Publishers Weekly
07/27/2020
The impressive second epic fantasy of Abercrombie’s Age of Madness trilogy (after A Little Hatred) grounds the ongoing power struggles within the Union in issues that resonate with contemporary politics. Orso, “a notorious wastrel while crown prince,” is now High King of the Union, but his controversial reign has sparked an opposition movement dedicated to toppling him and “making the Union great again.” Abercrombie balances the ensuing intrigue, espionage, and a bloody assassination attempt with the nitty-gritty of Union politics, shining a light on corruption, tax reform, and class distinctions, on the way to a climactic confrontation between Orso’s forces and those marshalled against him. Meanwhile, Leo dan Brock, the leader of the rebels, marries Orso’s former lover, Savine dan Glokta, who left Orso after learning a scandalous secret, adding emotional stakes to the political turmoil. The large cast, which takes over four pages to list in a helpful appendix, becomes overwhelming at times, and newcomers to the series will have a hard time untangling the complex backstory, but Abercrombie’s satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"A master of the genre."—Lev Grossman, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Abercrombie's satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped."—Publishers Weekly
"Abercrombie squeezes your heart till it matches his beat. No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie."—Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on A Little Hatred
"Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts for this one . . . . A vivid and jolting tale."—Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author, on A Little Hatred
"Highly recommended - a funny, finely-wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out."—Joe Hill on A Little Hatred
"Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say that he's a master of his craft."—Forbes on A Little Hatred
"A Little Hatred is Abercrombie at his very best: witty, wise, and whip-smart. Masterfully plotted . . . . I had high hopes for this book, and it exceed them all."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld, on A Little Hatred
"Brutal, unforgiving, and terribly fun. Everything awesome readers have come to expect from Joe Abercrombie."—Brian McClellan, author of Sins of Empire, on A Little Hatred
"With expert craft, Abercrombie lays the groundwork for another thrilling trilogy."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Little Hatred
"Rife with emotion with wit to spare, both honed to an effortlessly fine edge. A Little Hatred is the joy of watching a master of the craft with his tools at their sharpest."—Sam Sykes, author of Seven Blades in Black, on A Little Hatred
"Joe Abercrombie's powerful voice raises the bar in any literary genre. Fantasy fans are beyond fortunate he chose this one."—Myke Cole, author of The Armored Saint, on A Little Hatred
"Abercrombie unerringly juggles a large cast of multifaceted, morally ambiguous characters, each embroiled in their own complicated story."—Booklist (starred review) on A Little Hatred
"A critical, compelling epic fantasy loaded with wonderfully drawn characters, the bloodletting tempered with sharp social commentary and a touch of satire . . . . It doesn't feel like a stretch to say Abercrombie's on his way to writing another masterpiece of epic fantasy."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on A Little Hatred
"A Little Hatred may be the most accomplished work from a writer who many already consider a master."—SFF World on A Little Hatred
"[Abercrombie] might have his most important series of novels yet."—Locus on A Little Hatred
"Bloody and relentless."—George R. R. Martin on Best Served Cold
"Bold and authentically original."—Jeff VanderMeer on The Blade Itself
"If you're fond of bloodless, turgid fantasy with characters as thin as newspaper and as boring as plaster saints, Joe Abercrombie is really going to ruin your day. A long career for this guy would be a gift to our genre."—Scott Lynch on The Blade Itself
