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The Heroes

A First Law Novel

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The Heroes

By: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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About this listen

 They say Black Dow's killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbour, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. The orders have been given and the armies are toiling through the northern mud. Thousands of men are converging on a forgotten ring of stones, on a worthless hill, in an unimportant valley, and they've brought a lot of sharpened metal with them.

Bremer dan Gorst, disgraced master swordsman, has sworn to reclaim his stolen honour on the battlefield. Obsessed with redemption and addicted to violence, he's far past caring how much blood gets spilled in the attempt. Even if it's his own.

Prince Calder isn't interested in honour, and still less in getting himself killed. All he wants is power, and he'll tell any lie, use any trick, and betray any friend to get it. Just as long as he doesn't have to fight for it himself.

Curnden Craw, the last honest man in the North, has gained nothing from a life of warfare but swollen knees and frayed nerves. He hardly even cares who wins any more, he just wants to do the right thing. But can he even tell what that is with the world burning down around him?

Over three bloody days of battle, the fate of the North will be decided. But with both sides riddled by intrigues, follies, feuds and petty jealousies, it is unlikely to be the noblest hearts, or even the strongest arms that prevail.

Three men. One battle. No Heroes.©2011 Joe Abercrombie Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Military Heartfelt Scary

Critic Reviews

Highly recommended - a funny, finely-wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out (Joe Hill)
The Heroes is an indictment of war and the duplicity that corrupts men striving for total power: bloody and violent, but never gratuitously so, it's imbued with cutting humour, acute characterisation and worldweary wisdom about the weaknesses of the human race. Brilliant
[The Heroes is a] blood-drenched, thought-provoking dissection ofa three-day battle is set in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy but stands very well alone . . . Abercrombie never glosses over a moment of the madness, passion, and horror ofwar, nor the tribulations that turn ordinary people into the titular heroes
All stars
Most relevant
Very well written and read. Wish more people read this novel, it would certainly reap away any illusions one has on war, glory, noble sacrifices and other state-based ideals. The story and themes explored are straightforward, but are looked at from different angles, with a multitude of points of view presented.

Straightforward message, well executed.

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There are no heroes, and that's what I love about Joe Abercrombies books.
Steven Pacey is a brilliant narrated, probably my favourite.

Dark and gritty

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Joe's rich characters are put to the ultimate test in grinding gripping battle. Meanwhile Bias continues to evolve from kindly cartoon-character wizard into something more sinister. Loved it.

Gripping

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Another riveting story unfolds from this dream team combination of Abercrombie and Pacey. Simply marvelous.

Abercrombie and Pacey are THE Heroes

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This one is probably my favourite so far. As a book it's not the best piece of literature out there, but as an audio book it's perfect.

Bloody good.

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