A Little Hatred

By Joe Abercrombie

This is first in a new series in the First Law universe. For a novel that purports to be fantasy, Abercrombie is judicial with his fantastical elements. With the exception of one character, most of the story is about a constant battle of power, and with real place names could almost be seen as an alternative history.

By scaling the fantastic back, the reader is forced to pay attention to the characters, and their development and thoughts. This book felt more focused on a few characters than the other books earlier in the series. There was less travelling large distances and going on quests (although that might come later). This might have come from a smaller focus on the 'little people' - most of the characters in this story are the high ups and (apparently) important in the world.

I enjoyed this book more than earlier books in the series, though, and I think it was because of this focus on a few characters. Although it felt a lot like scene setter (strange to say that about such a massive book) I definitely want to read what happens with these characters over the coming novels.