And, at least in comparison to the original trilogy, this was a bit of change of gears for the author as the trilogy takes a little while to get the plot going, but not here. This book feels incredibly fast-paced and the pages fly by, which is no mean feat considering that it is a chunky by at over 600 pages.

This book really shines in a lot of aspects, but one area where it stands out even amongst Abercrombie books is the pace. Others will just be dragged along by the tides of war and will do all the can to emerge, more or less, in one piece. Amongst them are our central cast of characters, some of whom’s decisions that will influence the course of the battle – and the world at large. Now, the fate of the North will be decided as thousands of men battle, struggle, kill, scream and die over a few fields and hills. The armies of the Union under Lord Marshal Kroy and the armies of Black Dow, Protector of the North, are converging on the quiet town of Osrung and the set of ancient standing stones that lurk on the outskirts of the town after months of campaigning: months of back and forth, of marching miles and miles across heath, moor and muddy roads. So, what is the premise of The Heroes? It isn’t a very grimdark name for a book after all. For those who have read any of my previous Abercrombie reviews, then I am sure you can guess what I thought: I loved this. What can I say? He is fast becoming perhaps my favourite author.

Oh boy, here we go again: another Joe Abercrombie book.

The heroes book joe abercrombie