Last Argument Of Kings (Gollancz) | Joe Abercrombie | The best I've read in a looooong time

Last Argument Of Kings (Gollancz) | Joe Abercrombie | I didn't want it to end!

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Last Argument Of K...

	Last Argument Of Kings (Gollancz) Joe Abercrombie Gollancz, 2008 - 544 pages average customer review:based on 24 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Striking, character-driven and cynical noir fantasy

The best I've read in a looooong time

Mature, fantasy readers must read this. If you haven't read The First Law trilogy, go buy it. Now. Abercrombie has an amazing style, characters and plot development, and more importantly...the entire series doesn't have a single character or word more than it needs. Absolutely the best I've read, in any genre, for a long time.

I didn't want it to end!

I just finished The First Law, Book 3: Last Argument of Kings and I can't remember the last time I read a series this exciting, if ever.

My biggest complaint of modern epic fantasy is that too many series consist of tombstone-sized doorstoppers by authors who don't have the discipline to complete books in a timely manner or the gahonas to even finish the story. Finally, a trilogy comes along during which I don't grow older waiting for the next installment and is truly only three books long.... Then, I only find myself not wanting it to end.

The Blade Itself and Before They are Hanged consistently build the momentum of The First Law trilogy with the determined speed of a freight-train unknowingly headed for a washed-out bridge. The story does conclude in Last Argument of Kings but only after several jaw-dropping twists that you'll never, ever, see coming. But, like every great legend, it leaves just a few things unfinished, so this story does end, but you can always hope for more.

I found the characters to be so unique, interesting, and brutally believable, that I could not do them justice by describing my favorites briefly enough to keep this review at an appropriate length. The action is both savagely violent and undeniably realistic. It's scary to think that the intrigue and ruthlessness of the story's ruling powers may be all too close to reality.

I loved everything about The First Law. From the clever writing, the beautifully done covers, and even the real quotes used at each part's title page -- they all combine to enhance the experience of a truly original and thrilling fantasy epic. My only criticism is that I would've liked just a tad more visual descriptions, but Mr. Abercrombie's genius for dialog and character narrations easily makes up for that, and then some. I can't wait to see what Joe Abercrombie does next.

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Last Argument of Kings - by Joe Abercrombie

Book three of the trilogy continues the fast pace of this gripping (if somewhat violent) story. The characters are developed and matured: certainly by Book 3 their natures are well understood, but the unpredictability of key characters remains to keep the reader on his/her toes. There are twists and turns enough to keep anyone enthralled. A ripping yarn!

Powerful

In the end, there are few books that are as powerful as The Last Argument of Kings.

Deep, complex characters, far and beyond the black and white tropes one sees in the genre today are in these pages. A poignant sense of realism clashing with an uplifting sense of idealism and fantasy defines the conflict of each character. Deep questions, "such as can we change who are?", are posed, the answers left to the readers.

Follow a complex plot, full of twists and reversals of perceptions, with the most intricate characters and evocative imagery, and arrive at a powerful conclusion -- that is The Last Argument of Kings.

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Good Read, "Real" characters

I think the thing I enjoyed most about this book (and the series in general) is that there really aren't any characters that you would classify as "good" or "bad". Like in real life, everyone is a mix of both.

On the whole, this is a rather Machiavellian tale that I really enjoyed. The dialogue was very good and the problems the characters faced were believable as were their solutions.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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