Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

crooksy73 · 26th May 2010, 12:03 PM

Did anyone else feel that The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie felt as though it left many questions unanswered and very much open to other ways of following up on the main characters? Even slightly disappointed?
Inquistor Glokta, Jezal dan Luthar, Logen Ninefingers, The Dogman, and Ferro Maljinn all feel as though they have more to give - I think this shows the strength of Abercrombie's writing and how he draws you into the characters. Nevertheless I still felt as though the ending was maybe a bit rushed and left me wondering about what was going to happen next rather than really tying things up.
How the book ends with Logen jumping in the river is how the first book began which was quite cool but is he alive or dead?
Slightly dissapointed that Abercrombie didn't delve into Logen's split personality - was there a reasoning behind how The Bloody Nine came into being? I was hoping for an explanation but didn't really pick up on one.
I have Best Served Cold waiting on the book shelf but from the back cover it seems entirely new characters so not sure if there's any mention of the old ones?

thaddeus6th · 26th May 2010, 12:52 PM

On Glokta, I don't think anything extra was needed. I like the ambiguity of Logen's end and thought Jezal's was fine.

I was less satisfied with the Dogman.... now I come to think of it I think he just becomes an ambassador, doesn't he?

I don't think unanswered questions are necessarily a bad thing. Not everything has to be spelt out, and open-ended questions means the author can address them later if he decides to (most obviously, a sequel about Logen or Ferro).

crooksy73 · 26th May 2010, 01:05 PM

Or Logen and Ferro for all the romantics out there......

Stylus · 26th May 2010, 01:57 PM

I think it does show a strength of the writing (but perhaps a flaw in the plotting?), that I felt a little too hungry for more on the characters at the end of the trilogy. I don’t know about rushed, but the third book certainly did feel crowded (especially as there was a lot in the second book – with the exception of Glokta in Dagoska – that I could have done without).

The lead characters had developed so well after three books, maybe Abercrombie wanted to keep them handy for the future. Perhaps after he has written twenty books, this trilogy will seem like a great introduction to this world, but for an story in its own right, I’d have liked something more conclusive.

thaddeus6th · 26th May 2010, 02:11 PM

Isn't that what every writer wants at the end of a trilogy or stand-alone book? Have to wait to see how the thread goes, but so far we're all agreeing that we'd love to read more. As Private Bob said to Lieutenant George in Blackadder Goes Forth, "Always leave them hungry."

Lioness · 26th May 2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooksy73

Slightly dissapointed that Abercrombie didn't delve into Logen's split personality - was there a reasoning behind how The Bloody Nine came into being? I was hoping for an explanation but didn't really pick up on one.
I have Best Served Cold waiting on the book shelf but from the back cover it seems entirely new characters so not sure if there's any mention of the old ones?

I didn't see it lacking that, but then, I'm a gamer. First time he did a rage, I went "oh, of course. Barbarian. They do that." and kept reading.

Ursa major · 26th May 2010, 05:31 PM

I thought that the major story arc of the First Law trilogy, which was about the First Law, came to a satisfactory - if not completely happy - ending. That the characters' stories may carry on (if only in the readers' imaginations) is fine as far as I'm concerned.

This sort of ending is far preferable to those where the characters' stories reach their conclusions, but the plot peters out rather than being concluded.

For myself, I wouldn't mind meeting the major characters again; nor would I mind seeing another book (or trilogy) about how the struggle between the Magi carries on after the events of the First Law trilogy.

biodroid · 26th May 2010, 06:20 PM

Man I need to stop reading SPOILER ALERTS

soulsinging · 27th May 2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biodroid

Man I need to stop reading SPOILER ALERTS

I wondered, given that we'd just been talking about the trilogy and you said you hadn't finished book one, why I say your name posting in this thread! I'm not one to talk though... I read HUGE detailed spoilers for GRRM's series and blew a very significant and pivotal event in the 3rd book wide open!

biodroid · 31st May 2010, 06:38 PM

soulsinging - hehe, I just finished Book 1 and thought holy smoke what an ending, very twisty, I can't wait to read book 2 but started Light fantastic my Mr Pratchett and so far loving it. Then I will read book 2 YAY!

DarrellR · 1st June 2010, 06:59 PM

I felt the same way in regards to the idea that we were basically left hanging in regards to some of the characters. But I don't see that as rushing the end or bad plotting. In fact, I think the complete opposite. It was quite brilliant on Joe's part to leave us wanting more.

Plus you now have to look at what he has written since. Best Served Cold features some characters from the triology. And Heroes will also. So there is some reason to believe we will end up at some point have books bringing back Logen's tale or maybe Ferro. Seems like Joe made us dive into his characters and now is trinkling through the follow up books to make us read more. Quite clever on his part.

soulsinging · 3rd June 2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biodroid

soulsinging - hehe, I just finished Book 1 and thought holy smoke what an ending, very twisty, I can't wait to read book 2 but started Light fantastic my Mr Pratchett and so far loving it. Then I will read book 2 YAY!

Glad you enjoyed it thus far... it only gets crazier from here!

crooksy73 · 28th July 2010, 10:20 AM

Currently about 25% through Best Served Cold - loving it - some appearances from characters from the first series which have raised a smile or two :-)

Devil's Advocate · 28th July 2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooksy73

some appearances from characters from the first series which have raised a smile or two :-)

There will be a few more...

Heather Myst · 28th July 2010, 11:22 PM

Crooksy,
I love all the unanswered questions because I think that means I will be treated to more books by Joe Abercrombie. He is fast becoming one of my favorites. The dark fantasy books are my favorites and First Law was a home run for me. I think you are really going to enjoy Best Served Cold too.

Other dark fantasy that I have really enjoyed are the George Martin novels, Carol Berg's Rai-Kirah series, anything by Fiona McIntosh, and Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy.

26th May 2010, 12:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
crooksy73 Riding the trails Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 376	Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Did anyone else feel that The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie felt as though it left many questions unanswered and very much open to other ways of following up on the main characters? Even slightly disappointed? Inquistor Glokta, Jezal dan Luthar, Logen Ninefingers, The Dogman, and Ferro Maljinn all feel as though they have more to give - I think this shows the strength of Abercrombie's writing and how he draws you into the characters. Nevertheless I still felt as though the ending was maybe a bit rushed and left me wondering about what was going to happen next rather than really tying things up. How the book ends with Logen jumping in the river is how the first book began which was quite cool but is he alive or dead? Slightly dissapointed that Abercrombie didn't delve into Logen's split personality - was there a reasoning behind how The Bloody Nine came into being? I was hoping for an explanation but didn't really pick up on one. I have Best Served Cold waiting on the book shelf but from the back cover it seems entirely new characters so not sure if there's any mention of the old ones?

26th May 2010, 12:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
thaddeus6th Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 2,303	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) On Glokta, I don't think anything extra was needed. I like the ambiguity of Logen's end and thought Jezal's was fine. I was less satisfied with the Dogman.... now I come to think of it I think he just becomes an ambassador, doesn't he? I don't think unanswered questions are necessarily a bad thing. Not everything has to be spelt out, and open-ended questions means the author can address them later if he decides to (most obviously, a sequel about Logen or Ferro).

26th May 2010, 01:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
crooksy73 Riding the trails Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 376	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Or Logen and Ferro for all the romantics out there......

26th May 2010, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stylus Easily blunted. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater London Posts: 94	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) I think it does show a strength of the writing (but perhaps a flaw in the plotting?), that I felt a little too hungry for more on the characters at the end of the trilogy. I don’t know about rushed, but the third book certainly did feel crowded (especially as there was a lot in the second book – with the exception of Glokta in Dagoska – that I could have done without). The lead characters had developed so well after three books, maybe Abercrombie wanted to keep them handy for the future. Perhaps after he has written twenty books, this trilogy will seem like a great introduction to this world, but for an story in its own right, I’d have liked something more conclusive.

26th May 2010, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
thaddeus6th Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 2,303	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Isn't that what every writer wants at the end of a trilogy or stand-alone book? Have to wait to see how the thread goes, but so far we're all agreeing that we'd love to read more. As Private Bob said to Lieutenant George in Blackadder Goes Forth, "Always leave them hungry."

26th May 2010, 05:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ursa major Bearly Believable Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 12,048	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) I thought that the major story arc of the First Law trilogy, which was about the First Law, came to a satisfactory - if not completely happy - ending. That the characters' stories may carry on (if only in the readers' imaginations) is fine as far as I'm concerned. This sort of ending is far preferable to those where the characters' stories reach their conclusions, but the plot peters out rather than being concluded. For myself, I wouldn't mind meeting the major characters again; nor would I mind seeing another book (or trilogy) about how the struggle between the Magi carries on after the events of the First Law trilogy.

26th May 2010, 06:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
biodroid Hypercharged Detonator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 1,867	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Man I need to stop reading SPOILER ALERTS

31st May 2010, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
biodroid Hypercharged Detonator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 1,867	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) soulsinging - hehe, I just finished Book 1 and thought holy smoke what an ending, very twisty, I can't wait to read book 2 but started Light fantastic my Mr Pratchett and so far loving it. Then I will read book 2 YAY!

1st June 2010, 06:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
DarrellR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 55	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) I felt the same way in regards to the idea that we were basically left hanging in regards to some of the characters. But I don't see that as rushing the end or bad plotting. In fact, I think the complete opposite. It was quite brilliant on Joe's part to leave us wanting more. Plus you now have to look at what he has written since. Best Served Cold features some characters from the triology. And Heroes will also. So there is some reason to believe we will end up at some point have books bringing back Logen's tale or maybe Ferro. Seems like Joe made us dive into his characters and now is trinkling through the follow up books to make us read more. Quite clever on his part.

28th July 2010, 10:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
crooksy73 Riding the trails Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 376	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Currently about 25% through Best Served Cold - loving it - some appearances from characters from the first series which have raised a smile or two :-)

28th July 2010, 11:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
Heather Myst Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 150	Re: Logen Ninefingers and the rest (spoiler alert) Crooksy, I love all the unanswered questions because I think that means I will be treated to more books by Joe Abercrombie. He is fast becoming one of my favorites. The dark fantasy books are my favorites and First Law was a home run for me. I think you are really going to enjoy Best Served Cold too. Other dark fantasy that I have really enjoyed are the George Martin novels, Carol Berg's Rai-Kirah series, anything by Fiona McIntosh, and Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy.

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