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Best Served Cold

By: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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Summary

Springtime in Styria. And that means war. There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle with the squabbling League of Eight, and between them they have bled the land white.

While armies march, heads roll and cities burn, behind the scenes bankers, priests and older, darker powers play a deadly game to choose who will be king. War may be hell but for Monza Murcatto, the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Duke Orso's employ, it's a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular - a shade too popular for her employer's taste.

Betrayed, thrown down a mountain and left for dead, Murcatto's reward is a broken body and a burning hunger for vengeance. Whatever the cost, seven men must die.

©2010 Joe Abercrombie (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited
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What listeners say about Best Served Cold

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Well worth the listen if you don't mind the blood!

An epic story. Bloodthirsty and lots of graphic detail (not lunchtime reading!!) A good plot and well worth the effort. I liked it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent characters and believable fantasy world

Would you listen to Best Served Cold again? Why?

I will definitely listen to this again. Mainly to see if I can find hints that pre-figure the many plot-twists.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is incredibly well-crafted. Although it is based in a world described in a previous trilogy, I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous books.

I chose this book because I was looking for a fantasy story with a strong female lead and Monza Murcatto does not disappoint. She, like all the characters in this book, is best defined by her flaws. None of the characters come out of this story in a purely good light, not even Monza's "martyred" brother, who is the main impetus for the story.

This story also keeps hitting one with plot-twist after plot-twist, so you're never certain that you know what's coming, which is very refreshing. However, all of those twists are in-keeping with the characterisation, so you never feel like its simply a plot device.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book makes you care about the characters, even though most of them are what would normally be classed as 'evil'. I did find myself disappointed when one of Monza's gang of criminals dies and the possibility of a romance between them is killed.

Any additional comments?

If you're considering reading the trilogy but are unsure if Abercrombie's world will interest you, I would really recommend Best Served Cold as you get to see a lot of the world and the various cultures that exist.

It is also a brilliant story for anyone interested in late-medieval/early modern politics as I am.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Can not fault this.

Each book is better than the last and the performance is perfection. I can't imagine anyone else reading these books.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Best served cold

Definitely worth a listen!! Listen to the trilogy first to best understand the story and characters

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the trilogy

I did not enjoy this one quite as much as the blade trilogy. Still entertaining though

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the best stand alone in my opinion

loved every second, Nikomo is the man , Shivers is a chaotic nuetral and well you'll see all the connections. the cameo of the kind of the union speaks volumes on the power of the bank of you know who.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Favourite Narrator

Steven Pacey truly brings the characters and world of Joe Abercrombie’s books to life. Fantastic story again from Joe Abercrombie and fantastic narration!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you liked the First Law series read this

The lead characters aside from Shivers are a little unlike able but there is darkness to this book that keeps you coming back.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Another wonderful book by Joe Abercrombie. Full of great characters with plenty of action and a great storyline. The narrator manages to bring the characters alive.
.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

SUPERB

Would you listen to Best Served Cold again? Why?

I love the style of Abercrombie#s writing and the narrator is the best I have heard on audible

What other book might you compare Best Served Cold to, and why?

like but better than any of the George RR Martin or Brandon Sanderson

Which scene did you most enjoy?

all

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

listen for 4 hours each night until finished

Any additional comments?

anyone who can make the heroes out of torturers, murderers and psycopaths is definitely doing something right

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