It's better to read it than live with the fear of it.
@pyrusFTSC
3 жыл бұрын
Say one thing for Merphy, say she really liked the First Law Triology.
@warrencollins1933
3 жыл бұрын
That's what my father use to say.
@LeeJCander
3 жыл бұрын
You have to be realistic about these things.
@Ghaffar_KH
3 жыл бұрын
All the while echoing to yourself “I’m still alive”.
@KILLTHESHROOM
3 жыл бұрын
You can never have too many copies of The First Law.
@timswabb
4 жыл бұрын
There’s a lot of humor in these books. It can be grim humor, gallows humor, but it’s still quite funny. Some people think grimdark means humorless but that’s not true at all.
@remycris2108
4 жыл бұрын
Body found floating by the docks....
@quagmillious9627
4 жыл бұрын
One of the few fantasy series I've read where I've consistently laughed out loud throughout.
@stallgastgivargarden1224
4 жыл бұрын
I was just about to comment on this as well. I complained to a friend that all the fantasy-book I picked up were boring and bland. I said "Give me something gritty where the world is cruel and people are complete shits. Oh, and I want to laugh... A lot." And to this he said "The Blade Itself".
@meganega123
4 жыл бұрын
There is a scene in the second book, when Logen says something like "If I'm the whore, who is the northman then?" I don't think I've ever laughed so hard while I was reading.
@alizzybookling
3 жыл бұрын
I specifically remember one moment when Glokta goes up to a receptionist who was being a little shit who knew exactly who he was and was like Who ARE you,, DO YoU HAVE AN Appointment WITH Us and Glokta was like "I didn't realize you had so many crippled inquisitors, you dumb mother fucker" and I laughed so fucking hard I almost peed
@soorenafirouzabadi633
4 жыл бұрын
Glotka remains still to this day one of the best characters ever written in fantasy.
@merphynapier42
4 жыл бұрын
truth
@m.k.8352
4 жыл бұрын
... I coudn't do anything else after...
@Tenereus
4 жыл бұрын
I might be in the minority but Logen has to be my favourite. Bayaz as a (spoiler) as opposed to a wannabe Gandalf too!
@jglen888
4 жыл бұрын
Glokta and Logen are both all time great fantasy characters
@steveo4095
3 жыл бұрын
I like to think of logan and the bloody 9 as 2 separate characters. Also bramadan Gorst is bloody hilarious an absolute brute of a man built like an ox with a high piping little girl voice
@m.k.8352
4 жыл бұрын
It is absolutly great: - Depth and realistic characters. - A plausible Story - good twists. - not just a quest, far more and deerper plot. - no plotholes - no good versus evil. - small amount of magic. Just absolutly great.
@shosty575
4 жыл бұрын
Merphy, I always quote this: Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he's a genius!
@henrytortor2530
4 жыл бұрын
Steven pacey's glokta is sooo good.....would highly recommend the audiobooks
@sblinder1978
4 жыл бұрын
so many griMACES
@Tenereus
4 жыл бұрын
"Body found floating by the docks..." - Sand Dan Dockta
@stallgastgivargarden1224
4 жыл бұрын
Pacey is God among narrators.
@max917
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree, would even argue that Steven Pacey delivered on all the characters... but Glokta was spot on.
@hawaiianrobot
3 жыл бұрын
@@sblinder1978 he did change how he pronounced it in the books in the second trilogy
@lucasrochasm
4 жыл бұрын
Yaaaaaaaaaaaas! Glokta set the bar for character development for me. I want to find the "next" Glokta in all books I read now.
@robertreed3033
4 жыл бұрын
These books are great, but the audio for these books are even better. The audio of these 3 books stay on my phone, even when the phone tells me I'm running out of space. The audio performance may be the best I've ever heard.
@max917
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree, Steven Pacey does a phenomenal job with the audio books, he voices each character perfectly!
@airborncamel
3 жыл бұрын
Haha, same. The audiobooks never leave my phone They're my security blanket, haha
@JDuel100
4 жыл бұрын
I always loved how this author tackled foreshadowing. Leaving little hints for later things. One of my favorite opening paragraphs is from 'Best Served Cold'. Set the rest of the book up so well. “The sunrise was the color of bad blood. It leaked out of the east and stained the dark sky red, marked the scraps of the cloud with stolen gold. Underneath it the road twisted up the mountainside towards the fortress of Fontezarmo - a cluster of sharp towers, ash-black against the wounded heavens. The sunrise was red, black and gold. The colors of their profession."
@Cinnamon0209
4 жыл бұрын
Well I was hesitant about this series but now I might give it a try after all. I don't hate grim dark fantasy, I actually quite enjoy it so maybe I should give it a try :)
@injustus
4 жыл бұрын
Elke Jager you should definitely check them out. Soooo good!!
@SonOfSeth
4 жыл бұрын
I didn't enjoy any grimdark I read before this, always came off as super edgelord writing. This series though, it's just so well written and so funny at parts, it quickly turned into one of, if not my favorite fantasy series. Characters are so rich and so well written like nothing I have read before.
@SonOfSeth
4 жыл бұрын
@@camtuck Oh, I'm right there with you. Calling it grimdark might be the single biggest hurdle this series must overcome to become as popular as I think it deserves. When people talk about Game of Thrones, no one calls it grimdark, they just call them good books. I believe anyone who enjoys reading GoT would at least enjoy First Law, I just hope it get's to a place where it is considered a series of good books first and genre books distant last.
@coleton7048
4 жыл бұрын
Best Served Cold is my favorite book of all time. Can't wait for you to read it. It's just so freaking good.
@robertwinslade3104
4 жыл бұрын
I just finished The Blade Itself yesterday and absolutely loved it; was so gripped by the characters, in spite of the lack of a clear plot, that I breezed through the book in about 5 days; which is pretty fast considering i’m supposed to be working on my Thesis right now 😅😭 Can’t wait to read the rest of the books but kind of glad all the bookshops are shut or I would never get any work done
@blewlight5708
4 жыл бұрын
Haha... Supposed to work on my thesis too xD
@vivekmehar
4 жыл бұрын
Okay so my TBR has another series... Also I am almost done with Lies of Locke lamora and... ohhhhhh it's GREAT I am in the scene where Locke is acting as(spoilers)Grey King and was just put in the coffin drowned in that...thing and then we have the flash back of that Tesso boy and the ending of the scene where Locke is being beaten up so badly and he's just grinning and saying wait till Jean comes and...it just...the friendship( and that's just one scene) and then we have the Dona midnighters scene and ITS GREAT It has like Slytherine, Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw And Gryffindor all in one book
@saishekhar8166
4 жыл бұрын
I felt the author put so much effort on character development that he just lost out on laying out a plot for the series. I didn't even get invested in the plot, but still loved the series because of the characters.
@JJMB27
3 жыл бұрын
Many people say that, but I believe that the plot was awesome. And the subversion of classic themes like the old mentor or the journey of the hero was masterful.
@robdereuver1202
4 жыл бұрын
Well, I don’t even have to watch the video, the answer is in the title. Gonna do it anyway though
@stephenbarrett8861
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome book. I liked the reflection of real world conflict with one side driven by religious fanaticism and the other funded by rampant capitalism. Added to the grim realness of the story for me!
@bououdenahmed779
4 жыл бұрын
Glokta is so brilliantly written His inner monologues are masterpieces in fantasy if not the whole literature Also let's praise the narration of steven pacey❤ he did well narrating the novel and bringing the characters to life
@mcnasty3758
Жыл бұрын
Me and my bro finally realized the only "good" person that exists in that world is west. He is the man that just wants the best for everyone. He still has flaws like every other character. But he actually takes accountability and resentment for his actions where nobody else does really
@Why_do_I_do_this.
Жыл бұрын
What about Yulwie though? .... He was a good person from the start .... Even at the end he was the hero .... Left alone to be that anyways 😆🥲
@remycris2108
4 жыл бұрын
The most entertaining series I’ve read, it’s never slow throughout the last two books. So much fun.
@sayantanigoswami5149
4 жыл бұрын
I am currently planning to read this...and this video is posted. Is this a sign from God? :P
@priscalm6921
4 жыл бұрын
Drama of my life, your review makes me wanna read it.... but it is not translated in my langage !!!
@bryson2662
4 жыл бұрын
I've read the trilogy and a little Gates hatred. Personally I don't like the series. I have a hard time enjoying any book series where the characters are unlikable
@missellaneous5142
4 жыл бұрын
My other half doesn't really read at all. I told him all about Logan and Glotka and Major West and he decided to read the books for himself. He's half way through Best Served Cold now! These books are incredible!
@maestermarwyn2553
4 жыл бұрын
Could your review anything by Naomi Novik? Spinning Silver especially.
@dahakhamoontouched4133
4 жыл бұрын
I read this years ago, before I was aware that grimdark was a thing, and went into it knowing little about it. Was half-expecting a Conan variation, but I was majorly impressed. I don't remember much except some character names and a scene or two, but I know I loved it. Sounds like it's time for a reread!
@christopherbacon1077
4 жыл бұрын
I maintain that Robert E. Howard is the grandfather of grimdark so your expectations weren't unreasonable. As for Conan have you read Howard's stories or are you just familiar with him from the movies?
@dahakhamoontouched4133
4 жыл бұрын
@@christopherbacon1077 I've actually only read Robert Jordan's Conan stories, never read the originals nor seen the movies.
@christopherbacon1077
4 жыл бұрын
@@dahakhamoontouched4133 You should definitely read Howard. Accept no substitutes
@WitchKittenReads
4 жыл бұрын
I actually just added this to my wishlist! The "morally grey" aspect really intrigues me and, imo, makes the characters more relatable! Excited to finally pick this up. :)
@aaronexists4308
4 жыл бұрын
What would an age range be? I want to know from someone who has read it. I may be too young.
@merphynapier42
4 жыл бұрын
I guess that sort of depends on you and what you think you can handle. It's quite graphic with the torture and battle scenes, and there's a good amount of language. If I were going to generalize, I'd say it's very much an "adult" series. But it's up to you what you can handle :)
@rhyleygrant5660
4 жыл бұрын
I'd say 18 plus dark brutal and violent lots of bad language
@aaronexists4308
4 жыл бұрын
Okay, thank you
@tsekonya2141
4 жыл бұрын
It realy does depend on the type of person you are. Its dark, its very dark but its not over the top like a lot of other grimdark books. (looking at you Prince of Thorns.)
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
@@aaronexists4308 14 easily
@havvaalexander9520
4 жыл бұрын
Question. I will soon be reading Into the Drowning Deep( evil siren book ). If I can handle that one, could I handle First Law? I don’t like horror in general. As an aside, I will be physically reading And then There Were None bc the audiobook freaked me out on page 1 with the poem about the soldiers. Thank you in advance for any input. Enjoy your vids always 😃
@adityac90
4 жыл бұрын
I find First Law to be very similar in tone and darkness to the Gentleman Bastards. Of course the themes are different but the tone I felt was similar in nature. Idk if that's just me.
@ramgopalguha6940
4 жыл бұрын
I am a big big fan of yours and really love your book rewies. I would suggest you reading the immortals of meluha if you get hold of rhe book
@Veles_Ra
4 жыл бұрын
I just read the first book in the trilogy and it was fucking awesome.
@bjdunne5113
4 жыл бұрын
Read "The Heroes" next. Best stand alone from this world setting. So good!
@nicholasparkhill3544
4 жыл бұрын
Mine's best served cold.
@JJMB27
3 жыл бұрын
The stand-alones should be read in order.
@injustus
4 жыл бұрын
Absolutely loved the this trilogy. The stand-alones are next on my TBR. I also got a signed copy of his first book “a little hatred” and got very excited. Definitely one of my favorite authors now. 👍🏻🤘🏻
@noahhansford5942
4 жыл бұрын
Haven't read since high school tbh, wanted to get started, and I'm almost done with the blade itself. Trying to get my crippled brother to read it, I think he'd like a character.
@eldonmacwood
2 жыл бұрын
I love Grim Dark, but I also write horror, so the idea of Grim Dark appeals to me.
@DenkaSaeba3
4 жыл бұрын
I'm hesitant to read it after Malazan, because I need more unicorns to offset Erikson's nihilism :D
@dreadywolf9974
4 жыл бұрын
I love Malazan and agree that you need to offset Erikson for your own mental wellbeing. I interspersed reading them with the Belgariad and Mallorean by David Eddings. No unicorns I am afraid but packed with wit and whimsy.
@danlafferty1222
4 жыл бұрын
I honestly feel like I’m always alone in feeling like this trilogy isn’t as dark as everyone says. I loved them, each one more than the last. And yes, there’s some grit to it. It’s not Terry Brooks. But compare First Law to something like Broken Empire, and the characters seem much more morally compassed than is typically believed.
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
Completely agree with you.
@danlafferty1222
4 жыл бұрын
Mímir So good to know I’m not alone. Every time someone says “these are all horrible people,” I’m left baffled, as there are characters showing consciences from the beginning, and the ones who are less so do show growth by the end.
@primarchdonnie
4 жыл бұрын
Dan Lafferty Same here. I was sold on the premise of grim dark but found the first book to be very YA focused and not dark at all. I’m not grabbed by the characters either, I just can’t get invested in them and really don’t care what happens to any of them. Does the series improve after the first book? Ive heard such good things but I’m honestly baffled at the moment and don’t feel like continuing with the series
@danlafferty1222
4 жыл бұрын
Thomas Donohoe Somehow missed your reply. I actually liked each subsequent book more than the one before it.
@robertwinslade3104
4 жыл бұрын
In some respects the levels of 'grimdark' on display in The First Law can feel toned down compared to other, more over-the-top books in the sub-genre with fewer outright evil characters and more potential for positive character growth. On the other hand I think this is exactly what makes the world feel so grim. In a lot of 'grimdark' fiction the world and the characters can feel so relentlessly, OTT dark and edgy that readers can just sort of check out of believing in it or relating to and rooting for the characters. With First Law on the other hand the world and the characters are far more well rounded and morally grey as opposed to morally black; as a reader I can relate far more to these kind of characters and hope for their redemption. Because of that it can feel far more depressing when the cynical pessimism of the world wears its characters down than if the characters were utterly despicable from the get go
@Kanmuri_writes
4 жыл бұрын
I'm actually currently reading the first book of the series and it did take me a long time to get into it because I kept wondering where the plot was. Now that I'm almost done with the first book I find myself thinking about the characters even when I'm not reading. I think it's one of those books that takes a long time establishing everything but it's definitely worth the wait.
@Torsin2000
4 жыл бұрын
I'll have to take a look at these sometime. Think malazon is the next on my list. Have you read anything by Elizabeth Moon? She has a couple standalones, such as 'The Speed of Dark' which you would probably enjoy. She also has a couple (short) series, two sci-fi and a fantasy, of which I would highly recommend both sci-fi series and I think that everyone should read her Deed of Paksenarrion fantasy omnibus.
@VoidSplendor
4 жыл бұрын
Gotta love how this vid dropped as soon as my down time started. Perfect way to spend my work break lol. Btw, Merphy, I'm going to watch the whole video but I'm going to buy book one anyway. Your recommendations have not failed me yet! I hope you all have a great day. Edit: nvm, buying the trilogy now.
@merphynapier42
4 жыл бұрын
I hope you love it as much as I did!
@themasterchefnz
4 жыл бұрын
I tried reading it but I just couldn't get into it. Might have to try again.
@Justusrabbits
4 жыл бұрын
Body found floating in the bay horribly mutilated
@joemade7071
11 ай бұрын
Let me just help y’all out here: Yes. Read it.
@ameliemorris2425
4 жыл бұрын
I finally got around to reading the Lies of Lock Lamora, and just, thank you so so much.
@joshgrant6873
4 жыл бұрын
I’ve spent weeks trying to get into these books. I’m a book and a half in and I feel like nothing of consequence has happened. I just can’t push through anymore. I wish I liked them more than I do, but I just can’t enjoy my time in this world because it all feels irrelevant.
@primarchdonnie
4 жыл бұрын
Josh Grant Same here! Well I’m one book down but don’t see the point in continuing with the next two. Haven’t been this disappointed or confused by the hype since Name of the Wind.
@meganega123
4 жыл бұрын
I just finished the first law trilogy and am now reading name of the wind 🤣 I wasn't very interested in the story either, but I didn't really care, I enjoyed the characters just talking so much.
@balrajsingh1492
4 жыл бұрын
I like plot driven stories but I k I will eventually pick it up.....and also when are you starting fullmetal alchemist. I m excited!!!!!😊😊😊
@merphynapier42
4 жыл бұрын
sooooooon!
@balrajsingh1492
4 жыл бұрын
@@merphynapier42 glad to know ☺️☺️
@laurenm2111
4 жыл бұрын
I've read The Blade Itself, and I have book 2 to go on with now...found the first one a little slow, but I did enjoy it while reading.
@coreydinardo5525
4 жыл бұрын
I read all three of the original trilogy in a two-month span last summer. I loved everything about them. The thing that makes Abercrombie's style of grimdark as opposed to other authors or series, is his use of humor. Without Abercrombie's slick, wry, acerbic sense of humor, these characters and this world wouldn't be half as good. His character work is masterful. Let us know when you're going to continue on with the standalones; I haven't started them yet but I plan to in the next few months or so.
@belesir8847
4 жыл бұрын
To me these books do grimdark in a way that lends legitimacy to the subgenre. It's not just gratuitous gore or characters being morally bad just for the sake of it, but rather it depicts a very reasonable pessimism about the world that for me really resonated. Book 2 in this trilogy is maybe my favourite fantasy book ever, but it left me with such a feeling of melancholy that I had to take a break and read something happier before finishing the trilogy lol.
@JJMB27
3 жыл бұрын
When I ended the trilogy I went directly to give myself a double dosis of Discworld. And then I went for the standalones. Joe Abercrombie is my favourite writer alive.
@romanbatista3286
3 жыл бұрын
@@JJMB27 is discworld good bro ?
@JJMB27
3 жыл бұрын
@@romanbatista3286 yeah it's really worth it. I read them in Spanish and they were good. I am re-reading them in English now and they are awesome.
@romanbatista3286
3 жыл бұрын
@@JJMB27 thanks bro for replying. I will try them in future . Cheers.
@tillthestarsevaporate
4 жыл бұрын
These are all good reasons to pick up a series. What I’m curious about is how this compares to the author’s YA trilogy, The Shattered Sea (Half A King, Half the World, Half A War). Everything you said about The First Law also describes The Shattered Sea, which for me started really good then went downhill (the last book was a disaster). I guess I could ask you this: which book in The First Law was your favourite and which was your least favourite? Regardless, I always love your reviews! They do a good job of helping me decide if I want to read a book.
@tsekonya2141
4 жыл бұрын
just wanted to add if your thinking of picking up this series, the first book might not be to your liking(i personaly hated it), just because you will be wondering why the plots not setting in, but if you see potential for the characters realy just push through because the second and third book make it so worth it.
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
4 жыл бұрын
I’m a huge fan of The First Law Trilogy, but I’ll say that the three standalones that follow are perhaps even better! Brilliant character work throughout!
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
I LOVED best served cold and the heroes. What'd you think of red country? I'm debating reading it based on mixed reviews
@kendra5781
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this review! I have a new trilogy for my TBR. I was hesitant about reading this since I have read some pretty bad reviews on goodreads but your reviews have never yet failed me! Have a great day ❤️
@mr.orange8205
4 жыл бұрын
Joe Abercrombie is my favorite. "The Heros" is fantastic.
@shelliingle571
4 жыл бұрын
I am thinking getting the 1st book for my birthday. I am glad you enjoyed that series after you finished the Wheel of Time. I think you should check out the The Vampire Chronicles after you read Interview with the Vampire. It's a good epic fantasy series and it focuses on moral of grey with vampires. ☺
@codyharris2437
4 жыл бұрын
Abercrombie’s Character writing and wIt are so strong that even during the slower beginning of The Blade Itself, I found myself growing invested in Jezal, Logen, and the rest. This is an incredible trilogy, and I highly recommend the one shot follow ups Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and The short story collection Sharp Ends. His newest trilogy in this world also started last fall! The character writing and twists only get better!
@MorganWalser
4 жыл бұрын
I honestly couldn't get into it because the beginning is excruciatingly slow. Worth pushing through though?
@JJMB27
3 жыл бұрын
@@MorganWalser The first book is slow. In my second read, when I finished it, I was surprised bayhow little of the plot was revealed in the first book. The reading of the first book is driven almost exclusively on great characters, and their fantastic interaction, and it opens a lot of questions that (if you pay a minimal attention) will be answered in the next two books. Then the plot unravels to (in my opinion) a truly worthy ending, masterfully crafted. I am not going to be blind to it's defects, being his first books and all, and I know the pacing can be a bit slow in the three books (some scenes maybe could have ben shortened), mostly in the first, but if you enjoyed the characters it's worth the push. Besides, I believe Abercrombie as an author deserves the time invested, because each book is better than the previous one. A Little Hatred is one of the finest pieces of literature I ever read.
@caluminnes579
3 жыл бұрын
I don’t actually find it slow at all in fact I find a lot of the second book actually slower because you don’t get as much variety from the POVs of jezal, logen and ferrow it’s all the same quest and you do see their different thoughts it’s just a lot of complaining about each other. In the first book the only slow part is jezal because all he’s doing is drinking and training and debating whether or not to bang his friends sister. The northmen story is entertaining. It doesn’t matter where glokta is he’s always fun and logen has quite a fun little story with his time in the south
@TheChzoronzon
Жыл бұрын
Castor Morveer... wow, that's how you write a character, damn
@TheChzoronzon
Жыл бұрын
@@caluminnes579 Half theater plays have become "interactive" cause in the mobile phone age the average attention span is measured in seconds... that's the main reason many people find slow what it isn't at all
@Malthan
4 жыл бұрын
This a series, that holds the title for most frustrating ending in my opinion. I don't mean the ending is bad or written in a bad way, but personally I found it extremly frustrating. I guess I had hopes for some of the characters to grow or at least try to act differently, and instead we get a very realistic ending. I don't want to get into spilers, but it's one of the rare cases in which I got angry after finishing a book.
@criticalkeaton7601
4 жыл бұрын
How do you think this compares to ASOIAF? I've heard its similar from a political intrigue perspective, is this true?
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
They're similar, but asoiaf is much more dense. And contrary to what people say, there IS a plot in first law, more so than asoiaf honestly. Abercrombie's writing is very approachable and hes super funny/clever. I love both series. If you like asoiaf I'm sure you'll dig first law
@TomOostenrijk
4 жыл бұрын
Well, turns out you like grimdark.
@kahlbutomacfarland
4 жыл бұрын
It always makes me happy to see readers not typically the target audience fall in love with this series. For newbies, I like to describe TFL as if Tarantino made a fantasy series. And while it is “grimdark”, I wouldn’t even say it’s as dark as ASOIAF and in at least half the cases it goes less dark than I expected. The “dark” elements aren’t there for simple shock value (like it seems to be with other books stretching to hit that genre tag). I’m excited for you to check out the standalones and of course the new trilogy.
@yair1010
4 жыл бұрын
Does Daniel Green know about this video? 😉
@Perriax
4 жыл бұрын
The first book I Read from Abercrombie is "A little Hatred". Definately worth a read!!
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
That's a sequel to this trilogy...
@deadmike714
4 жыл бұрын
Merphy !!! Reading The Blade Itself right now !!! Liking it a lot.
@amonicareads4125
4 жыл бұрын
hi! does anyone know if this series is gore-ey?
@simonlalonde862
4 жыл бұрын
Hey, could someone explain to me what grimdark is ? I'm not familiar with the term.
@robertwinslade3104
4 жыл бұрын
Pretty much what it sounds like; a more cynical, gritty take on fantasy/sci-fi. That can range from a more realistic take on the quasi-medieval settings that fantasy often uses, with all the less pleasant aspects of the Dark Ages left in (A Song of Ice and Fire and The First Law both fit this type) to over the top, hyper-violent and angsty books like basically any of the Black Library books set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe (the term grimdark actually originates from Warhammer 40k which used to be advertised as being set in ”the grim dark future of the 41st millennium"). Personally, while I am a fan of the Warhammer 40k games and setting, the idea of reading novels based in a setting that OTT has never really appealed to me, but I love the grittier, more realistic and grounded take on fantasy in ASoIaF and TFL.
@christopherbacon1077
4 жыл бұрын
Basically it's fantasy where the morality is a lot greyer than say Tolkien or Jordan. Good characters are few and far between, if they exist at all and rarely if ever stay that way, winding up either broken or dead. Also, although it's not a necessity magic tends to be more low key and in the background. Good examples: George R. R. Martin Mark Lawrence Joe Abercrombie (obviously) Robert E. Howard K. J. Parker
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
Just a word that means *realistic.* No fairytale portrayals of purely good heroes who cant fail or dishonest, flowery depictions of violence/war
@timswabb
4 жыл бұрын
It’s grim and dark, dystopian, but that covers a lot of books that are not grimdark. For me the distinguishing factor is that humans are more or less in control and are making a mess of things, and that’s just as true at the end of the story as at the beginning. Some people call that realistic because that’s how they perceive the world around us now, even in the absence of supernatural magic or creatures. Humans are more or less in control and are making a mess of things.
@rossshiell2670
4 жыл бұрын
Mark Lawrence next for you on the grim-dark trail - he is arguably a superior exponent to Joe.
@andrewhanson405
4 жыл бұрын
All right you convinced me. Found the trilogy bundle offered for $26 on Amazon
@liamooo624
4 жыл бұрын
can i as a 12 year old read this book?
@bradleypeterson2322
4 жыл бұрын
I'm going to be starting Best Served Cold soon, and I'm excited to be getting back into the world again. it's been over a year since I read Last Argument of Kings - I'm hoping Abercrombie's writing is as good as I remember. I fell in love with the trilogy.
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
Best served cold and the heroes are incredible
@Grennie007
4 жыл бұрын
I am just reading the first book and loving it.
@amaraokeke4646
4 жыл бұрын
I JUST bought it OMG can’t wait
@thesamuraiman
4 жыл бұрын
Me, not knowing what grimdark is, is curious now.
@PnutButtaJllyMan
4 жыл бұрын
I have about 50 pages left in the blade itself. It's really good. Gonna start before they are hanged as soon as I'm done.
@alynam82
4 жыл бұрын
I've read a book recently, called Nottingham, which is a take on the Robin Hood lore, and although I wouldn't call it "grim dark", it falls perfectly into the description you gave in the beginning of the video, where you describe how you weren't sure who was 'good' or 'bad' and having bad people doing good, and vice versa.
@AsfandyarSheikh
4 жыл бұрын
Amazing, that you liked it. This is very high on my TBR, since Mike, Daniel, and now you liked it so much. And as an ASOIAF fan I think this will be right up my alley :) BTW, your new outro song has grown so much on me that I always llok forqard to it now, and I distinctly remember being disappointed when you changed the old one. How things change :D
@fluffypuffy7511
4 жыл бұрын
Aight these books just climbed up my want to read list
@joycerondeau683
4 жыл бұрын
I just bought the audio book, it's on sale for $5.00 right now, so I'm going to give it a try. Thanks
@ottovonbaden6353
4 жыл бұрын
Loved this series, love the standalones even more! Curious to hear your ranking of the next three. Haven't read A Little Hatred yet, but looking forward to it. Thus far, my favorite in the series is the Heroes.
@ishondovos5861
4 жыл бұрын
Never heard of grim dark before but sounds like it is in then vein of dystopian, so definitely will give it a read.
@Slayereyez
4 жыл бұрын
A little hatred is just phenomenal. A must read after the stand alone books.
@pretendtheresaname9213
4 жыл бұрын
I haven't picked up First Law yet for a *very petty* reason: I don't like the covers 😂 I love grimdark, I love triologies and standalones, but I don't buy books I won't like looking at when I pick them up.
@merphynapier42
4 жыл бұрын
that's funny, I love the covers!
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
The newer paperback covers (red, blue, and yellow) are LIT
@shosty575
4 жыл бұрын
I am reading Best Served Cold rn and it is fantastic
@jaikiratsandhu7950
4 жыл бұрын
I am currently reading The Blade Itself. So this video was a happy coincidence :)
@DanielGarcia-fz7qr
4 жыл бұрын
Make sure to read A Little Hatred! It's Book 1 of a new trilogy in the First Law world. Book 2 is coming out in September I believe.
@urty24
4 жыл бұрын
I’m not a fan of the series but she’s right that you should absolutely read it.
@spikeanny5710
4 жыл бұрын
Glotka is my favorite character on all of fiction
@bracerofplanets6274
4 жыл бұрын
Well, need to read these then
@davids2735
4 жыл бұрын
I've read these books too and I think it's worth saying that there really are not any good, moral characters in these books. I was told that before I read them too, but I figured that had to be AT LEAST one person who was somewhat a good person. NOPE. I enjoyed this trilogy, but I think if I went in having that realistic expectation I would have enjoyed it more.
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
Colonel west is a decent guy
@hughjass8853
3 жыл бұрын
Jezal is a great guy by the end
@fuzzylumpkin49
4 жыл бұрын
I will be starting the second book in the first law series after I finish reading the first A Song Of Ice And Fire book. I'm looking forward to it.
@vaughnroycroft999
4 жыл бұрын
The stand-alones are pretty amazing, though I'm not sure you can say they exceed the The First Law trilogy, as far as execution of the whole. But I must say, think Monza Murcatto (Best Served Cold) is one of the best epic fantasy characters ever written. Period.For me, the amazing thing about Abercrombie is that he keeps reaching and growing as a storyteller. The new trilogy (only book one out so far) has a crop of characters with whom I can't wait to catch up. And he's twisted the world just enough that it's all new, and yet utterly familiar. Nice review/summary, Merphy. I really enjoyed your take. And the fan art.
@booklanerecommendations
4 жыл бұрын
I was already excited to read this series because of the well-written morally grey characters and also because someone compared the writing style to The Lies of Locke Lamora which is my new favorite book at the moment, but now that I know it has great mysteries and plot twists in it, I want to read it even more. Does it have humor or a lighter tone like The Lies of Locke Lamora?
@SonOfSeth
4 жыл бұрын
I found it more funny than Lamora, but also at the same time more ruthless with slightly more realistic characters. I read only the first Lies book so take my opinion for what it's worth.
@MasalaMan
4 жыл бұрын
This sounds right up my alley. Thank you for the recommendation. :)
@Lysis99
4 жыл бұрын
I have such an unpopular opinion on that one. I've read "The Blade Itself" twice. The firs time, I gave it 3 stars, even if I was bored must of the time. I liked the Glotka humor the second time... I lowed the review to 1 star... I didn't like the women representation in the book. But that's me. I'm so happy when someone find a serie they loved, even if I don't agree ahaha
@robertwinslade3104
4 жыл бұрын
I'm curious to know; what was it about the representation of the women in the story that you weren't such a fan of? Beyond there not being that many women... I only recall Ardee, Ferro and that one woman Practical who joins the story near the end
@lupaecainis
4 жыл бұрын
I agree with you about the women and LBGT representatioon too. We had only 2 major female characters who got pov, Ferro and Arden and two important minor characters, the merchant lady and queen Terez who got dealt a really shitty hand. I was so appalled by what happened to her. That particular thing made me not want to ever read an Abercrombie book again. Wasn't also fan of the implication that Arden was abused by her father and that West best her up. Jezral's treatment of her was atrocious too. There were many interesting female bad guy henchmen but all the other female minor characters were love interests who died. Very meh. I was also really pissed off about Tolomei's fate. Bayaz needs to get his come uppance but of course justice never happens in books like these.
@UthersonL
4 жыл бұрын
Joe Abercrombie is definitely my favourite fantasy author (Brandon Sanderson being a decently close second). The one aspect I admire in his writing is the POV/character voice, with different "styles" and, well, catchphrases (e.g. "You have to be realistic about these things"). For all his brilliance, though, not one of my handful of fantasy-reading friends has even heard of the guy before I took up converting said friends to the Church of Abercrombie
@tessuun
4 жыл бұрын
i'm reading the blade itself (along with the audiobook, which is excellent) right now and surprised at how much i'm enjoying it!! will definitely be picking up the rest of the trilogy
@learning2727
4 жыл бұрын
Love the video as always. I had...a different time with The First Law (the only book I managed to get through). I watch these videos to see if I missed something, but it doesn't seem so. I do not understand the hype for the books or the author. They may get better by the end, but there is no reason for me to every try to get through it. Glokta was great (no spoilers) for most of the first book. But he was the only one. Just like I'm sure the characters are far more than just the mediocre tropes they appear in the First Law. But again...no reason to see tropes turned on their head. It certainly wasn't the grimdark aspect, as I've read far better, and far darker. Just not sure. One day I'll see what people see in these books.
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
Finish the series and find out
@learning2727
4 жыл бұрын
Eh, normally I would. But it's not worth it to me. I'll gladly watch the odd video that comes out, and support youtubers while they tell me what makes it good. A far better use of my time, I think.
@welcometomymind
4 жыл бұрын
I love who quick after hearing about the books in your vlogs we get the reviews! This series are definitely higher and higher on my list since you and Eliot and Daniel praise them so much, plus I liked J.R.R. Martin, so I am very optimistic about my future reading grimdark :)
@jonvalett6708
4 жыл бұрын
I love all Abercrombie''s books in this world. The stand alone books are excellent. Then he comes out with A Little Hatred which may be his best book so far. Can't wait for the next one.
@alexblack9896
4 жыл бұрын
How’s the adult content? (Like on a scale of 1 to George R. R. Martin?)
@bastienn4953
4 жыл бұрын
Wayyyyy past George R.R. Martin when it comes to violence (physical and psychological). I don't remember any heavily sexual content though.
@alexblack9896
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@ItalianStallionBDM
4 жыл бұрын
@@alexblack9896 it's not WAY past martin. It's probably a similar level. But Abercrombie's writing is way more approachable and hes super funny
@nomology6482
4 жыл бұрын
this is out of ur content, but can u review on BERSERK manga... it has 2 really complex characters(maybe not so complex) that i would like u to check.... althought its on going story, i would like ur thoughts on the golden age part(until the eclips)
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