Written by Goodreads – Best Served Cold
Author – Joe Abercrombie
Springtime in Styria. And that means war. Springtime in Styria. And that means revenge.
There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle with the squabbling League of Eight, and between them they have bled the land white. While armies march, heads roll and cities burn, behind the scenes bankers, priests and older, darker powers play a deadly game to choose who will be king.
War may be hell but for Monza Murcatto, the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Duke Orso’s employ, it’s a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular – a shade too popular for her employer’s taste. Betrayed, thrown down a mountain and left for dead, Murcatto’s reward is a broken body and a burning hunger for vengeance. Whatever the cost, seven men must die.
Her allies include Styria’s least reliable drunkard, Styria’s most treacherous poisoner, a mass-murderer obsessed with numbers and a Northman who just wants to do the right thing. Her enemies number the better half of the nation. And that’s all before the most dangerous man in the world is dispatched to hunt her down and finish the job Duke Orso started…
Springtime in Styria. And that means revenge.
– Goodreads Synopsis
It’s been a while since I’ve made another awesome blog post. (Were they ever awesome?) Sometimes life gets in the way and plus all of the stress that comes with moving to a new city… and starting a new job (bleh). Well…We are back baby!
After finishing The First Law trilogy, there was a void in my reading experiences. The dark gritty feeling was gone, and I was longing to get it back. The obvious choice was to pick back up and jump into the same universe again, but with new characters! It’s no doubt that Mr. Abercrombie is quickly becoming one of my favorites…
The Pain
Best Served Cold immediately jumps into what I think is Joe Abercrombie’s greatest strength is: The description of pain. Although it reminds me of characters from his 
previous works (Glokta), the main character Monza’s pain is described so well, so visceral, that you really cringe with the character at every painful step that they take. The beauty in the pain description is that it is not so over the top and gruesome that it feels unbelievable. It hits that perfect middle ground that I see other writers struggle to accomplish.
The Humor
I read a big chunk of this book on my plane rides during my business trips. I do this weird thing where I need to listen to the audiobook, and read the book at the same time, to keep me focused and not distracted when I am trying to read in public. The audiobook version was absolutely amazing, and the voices done by the narrator were perfect fits of the characters. (Cosca/Morveer) There was a time during one of these plane rides that I actually cracked up because of how ridiculous some of the scenes were. (It was the scene where Friendly goes berserk after being called a liar.)
“You should laugh every moment you live, for you’ll find it decidedly difficult afterwards.”
The Characters
During the entire read, I could not get the mental image of Captain Jack Sparrow out of my head while reading any parts with Nicomo Cosca.
I would not be surprised if some of the inspiration of Nicomo’s character came from those movies. He is this swashbuckling drunk who always comes out on top, but can seem like a fool the entire time.
“My name is Nicomo Cosca, famed solider of fortune, and I am here for dinner.”
Morveer the poisoner also left a memorable impression on me, and that is the mark of a great fantasy novel. When the characters speak to you, you know you got something good in your hands. What else to bring together a motley crew than a sociopath assassin?
“Caution first, always.” -Morveer
Friendly, besides from making me bust of laughing on a crowded plane, was also a terrific character. The certain quirks that were given to him just really help shape his character and bring something special to whole crew’s dynamic.
“Six and one.” -Friendly
My Takeaway
Best Served Cold is fantastic. Joe Abercrombie is fantastic. Grimdark fantasy is fantastic. (I swear this is not sarcasm.)
If you are tired of reading all of the happy go lucky YA fantasy that is out there, try to switch it up with some nice dark and depressing fantasy. It just feels so good to read.
“Revenge. I swear, is there a more pointless, destructive, unsatisfying motive in all the world?”
Life of Chaz 
I really liked Abercrombie’s Half a King. I’ll have to give this a try.
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Abercrombie is one of those fantasy authors I always think maybe I should read when I see one of his books, then never do. I might just have to get my act together and give him a try.
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I’ve been considering listening to the audiobook while reading, I wonder if it’ll help speed up my reading. Have you noticed if it helps you?
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I think it actually slows me down. I tend to read faster than most of the narrators, but the good thing about audiobooks is that it keeps me less distracted for longer.
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Good to see u
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I did the same as you. Read The First Law trilogy, knew I was missing something in my life so dived into Best Served Cold.
I totally agree with you as far as his descriptions of pain are concerned. Until the day I die, Glokta’s eternal war with staircases in the First Law trilogy will stick with me!
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Loved this and the First Law trilogy.
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The First Law books are amazing. I need to read the final book in the series but I don’t want it to end!! Great review!
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You had me at Jack Sparrow :D.
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We love your reviews Chaz!
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I absolutely must try these books. I will read The First Law first and then this one. Seems great.
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Wow that is dark, I love it! I’ll be sure to give it a go
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You had me at Jack Sparrow 😉 This definitely sounds right up my ally! Thank you so much for sharing
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Never thought about doing audio and book at the same time 🤔 I might just try that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Glad to see you’re back. And sometimes taking a break really can do good. Amazing review, I always enjoy reading your posts. You’ve just got a gift for language. And maybe I’ll try it out sometime. Who knows. Awesome work you did here!😊
Now I wish you time to relax and read whatever you want and can. ☺️
ENJOY!
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Love Jack Sparrow here, too. One of fiction’s best! Great review, as always, Chaz! Blessings!
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This sounds like really brilliant grimdark!! Especially like the sound of the characters and Abercrombie’s style of writing! (would you believe it, but I *still* need to read his work!) Great review!
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I have no trouble reading without distraction but my listening sucks. & if I was reading what I was listening to then I wouldn’t be listening. It’s an interesting idea, I’m glad it works for you.
& it’s good to hear you read for fun on business trips rather than working relentlessly 🙂 good for you.
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you had me at Syria. Can this be read as a standalone?
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That’s Styria, not the Syria that we know. This can be read as a standalone, but there are some callbacks and characters from the original “The First Law” trilogy that would help to read beforehand to know everything that is going on.
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reading is fundamental huh? lol geeze i think ill try the audiobooks.
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I haven’t read this trilogy, but did you read Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea series? Genius.
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Revenge is always a grabber-theme, and the only time I root for the bad guys who are due their vengeance!
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🙂 Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Chaz!!
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This sounds great! It’s been a long time since I read some dark fantasy
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Somehow this review got lost in my massive inbox of junk mail, dozens of Youtube notices and everything else i get. And I am bummed i missed it. I could have picked this book up and read it already!
I was chuckling along with your quotes, Chaz, and that is always a good sign! Off to buy this book!
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I tried picking up an Abercrombie book back when I was younger. It intimidated me so much I never got to read it.. Hopefully I can venture into his worlds this time around!
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I love this book too, it reminds me of The Count of Monte Cristo.
And not only the characters are great, the locations too – Monza and her company visit many towns, and each is unique!
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Chaz – I am really enjoying reading your blog and hearing your perspective on the books you read. As you probably already know, I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. For more information, please click on the following link: https://jmlkanewischer.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/awards-for-my-words/
-Jill
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Thank you for the nomination! 😊
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You are welcome!
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Ha haha, ya
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Kolkata
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Great review: Jor Abercrombie has long been a favourite of mine and Best Served Cold is at the top of the pile for me! Looking forward to his next trilogy that promises to be on its way in the not too distant future…
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An amazing review! Never given much thought to listening to an audio book while reading a book, will definitely have to give that a try, sounds like a great idea!
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