Red Country

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 19 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller!

They burned her home.

They stole her brother and sister.

But vengeance is following.

Shy South hoped to bury her bloody past and ride away smiling, but she'll have to sharpen up some bad old ways to get her family back, and she's not a woman to flinch from what needs doing. She sets off in pursuit with only a pair of oxen and her cowardly old step father Lamb for company. But it turns out Lamb's buried a bloody past of his own. And out in the lawless Far Country the past never stays buried.

Their journey will take them across the barren plains to a frontier town gripped by gold fever, through feud, duel and massacre, high into the unmapped mountains to a reckoning with the Ghosts. Even worse, it will force them into an alliance with Nicomo Cosca, infamous soldier of fortune, and his feckless lawyer Temple, two men no one should ever have to trust....

Red Country takes place in the same world as the First Law trilogy, Best Served Cold, and The Heroes. This novel also represents the return of Logen Ninefingers, one of Abercrombie's most beloved characters.

©2012 Joe Abercrombie (P)2012 Hachette Audio

10 out of 10 if I could.

I love the whole series and I can't wait to read the short stories the author has written. I love the characters and the story line. I mean come on you have to be realistic about things.

Abercrombie hits it out of the park once again

First, I don't recommend listening to this without having first read The First Law trilogy. You will get much more enjoyment out of this book after finishing the other three.

Secondly, Abercrombie' has a visceral, immersive storytelling ability second to none. It took an hour of listening to his first book in the series to realize that this is as real as fantasy gets. I hate to use the word "fantasy" here, because it's acquired a fanciful connotation over the years that is absolutely not present here. "Red Country" does not disappoint. The figures and personalities within are an amalgam of simultaneous selflessness and selfishness, major strengths and despicable flaws—much like real life, while there are protagonists and antagonists, there are no good guys and bad guys. Simple, complex, and brutal. 5/5

Steven Pacey is a wonder as a narrator. As anyone who has listened to thousands of hours of narration realizes, the narrator can make or break a book, regardless of the skill of the author. Pacey goes above and beyond what is merely adequate—the characters come to life with his wide range of voices and his ability to convey emotions. 5/5

Fantastic

First, as other reviewers have said, this is a fantastic story. If you like the work by authors such as Sullivan, Brett, Lynch, or Rothfuss, you should like this one. It is a stand-alone story but I think it is best appreciated if you first read the 1st Law trilogy.

Abercrombie is an extremely gifted writer. He is particularly skilled at conveying the brutal, mean, filthy, unjust, and sometimes horrific nature of the world he creates and people that inhabit it. While listening to his writing I constantly marvel at the prose and his ability to turn a phrase.

And the narration by Pacey is a perfect fit. Perfect. He brings to life the gritty world Abercrombie develops in a way that enhances an already great story.

bloody nine

He's not dead!!!!!!! great book. A story about what happened to Logan and his new family.

Back on track

Back on track. Great characters, action and story. What an amazing job of character development

Another great piece

Another masterpiece. greats story telling to tie into the First Law trilogy. Highly recommend if you like previous Abercrombie books

Great Read!!! All 4 times

Would you consider the audio edition of Red Country to be better than the print version?

Nothing

What other book might you compare Red Country to and why?

Very unique, i can't find another to come close.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Steven Pacey+Joe Abercrombie= Success everytime.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Temple was one of the most funniest char. Love the Bloody Nine in the picture.

Any additional comments?

I have reread this book over and over in the last few months and haven't gotten bored with it. There is only one problem i can't find anything that can match Joe Abercrombie work, other than The Song of Fire and Ice series and right now I am waiting on both to come out with new work.

excellent series

I love the reader and am super happy that he has read all the books in the series thus far.

Love it ! A classic "western" story.

Loved it. And at times I felt like this book was written for audio , since Stephen Pacey does such a great job. BTW , is it me or does this story remind anyone of the John Wayne classic western "The Searchers"? I could easily see that John Wayne character in the role of Lamb !

Narrator is probably the best I've heard.

I mean, the dudes exceptional, I can see the characters he's voicing, truly brings it to life.

and Abercrombie is one of my favorite authors, so, pretty sure I'm biased, but I think this is the best of the side stories.