2020: Long live the king.

A near-breathless and brutal, pacy, and just all round great fantasy (wait for it) romp.

The world of The First Law is expanding and erring towards progress: black columns of smoke blot the sky and the world is no less darker, no less bloody for it. The Industrial Revolution begins.

The world is so well-realised that I thought I was reading an historical fiction book, not a fantasy novel. Abercrombie doesn't bog us down with details, but keeps things breezy with the essentials.

The cast are colourful and exciting, taking up the mantles of their predecessors well. Speaking of, having the old cast return in their own way was fun, especially with so much time having passed, but they never take centre stage. Our new crew are beginning to embark on their own perils, apart from their parents.

This book is equal parts thrilling and haunting, and Abercrombie deals you both with his usual dexterity. With that being said, this is very much a first book and while it does soar sometimes, there is a lot of table-setting for the books to come. And there is clearly going to be a storm coming.

Joe Abercrombie's back, everyone. I don't thing any of us are ready.