Last Argument of Kings (The First Law #3) by Joe Abercrombie - Starting 6th January 2021

[Dannii]

The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the King of the Northmen still stands firm, and there's only one man who can stop him. His oldest friend, and his oldest enemy. It's past time for the Bloody-Nine to come home.

With too many masters and too little time, Superior Glokta is fighting a different kind of war. A secret struggle in which no one is safe, and no one can be trusted. His days with a sword are far behind him. It's a good thing blackmail, threats and torture still work well enough.

Jezal dan Luthar has decided that winning glory is far too painful, and turned his back on soldiering for a simple life with the woman he loves. But love can be painful too, and glory has a nasty habit of creeping up on a man when he least expects it.

While the King of the Union lies on his deathbead, the peasants revolt and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No one believes that the shadow of war is falling across the very heart of the Union. The First of the Magi has a plan to save the world, as he always does. But there are risks. There is no risk more terrible, after all, than to break the First Law...

[Mahi]

Thanks for creating the thread for the read. I'm looking forward to it :)

[Dannii]

Mahi wrote: "Thanks for creating the thread for the read. I'm looking forward to it :)"

No worries. I'm excited too. The first two books have both been some of my highlights of 2020.

[Mahi]

I just started the read and it's too early to talk. Characters u like and dislike so far???

[Dannii]

Mahi wrote: "I just started the read and it's too early to talk. Characters u like and dislike so far???"

I think one of the reason why I love this series so much is for how intriguing every single one of the characters are. There is no one I wholly love or wholly hate, as all are so complex. (view spoiler)[I empathise with Glokta and can appreciate his cleverness yet he has no qualms about inflicting pain on others. Logan makes me laugh but turns savage, on occasions. Ferro is so cold but so brave and independent. I love every single one of the perspectives! Who is your favourite? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[Luther returned to Ardee but their reunion was far from what he had anticipated. Ardee voiced her vulnerabilities and I am glad she allowed him to witness this softer side to her character. Tell me why I still believe she should be paired with Glokta, though? For all his faults I also want him to experience pleasant interactions with another, and Ardee is the only one who looks past his physical disfigurements and truly seems to see him.

I want a Ferro and Ninefingers reunion to occur next. It feels like much of this book has initially seen all the various characters who aligned in the past book returned to where they began in book one. (hide spoiler)]

[Mahi]

Dannii wrote: "Mahi wrote: "I just started the read and it's too early to talk. Characters u like and dislike so far???"

I think one of the reason why I love this series so much is for how intriguing every singl..."

In most of the books i didn't like some of the characters and there were some books in which some POV's were bland. I liked all the characters in this series and everything is almost perfect. I love Glokta and his internal dialogues most and the evolving chemistry between the characters is fascinating. In the first book i didn't liked the Jezal part in some chapters but that's not the case in the second one.

[Mahi]

i'm reading at snail's pace. finished only 2 chapters so far.

[Dannii]

Mahi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Mahi wrote: "I just started the read and it's too early to talk. Characters u like and dislike so far???"

I think one of the reason why I love this series so much is for how intrigu..."

I agree with your thoughts about Glokta and Jezal. Abercrombie creates such compelling characters and I think the reason why this series works so well for me is due primarily to them. I am always pondering exactly how I feel about them. It is like you are rooting for villains with some of their actions.

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Jezal is king! I can't say I saw that occurring!

Ninefingers seems like three people - who he is everyday, who he is when fighting, and who people believe him to be. It is quite sad to see him struggle under the weights of expectations and his past deeds. I believe him a good man, if one with a blood-soaked history. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[There were so many great war scenes throughout this quarter! I found them really easy to follow and immerse myself in, especially the fight where Logan saved Dogman. Tul Duru Thunderhead died during the war scene following it! I felt it was inevitable one of them would and I'm just glad it wasn't Dogman or Logan, tbh.

I feel Jezal hasn't behaved the best towards Ardee. He was quite happy for her to become his lover without ever considering how she would feel in this position, especially when he soon had a wife on his other arm. I felt so sorry for her having to witness his wedding, when she so clearly wished it could have been her, and I'm actually quite glad his wedding wasn't an initially blissful one.

I genuinely did not know who would win in the battle between Fenris and Logan! Their fight was another example for how great Abercrombie is at structuring action scenes. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Cosca is hilarious! He was another example of Abercrombie's dry underhanded wit. I loved how Ardee saved Glokta and watched the two of them grow both in character and together. Bayaz bartered to save Logan as well, which altered their dynamic. The whole cast were the reason why I loved this series so much. There was no distinct hero to root for but also no clear villain. Every character was, instead, a morally grey creation.

The plot was interesting, as was the journey many of the individuals went on, but it remained the character's growth and interactions that I remained most impressed with. (hide spoiler)]