A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie
Blurb:
The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments.
Savine dan Glokta—socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union—plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another . . .
Review:
Ever since I wrapped up the First Law trilogy, I’ve been savouring my journey within this world, giving ample time for the masterful display of writing craft to sink in and holding much anticipation for all subsequent works. This way, there is always something to look forward to that I know will not disappoint.
A Little Hatred did not disappoint.
Unsurprisingly, Abercrombie’s characters are distinct and fully fleshed out. There is never a dull moment when each and every POV is layered and intriguing. What makes the start of this trilogy particularly enjoyable is the seamless blend of the old generation with the new, witnessing the passing of the torch in some cases. In others… not quite so.
“When you tell a lie, you have to sound like you believe it. Goes double for the ones you tell yourself.”
Big changes have come with the rise of industry, not the least of which are bloody revolutions. As a big history nut, I was reminded of some major historical events that shaped many societies. At the same time, Abercrombie can shift from the beach to the sandbox, featuring a simple carriage ride with sharp dialogue, showcasing personality, nuance, and subtlety with careful precision.
On a deeper level, the chilling display of chaos and savagery born from mass panic and rioting is on the mark. What stands out further is the fact that this mindless violence and debauchery do not discriminate—even against one’s own circle… one’s own community. All this to say, the themes still hit hard with this first instalment of the Age of Madness. A fitting series title considering the massive scale of political and economic upheaval taking root. There truly isn’t an ounce of thrilling enjoyment lost from all previous First Law books, which is in all likelihood the highest compliment I can attribute to A Little Hatred.
“All he could think was that deserving’s got nothing to do with anything. Life just falls on you, like rain.”
Overall, the Age of Madness is shaping up to be a fun and fresh continuation of my favourite author. With every new generation comes a hefty serving of lessons learned, and there is no end to the array of twists and turns that life can push, carry, or drag you through. If all this wasn’t already enough to receive a standing ovation, I was then given an ending that left me no choice but to begin book 2 immediately!
Abercrombie still stands firmly at the top as grimdark fantasy’s leading voice, and I doubt I’ll feel any differently upon wrapping up this trilogy. Speaking of which, I’m greatly entertaining the thought of adding spoilers to my reviews of books 2 and 3. Just a heads up.
