The Devils
Joe Abercrombie
I doubt I’ll love a cast of characters in any book I read this year as much as I did the ones in The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. Let’s set the scene: in an alternate history medieval Europe, the countries brace for a new invasion by bloodthirsty, cannibalistic elves. To further complicate matters, the continent is divided by a religious schism. Called in to help are a Suicide Squad/Creature Commandos group of characters who must help a lost empress reclaim her throne. This group is made up of an immortal warrior, a Jill of all Trades adventurer, an egotistical necromancer, a geriatric vampire, an elf liberated from a sideshow, and a Viking werewolf. Hooked yet?
The group, led by the very inexperienced Brother Diaz, must help the lost empress, who’s grown up a street rat, get to the Kingdom of Troy. Hijinks ensue, and for nearly 600 pages, the mismatched group jump back and forth from frying pan to fire. It’s by turns hilarious and ultra-violent, and the characters became as likable to me as any that made the famous trip to Mount Doom. By the end, I was genuinely sad to see them go, but there’s a promise at the end that we haven’t seen the last of, well, most of them.
If there is a downside to this one, it’s that Abercrombie LOVES to write an action scene. Some last for three chapters, and by about halfway through them, I was ready to move on. Also, as I mentioned, it is very violent, and he doesn’t skimp on the gore.
Director James Cameron has bought the rights to this one, and it’s easy to see why. It’s written in a very cinematic style, and I think with the right casting, it could be a big hit. Funny, violent, but also poignant, with deep, rich characters, this one is well worth your time. Five outta five stars.
Joe Abercrombie
I doubt I’ll love a cast of characters in any book I read this year as much as I did the ones in The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. Let’s set the scene: in an alternate history medieval Europe, the countries brace for a new invasion by bloodthirsty, cannibalistic elves. To further complicate matters, the continent is divided by a religious schism. Called in to help are a Suicide Squad/Creature Commandos group of characters who must help a lost empress reclaim her throne. This group is made up of an immortal warrior, a Jill of all Trades adventurer, an egotistical necromancer, a geriatric vampire, an elf liberated from a sideshow, and a Viking werewolf. Hooked yet?
The group, led by the very inexperienced Brother Diaz, must help the lost empress, who’s grown up a street rat, get to the Kingdom of Troy. Hijinks ensue, and for nearly 600 pages, the mismatched group jump back and forth from frying pan to fire. It’s by turns hilarious and ultra-violent, and the characters became as likable to me as any that made the famous trip to Mount Doom. By the end, I was genuinely sad to see them go, but there’s a promise at the end that we haven’t seen the last of, well, most of them.
If there is a downside to this one, it’s that Abercrombie LOVES to write an action scene. Some last for three chapters, and by about halfway through them, I was ready to move on. Also, as I mentioned, it is very violent, and he doesn’t skimp on the gore.
Director James Cameron has bought the rights to this one, and it’s easy to see why. It’s written in a very cinematic style, and I think with the right casting, it could be a big hit. Funny, violent, but also poignant, with deep, rich characters, this one is well worth your time. Five outta five stars.
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