Beyond Reality discussion

Please let us know if you're reading, planning to read, or have read Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

No spoilers in this topic please!

I am planning on dipping into this one. I have been intrigued by Abercrombie for years, but have not yet bitten the bullet.

I have not finished the original trilogy. Is it OK?

I do want to read this one of these days - I liked but didn't love the First Law trilogy. Don't have it on hand right now, but if I ever do get around to it I'll come back and leave my two cents :)

I plan to read this sometime this month, probably latter half. I've had it on my shelf since it was first released. High time I returned to the world of First Law.

I got a copy of this at a convention a couple of years ago. I met Joe Abercrombie and he signed the book for me. I've been experiencing pangs of guilt on and off over the last two years because I have yet to read it and he was so nice! Really personable. Thing is,it's 880 some pages. It's huge.

Anyway, I am now halfway through and I LOVE it. Absolutely love it. Sorry I didn't read it sooner and I can't wait to chat about it when I'm done.

This is one of those that I just can't put down. The characters are great - each in their own way, and the idea of revenge and vengeance in all its characterizations has always been of interest to me. I love the way the dialog is written, more often than not (though there was a couple places where it comes forced, for that extra laugh or bridge). I really like some of the nuances that Abercrombie manages to pull off with just the right phrasing - the right word chosen at the right time, and all that. So far, i think I'm digging Shivers, Cosca, and Friendly the most - although I LOVE the poisoner's conversation (it's impossible not to hear the constant condescension - I can't wait to see how he gets his in the end, if he does).

Wow. Now I'm really aching to start it. Maybe I can move it up on my tbr.

I've not read this one, and not sure I can fit it in this month, but I would love to stop back and look at the posts later on.

I've had the audiobook forever. I've started it several times and just don't make it very far. I got the ebook on sale a couple of years ago and haven't even cracked it open. I'll probably give it another go, but no guarantees. I did love the First Law trilogy though. I don't know what my problem is with this. It might just be the narration.

Sandi wrote: "I've had the audiobook forever. I've started it several times and just don't make it very far. I got the ebook on sale a couple of years ago and haven't even cracked it open. I'll probably give ..."

It didn't grab me on the first page. I had to get used to the voices of the characters and there are so many different characters in that first chapter. They're all important but they get better introductions later and the focus quickly narrows.

Abercrombie was a film editor before writing, so he has stated that all his books are different kinds of films. So I like to think this book as his version of Kill Bill set in his world.

No wonder I've been having trouble. I can't stand Kill Bill.

Kelly wrote:
'It didn't grab me on the first page. I had to get used to the voices of the characters and there are so many different characters in that first chapter. They're all important but they get better introductions later and the focus quickly narrows.'

I agree! Being swamped by 17 character names and 14 location names by page 10 really kind of turned me off when I began the book; but after bulling through that and the rest of the prologue, it was smooth sailing.

Very well written set of books and great characters. Real adult fantasy for a change instead of teenage so called fantasy. Death, violence and blood and guts, no vampires or fairies in sight thank goodness!!

Read this a while ago. Although not my favorite of his books, still very enjoyable. Love Abercrombie. I think his dialogue is what draws me in the most