murphyandhislaw

reading list

First Law (3): Last Argument of Kings

Joe Abercrombie

published: 2008, read: 8/11/23
674 pages, genre: Fantasy
rating: 9.125/10, normalized: 9.028/10
1.7σ better than average
1.771σ or 1.854/10 better than average in Fantasy genre
1.4σ or 0.694/10 better than average by Joe Abercrombie
1.42σ or 0.629/10 better than average recommended by Jack H.
Recommended by: Jack H.

Half of the way through so far and I give it a 9/10

Spoilers from here on out, if you've read the first two books, you'll read this one as well.

I wasn't able to articulate my character criticism of Logan until this point (7th day of the siege scene). His arc is that he's a wretched sadboi. "Woe is me who carries the guilt of all who I have slain" but his inner monologue is so gentle, legitimately remorseful, and level minded. We learn that he used to be the Bathod's champion, around the same time we're introduced to Bathod's current champion who seems unkillable and like 4x more powerful than Logan. His remorse seems apt for a barbaric northman (killing ur rivals/buddies, and just indiscriminate pillaging, etc.), but not proportionate to how much guilt he carries.

This critique dissolves after this battle scene from midway through.

"Who fought who was none of his concern. The living were on one side, and he was on the other"

chills

Once before we saw him go berserk, and once earlier he exercised restraint, but after it's revealed how/why he was Bathod's champion relative to "The Feared," it all makes sense and is jaw dropping. Younglings beware.

Conspiracy arc is great throughout this book as well so far.

The way the narration bounces between West and Glokta in chapter 45 is so good. +0.25 flat points for that alone

Fin - super good grimdark trilogy. Only thing I'd critique is that the minor "villains" of the battle in the 2nd half of this book didn't get much screentime throughout the series.

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