r/bookclub • u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 • Apr 08 '26
First Law [Discussion 1/5] A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie - Start through Chapter "Fencing With Father"
Welcome back to the Grimdark friends. Have you sharpened your swords and maybe sharpened A Little Hatred? I recommend you do because it's about to get bloody up in here. As always I'll write chapter summaries below and there will be questions in the comments to get the discussion rolling.
The schedule can be found here and the marginalia here For alternate chapter summaries and other info the wiki is a great resource but beware of potential spoilers it's easy to click around and end up learning something you didn't want to know yet....ask me how I know.
Chapter Summaries
Part I
Blessings and Curses
Rikke comes to after a seizure and some visions. Isern thinks she has the Long Sight which is a blessing. Rikke disagrees. She saw "a wolf eat the sun. Then a lion ate the wolf. Then a lamb ate the lion. Then an owl ate the lamb" and Uffrith burning Rikke, as it turns out, is Dogman's daughter and Isern, at 10 years old, was there when Dogman fought Bethod, up in the High Places with the Bloody-Nine beside him. Suddenly Isern hears a noise and leaves Rikke alone on the trail. When three of Stour Nightfall's men appear with wolves on their shields. We learn Rikke has a gold bullnose piercing and a cross painted over her left eye (her Long Eye). The men intend to bring Uffrith back to the North and end Dogman and co. by driving the Union out. Rikke shoots the younger man with her arrow and Isern shows up to take out the other 2. Isern says Rikke needs to be harder. She smells smoke and runs to look over Uffrith. It is burning, just as she saw.
Where the Fight’s Hottest
Leo dan Brock (The Young Lion!) is in the thick of battle with Stour Nightfall’s Northmen. He captures the enemy's Standard. They've won!!! He is giddy with joy. In his mother's tent the lady governor (Finree) is dictating a letter begging help from the king whilst crushing Leo's morale. She's furious with his vain recklessness. Ritter had died in the battle leaving a wife and child. Leo feels guilty enough to leave the dead man's family his house in Ostenhorm. She orders him to pull his men back. Outside her tent his men cheer for him and he feels better.
Guilt Is a Luxury
Rikke and Isern have been travelling for 3 days through the hard to travse thicket/bog of the valley. They can't even get any comfort from a fire that might give away their location. Rikke is struggling with the guilt of killing the boy. Isern is protecting Rikke as she is determined to keep her word to her father, and because her Long-eye will help lead them to a North free of the grip of Scale Ironhand and Black Calder.
Keeping Score
Accompanied by Zuri, Lady Savine dan Glokta visits Hill Street Foundry (that she owns one sixth of) before heading to the inn to shake down Majir. Savine then visits the very large man that is Dietam dan Kort a famed architect. She haggles to invest in his bridge/canal for a fifth of the enterprise. She has him over a barrel.
A Little Public Hanging
Orso is watching 3 criminals be hanged for treason when he realises he is out of pearl dust and heavily indebted to anyone that might be able to re-up his supply. He sends his valet Hildi off to fix it anyway. He has the power to stop the executions as heir to all the Union, but doesn't. Bremer dan Gorst has been sent by the Queen to retrieve Orso. The High Queen of the Union, Terez, is pissed that her 27 year old son and Crown Prince behaves like an indolent youth. She pleads for him to help his weak father against King Jappo and the thrice-damned Snake of Talins. His sister Cathil was sent to Starikland and his sister Carlot married to the Chancellor of Sipani and now it's his turn to make sacrifices. Lord Chamberlain Hoff has more potential matches for Orso and the parade of paintings begins. He dismisses each one in turn before asking if Lady Savine is an option....she is not! Savine and Orso are actually having an affair, and he is totally smitten.
The Breakers
Vick or Victarine tells the story of her father's downfall. He'd (along with his family) been send to Angland and the camps of the North for High Treason. A tough life for them all. Sibalt returns with the information that Reed, Cudber and his daughter were hanged for trying to unionise. Sibalt needs to leave Adua, but not till they blow The Hill Street Foundry up with Gurkish Fire. They all (incl. Moor, Grise, Tallow) want to follow it through to a Great Change. Collem Sibalt and Vick are having relations in private. He trusts her, but she trusts no one. He dreams of taking her to the Far Country shown in The Life of Dab Sweet by Marin Glanhorm. Things will soon change forever between them.
The Answer to Your Tears
Rikke wakes to realise a man is hanging in the tree above her. They need to find the Union or Rikke's father's men. Isern is unmoved, but Rikke is close to falling apart. Isern gives her a few slaps and a good talking to. Rikke gets mad and fights back a little.
Young Heroes
Leo, Jurand and co. watch Northmen through an eyeglass. War is boring! Leo is sick of waiting and their morale is waning from all the retreating ordered by Finree. Leo has been waiting 3 years for the king to confirm him in to his father's place. In the meantime he must follow his mother's orders. She's sent a weak regiment down into the valley to draw the Northmen out and protect her strong regiments. Leo takes the drummer boy's drum and leads them in a march.
The Moment
Clover is reluctantly "teaching" 2 boys the noble art of swordsmanship when Black Calder appears. Though Scale wears the chain it is Calder who makes the king's choices. Calder is livid with his son Stour Nightfall for setting fire to Uffrith. He sent Wonderful to reign him in, and now he wants to send Clover too. Turns out the Great Wolf is a prick. When Clover arrives Stour is surrounded by his crew of fighters and arse lickers. Clover tells Stour he's been sent by Calder. It could have gone worse.
Break What They Love
Rikke is hiding from her enemy trudging by on the path above, and nearly gets pissed on by Clover. She overhears Stour tell Wonderful to find Rikke so he can torture her. There's a bounty on her. Rikke is furious. Clover and Wonderful are concerned about Stour becoming king one day.
It Was Bad
Gunnar Broad is trudging home from 2 years of terribleness fighting in Styria. Liddy opens the door and he sobs into her shoulder. He tells his daughter, May, how he got his glasses. A gift from Lord Marshal Mitterick for saving his life. The house is in disrepair so he has plenty of work to do. Though they'd been forced by Lord Isher to sell their flock. All they can do is leave for work in Valbeck. Lennart Seldom and his men arrive to take his property. He tells Broad he can either take a little money or lose it to fire. Broad choses option 3...war...
A Sea of Business
Ardee and Savine attend a meeting of the Solar Society. She loses interest, only really caring about how to turn this or that into money. Savine is excellent at playing the game (gloves off and riddled with blackmail). Everyone seems to be vying for her attention. Offers of salt, metal, clocks.... She relishes her power. Master Sulfur, a Magi, introduces himself. His master has been working with her father, but new connections must replace old. When Curnsbick appears Sulfur has disappeared. She beautifully offends Arinhorm and he wastes no time getting "into bed" with Selest dan Heugen. King Jezal shows up but is quickly called to leave due to events in the North. Savine plans to make trouble for Arinhorm.
Fencing with Father
Orso wakes in a worse for wear state to learn about the events up North. He wonders if he can do something. Orso meets with his father and they spar whilst discussing the events of the North, and how the Council plans to do nothing. We do learn the Gurkish have fallen. The coffers are empty. There's nothing to be done. Orso tells Jezal how he wants to lead an expedition to the North. Jezal is shocked but he recognises Orsa wants it. They agree to Gorst twenty Knights of the Body and a battalion of the King’s Own from the King. Orso will find the remaining 5000 troops himself. It sounds like work but Orso is surprisingly up for it.
Fencing with Father
Savine is training with Gorst while her father watches and criticises her. She is unrecognisable. She questions her father about who is pulling strings and how to invest her money. She jokes about Valint and Balk, but Glokta is furious and tells her never to get involved with them. Savine gets annoyed that Gorst is treating her with kids gloves and asks him to give her everything. Glokta agrees and Savine learns a very painful lesson. She wants to cry but holds it back. Gorst advises her to run if faced with a dangerous man. Glokta is proud of Savine's ability to save face.
Is it me or does each successive book get better and better? I am loving meeting the next generation and also getting to see our OG characters too. Join u/NightAngelRogue next week for Chapters Promises through Sinking Ships. See you there 🗡📚
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
18 - Gorst turns the (not quite) full force of his violence upon Savine in sword practice and puts her on her arse. How will this affect her, if at all? Were you surprised to hear she has two faces, the powdered one in a wig and the shaved headed swords woman? How might this benefit her?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Savine is such a well developed character already - you can see Glokta in her but she is her own person and not a caricature of him. I think the lesson will light a fire under her!
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
Oh this was a great bit of the reading, so many of my favorite characters in one spot. I think Savine works to harden and improve herself now that she knows that there is another level that she is not ready for yet.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I think this is a great learning opportunity for her. She has a lot of confidence but clearly not all of it was earned. I expect, assuming she learns this lesson, she might be more strategic when choosing to fight in the future.
As a character, absolutely loving her. This second side was unexpected but wonderful.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
19 - Glokta is back. Is he what you hoped/expected? How has he changed over the years? How has becoming a father affected him? What about being Bayaz's man?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I honestly never expected to love the series, and Abercrombie's writing, this much when I was chipping away the the OG trilogy. It was a slowburn with its character building a fundamental aspect to why it worked so well as a whole. The standalones are where Abercrombie really shines though imo. They have all the character building but are plot driven in a much faster and engaging way
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
As much as I'd hate to lose you reading along with us I'd actually recommend putting this book on hold and going back to Best Served Cold, Heroes, Red Country, then Sharp Ends. I think you'll get more from the First Law World as a whole if you read them in the order they were published
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Lol I would never say that aloud ;)
I have added a spoiler warning to the post for those coming later (there are a few others reading along that will drop in at some point), so don't click on the white boxes. That being said it's likely to be unavoidable for us not to refer back to the Standalones to one degree or another
Eta - also the fact they are referred to standalones is very misleading imo!
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I am so excited that Glokta is back! It seems like being a family man may have softened some of his harsher tendencies although it is still early days so we shall see. I like that he is so involved with Savine and trying to both encourage and protect her. I can feel Bayaz lurking in the background of so much of this already. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop!
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26
Glokta has softened a bit, or at least is less jaded. He has purpose in guiding his daughter and is doing his best to protect her from Bayaz's influence as he knows it won't lead to good things in the end.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26
Well, we do know that the bank is a front for Bayaz.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I'm so happy to see Glokta and as a parent. I agree he seems softer but more in a focused way as he clearly loves his daughter and ruthlessly wants her to be happy and successful. His own experiences have clearly influenced him and he wants to avoid letting her be pushed into the same corners he was. Unfortunately, without her knowing the full details I worry about her future with Bayaz.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
1 - Roll call - Who is here and how are you consuming the book? What Abercrombie have you read before or are you new to this author?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Hi, welcome to the readalong. It's nice to see an unfamiliar username join in the fun. Have you read all the stand alones too?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I'm still sticking around for this one, only Abercrombie I've been exposed to is this First Law world, and I have to say, it's brilliant.
Audiobook for me on this one, Steve Pacey does a great job.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Loving this one, as usual, like the rest of First Law! I agree with u/nepbug that Pacey on audio is brilliant!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 12 '26
Pacey/Abercrombie was the OG dream team for audiobooks (until Hayes/Dinniman stole the gold)
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I'm here and committed to reading everything Abercrombie writes in the First Law. Beforehand, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the next generation but I am already loving it.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 May 02 '26
I was the same, but it really didn't take many chapters at the beginning here for Abercrombie to hook me in to these new character's lives. He so quickly builds these fascinating characters that we just have to learn more about! So well done (I'm such a fan-girl omg!)
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
2 - Part 1 starts with the epigraph
‘The age is running mad after innovation;
and all the business of the world
is to be done in a new way.’ Dr Johnson
How does this set the tone for the book? Did it create any expectations? After reading this sections how, if at all, did these expectations change? How do you view the poem if you apply it to the real world vs First Law world?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I do think we'll start seeing more modern problems cropping up in this book, and lot s of people not happy with change being disruptors.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I liked this as a way to kick off the book. It felt well aligned to the cast of characters as we are seeing kids and parents, which inevitably leads to a clash between generations and ways of doing things. It also sets us up for understanding that the world is modernizing with this new generation. I like that even though this is fantasy, Abercrombie is following a very realistic human civilization trajectory in how society would evolve.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
3 - How has the First Law world changed, or not since the previous books set many years previous? How will this affect the people living in this world? How specifically does it affect our MCs?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I agree. We have all these new players and they have the same motivations, challenges and so on as the previous players. The North and the Union are still fighting, life's still hard, the world is still dark
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
4 - What are your thoughts on Rikke and Isern's relationship. How does this change over the course of the section? Do you think Rikke is weak like she'd believed or sharp as iron like Isern sees in her? Rikke is emotional about killing the boy. Isern is cold. How do the two women approach life? How are they different? How are they similar?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
Isern has seen some stuff! I think we'll see a softening of Isern and hardening of Rikke as they meet in the gray middle, typical Abercrombie.
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Apr 09 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I fully expect Rikke to be a large player in the overarching storyline. I'm guessing Wonderful and Clover to find them. I hope they turn away from Stour. He's a liability
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I feel like she is a very average person in a difficult world that's been thrust in to something bigger than her because she has a gift that others can utilise for their own needs. One being the Long sight and the other being the daughter of Dogman
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Oh that could be! I have been enjoying this storyarc tbh, but I still really like the idea that she is scrabbling in the dirt right now, but by the end of the book could be a major player in the events
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I was wondering if the Isern-Rikke dynamic was modelled on [Sharp Ends reference] Shev and Javre somewhat....
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I had the same question! I liked that relationship so it makes me hopeful for this pairing as well!
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I think we're set up to think they will fall nearly into Rikke as the weaker of the two, easily led by Isern, the boss. But I'm betting Rikke will rise to the occasion when challenged, and she might help Isern adjust her cold, hard persona along the way.
I have to admit I laughed a bit when I seen asked if Rikke wanted to hear what her dad said when Isern used to cry, then smacked her. This was very Abercrombie style dark humor.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
5 - Rikke has the Long Eye after all. She saw Uffrith burning (which came to pass) and "a wolf eat the sun. Then a lion ate the wolf. Then a lamb ate the lion. Then an owl ate the lamb". It seems the sun is the Union that's just been eaten by the wolf (Stour Nightfall). Any thoughts on who might be the lion, lamb and owl?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I hope so, I want to see how unhinged Bayaz has become over the years!
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Is it Leo who has a lion mentioned when they refer to him or am I accidentally conflating his name with the animal?
Is it too literal to hope that the lamb is (standalone book reference) Lamb aka Logen Ninefingers ?!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 12 '26
Yes Leonwas called the young lion. I eonder if that meant Brock was the old lion before he died. As much as I want to see Lamb I do wonder what that means for him and whose side he is on and who even is the goodguys anymore?!?!?!
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
All valid questions! As usual, I just cringe and cover my eyes and listen on as everything comes to a clashing point and everyone does morally questionable things! Yay! 🤣
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I'm also thinking the lion is Leo and the owl is likely Bayaz. The lamb is a mystery still but I wonder if it could be Prince Orso? He's giving me lamb vibes and I absolutely expect him to be under Bayaz's thumb in no time.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
6 - Do you think Rikke's Long-eye can really lead the North to being free of Scale and Calder? Why? Will they be under someone else's authority in this case? Who?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
No matter what, it seems like the North always needs to be freed from it's current leadership. The reputation of them always wanting to fight is kinda justified.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
it seems like the North always needs to be freed from it's current leadership.
I feel like this could apply to nearly all leaderships in this world.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
7 - "In battle, a man discovers who he truly is," Thoughts on Leo's mid battle pondering? How does this change once he speaks to his mother? What kind of man is Leo? Will he be a good leader? Are his friends and fellow soldiers really his friends or just the fighters and arse-lickers that surround the powerful (see Stour)?
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
8 - Rikke's getting a hard lesson about survival outdoors. What's your relationship with nature? Do you camp or hike?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I absolutely love the outdoors and camping/backpacking. There is something so nice about being in nature's beauty and life becoming a lot simpler. Plus, it's a joy to see your kids start to appreciate the same things and discover how great the natural world is.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I spent a lot of time outdoors when I was younger. This year will be our first (vehicle) camping trip with the kids (they are still only 3 and 5) and I am looking forward to exploring nature with them, BBQing a lot and just being together in a new place
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I like short hikes on fairly flat land. Followed by air conditioning. I appreciate nature but I sunburn extremely easily and like to sleep comfortably for 8 hours so no camping. I'm not a rigorous exercise person so I wouldn't do well on a prolonged hike in rough terrain. Yoga at home is my style.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
9 - Why is Isern looking after Rikke? What do you think the woman's endgame is?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Oh interesting. Do we know the age difference between them? I had seen her as being more older sister age and much less caring than you did.
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I love how differently we have interpreted this character. I see her as having an agenda and Rikke's Long Eye will help her achieve her goals. I see her as being very self motivated and less altruistic. I also don't think that she shares Rikke's gift, just an understanding of it.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I had also seen her older than sister but it is unclear. I got more irritated aunt than motherly though.
I've been thinking a lot about relative ages and struggling. It has never been explicitly stated in the other books but, maybe because it's a second generation, I'm having a harder time gauging ages here.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 11 '26
10 - Finree is back and she's made waves for women by wearing a sword to court. In fact Glokta calls her the most competent general. Was this a surprise for you? What do you think she's been up to since we last saw her? Who is she now? Do you find her battle tactics surprising?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I love how she has capitalized on her position and harnessed her strengths despite gender expectations! I wasn't too surprised as she had hints of this potential.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 12 '26
She was in the army her whole life iirc right? Her father brought her on campaigns all the time. Then marrying Brock. It all makes sense to me that she'd end up on this role. Her comment still sticks in my head when she was talking to Brock and he mocks her by saying "Everyone's an idiot but you" and she replies "you see it too" lol one of my fave lines of the series
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Ooh I forgot that quote! It's perfect! And yes, her time following her father and husband in the military definitely paid off! She was literally born to do this and I'm glad it was finally recognized because when we first met her no one seemed to want to listen to her
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
11 - What do you make of Savine van Glokta? She claims not to even care about money, but it's how she keeps score. She drives a hard bargain. Do you believe she's not motivated by money? Who is Zuri as a person? Is she loyal?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I think Savine is going to be an intriguing player in this book. She seems very determined and skilled in many things. I see her expertly manipulating her way into a position of influence.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Savine is fantastic! She is tough and smart and witty. I liked her observation that there's no point to wealth if everyone has it. It seems she has inherited her father's manipulative powers, too, which should be fun. As for Zuri, I trust her so far! We'll see!
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Me tooo. I wonder how her power and privilidge will stand the force of the Magi
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
12 - Orso and Savine. Perfect match or a recipie for disaster? ...or both?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
Good match for Savine to use him for her means. Orso doesn't realize that he's going to get played.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I could actually see Savine becoming Queen tbh. Jezal might be swayed to allow Orso to marry her but Terez will be more challenging. They both had different experiences with and adaptation to a marriage of policical convenience.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 May 02 '26
I'm predicting disaster for Orso emotionally. Savine doesn't give me the impression of being seriously interested in someone of his personality. She's either with him to use him or as a casual thing.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
13 - Why will things be forever changed between Vick and Sibalt after their attack on the Hill Street Foundry? Can they continue their relationship? Will either or both make it to the Far Country?
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
14 - Can Clover win over Stour or is he cooked? Clover and Wonderful have been set to the task of finding Rikke. Do you think they are the right ones for the job? Will they find her?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I think for Rikke's sake they are the right people to find her if she must be found. Their concern over Stour's brutality speaks to the chance that she'll stand a chance in their hands.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
15 - What's Broad's role in the larger picture of the novel? Was Liddy sleeping with Seldom? What will Liddy and May think of Broad's behaviour? What's next for this family?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
This was the exchange that made me think she got to stay because she was giving Seldom what he wanted...
"‘We made ’em see the sense in it,’ said Able, shifting that flatbow in his lap. ‘So why’s my wife still here?’ Seldom sneaked another shifty glance at Liddy. ‘Just wanted to give her some more time, ’cause we all know each other and—’ ‘You always liked her. I understand. I like her myself. That’s why I married her.’ Liddy had a worried, warning note in her voice. ‘Gunnar—’"
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Apr 11 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
Yes a lot of subtle foreshadowing. I will definitely re-read this whole series one day (one day!)
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Same, these audiobooks are ones I don't mind purchasing because I know they'll get some use! I always feel like I am missing lots of little details and these discussions help tease out connections for me!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
16 - The two greatest armies in the Circle of the World, both commanded by women. Glokta ponders how Finree Brock vs Murcatto might have changed things in Styria. Who would you have been rooting for? Who would have won? Why?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I just can't go against Murcatto. Finree is really smart and tactful, but Murcatto is willing to play dirty a lot more.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
I am inclined to agree.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Same here, she'd have the edge over Finree for sure!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
17 - Fencing With Father is the title of 2 chapters Orso and Jezal plus Savine and Glokta. Why did Abercrombie name 2 consecutive chapters the same? How are the evnts in them similar? How are they different? Actually how are the 2 father-offspring relationships different? How are they the same?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
I love when Abercrombie does these fun little literary tricks, he's done similar things in previous books.
This was a great contrast in the Father and offspring relationships and how Orso is protecting his father's ego, while Glokta was protecting Savine's, but also willing to expose her to the true harshness of the real world at the same time.
Orso doesn't really have much to learn from Jezal, while Savine will still be gaining knowledge from Glokta, thus Savine's potential is higher.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
This was a great contrast in the Father and offspring relationships
Agreed. Orso and Jezal were testing each other physically whereas Savine and Glokta were testing each other mentally
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
Jezal as the physical strength and Glokta as the mental strength is a perfect summary of their personas so the fact that their kids follow suit has a nice symmetry to it.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
20 - Orso, a self confessed weak character, makes a strong decision to lead a contingency against the Northmen. Savine, a strong character, is overpowered and we see her weakness. How does Abercrombie continue to build complex characters? Who is your favourite new character? What about your favourite familiar face/name?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Apr 08 '26
Savine is my favorite new character, and Gorst is my favorite returning character.
I think Abercrombie might using Orso and Savine as a comparison of different classes (though Savine isn't exactly low class) and the challeneges they face or don't face throughout life.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Apr 12 '26
I think Savine is my favorite new character so far. Rikke has potential but we haven't seen too much from her yet whereas Savine jumped off the page fully formed and exciting!
I was excited to see Glokta and Gorst and Finree. I'll say Wonderful is similar to Rikke - it will depend on what we see from her storyline before I can decide how excited I am for her to be back!
I am always confused/overwhelmed at all the characters in Abercrombie's books and it takes me a few sections to get everything straight, so I'm not thrilled that so many of the younger generation have been named after other older characters. It's even harder this time around! I need a flow chart 😂
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 08 '26
21 - Anything else I have missed?
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Apr 08 '26
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
You are in good company. Theres a bunch of us systematically working through everything Abercrombie ever wrote in the First Law world. He is, imho, a genius writer that doesn't get more traction because his genre is grimdark and that doesn't work for a lot of people
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Apr 11 '26
For anyone coming to the discussion later please be aware not everyone here has read the entire First Law canon. Therefore, please spoiler tag any references to past reads where possible