(A) Red Country

August 15th, 2011

So I’ve finished the first draft of the second part of my latest masterwork, workingly titled, ‘A Red Country,’ or possibly just, ‘Red Country,’ we will see on that score.  For those who have failed to follow this blog religiously for the past few months (shame on you faithless scum), it is another semi-standalone set in the world of The First Law, and fusing fantasy elements with western elements, in the same way that The Heroes was a fantasy/war story and Best Served Cold fantasy/thriller-ish.  That puts me about 40% of the way through a first draft, though I suspect there’ll be a fair bit of work to do once the first draft is complete.  Isn’t there always?  Now the terrifying wait for feedback from my editor and readers while I try and sort out what exactly I’m going to do with my next part.  I guess one could say that if Part I was a little bit Searchers then Part II rolled into Lonesome Dove territory and Part III has something of a Deadwood/Fistful of Dollars motif.

I feel a fair bit more comfortable with this second part than I did with the first, as you’d expect or at least hope.  One generally aims to get a better and better handle on the plot, settings and characters as one goes through a draft, until by the time you’re finishing your first draft you know pretty much exactly what you’re aiming at, and editing becomes largely a case of bringing earlier parts into line with that final one.

I’ve made quite a significant change to the personality of one of my two central characters – or perhaps not a change but a clarification, a shift of emphasis and a refinement of style – and he seems to be working quite a bit better now.  In essence, I’ve made him a bit more of a shit than he was before, which tends to be a fruitful direction for me to go in with characters on the whole.  Who knew?

It’s taken me a little longer to get this part together than I’d hoped, what with one thing and another, but if I can up the pace a little from here on in we should still be looking at delivery early next year and publication somewhere around late summer early autumn 2012.  Such is the hope.  But you know what they say about hopes.

Don’t make a parachute out of ’em.

 

Posted in announcements, news, progress by Joe Abercrombie on August 15th, 2011.

110 comments so far

  • bochgoch says:

    Fantastic – looking forward to it…

    Any old characters turning up – and can you share who?

  • Storm in the High Places says:

    Its great to hear that its goin well. Love the name, this will be well worth the wait as always. Can’t get enough of your work keep it goin Joe.

  • Brett says:

    Sounds interesting. Is it set in the collapsed Old Empire that was in the First Law Trilogy? And more importantly,

    Part III has something of a Deadwood/Fistful of Dollars motif.

    Is there a character inspired by Al Swearangen? ;D

  • Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with; there’s nothing quite like a good western. Especially if there’s a horribly awkward sex scene or two thrown in for good measure 😉

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    bochgoch,
    Yes there will be quite a few old characters.
    I could share who. But I won’t. Not yet…

    Brett,
    Nearby, and yes, loosely inspired. Or perhaps it’s better to say there’s an old character taking on a similar role.

    Chris Bissette
    I daresay if there are any sex scenes they will be horribly awkward.

  • Doug says:

    Looking forward to the book. Love fantasy, love Westerns and I love that Abercrombie wit. Are you willing to give any hints on potential returning characters yet?

  • Nick says:

    Extremely pumped for the next book! I’m trying to fill the void w/ some Barclay right now… but can’t wait to hear about wat characters will be in the next one… i won’t mention any names cuz i’m pretty sure certain characters there is probably a rule against asking about at this point haha

  • Nick Sharps says:

    I love this whole “western-inspired fantasy” vibe and the title (A) Red Country also awesome. Like Brett I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be set in the Old Empire so I’m excited by the “nearby” remark. I’m a little crushed to have to wait till next summer/august to read it though. Perhaps you could speed up the process if we showered you in more money?

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    You’d have to shower me with a lot.

  • Dan says:

    Can’t wait! My vote goes for “A red country.” Just “red country” sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.

  • Will says:

    I totally misread Joe’s last post as “You’d have to shower with me a lot”…which seemed an unorthodox request.

    I’m excited for the next book, and applaud the choice of theme. Deadwood was brilliant (up until the 3rd season).

  • Thaddeus says:

    Pleased to hear it’s nearish the Old Empire. The journey through the faded glory was one of my favourite parts of the First Law Trilogy.

  • Chris says:

    A Red Country is a REALLY awesome title.

  • JimC says:

    This is great news. My pants are off right now.

    I may have to put them back on at some point.

  • […] Abercrombie’s blog: So I’ve finished the first draft of the second part of my latest masterwork, workingly titled, […]

  • enjai says:

    Great news on there being an Al Swearangen style character, he seems like a perfect fit for the tone of your books. Now all we need is a sidekick for him that only knows swearwords 🙂
    I hope we get some Red Dead Redemption homages as well, along with a horse POV. I’m kidding about the last part 🙂

  • Manuela says:

    Yeah! Sounds great, especially the part about the old characters.

  • Mr Dow B. says:

    Dow,dow we wants dow!
    dow,dow we wants dow!

    BRING BACK THE BLACK!

  • A-drain says:

    So exicited.

    With a title like that it must mean Logan will make an appearance. Favorite fantasy character hands down.

    You can never have too many knives.

  • Of course, now we have to speculate as to who will be running the bar while being all machination-y. Cosca would seem the obvious candidate, no? (Joe, you don’t get to vote, because that’d be cheating.)

  • Joe, keep forgetting to mention this — your home site headline:

    “Coming in Hardcover, January 2011 The Heroes”

    is probably a bit overdue for a quick change 😉

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Buddha,
    I maintain that the headline is still factually accurate.

  • Murph says:

    But surely that headline would sell more book if it gave off the impression of it being on sale…you have to look closely to realise its already been released.

    Loving the title by the way, hope some more tantalising glimpses are shown of this epic war behind the scenes that Bayaz is always fighting (curse his soul :P)

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Murph,
    I was kidding, it’s more that much of the site hasn’t been updated in a while.

  • Grant says:

    Quite a few old characters showing up you say? From that response I have built a hope parachute. Dangling dangerously from it is the return of the Bloody Nine.

  • Matthias says:

    I seriously thought you were joking when you mentioned this for the first time back in your Red Dead Redemption review. The fact that you weren’t joking is sort of like Christmas.

    I’m sure I’ll be putting your book safely next to my copies of Unforgiven, Once Upon a Time in the West and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly to complete my “Westerns That Will Destroy Your Face, But In A Good Way” collection.

  • Colin says:

    I’m eagerly awaiting this book because I’ve quite enjoyed the other two ‘genre’ standalones. Best of luck with the third section

  • AdamV says:

    Hi Mistah Joe,

    Longtime antipodean reader (of blog and books) and first time commenter-er. The new title sounds awesome, and the idea of a fantasy western is great. But I have a much more pressing question. Why exactly is your career following one Q. Tarantino’s so closely?

    Not merely because you’re both innovators in well-worn genres, but also…well. After re-vamping a tired genre (gangsters for him, fantasy for you), he’s had his revenge story (Kill Bill) and you had yours (BSC). Then he had his war story (Inglourious Basterds) and you had yours (The Heroes). Now, when you are mining the western, apparently so is he for his next project.

    Is this something more sinister than mere coincidence, sir?

  • Thommesen says:

    Man, you have played Red Dead Redemption too much lately, it’s totally inspired in part by the game. I can dig that for sure.

  • Dungeonmum says:

    Cannot wait! Are you going to reveal where if fits in the timeline with all the other books?

  • DrGonzo says:

    Autumn 2012… Will be a long time but Im looking forward on it.

  • JonathanL says:

    There’s nothing I don’t like about your three-act inspiration summation.

    Looking forward to it, Joe! Just had a Song of Ice and Fire-themed dinner party, and I made sure that people who liked that series heard the name Joe Abercrombie, especially if they thought Martin’s work was too sunny.

  • ShitFucker says:

    We little devil-crombie worshippers are hurrying to the temple to shower praise to ensure the blood gods stay happy….and to get the book on time.
    Curden Craw mentions that they have to leave a member of their crew behind at the start of the The Heroes? Will we see him? I think his name is Never…
    Also, will the action take place in the far north, like the places the stranger-come-knocking is from?
    I don’t expect and answer.
    Just the usual Abercrombie gag, a mis-direction perhaps, and a lot of your self deprecating humour.!!! Another Masterwork. Definitively.

  • George says:

    I’ll say it now: I think this will be set in Thond.

  • Chevi77 says:

    Excellent idea for the book, excellent name (I am also up for the “A” to be included in the title) now just looking forward to next year to preorder it…
    By the way, as JohnathanL, I have been dropping your name to all my friends that are so into the Song of Ice and Fire books because of the HSBO series… who knows, the series may not exclusively be profitable for Messieur Martin, I guess you’re not going to complain.

  • DrGonzo says:

    Jepp most friend got fixed by the HBO series and start now reading the books. I am ready to give them their first Abercrombie when they’re ready for more dark fantasy.

  • Phil N says:

    I’ll cast another vote for it being A Red Country, and if it has even a smattering of Deadwood I’ll be a happy bunny.

  • Jacob says:

    Is this more of a “Western” western with fantasy-esque muskets and revolvers of some sort or is this just the terminology for “dark, open landscapes, bands of thieves, stand-offs”…or something perhaps with John Wayne himself having a cameo?

  • Jacob says:

    And argh to the posters….now I know Black Dow doesn’t die in the Heroes. Evil, evil spoiler children. Thrash, thrash, thraaaash.

  • Nick says:

    …Deadwood? There’s a section in it similar to Deadwood?

    Good lord, do you employ mindreaders!? A Deadwood theme to an Abercrombie is something I thought was an utterly futile hope!

    Also, “A Red Country” is indeed a very cool title. I agree with others who prefer to inclusion of the “A” – “Red Country” jusy doesn’t cut it in quite the same way.

  • Blaise says:

    I’m sorry to say this but I don’t think I like the title. Or, more importantly, I don’t think it fits in the series. I really liked the titles of your previous books, they are like unfinished sentences or fragments of a phrase. Even “The Heroes” indicates that there’s something undtold. A Red Country simply sounds weird and random to me with the “A” (truth is, english is not my mother language, so I can be wrong). And without the “A” it’s just generic.

    But it’s probably just me, though 🙂 I really like western and fantasy and I already can’t wait.

  • DrGonzo says:

    A Red Country is better. Dont no why but sounds more fitting.

  • jacko says:

    BRING BACK THE BLOODY-NINE!!!!

  • Sedulo says:

    I have a good feeling about this.

    YeeeeeeeHaaaaaw!

  • SwindonNick says:

    Great news, I am so moist I may struggle to get up from my chair. And I vote for “A” Red Country although I note you haven’t actually asked us to vote.

  • SwindonNick says:

    Actually I have had a long and deep think. How about “Country of Red”?…

  • PapaShroom says:

    Man its nice to have have an author who can put out books yearly. As much as I love Martin and even Rothfuss its nice knowing what you’re gonna get an just about when you’re gonna get it.

  • Graham says:

    The Big Red Coutry?

  • Giasone says:

    “And argh to the posters….now I know Black Dow doesn’t die in the Heroes. Evil, evil spoiler children. Thrash, thrash, thraaaash.”

    Well Jacob, that’s the price you pay for wasting time reading blogs when you should be reading books….

  • Giasone says:

    “The Big Red Cou[n]try?”

    Nah – that would sound like it’s set in outback Australia.

  • I would also like to contribute to the most tedious informal web-poll in the history of the IntraWeb:

    I prefer the “A” in “A Red Country” as well.

  • Ryan says:

    Joe, do you think we’ll ever get so see more of Glokta? He might by my favorite literary character of all time.

  • skunkthecat says:

    *crosses all of my digits, plus those of everyone in a 6 mile radius*

    Let Logen come back, let Logen come back, let Logen come back, let Logen come back, let Logen come back…

  • Chris says:

    You should make it A Red CUNTry just to really hammer home the Deadwood connection.

  • BC Woods says:

    What about “A Red Motherfucking Country?”

    In fact, could we get a special “Motherfucking” edition of all your works?

    The Blade It-Motherfucking-Self

    Before They Are Motherfucking Hanged

    The Last Motherfucking Argument of Motherfucking Kings

    Best Served Motherfucking Cold

    The Motherfucking Heroes

  • rosstafarian says:

    the motherfucking audiobooks can be narrated by samuel l jackson, motherfucker

  • Jacob says:

    Giasone,

    People should know that, by default, some may want to read and write of the blogs as fans. This is not a good excuse to give away vital plot information. It’s every readers job to UNDERSTAND that “someone around them” might not have read them…or in this case, on a blog posting. It’s just…obvious. You don’t assume everyone has made it to that point yet.

  • Storm in the High Places says:

    BC woods sounds like Samuel l Jackson with those titles bahahahahaha.

  • Murph says:

    BC woods should have been in Pulp Fiction 🙂

    I’d also like to add my name to the ‘A’ crowd, Red Country just seems a little bland.

    And yes Joe, I knew you were kidding…

    😛

  • Murph says:

    Ah damn Storm in High Places got there before me…..

  • RobtheHood says:

    Hi Joe, love the books so far mate. Gonna pick up the heroes this weekend so you can expect a couple more quid in your royalties chq next month.

    Logen is a great character and Gorst too. Cosca is excellent. Shivers seemed a bit of a loss unless he is to become a new Bethod.

    Anyway, keep ’em coming mate.

    When they make the film I see a heavily scarred Josh Holloway (fella from Lost) as Logen

  • periklis says:

    “Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers”. Say he’s back. Please?

  • Giasone says:

    Well Jacob, I was just teasing, but since you’ve taken my remark seriously I will simply say that I have no sympathy for people who spend their time blogging rather than reading books – to slightly paraphrase: it’s every fan’s job to BUY THE BOOKS and READ THE BOOKS, not waste time blogging. It’s just … obvious.

  • Mark C says:

    Great work, par’dner! Or should I say ‘gee up!’

    Mark C

  • Nick Sharps says:

    BC Woods has my vote. ‘Motherfucker’ is a title enhancer 😉

  • Adam says:

    ‘A Red Country,’ > ‘Red Country.’ ‘Red Country’ sounds like the nickname for some whiskey soaked west Ozark wash out with busted KC lights on his cinderblock supported pick up whose engine still runs only to power the lights on the shed housing his bathtub meth lab. You don’t wanna cross Red Country; I stopped by his house to ask for directions and saw a baby’s leg floating in a pickling jar on his porch and decided better of it.

  • Dan says:

    Seriously can’t wait for the character reveal for this book. Hoping for more Shivers. Love seeing how this character is evolving. But he probably wont be in it as he has been in all the books but one now. I actually don’t want Logen in it as I’m hoping he is being saved for the trilogy. A western has the feel of Ferro, traveling the dusty-desert south looking for revenge.

  • Phil N says:

    I was wondering what timejump we’re expecting on this one? IIRC there’s nearly 8 – 9 years between the end of the original trilogy and The Heroes.

  • Dan says:

    Phil, I’m hoping not more than a year or two from Heroes. Logen is going to need a walker if Joe keeps bumping ahead 5 years at a time. I also think it is possible that Joe will go back and write stuff that occurs between First Law and Heroes. As there is quite a gap…

  • AO says:

    I’ll have you know that I’ve been following scientifically, and so I laugh at your faith!

    But not, y’know, laughing in a way that is too offensive or off-putting, as I wouldn’t want to, I don’t know, be banned or suspended or anything.

    So. Anyway. No one else finds that the title Red Country reminds them of the Soviet Union?

  • Yulwei says:

    I’d love to see Ferro return but I can’t see her having any reason to be in or around the Old Empire so I guess there’s no chance of anything more than a cameo, if that.

    I wouldn’t mind a story featuring events and possibly characters entirely divorced from Bayaz and Khalul’s little feud. I would, though, be perfectly happy to see any of the other surviving magi featured prominently

  • James says:

    Will be a bit like Deadwood?!! Hopefully this book won’t leave me hanging like that series did. Thanks for bringing up old pains.

  • chris upton says:

    ‘A Red Country’ rather than plain old ‘Red Country.’
    Just adding ‘A’ makes it sound far more poncy and I’m all about the ponce.

  • Northern Shanka says:

    Western.. so settlers establishing towns into land of native Shanka? Theme hopefully allows presenation of new areas of the world.

    I wonder if you ever want to jump back into times when Bayaz was a small boy. Yet keeping the world cruel and avoiding the feel of Harry-Potter.

    Have to say you’ve made me addicted. Good thing there’s Amazon for us overseas readers 🙂

  • How about ‘A Country Red’? It’s even poncier (is that a word?) if you invert it.

    And I like Dan’s idea about Ferro roaming the south hunting eaters and the like. Do it, Joe. Do it.

  • […] Joe Abercrombie a dezvaluit ca urmatoarea sa carte se va numi A Red Country sau Red Country. Actiunea romanului, o combinatie […]

  • miw says:

    I have fingers crossed for seeing Ferro again. Ferro was great. Loads of fun. Hope we see her killing stuff with her new superpowers and swearing a lot while she does it. Even if we don’t see her here though, I bet we’ll see her again sometime in the future.

    I’d love it if there were more female characters than we got in The Heroes too. The ones Abercrombie gave us were good, just very few. Wonderful was a very enjoyable character who was incidentally female, which I like seeing, and Finree was at the other extreme where she was defined very much by her femaleness where I found the exploration of her character to be a big improvement on say… Ardee. (I liked Ardee too, don’t get me wrong, but as a feminist found the resolution to her story to be offputting. I was conversely very impressed and surprised with Finree’s arc.) Calder’s wife was thinly sketched and only really there to give Calder motivation and reward… but who cares. The Heroes was great! Loved sly little gorgeous bastard of a fox Calder, loved seeing Black Dow, loved the continued progression of Shivers, Gorst was good, another fight to the death in the circle of shields was terrific, absolutely loved loved loved the technique of hopping from one character to another through the battles, liked the arc with the kid who kills his squadmate by accident and decides to pack in the war malarky at the end, loved Curnden Craw, loved all that brilliant fun stuff.

    Would like it if the Red Country has some more female characters than The Heroes did though. I appreciated that in Best Served Cold there seemed to have included a conscious effort made to redress the balance from The First Law trilogy, and Monza was a very fun character to read about. Generally incidentally female, very human throughout, showed progression and self-realisation and depth, and a lovely streak of quite funny swearing too.

    I’m interested in how Cawneil will be in this next one. She was a fabulous Blanche DuBois type in Before They Are Hanged, a very memorable side character with tons of potential, and I’m keen to see how she’ll be fleshed out and used in the story… I mean, she has to turn up, right!? She has to!! She’s right over there where it’s set, isn’t she!!

    To be honest though… to be absolutely honest, Mr. Abercrombie, I will buy it as soon as it is available on Kindle regardless. Even if it has no female characters in it at all. You know what? I will buy it, and probably enjoy it too, EVEN if it has one token female character who is there solely as a tits-and-ass love interest and motivator for a male protagonist. (Not that I think you’d do that, mate. Just saying the absurd lengths I’d go to.) And that’s saying something. Not many writers I’ll say that for. I’ll do that because I trust, deeply and absolutely, that there will be lovely droll humour galore, the odd bit of slapstick, lovely metaphors, kick-ass awesome cracking action scenes like out of the best summer films but better because you don’t need an effects budget for words on a page!, funny swearing, glimmers of hope amidst a world of cynicism, delightful subversions of tropes and expectations, and probably (fingers crossed) some hilariously awkward sex!

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Miw,
    I tried to get some interesting female presence into the Heroes but as a book about War, violence, and male notions of heroism, it was always going to be man heavy. A Red Country has a lot more women in it, including one of the two central characters.

  • miw says:

    That is wonderfully reassuring to know! If I was looking forwards to it before hearing that, I am ten times more excited for it now.

  • Dan says:

    Ha! Has to be ferro! Which gives a 50/50 chance the other main character is Logen.

  • Erik says:

    let me also lend my hopes to Ferro coming back to your work and the Shanka being out in the wilds of the old empire.

  • Alex says:

    Hey Joe,

    Was reading “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” this evening, and was reminded of you.

    In Plate 2 of the Papyrus of Hunefer, there is this quote:

    “Let praises be given to him and homage and prostration before the master of the Red Country.”

    Made me smile.

    Best,
    -Alex

  • Kreso Dokaza says:

    Can’t wait for this.

    And oh yeah, seeing Logen in a Blondie-type role would seriously, seriously rock.

  • phil says:

    Alright joe love your books f**king brutal stuff ha. We want more NAMED MEN.Killers…Red Country is it about fario gone south?????????????????????????????????????????????????.

  • Thore says:

    Logen! Logen! Logen! *chanting*

    just got “the heroes” from my local bookstore. i would really like to read about logan and the bloody niner again in another book!

  • […] Joe Abercrombie’s Work in Progress: Joe blogs a bit about his upcoming novel, Red Country. I’m already very […]

  • phil says:

    A. Joe i see you answered mia about women in this new book. my thinking that 1 of the centrel heads is a woman called fario….Help Help Water..Crack strait in to the head with a shovel.ha love it. I hope im right cos id like to see whats going on with her. Keep it comeing…..Phil. .EIRE.

  • Bobbie says:

    I just finished reading the First Law trilogy for the Kindle, and I’m thinking of reading Best Served Cold and The Heroes next. I do have a question though…at the end of The Last Argument of Kings, there is a teaser chapter called “Does the devil know he’s a devil?” with Elizabeth Madox Roberts as the author, but the chapter reads like Abercrombie’s work. The chapter is a continuation of the third book, but from all the research I’ve done looking for the book that contains this chapter, it doesn’t look like it exists. Where can I find it, or does it exist?

  • Joe Abercrombie says:

    Bobbie,
    Elizabeth Maddox Roberts was responsible for the quote, “does the devil know he is a devil?” She was a poet who died in 1941, so nothing new from her now, I’m afraid. The chapter after it was written by me, like the others, and is the last chapter of Last Argument of Kings.

  • Bobbie says:

    Joe,
    Thanks for the clarification. I guess it being labeled a “teaser” chapter on my kindle threw me off. I’ll join the crowd of people hoping for a continuation of the story of Logen, Ferro, and Glokta in the future. I just started Best Served Cold and have been late to work a couple of times already staying up late reading. Great work.

  • Magnus says:

    Joe,
    I picked up The Blade Itself while waiting for A Dance With Dragons thinking I’d never find another writer I would enjoy more than GRRM. Let me just say I was blown away by your bloody epic character development and POV style. I enjoyed Glokta and The Bloody Nine just as much, if not more than Tyrion Lannister and Sandor Clegane! I flew through your First Law Trilogy and recently The Heroes. OMG Gorst is a badass SOB! I just started Best Served Cold, and can’t wait for each page. GRRM has been placed on the back burner for now… Joe, my man, keep writing you brilliant bastard!

  • Orgrimm Thousandhammer says:

    Whirrun must be have his own Novel…sometime 🙂

  • Adam says:

    I am hoping to see Yoru Sulfur as a main character, he is as far as i know the ONLY character who has made an “active appearence” (not just being named) in every book so far (all 5). i also like East Wind, and i want more of the Yoru-Ishri relationship since they have so much in common, being… well “first underlings” to Khalul and Bayaz.

  • Tone says:

    A Red Country. Western? Fantasy?

    Old characters?

    The one thing I have noticed in all 5 books I read is that small characters become bigger ones in later books.

    Shivers, Nicomo Cosca, Calder.

    Th only two main female characters I can imagine are the female torcherer and female head of merchants. More in the background but always there.

    I figure that Red Beck wil have a bigger stack, referring to my idea that small characters tend to be larger in the next novel.

    And Yes! I want Logen too. I think that Shivers will die!

  • David Montgomery says:

    I just checked in to see how the new novel was progressing – your playing Skyrim so I am guessing not much progress….

    Kind regards,
    faithless scum

  • Jay says:

    Please, please, oh please let this be about the Gurkish Badlands. You’ve done in-depth looks at the Union, the North and Styria.

  • Babybloq says:

    Sorry joe,
    I don’t like the title. All of the others blow it away. The title is what hooked me at the bookstore in the first place. “Best Served Cold” is like candy. “(A) Red Country” is like a baked potato. Please go back to the lab on this one.

  • studly says:

    I am a big David Gemmel fan and since he died i have really missed his stories.Druss is my favourite character(closely followed by Ayra Stark) but, The Bloody Nine, has captivated me.He couldn’t be more different from Druss (he even kills children!!!)and yet there is something about him… Thanks Joe for giving me that feeling of anticipation for an author again. Keep up the good work and i can’t wait for your next book!Whatever it’s called!

  • Ben the wierdo says:

    Page 299 heroes. 2 boys and a women for company. Chronicles of Whirrun. The story of Yoru Sulfer. 2 books that love to read!

  • Ben the wierdo says:

    David Gemmel was my favourite author and so glad some1 took his place if not better. I see your good friends Brent weeks. Black Prism how disappointing it’s like a documentary until 300 pages in. I couldn’t put his previous books down. No pressure on Peter Brett for last in trilogy it’s got to be good take this long. Keep it gritty absolutely loved Best Served Cold

  • Dan says:

    yo Joe, just literally finished the last page of heroes! and it was awesome!! started reading these when i was 17 and i still love them, shivers and Glokta are my favorite characters from the books so far and it looks like black Calder is to become an awesome figure. Cant wait for the next one! and bring back the bloody nine!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

  • Linkblade says:

    I looooooved Whirrun of Bligh!!! He was the ultimate mystic Warrior and funny ^^ Too bad he got back to the mud after battle. Such a great story with that sacred Father of Swords, yet ended!? Your characters are the best I know, all so different. Cruel, scheming, coward, shy, conceited, … They reveal the true hidden feelings of us humans under the masquerade of society like they are and with which we were born. This is so rare, keep it up!!! Did you see the movie Carnage (2011)? THAT’s what I’m talking about 😉

    I really don’t like to read books, never did, but when I started with The Blade Itself, chosen because of the bloodsplattered cover with sword ;), it caught me right up from the very start on. The Blade Itself was the first book I read twice!!! It was always senseless for me to read a book twice, because you know whats going to happen, but when I picked it up some time ago, I couldn’t let go of it, the atmosphere with these unique characters is just so great. I now read every book from Joe and can’t wait to read Red Country.

    I will play Diablo 3 and will give my characters your fantasies names 😀 e.g. The Barbarian will be Whirrun of Bligh ;D

  • Nico says:

    Inspiring. Seriously. When I finished reading ASOIAF, I thourght GRRM was the king, and that nothing could ever live up to the epicness of his dragons.

    And then, boom! Heroes!

    The first one I read was Best Served Cold. Didn’t like the plot at all, but loved the style, so I got Heroes on audiobook. Best thing ever! Better than the fourth Harry Potter. Better than LOTR. No dragons, not magic, but still absolutely stellar.

    BEST BOOK EVER. BEST AUDIOBOOK EVER.

    Still making my way through the first law, but it’s hard, given that it’s following the perfection of HEROES.

    Yay for Black Calder the ruthless coward. Excellent character!

    If I ever manage to finish one of the legions of projects I’ve started, you’d get a shout out on my acknowledgements page.

    Write a thousand more books and make them as perfect as Heroes. Please.
    Seriously, please.

  • drumroll says:

    I want a book focused around the hundred words, I’m sure they would have quite the interesting story to tell….

  • Fredrik says:

    I want to see 9-fingers again 🙁

  • I am very excited about the new book being published in October. I love Joe’s work and I’m looking forward to him taking me on other journey. I would love to see Inquisitor Gloka make an apprearance down the road. Keep up the great writing Joe!

  • CTAbercrombie says:

    I love all your books! The First Law Series is my favorite. Such an abundance of great characters. My favorites were Ferro & the Northmen. I think a prequal to that series featuring how all the Northmen came together would be awesome. Bethod & Ninefingers rise to power. Anything with Logan in it would be great. He’s right up at the top of my list of all-time favorite characters, along with Fitz Farseer, The Fool, Gaius Octavian, Drizzt Do’Urdan, Rand, Mat, Perrin, Vin & Kelsier.

    When i first read about Lamb & his bloody past i was really hoping that he would turn out to be the Bloody Nine.

    Keep up the great work!

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