So, the proofs have gone out, and the very first reaction to Last Argument of Kings can be found, entirely spoiler free, here, at The Wertzone:
“Last Argument of Kings delivers exactly what this trilogy needed: a no-holds-barred war story in which secrets are exposed, mysteries are explained and the author resolutely refuses to pull any punches … some plot elements may emerge as rather predictable, at least until Abercrombie pulls the rug out from under your feet and, just for giggles, does it again a few chapters later … The ending is superb, particularly the tremendously satisfying epilogue and the final scene.”
The redoubtable Adam Whitehead, who may be familiar to some of you as Werthead from, well, just about every sf&f messageboard and forum ever, gives it four and a half stars.
As I’ve said elsewhere – just who’s a guy got to sleep with to get five stars around here?
Meanwhile, John Joseph Adams gave me the opportunity to toot my horn over on Sci-Fi Wire. And you know how I love tooting that horn…
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Instead, we get huge battle sequences, including one that threatens to displace the supremacy of Steven Erikson’s siege of Capustan from Memories of Ice as the greatest epic fantasy battle this century.
Wow! you sure you haven’t slept with him, Joe? 🙂
However, I almost wish I hadn’t read that blog now as it has only whetted my appetite for ‘Kings’ even more!
Who?
Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, David Gemmell, Raymond Feist, Steven Brust, China Mieville, Roger Zelazny…
That should keep you busy. 🙂
“Wow! you sure you haven’t slept with him, Joe? :)”
I’m pretty sure I’d have remembered if anything of that nature had taken place 😉
But it’s simply a very good book that stands above the first two quite nicely. As for why it didn’t get five stars, well, you have to let these writers know there’s always room for improvement and they can’t rest on their laurels etc.
I’m pretty sure I’d have remembered if anything of that nature had taken place 😉
Unless it wasn’t all that memorable, Adam… hehe
Seriously where on earth can I get proof copy from!!!! There is one on ebay but its getting pretty expensive 🙁