If you think reading Joe Abercrombie's prose ruins all other books, Steven Pacey's narration of said prose is the great leveler of all audio books.

Glokta is so good... One of the most fascinating characters in fiction.

"Something dug into the Bloody-Nine's back, but there was no pain. It was a sign. A message in a secret tongue, that only he could understand. It told him where the next dead man was standing." sooo fucking good.

Glokta is my favourite character, From the very beginning I knew he was a horrible person but that did not stop me from loving every scene of his. And to me, a character like him, with nothing to gain, who hates himself and all. All his glory is in the past, but yet he was so keen on surviving. It was hilarious how he made jokes of the situations and himself. He is truly my all time favorite fantasy character.

Body found.. floting by the docks.

I actually think that Abercrombie's character building is his best aspect. He can really put you into the shoes of anyone and give that person a distinct voice.

"There was blood, but that was good. There was always blood. But he was kneeling and that was wrong, the bloody nine kneels to no one." Ugh, gives me "shivers" hah!

Abercrombie is the kind of author, who can show you the bad side of everything, twist any good intensions to something dark, crush any hope of a happy outcome. Why I enjoy it so much, I have no idea, but I do.

I've never heard anyone giving such an amazing description of a book or a writing style. I got goosebumps while listening to your video. 😍😍 You have such an unique way of expressing your feelings for this series. So you could be damn sure I'm picking it up. 😁👌

One character : Superior Glokta, he is all the fun and emotion in one tragedy ! Love that character, such a good dark humor, self deprecation, intelligence.

I have this on my wishlist! I love hearing about books that don't get talked about on Booktube much. Thanks for talking about them! :D

I’ve heard a lot of good things about First Law Trilogy... you’ve convinced me, I need to get these now. No wait, never mind. You unconvinced me. Wait, no, back in. I AM going to get them!

Glotka is character perfection. When I first visualized him I saw Rowan Atkinson. In a very strange but perfect way, the dialog and visage is just right. Great video musings.

To his credit, in spite of being a cunning and depraved character, Sand Dan Glokta is very honest with his thoughts, pragmatic in his decision-making, and even tries to do what he judges as morally right when given the opportunity. Those are redeeming qualities that make him not only likable, but endearing

Gosh, you just articulated all my inner thoughts of these incredible books. From the saddle too! I’m as impressed with your analysis as reading Joe’s sublime words.

I have not heard of this book series, but after watching this I’ll definitely be reading it! Thank you!

Great summary. LAOK is probably my favorite fantasy book.

I loved hearing you gush about Glokta! He's my favorite part of the first law for sure ❤️

I am reading him for the first time. I am just about done with the first book of the series and so far I am loving it !

I want to read these...anything that someone cares about so much sounds good!!

I'm about 65% through the blade itself my very first read it's crazy to I've had this book in my library since it first came out I actually pre-ordered it started reading it then stopped about 10% I read all kinds of fantasy and I know the reviews on how good it is and now I've purchased every book in his catalog now I'm going into the world of the first law with fresh eyes this will be my year of Abercrombie and Sam Sykes awesome video your love for this author and his writing is seen in your videos I'm very much starting to regret after reading what I've read for waiting this long to read them thanks for the great content keep making great videos

Agreed. Having watched a number of your videos it's clear there is a certain style of storytelling that appeals to you whereas others just don't.

i disagree that nothing good happens in the book. Jezal dan Luthar's awkward narcissistic flailing is so painfully pleasurable. plus... nine fingers and ferros romance, such a fleeting beautiful tantalizing thing. also glokta and ardee... such a very sweet development.

That introduction to the bloody nine is so awesome.

Sounds like you have nice friends! I agree that the First Law books are a joyful, dark slog where nothing good happens. Well said! The character work is among the best. And yes, the action. And totally yes to the snark and humor (I actually do laugh constantly while reading an Abercrombie book). To me, his insights into human psychology, how we're a complex mess of contradictory fears and desires, is unparalleled. A consequence of this is how we identify with his characters, warts and all. Perhaps your favorite character, Glokta, is the best example of that. And yes, Abercrombie is great with words too. Fantastic video!

Glokta is the best character i know, no matter the medium. I can not recommend the series enough on that character alone.

You were enjoyable to listen to. Thanks for posting

I was really impressed with the wisdom of crowds and how it reflected real world situations actually was a compelling story that didn't come off as preachy. I love how at the end that banking and finance is going to be the evil "magic" that will be unleashed on the world in the future.

It's a shame that Joe doesn't make you laugh. I'm a ways into Last Argument of Kings, and have lost count of the number of times I've laughed at a turn of phrase or the way a character has put something. It's a creepy sort of laugh that I hope has unnerved any passerby that overheard it. What I love about Joe's writing is the realistic flaws of his characters, their realistic motivations, and their realistic assessments of their situations. Heroes are fine - they have their place. If I want to be transported away to fantasy land, I can find that elsewhere. What I want and get from Joe is accessibility, because the way he paints his characters reflects the way I could reasonably expect a person in that situation to react. They are grounded, and everyone enjoys the company of someone that is grounded.

His characers are some of the best I've ever read/heard. There's just something *real* about every character. The fact that you can tell who's POV you're experiencing before the character's name appears is amazing. The First Law series belongs in it's own genre: Grimdark Comedy. He does such a good job of making the world dark and gritty, but then gives, a lot of, hischaracters that "awareness" at the absurd comedy of it all. I've only listened to the Audiobooks, and Steven Pacey gives these characters even more life and has ruined all other narrators for me. haha It's also wild, to me, how I can feel dissatisfied with some of his plot threads and yet feel *SO* much satisfaction with the conclusions. (except Ferro, I really wish her story went differently)

Coinkidink! I just picked up the audio version of TBI yesterday because I can't get the time to read my kindle version. Can't wait. Currently a quarter into Six of Crows and it's finally picking up (LoLL was like that for me as well - DNFed it twice before getting hooked then went through series in no time). Keep up the good work. I am almost positive I am gonna dig TBI as we have VERY similar tastes.

I agree with you on just about everything pertaining to the Joe Abercrombie First Law. Sand Dan Glokta is absolutely my most favorite character I ever read. I must have went through this trilogy 3 times now just so I could relive all the beautiful but miserable disaster that is the situation for the characters in this series.

Love, love, loved the books which I bought a few years ago and horrifically spoiled for all other grim fantasy in future. Have had a difficult few years enjoying anything else. True story... last week I struggled through Evan Winters first book then trudged through Poppy War and was exhausted. I wondered why I hated both stories and realised that there was no humour in either. So... to save my own Dark Soul I put on my First Law audiobooks this week for a listen through and can not describe my enjoyment and savouring of the original trilogy of books for the 420th time! I suspect that Abercrombie’s humour is what’s missing from modern grim dark. That’s why we love him and Pacey’s narration. A match made in heaven.

I am intrigued after watching this video to read first law books.

i found the audio books on you tube, and everytime Sand dan Glokta was on, i was loving it.

I agree with you in that describing these books feels really contradictory at times. I can’t say I enjoyed these books, because at times they felt so grim dark and bleak that it’s impossible to read them and think to yourself “Yeah, I’m having a good time.” But all the same, they’re still a joy to read. There’s some seriously funny internal monologues from Jezel and Glokta. The Logen Nine Fingers catch phrases crack me the fuck up. But more than that, it also doesn’t feel as grim dark because all the events are usually narrated by people who are intrinsically nihilistic and matter of fact about them. Say one thing for these books that can’t be contradicted tho, say that I respect the hell out of them. The plot and the world building is good. The magic system is meh. But the character work is easily the best I have ever read. I don’t know of the other series you spoke of in the video so I can’t compare, but for me, it really is. They’re all so wonderfully consistent and unique and flawed and realistic. The entire series is just so very realistic. And for a fantasy series, that says something about how organic and expertly crafted the whole thing is.

This is my elevator pitch for Joe Abercrombie: "I really enjoy Joe Abercrombie's First Law series. I started reading the series at a point in my life where I was going through an emotionally rough time where I needed some form of strong escapism. And Joe Abercrombie fulfilled that need and he really helped me as, after I finished reading the First Law trilogy, I learned that no matter how bad things feel now. Do not worry about it... Because it's probably about to get so much worse." Joe Abercrombie's stories are where, by the end of it all, all the characters (if they survived) are a little worse off for the experience. Even the winners have significantly lost something. And I love the books for that and for Joe Abercrombie's distinctively dark and twisted wry sense of humour. Also, Best Served Cold is FIRE (if only for the chapter covering the assassination at Cardotti's House of Leisure as that whole sequence had me in stitches). Glokta is an absolute powerhouse of a character though I found his transformation in the Age of Madness trilogy totally unrealistic as I refuse to believe that he is comfortable sat in a wheelchair with such GIGANTIC balls as his. And my boy, Orso... I'll say no more on him. The pain is still too fresh.

Subscribed. I think you’re an awesome reviewer. Great sense of humor as well. 😀 . First Law series is on my list!

I started reading the blade itself for the first time recently. I finished part 1. Haven't started part 2 yet. I'm really enjoying it so far. I haven't read any books in about a year so I went to Barnes and noble. Was looking for fantasy books I haven't read yet and his books caught my eye. Did some research watched a short non spoiler review and quickly realized this is exactly the type of books I'm into.

yo, love the books. Just watched the interview you did with lord grimdark. I was really fuckin impressed with your journalism. Got a new subscriber here. I appreciate how you were open with your bias and still hit the hard questions. Great job.

My favorite series. All 10 are amazing.

Great rundown, fantastic video. Subscribed!

As fellow Abercrombie fans, I love this video! You should do this again after you've read The Wisdom of Crowds this year! His writing just seems to get better and better, crazy. You're absolutely right, it is always a joy to read Abercrombie's books!

Today I finished the book I was reading and I was deciding between The Blade Itself and another book for my next read. I chose the other book. But noowww, you win, I'm putting that one back and starting The Blade Itself for my first Joe Abercrombie experience 🙌🏼

I just finished the Last Argument of Kings today and I'm blown away by the last third especially and the whole trilogy in general. The feeling is indescribable...I cannot wait to get to Age of Madness but first..Best Served Cold and the stand-alones. As anxious as I am to get to the new trilogy, I don't want any of this to end.

I love every single book by Joe Abercrombie!! His Shattered Sea trilogy is amazing as well!

I haven't read many fantasy series. My grandmother loved GOT and got me to watch it with her, I really enjoyed it up until season 5. So i read the books and enjoyed them way more than the show . So I was looking for another fantasy series and so many people were recommending First Law I just finished it about a week ago and loved it. Started reading Best served cold well listening to the audio book and couldn't stop literally finished it in 3 days. It was brilliant I was sad when it ended. I was getting ready to start heroes but wanted to watch some videos on everything I read so far and just kinda enjoy my thoughts on it. This series was so great I couldn't even watch any videos where anyone had anything bad to say about it all. I came across your channel and could tell you absolutely loved it so I subscribed and watched all your videos you had about everything up until Heroes. So thank you for your content. I'm looking forward to Heroes then hearing your thoughts on that. Best wishes to you and yours.

You just described what I go through after finishing a Joe Abercrombie book. Just finished A Little Hatred and I am still not over my sadness.

I'm looking at The Blade Itself right now on my in-table because it just showed up today in my mail 👍 Gonna start it as soon as I finish the last few chapters of A Clash of Kings.

Love your channel. I already "suspected" Abercrombie was an author I'd enjoy. He'd received praise by authors I was familiar with. I saw he wrote in a genre I frequented. But there were books ahead of him on my TBR. However, it was your praise that suggested he should be moved to the top of the list. Thank you for that. I was wading through books I felt obliged to explore rather than discovering more promising reads like Abercrombie. Thanks you once more.

I both loved, and hated the first law. And i think thats exactly what Abercrombie wanted. Incredible books. They definitely deserve a series/movies. I found Logen to be extremely relatable. Not that i have a psychopathic murderers personality hidden behind my own. But somehow his struggles with his demon reminded me of my own struggles with autism (high functioning).

Some of the finest line-by-line prose I have ever read. Mr. Abercrombie, like the late Sir Terry Pratchett, is guilty of literature.

This guys books are so damn good. Always GREAT seeing people talk about em. I simply hope Amazon won't buy the IP...EDIT: Reading after Abercrombies books was always hard, they where just so unique and nothing came up to his level.

You've definitely got me intrigued now! Thanks for your insights on the books! I also often have the problem that gritty or grim novels leave me feeling icky and/or depressed. I was surprised, however, that for example the Nevernight Chronicles didn't give me those negative vibes, despite all the violence and gore. Would you say Abercrombie's books are similar in that regard?

Excited to read 😍

Sand dan Glokta is such a great character. Check out The Prince of Nothing trilogy by R. Scott Bakker - more great grimdark.

Because we love you. Also haha I need to read the Physical.book. the narrator for the audiobook is great but it's not good to listen to it when I'm multi tasking. It needs your undivided attention 🤣🤣🤣..... Soooo hahaha I can't wait to also love the series ( hopefully)

I'm going to read these based on your recommendation.

In my mind: Sand dan Glokta - Christopher Waltz, Jezal dan Luthar - Cary Elwes, The Dogman - Guy Pearce, Bremer dan Gorst - Brock Lesnar, Ferro Maljinn - Summer Glau, Collem West - Jason Statham, Nicomo Cosca - Benicio del Toro, Bayaz - Jon Voight, Logan Ninefingers - Scott Glenn

They sound right up my alley. If you had an affiliate link I would use it.

I just finished The Blade Itself and it already has my favourite characters.

Yeah it really is hard to describe how to recommend Joe's books to other fantasy readers. Usually I end up just describing Glokta and Logen to them. I think it's mostly that no other author can make you be in awe of what they're characters do. It isn't just the characters though. If it wasn't for his prose and the way he describes everything it would all be for naught. Plus the overarching stories of all his books so far have captivated me. The new trilogy has delivered very well so far too. He really is my favorite author.

This is my favorite fantasy series as well and Joe Abercrombie has probably become my favorite author but I would probably tweak a couple of things about your review. You mentioned the he pulls off snarky. This is something most younger or lesser fantasy writers aspire too but it very rarely comes across as anything but contrived. Abercrombie’s characters are all incredibly witty but it is the thoughts they keep to themselves which are funny and snarky and the actual dialogue is pretty sparse. One reason Glokta is so amazing is because you here is inner raging and slashing monologue and then his two sentence out loud response is so dry its hilarious every time. I pretty much just want a book with nothing more than Glokta, and Cosca stuck on a boat together. Abercrombie is also great at having his characters say profound things and realistic things in funny ways. These books are quote factories and none of them seem unoriginal. I think the reason I love these books especially as fantasy is because almost everyone and everything is vulnerable and flawed. They all know it are all terrified and hate the lives they have created by being flawed humans. There is no boasting of silly oaths or other bullshit and if there is they are called out on it. If there is one quote that sums up these books it would be Logan saying “Go back to the north and settle me some scores. The Fuck was I thinking”

Joe Abercrombie is my favorite author.

When i write my novel i always imagine steven paceys voice is reading it and i feel like it really makes my writing better albeit a bit like J.A

There was a Russian General, Rockossovsky who was tortured by Beria after the Russian Finnish War. He had 10 of his teeth removed by him. The Germans invaded Russia and Stalin needed Generals so he released him and became one of his Best Generals becoming Governor of Poland after the War.

You’ve convinced me.

Totally agree with everything you said

I feel the same way regarding these books. It seems we may be kindred spirits. Great discussion. Subbd.

Completely loved this video. Couldn't agree more and I'm just finishing the second book. I seem to slip Glokta into every conversation. Have you read John Gwynne?

Say one thing about Liene, say "she can say alot of words kinda reviewing a book without saying much"

Sorry to bother you twice on Memorial Day weekend, but your "air-headed" explanation of Joe, matches my confusion when trying to explain his brilliance. I hope you realize I'm not discrediting your failure to sum up Joe's work, but I feel (I hope like you) it's impossible to describe "Blue" to a blind person; yet you somehow you nailed it. Thank you.

Have you read The Broken Empire trilogy? I go back and forth between both series quite often, absolutely loved both of them.

I'm partial to Jezal. Such a stand up guy

As a (depressingly obvious) fan of Joe Abercrombie's books, It's really interesting hearing you go through the same troubles of describing to people why they're your favourite books. But, it's also interesting hearing how you sell it, while I agree all the other the other strong points you mentioned, I always focus on the character writing when selling it to other people. I have come to the conclusion that his character writing is the best that I have ever read.

I love the original trilogy though, my only complaint is I want more. I needed Ferra to kill baez

will definitley try these after im done with Witcher

I'm here for the first time. Ms. Brooks gave me this recommendation.

lmao ive had this exact experience with talking about abercrombie too. gotta put a whole bunch of warning labels on those books, but they are genuinely written amazingly well. theyre stuck in a weird cant recommend them/cant recommend them enough

You know... I think it’s the humour. Joe Abercrombie’s books (especially the First Law) are drop-the-book-and-lose-your-page hilarious. I’m glad that we read & saw Tyrion Lannister BEFORE we ever listened to the things Sand Dan Glokta says to himself whilst having a conversation with his boss (who just might have him killed on a whim) whilst sitting awkwardly in a bad body wracked with torture pain. The damned series just won’t quit. GRRM was able to season us for the entry ... and Steven Pacey capitalised on it in spades. If you’ve never listened to this series on audible buy it right now!! You won’t regret it. So yes... it’s the humour, the characters, the violence, the quips, the focus on humour, the focus on the realities that people just don’t write about. I’m making about as much sense as you are Lee.

I sucked at my teeth listening to this discussion. About as good as an explanation as one can get. The Evangelion of fantasy tropes, I'll be saying about this trilogy.

Worth trying out as I have not read them.

Glokta is boss and he gives me all the feels especially at the end :’))) I’m glad I’m not the only one, great video! 🤩 I’m rereading Book 3 before I dive in into A Little Hatred finally! Do you recommend his other series “Half a King”?

Logen and Ferro are my favorite characters. They are independent and strong. Together they could change, but instead they part, and the subsequent events of the trilogy make These people unhappy apart. How sad it is

First of all, every single fanatic for First law books, inculding myself, talks about them to everyone and everywhere...Books are crazy, my favourite is "Best served cold" and I think that Caul Shivers has best character story in whole series, his suffering that turns him into Bloody Nine's little prodigy, mad, uncontrollable, hateful, mutilated and without any morals. I even dare to say that he has even more complete arc than Logen himself. It was just such a pleasure seeing his devolopment in artistic sense.

I love Shenkt, don't know why.

The only way I've found to adequately describe Joe Abercrombie's books is by saying that it doesn't matter how grim what's happening in his novels is, I'm having a blast reading it, because it feels like he had a blast writing it. And he has some of the least clunky prose is all of genre fiction. His books are incredibly easy to read and there are no spots where I find myself stumbling over a word or phrase.

I agree with you here.

Sometimes i just sit around watching people gush love over Joe Abercrombies books... I LOVE THESE BOOKS. Just tier S.

Hahaha took the words right out of my mouth. Joe is the man. Do you have any more recommendations?

I’ve read all his books four times over

The Bloody Nine vs the Incredible Hulk, I take the Bloody Nine every time!

Glokta's a 10/10, but I think I have to give it to my boy Shivers.

Omg you look like Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson's daughter! So pretty!

I started reading 'The Blade Itself' and I was kinda lost. I couldn't picture the setting and I found it hard to follow for some reason. Is there something I need to read before this book? Cus that's how I'm feeling. Like there's stuff I'm supposed to know. Edit: I had to read about the setting independently, cus I don't think the first few chapters mentally placed me in the world. I may give it a second try.

Great review! I am currently reading Before They Are Hanged.

A pretty well spoken young lady.

Listening to the value you place on character building gives me some insight into how you are able to skewer the absolute cr@p out of Rings Of Powerless. Btw, the thing I always think about in worlds like Joe Abercromie's are how difficult it would be for a population to grow. When vileness and what not are around every corner, when disgusting violence is around every corner, people do not prosper. Such worlds would have nearly no one to populate them.

Now, I watched this video when it came out and since then I've read the thrilogy and like, you know what made me think 'im so gonna read this shit'? Glotka, lol I loooved the idea os his character (and now i can say that i also love the execution)

"You have to be realistic about these things..." The Bloody Nine