Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

Have you finished reading The Trouble with Peace by Joe Abercrombie, book 2 in the Age of Madness trilogy? What did you think? Major likes or dislikes? Highlights? Lowlights?

Spoilers through book 2 OK here.

I completely understand why people love Abercrombie’s books. The writing is excellent and I was pulled into the story. I started thinking about the characters as real people, meaning I got mad when they did something dumb, especially Leo. I did a lot of face-palming for his character, especially for how easily manipulated, pigheaded, and shortsighted he could be. I don’t think this book started as slowly as A Little Hatred, and I loved all the scheming and manipulating that happened in this book. I love Rikke’s character, whose actions surprised me most, especially when people underestimated her. Orso even grew on me a little bit once I realized he wasn’t a complete idiot.

Even though I think the story was very good, I don’t think I’ll be finishing the series. I’ll probably google the spoilers for the next 2 books so I know what happens. For me, this book was a little too dark, and based on this and the last book, I’m assuming this is the way the remaining books will be. I really don’t need graphic, extremely vivid scenes of people dying and what they were feeling and thinking while they are dying. The worst part was in the middle of the battle, where we see through the eyes of one of the soldiers as he is marching towards the enemy. You feel his terror and the brutality of the fighting. In another scene a man’s hand is being hacked off with a dull cleaver… At the end of the day, I tried a new author. So many more out there for me to try next.

On another note, for anyone who read this book, here’s a question. How is it that Leo only truly gets aroused when his wife hits him pretty hard, but he is offended by two gay men? To me, this was the oddest thing...

Christina wrote: "I completely understand why people love Abercrombie’s books. The writing is excellent and I was pulled into the story. I started thinking about the characters as real people, meaning I got mad when..."

Different kinks I guess... Or maybe he was attracted to his friend and ashamed of his feelings??
Only one more book in the series- so well written