This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.
Fantasy.
Fiction.
HTML:They say Black Dow's killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbor, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. The orders have been given and the armies are toiling through the northern mud. Thousands of men are converging on a forgotten ring of stones, on a worthless hill, in an unimportant valley, and they've brought a lot of sharpened metal with them. THE HEROES For glory, for victory, for staying alive.… (more)
This was a lot of fun and you get the feeling that Joe Abercrombie was also having fun as he wrote it. He doesn't need a traditional epic story. Here you just get the story of a two-days battle between the Union's army and the Northmen. We follow characters from both sides of the conflict and we marvel at how harsh, violent and ultimately pointless it is. There are acts of cruelty and generosity, of cowardice and heroism on both sides. It's epic, but do not expect to feel uplifted at the epicness of it all. This is 100% grimdark. You will not feel like imagining yourself in a heroic role there. You will feel like never getting anywhere near a war. And in spite of how depressing that sounds, Abercrombie manages to make it fun and entertaining. He does that through a sense of hyperbole and a certain fondness for his very flawed characters. All his usual tropes are here, and you do not mind because they are used well. Very well-worth a read. ( )
3 giorni di battaglie tra gli Uomini del Nord e quelli dell'Unione Ritroviamo: Bayaz e Yori contro Ishri, Bremer dan Gorst caduto in disgrazia dopo l'attentato a Sipani, il Maresciallo Kroy e Jalehorn Dow il Nero, Glama il Dorato, Brivido, Calder e Toro (figli di Bethod ) Dow il Nero è morto per mano di Brivido
non mi è piaciuta molto la traduzione e in linea di massima non troppo neanche il libro in se ( )
I think I get the point the author was trying to make (it's not subtle), but I just didn't find it very compelling. It's the obvious subtext found in more interesting works written in all caps for five hundred pages. ( )
For some reason, in contrast to the other First Law books, I found the beginning of this excruciatingly slow, and many times I wondered if I should just abandon it. I'm glad I didn't---it picked up in an incredibly satisfying manner. ( )
Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes. - Bertolt Brecht
A rational army would run away. - Montesquieu
You can't say that civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way. - Will Rogers
I'm not sure how much violence and butchery the readers will stand. - Robert E. Howard
You never have to wait long, or look far, to be reminded of how thin the line is between being a hero or a goat. - Mickey Mantle.
Dedication
For Eve One day you will read this And say, 'Dad, why all the swords?'
For Eve. One day you will read this and say, 'Dad, why all the swords?'
First words
'Too old for this shit,' muttered Craw, wincing at the pain in his dodgy knee with every other step.
'Too old for this shit,' muttered Craw, wincing at the pain in his dodgy knee with every other step. High time he retired. Long past high time. Sat on the porch behind his house with a pipe, smiling at the water as the sun sank down, a day's honest work behind him. Not that he had a house. But when he got one, it'd be a good one.
'Ah, shit,' he muttered, and he grabbed his sword-belt and his coat, threw 'em over his shoulder and strode out, slapping the door shut. Didn’t even bother to lock it behind him.
Fantasy.
Fiction.
HTML:They say Black Dow's killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbor, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. The orders have been given and the armies are toiling through the northern mud. Thousands of men are converging on a forgotten ring of stones, on a worthless hill, in an unimportant valley, and they've brought a lot of sharpened metal with them. THE HEROES For glory, for victory, for staying alive.
▾Library descriptions
No library descriptions found.
▾LibraryThing members' description
Book description
They say Black Dow's killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbour, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. The orders have been given and the armies are toiling through the northern mud. Thousands of men are converging on a forgotten ring of stones, on a worthless hill, in an unimportant valley, and they've brought a lot of sharpened metal with them. Bremer dan Gorst, disgraced master swordsman, has sworn to reclaim his stolen honour on the battlefield. Obsessed with redemption and addicted to violence, he's far past caring how much blood gets spilled in the attempt. Even if it's his own. Prince Calder isn't interested in honour, and still less in getting himself killed. All he wants is power, and he'll tell any lie, use any trick, and betray any friend to get it. Just as long as he doesn't have to fight for it himself. Curnden Craw, the last honest man in the North, has gained nothing from a life of warfare but swollen knees and frayed nerves. He hardly even cares who wins any more, he just wants to do the right thing. But can he even tell what that is with the world burning down around him? Over three bloody days of battle, the fate of the North will be decided. But with both sides riddled by intrigues, follies, feuds and petty jealousies, it is unlikely to be the noblest hearts, or even the strongest arms that prevail. Three men. One battle. No Heroes.
)
)
)
)
Google Books — Loading...
Wikipedia in English (1)
7