Joe Abercrombie's A Little Hatred gets off to a slow start. This appears to be the beginning of a "Game of Thrones"-size, multibook grimdark epic littered with dozens of characters (and requiring frequent consultation with the appendix).At first glance, some of the major characters are downright despicable, such as the money-hungry businesswoman Savine dan Glokta, whose factories exploit the workers. (Savine is certainly no Daenerys Targaryen, more like Cersei Lannister.) Or Leo dan Brock, aka "The Young Lion," who seems to be a spoiled ne'er-do-well of a knight not worthy of our respect, and the enormous and cruel henchman Pike (guest starring in the role of The Mountain). Rikke, a young woman of the North with the "gift" of the Long Eye, has trouble getting her shit together in between chillingly prescient visions.
But after about 100 pages or so, things begin to pick up, as the worlds the characters inhabit begin to congeal. Abercrombie's creation is a blend of medieval history, Viking mythology, and 18th century industrial revolution. When it veers into the medieval, in a Battle of Hastings-like showdown, for example, pages began to turn. Not that I like arrows in the eye, or duels to the death, of course, but it is pretty exciting to try to figure out who to root for and worry whether they are about to die. Abercrombie knows how to write a thrilling climax.
The book's long, though. It's lucky that our local library shut its doors for social distancing and forgave all late fees. Or, you can buy it on Amazon.com.
Recommended.
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