11th September, 2009
Gazpacho
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.
I freely admit that I was anxiously awaiting the release of Joe Abercrombie’s fourth book. I mean, after noting how BOWEL-LOOSENINGLY EPIC the First Law trilogy was, how could you not get all hot and bothered while waiting for his next book?
Sadly, I’m hear today to say that Best Served Cold really wasn’t all that. Maybe I wanted to place it on too high of a pedestal, but I found the book overly bleak and dripping with bitter cynicism. Gone was most of the clever wit and dark humor that Abercrombie successfully used to temper his last three works. Instead, we are presented with a very grim, dark tale full of puffed-out cheeks and stoved-in steel (believe me, with the number of times he repeated these phrases, I felt like I was reading a Robert Jordan novel). Still, the book wasn’t completely horrible. There were a few bright spots and it did add a little to the tale of the Illuminati who seem to be running the world. It also featured an ending which, while not the best, was quite fitting for the story it completed.
3/5 gogs.
Posted at 5:46 am | Comments (2)
On September 11, 2009 at 8:53 Will R said:
September 11, 2009 at 8:53
Aw, that’s a shame to hear. The First Law trilogy was well executed! (Though that ending left me gnashing my teeth. “Well played, sir, your cleverness leaves my anger brittle.”) I was hoping this was going to be a good read
Well, at least I have the rest of Friedman to get through first. (just started college here in Boston, haven’t had much time to read lately)
On September 13, 2009 at 7:02 Gog said:
September 13, 2009 at 7:02
Well, don’t take my word for it; there are plenty of good reviews out there. Like I said, maybe I was just expecting too much..
Good luck in school.