Fantasy Fanatics discussion

Here is where we can discuss The Heroes by Joe Aberbrombie spoiler free.

Started reading tonight. Very interested to see how Black Dow's rule in the north is going. Also glad Shivers is in this book as I really enjoyed him in Best Served Cold.

Does this book fit into Abercrombie's other series? Or is it a stand alone? I have it but I'm not sure if I should read the other books first.

It is in the same world as the First Law Trilogy however you do not have to read the trilogy first.

I think I'll dig up a copy and join in this month.

Thanks for the answer. I'll probably start it sometime next week. Looks interesting.

While it is a stand alone it does have many of the characters from the fiirst law series and there will be some spoilers.

Mm. I do have First Law and really want to read it. I might skip this one for now and come back to it after. Thanks for the warning, Bill.

I read First Law so long ago that I don't remember the characters well. I do recognize the world a bit, and the writing.

The beginning starts off quick. Enjoying the read so far.

Just started reading this. It's been a while since the first law trilogy and I feel the same like Kathy. Though I've read Best Served Cold only half a year ago, but that is a somewhat different setting and mostly different characters.
Slow start for me but it takes up speed.

Ah, the very first battle with blood and guts and everything. That was the first somewhat longer chapter - the others where too short for my taste with loads of new names and different sides. Quite confusing! I hope it stabilizes somewhat now that the basic situation and protagonists are introduced.
I missed Shivers (it is funny that the German translation is literally "Aspen", a tree which shivers)!

Day One.
Most "chapters" (or 5-page-sections) are from a POV but battle chapters are written in an interesting different style: Cinematic blend-overs from one POV to the next one as soon as the first POV is dead.

This is the next story-telling element that Abercrombie tries - besides of the Aristotelian "one place, one time" principle which is so different from many other works in fantasy where people roam continents.

I don't know if I like it that one can see the artist at work; maybe I'd like to find just a smooth end-product. But art and craft, it is!

Finished it yesterday. I won't talk about the rest of the book here because it would spoiler too much. But if you're interested, I'm writing a review.
In summary, I really liked it. There are epic scenes, fast battle scenes, thoughtful ones and sometimes I had to lay down the book because I couldn't stop laughing.

The book is amazing, Happens in the same world as the other books and some characters make an appearance here. Its soo realistic and exciting to read.

Grost Bremer is my favorite character!

I was lucky enough to pick this book up for $1.99 earlier this week during a one-day special. Read all the others so look forward to starting this one now.

I simply love this book. It's what got me hooked on Joe Abercrombie and I've been a fan ever since. Love the POV switches and the dark humour. Love the setting and the characters. IMHO, this is a glimpse of the future for fantasy. Mature yet fantastical, dark yet at times light-hearted.

I am bogged down in the middle here. Your comments give me hope.