A Little Hatred

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

The New York Times bestselling first book in Joe Abercrombie's The Age of Madness Trilogy where the age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die.
The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal's son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specializes in disappointments.
Savine dan Glokta—socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union—plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another . . .
For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out:
The First Law SeriesThe Blade ItselfBefore They Are HangedLast Argument of KingsBest Served ColdThe HeroesRed Country The Shattered Sea TrilogyHalf a KingHalf a WorldHalf a War

Critic reviews

"Abercrombie squeezes your heart till it matches his beat. No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie."—Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A master of the genre."—Lev Grossman, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts for this one . . . . A vivid and jolting tale."—Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author.

"Highly recommended - a funny, finely-wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out."—Joe Hill

"Rife with emotion with wit to spare, both honed to an effortlessly fine edge. A Little Hatred is the joy of watching a master of the craft with his tools at their sharpest."—Sam Sykes, author of Seven Blades in Black

"A Little Hatred is Abercrombie at his very best: witty, wise, and whip-smart. Masterfully plotted . . . . I had high hopes for this book, and it exceed them all."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

"Brutal, unforgiving, and terribly fun. Everything awesome readers have come to expect from Joe Abercrombie."—Brian McClellan, author of Sins of Empire

"Goddamn magnificent."—Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time

"Joe Abercrombie's powerful voice raises the bar in any literary genre. Fantasy fans are beyond fortunate he chose this one."—Myke Cole, author of The Armored Saint

"Joe Abercrombie writes with terrifying wit, humor and heart."—Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London Series

"With expert craft, Abercrombie lays the groundwork for another thrilling trilogy."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say that he's a master of his craft."—Forbes

"Abercrombie unerringly juggles a large cast of multifaceted, morally ambiguous characters, each embroiled in their own complicated story."—Booklist (starred review)

"A critical, compelling epic fantasy loaded withwonderfully drawn characters, the bloodletting tempered with sharp social commentary anda touch of satire . . . . It doesn't feel like a stretch to say Abercrombie's on his way to writinganother masterpiece of epic fantasy."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

"A Little Hatred may be the mostaccomplished work from a writer who many already consider a master."—SFF World

"Abercrombie examines the effects of social upheaval and the use and abuse of power through the viewpoints of a large cast, from kings, princes, warriors and seers to businessmen and women; the characterization is little short of brilliant. The plot is labyrinthine, with trademark Abercrombie twists and turns and reversals of fortune. He writes of slum life with graphic realism, and his rendering of battle scenes is to die for."—The Guardian

Exactly what I've been waiting on!

In today's age where readers some times have to wait a decade for a story to continue, having a let down novel in a highly anticipated series is always a real concern... Unless that series is written by Joe Abercrombie.

He played just enough fan service to the original First Law trilogy to keep the biggest fans pleased while introducing a cast of new characters that are unique, but definitely belong in this world. I cannot wait to listen to this book as many times as I've listened to the other First Law books (3 times a piece).

As for narration, it's Steven Pacey. There's nothing left to say. Sometimes you just have to keep your mouth shut and enjoy listening to a master at work. Simply the best.

Not for cupcakes

If you like violence and people showing their true nature read this book. If you want people to act innocent and civilized read a teen book. You those books where the hero's is being cheated but some shows stick it out for innocent ppl. In then at the end it all works out. That not reality just look at the news. This is a book for adults.

Best Author/Narrator Combination on the Planet

Just as good as the first 6 books and possibly even funnier. I've finished many of the books mad as hell at Evil Mr. Abercrombie for trying to make me hate the characters I like so much (I'm talking to you Last Argument Of Kings!) But after a little time goes by I get over it and respect what he did. I'm constantly trying to find a series of this caliber to listen too and never even coming close. Would gladly take recommendations.

Actual text conversation with a friend I recommended the series too.
"I finished Best Served Cold what's next?"
"The Hero's"
"I thought you said you didn't like The Hero's?"
"I said it was my least favorite of the series but still better then the 20 books I've listened too since then."

Am I the only one that started the book thinking Gunnar might actually be another character back with yet another alias?
I suppose that was just the voice the narrator used and wishful "Bloody" thinking on my behalf.

Good. Enjoyable. But a little long for the story.

I love Joe Abercrombie. The First Law series is amazing. This book takes place in the same world several years (decades?) down the line. It's like seeing some old friends you haven't run into since high school.

I won't go into details on the plot, and I don't want to touch on the characters much. Know you will get typical Abercrombie, which is a good thing. But there is one problem with the plot: I don't understand the purpose of the last two hours. The major conflicts resolve and then the story wanders along until it finally sets up the cliffhangers for the next book. I think a fair amount of the last two hours could have been edited down, maybe significantly.

The book is very enjoyable. Loved the characters and the conflict. And I can't wait for the next one!

A slightly new direction for the series

I have read every book by Abercrombie. The "half" series was not my favorite but it was lightyears ahead of others in its genre.

A Little Hatred is a "fresh return" to the First Law universe. Fresh in that all the "main" characters are linked to old favorites, but have very unique stories and voices of their own. Return in that the reader sees the aftermath of the previous books, and some of those big players are prominent throughout the story.

I liked this book, but not quite as much as the other First Law books (including best served cold, heroes, red country). I would call this an 8/10 where the previous in the series are all a perfect 10.