In A Little Hatred, Joe Abercrombie masterfully evolves his First Law world into an era of industrial revolution, proving that fantasy can gracefully embrace progress while maintaining its gritty soul. Set a generation after his original trilogy, this novel weaves together industrial unrest, political machinations, and personal vendettas with his trademark cynical wit.

The story follows multiple viewpoints, including Savine dan Glokta, a ruthless businesswoman and daughter of the series' familiar torturer-turned-banker, and Leo dan Brock, a young nobleman desperate for glory. Abercrombie excels at character work. These aren't your typical fantasy heroes but deeply flawed individuals whose moral compromises feel painfully authentic.

The industrial revolution setting brings fresh vitality to the genre. Steam-powered machinery crashes into medieval warfare, while labor disputes and class warfare create conflicts as compelling as any magical battle. Abercrombie's unflinching portrayal of progress's human cost gives the novel contemporary relevance without sacrificing its fantasy roots.

His prose remains sharp as ever, wielding dark humor like a weapon while delivering gut-punch moments of violence and betrayal. The dialogue crackles with wit and menace, though new readers might miss some callbacks to previous books.

The pacing occasionally suffers from the multiple storylines, and some plot threads feel unresolved, though remember this is the first in a trilogy. The industrial themes may also alienate readers seeking traditional sword and sorcery.

A word about the sex. There's a lot of it, and not always integral to the storyline. It goes toward character motivation at times, and maybe will play into future events in the second and third books, but I at least wanted to point it out so you know it's there.

Despite these minor issues, A Little Hatred successfully modernizes Abercrombie's world while retaining the cynical charm that made his earlier works compelling. It's a remarkable achievement that proves fantasy can evolve beyond medieval stasis while keeping its soul intact.

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