The largest painting of them all faced the door, ten strides high at the least. Who else but Grand Duke Orso? He was seated upon a rearing charger, his shining sword raised high, his piercing eye fixed on the far horizon, urging his men to victory at the Battle of Etrea. The painter seemed to have been unaware that Orso hadn’t come within fifty miles of the fighting. Death by Irony: He's killed when a priceless statue of Stolicus he intended to steal from Duke Salier's palace falls on him. Especially in a republic. A mob dragged Cantain from the palace, hanged him from the highest tower, opened the gates and threw themselves on the mercy of the Thousand Swords.’ Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: He's a notorious rapist, and would have violated Monza if Orso had not intervened. He even asks if he can rape Monza during her attempted assassination only for Orso to rebuke him, saying they're not animals. Parental Substitute: To Monza, making it even more heartbreaking when she was pressured into betraying him by Benna and Orso.

The First Law - Wikipedia The First Law - Wikipedia

The Dandy: Benna enjoyed wearing fine clothes and jewelry, and swapped out a plain, very well-made sword for an gilded rapier that would be useless in an actual fight. Nicomo CoscaFamed soldier of fortune, often found without much at all. Introduced in The First Law.

That’s you all over. One more season and Visserine will fall, and Rogont will surrender, and the League of Eight will be just a bad memory. Orso can crown himself King of Styria, and we can melt away and be forgotten.’ Hah! Slaughtered by the very people he laboured to keep free. There’s the gratitude of the common man, eh, Monza? Cantain should have taken my money when I offered. It would have been cheaper for both of us.’

Best Served Rebecca Ferguson Gives an Update on Tim Miller’s ‘Best Served

Karmic Death: After all the atrocities he committed over the course of the book, his death at the end of Red Country is incredibly cathartic. For extra irony, he's killed by the man he hired to write his biography. My Girl Is a Slut: These were the rumors anyways, although... Monza was apparently quite faithful to Benna. She may even have spread the rumors of her promiscuity herself to discourage the whispers she and Benna were lovers.Brother–Sister Incest: Benna latched on to Monza as the only one he could love early on, and the two were lovers all through their adult years. Villainous Breakdown: Goes completely off the rails in Red Country after he's robbed of his gold by Shy and Temple and betrayed by his own men. Straight Gay: Was forced to leave the Union army after it was discovered that he had a relationship with another male officer.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie - Books on Google Play Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie - Books on Google Play

War may be hell, but for Monza Murcatto, the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Duke Orso’s employ, it’s a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular – a shade too popular for her employer’s taste. Betrayed, thrown down a mountain and left for dead, Murcatto’s reward is a broken body and a burning hunger for vengeance. Whatever the cost, seven men must die. Evil Sounds Raspy: Speaks in a raspy whisper following his torture, due to his vocal chords being damaged from his screams of pain. Save the Villain: Monza attempts this when she has second thoughts about killing him, but it's already too late. Now the Snake of Talins wants vengeance against the seven men responsible; Orso's bodyguard Gobba, his banker Mauthis, the general of his armies Ganmark, her treacherous second-in-command Faithful Carpi, his sons Prince Ario and Count Foscar, and finally Orso himself. Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. He was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Manchester University, where he studied psychology. [3] He has a wife, Lou. [4]

No!’ Foscar stumbled away. ‘I’ll have no part of this!’ He turned and ran from the room, his boots slapping against the marble floor.

Reading Order for Joe Abercrombie’s FIRST LAW Series A Reading Order for Joe Abercrombie’s FIRST LAW Series

A Lighter Shade of Grey: He's an ambitious, manipulative schemer who has no qualms about throwing his own allies under the bus for his personal gain, but he's still not as ruthless as Orso.You were a hero round these parts. That's what they call you when you kill so many people the word murderer falls short.” Sajaam to Monza Murcatto Good, so far as I can tell, but you know my father. Still, he’s never angry with you two, is he? You always bring good news. You bring good news today, yes?’