First Law vs Game of Thrones

desert dog · 11-09-2013, 11:48 PM

Ok, so I know the Thrones is epic and all, but I find Aberombie's First Law trilogy more fun to read. I am racing through the tales of the bloody nine again, enjoying it just as much the second time through.

Is anyone with me?

Do you have recommendations for a series as good as the First Law?

Istvan diVega · 11-10-2013, 02:40 AM

Very much an apples vs coconuts comparison in my opinion. One is an epic High Fantasy series, the other an "intimate" tale of redemption and struggle. Both are excellent, but entirely too different to warrant any kind of direct comparison.

If you prefer a large canvas, you'll prefer Game of Thrones; if you prefer a smaller one, you'll go with First Law. If, like me, you like both, choosing between them will seem silly.

Geralt · 11-10-2013, 03:34 AM

I know what you mean OP. But in other sense, Martin and Abercrombie are two different beasts, not worth comparing. I love the character of BloodyNine btw, but my favorite is Major West.
Anyway most people who have read this trilogy will recommend you go on Abercrombie's standalones in order they were published. They happen in the same universe and feature some of the familiar characters. Here are the links

Best Served Cold (The First Law World #4)
I see Goodreads labels it as #4 in first law world, though the original series is labeled under "the first law" only.

Other two books are:
The Heroes
Red Country

DiapDealer · 11-10-2013, 08:28 AM

Which one do you consider High Fantasy, Istvan? I guess I wouldn't consider either in that category (not that the labels are all that relevant to enjoyment).

desert dog · 11-10-2013, 01:02 PM

Fascinating. If I am paying attention, I learn something every day. I was putting these two books into the same general, broad category.

I see the nuance now.

Thanks for the perspective!

frahse · 11-10-2013, 10:10 PM

Doggone it. "First Law." Another one seems to have slipped past me.

I will check it out.

Canuck_in_Japan · 11-10-2013, 10:38 PM

They're both excellent. The main difference is that one is finished and the other either you or the author might die before the series finishes.

Penforhire · 11-10-2013, 11:25 PM

I find Abercrombie plays with or twists the genre more. Anti-heroes, sociopaths, and cripples (physical and emotional) rule his world. I think he is best read after getting a background in the genre so you can notice how many rules he twists.

GRRM seems more traditional in GoT, although with an enjoyable excess of characters (who you should not get attached to, lol).

I happen to like both. GoT is like a reading by a cozy fire while the First Law series (especially if you read past the trilogy) feels more 'real' and uncomfortable, IMO.

Istvan diVega · 11-11-2013, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Which one do you consider High Fantasy, Istvan? I guess I wouldn't consider either in that category (not that the labels are all that relevant to enjoyment).

I was thinking of Game of Thrones. The reason I used the term High Fantasy was simply to help portray the difference between the two series, since an epic scope is among its general defining characteristics. In fact, as far as I can see GoT ticks basically every High Fantasy box. However, I'm not actually one to give a toss about classifications and genres; I only care if I like the book, so we're certainly in agreement there.

HarryT · 11-11-2013, 05:38 AM

Haven't come across the "First Law" trilogy before. Looks right up my street - now on my TBR list.

Geralt · 11-11-2013, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

They're both excellent. The main difference is that one is finished and the other either you or the author might die before the series finishes.

Well that can be argued, but then I would go into spoiler territory. Besides, Abercrombie has said that he will continue The First Law world, with new trilogy. Not before he finishes his new YA novels, Half a King Series. So it's a wait.

jemc · 11-11-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Haven't come across the "First Law" trilogy before. Looks right up my street - now on my TBR list.

Same here. Added as well. My thanks to the OP.

din155 · 11-11-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geralt

Well that can be argued, but then I would go into spoiler territory. Besides, Abercrombie has said that he will continue The First Law world, with new trilogy. Not before he finishes his new YA novels, Half a King Series. So it's a wait.

Strange, I always thought that the first law series was a trilogy but other books are loosely based in the same world. In fact I started reading best served cold (standalone book) and it doesn’t make much difference if you have not read any of the books before or after for that matter. I can’t say anything about Game of Thrones as I have not read it.

Penforhire · 11-11-2013, 04:52 PM

I think the character introductions matter, making it useful to read them in the order he wrote them.

If you read "Best Served Cold" first then you have less understanding of the one who heals Monza (who his master was and more but ... becomes a spoiler). Vitari would also have no reference. Joe is still quite stingy with his background explanations. Same for how he introduces Caul Shivers in earlier books but Best Served Cold is more his origin story (and he is still only incidental to the protagonist!).

If you read Red Country before the trilogy you will be too unsympathetic to the captain of mercenaries, Cosca. You won't have any history with Black Dow or know why Gorst is so tortured by his loss of station.

DiapDealer · 11-11-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

If you read Red Country before the trilogy you will be too unsympathetic to the captain of mercenaries, Cosca.

As well as being completely ignorant of Lamb's back story. The trilogy may not be required reading for the three stand alones that follow, but you're sure missing out on the full effect if you haven't read it first.

11-09-2013, 11:48 PM	#1
desert dog Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 495942 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona Device: Kindle PW2,3 Voyage,Oasis 1&2, Kobo Glohd, Aura hd, Kmini, H2O 1&2	First Law vs Game of Thrones Ok, so I know the Thrones is epic and all, but I find Aberombie's First Law trilogy more fun to read. I am racing through the tales of the bloody nine again, enjoying it just as much the second time through. Is anyone with me? Do you have recommendations for a series as good as the First Law?

11-10-2013, 02:40 AM	#2
Istvan diVega Inharmonious Posts: 416 Karma: 2157616 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Sony PRS-950, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1	Very much an apples vs coconuts comparison in my opinion. One is an epic High Fantasy series, the other an "intimate" tale of redemption and struggle. Both are excellent, but entirely too different to warrant any kind of direct comparison. If you prefer a large canvas, you'll prefer Game of Thrones; if you prefer a smaller one, you'll go with First Law. If, like me, you like both, choosing between them will seem silly. Last edited by Istvan diVega; 11-10-2013 at 02:44 AM.

11-11-2013, 04:52 PM	#14
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I think the character introductions matter, making it useful to read them in the order he wrote them. If you read "Best Served Cold" first then you have less understanding of the one who heals Monza (who his master was and more but ... becomes a spoiler). Vitari would also have no reference. Joe is still quite stingy with his background explanations. Same for how he introduces Caul Shivers in earlier books but Best Served Cold is more his origin story (and he is still only incidental to the protagonist!). If you read Red Country before the trilogy you will be too unsympathetic to the captain of mercenaries, Cosca. You won't have any history with Black Dow or know why Gorst is so tortured by his loss of station. Last edited by Penforhire; 11-11-2013 at 05:00 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Game of Thrones	hard-boiled pat	Reading Recommendations	114	04-06-2013 12:10 AM
A Game of Thrones	LovePlanetEarth	Reading Recommendations	38	04-08-2012 10:58 AM

11-10-2013, 03:34 AM	#3
Geralt Witcher Posts: 933 Karma: 7321117 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swamp. Slaying Drowners. Device: Kindle PW2	I know what you mean OP. But in other sense, Martin and Abercrombie are two different beasts, not worth comparing. I love the character of BloodyNine btw, but my favorite is Major West. Anyway most people who have read this trilogy will recommend you go on Abercrombie's standalones in order they were published. They happen in the same universe and feature some of the familiar characters. Here are the links Best Served Cold (The First Law World #4) I see Goodreads labels it as #4 in first law world, though the original series is labeled under "the first law" only. Other two books are: The Heroes Red Country

11-10-2013, 08:28 AM	#4
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,549 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Which one do you consider High Fantasy, Istvan? I guess I wouldn't consider either in that category (not that the labels are all that relevant to enjoyment).

11-10-2013, 01:02 PM	#5
desert dog Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 495942 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona Device: Kindle PW2,3 Voyage,Oasis 1&2, Kobo Glohd, Aura hd, Kmini, H2O 1&2	Fascinating. If I am paying attention, I learn something every day. I was putting these two books into the same general, broad category. I see the nuance now. Thanks for the perspective!

11-10-2013, 10:10 PM	#6
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,314 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	Doggone it. "First Law." Another one seems to have slipped past me. I will check it out.

11-10-2013, 10:38 PM	#7
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,475 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	They're both excellent. The main difference is that one is finished and the other either you or the author might die before the series finishes.

11-10-2013, 11:25 PM	#8
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I find Abercrombie plays with or twists the genre more. Anti-heroes, sociopaths, and cripples (physical and emotional) rule his world. I think he is best read after getting a background in the genre so you can notice how many rules he twists. GRRM seems more traditional in GoT, although with an enjoyable excess of characters (who you should not get attached to, lol). I happen to like both. GoT is like a reading by a cozy fire while the First Law series (especially if you read past the trilogy) feels more 'real' and uncomfortable, IMO.

11-11-2013, 05:38 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Haven't come across the "First Law" trilogy before. Looks right up my street - now on my TBR list.

Advert

Advert