Self-Made Man: Subverted. While his great-grandfather was a lowly mercenary who ascended the throne of Talins by conquest, Orso himself was born into wealth and hasn't worked a single day in his life. But he is aware of the political power that comes from being a self-made man, so hence Monza gets thrown off his veranda.

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They hardly even fought. Ten times as many drowned trying to swim the river as died fighting. More than four thousand prisoners. Some ransoms were paid, some not, some men were hanged.’ Casual Kink: He shamelessly asks Monza to piss on him during sex and takes her disgusted rejection in stride. Yes, you. And you can help him, Foscar. The two of you must learn what needs to be done to keep our family in power.’ Just and caring.’ Orso frowned thoughtfully towards the distant sea. ‘Do you think that is how history will remember me?’Character Tics: He frequently hums in an unnervingly tuneless manner. Amusingly, this isn't because of any psychological issue- he's just tonedeaf. Big Damn Heroes: In Last Argument of Kings, he sends his fleet and ten thousand of his soldiers to the Union's aid during the Battle of Adua. The favor isn't returned in Best Served Cold, much to Orso's fury.

Best Served Cold - reread - Joe Abercrombie Best Served Cold - reread - Joe Abercrombie

Let's Get Dangerous!: Normally provides the Comic Relief, but don't let that fool you. He can be a surprisingly capable fighter when he has to, especially when the odds are against him. Straight Gay: Was forced to leave the Union army after it was discovered that he had a relationship with another male officer.Best Served Cold is an excellent tale of murder and vengeance … If you are one of those poor drifting souls who have yet to give Joe Abercrombie a shot, Best Served Cold is your opportunity to get acquainted with the author’s style. For fans of Abercrombie, it will scratch that itch and more. Hard to put down.” The Alcoholic: He's rarely found sober. In Best Served Cold, I Need a Freaking Drink is practically his catchphrase.

Reading Order for Joe Abercrombie’s FIRST LAW Series A Reading Order for Joe Abercrombie’s FIRST LAW Series

Face Death with Dignity: Goes to great lengths to ensure this, dressing up in his finest military uniform as the Talinese troops storm his palace. How could you? It’s why I built this damn place. Here I can keep one eye always on my subjects, as a watchful parent should upon his children. Just to make sure they don’t hurt themselves while they play, you understand.’ Fine work!’ The Lord of Talins clapped his hands, as though he never heard such pleasing music as the news of rotting heads. ‘What of the takings?’

Death by Irony: Killed along with the other leaders of the League of Eight by the very crown he fought for. She spurred round one more steep bend, and the outermost wall of the citadel of Fontezarmo thrust up ahead of them. A narrow bridge crossed a dizzy ravine to the gatehouse, water sparkling as it fell away beneath. At the far end an archway yawned, welcoming as a grave. He noisily cleared his throat and held up one hand, a bad actor preparing for his grand speech. ‘Your hair is like to . . . a veil of shimmering sable!’ Ganmark did not give so much as a sharp breath. ‘Then his Excellency will have the cleanest floors in all of Styria.’ In the end, Monza is Grand Duchess of Talins just as Benna had planned, one of the only stable states in Styria. She has fulfilled Shenkt’s plan all along, a strong leader in Styria, supported by neither Bayaz nor Khalul.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie | Waterstones

Token Good Teammate: Ironically ends up playing this role. Despite clearly having mental problems, he's the least actively malicious member of the team and the only one who is not treacherous. Evil Old Folks: By the time of Red Country, age has visibly caught up with him, and it has not made him kinder.That’s where projects like Best Served Coldcome in, a movie based on the fantasy novel by Joe Abercrombie. Abercrombie’s First Law novels have long been cited as the perfect works for people suffering from Game of Thrones withdrawal. Grimdark, gritty and brutal, the similarities to A Song of Ice and Fire are plentiful. A live-action version is long overdue, and with Best Served Cold, it’s finally getting the break it deserves. A Lighter Shade of Grey: He's an ambitious, manipulative schemer who has no qualms about throwing his own allies under the bus for his personal gain, but he's still not as ruthless as Orso.