Can't get enough

Very different to the other JA novels, but he just keeps getting better and better

Story – 5/5

Joe Abercrombie has taken a different approach to this story – he has removed pretty much all of the plot, and created an entire story based on a single battle between the Union and the North which spans a few days.

What this story does concentrate on though is the character development and how different people cope with a bloody battle from both sides and all officer levels (including new recruits). He does this superbly, incorporating his usual sharp whit and ensuring that all characters are extremely likeable; both the good and the bad ones. I especially loved Wirren of Blye’s character (apologies if I have spelt that wrong), even though he wasn’t a main character in the story. As usual with JA, I found myself laughing out loud on a regular basis.

As you can expect with a story-long battle, there is plenty of action – probably the most I have come across in a single novel before. There was no confusion for what was happening, even though the small interwoven sections of each day of the battle make it an extremely complex story to tell. This shows masterful writing on JA’s part, and a very well deserved 5/5 stars

Performance – 5/5

Steven Pacey is one of the best narrators out there. His character acting was flawless, each having a distinctive and believable voice. His narration enhanced the dark comedy and whit of Joe Abercrombie’s writing, and I felt myself absorbed into the action scenes/battles.

Music/sound effects between scenes/chapters was a nice touch as well, although it would have been nicer to not re-use sound effects from the previous books.

Overall – 5/5

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14 people found this helpful

Highly recommend

This is a brilliant audiobook. Joe Abercrombie has a writing style that lends itself to narration, it’s like listening to a play! His exceptional writing is matched by the incredible talent of Steven Pacey. There are a vast number of characters in this book and somehow Pacey has found a distinctive voice for each of them which is maintained faultlessly throughout. Even if you have read “The Heroes” already (as I had) this audiobook is well worth adding to your collection.

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1 person found this helpful

Another Abercrombie masterpiece narrated brilliantly.

Some reviews complain this novel was set over too short a time period... hell of an eventful few days though I recon!
I loved it. Again great to see characters briefly encountered in previous novels fleshed out in such depth.
Dark, witty and entertaining.

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best series of books ever

love the stories, love the gore and humour. love the narration. bloody brilliant! top Mark's.

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The perfect partnership

This is the best audiobook I’ve heard and I’ve heard a few. Excellent storytelling from both the author and narrator. Really good and thoroughly recommended.

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Excellent story and Fantastic performance again by Stephen pacey

Again a good storyline but be aware that the whole story revolves around one battle and the different goals, outcomes, frustrations, politics and struggles (both life and death, sometimes from both points of view for the same fight)

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The joy of the north

I love the narration in these books- Steven Pacey has given me so many hours of pleasure
And none more so than when the stories are set in The North
A well rounded world with well rounded hints of language and culture
By the dead, it’s enough to put a tingle in your fruits

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Probably Flawless

The combination of Abercrombie hitting a new peak in his writing and Pacey’s peerless performance, deeply engaging characterisations and superb timing makes The Heroes a flawless audiobook that further transcends the source material.

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Only gone and done it again

The best living fantasy author strikes again. This has everything we have come to love. Joe is a master and this is another masterpiece.

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Might be Joe's best book

I can't really think of anything wrong here. Fantastic fantasy. The book is exceptionally tight, well written and the characters deep and real. It really tackles every aspect of the question: "what is a hero, really?"

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