One of my favourite sf&f bloggers, Justin Landon, is doing a reread of the entire First Law over at Tor.com. This week there’s a little introduction, some discussion of the series’ place in the gritty fantasy pantheon (or Grimdark, if you prefer that term), the controversial assertion that I’m older than Brent Weeks and less good-looking than China Mieville, and an examination of the prologue. I believe Justin’s going to be covering two or three chapters a week thereafter, as the mood takes him. If you’re taking on the books for the first time, you might not want to broach the comments there, which get more than a little spoilery. But if you were considering a reread, now might be the time to do it, and pitch into the discussion…?
Of course, a REBUY is the only option for the true fan.
16 comments so far
Phooey!!
He declares you not as young or as good looking as other fantasy writers.
Clearly this fellow has no credibility whatsoever.
I actually *DID* do a rebuy. My wife sold all my books when we moved in 2009. And being able to annotate in an eBook is amazing for a reread like this.
Of course,how many times can I highlight “You have to be realistic.”
Great timing! And I even did a REBUY of your first book. I have such fond memories of my first read of the Name of the Wind!
“At the basic level, Abercrombie is taking the epic fantasy thing and eating its lunch.”
Love it – I will definitely be following along.
Speaking of rebuys, will there be an opportunity to purchase the trilogy on iBooks in the US?
Brent Weeks is such a nerd.
I had my third re-read of the first law series a few weeks ago. It still cuts as deep as ever when you [redacted for spoilers – sorry] ‘bastard.’ I had to put the book in the freezer! (do reference to Friends and Grimdark go together?)
I am going to re-read The Heroes this month. Re-read TFL a couple of months ago.
However, I AM re-buying all the Iain M Banks sci fi stories as a tribute to him now that he so suddenly and untimely passed away. The idea being his wife and children benefit, and I get to re-read his ultimately cool novels.
I hope you out last me, Joe, really I do, but I promise to do the same for your family if I get the chance.
Banks was from up your part of the world, did you ever meet him?.
In honor of this auspicious event, you’ll be signing the ReBuys, right?
Just rebought Before They Are Hanged to fuel a re-read of the trilogy on holiday. It’s worse this time around, knowing what’s coming…
Why do I continue to line your pockets?
I should do a rebuy. My copies of this series are a little bit worn out. I am so tempted to participate in this reread. I have so many books in my “to-read” pile. Why don’t these things come up when I have nothing to read? Not that I know when that’s ever going to be, considering Michael J. Sullivan is coming out with another book next month, and I’m pretty sure Republic of Thieves is really coming out in November. I did just finish ‘The Crown Tower’ this morning. Maybe now is indeed the time.
Angie, what is it specifically you like about Lynch’s books, do you mind saying?.
AntMac, without copy/pasting the amazon review I wrote of it, it’s hard to say. The friendship between Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen is one major factor. Most of the other reasons are things I would also apply to Abercrombie’s writing as well. Another big one is the ability to surprise me. Few authors can manage that the way Scott Lynch was able to. Ultimately, like Abercrombie’s world, there’s just a certain magic I can’t quite put my finger on, that led me to fall a bit in love with the characters and the setting.
<— Is gentl-mun, would read Angie's review for politeness-sake if offered link. :p
I know what you mean about loving authors and not knowing how to explain it, even to oneself.
Gene Wolfe. Sure, I can say his writing is supremely enjoyable, but the exact reasons why so . . .
The man makes me cry actual tears fairly often, and I can't explain why, just poignant beauty in the words.
Joe is easy to explain of course, he makes the world/scene seem like it is actually happening, the people real actual people you have encountered. And he pitches it all in exciting events.
Wolfe . . . I can't express it.
Okay. I’m a little bit self-conscious about this. It’s not one of my best reviews, because I’m still figuring out how to write them without massively spoiling the book, so please be gentle. http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SX6W9KZ2GON5/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
And to keep more on topic of Joe, I’ll throw in my review of Red Country, too. http://www.amazon.com/review/R37H6L7PU0TY50/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
Thanks for the links, I laughed a little to see you reviewed so many of the books I myself have read. I guess that is the world wide publishing thing eh?.
That bloke Abercrombie gets almost your most enthusiastic review I think. He any good in his other books?. 😛
I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. My favorite is probably Best Served Cold. I have a particular soft spot for Shiloh Vitari, for some reason. I hadn’t been reviewing as many of the things I read back when I read the others. I’ll probably post reviews of the First Law trilogy as I reread them. 🙂