The Trouble with Peace
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4.6 • 557 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A fragile peace gives way to conspiracy, betrayal, and rebellion in this sequel to the New York Times bestselling A Little Hatred from epic fantasy master Joe Abercrombie.
"A master of his craft." —Forbes "No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie." —Pierce Brown
Peace is just another kind of battlefield . . . Savine dan Glokta, once Adua's most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way. For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized, and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her. Unrest worms into every layer of society. The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path through the maze of knives that is politics, only for his enemies, and his debts, to multiply. The old ways are swept aside, and the old leaders with them, but those who would seize the reins of power will find no alliance, no friendship, and no peace lasts forever. For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out: The Age of MadnessA Little HatredThe Trouble With Peace
The Wisdom of Crowds The First Law TrilogyThe Blade ItselfBefore They Are HangedLast Argument of Kings
Best Served ColdThe HeroesRed Country The Shattered Sea TrilogyHalf a KingHalf a WorldHalf a War
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Swords and sorcery propel this action-packed fantasy, the second installment in Joe Abercrombie’s Age of Madness series. The realm of Midderland may be at peace, but rebuilding the kingdom’s shattered economy from scratch means chaos for the rich and powerful. With corruption festering behind the scenes, enemies and allies alike are fighting to come out on top—and that might make the hard-won peace very short-lived. Picking up right where the previous book, A Little Hatred, left off, The Trouble with Peace weaves together a complex web of characters, from embattled royals and conniving nobles to cutthroat merchants and steampunk industrialists. Each plays a vital role in the political machinations of Abercrombie’s wonderfully rich fantasy universe. If you love the elaborate world-building of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books, go ahead and dive into the deep end of Midderland.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The impressive second epic fantasy of Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy (after A Little Hatred) grounds the ongoing power struggles within the Union in issues that resonate with contemporary politics. Orso, "a notorious wastrel while crown prince," is now High King of the Union, but his controversial reign has sparked an opposition movement dedicated to toppling him and "making the Union great again." Abercrombie balances the ensuing intrigue, espionage, and a bloody assassination attempt with the nitty-gritty of Union politics, shining a light on corruption, tax reform, and class distinctions, on the way to a climactic confrontation between Orso's forces and those marshalled against him. Meanwhile, Leo dan Brock, the leader of the rebels, marries Orso's former lover, Savine dan Glokta, who left Orso after learning a scandalous secret, adding emotional stakes to the political turmoil. The large cast, which takes over four pages to list in a helpful appendix, becomes overwhelming at times, and newcomers to the series will have a hard time untangling the complex backstory, but Abercrombie's satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped.
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Excellent well written series. Not just hack and slash
Progress just means things get worse faster
Abercrombie delivers again and again what his reader’s hidden heart desires. A cynic’s look at the world outside our window. A pragmatist’s view of what alternatives could exist. An optimist’s view of who we can be. With every page the tempo quickens; and with each chapter’s conceit we find ourselves sharpened. “You have to be realistic” says the man Ill-equipped for the odyssey that awaits.
Couldn’t put it down
I’ve read all his other books in the series and this is his best yet. Timely and insightful, the strength of his characters continues to be the best part of the book. The fact that this series builds off the previous has only made it more rich. Can’t wait for the conclusion! If I had to list one regret, it’s that we haven’t heard from Shy yet. I’m hoping she’ll make an appearance in the next book.