Great review! I keep imagining Tarantino directing this particular series. Mainly because of the dialog from the very gray characters. Gary Oldman would make a great wizard/maker. Did you see that Rebecca Ferguson is making Best Served Cold? My favorite of the standalones. Looks like Joe wrote the script for the film. :) Great video, thanks.
Thanks so much. I did see about the movie and I love Rebecca Ferguson! I have not read the stand alones yet I will be getting to them in '24. I have alot of catching up to do since coming to booktube! But your recommendations are going to help me get there.
Abercrombie is a master! I knew you'd love this! Thank you for vocalizing everything I loved about this book and the series as a whole. I could never be that succinct. (Hint hint, I liked Best Served Cold even more...)
One of the things that really shook me about this book in particular is how Abercrombie recontextualizes the entire journey that the characters' take. It wasn't a standard fantasy quest where they were trying to stop the big evil dark lord, they were helping an even bigger monster in his fight against his rival. I remember as I read the last 100 pages that I felt this palpable sense of dread as the ending came into play. No. Notes. Whatsoever. Great review John!
I love your prediction, and it was certainly darker than what we got in this story. Given how divisive the ending is for some readers, I'm so happy it didn't let you down. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the standalones and Age of Madness!
I've been waiting for this review! I've been very much enjoying your channel, thank you. I just want to say you keep talking about the three strands alone novels and then the second trilogy, but you really, REALLY, shouldn't forget the sorry story collection "Sharp Ends" he is possibly an even better writer in short form, and it adds sooo much to the world he created. Read it after you finish the three strands alone novels. You won't be disappointed.
Oh thank you so much for that I will make sure to slot it in after the stand alones and before the second trilogy. I truly mean it when I say your kind words mean so much and I am so happy you are enjoying what I am posting. Thanks so much for subscribing as well!
I was looking forward to this. I've greatly enjoyed reliving this trilogy through your reviews. I've only read up through Best Served Cold and I'm looking forward to getting back into the last 2 stand alone.
absolutely.... That'd be a good time for sure. With how great everyone says it is even when compared to the already outstanding first trilogy I'm definitely looking forward to diving back in.
Great review John! Spoilers…… The full unveiling of Bayaz’s plan absolutely floored me. Very well done. The only thing I wish was done differently was Logen’s ending.
After a work restructure, my travel takes longer, so I audiobook now on journeys. I'm part way through The Blade Itself read by Steven Pacey and it's awesome. I was curious about the series and glad you were able to talk about without spoilers for the beginning section. Watched to that part. It's good to know I'm in the middle of a 5 ⭐ series 😊
Fantastic review! First Law is one of my favourite Fantasy series of all-time. Top 5 easily. And hopefully permanently. Read it in 2020 after years of my Mum and uncles recommending them to me. I should've listened to them sooner haha. I'm overdue for a re-read. For some people the ending is a complete and utter failure but for me I love it. The standalones are amazing, The Heroes being my personal favourite. Best Served Cold is also fantastic but just a smidge too long and Red Country is pretty good. That one's the marmite of the series. But the worst First Law book is still better than most Fantasy series' best books. Sharp Ends is also worth a read. Age of Madness is fantastic. Its my favourite of the trilogies though Last Argument and Heroes remain my individual favourite books in the entire series. Abercrombie improves in his writing of women with the standalones and he levels up even further with AoM. You're in for a wild ride
@@Talking_Story Same. I was going to read his YA Viking Fantasy series but I get bored of vikings pretty easily so I keep putting it off. I imagine it'll be a few more years but Abercrombie's been pretty open that the likelihood of him returning to First Law is pretty high so I can't wait for that.
John, I am loving your videos! Just wanted to reach out to you with a question. Are you only reviewing books by male authors? Now, I haven’t seen all your videos, but the ones I have seen are by male authors. 😃 You are on fire my friend! Looking forward to many more reviews! Cyndi C in S.A. 😃
Cyndi C from SA so great to hear from you I hope you and all well down there. Check out my reviews for Wickwire Watch, Mister Magic, Haunting on the Hill, Silver Nitrate, Jade Shards these are all female writers to check out.
The Heartbreaking Tragedy of Logan, the Manipulation by Bayaz (I also felt very early on that his story sounded very fishy and that he gave off more of a Saruman then Gandalf vibe!): I very much agree that the whole trilogy should be seen as one long story that this book wraps up, if not as dark as you thought, than still so, so tragically… «Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old One» as The Who put it… BTW: Have you read the Manga «Berserk»?
Great review! I keep imagining Tarantino directing this particular series. Mainly because of the dialog from the very gray characters. Gary Oldman would make a great wizard/maker.
Did you see that Rebecca Ferguson is making Best Served Cold? My favorite of the standalones. Looks like Joe wrote the script for the film. :)
Great video, thanks.
Thanks so much. I did see about the movie and I love Rebecca Ferguson! I have not read the stand alones yet I will be getting to them in '24. I have alot of catching up to do since coming to booktube! But your recommendations are going to help me get there.
Abercrombie is a master! I knew you'd love this! Thank you for vocalizing everything I loved about this book and the series as a whole. I could never be that succinct. (Hint hint, I liked Best Served Cold even more...)
😂I thought I just rambled on! You are always very kind. It is an amazing piece of work.
One of the things that really shook me about this book in particular is how Abercrombie recontextualizes the entire journey that the characters' take. It wasn't a standard fantasy quest where they were trying to stop the big evil dark lord, they were helping an even bigger monster in his fight against his rival. I remember as I read the last 100 pages that I felt this palpable sense of dread as the ending came into play. No. Notes. Whatsoever.
Great review John!
Thanks my friend! This 1 was special and the ending caused me to lower the book several times and think.
I love your prediction, and it was certainly darker than what we got in this story. Given how divisive the ending is for some readers, I'm so happy it didn't let you down. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the standalones and Age of Madness!
😂I was way off. Hope to get back to them soon. Not sure how I feel about myself knowing I was darker than lord grimdark himself.
This was great, amazing quality and insight, keep it up
Thanks so much kind words like these mean the world to me.
I've been waiting for this review! I've been very much enjoying your channel, thank you. I just want to say you keep talking about the three strands alone novels and then the second trilogy, but you really, REALLY, shouldn't forget the sorry story collection "Sharp Ends" he is possibly an even better writer in short form, and it adds sooo much to the world he created. Read it after you finish the three strands alone novels. You won't be disappointed.
Oh thank you so much for that I will make sure to slot it in after the stand alones and before the second trilogy. I truly mean it when I say your kind words mean so much and I am so happy you are enjoying what I am posting. Thanks so much for subscribing as well!
I was looking forward to this. I've greatly enjoyed reliving this trilogy through your reviews. I've only read up through Best Served Cold and I'm looking forward to getting back into the last 2 stand alone.
Oh I am looking forward to those as well. Maybe we can tackle the Age of Madness at the same time if things time out right!
absolutely.... That'd be a good time for sure. With how great everyone says it is even when compared to the already outstanding first trilogy I'm definitely looking forward to diving back in.
I'll have to keep an eye on your TBR.
For sure! @@X-FAct0R
This video was such a joy. I felt the exact same way when I read it.
Great minds think alike!😂
Great review John!
Spoilers……
The full unveiling of Bayaz’s plan absolutely floored me. Very well done. The only thing I wish was done differently was Logen’s ending.
Thanks brother.
After a work restructure, my travel takes longer, so I audiobook now on journeys. I'm part way through The Blade Itself read by Steven Pacey and it's awesome. I was curious about the series and glad you were able to talk about without spoilers for the beginning section. Watched to that part.
It's good to know I'm in the middle of a 5 ⭐ series 😊
Please let me know what you think as you go on. But this makes my all time list no ?
@@Talking_Story Definitely will. I just wish that I'd started reading them earlier.
Me too but it is cool not having to wait for them to come out. @@tracejefferson3169
Fantastic review!
First Law is one of my favourite Fantasy series of all-time. Top 5 easily. And hopefully permanently. Read it in 2020 after years of my Mum and uncles recommending them to me. I should've listened to them sooner haha. I'm overdue for a re-read.
For some people the ending is a complete and utter failure but for me I love it.
The standalones are amazing, The Heroes being my personal favourite. Best Served Cold is also fantastic but just a smidge too long and Red Country is pretty good. That one's the marmite of the series. But the worst First Law book is still better than most Fantasy series' best books.
Sharp Ends is also worth a read.
Age of Madness is fantastic. Its my favourite of the trilogies though Last Argument and Heroes remain my individual favourite books in the entire series. Abercrombie improves in his writing of women with the standalones and he levels up even further with AoM.
You're in for a wild ride
I am soooo looking forward to it! I feel like you I should have jumped on board sooner. I hope his new book The Devils comes out soon!
Also thanks so much for the kind words means a ton to me!
@@Talking_Story Same. I was going to read his YA Viking Fantasy series but I get bored of vikings pretty easily so I keep putting it off. I imagine it'll be a few more years but Abercrombie's been pretty open that the likelihood of him returning to First Law is pretty high so I can't wait for that.
Oh fingers crossed he will come back!@@thatsci-firogue
John, I am loving your videos! Just wanted to reach out to you with a question. Are you only reviewing books by male authors? Now, I haven’t seen all your videos, but the ones I have seen are by male authors. 😃
You are on fire my friend! Looking forward to many more reviews!
Cyndi C in S.A. 😃
Cyndi C from SA so great to hear from you I hope you and all well down there. Check out my reviews for Wickwire Watch, Mister Magic, Haunting on the Hill, Silver Nitrate, Jade Shards these are all female writers to check out.
The Heartbreaking Tragedy of Logan, the Manipulation by Bayaz (I also felt very early on that his story sounded very fishy and that he gave off more of a Saruman then Gandalf vibe!): I very much agree that the whole trilogy should be seen as one long story that this book wraps up, if not as dark as you thought, than still so, so tragically… «Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old One» as The Who put it…
BTW: Have you read the Manga «Berserk»?
I have not read Beserk. I have started One Piece which is my first manga read ever.