Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

Dang! First day was definitely a win for the North, except for Gorst's bit! wow


I liked the technique Abercrombie used of intersecting the POVs of minor character killed and then their killers...until he got to Gorst of course!

That battle was awesome. And Gorst - so that's what you get when you're the best swordsman in the Union and then do 4 years worth of intense training to improve yourself. Not sure that it explains why he is totally MESSED IN THE HEAD!

I so love his incompetent Generals, they make me laugh so much.

Tunny is great, the death on the Bog was funny how he was pissed at losing the Rum.

I agree with you Maggie, the POV change was really well done, it keeps the pace of the battle moving really quickly.

More soon.

Tunny's great. I can see him saving the day by being in the wrong place at the right time. I hope Abercrombie doesn't just kill him.

Gorst's sanitized battle reports are a laugh. My reports would be more like

"Your August Majesty,

You generals are absolute and total incompetent idiots. Couldn't spell "logistics" to save their life. And are about as good at multi-tasking as a dog taking a leak and I wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire!"

I love his description of Jaelhornm (sp?) trying to decide what to do, stepping one way, then the other looking around. Trying to look like he is deciding something important rather than waiting for a subordinate to offer advice.

Tunny reminds me a bit if sargent master Pores in Malazan. You remember him out foxing Kindly?

Lee wrote: "Tunny reminds me a bit if sargent master Pores in Malazan. You remember him out foxing Kindly?"

Ah yes. I like how he can be bribed to give the crap jobs to someone else.

Another thing that's interesting, Pacey's portrayal of Calder sounds a dead ringer for Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones. Accent, his little mocking tone, everything. I would have said it was deliberate but the Audible release date came out just before the TV show. BUT, I'm sure they originally had another narrator - so maybe?

I would have liked to have listened to this.

Not much of the young shivers left is there. Macato has created a monster.

Not loving the beck and refit characters yet, they need some more story behind them. Of course we find somebody else tat had his dad killed by the bloody nine.

Ohho, did you notice that sentence hidden amongst all the after battle descriptions? Just a little side note of something happening in the background.

I am Saurizin, Adeptus chemical of the university of Adua. This equipment must be allowed through, by order of Lord Bayaz!

That doesn't bode well for our northern friends does it.

I did, but I forgot. Yes, it sounds rather explosive. Though Ishri likes her fireworks too.

One thing is ir certain. There is going to be many more casualties, but maybe not many bodies as this could get very messy.
I am thinking that we'll have a distastrous day on both sides and maybe Calder will try to sue for peace.

I love how Gorst is giving us his insights, it brings a smile to my face, but gods, is he a tortured soul eh?

I used to think I really liked Gorst-now I think he is incredibly creepy! I so liked Finree taking charge of her situation, too!

The battles are just awesome! And in the middle of all the carnage you get conversations between the most savage killers like Shivers and Stranger-Come_Knocking

‘How many children do you need?’ came the whispering voice.
‘Civilised children. After the Union fashion.’
‘What?’
‘You heard me. Civilised children.’
‘Who eat with a fork and that? I been to Styria. I been to the Union. Civilisation ain’t all it’s made out to be, believe me.’
A pause. ‘Is it true they have holes there in which a man can shit, and the turds are carried away?’(The inventions keep coming)
‘So what? Shit is still shit. It all ends up somewhere.’
‘I want civilisation. I want civilised children.’

Whirrun inventing sliced bread, how brilliant was that start of day 2??
I especially love him calling it the cheese-trap, then dropping the cheese and only having bread left in his hands. i'm wondering whether Abercrombie has a couple of toddlers running around at home. they also tend to have trouble with cheese-traps.

There's so much action packed into each day. I've counted 3 inventions so far. The cheese trap, the toilet, and the "fire engine."

OK, done with Day 2. Not sure i have too much to add, most has already been said above.

I like the POV changes too. Although it has created a fear that anyone who gets a chapter and is not called Craw, Calder or Gorst will end up dead.

I though Finree was kick-ass today too! I hope she doesn't end up dead! (see?) Also am liking Calder, I can see him being the hero at the end.

(and now you guys will read this while you already know the end... i guess everything i expect will be wrong and that i will end up saying that i didn't see it coming. it's Abercrombie after all)

Keeping quiet. Not saying anything. No spoilers from me.