All short fiction is collected in Sharp Ends: Stories from the World of the First Law (April 2016). There are a total of 13 stories, of which five were original to the collection and eight previously published. [11] Story Abercrombie has written the finest epic fantasy trilogy in recent memory. He’s one writer that no one should miss. (Junot Diaz) Good, so far as I can tell, but you know my father. Still, he’s never angry with you two, is he? You always bring good news. You bring good news today, yes?’ In regards to the sex scenes, yes, they are just like all of Joe's other writing aspects. Fast, brutal, realistic, vivid and detailed. They are also funny and entertaining, as they are in all of Joe's other books. If sex in detail offends you then again, skip this book. There are adults out there that enjoy sex and aren't bothered by hearing about it. No one is suggesting this is a book for children. This also has both revenge killings and large scale battles. They are very detailed and contain a lot of gore and violence, as you would imagine a real medieval battle would have. I don't believe the battle scenes are excessive, and they are always interspersed by many chapters of character and plot development, along with an abundance of dark, gallows humor. She recruits help for this mission. Shivers (from Joe's previous First Law trilogy) is the first of the recruits. He's arrived in Styria to start life over after leaving The North, to be a better person and leave a life of killing behind him. He's the closest person to "likable" in the book, and his transformation and character development is outstanding, tragic and scary. Friendly is her second recruit. A former prison convict, a sociopathic, number obsessed man that is tasked by one of Monzas previous acquaintances who owes her, to assist her in her revenge. Third is Morveer, a professional poisoner and narcissist, and his assistant Day, a child like/looking young woman that's obsessed with food, and every bit as accomplished in the art of poison as Morveer. Fourth is Shilo Vitari, also from the First Law trilogy. Finally there is Nicomo Cosca, the previous Captain General of the Thousand Swords (again, from the First Law trilogy). Cosca was Monza's mentor and the man that initially hired her (when she was barely more than a child) to be a common soldier in the Thousand Swords. All of these characters are as extremely interesting, entertaining, sympathetic, vile, perplexing, brutal, realistic, funny and varied as any that Joe has ever written. They have different motivations that change over time, some are loyal and some are not. Nothing is what it seems, and this has one of the best endings I've read in Abercrombies books. It also sets up certain characters perfectly for Joe's next standalone book "The Heroes", and even the one after that "Red Country".

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Joe Abercrombie Awards". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation . Retrieved 19 February 2022. There was the barest flash of movement at the corner of her eye, enough to make her bring up her hand on an instinct. Thanks again for a great novel, definitely made a name for yourself already and in my opinion you’re right up there with Steven Erikson & co at the top of the fantasy pile. Excluding the spectacular characterization and action scenes, if you’ve read Abercrombie’s book, you would know that he’s a master of crafting memorable catchphrases. I’ll leave those phrases for you to find out for yourself. I would like to, however, direct your attention to these quotes to show how beautifully philosophical his prose can be, in addition to being gritty and witty. I heard you scattered the League of Eight’s army, just as you did at Sweet Pines! Ganmark says Duke Salier had three times your number.’I would probably have loved this book even if it wasn’t so female-heavy as I love city-state politics and the way one individual’s actions can change the tide of a war. However, I would have been much less likely to take the chance on it if the hero had been a man trying to avenge his sister/lover.

However, I’m sure there is more to the Gurkish/Emperor/Prophet, than just being this invading slaver’s “horde” that they have been depicted as thus far. If you are going to say one thing for Abercrombie, say he’s got catchy sayings because, after all, you have to be realistic about these things!Benna’s horse drew gradually up beside hers, and ever so gently he murmured, ‘You look especially beautiful this morning, Monza.’