Are they the books with the guy who got fucked up in a war and is in pain all the time?

Although the first two books in the first law trilogy are great works of fantasy, I would agree with you that they are the weakest of his oeuvre and that you are now officially over the hump; both Abercrombie’s writing chops and political instincts get better from here on in. Keep reading the books in the first law-universe in the order of publication; The three stand alone’s (In Cold Blood, The Heroes and Red Country) are excellent dives into different parts of his world and different sub-genes. The Heroes being a especially slick victory lap, a lean triumph in storytelling that showcases how much better and more confident writer Abercrombie has become.

The new follow-up trilogy (the age of madness) deals with the burgeoning industrialization of the Union with all that entails. I would categorize Abercrombie as a radlib (well meaning but prone to a bit of horseshoe-theory on his worst days), but the critiques of power that you enjoyed in the first law-trilogy are even more at the forefront here. the last book of this new trilogy ”The wisdom of crowds”, is planned for release this fall. It was originally going to be named “The Beautiful Machine”, and if you know the historical reference behind that phrase then I’m sure you are as excited as me to see how this story is coming to a head. :sicko-crowd:

I only reread In Cold Blood these days because I can't handle Asshole Gandalf and In Cold Blood is the only one where he doesn't win.