The Heroes

Although set in the same world as his First Law trilogy, it's not important to have read the trilogy first. (Though, I have – years ago – and Best Served Cold as well). Abercrombie always writes a good story. As I started this one, though, I had my doubts. It's essentially the tale of a battle that rages for a little over three days in some unremarkable area of the world near a walled town called Osrung. The Union forces are led by Marshal Kroy and the Northmen are led by Black Dow. There are dozens of characters we follow on both sides. Several of them will die. One of my favorite characters was Bremer dan Gorst, a huge hulking swordmaster with an unnaturally high squeaky voice. Another was Calder, a noted coward among the Northmen, but also a son of a deceased former king of the North. By the time I got to the last third of the book, I kept turning pages to see what would happen. Who would die? It was a very good ending too.