Springtime in Styria. And that means war.
There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle ...
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reviews
Sep 15, 2010
Hazel
rated it: 
Abercrombie is excellent! I stumbled upon this at the library, and meant to leave it until next week, after I'd finished the books on my bedside table. But I took a peek at the first page, and was drawn in. Benna Murcatto Saves a Life was a near-perfect first chapter, and I couldn't resist. I should be sleeping, but I've just finished part 1, and I need to know what happens next...
Okay, no spoilers.
Fabulous beginning, got a bit saggy in the midddle (as you do), and then ran out More...
Okay, no spoilers.
Fabulous beginning, got a bit saggy in the midddle (as you do), and then ran out More...
7 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Sep 15, 2010
Chris
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 02, 2011
MMOGC
rated it:
3.5 stars. I liked it! But I'm rounding down however to show that I didn't like it as much as The First Law trilogy. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think I knew that right away. First of all, I dove in knowing it was going to be tale of revenge, given the title and all, but I realized not long after I started the book that the story itself wasn't going to go that much farther beyond that concept.
That said, it did give the book a clear direction. I may have enjoyed the story more i More...
That said, it did give the book a clear direction. I may have enjoyed the story more i More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 06, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
3.5 stars.
I really enjoy a lot of things about Abercrombie's writing, and I enjoyed this book too...just not nearly as much as the First Law Trilogy (which, for the uninitiated, begins with The Blade Itself). One thing I love in his writing is his gritty, painful, raw descriptions of violence. I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, nor am I a teenager with any kind of violence fetish--much the opposite, really. I'm a 30-something English teacher who is averse to anger and who likes us More...
I really enjoy a lot of things about Abercrombie's writing, and I enjoyed this book too...just not nearly as much as the First Law Trilogy (which, for the uninitiated, begins with The Blade Itself). One thing I love in his writing is his gritty, painful, raw descriptions of violence. I'm not a fan of gratuitous violence, nor am I a teenager with any kind of violence fetish--much the opposite, really. I'm a 30-something English teacher who is averse to anger and who likes us More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 18, 2010
Lightreads
rated it:
Revenge fantasy, and by ‘fantasy’ I mean the swords and sorce—okay, no, just the swords kind. And maces and axes and a lot of knives. This is that new millennium brand of epic fantasy, you know the kind that dropped all the nebulously old-fashioned dialogue and portentous prophecies for a lot of fucking and people calling each other cocksucker in gritty patois. It’s supposed to be more real or something. I dunno, I don’t think I identify any extra with a woman bent on killing the seven people wh
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Dec 22, 2009
Justin
rated it: 
Joe Abercrombie is a master of his trade, and his trade is dark fantasy. He is becoming the standard bearer for gritty realistic fantasy, and Best Served Cold might well be the masterpiece that represents that sub-genre. Monza Murcatto is a renowned and very successful mercenary, or was…till she was stabbed, beaten and thrown from a mountain side by her employer. Best Served Cold tells the tale of Monza and her quest for revenge. Monza contracts a party of unsavory characters to aid her in her r
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4 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Sep 18, 2011
Collin
rated it: 
This book reads like a D&D session gone horribly, horribly wrong... And that's a good thing. Maybe it's more of a commentary on who I hang out with but as I was reading this grim, swords-and-revenge story I was repeatedly reminded of late Saturday nights spent backstabbing party members for the last piece of treasure. I love how over the top and crazy the set-pieces in this story get. It's essentially a caper/revenge movie with a Dirty Dozen-esque cast of hard-bitten killers and mercenaries,
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0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 03, 2011
Probably one of the toughest books I have ever had to read. It is an Unfinished Business and will probably finish it some other time but If you feel like the book you are reading is not leaving you with anything, not gaining or enjoying anything from it , I do not think you should read it or sadly finish it. It would not have been a problem if the book itself would have been 364 pages shorter, which in my opinion is it biggest pitfall. Full of un-charismatic, un-sympathetic characters it is hard
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Aug 14, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
The First Law Trilogy was honestly good, but left a sour taste in my mouth. I was expecting more of the same out of this: amusing, interesting, and three dimensional characters being put through ever-crappier circumstances until everything falls down around them and no one goes home happy, including me.
Best Served Cold was very similar except that last little bit: This may be a much grislier story than his first, but a much better one. It might just be that I knew a bit more of what to More...
Best Served Cold was very similar except that last little bit: This may be a much grislier story than his first, but a much better one. It might just be that I knew a bit more of what to More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 15, 2011
Critical
rated it:
Best Served Cold is Joe Abercrombie's first stand alone novel after his highly successful First Law trilogy. It's smash full of the Abercrombie style we loved so much in the first three books; blood, guts, backstabbing, and those nasty, non-heroic characters. Then add in all that good ole experience gained from completing a trilogy and you get a novel that has solid characterization from Chapter One and a plot that keeps building and building. This, ladies and gentlemen, is called entertainment.
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Mar 17, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
(Reposted from http://drying-ink.blogspot.com/2009/09/r... )
Set in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings), Best Served Cold unveils the new scenery of Styria, a country rife with civil war, brutal politics, and - seeing an eager opportunity for profit -, the mercenaries. One such is the Thousand Swords, a mercenary army led by Monzcarro Murcatto, the Snake of Talins. But when the popular Murcatto "takes a fal More...
Set in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings), Best Served Cold unveils the new scenery of Styria, a country rife with civil war, brutal politics, and - seeing an eager opportunity for profit -, the mercenaries. One such is the Thousand Swords, a mercenary army led by Monzcarro Murcatto, the Snake of Talins. But when the popular Murcatto "takes a fal More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 21, 2011
Monk
rated it:
It's like the Hunter. With breasts and swords.
When a mercenary finds herself double crossed by her employer, her brother is murdered before her eyes and she's unceremoniously thrown off a balcony and down a cliffside. She barely survives and finds herself hobbled and filled with an unremitting need for revenge. Latching onto a northern barbarian, a poisoner and his young assistant, a former spy and a character more than a little reminiscent of captain Jack Sparrow, they set out to kill More...
When a mercenary finds herself double crossed by her employer, her brother is murdered before her eyes and she's unceremoniously thrown off a balcony and down a cliffside. She barely survives and finds herself hobbled and filled with an unremitting need for revenge. Latching onto a northern barbarian, a poisoner and his young assistant, a former spy and a character more than a little reminiscent of captain Jack Sparrow, they set out to kill More...
Jan 12, 2011
Jimmy
rated it:
Joe Abercrombie still delivers on the fighting, gore, and violence while weaving a fantastic plot that keeps you looking over your shoulder. Monza Murcatto (the Butcher of Caprile and the Serpent of Talins, to name a few of her titles) and her brother, Benna are the Grand Duke Orso’s best and highest praised mercenary. Hungry for power and fearful for his throne, Orso is aware of Monza’s popularity with the people. She and her brother were poor farmers, but when their father died, they were b
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Jan 11, 2011
Ithlilian
rated it: 
When I heard that there was a new book in the same world as the First Law Trilogy I was excited. Then, I heard it was grittier and more violent than the trilogy and I was overjoyed. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. The characters didn't have the depth of the characters from the first law, and they just didn't interest me. The plot of the novel is very simple and obvious: revenge. The group of misfits go from one town to another, plotting for two pages, then executing their plan, whic
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2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 12, 2010
Mark
rated it:
Wow! I am an instant Abercrombie fan. This book was unforgettable and amazing. The characterization is so strong. While it is a dark book focusing on some bad people doing bad things, I found I always understood their motives and as a whole agreed with their actions. It is a revenge story, and it is a bloody and graphic one, but an oh so good one.
It is often compared to George RR Martin, but there are some major differences between the two:
1) Pretty much all of George's chara More...
It is often compared to George RR Martin, but there are some major differences between the two:
1) Pretty much all of George's chara More...
Aug 21, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
Not for people who dislike violence, murder, whole-sale slaughter, sex, graphic sex, incest, swearing, profanity, humour, torture, complexity, magic, betrayal, dark storylines, major characters dying and good writing.
A poor little girl and her wicked brother, may he rest in peace, she brought him up, he brought her down. Everyone hated him and quite rightly too.
Always remember to kill people properly before you throw them to their death. A motto to live by.
An More...
A poor little girl and her wicked brother, may he rest in peace, she brought him up, he brought her down. Everyone hated him and quite rightly too.
Always remember to kill people properly before you throw them to their death. A motto to live by.
An More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 02, 2010
Alex
rated it: 
Oh I know it makes no sense for me to read Abercrombie again, esp. after my feelings on the last book of the Last Argument of Kings (or whatever that series was called), but they actually sold this in real old fashioned cheap paperback format where it wasn't going to cost me $15 and I was planning on hanging out by the pool so..
Eh, its okay, he does that thing where he writes horrible characters, then lets you into them enough that you feel for them, and then crushes them utterly bec More...
Eh, its okay, he does that thing where he writes horrible characters, then lets you into them enough that you feel for them, and then crushes them utterly bec More...
Jul 06, 2010
JTM
rated it:
Joe Abercrombie's BEST SERVED COLD is a bloody and relentless epic of vengeance and obsession in the grand tradition, a kind of hard-boiled fantasy noir The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Classics). His cast features tyrants and and infamous icons including the world's greatest poisoner and his favored apprentice, a mystical numerology obsessed serial killer, a red-handed warrior from the frigid north, a clandestine operative with skills ranging from espionage to torture and a blood-soaked merce
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0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
May 01, 2010
Clay
rated it:
I always pay close attention to the first sentence in any book. A tone is being set, if nothing else, but often, the focus of what follows is revealed in just a few words. So when I began “Best Served Cold” (Orbit, $24.99, 512 pages), and read “The sunrise was the colour of bad blood,” I figured Joe Abercrombie was going to be taking me on a bloody, dark ride.
Sadly, I was correct, and “Best Served Cold” is 500 pages of blood, betrayal, bones, agony, betrayal, blood, bones and more agon More...
Sadly, I was correct, and “Best Served Cold” is 500 pages of blood, betrayal, bones, agony, betrayal, blood, bones and more agon More...
5 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 26, 2010
Jacqie
rated it:
Here's another average one from an author whose first trilogy I loved. After 120 pages, the book is just fine. But it's another 600+ page book, and I don't think I'm intrigued enough to finish it. Is it just me- am I getting too picky?
But I am not sucked into this book like I was in Abercrombie's first trilogy. The first scene (gruesome at the end; if you don't like blood, don't read Abercrombie) is sprinkled with tons of gratuitous cursing in order to show just how tough the character More...
But I am not sucked into this book like I was in Abercrombie's first trilogy. The first scene (gruesome at the end; if you don't like blood, don't read Abercrombie) is sprinkled with tons of gratuitous cursing in order to show just how tough the character More...
Feb 22, 2010
Tony
rated it:
Best Served Cold has a particularly gripping start, as Monza and her brother are the victims of an assanation attempt, successful on him, but not so much on our female leading character. After she recovers, Monza vows vengeance on everyone who had a part to play in the botched killing. This novel follows her as she carries out her vengeance.
After the romping ride that was The First Law trilogy, I found myself strangely disappointed with Best Served Cold. Don't get me wrong, everythin More...
After the romping ride that was The First Law trilogy, I found myself strangely disappointed with Best Served Cold. Don't get me wrong, everythin More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2009
Pamela
rated it:
You’re a dream. A Vision. You look like… The very goddess of war.”
First and foremost, I apologize if I lessen Abercrombie’s grittiness by my next statement…
In both The First Law and Best Served Cold, his sex scenes top any that I have read. As soon as I picked up the book (a week ago), I sat in my car scanning the pages for the scene. I knew I was only going to get one and I wanted it, right then and there. Last night I found it and it was sweet, so very very sweet.
More...
First and foremost, I apologize if I lessen Abercrombie’s grittiness by my next statement…
In both The First Law and Best Served Cold, his sex scenes top any that I have read. As soon as I picked up the book (a week ago), I sat in my car scanning the pages for the scene. I knew I was only going to get one and I wanted it, right then and there. Last night I found it and it was sweet, so very very sweet.
More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 10, 2009
Mairtin
rated it:
Joe Abercrombie... the dedication at the start of this novel says it all:
In his First Law Trilogy there was at most two decent people, everyone else was treacherous, deceitful, sadistic, egomaniacal and/or tragically deluded. As a friend of mine commented,"The most likable person in it was a torturer."
As the title would indicate, this is a story about ice-cream.
It is very similar More...
For Grace
One day you will read this
And be slightly worried
In his First Law Trilogy there was at most two decent people, everyone else was treacherous, deceitful, sadistic, egomaniacal and/or tragically deluded. As a friend of mine commented,"The most likable person in it was a torturer."
As the title would indicate, this is a story about ice-cream.
It is very similar More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jul 31, 2009
Ryon
rated it:
The next Joe Abercrombie book cannot come out soon enough.
WARNING: Avoid this book if:
* You love stories about/with hairy-footed halflings, flaxen-haired elves with bows of fine yew and skin like alabaster, heroic honorable flawless knights and helpless, swooning damsels, whedonesque doe-eyed skinny-fat vulnerably feminine and yet somehow still kick-ass female characters, stout bearded drunken dwarves, 'ye ole englishe', flowery dialogue delivered with a straight face written b More...
WARNING: Avoid this book if:
* You love stories about/with hairy-footed halflings, flaxen-haired elves with bows of fine yew and skin like alabaster, heroic honorable flawless knights and helpless, swooning damsels, whedonesque doe-eyed skinny-fat vulnerably feminine and yet somehow still kick-ass female characters, stout bearded drunken dwarves, 'ye ole englishe', flowery dialogue delivered with a straight face written b More...
0 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Sep 09, 2011
Mei-Lu
rated it:
I've never read anything by Joe Abercrombie but after this book I'm ready to dive right into his First Law Trilogy. Despite the fact that this book is really epic at 880 pages for the paperback, I breezed right through it (in two days!). A compulsively fun read. If you like George RR Martin, but wish his books had more humor, then this book is for you. Like the Song of Ice and Fire series, Best Served Cold is set in a Renaissance-y world with only minimal touches of the supernatural (but Bes
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Sep 03, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Kind of like a full-throated nihilist roar, with a lot feeling similar to Kill Bill in the sense that it's a woman checking off names on a list of people who need to be killed.
Monza Murcatto, playing the role of the aggrieved here, embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance, and, given that some of the most powerful men on the continent have awakened her ire, throws the political situation into chaos along the way as she and her team of erstwhile allies (a mix of the greedy, the despe More...
Monza Murcatto, playing the role of the aggrieved here, embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance, and, given that some of the most powerful men on the continent have awakened her ire, throws the political situation into chaos along the way as she and her team of erstwhile allies (a mix of the greedy, the despe More...
Jan 04, 2011
gilmae
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 14, 2011
Христо
rated it:
“Отмъщението на Монца” от Джо Абъкромби е със зловеща кървава окраска: http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/09/blog...
Спомняте ли си граф Монте Кристо и неговото перфидно отмъщение, с което си връща за безкрайните години в затвора? Забравете го и вземете в ръце “Отмъщението на Монца” на един от най-любимите ми вече автори – Джо Абъркромби, който унищожи всичко детско в мен с великата трилогия “Първият закон”. “Гласът на острието”, “Преди да увиснат на въжето” и “Последният довод на крал More...
Спомняте ли си граф Монте Кристо и неговото перфидно отмъщение, с което си връща за безкрайните години в затвора? Забравете го и вземете в ръце “Отмъщението на Монца” на един от най-любимите ми вече автори – Джо Абъркромби, който унищожи всичко детско в мен с великата трилогия “Първият закон”. “Гласът на острието”, “Преди да увиснат на въжето” и “Последният довод на крал More...
Dec 11, 2009
drey
rated it:
Best Served Cold is my first Joe Abercrombie. I saw "him" on another blog earlier this year, then I found his blog, and thought to myself, "this guy has a wicked cool sense of humor"... So I picked this up when I saw it at the library. I must say, this book reminds me of my husband's favorite Shakespeare tragedies. Lots of death, with a dash of tongue-in-cheek humor for flavor.
It's a pretty big tome, not that I'm complaining. Monza is literally a shell of her form More...
It's a pretty big tome, not that I'm complaining. Monza is literally a shell of her form More...
Oct 03, 2009
Shannon
rated it:
Guess I expect too much introspection from my characters....
Main character is dyspeptic 'done-wrong' woman who has to get bailed out often because she's been maimed and can't fight so well any more. She continually makes very bad (psychologically thoughtless or even cruel, and definitely self-centered) decisions regarding others around her, until the very end, when we see that really, all along she's had the makings of a great statesman (unbelievable).
Some interesting More...
Main character is dyspeptic 'done-wrong' woman who has to get bailed out often because she's been maimed and can't fight so well any more. She continually makes very bad (psychologically thoughtless or even cruel, and definitely self-centered) decisions regarding others around her, until the very end, when we see that really, all along she's had the makings of a great statesman (unbelievable).
Some interesting More...
