Last Argument of Kings [Dec 27, 2017]

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "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..."

Totally agree (view spoiler)[it was different with Ardee and West. I think Jezal had to do it or she would have kept treating him with no respect for his authority. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Chapter 43 (view spoiler)[ You are right everything is happening at once!!! I am really hooked right now and want to know how this is gonna end! Your comments on chapter 41 were great! I felt exactly the same! I remember that we talked about the possibility that Quin was an eater but I never expected him to be Tolomei... Also I didn't expected this all going down so damn fast! Just wow! And now everyone is coming back to meet in Adua, I'm curious for some of the reunions :)

It's crazy that we all start to root for Jezal, right? Think back to book one and how we all despised him :D I'm glad that he started to stand his ground and I agree with you, I think he could become a good King... if he lives through this. Don't get me wrong, I don't whant him dead, but I think he would also make a great martyr.

One other character I started to like immensely (and that wasn't mentioned at all) is Dogman! I love the way he think! Honestly I think he is much more realistic as Logan when he tries to be realistic :D I also like how clumsy he is sometimes, like the scene when they tried to kill the witch and he stumbled about something and made too much noise. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "Chapter 43 ..."

(view spoiler)[haha you're right, Dogman is so much more realistic! XD I love Dogman, he's so human. Like you said, he's clumsy and imperfect, but he's so good hearted. I think. :) I thought the scene with the witch was really funny!

It is definitely crazy how much we all changed our minds on Jezal. But I suppose that just reflects his growth as a character. He changed so much when he started to open up to Logen!
(hide spoiler)]

These books have ruined me. I can't wait to read something else as good as First Law. :D

[J.J.]

Siobhan wrote: "Anni wrote: "Chapter 43 ..."

haha you're right, Dogman is so much more realistic! XD I love Dogman, he's so human. Like you said, he's clumsy and imperfect, but he's so good hearted. I think. :) I..."

I agree, The First Law spoiled me and now all I want are great books in the same caliber as The First Law. When I finished The First Law trilogy my next book I started reading was Lies of Locke Lamora. What a huge difference in pace, action and characters.

I think Glokta and Ferro are the funny ones in all the books,

[Siobhan]

J.J. wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Anni wrote: "Chapter 43 ...""

I loved Lies of Locke Lamora, but this was just something else for me. The whole First Law trilogy was amazing! Whereas most series I read tend to have at least one weak book.

[Anni]

Also gave the book 4 Stars, I had some issues with the last quarter...

Whole Book (view spoiler)[ For me it wasn't only the end of the book, but also the big battle of Adua... wasn't this the big finale of the trilogy? The whole traveling part in Book 2, searching for the seed to defeat the people from the south (... you know who I am talking about, I forget how they are spelled 😂). And there where pages after pages full of plotting, travelling and descriptions and then we got this battle... Don't get me wrong, I really don't mind slow book, for example I love Robin Hobbs books and they are very slow burning... But there I've got the feeling the ending is worth waiting. For me this ending was a bit disappointing. As the battle begins everything happened all at once and felt rushed, forced and was a bit confusing. I wish there were a few more pages about Bayaz fight against the eaters... He did some magic, there was a storm, every eater died, Ferro heared the ghosts and that's it... Maybe it's just me but I don't understand what was going on there? He doesn't opened the door to the other side, because if he had the ghost would have come out, but he gained power nevertheless...

Then there are sooo many loose ends, only, Glokta, Ardee and Jezal get an ending, I would name an ending. We have know idea if West will live, what will happen to Ferro, what will Logan do? Will he do anything or is he dead? What will Bayaz do next? Does he continue fightings against the other magus (ok... I bet he will, but we don't know :D)? What will happen to Dogmen in Adua and all the other Northmen in the North? So many questions! I wouldn't mind if this wasn't the end of the trilogy. And I also wouldn't mind if there were left some things open to continue in the story in the stand alones, but here I felt like there was to much missing...

Phew... after this rant, one could think I hated the book, which is far from right. I really liked it and found all the twists and turns the characters take very interesting, but for me this wasn't a five star read... Maybe the ending bothered me even more because I cared so much for the characters...

To sum my opinion up in one sent: I liked the book, but wished the ending had more answers for us... (hide spoiler)]

[J.J.]

I wonder if book 4 answers some of them questions. I hope they have the same characters or as least some character. Do you think it will be the same story or a whole different story. I hope someone has some answers for book 4 .

[Diana Stormblessed]

J.J. wrote: "I wonder if book 4 answers some of them questions. I hope they have the same characters or as least some character. Do you think it will be the same story or a whole different story. I hope someone..."

There's a book 4?!?

[J.J.]

Yeah, it's Best Served Cold and book 5 is called The Heros ( First Law World #5)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Mind blown. I thought the books stopped at 3. Do we have a buddy read set up for it? Did I miss it?

[J.J.]

I don't know if there is a buddy read set up for it. I heard from Rob that Best Served Cold is better than the 3 previous book.

[Anni]

Yes, there are already threads set up, in the same folder as this :) Three Standalones and one book with short stories :)

Wikipedia sais: 'The three standalone books are set in the same world as the trilogy. Some of the major characters are minor characters from the original trilogy while several major characters from the trilogy sometimes also appear in smaller roles, cameos or are mentioned in passing.'

That's why I expected an ending more closed... I think we might see some of the characters again, but it won't be the same as the real sequel.

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "Also gave the book 4 Stars, I had some issues with the last quarter...

Whole Book .."

I had similar issues with the ending I think. Apparently that's a feature of the grimdark genre that you don't tend to get a satisfying ending. (view spoiler)[ It is a shame that there's so many loose ends, I would have liked to know at least whether Logen lived of died! :(
Also, I didn't really know what was going on with Bayaz and the eaters. That was weird.
I decided overall, that the ending didn't lower my rating. But I can totally see why you went for 4 stars. (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to some cameos from these characters in the standalones, but I don't think they will continue their stories as such.

[Anni]

I know grimdark is not the genre for happy endings, but this doesn't feel like an ending at all :D

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "I know grimdark is not the genre for happy endings, but this doesn't feel like an ending at all :D"

Yes honestly, apparently that's a feature of the genre! Not just unhappy, but absent altogether! Haha 😂
I don't know, maybe in his mind he was just leaving it open for a follow up trilogy... A Little Hatred xD

[Anni]

Uuuuh! I didn't know there was a second trilogy planned! It's one revelation after the other in this thread :D

[Siobhan]

Anni wrote: "Uuuuh! I didn't know there was a second trilogy planned! It's one revelation after the other in this thread :D"

Hehe. Diana found it yesterday and that's how I saw it! :D

[Diana Stormblessed]

Siobhan wrote: "Anni wrote: "Uuuuh! I didn't know there was a second trilogy planned! It's one revelation after the other in this thread :D"

Hehe. Diana found it yesterday and that's how I saw it! :D"

I only found it cuz JJ and Anni mentioned it. I can't wait to read them.

[Siobhan]

They mentioned the standalones, not a whole new future trilogy! I'm crediting you with this find, Diana xD

[Diana Stormblessed]

Lol, well, they're the ones who sent me on the hunt searching for more.

[J.J.]

No fair Siobhan Anni and I were the spark of Diana’s search. 😜

[Siobhan]

Haha I know, I know. You all helped with the greatest discovery of the year so far xD

[J.J.]

Lmao that cracked me up, Siobhan

[Anni]

Let's say it was a Team-work discovery, hehe! :)

[Zaara]

THIS IS A 2-PERSON POPUP BR WITH LAURA RUNNING AUG 1-15

Heads up + thread bump....starting now. I will go at the excellently creeping pace of forty pages a day, giving me the 600 page book exactly on Aug 15.

[Anni]

Go Zaara! :)

[Laura Tenfingers]

Awesome! I'm down with 40 pgs/day! XD

[Laura Tenfingers]

Through The New Man(view spoiler)[

Do we know who the Arch Lector wants to be elected heir to the throne? I can't remember where we left off...

I'm ready for the Dogman & co. to meet up with Logen again!

What does Bayaz have up his sleeve....

I have a soft spot for Jezal, I know he's ignoble and unworthy, but I'm a sucker I guess. Ardee seems to have gone off the rails big time! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura Tenfingers]

Through Ghosts(view spoiler)[
Love Logen PoV chapters. I love his internal dialog and his being such a scary badass who has all the Northmen soiling themselves when he goes to their camp, and yet we know he's simultaneously an insightful softy. (hide spoiler)]

Bad debts(view spoiler)[
Glokta seemed to be going soft on us in the last book. Not so at all in this chapter, wow!! I quite enjoyed that display of evil and his scathing italics. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

I like your updates Laura :) And (view spoiler)[ I also became attached to Jezal! He really changed, I guess it's Logan's influence too. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura Tenfingers]

Thanks Anni :) I mean Sir Anni 😁 Yeah I think that too. (view spoiler)[ He definitely benefited from hanging with Logen, plus that brush with death was good for him too! XD (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

My thanks to thee, fair lady! :)

[Laura Tenfingers]

😂😂

[Zaara]

AUG 1-2 LOG
So I read 80 pages...thru to the end of chapter named "Ghosts" 😄👻

Opening (view spoiler)[ I love Glokta in blackmail mode. I lve his jaundiced worldview and his bitter inner dialogue and his pain and his cracks and his blackheartedness.
@ShalVirginie, for example, loves the broken darknesses of Shallan but this baby's all mine.
Ok...I would totally share him with Ghost and Shivorn...
Heck, I even love the clicking joints and the drool bcuz he's more a man with all of his brokens than many who are whole in that series #ladisla
Most importantly, I love that he can take himself out of the frame and ask "why"...I love how he is always asking why. We do this as kids...view ourselves from a distance...and then we rapidly lose it as part of growing up. Little children are always....for example little George might say.... "Georgie is coming down the stairs"...viewing themselves objectively....then somehow that quality of innocence vanishes....the ego comes in and the whole world becomes enslaved to the "I" monster. We start looking thru those two limiting holes in our head. Drastically limits the worldview, yes?
Sorry. I started to praise Glokta too much agn. Owww!
(hide spoiler)]

Also I love the chapter titles. Nobody does chapter titles with a scorpiom sting in the tail like Abercrombie. Henceforth referred to as Abby.

Uffrith....
"My name's Cregg and I got stabbed in the arse up at Dunbrec..."
😂😂😂 ohhh Dogman you is such a plausible bastard...😂😂😂
Gotta love being back with them foulmouth and smelly boys!
And oh Laura, I enjoyed the (view spoiler)[ reunion scene too with Logen and the gang. (hide spoiler)]

Meanwhile Jezal and Ardee...yeah. Abercrombie sex 😂😂😂 I think he will prolly give himself indigestion if he actually wrote a love scene as a love scene.
Diana and I just discussed this exact scene couple days ago on the Tome Raiders thread. With extensive discursions abt the spit aspect 😂👊😜

You're right...Jezal has grown a pair while Ardee seems to be going off the deep end + with a bottle, wtf! Why did she have to ruin what could've been a beautiful or at least dignified moment with her inferiority complex?
Poor fukked up kid.

+ Logen!
Ferro is an untrusting ass! Ok actually I'm angry FOR her not really AT her.
(view spoiler)[She should never have left Logen like that and now I think she is totally being used by Bayaz for nefarious purposes and what's with the hint Malacus gave her to run while she can... (hide spoiler)]

Ok I will post again on the 5th when i finish 80 more pages (Aug 3-4 portion).
I'm trying to be organised tis month....don't laugh at meeee....😂😂😂

[Laura Tenfingers]

I'm with you about Ferro, definitely mad FOR her. She's not great at being a human, but she's doing the best she can. (view spoiler)[I'm thinking they'll meet again? (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

I hope they do. They both deserve happiness and in a strange way, they fit perfectly.

[Laura Tenfingers]

Through The Habit of Command (view spoiler)[

King Jezal I, never saw that one coming! 😂😂😂 Love it! I was hoping he'd redeem himself after the last book, but not so much. I'm liking him less now 😶

West aka Furious is a high favourite of mine. I loved how he became Furious. And a genius handling of the two obnoxious Generals!! 😂😈

West is not going to be happy about Ardee being a royal mistress... Not sure what Ardee is going to make of it...
(hide spoiler)]

Abercrombie is awesome. I'm loving this one. Maybe more than the last one.

[Zaara]

Yeah Laura...
Gotta love how Abercrombie....Bad Debts (view spoiler)[....chooses allegorical venues for Glokta's dirty deals, whether its squabbling ducks fighting over the bread or pigs rootling in the offal...
(hide spoiler)]
I'm behind you but will soon catch up. I read 165 pages yest 😱 but unfortunately not from this book owwww! Just with the boys....Tul Duru n all...and about to reach Best of Enemies.
Did I mention how much I love Abby's chapter titles?
Each time its a *sound of gunshot in the dark*
TCHKOOOOOM...

[Laura Tenfingers]

Questions (view spoiler)[
Ferro was great up against Glotka, they're almost friends 😂😂
And awwww she misses Logen...
I got a bit lost when he was at the uni and there were a bunch of Practicals?? The Uni administrator was on Bayaz's side in a previous book? I think? So Inquisitor Goyle is doing what? 🤔🤔 (hide spoiler)]

The perfect couple(view spoiler)[
Are Glokta and Ardee going to be a thing? A twisted messed up thing? *shudders while admitting they're almost perfect for eachother*
Jezal and his queen however, seem to have a rough road ahead😂😂 (hide spoiler)]

The Seventh Day(view spoiler)[
What?! The Bloodynine killed Tul? Oh dear... he's going to be seriously bummin' when he comes to. He is majorly messed up 😦 I still love him though (hide spoiler)]

[Laura Tenfingers]

Wow! Leaves on the Water(view spoiler)[

Logen's back story! Wow! That was very cool. I'm feeling that Abercrombie is trying to get us to not like Logen, after he spent 2 books getting us to love him... hmmm... it's not working.

Why did Bayaz spare Logen? What's he want from him? I'm thinking the trip west wasn't the only thing he wanted him for? Maybe? 🤔

Jezal's story is not doing much, and neither is Ferro's.
Glokta is in a right mess! (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Read bit more. Slowly...
40%
(view spoiler)[
Soooo...King Jezal! Wonder how Ardee will react to that? Well, the trail was there...right from the imterference at the contest + all the lectures abt Harod. Bayaz is obsessed about those old times...

Really enjoyed watching West make Generals Poulder and Kroy eat turds in The Habit of Command. Lovely chapter. Wooooop!

Also....that mad giant dude's Crummock's wild midget lassie with the hammer and scowl must remind Logen so much of Ferro, no?

Glokta...not much has happened there, tho' I'm still loving his italics...
(hide spoiler)]
See...this is what happens when I don't keep a proper reading log.
Bet you are thanking your staaaahs you were spared a gigantic essay.

[Zaara]

Thanks for the spoilers, Laura. Good to have those to look forward to.

[Laura Tenfingers]

West is so crafty!

I'm slowing down a bit. Haven't had much time to read and want to finish Road Brothers and then A Fortunate Life before my book club meeting Monday.

[Zaara]

Oh ok. I have a book 2 of Laini Taylor starting moro and 1/3 of the way to go yet in Book 1 so I'm putting this on hold for a couple days too.....

[Laura Tenfingers]

You've got eight books going!? Wow girl! I just started another and want to start Kings of the Wyld asap. But I really want to finish this one! Ridiculous really... I may try to come back to this later tonight or tomorrow! XD

[Zaara]

Laura wrote: "You've got eight books going!? Wow girl! I just started another...."

Yeah. That's me. Good ole stick to one book Zazu....
😂😂😂
I will read eighty pages more moro.
I just finished Riyria Revelations. My brain is turning cartwheels...I AM SO glad I stuck with that series and didn't wimp out after the somewhat dull first duo of books....

[Laura Tenfingers]

I'm dying to read Riyria Revelations! The time, the time!
I started Ross Poldark, the BotM in a historical fiction group. My ebook expires in a day! Eeeek! Then that damn book club book that I'm basically skimming at this point and THEN Last Argument... I'll be back soon girl, we got this! 😁😂

[Anni]

Laura wrote: "I'm dying to read Riyria Revelations! The time, the time!
I started Ross Poldark, the BotM in a historical fiction group. My ebook expires in a day! Eeeek! Then that damn book club book that I'm ba..."

Aaaaand then Kings of the Wyld :D

[Laura Tenfingers]

Sir Anni wrote: "Aaaaand then Kings of the Wyld :D..."

I'm sooooo looking forward to that one! Tomorrow I hope? One down, one to go! 😂

[Anni]

Laura wrote: "Sir Anni wrote: "Aaaaand then Kings of the Wyld :D..."

I'm sooooo looking forward to that one! Tomorrow I hope? One down, one to go! 😂"

Me too! My copy should arrive tomorrow too, but I'm still not sure where to fit it in :D