Last Argument of Kings [Dec 27, 2017]

[Siobhan]

Laura wrote: "Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 now, Behind the Throne, and its starting to seem like "

My thoughts exactly. Right now, I really ..."

Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 now, Behind the Throne, and its starting to seem like the only winner here."

Guys!! I just read 55! I'm so close xD

(view spoiler)[I saw the ring coming!! :D for all Glokta thinks he's cold hearted, I knew he would never hurt Ardee! And he was so nervous xD I think she does genuinely like him. I hope they can be very happy together. I wish Jezal could grow to hate him less and understand what he's done for her.
I hope Glokta puts some fear into Jezal's wife too haha, she needs to shape up!

Bayaz is absolutely mental. He's the essence of all the evil he's ever talked about! Poor people who trusted him. I like how Ferro thinks of the word trust, only liars need it.

Poor Logen, he's miserable. I'm still hoping he can find Ferro and make a life.

Poor Dogman, all his friends back to the mud, except Logen who is just absent mentally. :(

I'm hoping for some happiness... Is that a lot to ask? Haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Siobhan wrote: "Laura wrote: "Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 now, Behind the Throne, and its starting to seem like "

My thoughts exactly. Right now, I really ..."

Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 now, Behind the T..."

Super Spoiler... don't read until the end: (view spoiler)[ Apparently it IS too much to ask... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Siobhan - seriously - don't read his spoiler till you haven't finished OK! (He hit the nail right on the head though!)

I was having the same thoughts as you at that time except for the Glokta part which I really didn't see coming.

@Iain - you should be a reading team on your own my friend! The speed with which you finish a book is totally unfair! :( Too much advantage for your team! If you've got one more team mate in there who reads the same way we (other teams) won't even stand a chance if you go on like this next year.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I wondered if I should re-submit to the team read competition the past few weeks... this whole increased narration speed thing is a real game-changer for me...

Back in 2013/2014 I read 365 books / year... main reason my reading has dropped to 180-200 books / year is that I do other things now, and listen on audio... but now with this increased narration speed I'm reading as fast or faster than I could on Kindle...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I don't think you need to worry Laura... I just headed over to the signup sheet and saw that I screwed up my application anyway... I submitted my reading numbers for 2015/2016 instead of 2016/2017... so my average was 245 books I think... considering I've only read 180 or so books this year, with a pretty strong December showing, I don't think I'll be reading too much more than that average next year... and the additional sign-ups getting added every few months will probably help the underdogs regardless...

[Siobhan]

Iain wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Laura wrote: "Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 now, Behind the Throne, and its starting to seem like "

My thoughts exactly. Right now, I really ..."

Iain wrote: "I'm on chapter 55 n..."

(view spoiler)[ 😭 (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Laura wrote: "Iain wrote: "Laura wrote: "I finished it also and I agree with all of Iain's points. What he said goes for me too.

The ending: (view spoiler)

I checked the wiki on Logen: (view spoiler) i>

with ..."

Finished! And it's got to be another 5 stars from me. Whilst I agree the ending was a bit dissatisfying, it didn't take away from my overall loving this book!!

The end - (view spoiler)[I was satisfied with Glokta's ending, and feel he got the best outcome really. The scene with Ardee helping him was really touching, and I think she'll somehow make him a better man.

Poor West though, I hoped he would get well but doesn't seem likely.

Jezal's position is slightly better than it was, he's getting along tolerably with Glokta, and at least he thinks his wife is starting to like him. Hopefully in time she will grow to, he's a good guy. (can't believe I'm saying this after how I felt in book 1!)

Logen... I hate the way he and Dogman left things :( I wish he could be with Ferro, and it's a shame that wasn't taken any further, but I suppose you have to be realistic ;)

The very last chapter, I suppose we don't know whether Logen even survived his fall this time round. I like the parallel to the prologue, but hate being left on a loose end like that.

In the end I hoped for a happier ending for Logen. But, say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's a bloody walking bad luck charm! :( (hide spoiler)]

I had intended to break that up somewhat. But thoughts just came out!

Can't wait to read the standalones and short stories. :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... I'm still looking forward to continuing with these stories in March/April... hopefully those characters get better endings... altho maybe that's just not how this series works...

And @Siobhan: Loose Ends is kinda the name of that last chapter...

[Siobhan]

Iain wrote: "Yea... I'm still looking forward to continuing with these stories in March/April... hopefully those characters get better endings... altho maybe that's just not how this series works...

And @Siobh..."

Haha you're not wrong!!

[Laura]

I'm glad you loved it Siobhan. I cannot rate it 5 because of all the stuff I mentioned in my spoilers. Stuff I didn't really like. It was still a great book and kept me hooked up to the end.

I'll be reading the rest of the series also and fingers crossed for (view spoiler)[happy endings and NO LOOSE ENDS! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

If I rate every book I read 5 stars, what little meaning my high ratings still have will lose meaning :)

[Siobhan]

Iain wrote: "If I rate every book I read 5 stars, what little meaning my high ratings still have will lose meaning :)"

I've just come off a 1 star read, so I'm really glad to rate this one 5! XD

Definitely fingers crossed, Laura!! 😘

[Anni]

I started this a few weeks ago but only made it till chapter 14 right now, all of you guys already finished, right? I wish I could read faster...

Opening your spoilers and read your thoughts is great still! :) I'm with Siobhan on chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Including the squeeing with joy :) I loved the re-union! It was simple without a big show but heartwarming nevertheless! (hide spoiler)]
I am glad the drama at the beginning of the Bood wasn't too bad indeed :D But I agree with you, Ardee behaves very strange and I don't really like her anymore...

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Bayaz has his own plans again... I am wondering why he want all the people to love Jezal. Did he have plans to make Jezal King? That's an absolute absurd vision! :D (hide spoiler)] I knew you all know the answer, but I share my thoughts nevertheless :D

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "I started this a few weeks ago but only made it till chapter 14 right now, all of you guys already finished, right? I wish I could read faster...

Opening your spoilers and read your thoughts is g..."

Oooh please do keep sharing your thoughts! :D any opportunity to relive this book is welcome by me! Haha.

I knew you'd be on my side, it was a fab scene! XD

[J.J.]

Logen(Bloody 9) whispers "Still alive."

Ferro says in anger "What are you looking at, pink!"
"
Glokta says "Will you sign the confession? Excellent!"

Dogman spits "Into the mud with you!"

[Virginie]

"Body found floating by the docks..."

[Siobhan]

Haha 😂 😂 nice summary!

[Zaara]

Yes Virginie...excellent...really does say it all...😝 damn, I miss these guys...
*Practical Severard smiles*

@Anni...I second what Siobhan says, pls keep posting and lots of spoilers please, you know how we all love them, for me (ya ok it TOTALLY is a selfish request) to open when I get to this one...and then I will reply...months later 😂😂😂 and everyone will be scratching their heads...
#obscure
And Anni...(view spoiler)[ though this gag is very stale now...I still couldn't resist a double-nested nonsense spoiler...heck you know what's coming...but you like opening spoilers sooooo...(view spoiler)[ *klingendeklingen* (hide spoiler)]
Ha!
(hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Chapter 27!!! (view spoiler)[ WHAAAAAT?! NOOOOO! :( :(

I have to pull myself together...

I liked the story so far, apart from what just happened, I am to shocked right now to think about it.

Scenes I really liked:
- Crummock telling the story of the man who fought in the fortress before ...and lost :D Such a great pep talk!
- How West played the generals off against each other
- Cummock's daughter kicking him
- Dogman's struggle to be the leader
- Glokta and Ardee at the wedding!!!
- Glokta, Ferro and their questions

As I said before I expected Bayaz to have plans for Jezal, so I wasn't surprised. I still don't know what to think about Jezal being King, I hope that he distance himself from Bayaz. I can't stand him, he sees himself as a good guy but doesn't care about other people his war against these other guy in the south is more selfish motivated. I know I hated Jezal in the first book, but he changed and I can imagine him stand against the council and Bayaz.
(hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

All the commotion made me forget what I initially wanted to say :D

I like all the quotes, but this one was missing ;)

"You have to be realistic about these things"

And @Zaara KlingendeKlingen never gets stale :D

[J.J.]

Haha! I forgot about that one. Book 1 & 2 cracked me up. The characters are great.

"You have to be realistic"

[Diana Stormblessed]

"Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's..." my favorite character <3

[Anni]

Thought of this quote too Diana! :) I have some difficulties to pick a favorite but he is definitely among them! How couldn't I like the flower-eating barbarian 😂

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "Chapter 27!!! ."

Oh my, chapter 27!!! :((

[Siobhan]

Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's realistic xD

[Anni]

Siobhan wrote: "Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's realistic xD"

I'm not sure that everything he labels as realistic truly is realistic, haha!

[Anni]

J.J. wrote: "Haha! I forgot about that one. Book 1 & 2 cracked me up. The characters are great.

"You have to be realistic""

Do you have plans to start Book 3 anytime soon?

[J.J.]

I like the always angry Ferro. She's wild, furious and no shame. "You Fkn Pinks!"

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's realistic xD"

I'm not sure that everything he labels as realistic truly is realistic, haha!"

True!! He's funny :)

[J.J.]

Anni wrote: "J.J. wrote: "Haha! I forgot about that one. Book 1 & 2 cracked me up. The characters are great.

"You have to be realistic""

Do you have plans to start Book 3 anytime soon?"

I don't have any plans for it yet. You want to make plans?

[Anni]

I'm nearly done with the first part of Book 3 but I'm not a fast reader... so if you like to catch up I would be glad to discuss the book with you :)

[J.J.]

Sounds good to me. ; )

[J.J.]

I love Glokta's inner monologue and listening to it on Audible is hilarious. Ferro's voice in English with a French accent is great. The narrator to these audiobooks does a superb job with character voices.

[Anni]

Yes! I love how Glokta says something in a friendly tone and the thoughts in italics are the complete opposite :D (and mostly not so friendly!)

[J.J.]

Lol Exactly!

[J.J.]

I just dl on Audibles Last Arguments of Kings earlier today. I'll try to catch up to you Anni.

[Anni]

I stalked your reading dates for the second book, only a few days after the first, I don't think it will be a problem ;)
Maybe I will listen to the Audible sample for this book to hear Ferro's French accent

[J.J.]

Lol Yeah when it's a great book, I find myself everywhere with my ear plugs and phone on Audible or YouTube audiobooks. In the car as well.

[J.J.]

Chapter 14 spoiler: (view spoiler)[..The King died and I'm curious who's going to become the next King.. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

J.J. wrote: "Chapter 14 spoiler: [spoilers removed]"

Any ideas? :)
Did you read the spoiler tags?

[Siobhan]

Wow that was quick J.J! Chapter 14 already!
Hope you enjoy :)

[J.J.]

No spoiler tag reads. It would just ruin my excitement. lol

lol Ferro laughing her ass off Chapter 16 spoiler: (view spoiler)[Jezel dan Luther King! I didn't see that coming. 1st of the mage Bayas had this planned for years. Sly devil.... (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

J.J. wrote: "No spoiler tag reads. It would just ruin my excitement. lol

lol Ferro laughing her ass off Chapter 16 spoiler: [spoilers removed]"

Completely took me by surprise!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I loved Ferro's and Glokta's reactions here...

[J.J.]

I wish there were more of Ferro's POV. Joe Ambercrombie should write another book just for Ferro. It'd be hilarious I bet. These are my first books reading Joe Ambercrombie. I'm liking him a lot. Probably gets some more books written by him.

[J.J.]

I love Ardee's drunk witty banter. Such a smart ass. lol

[J.J.]

Glokta "My body found floating in the bath?". He's waiting for death with every encounter lol.

[Anni]

Iain wrote: "Laura wrote: "I finished it also and I agree with all of Iain's points. What he said goes for me too.

Regarding the end [spoilers removed]

I loved the way the relationship between Ardee and..."


Iain, one of Laura's spoilers is visible in your comment...

[Anni]

Laura wrote: "Though I'm with Siobhan here and totally believe the slap was entirely deserved I have to admit you are a real gentleman for blaming the guy Iain. Women are generally not so forgiving when it comes..."

Finished chapter 33 and agree with Siobhan and Laura (view spoiler)[ in this case I think it was right for Jezal to stand his ground. Also he doesn't bet her until she lay on the ground bleeding, I think she will recover and maybe even think about her actions before she act like this again. In other cases like the situation with Ardee and West in the last book I don'think it was the right thing... (hide spoiler)]

I also think Laura is correct when she said that women are less forgiving when it comes to dealings with their own sex :D

[Anni]

J.J. wrote: "Glokta "My body found floating in the bath?". He's waiting for death with every encounter lol."

This was indeed a good one! :)