‘A Red Country,’ or possibly just, ‘Red Country’.

[thaddeus6th]

That's interesting, Coragem. I agree on the sympathetic point, albeit in relative terms (Abercrombie doesn't really do properly happy endings). I'd even go so far as to say it adds to the realism, as everyone having a rotten time is itself unrealistic.

Red Country's my favourite book of his so far. The Heroes, I felt, had a very interesting approach but a cast that was too large, leading to a lack of focus.

 

[Red 13]

I agree that "The Heroes" is the best so far. Red country was still hugely entertaining and much better than Best Served Cold in my opinion.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I've got to admit, I'm finding Red Country a bit of a drag at the moment. The characters have reached Crease, but not finding much I really enjoy about it at the moment. If this were anyone but Abercrombie, I'd rate it so far as interesting for the Western setting, but otherwise unremarkable.

I don't feel much sense of depth to any of the characters, and Shy feels like a Monza/Ferro hybrid, who doesn't feel particularly conflicted about the missing children.

 

[Rosemary]

I enjoyed Red Country but his first trilogy is still my favourite.

Unlike Brian, I am not keen on Western style books but I do agree that Shy seems to be a slightly quieter version of Ferro.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Ah, it's picked up now since the big incident in Crease - the characters feel a lot more "alive" now.

 

[Coragem]

I don't feel much sense of depth to any of the characters, and Shy feels like a Monza/Ferro hybrid, who doesn't feel particularly conflicted about the missing children.

The early Crease sections are a highlight. In my opinion things slow down again once they get up into the mountains, although hang on because there's a great bit with Lamb and Savian in Beacon.

Shy was many miles ahead of Ferro for me. And I thought Temple improved. for me he worked better when Joe let him be a good and affectionate person – the bits with him wheedling (when he first meets the fellowship) felt forced.

Coragem.

 

[biodroid]

Bought Red Country on my Kindle but need to do some catch up on the previous books.