Dec 4, 2012
Time is ticking away, the latest 'normal' episode in in editorial limbo and we haven't yet recorded our usual Christmas mayhem, so here's another Book Group episode to keep you all going. The Heroes could perhaps be described as Sharpe's Waterloo done fantasy-style. Joe Abercrombie uses it to explore the subject of heroism with all its wrinkles and contradictions. Set in the same world as the acclaimed First Law Trilogy, Abercrombie introduces a whole new batch characters in such a way that enables new readers to get straight into it, whilst rewarding long-time fans with a few familiar faces. If you haven't read his stuff before, we're talking a gritty fantasy adventure, full of dark humour and harsh justice. The focus is always on the characters (a particular strength of this author), with vigorous prose and a suitably cynical tone.