My top 5 : in no order Shenkt Ferro Logen Glokta Friendly, Dogman, Monza, and Temple Honorable mention: I really liked Day as a character. Haven’t read age of madness books yet finishing up TFaTF atm
People always groan when I say that you gotta read all the earlier first law books before jumping into The Age of Madness but seriously, you gotta! So glad you binged it 👌
Hey James, love your reviews as always! Your analytical mind is unrivalled lol. P.S. Would like to thank you again for introducing me to The Sword of Kaigen through your review...that book blew my socks off, put them back on, then blew off them off again. Definitely my favourite read of the year (yes I'm calling it a few months early) and I hope more people check it out!
I appreciate that!! Sword of Kaigen is definitely gonna make my top 10 for the year and will always remain one of the first books I recommend to people. Super unique and really important IMO. I am really glad you enjoyed it so much! :-)
Just found your channel & am a new subscriber! As a huge fantasy reader and lover, thank you for amazing reviews and insight into each book you read!! Binging your videos now! But, I gotta put off some of the Stormlight Archieve videos as I'm only 600 pages into WoK!! But I'll be back to watch each review after I finish the first 3! Getting ready for book 4 release although I desperately want the US floppy paperback vs the hardcover! Also, I'm on the last book of the First Law Trilogy! So far I've loved the first 2 and am anticipating how the series will end!!
Sounds like you have some awesome books in your future! I too am gonna be all caught up for book 4 of Stormlight. I am definitely waiting for the trade paper back as well, I'm really picky about my books matching for a series 😂😂 I appreciate all the compliments. l love hearing other people's opinions and having discussion. Thanks so much for dropping by!!
Just wanted to say I’m happy to have found your channel via Abercrombie fanboydom. It’s a spoiler free vid so I won’t rant about the books specifically but I will say TWP just knocked BSC off my personal top spot. It’s so cool having come to JA so late (I started a little over a year ago) reading everything really close to each other you can see him grow as a writer and in confidence. Trying new things as the series progresses and then consistently topping those things every iteration. Good review and video if I may make a suggestion, ever think about making FL theory videos? For whatever reason I don’t think I’ve ever seen any. Which is hilarious by comparison to the glut of theory videos regarding other popular series (ASOIAF especially). Seems like an interesting niche that is ripe for the plucking.
Hey thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!! I definitely think I’ll make some theory and prediction videos in the future for First Law, that’s a great suggestion
Oooooh, Red Country's your favorite standalone? Mind elaborating? It's just an admittedly very controversial opinion among First Law fans. For me, it's the Heroes, but I think for most people it's Best Served Cold. I just really love how thematically strong the Heroes is. I liked Red Country more than a lot of people I think, though. Definitely not hating.
For me I love the western theme. I also loved Lamb, lol, and I thought the death of that important character at the end was one of the biggest moments in the entire series. I also thought the climax was very well done. I'm being vague intentionally to avoid spoiling for others haha
@@thefantasynuttwork Yeah my favorite moment would have to be the big fight between Lamb and the Northman who was in the Heroes (being intentionally vague also). Just that moment when the other guy realized that he wasn't going to win the fight and why gave me chills.
I agree, if Book 3 sticks to landing I can see Age of Madness usurping First Law as my favourite fantasy trilogy. Leo dan Brock is the living embodiment of "listen to your mum" lol I liked Gunnar a lot in A Little Hatred but he was the least interesting in this for me, still enjoy him though. Of the new POVs Rikke and Orso are tied for my favourite. Logen Ninefingers was my favourite overall FL character since I read the original trilogy early last year but the more I've read and thought on it, it might be Caul Shivers. I'm one of those that has Red Country as a least favourite, still really like it, but I can see myself loving it more on a re-read. I still like it more than Sharp Ends which I also really like.
You should read David Gemmell who wrote like Joe in the 90s and early 2000s with grey characters and plenty of action. he's the granddad of grimdark and Joe plus John Gwynne say he's an inspiration. Try Legend or Waylander by David Gemmell. Also Joe is fast catching up to David who died 2006 as my fave author. Could you also do a bookshelf tour?
Dude great recommend! Looking at his works on good reads and I think this is now a must read. Thanks! I could do a bookshelf tour for sure, might as well show off all these silly figures I've bought 🤣
Just finished the book a few days ago I really enjoyed it this book is one of my favorite books of this year along with best served cold red country and a little hatred 💖💝🤗🤠
Very unpopular but I really don’t like the first law trilogy. Could t get into the characters and the story was lacking and had a poor resolution. That’s coming from a massive asoiaf and faithful and the fallen fan.
Hey everyone has their own opinion and that's cool! I felt pretty much the opposite of how you felt, and I think the resolution while it wasn't concrete, did set up the standalones to propel the world forward. But hey, not every book is for everyone! Appreciate the comment!
I like how you use 'insulting'. I use that word a lot too in my evaluation of entertainment. A lot of insults to our time and intelligence out there -- but Joe Abercrombie's not one of them.
@@thefantasynuttwork I need it too. You know what, I'm reading a new book as we speak but I'm still watching book reviews about Trouble With Peace to listen to your predictions. Haha.
@@thefantasynuttwork just finished today. Have to talk about it with someone since my friends haven't caught up yet lol and I sure hope so. I'd rather Orso go out swinging on byaz and die than to become another Jezal.
Hes a favorite of mine too. I describe it as everyman fiction. Like. I read his books and say someday I hope to write something this good, not I'll never write something this good.
Who is your favorite character from the First Law universe!?
My top 5
Inquisitor Glokta
Clover
Dogman
Broad
Rikke
@@ryanswart8085 Clover is soooooo well done!!!
My top 5 : in no order
Shenkt
Ferro
Logen
Glokta
Friendly, Dogman, Monza, and Temple
Honorable mention: I really liked Day as a character.
Haven’t read age of madness books yet finishing up TFaTF atm
@@imnotwadewilsonsee3656 shenkt is so interesting!
The Fantasy Nuttwork he really is. He’s probably one of the reasons why my favorite book in the first law universe is best served cold
People always groan when I say that you gotta read all the earlier first law books before jumping into The Age of Madness but seriously, you gotta! So glad you binged it 👌
Yeah and I have to let them know they should begrudge reading them all because they’re all 5 stars!!!!
Totally with you on Red Country! It's my favorite First Law stand-alone, love the Western vibes. Abercrombie really just keeps outdoing himself.
I'm glad I have finally found someone who also liked Red Country the most!!!!
Im starting this book tomorrow !!!!!!! Soooooooo excited!!! Im going to be so ready for WoC
The quality of your content and videos is consistently great my man! Look forward to your channel getting more recognition.
Thanks so much, means a lot!!
Hey James, love your reviews as always! Your analytical mind is unrivalled lol.
P.S. Would like to thank you again for introducing me to The Sword of Kaigen through your review...that book blew my socks off, put them back on, then blew off them off again. Definitely my favourite read of the year (yes I'm calling it a few months early) and I hope more people check it out!
I appreciate that!!
Sword of Kaigen is definitely gonna make my top 10 for the year and will always remain one of the first books I recommend to people. Super unique and really important IMO. I am really glad you enjoyed it so much! :-)
Your reviews are always a pleasure to see. Hopefully if my math is right I`ll get it at the end of the month.
Thanks dude! You'll love this one when you do, political drama at its bloodiest/finest.
Just found your channel & am a new subscriber! As a huge fantasy reader and lover, thank you for amazing reviews and insight into each book you read!! Binging your videos now! But, I gotta put off some of the Stormlight Archieve videos as I'm only 600 pages into WoK!! But I'll be back to watch each review after I finish the first 3! Getting ready for book 4 release although I desperately want the US floppy paperback vs the hardcover!
Also, I'm on the last book of the First Law Trilogy! So far I've loved the first 2 and am anticipating how the series will end!!
Sounds like you have some awesome books in your future! I too am gonna be all caught up for book 4 of Stormlight. I am definitely waiting for the trade paper back as well, I'm really picky about my books matching for a series 😂😂
I appreciate all the compliments. l love hearing other people's opinions and having discussion. Thanks so much for dropping by!!
Just wanted to say I’m happy to have found your channel via Abercrombie fanboydom. It’s a spoiler free vid so I won’t rant about the books specifically but I will say TWP just knocked BSC off my personal top spot. It’s so cool having come to JA so late (I started a little over a year ago) reading everything really close to each other you can see him grow as a writer and in confidence. Trying new things as the series progresses and then consistently topping those things every iteration.
Good review and video if I may make a suggestion, ever think about making FL theory videos? For whatever reason I don’t think I’ve ever seen any. Which is hilarious by comparison to the glut of theory videos regarding other popular series (ASOIAF especially). Seems like an interesting niche that is ripe for the plucking.
Hey thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!! I definitely think I’ll make some theory and prediction videos in the future for First Law, that’s a great suggestion
This guy .... Knows his shit!!! Also, that book shelve ... I need a close up ;)
I'll need to do s bookshelf tour haha
Oooooh, Red Country's your favorite standalone? Mind elaborating? It's just an admittedly very controversial opinion among First Law fans. For me, it's the Heroes, but I think for most people it's Best Served Cold. I just really love how thematically strong the Heroes is. I liked Red Country more than a lot of people I think, though. Definitely not hating.
For me I love the western theme. I also loved Lamb, lol, and I thought the death of that important character at the end was one of the biggest moments in the entire series. I also thought the climax was very well done.
I'm being vague intentionally to avoid spoiling for others haha
@@thefantasynuttwork Yeah my favorite moment would have to be the big fight between Lamb and the Northman who was in the Heroes (being intentionally vague also). Just that moment when the other guy realized that he wasn't going to win the fight and why gave me chills.
@@Auron200004 yeah that book checked every box for me. I also really enjoyed the fellowship piece of the story, makes me wish it was a bit longer tbh!
I agree, if Book 3 sticks to landing I can see Age of Madness usurping First Law as my favourite fantasy trilogy.
Leo dan Brock is the living embodiment of "listen to your mum" lol
I liked Gunnar a lot in A Little Hatred but he was the least interesting in this for me, still enjoy him though. Of the new POVs Rikke and Orso are tied for my favourite.
Logen Ninefingers was my favourite overall FL character since I read the original trilogy early last year but the more I've read and thought on it, it might be Caul Shivers.
I'm one of those that has Red Country as a least favourite, still really like it, but I can see myself loving it more on a re-read. I still like it more than Sharp Ends which I also really like.
Yeah I'm with you on all of that. I think there's a strong argument that Shivers is the best character in all of FL
You should read David Gemmell who wrote like Joe in the 90s and early 2000s with grey characters and plenty of action. he's the granddad of grimdark and Joe plus John Gwynne say he's an inspiration. Try Legend or Waylander by David Gemmell.
Also Joe is fast catching up to David who died 2006 as my fave author.
Could you also do a bookshelf tour?
Dude great recommend! Looking at his works on good reads and I think this is now a must read. Thanks!
I could do a bookshelf tour for sure, might as well show off all these silly figures I've bought 🤣
Hey did you listen to any of these audiobooks?? The narrator adds another layer to the complexity, especially for Glokta 👍🏻
I have, Pacy is probably the best I've listened to!!
Just finished the book a few days ago I really enjoyed it this book is one of my favorite books of this year along with best served cold red country and a little hatred 💖💝🤗🤠
It's a great one!
Very unpopular but I really don’t like the first law trilogy. Could t get into the characters and the story was lacking and had a poor resolution. That’s coming from a massive asoiaf and faithful and the fallen fan.
Hey everyone has their own opinion and that's cool! I felt pretty much the opposite of how you felt, and I think the resolution while it wasn't concrete, did set up the standalones to propel the world forward. But hey, not every book is for everyone! Appreciate the comment!
I like how you use 'insulting'. I use that word a lot too in my evaluation of entertainment. A lot of insults to our time and intelligence out there -- but Joe Abercrombie's not one of them.
He's the man 😎
Best fantasy sequel to date. I gave it 5 stars, I looked for flaws, still it's 5-stars.
I am with you on that. I need the third now 😭
@@thefantasynuttwork I need it too. You know what, I'm reading a new book as we speak but I'm still watching book reviews about Trouble With Peace to listen to your predictions. Haha.
Jimmy i mousta-che you a question 😍
Hahahaha
After Orso being an amazing character and his highs in this second book... I'm ready for the depression in book 3 LOL
I think he might go swinging...
So glad people are watching this video now. I LOVE Age of Madness
@@thefantasynuttwork just finished today. Have to talk about it with someone since my friends haven't caught up yet lol and I sure hope so. I'd rather Orso go out swinging on byaz and die than to become another Jezal.
@@dooshbag612 agreed!!!
Hes a favorite of mine too. I describe it as everyman fiction. Like. I read his books and say someday I hope to write something this good, not I'll never write something this good.
Hey same here 😂