Best Served Cold

Best Served Cold follows mercenary captain Monza Murcatto on her quest for revenge through the dangerous cities and politics of Styria. After surviving a brutal betrayal, she assembles a crew of killers, poisoners, and thieves to help her eliminate seven targets one by one. The plot moves through the criminal underworlds and noble courts of a Renaissance-inspired fantasy world filled with scheming merchants, corrupt nobles, and ruthless mercenaries. Each mission brings new challenges and complications as alliances shift and plans go awry. This standalone novel exists in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law trilogy but requires no prior knowledge to enjoy. The story maintains a tight focus on Monza's revenge mission while exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and the true cost of vengeance. Violence and vengeance drive the narrative, but beneath the surface lies an examination of how revenge transforms those who pursue it. The book questions whether justice and revenge are truly different, and if either can bring peace to those seeking retribution.

Readers describe it as a dark revenge tale with morally gray characters and brutal violence. The book maintains a grim tone throughout while incorporating black humor. Readers highlighted: - Complex, flawed characters who evolve through the story - Detailed fight scenes and action sequences - Tight plotting with multiple twists - World-building that expands on the First Law trilogy Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle sections - Too bleak/nihilistic for some readers - Violence can feel excessive - Some found the protagonist difficult to connect with Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (65,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,400+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) One reader noted: "Like watching a train wreck in slow motion - horrible but you can't look away." Another wrote: "The character work is outstanding but the relentless darkness wore me down by the end."

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu An epic tale of rebellion and revenge follows two unlikely allies who must navigate treachery and betrayal to overthrow a corrupt empire.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence A ruthless prince leads a band of outlaws on a blood-soaked quest for vengeance against those who destroyed his family.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch A master thief orchestrates elaborate schemes of revenge and deception in a fantasy city inspired by medieval Venice.

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson Military campaigns, complex politics, and personal vendettas intersect in a sprawling fantasy world filled with soldiers, assassins, and mages.

The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan A cynical war hero embarks on a mission of revenge in a dark fantasy world that blends violence, politics, and moral ambiguity.

🗡️ The book's revenge plot was partly inspired by Alexandre Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo" and the 1960s TV series "The Fugitive." 🏰 Many scenes take place in Talins, a city modeled after Renaissance Venice, complete with canals, merchant princes, and deadly political intrigue. 📚 Though set in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, "Best Served Cold" works as a standalone novel and features mostly new characters. ⚔️ The main character, Monza Murcatto, was partially inspired by real-life Italian Renaissance mercenary captain Bartolomeo Colleoni. 🖋️ Joe Abercrombie wrote the entire first draft of the novel in longhand using pen and paper, a practice he continues with all his books.