his writing is the POV/character voice, with different "styles" and, well, catchphrases (e.g. "You have to be realistic about these things"). For all his brilliance, though, not one of my handful of fantasy-reading friends has even heard of the guy before I took up converting said friends to the Church of Abercrombie
Loved this series, love the standalones even more! Curious to hear your ranking of the next three. Haven't read A Little Hatred yet, but looking forward to it. Thus far, my favorite in the series is the Heroes.
The savage humor is the key that makes all the grim palatable
Just randomly picked up this series and started reading it a week ago; get out of my head!
The stand-alones are pretty amazing, though I'm not sure you can say they exceed the The First Law trilogy, as far as execution of the whole. But I must say, think Monza Murcatto (Best Served Cold) is one of the best epic fantasy characters ever written. Period.For me, the amazing thing about Abercrombie is that he keeps reaching and growing as a storyteller. The new trilogy (only book one out so far) has a crop of characters with whom I can't wait to catch up. And he's twisted the world just enough that it's all new, and yet utterly familiar. Nice review/summary, Merphy. I really enjoyed your take. And the fan art.
I've read The Blade Itself, and I have book 2 to go on with now...found the first one a little slow, but I did enjoy it while reading.
I read the Gentleman Bastards series because of your recommendation and really enjoyed them, so I'll definitely try these out. Love your videos.
My favorite ongoing series right now. Joe Abercrombie is severely underrated.
Let's say I were an author and let's say I had a ton of money (enough to tempt you to do it) I'd have you do one of these videos for my books! This is some CONVINCING book praise! Nice video
I will be starting the second book in the first law series after I finish reading the first A Song Of Ice And Fire book. I'm looking forward to it.
I just bought the audio book, it's on sale for $5.00 right now, so I'm going to give it a try. Thanks
I'm reading through the Harry Potter books again at the moment, but I may well move onto this series when I'm done! Nice video, Merphy :D
Glotka is my favorite character on all of fiction
Haven't read since high school tbh, wanted to get started, and I'm almost done with the blade itself. Trying to get my crippled brother to read it, I think he'd like a character.
By looking at you and hearing your reviews increase my heartbeat. 😭 why are you so beautiful!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Best Served Cold. I find it hard to pick a favourite but that’s definitely near the top of my list!
I literally just picked them up just now! They had better be good merphy😂😂😂
I’ve spent weeks trying to get into these books. I’m a book and a half in and I feel like nothing of consequence has happened. I just can’t push through anymore. I wish I liked them more than I do, but I just can’t enjoy my time in this world because it all feels irrelevant.
Josh Grant Same here! Well I’m one book down but don’t see the point in continuing with the next two. Haven’t been this disappointed or confused by the hype since Name of the Wind.
I just finished the first law trilogy and am now reading name of the wind 🤣 I wasn't very interested in the story either, but I didn't really care, I enjoyed the characters just talking so much.
Sounds like an interesting series I need to keep in mind. Grimdark fiction does kinda grab me, though I do like the advice from Monty Python sometimes too. "Always look on the bright side of life....".
Monty Python is arguably grimdark. It’s cynical, violent, and arguably nihilistic. The fact that it’s funny does not disqualify it at all.
A little hatred is just phenomenal. A must read after the stand alone books.
Never heard of grim dark before but sounds like it is in then vein of dystopian, so definitely will give it a read.
I bought the box set a couple weeks ago. Gonna start The Blade Itself in the next couple days.
Hi merphy
I like your videos so much 😊
Good luck for your upcoming vids
You were my first booktuber
And it was you that I came to know about a community
Of people who talk books
Thankyou very much
I think you should also give the Shattered Seas trilogy a go as well by him. They are grimdark but with a teen edge to them - still very good and the setting is brilliant. I saw the twist early but it is still full of fascinating detail and lots of brilliant characters.
Make sure to read A Little Hatred! It's Book 1 of a new trilogy in the First Law world. Book 2 is coming out in September I believe.
I remember buying The Blade Itself years ago and being so excited. I ended up buying it again in ebook format. I really love Glotka's character but I have such hard time getting through the book since it's pretty slow. I do wanna go back and finish it one day though---I got a bit over 50% through it and I'd like to finish it as well as read the standalones and A Little Hatred.
I'll have to take a look at these sometime. Think malazon is the next on my list.
Have you read anything by Elizabeth Moon? She has a couple standalones, such as 'The Speed of Dark' which you would probably enjoy. She also has a couple (short) series, two sci-fi and a fantasy, of which I would highly recommend both sci-fi series and I think that everyone should read her Deed of Paksenarrion fantasy omnibus.
just wanted to add if your thinking of picking up this series, the first book might not be to your liking(i personaly hated it), just because you will be wondering why the plots not setting in, but if you see potential for the characters realy just push through because the second and third book make it so worth it.
I've been done with stand alones for a year or more. I haven't found anything to replace this world. Every new book falls below the bar compared to this. It may have ruined me. This is the best of the gold standard. The stand alone books are indeed just as amazing. I listen to audio because i have to hear Pacy. Everything about this story and it's production are on the very top shelf.
This is on my TBR as well :)
I just read the first book in the trilogy and it was fucking awesome.
Thanks for this. As someone who had no idea what grimdark is (I’m hooked) and never read fantasy before, I would recommend these novels to anyone who enjoys thriller, horror, epic long novels with dozens of characters, etc. Honestly, I never would have given this series a chance. But a couple people on reddit told me I’d regret it if I did not, so I bought The Blade Itself. Within the first 5-10 pages, I knew I’d never look back.
This is fantasy, yes. Epic fucking fantasy. But even more so, it is incredible storytelling, detailed world building, and character development that will make you laugh, cry, scream, and everything in between.
For people like me who wouldn’t give it a chance because of the genres, I say “NAY!”
Seriously, you don’t want to miss this. If you love great stories, extremely well developed plot lines and characters you will lose sleep worrying about, then look no further.
I have recently started reading the first book, and I love it :)
I think you hit on it: it's satisfying because character actions make sense, even if their actions are often awful. Abercrombie takes them places that make sense, without holding back. Also, yeah, those battle scenes are amazingly well written and from different points of view.
Read the first book and loved it. Better read books 2 and 3. All the book stores are closed so lets order on-line. Ordered from Chapters/Indigo. Expected delivery: July. Great. Thanks.
In my mind: Sand dan Glokta - Christopher Waltz, Jezal dan Luthar - Cary Elwes, The Dogman - Guy Pearce, Bremer dan Gorst - Brock Lesnar, Ferro Maljinn - Summer Glau, Collem West - Jason Statham, Nicomo Cosca - Benicio del Toro, Bayaz - Jon Voight, Logan Ninefingers - Scott Glenn