I missed the live show for the ninth and penultimate (!) act in this First Law Along readathon due to other obligations. That’s why I kept putting off writing my review for this book. The live show for the 10th and final book is on September 1st, and although I still have to start reading and therefore have no idea if I’ll make it, I wanted to finally have that review written from my loose notes. And lo and behold, reliving this ninth book through that review has made me all the more curious – but also a little fearful – about the finale!

Warning: Writing spoiler-free reviews of sequels is really hard. So read at your own risk!

Joe Abercrombie – The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness #2) ★★★★

Genre: Grimdark Fantasy

“If you want to change the world, sometimes you have to burn it down.”

The Trouble with Peace is the second act in The Age of Madness trilogy, picking up shortly after the events of the first book. Six months have passed, and our protagonists are grappling with the fallout of past decisions and the shifting landscape of power. Orso is now king, only to discover that those who seem to wield the most power are often the most powerless of all. Savine, still reeling from the traumatic events in Valbeck and the revelations from her mother, remains as ambitious as ever, though in dire need of a fix for her delicate situation. Meanwhile, Rikke’s struggle to control her prophetic Long Eye forces her towards a hard choice, and Leo, ever the warrior, finds himself dangerously susceptible to manipulation by those who seek to exploit his naivety and lust for glory. Despite the setback suffered by the rebellion, the people are far from defeated, and the fight for their rights continues to smolder beneath the surface.

“Hoping for a thing often seems the best way o’ bringing on the opposite.”

As always, Abercrombie’s writing shines with his signature style. The grim tone and morally ambiguous characters are hallmarks of the genre, but he deftly weaves in dark humor and wit, making the story as entertaining as it is harrowing. I’m continually surprised at how often I find myself laughing out loud amidst the carnage. Abercrombie is a master of keeping readers on edge, never letting us fully trust what might happen next.

One of his greatest strengths lies in his ability to set scenes and depict battles. While he does recycle certain ideas, it’s a testament to his skill that they never feel stale. The multi-perspective narrative allows him to showcase the full spectrum of human emotion, particularly in the heat of conflict, and the way he shifts viewpoints during action sequences is truly captivating.

“The older you get, the more you realise the grown-ups won’t suddenly walk in and set things right. You want things right, you have to put ’em right yourself.”

Abercrombie’s dialogue is among the best I’ve read, brimming with sharp wit and often containing nuggets of wisdom buried in savagery. His characters may be flawed, but their conversations crackle with authenticity, making even the most cynical moments resonate.

The character work in this novel is once again exceptional. Each of the seven POVs brings something unique to the narrative, and though I didn’t enjoy all of them equally, each serves a distinct purpose. Orso, in particular, stands out as a favorite. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of politics and power was both satisfying and heartening. He may be underestimated by others, but his sharp mind and growing confidence were a joy to witness.

I daresay you would agree with me that the strongest horses often need blinkers. They are best led one step at a time.

Leo’s arc is another highlight. He’s such an arrogant idiot and his thirst for battle make him an easy target for manipulation, and while I found myself frustrated with him at times, the direction his character takes is both shocking and inevitable.
Rikke, once a more volatile presence, becomes a surprisingly sensible and grounded figure, which adds a refreshing dynamic to her storyline.
Savine, on the other hand, left me somewhat disappointed. While her fall from grace is poetic and richly dramatic, I expected more from her. Still, the narrative choices Abercrombie makes with her character are undeniably bold.

“I never realised before. The thing about crowns… there’s nothing in them, is there?”

The twists and turns in this book are nothing short of breathtaking. Abercrombie consistently pushes his characters to their limits, and the decisions they make left me reeling. The escalation in tension is handled masterfully, and as the story barrels toward its conclusion, I found myself genuinely unsure of what to expect. I’m deeply invested in the fates of my favorite characters, particularly Orso and Rikke, who emerged from the chaos remarkably unscathed, making me fear for their future in the final installment.

Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he knows how to flip a story on its head. The ending of The Trouble with Peace is explosive, with jaw-dropping twists and heart-pounding action that left me eager—and anxious—for the conclusion of this trilogy.