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A Little Hatred
(The Age of Madness #1)
by
The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in ...more
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in ...more
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Hardcover, First US Edition, 480 pages
Published
September 17th 2019
by Orbit
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Start your review of A Little Hatred (The Age of Madness, #1)

First, the usual caveats. I received an advance copy of this book, free, from the publishers. And I consider Joe Abercrombie a friend. I do not think that affects my review of this book.
Joe Abercrombie continues to do what he does best. He sets up a very large chess board, with multiple pieces. Often several pieces are in motion at the same time, and as always, the pieces are all the same color. It is truly up to the reader to decide which faction they will cheer for, as the characters continue ...more
Joe Abercrombie continues to do what he does best. He sets up a very large chess board, with multiple pieces. Often several pieces are in motion at the same time, and as always, the pieces are all the same color. It is truly up to the reader to decide which faction they will cheer for, as the characters continue ...more

Aug 19, 2019
Petrik
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Grimdark fantasy fans
Shelves:
favorites,
arcs-and-review-copies
I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo
ARC provided by the publisher—Gollancz—in exchange for an honest review.
Grim, dark, fun, and glorious; A Little Hatred is irrefutably worth the wait.
Let me begin by saying that although this is a new series in the First Law World and you can technically start your journey into this world here, it’s quite mandatory to read at least The First Law trilogy in order to fully appreciate the intricacies of this book; even ...more
ARC provided by the publisher—Gollancz—in exchange for an honest review.
Grim, dark, fun, and glorious; A Little Hatred is irrefutably worth the wait.
Let me begin by saying that although this is a new series in the First Law World and you can technically start your journey into this world here, it’s quite mandatory to read at least The First Law trilogy in order to fully appreciate the intricacies of this book; even ...more

***SPOILER FREE REVIEW***
‘War? It’s a fight so big almost no one comes out of it well’
First of all, this is not fantasy as we know it. In fact, this is barely fantasy at all. Undoubtedly epic, with more than a hint of magic, this is a high fantasy world with a low fantasy feel. It's a sign of the times- even the big hitters are pursing influence though finance and banking instead of sorcery… The First Law world is, for all intents and purposes, our world. As a result, the book reads a bit more l ...more
‘War? It’s a fight so big almost no one comes out of it well’
First of all, this is not fantasy as we know it. In fact, this is barely fantasy at all. Undoubtedly epic, with more than a hint of magic, this is a high fantasy world with a low fantasy feel. It's a sign of the times- even the big hitters are pursing influence though finance and banking instead of sorcery… The First Law world is, for all intents and purposes, our world. As a result, the book reads a bit more l ...more

I received an advanced review copy of A Little Hatred in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Joe Abercrombie and Gollancz.
This first novel in The Age of Madness series is set a generation after The First Law trilogy. We are reintroduced to this world as it is in a bit of a crisis. It's a new age that features the introduction of machinery, a potential revolution, brutal hard labour, and the fear and hatred of progression. It's reaching a boiling point and that could soon equate ...more
This first novel in The Age of Madness series is set a generation after The First Law trilogy. We are reintroduced to this world as it is in a bit of a crisis. It's a new age that features the introduction of machinery, a potential revolution, brutal hard labour, and the fear and hatred of progression. It's reaching a boiling point and that could soon equate ...more

Instability
Joe Abercrombie has written an outstanding, earth-shattering book. A Little Hatred, is the first book of his new trilogy The Age of Madness, which is based in the world he created for The First Law trilogy. The lands of The Union and its neighbouring empires reverberate with the past echoes of battles, courageous exploits and heroic characters. Characters such as Logan Ninefingers, Dogman, Black Dow, The Feared, Jezal dan Luther and Sand dan Glokta, are still mentioned in revered tone ...more
Joe Abercrombie has written an outstanding, earth-shattering book. A Little Hatred, is the first book of his new trilogy The Age of Madness, which is based in the world he created for The First Law trilogy. The lands of The Union and its neighbouring empires reverberate with the past echoes of battles, courageous exploits and heroic characters. Characters such as Logan Ninefingers, Dogman, Black Dow, The Feared, Jezal dan Luther and Sand dan Glokta, are still mentioned in revered tone ...more

Yep, this was as awesome as I'd hoped it would be. Witty, bloody, and fun. Phenomenal characters abound, and it sets the stage for even grander things to come.
...more

10/10
For those who hold Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy in the utmost esteem like I do, you will be very pleased to know that this book is the start of a new series set in that same world. In fact, some of the main characters in A LITTLE HATRED are the children or other family members of characters from First Law. The setting is also a very familiar one, with the action taking place some years after the turbulent events of the first series. All of this makes for a wonderful transition and ex ...more
For those who hold Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy in the utmost esteem like I do, you will be very pleased to know that this book is the start of a new series set in that same world. In fact, some of the main characters in A LITTLE HATRED are the children or other family members of characters from First Law. The setting is also a very familiar one, with the action taking place some years after the turbulent events of the first series. All of this makes for a wonderful transition and ex ...more

A Little Hatred would be a remarkable book in ANY genre. Fantasy fans are beyond fortunate that Joe chose this one.
Abercrombie returns to the world of The First Law without missing a beat, displaying the same incredible empathy, evocative prose, and intensely relatable characters, all navigating one of the most intricate and well-constructed plot mazes I’ve ever had the pleasure to navigate.
Seriously. This book is so good, it makes me want to give up writing. That is the highest compliment I can ...more
Abercrombie returns to the world of The First Law without missing a beat, displaying the same incredible empathy, evocative prose, and intensely relatable characters, all navigating one of the most intricate and well-constructed plot mazes I’ve ever had the pleasure to navigate.
Seriously. This book is so good, it makes me want to give up writing. That is the highest compliment I can ...more

“Wars may be won by the clever, but battles have to be fought by the brave.”
I’m confident in saying this is Joe Abercrombie’s best work.
I’m confident in saying this is Joe Abercrombie’s best work.

Sometimes you get sent a book written by one of the people whose work you do your best not to rip off. I was sent an advanced reader copy by Gollancz. Here’s what I thought.
Zero spoilers.
For an author, the problem with reading the books of another author whom you kind of grew up on, is that (a) you’re really worried about whether their work will stand up, like when you try and watch The Princess Bride with someone who has never seen it before and really hope they’ll like it, and (b) if you’re wr ...more
Zero spoilers.
For an author, the problem with reading the books of another author whom you kind of grew up on, is that (a) you’re really worried about whether their work will stand up, like when you try and watch The Princess Bride with someone who has never seen it before and really hope they’ll like it, and (b) if you’re wr ...more

“A Little Hatred” is a stupendous bawdy gritty violent grimdark fantasy. Everything you know you want in a swordplaying industrial fantasy.
Abercrombie has created a complex multi-faceted world that was developed in six previous books, the First Law trilogy and three additional novels. Be brave and step inside this world even if you are unfamiliar-with the earlier novels. There is no reason not to begin this new trilogy with A Little Hatred. The downside is that even after 500 or so pages you wi ...more
Abercrombie has created a complex multi-faceted world that was developed in six previous books, the First Law trilogy and three additional novels. Be brave and step inside this world even if you are unfamiliar-with the earlier novels. There is no reason not to begin this new trilogy with A Little Hatred. The downside is that even after 500 or so pages you wi ...more

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/09/16/...
It’s been quite a few years since we had a novel set in the First Law World, and returning to it was a bit like coming home to a comfortable place—well, at least as homey and comforting as it can possibly be when it comes to a Joe Abercrombie book, but you get my meaning. And one thing is certain, A Little Hatred is in every way a story you can expect from the Lord of Grimdark, essentially told in a gritty style heavily ...more
It’s been quite a few years since we had a novel set in the First Law World, and returning to it was a bit like coming home to a comfortable place—well, at least as homey and comforting as it can possibly be when it comes to a Joe Abercrombie book, but you get my meaning. And one thing is certain, A Little Hatred is in every way a story you can expect from the Lord of Grimdark, essentially told in a gritty style heavily ...more

Aug 30, 2019
Lukasz
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
dark-fantasy,
disabled-protagonist
Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he’s a hell of a writer. The First Law trilogy captivated me from the first page of The Blade Itself with fascinating characters, a great intrigue and thrilling unpredictability. A Little Hatred takes place 30 years after the events of Heroes.
The Northmen are invading the Union. The industrialization has been gaining momentum for a while. Business-savvy individuals make fortunes at the cost of unprivileged masses. Savine dan Glokta, the ruthless daughter of ...more
The Northmen are invading the Union. The industrialization has been gaining momentum for a while. Business-savvy individuals make fortunes at the cost of unprivileged masses. Savine dan Glokta, the ruthless daughter of ...more

By the dead, this is the best fantasy novel I read this year. Six out of five bloody stars.
This novel is one helluva breathless ride. Joe Abercrombie is one of the most entertaining writers I've ever read. Don't expect too much literary, poetic stuff. He has carved his own niche. Like most of his characters, his writing is lean, mean, cheeky and exhilarating at the same time.
Show-don't-tell principle is applied with very little exposition, supported by great pacing. I never feel bored. I lose ...more
This novel is one helluva breathless ride. Joe Abercrombie is one of the most entertaining writers I've ever read. Don't expect too much literary, poetic stuff. He has carved his own niche. Like most of his characters, his writing is lean, mean, cheeky and exhilarating at the same time.
Show-don't-tell principle is applied with very little exposition, supported by great pacing. I never feel bored. I lose ...more

I read three other novels by Abercrombie and I was thrilled to see just how much grimdark fantasy has exploited the field of normal epic fantasy back in the day. I was IMPRESSED by the number of vibrant characters, the grit, darkness, the blood, and the feeling of utter hopelessness in the face of ridiculous odds.
I mean, we're all used to this kind of thing, aren't we? Now? Well, some novels capture the need to root for these characters at all costs, and Abercrombie is one of the best in the fie ...more
I mean, we're all used to this kind of thing, aren't we? Now? Well, some novels capture the need to root for these characters at all costs, and Abercrombie is one of the best in the fie ...more

I’m not going to write a long review for this, because if you’re an existing fan of the world of The First Law, it’s pretty simple – just go and get it. It’s a brilliant addition.
For those unfamiliar with Joe Abercrombie’s work, The First Law trilogy - of which this new series is a continuation, one generation down the track - is basically the epitome of ‘grimdark’: a gritty, low magic setting and a story with plenty of real-world swearing, sex scenes, and (at best) morally ambiguous characters ...more
For those unfamiliar with Joe Abercrombie’s work, The First Law trilogy - of which this new series is a continuation, one generation down the track - is basically the epitome of ‘grimdark’: a gritty, low magic setting and a story with plenty of real-world swearing, sex scenes, and (at best) morally ambiguous characters ...more

Bloody awesome! This book is everything I expected and more.
I suppose if you read any of the First Law books you won’t need my encouragement to grab it. If you haven’t… personally I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. Plenty of references to past events and many old faces show up on the screen – you’d be missing out on too much context and irony. In my opinion you need at least First Law trilogy and the Heroes to fully appreciate this story.
Whilst it’s not the end the story (obviously) it ...more
I suppose if you read any of the First Law books you won’t need my encouragement to grab it. If you haven’t… personally I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. Plenty of references to past events and many old faces show up on the screen – you’d be missing out on too much context and irony. In my opinion you need at least First Law trilogy and the Heroes to fully appreciate this story.
Whilst it’s not the end the story (obviously) it ...more

I'll give this 4 stars, but it's like a Schrodinger 4 where it can be a 5 and a 1 at the same time.
I sure love putting myself into rating dilemmas don't I?!😂
I hate one small part of this, not even a part but one thing, but again this is dark fantasy and this should be expected shouldn't it?
I guess this all depends on how it goes in book 2.
But for all of you Dark Fantasy lovers out there, this was awesome. My problem with it is more personal views than anything.
The writing, the characters, the se ...more
I sure love putting myself into rating dilemmas don't I?!😂
I hate one small part of this, not even a part but one thing, but again this is dark fantasy and this should be expected shouldn't it?
I guess this all depends on how it goes in book 2.
But for all of you Dark Fantasy lovers out there, this was awesome. My problem with it is more personal views than anything.
The writing, the characters, the se ...more

As ferocious and fun as ever.
It’s been a while since I read a Joe Abercrombie novel, and the truth is that it has been too long. This dawned on me when I recently read one of his short stories in an anthology and was instantly reminded that he is one of the greatest fantasy writers of our era, with a writing style and tone of his own, and a gift for bringing words, thoughts and emotions to life like no other. So when I saw that his latest book, The Trouble with Peace, was releasing soon I decide ...more
It’s been a while since I read a Joe Abercrombie novel, and the truth is that it has been too long. This dawned on me when I recently read one of his short stories in an anthology and was instantly reminded that he is one of the greatest fantasy writers of our era, with a writing style and tone of his own, and a gift for bringing words, thoughts and emotions to life like no other. So when I saw that his latest book, The Trouble with Peace, was releasing soon I decide ...more

“She knew with one twitch of a sword she might lose her lover, her home, her future. People can be so tough, survive so much hunger and cold and disappointment, take beatings you wouldn’t believe and come out stronger. But they can be so fragile, too. One sharp piece of metal is all it takes to turn a man into mud. One little stroke of bad luck. One ill-judged whisper.”
Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he makes me want to smash his books into my face over and over again because they are so ...more
Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he makes me want to smash his books into my face over and over again because they are so ...more

Four Stars
Expectations are a funny thing. From authors with a track record of utter success, who resonate with you on multiple levels, you simply set your expectations higher than they should be. Higher than you set for other authors, and you expect the world. It's no surprise, then, that you end up being a little let down from time to time. Just a little, though.
A Little Hatred would probably be closer to a 5 star for another author, but the weight of what came before somewhat overwhelms it. No ...more
Expectations are a funny thing. From authors with a track record of utter success, who resonate with you on multiple levels, you simply set your expectations higher than they should be. Higher than you set for other authors, and you expect the world. It's no surprise, then, that you end up being a little let down from time to time. Just a little, though.
A Little Hatred would probably be closer to a 5 star for another author, but the weight of what came before somewhat overwhelms it. No ...more

He who tries to please everyone pleases no one at all.
This book is amazing, after reading boring and tedious Red Country I was sceptical about this book but my fears were unfounded. The only Abercrombie's book this didn't surpassed is The Heroes, that book was a masterpiece.
‘Love turns, with a little indulgence,
to indifference or disgust;
hatred alone is immortal.’
William Hazlitt
Moving on, this took place in the same world as The First Law, the events here happened thirty years after the ...more
This book is amazing, after reading boring and tedious Red Country I was sceptical about this book but my fears were unfounded. The only Abercrombie's book this didn't surpassed is The Heroes, that book was a masterpiece.
‘Love turns, with a little indulgence,
to indifference or disgust;
hatred alone is immortal.’
William Hazlitt
Moving on, this took place in the same world as The First Law, the events here happened thirty years after the ...more

The strengths of Abercrombie's First Law series are two-fold: 1) world-building, and 2) characters. In the case of (1), we've been in the world of First Law for some time. It's well-established. There is no more discovery and there are no more surprises. The reader is quite capable of navigating the environment without asking many questions.
So for any future novels set in this world to be interesting, all we are left with is getting to know new characters and enjoying their adventures. Unfortuna ...more
So for any future novels set in this world to be interesting, all we are left with is getting to know new characters and enjoying their adventures. Unfortuna ...more

One of my highly expected novels of 2019, The First Law: The Next Generation Volume 1, aka A Little Hatred, was even better than expected; clearly a first volume so the big picture is still unclear, but lots of things happen and there is a great ending that makes it a complete volume independent of sequels, though of course much is promised.
There are 6 main characters, all children of the original first law books (most of the original characters still are around at least to start with).
The 3 le ...more
There are 6 main characters, all children of the original first law books (most of the original characters still are around at least to start with).
The 3 le ...more

‘People can be tough, survive so much hunger and cold and disappointment, take beatings you wouldn’t believe and come out stronger. But they can be so fragile, too. One sharp piece of metal is all it takes to turn a man into mud. One little stroke of bad luck. One ill-judged whisper.’
By the dead, Abercrombie is back and he’s brought a bucketful of hatred with him! This time around we are given a fantastic blend of historical fiction and fantasy, as A Little Hatred methodically depicts life durin ...more
By the dead, Abercrombie is back and he’s brought a bucketful of hatred with him! This time around we are given a fantastic blend of historical fiction and fantasy, as A Little Hatred methodically depicts life durin ...more

A Little Hatred (The Age of Madness #1) by Joe Abercrombie is set in the same world as his magnificent First Law series and boy is it a treat to be back.
“The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso ...more
“The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso ...more

This book reminded me a lot of Last Argument of Kings, the last book in Abercrombie's original trilogy, in that my head says 5 stars while my heart says 4. Technically this book is a masterpiece. Abercrombie has introduced a brilliant new cast of complex, unique and (as always) morally ambiguous characters and has set in motion exciting and unpredictable plots for each of them. Abercrombie also once again showed his incredible skill for writing action and battle scenes which are rivaled by very
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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SciFi and Fantasy...: "A Little Hatred" by Joe Abercrombie (BR) | 70 | 106 | Nov 04, 2019 02:30PM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: A Little Hatred [Oct 5, 2019] | 86 | 138 | Oct 28, 2019 06:15AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: A Little Hatred [Sept 17, 2019] | 10 | 91 | Sep 18, 2019 02:09AM |
Joe Abercrombie was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Manchester University, where he studied psychology. He moved into television production before taking up a career as a freelance film editor. During a break between jobs he began writing The Blade Itself in 2002, completing it in 2004. It was published by Gollancz in 2006 and was followed by two other books in The First Law trilogy
...more
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