The Argument Of Kings: The First Law 03 by Joe Abercrombie

From The Week of December 06, 2009

Though this final effort in the First Law trilogy is satisfying, it, as many concluding efforts do, fails to live up to the promise of the first two novels. The reader is, in my opinion, as responsible for this phenomenon as the author, for he has spent enough time with the author's characters that he has formed expectations of them. He yearns for those he likes to succeed and imagines the hellish ends of those he does not. And so, when the author inevitably takes a different road, the reader finds himself preferring his version of the story to the author's. But

Even if we take this bias into account, it seems to me that the noise of the slaughters, the schemes, and the madness, have finally grown so loud, they drown out the more refined character elements present in Blade and Hanged. Here, we have more fantastic feats and improbable victories and anger-fuelled miracles than in the first two books combined and it leaves one with the impression that certain key aspects of the story were up in the air until the last minute. A bit too much dues ex machina for my tastes.

However, though I am critical of this novel, let me be clear. Mr. Abercrombie has delivered a wonderful trilogy of books in three years, three years. That is a remarkable feat for an epic fantasy author. Compare this to the 22 years, give or take, for The Wheel of Time. Compare this to George Martin who will probably never finish a Song of Ice and Fire, even after enticing readers with some of the tightest, intensest fantasy writing anywhere. A timeliness with his delivery, an originality with his plot twists, and an earnestness with his grim but lively characters are all virtues which far outweigh the momentary overabundance of Sly-Stallone-inspired Ramboism with which the trilogy is concluded.

Wonderfully done, Mr. Abercrombie. If the literary awards game werent' so stacked against noir fiction, your mantle would be overflowing with golden statuary praising your name. You've penned a great series in record time, an achievement that has left an impression upon me I will not forget. 4/5 Stars for the series, but for An Argument of Kings... (3/5 Stars))