The First Law by Joe Abercrombie | The Good and the Bad
Mike talks about the good and not so good of Joe Abercrombie's grimdark epic, The First Law. This is a spoiler-free discussion.
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0:00 Introduction
0:47 The Good & the Bad Explanation and Background
3:10 The Good
13:11 The Bad
21:32 Final Thoughts
#MikesBookReviews #FirstLaw #JoeAbercrombie
Пікірлер: 253
I usually struggle with audiobooks but I breezed through the First Law trilogy. The bloke narrating it brought the characters to life, especially Glokta. He was pitch-perfect.
@jenius4g63t
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed, I usually supplement with the audiobook versions when I'm working and find myself struggling to stay invested when listening, not so with these. Steven Pacey did incredible work!
@valentin7773
3 жыл бұрын
yeah can't imagine him any different
@BobShacklock
3 жыл бұрын
Yes! The audiobook versions of these books are incredible.
@teksnotdead902
3 жыл бұрын
Steven Pacey showed me how great a narrator can be. The books are amazing and his voices and delivery matches it perfectly.
@melsbookshelf
3 жыл бұрын
Yes! He was AMAZING! Although he may have been a little TOO enthusiastic in the sexy scenes 😂😂
The best modern fantasy author in my books....I would love to see more First Law on the channel again. It brought me here in the first place. Stayed for the coffee sipping and cool t-shirts.
@corywinterberg8764
3 жыл бұрын
This is the first series I read on Mike's recommendation, loved it my absolute favorite.
@fatleg1000
3 жыл бұрын
@@corywinterberg8764 Same Cory. It just shows how important word of mouth really is.
You really nailed it here, Mike. Incredibly vivid characters supported by dialogue that features a distinctive voice for each character. Brilliant action sequences. The best humor in the genre. The only thing we disagree on: I think Age of Madness is so far even better than First Law. I’m incredibly excited for your chat with Joe Abercrombie - congratulations on that!!!
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
I definitely agree with you on age of madness it's so much better than first law trilogy so far I have only read a little hatred and I absolutely love it 🤠😊🤗👍
@coleton7048
3 жыл бұрын
Agree 100% I've been a hardcore First Law fan for years and years, and The Trouble With Peace is, in my opinion, his finest work to date, and that's honestly shocking to think about considering how good all his other books are.
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
3 жыл бұрын
@@cynthiaholmes5124 The Trouble with Peace is, in my opinion, even better than A Little Hatred. I really hope he’ll stick the landing in The Wisdom of Crowds!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
3 жыл бұрын
@@coleton7048 I completely agree. I can’t wait for The Wisdom of Crowds!
@coleton7048
3 жыл бұрын
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I have a feeling it will some how top Trouble With Peace... If that's the case I will be building a shrine and altar for Abercrombie in my reading study.
I can't wait for the interview with Joe Abercrombie.
You have to be realistic about these things
@bridleybateson5622
3 жыл бұрын
Say one thing for Kenny MacLeod, say he knows a good quote when he reads one.
@Ghaffar_KH
3 жыл бұрын
It’s better to read it than to live with the fear of it, that’s what my father would have said.
@cmation1073
3 жыл бұрын
you can never have too many books to read
I ache like Glotka. Aches from a lifetime of construction and logging work has left me with a broken body with multiple health issues.I hope that my moral compass is a bit stronger than him. And use audiobooks because of sight issues so I am grateful for the audiobook versions available. They are well done with a great narrator.
@bmoneybby
3 жыл бұрын
Tap click pain right
@DrunkenCoward1
2 жыл бұрын
@@bmoneybby Click, tap, pain, actually.
I think Best Served Cold is my favourite First Law book, but maybe that's because The Count of Monte Cristo is also a favourite book.
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
I can't wait to read the count of monte Cristo in August I really enjoyed best served cold 🤗😊😇
I read the first triology because you kept talking about it. I was actually surprised how not grim I found these books. Really enjoyed them!
I'm reading through the first law series right now because of your constant recommendations.
The is the trilogy who introduced me to the right narrator to make me learn how to listen and retain audiobooks. Steven Pacey is so good that I was patient enough to learn what speed I needed to listen to and to get into immersion reading. This is one of my favorite series - page 1 of The Blade Itself when Logen said "Shit." I was sold.
About battle scenes and fights. Bernard Cornwell: allow me to introduce myself.
@larissapopovych6551
3 жыл бұрын
Yeeeah, I'm reading First Law now, and really thinking about Cornwell all the time. Usually I'm reading fantasy for magic. For nice politics and fights I prefer historical book with real counties.
There's a typo in the title. I see First Law and bad in the same sentence and that's grammatically impossible.
@mikesbookreviews
3 жыл бұрын
Body found floating by the docks…
I always thought The First Law trilogy would make an excellent movie trilogy
@matthewpinkston9437
Жыл бұрын
Anime possibly?
Great video on the book. For me "The bad" was the first book in the trilogy, as it was very slow and it feels like going nowhere. For example Jezal preparation for the tournament takes way too long. However the second and third books more than make up for it.
Say one thing about the first law, say it’s great!
Just finished Red Country an hour ago. Really enjoyed it! This video couldn't have come at a better moment. Will watch it tonight, am gonna start Red Rising right now.
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
I love red country it's one of my favorite books that I have read this year along with a little hatred and best served cold 💝💖
@coleton7048
3 жыл бұрын
Why not catch up with First Law since the new book is coming out in 2 months?
@CallmeJochem
3 жыл бұрын
@@coleton7048 have a lot of other books on my TBR I want to get to first haha.
@currangill430
3 жыл бұрын
Mike didn't like Red Country that much lol
@CallmeJochem
3 жыл бұрын
@@currangill430 haha yeah I saw. I can understand his criticisms but don't feel the same way about most of them. Thought it was a pretty good book, but definitely not my favorite First Law book.
Another thing about the standalones -- they change the status quo of the world pretty substantially. So you'll probably feel like you missed a lot if you skip them, because you did miss a lot. I think you could in theory skip them at your own peril, but they're so good so why skip them?
Another TBR entry! I read Prince of Nothing and Aspect-Emperor before having read any grimdark fantasy. I was not ready. I'm still not sure I'm ready, that world was HARSH. But, lots of people love Abercrombie so he's clearly doing something right. Gotta give it a shot! Thanks Mike!
Oh my god! Mike called me a “little grimdark cutie”!
@bmoneybby
3 жыл бұрын
You blushed too huh
Love the first law content 🤟🏻❄️
I started reading the blade itself this afternoon. This video notification was a startling but positive surprise.
These books are what kinda brought me back into the fantasy genre at your suggestion a while back, thanks. I had tried several times over the last decade or more to reconnect but the classic fantasy format just felt flat. Abercrombie and Gwynne for different reasons not totally explainable have locked me back in.
In my opinion the best standalone is a toss up between the heroes (“I’m no mans dog” 🤣🤫”) or best served cold (👁🔥🤣🤫) that’s for us who’ve read it and for those who are going to read them!!!!
@cap-tavating5862
3 жыл бұрын
Gave me a good laugh. “I’m no fucking dog”
@Pokomen
3 жыл бұрын
Monza
@DrunkenCoward1
2 жыл бұрын
I personally dislike The Heroes. Not in a literary way, I think it's incredibly written, but it and Red Country didn't grip me anywhere close to how the others did. Best Served Cold, however, is my favourite of all his books.
@bloodynine9017
2 жыл бұрын
@@DrunkenCoward1 Best served Cold is absolutely fantastic! My favorite scene is definitely Cardottis house of leisure, Cosca was in his element there🤣 Have a good day whoever reads this God bless you!
You’ve convinced me Mike, I’ll start book 1 today.
You were the man that got me in to First Law. I've never looked back. One hundred f my favourite literary experiences!
I’m on book 3 now. The audiobook is fantastic. The characters grow on you so fast
BIG MIKE! Best series ever, good and/or bad. I come back to it every time I need a literary palette cleanser.
Great timing! I'm beginning First Law soon for 'Abercrombie August'
I'd love some more First Law content. I'm reading through it for the first time right now.
Definitely read the stand-alones if you want to dive into the sequel trilogy because I read the first three books a year and a half ago, pushed straight to sequel trilogy as it came out and forgot family member connections and relationship ties. Plus I felt so left out of the world when I couldn’t realize what the hell was happening. DNF it, but am continuing to buy the books to eventually do a full reread and include the stand-alones.
i would re-do some of your older videos, but not for your subscribers, more for people who haven't stumbled onto your channel and/or haven't read 1st law yet. Most of us have been with you for a while and dont really need a rewrite on stuff we already have read and agree with you already. I would hate for someone to be turned away because they saw 1 of your very 1st videos. They would be MISSING OUT BIG TIME!!!! ONE OF THE BEST BOOKTUBERS AROUND!!!👍👍
I was still on the fence a bit after the “Why you should read”, but this video sold me, I’ll put it on the early 2022 agenda. I haven’t read a long fantasy series in a while (the last very long one I did was Malazan (and the Esselmont books) as they were released) and I love so many books that you also do that with such enthusiasm for it on your part I’ll take my chance on this one (I even will pick the first trilogy box set). None of the “bad” sounds bad to me :)
Just started this series the other day, looking forward to it!
I have finished the first book in both first law and faithful and fallen, because of you sir. Enjoyed both greatly. Think I might have enjoyed Malice a little more, love your channel sir. Thank you!
@mikesbookreviews
3 жыл бұрын
So glad you're enjoying it!
Just started The Blade Itself and a big part of it has been your and some other KZreadrs coverage of Joe Abercrombie’s books. Excited to dive in!
Best Served Cold is a masterpiece.
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
Yes it is 🤠🌟🤗😊
@Uppernorwood976
3 жыл бұрын
The opening chapter is one of the greatest set ups I’ve ever read. Abercrombie does not mess about!
@currangill430
3 жыл бұрын
I actually didn't like the opening that much. But after that...holy fucking shit it got so good
@Mitcham28
3 жыл бұрын
I think the first half is a masterpiece, I was iffy in the second half, but I still think the book is good overall.
Watching this bunch review makes me feel extra excited about the one on one chat with Joe.
@mikesbookreviews
2 жыл бұрын
This monday!
@deanryanmartin
2 жыл бұрын
@@mikesbookreviews Excellent!!!! Can't wait!!!
I own the entire series except the Age of Madness trilogy. Very excited to get to it, probably next year!
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
Just finished a little hatred it's so great 🤗😊🤠👍
@grnberet9401
3 жыл бұрын
@@cynthiaholmes5124 Same. I am reading them as a lead-up to the release of Wisdom of Crowds.
Loved this, Mike. Just finished Before They Are Hanged and definitely jumped aboard the Abercrombie hype train. Would love to see more content if you decide to revisit it.
14:33 perfect example of his character building...all you need to do was utter a few words for each character and we immediately know who your talking about.....
I am just starting the First Law Trilogy now because of your recommendations, and an really enjoying the character. Usually I read books quickly but I am just wanting the savour this first book.
I finished the first law trilogy a couple weeks ago after watching your why you should read and it became an instant favorite. I'm starting best served cold today
good review! Specially like your comment on how certain quotes from characters get stuck in your head xP gotten half way trough "The Blade Itself" Love it so far! you got to be realistic about this stuff; I will probably love the rest of Abercrombies books :D
I've been listening to you and Moid rave about Joe Abercrombie for a while now, but I didn't want to start a trilogy right now, so I read Red Country. I didn't know it was in the same universe as the trilogy until after I was finished it. While I thought it was really good, and I enjoyed his writing, I don't think that he is as good as GRRM. I'm 63 years old now, and I have been reading for nearly all my life, literally thousands of books, and George is the best author in the last 20 years or so. That being said, I am going to start the first trilogy this week. I want to thank you and Moid as I never would have known about this author without r two.
I liked the First law trilogy and have Best Served Cold in my shelf, I really need to get started with it soon. I just keep getting distracted by you recommending Pierce Brown, John Gwynne, Crichton etc. But soon
I’m even more excited to continue on in this world now! I’m currently reading Best Served Cold. I was worried about continuing after the original trilogy, because I enjoyed it so much, but I’m LOVING it!!! Monza is such a bad ass!!!
Thanks for the warning at the beginning! I haven't read the new trilogy yet so I will have to wait to watch this.
When I first read the original trilogyI couldn't stop thinking about it for a few weeks. sure it's not for every one but nothing is for everyone. That said I still recommend it anyone who'll listen
Just moved this trilogy to the front of my tbr
Can’t wait for that interview!
Reading The Blade Itself right now, and blasting through it - truly bingable fantasy!
I need to reread this series. I feel like I only skim read it or something because I was trying to get to the part where something "happens" and it never really does. I think if I had known that going in I would have gotten a lot more out of it and not missed as much.
I agree with you on so much; however, I loved the 2nd trilogy maybe more than the first. It is fun to have different thoughts and opinions. Gives us something to talk about.
Hey bro, I really like the way you explain things. You have great videos!
I agree, my favourite series
Nailed it Mike!!!
Don't get it why people usually define grimdark fantasy as stories with morally grey characters! Wouldn't grimdark be more about general setting and atmosphere? Like depressing and cruel worlds? Don't get it...
@JLchevz
3 жыл бұрын
yeah me too, although morally gray characters can commit atrocities more than "good people", a very grim setting can also bring everything good about the genre even if the characters are good or not as bad as others.
Mike you do such a good job here. On point.
Man, this series is on my TBR but i will need to move it up. Hopefully starting next month.
@Sameranth
3 жыл бұрын
I wouldn't say this about any other series, but seriously consider listening to the audiobook if you have a commute or some other place to listen conveniently. It's the first series I've read audiobook only, and I don't regret it. The narrator, Steven Pacey, is incredible. I really think the audiobooks are probably the best way to read this series.
@saeedajaib
3 жыл бұрын
@@Sameranth that is one of the reasons i have been putting it off. In september i get my yearly audible credits and i heard such good things about the narrator that i have not yet purchased physical copies.
I'm 100 pgs into the second book. Enjoying it so far.
@mikesbookreviews
3 жыл бұрын
Yesssssss
Very interesting. I would really like some recommendations for more grimdark series .
I share your stance on all of this 100%
Hey Mike, are you on Goodreads? If so, what’s your screen name?
@mikesbookreviews
3 жыл бұрын
goodreads.com/MikesBookReviews
I did start this book and finished the blade itself months ago! I do agree with you that its a struggle at first since im more into modern fantasy but i do remember loving the events from book 1. And since i just finished jade city, i think ill continue with the first law trilogy ✨
I started reading Abercrombie around when I started college, when I was... I think 19 to 20. I immediatly fell in love with it. Ironically it was also my first (at least I think so) time reading Grimdark (I had fallen off reading when I was a child and the last book I had read a few years before that was Metro 2033) and the humour absolutely spoke to me. Every time a chapter ended I was hoping the next one would be from Glokta's POV.
I enjoyed the ending!! the way things started to make sense and your like "ohhh that's why that happened and why they made this comment "
The first book had stuff happen it gathered all the characters into the capital. His writing is so good. Just finishing the Trouble with peace. I've binged them and think they are all great, stand alones might be my favorite!
This was one of my first ventures into adult fantasy and first of true grim dark (other than watching Game of Thrones), but I loved it. I can see it being really jarring for those that aren't used to it though.
Thanks Mike I was already planning on reading this, I bought the first two already. They are beautiful books.
Sold.
Definitely my favorite fantasy series right now. My personal favorite is Trouble with Peace.
I'm excited for Abercrombie's conclusion AND his new series The Devils 😁 He's an autobuy author and Steven Pacey is the shit! He could narrate anything and I'd listen.
Great vid, mike. Keep it up!
Read the first trilogy. Thought is was really good....I need to finish it.
@fatleg1000
3 жыл бұрын
Best Served Cold and The Heroes are phenomenal
@corywinterberg8764
3 жыл бұрын
Bro so good
@PnutButtaJllyMan
3 жыл бұрын
It's just one of those things that got lost in the shuffle for no reason.
Your first 'Bad' is what I'm experiencing right now. I'm like 90% through the first book and still am not really sure what the books are even about. Stuff just seems to be happening haha. Not sure if that will help anyone who is looking to or is reading the first book. I am enjoying it though, I find the authors dark humor hilarious.
“Body found on the shore…”
@jameswallispiano
3 жыл бұрын
“Why do I do this?...”
I love best served cold Red country And a little hatred these are my favorites in the first law series so far 🌟💖💝🤗😊🤠🥰
I genuinely think that Best Served Cold and the sequel trilogy for First Law are actually as good if not better than the first trilogy. So I disagree there I guess.
@cynthiaholmes5124
3 жыл бұрын
I love best served cold so far have only read a little hatred and both books are on my list of best books of this year and they are on my top three ranking in the first law series 🌟
I mostly read sci-fi but next year I plan on reading more fantasy starting with The First Law, Mistborn, and The Broken Earth.
I've read and listened to the first six books. They are all outstanding to me. Fav characters are Glokta, Logan and Nicomo Cosca. Cosca made me laugh so hard so many times...especially in the audiobooks. I plan on reading the next 3 books in a row when the final one comes out in September.
Mike just called me a grimdark cuttie ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺ day made
@mikesbookreviews
2 жыл бұрын
Always hoping to make someone’s day better.
7:54 I think you make a great point contrasting him with mark Lawrence. I think the fact that while the 1st law characters are alot of things, Bat-shit crazy isnt really one of them, and i think that helps to really ground a fantasty character in a fantastical world in a more believable reality for the reader. Its so easy to make a book loaded with a bunch of jackals from RR, but its low hanging fruit and an entire book filled with them keeps you at arms lengths as far as believable story plot.
I loved the First Law trilogy!!!
I’m sold
Have you tried Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson? It also has fantastic character development. I've read the first two trilogies. Want to reread them so I can then read his latest books in that world (four of them, IIRC).
I've wanted to read this trilogy for so long, but it just keeps getting pushed back... Hopefully I'll get to it by the end of this year!
I still think the most quotable character for me is Tom Cullen from The Stand..."M-O-O-N, that spells First Law"
I honestly wish we would get more World Building, information about the Order of the Magi and the FREEKIN spirits Logan talks to only once in the beginning
My favorite author, don't you do me dirty Mike. If you do. I'll start harassing you to read one piece even though I won't either.
@corywinterberg8764
3 жыл бұрын
Just finished video you passed.. this time.
I completely agree about the original ‘trilogy’ being just one big book. I bought them as an ebook bundle and read them straight through, I can’t even remember where the demarcation in the story is.
Reading Red Country I really wanted to believe a certain gruff northern bastard was going to find a measure peace and finally get the better of his worse impulses. Goddammit Joe. He really does get you to care and hope for good things to happen and then he'll yank those good things away. At least Glokta got a fairy tale ending. Nobody tell me any different.
So your saying there's no bad in the first law !! I totally agree with you🌚. Joe Abercrombie is master at characterization and crafting dialogue. On the Mark Lawrence thing I totally agree with you I couldn't finish the broken empire even thu I can see how talented of a writer he is. I'm totally character driven reader, If couldn't care about the character I'll not be motivated to continue. Same with the name of the wind. However if you haven't checked out Mark Lawrence Prince of Fools you should I think you might love it.
....I really need to read this series. But my TBR is so massive 😭
I read the original First Law trilogy for the first time earlier this year. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, though I am interested enough to continue on. I did like the character of Logan, he actually reminded me of Wolverine, especially when he went into his "berserker rage." I wonder if Wolverine was a bit of an inspiration for Ninefingers. And there was improvement in the series, especially with character development, but I didn't care for the ending.
Personally, I think the ending is great. What I really liked about it is that it made me feel complicit in the action of that particular character. You feel guilty about cheering him on in the first book (the tower scene comes to mind), and that makes the books ultimately more interesting for me.
At first I thought " grimdark grimdark ??? , how the hell can I read that ? " But it was soooo easy to read , and I wanted to know what will happen to the characters .
for any football fans. My friends and I refer to ( keeping it spoiler free but you know who im talking about ) a certain character as going into BEAST MODE !!!!! and we use that in our day to day any and every chance we get.
I was keen to read First Law to see if I liked grimdark because I don't think I've ever tried this genre. I wonder what you would recommend if not this trilogy to get into grimdark?
Can you read the original Trilogy on it's own without continuing the series?
Joe Abercrombie is one of my top 3 fantasy writer ever right after brandon sanderson and Mr. Jhon gwynne, best trio out there 🙌😉✌😃