I have bought the books to read myself but then find myself hearing Steven Pacey in my head and so gravitate back to the audio versions every read through. So good
Jezal is probably the most tragic character in the series. Dude is used, manipulated, conned, disrespected and thrust into positions beyond his control for the entire story. I think he’s definitely the most interesting person in the story and most certainly misunderstood. Love that guy.
My respect for jezal grew a lot with the second read of the trilogy and reading the age of madness but honestly Orso is Jezal 2.0 in every way. Possibly abercrombies best character to date
Jezal turns into a an actual good person in the end. Logen tries to change so bad but fails, Jezal has no intention of changing but changes anyway. And ironically Logen plays a major role in making a much better man out of Jezal and changing him for the better.
@@amshia0121 Bro why the fuck would you spoil later books like that? Most people likely only read the first three. Like me.. at first I was like wtf is he on about now I realize you probably mean a later book. Delete your comment man wtf
The motivations of the characters during Book 1 at 03:43 are as hilarious as they are accurate! Logen wants peace. Bayaz's motivations are mysterious and unknowable until the end of Book 3. Ardee wants her next glass of wine. Glokta - being crippled - just wants to be able to walk up and down stairs normally again. West wants to increase his military rank. Ferro wants to kill people. The Dogman wants to take a piss before a fight starts for once. And naive, narcissistic Jezal isn't really thinking about things too hard about anything beyond winning his next swordsmanship duel.
You nailed with the Life of Brian parallel. The magic of Joe Abercrombie is that he is able to differentiate "Darkness" from "Misery Porn". Yes, dark events happen, but there's also a tragic humor to all of it, and even some (few, sure, but some) wholesome moments throughout the series. This makes it so that when something really tragic happens, there's a gut punch. If everything is miserable and horrible at all times, how do you even feel it? Joe Abercrombie understands that.
Yeah I thought he did do a lot of stereotypical “wins” or story beats but he was just restrained in how they were delivered. E.g the fencing competition win against all odds would have normally been a wholesome victory but he didn’t dwell on it too much.
Dogman’s “thought process” being a bathroom had me rolling. You make such incredibly detailed and rib-tickling videos, I hope you’ll make some more eventually.
The way you described Collem West reminded me of an experience I had reading book 1. I had read most of the book at that point and I was thinking to myself "All of these ppl are either assholes or morally suspect, but at least I have you West, there's a good lad." But then *THAT* scene happened, and I thought "I'm not gonna like how this ends am I?" Great Video BTW, hope u keep it up.
Spoilers: His anger issues and how they manifest are obviously tragic and horrible, but he at the very least expresses regret and hates that side of things. Out of all the First Law characters, he is the most 'Good'. His slow death from the sickness brought on by the seed was heart breaking.
The fact that you only have 1k subscribers is genuinely criminal for a video of this level of quality. Keep at it mate, your content is solid and the subscribers will come sooner or later
1:50 Never found yourself feeling miserable reading the books?! The ending of the first trilogy left me feeling terrible and pretty much the entire second and especially the third book of the second trilogy was pure adulterated misery?! The Heroes was just BRUTAL.
@@BlackHand531 I think Best Served Cold had so many fantastic and funny moments that it took the edge off the sad parts of Best Served Cold. Trouble With Peace and then subsequently Wisdom of Crowds was just pure depression from start to finish.
@@GiraffeFeatures yeah, but I actually rooted for some of the characters at the start of BSC. Then they all became horrible people. I didn't like anyone by the end, and that was the depressing part.
@@BlackHand531 Ahhhh I see what you mean and where you're coming from, that's fair enough! Friendly will always be a top 3 favourite character across all the books for me.
@@GiraffeFeatures yeah! The first story I've read of Joe's was the "Tough times all over" short story. Friendly was one of the most impactful character in that story.
Reading book 1 right now. I’m half way through it and was thinking of just dropping it, wondering where the plot was. But seeing this I realized I just need to power through it to see the hype of the full trilogy! All the positive comments I seen on this series gets me hyped to finish them all.
@@joehall3264 yes I finished it. Book 1 ending a lot better than I expected! I think everyone is right book 2 and 3 are where the meat starts happening
i love those books, have them both on paper and audiobook. the narrator does such a good work of conveying emotion and character. to this day i remember a " i hate you" line from best served cold, you can say it gives me ...the shivers
This was so well done! Your editing is good I really hope you blow up so more people can see it. The First Law series is one of my favorite of all time, you covered all of it perfectly for someone who doesn't have a clue what it's about before watching!
Joe Abercrombie has legit some of the funniest moments in a fantasy series. Crummock-i-Phail alone always cracks me the fuck up and Ferro sputtering in laughter when Jezal is crowned always kills me.
The books were great and glad to have hard copies.. but the audiobook has had me in a chokehold. Steven Pacey really encapsulates the characters through his narration
This is the best review I've ever listened/watched, congratulations ❤🥳🎉! I love the books and I would say that it's a must to listen them, Steven Pacey is great!
😮the bloody nine is nuts. But the stand alone book "Best Served Cold" With Shivers and the Snake of Talins before either of them were that is my favourite
This is a great video man very informative I'm new to your channel but you have a new subscriber cool content you have on this channel here I'm about 200 pages in to the blade itself my first reading you know the crazy thing is I originally bought this book way back when it first came out and there was only like 50 reviews on it and they were all mixed I don't know why I never read it but I've collected every one I finally decided to start it I really regret it cuz it's really good stuff some of the best character work I've ever read
The first law trilogy is great but his most recent trilogy, In particular, "The trouble with Peace(book 2)" may be the best book I've ever heard/read... Top 3 for sure right up there w/ A storm of Swords...Abercrombie w/Steven Pacey is as good as audiobooks ever get.
Was Collem West ever not the good guy? In my memory he had some anger issues, but always acted with the intend to do good. It's been a few years since I've listened to the audiobooks, so I don't remember all the details.
I have all the love for Jezal, within the narrative (even tho my heart is Glokta's). But, I have so much love and sadness for my boy West. My guy went through it, and got fucked on the other end.
THe best series of books I've ever read in the fantasy genre. And this is saying a lot with so much good stuff out there. Another one I recommend is anything by author Robin Hobb
The characters are a fraction of every readers personality, no matter how dark (admit it;) Hence why relatable. The scale lies in which character you most identify with. 'You have to be realistic about these things' to enjoy this series
Man I really despised Gunnar Broad for a while until I realized he was supposed to be like if Frost/Downside was a POV character. He is literally an unrepentant thug
I definitely think it’s a shame Ferro hasn’t popped back up since the end of the first trilogy. Hopefully we see her again or at least hear what she’s up to aside from a passing mention in the new trilogy.
Grimdark is an arbitrary term, it's more of a vibe rather than a genre. I don't like using it because it never really fits with my view on this series. First Law would best be described as a "sardonic comedy" in my opinion. I found myself laughing more and more at the misery and absurdity that was unfolding rather than feeling miserable myself. Also, Glokta my beloved
Am i the only one who never got into GOT, i dont know Black Company and First Law and Blade Itself is so much more interesting, Got to my opinion is kind of boring and lame to be honest ive tried getting into the series i just cant. But ive heard so many people talking about the series, im also read the book and watched the tv series both of them to my opinion are pretty lame grimdark fantasies.
One thing I never understood about the books’ reputation is, where were all the surprising twists everyone keeps talking about. Almost everything that happens in the books is heavily foreshadowed. (The only one I think was really surprising was the one with West.) That doesn’t make the trilogy any less wonderful, just a notion I’ve made.
First law IS grimdark. Grimdark is anything raw, nihilistic, violent, pessimistic, bloody and usually set in dystopian medieval worlds with little magic and lots of blodshells.
I appreciate the part about it being grimdark I dont enjoy the genre very much because i like the good winning in the end, but i will give it a go some day. Btw i whould like a video about the Stormlight archive.
who's the guy standing between Ferro and Jezal thinking of toilets? Edit: Dogman :D still dont get it why toilets must have missed something when reading
If you can say one thing, and one thing only about Joe Abercrombie, say he's a great writer.
Steven Pacey is flat out amazing as the voice actor for this series. So much more than mere narration, it’s astoundingly good. 👍🏼
Agree. He is amazing
I have bought the books to read myself but then find myself hearing Steven Pacey in my head and so gravitate back to the audio versions every read through. So good
Say what you want about Steven Pacey, say he’s a voice wizard.
Yeah, he gives it life
Pacey inadvertently ruined narration for me. His ability to alter his voice was so absorbing that no other narrator scratches the audiobook itch now
Jezal is probably the most tragic character in the series. Dude is used, manipulated, conned, disrespected and thrust into positions beyond his control for the entire story. I think he’s definitely the most interesting person in the story and most certainly misunderstood. Love that guy.
My respect for jezal grew a lot with the second read of the trilogy and reading the age of madness but honestly Orso is Jezal 2.0 in every way. Possibly abercrombies best character to date
should have sent a few dudes after the old baldy to teach him a lesson he's not that strong after all
Jezal turns into a an actual good person in the end. Logen tries to change so bad but fails, Jezal has no intention of changing but changes anyway. And ironically Logen plays a major role in making a much better man out of Jezal and changing him for the better.
Can’t believe he killed him off it was like losing a friend
@@amshia0121 Bro why the fuck would you spoil later books like that? Most people likely only read the first three. Like me.. at first I was like wtf is he on about now I realize you probably mean a later book. Delete your comment man wtf
I like how Jezals thoughts are just static
The motivations of the characters during Book 1 at 03:43 are as hilarious as they are accurate!
Logen wants peace.
Bayaz's motivations are mysterious and unknowable until the end of Book 3.
Ardee wants her next glass of wine.
Glokta - being crippled - just wants to be able to walk up and down stairs normally again.
West wants to increase his military rank.
Ferro wants to kill people.
The Dogman wants to take a piss before a fight starts for once.
And naive, narcissistic Jezal isn't really thinking about things too hard about anything beyond winning his next swordsmanship duel.
Im literally Ferro
Sand dan Glokta is the best non-fantastical fantasy character since Tyrion Lannister.
I keep calling him Glotka
So did I for some reason! I also called him gloikta to make his name sound eviler I guess
Yes sir
To be fair, about all the characters being morally gray, this is true for most characters except for our favorite prince Ladislav.
Sult would like a word
Capital!
You nailed with the Life of Brian parallel. The magic of Joe Abercrombie is that he is able to differentiate "Darkness" from "Misery Porn". Yes, dark events happen, but there's also a tragic humor to all of it, and even some (few, sure, but some) wholesome moments throughout the series. This makes it so that when something really tragic happens, there's a gut punch.
If everything is miserable and horrible at all times, how do you even feel it? Joe Abercrombie understands that.
Yeah I thought he did do a lot of stereotypical “wins” or story beats but he was just restrained in how they were delivered.
E.g the fencing competition win against all odds would have normally been a wholesome victory but he didn’t dwell on it too much.
Dogman’s “thought process” being a bathroom had me rolling. You make such incredibly detailed and rib-tickling videos, I hope you’ll make some more eventually.
The way you described Collem West reminded me of an experience I had reading book 1.
I had read most of the book at that point and I was thinking to myself "All of these ppl are either assholes or morally suspect, but at least I have you West, there's a good lad."
But then *THAT* scene happened, and I thought "I'm not gonna like how this ends am I?"
Great Video BTW, hope u keep it up.
Spoilers: His anger issues and how they manifest are obviously tragic and horrible, but he at the very least expresses regret and hates that side of things. Out of all the First Law characters, he is the most 'Good'. His slow death from the sickness brought on by the seed was heart breaking.
@@GiraffeFeaturesI love West but the most morally "good" person is undoubtedly Haddish Kahdia. Not gonna say why in case you haven't read Sharp Ends.
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Oh yeah that's completely fair, I should have been more specific and said 'main characters/POV characters'.
"How´s the leg?" leaved a hole in my heart that will never be filled
3:45 I like how Gloktas thought bubble is stairs 💀
I LOL'd
The fact that you only have 1k subscribers is genuinely criminal for a video of this level of quality. Keep at it mate, your content is solid and the subscribers will come sooner or later
5:43 First time I ever saw a full world map. Salute
Steven Pacey is the best narrator of all time imo.
“How’s the leg?” Ambercrombie is an absolute legend. The audiobooks are phenomenal- Steven Pacey is without equal as a voice actor. Highly recommend!
1:50 Never found yourself feeling miserable reading the books?! The ending of the first trilogy left me feeling terrible and pretty much the entire second and especially the third book of the second trilogy was pure adulterated misery?! The Heroes was just BRUTAL.
I'm happy you mentioned the audio books. It really takes the series to the next level. Sweet video dude. 👍
The books won’t make you depressed… wisdom of crowds has entered the chat
You mean, Best served cold.
@@BlackHand531 I think Best Served Cold had so many fantastic and funny moments that it took the edge off the sad parts of Best Served Cold. Trouble With Peace and then subsequently Wisdom of Crowds was just pure depression from start to finish.
@@GiraffeFeatures yeah, but I actually rooted for some of the characters at the start of BSC. Then they all became horrible people. I didn't like anyone by the end, and that was the depressing part.
@@BlackHand531 Ahhhh I see what you mean and where you're coming from, that's fair enough!
Friendly will always be a top 3 favourite character across all the books for me.
@@GiraffeFeatures yeah! The first story I've read of Joe's was the "Tough times all over" short story.
Friendly was one of the most impactful character in that story.
Reading book 1 right now. I’m half way through it and was thinking of just dropping it, wondering where the plot was. But seeing this I realized I just need to power through it to see the hype of the full trilogy! All the positive comments I seen on this series gets me hyped to finish them all.
Have you finished??
weird man. I really just enjoyed the world being explored and getting to know the characters even tho the plot wasnt advancing quickly. im at 92% now!
Good luck, the 3rd book will blow your mind with how good it is. You've never seen such character development and twists.
@@joehall3264 yes I finished it. Book 1 ending a lot better than I expected! I think everyone is right book 2 and 3 are where the meat starts happening
@@nathanielzarny1176 I want to love someone and then I hate them 😂 my brain didn’t know what to do
The fact people will say "The First Law isn't Grimdark" is exactly why this term needs to die and we need to revert back to using "Dark Fantasy."
Age Of Madness is one of my favourite serieses of all time for me
Love this series, thanks so much for bringing more attention to it!
i love those books, have them both on paper and audiobook. the narrator does such a good work of conveying emotion and character. to this day i remember a " i hate you" line from best served cold, you can say it gives me ...the shivers
This was so well done! Your editing is good I really hope you blow up so more people can see it. The First Law series is one of my favorite of all time, you covered all of it perfectly for someone who doesn't have a clue what it's about before watching!
Joe Abercrombie has legit some of the funniest moments in a fantasy series. Crummock-i-Phail alone always cracks me the fuck up and Ferro sputtering in laughter when Jezal is crowned always kills me.
Love your videos man your delivery is top notch I discovered the 1st law serie thanks to you and I love it! Thanks man keep up the good work!
I’m just about to finish the third book. Holy shit holy shit holy shit
Ok this is seriously some top notch quality video!!
Well done!!!
I started to read the book for Logen Ninefingers. I stayed for Glokta and his Practicals.
man we need more of these videos
Steven Pacey is AMAZING, the audiobooks are highly recommended
The books were great and glad to have hard copies.. but the audiobook has had me in a chokehold. Steven Pacey really encapsulates the characters through his narration
Im dying for more content from this channel
1:50 I found myself miserable while reading Best Served Cold, that book was depressing.
This is the best review I've ever listened/watched, congratulations ❤🥳🎉! I love the books and I would say that it's a must to listen them, Steven Pacey is great!
I love the video, but I'm having trouble hearing you. And I agree, Stephen pacey is fantastic on the audiobooks. He's 1 of the best I've listened to!!
These videos are fantastic! You should do some Cosmere stuff!!! Also Faithful and the Fallen would be sweet!
Amazing book series and an amazing video too! I'll show parts of this to people I think will enjoy the books so I avoid any spoilers for them.
Love a radioactive magic tornado
Its always weird hearing Steven Pacey's voices at normal speed, usually im at 1.8x
Great fucking video my man! I love your humor ❤
That last book in the series was the first book ever to make me cry. I even threw it across the room
I just found my new favorite RUclips channel
Love your vids, hope to see you back some day
Man I just bought the first book last night.
"and Bayaz smiled..."
@Flipphony Is there a way to contact you for a business inquiry?
😮the bloody nine is nuts.
But the stand alone book "Best Served Cold"
With Shivers and the Snake of Talins before either of them were that is my favourite
The first is simply amazing!!
This is a great video man very informative I'm new to your channel but you have a new subscriber cool content you have on this channel here I'm about 200 pages in to the blade itself my first reading you know the crazy thing is I originally bought this book way back when it first came out and there was only like 50 reviews on it and they were all mixed I don't know why I never read it but I've collected every one I finally decided to start it I really regret it cuz it's really good stuff some of the best character work I've ever read
The first law trilogy is great but his most recent trilogy, In particular, "The trouble with Peace(book 2)" may be the best book I've ever heard/read... Top 3 for sure right up there w/ A storm of Swords...Abercrombie w/Steven Pacey is as good as audiobooks ever get.
Was Collem West ever not the good guy? In my memory he had some anger issues, but always acted with the intend to do good.
It's been a few years since I've listened to the audiobooks, so I don't remember all the details.
He was, most normies just don't understand military necessity
I have all the love for Jezal, within the narrative (even tho my heart is Glokta's). But, I have so much love and sadness for my boy West. My guy went through it, and got fucked on the other end.
You should do more video's. They're all really good.
THe best series of books I've ever read in the fantasy genre. And this is saying a lot with so much good stuff out there. Another one I recommend is anything by author Robin Hobb
The characters are a fraction of every readers personality, no matter how dark (admit it;) Hence why relatable. The scale lies in which character you most identify with. 'You have to be realistic about these things' to enjoy this series
Lol west is probably the least evil character in this series
first law beats game of thrones hand down
8:48 Well I need that last vision to happen before I say happy days.
Man I really despised Gunnar Broad for a while until I realized he was supposed to be like if Frost/Downside was a POV character. He is literally an unrepentant thug
Please do one for the broken empire trilogy 🙏🏽
I definitely think it’s a shame Ferro hasn’t popped back up since the end of the first trilogy. Hopefully we see her again or at least hear what she’s up to aside from a passing mention in the new trilogy.
i like your videos funny editing man
Anyone know the song in the video?
Really nice vid!
Grimdark is an arbitrary term, it's more of a vibe rather than a genre. I don't like using it because it never really fits with my view on this series.
First Law would best be described as a "sardonic comedy" in my opinion. I found myself laughing more and more at the misery and absurdity that was unfolding rather than feeling miserable myself.
Also, Glokta my beloved
Another excellent vid
PERFECT
surely do a stormlight video
West and Dogman are not secondary viewpoints!!
they did West so dirty
I want to get into this one a lot.
I think, I found a gem in RUclips wasteyard
Am i the only one who never got into GOT, i dont know Black Company and First Law and Blade Itself is so much more interesting, Got to my opinion is kind of boring and lame to be honest ive tried getting into the series i just cant. But ive heard so many people talking about the series, im also read the book and watched the tv series both of them to my opinion are pretty lame grimdark fantasies.
One thing I never understood about the books’ reputation is, where were all the surprising twists everyone keeps talking about.
Almost everything that happens in the books is heavily foreshadowed. (The only one I think was really surprising was the one with West.)
That doesn’t make the trilogy any less wonderful, just a notion I’ve made.
You're fulla shit if you're pretending you saw most of the twists beforehand.
Bro are you planning to make more?
Eventually.
First law IS grimdark. Grimdark is anything raw, nihilistic, violent, pessimistic, bloody and usually set in dystopian medieval worlds with little magic and lots of blodshells.
It's not really a medieval world, it's more like the 17th century.
Best video summary 😂funny
Jfc what were you thinking with this terrible background music?! So obnoxious and distracting!
I appreciate the part about it being grimdark I dont enjoy the genre very much because i like the good winning in the end, but i will give it a go some day.
Btw i whould like a video about the Stormlight archive.
"what if everything and everyone sucked" Ummm, look around...
3:43 lmao
noti gang 🤙🖖
So.... The book best served cold was so depressing by the end. I didn't like any of them. I'm scared to read the next one.
fix your pace
First Law showed me I don't really like grimdark
:D
That background sax is super annoying.
𝓟Ř𝔬𝓂𝔬𝐒ϻ
Crappy voice over
who's the guy standing between Ferro and Jezal thinking of toilets?
Edit: Dogman :D still dont get it why toilets must have missed something when reading