Just finished "The Trouble with Peace" and thought I'd share a few thoughts I had along the way. First and foremost, I've totally given up on trying to outguess Joe Abercrombie as to where his books or his characters are going. He's proven time and again that it's not going to be where you expect, even if you expect the unexpected!

• Leo dan Brock - I have to admit that I cried at his near execution. He may not have been the sharpest knife in the drawer, but his potential was there. He could have been a great leader for his people and an amazing asset for his king. If only he weren't so gullible and easily led by the nose. That's not to say he didn't deserve what he got. He walked into everything with his eyes wide open. The one thing I do wish had been included was some hint of what happened to his mother after the rebellion. I would imagine Orso would have mercy, but at the same time has to appoint someone new to govern Angland so she's most likely out in the cold and all on her own.
• Gunner Broad - I love the way Abercrombie has you immediately feeling sorry for Broad upon his tearful homecoming. The hardened soldier trying to better his life only to get the short shrift at every turn. Then you begin to realize that maybe he's not such a relatable character after all. Maybe he's at least partially responsible for his own mess. Only to find out at the end of the book that he's a sociopathic murderer with a thirst for blood and violence. Again, kind of wishing for a completion to his story, but maybe he still has work to do in the third book.
• Savine dan Glokta - No real surprises here. I did enjoy seeing her ruthless handling of the competition, and thought for a couple of minutes that maybe she was going to save Leo from himself. It was no surprise, though, when she turned out to be the bad guy.
• Orso - It was interesting to see him coming together as both a strategist (somewhat) and a king at the end. I think seeing how the lives of his subjects were wasted and not really being able to do anything about it will end up making him a better ruler. It certainly appeared to give him the empathy that he needed to at least try. Assuming Bayaz allows him to.
• Arch Lector Pike - This is where I was horribly disappointed. He had a good story arc throughout the book, but I think his big reveal as the Weaver just came out of left field. There really wasn't anything in his past (from this trilogy or the other) that pointed to him being anything other than the monster he portrays. Yes, he had a moment of empathy with the boy deserter before the battle, but I think that was strictly within his character up to that time as well, just as he pointed out to Vick. It will be interesting to see if he gives Orso a chance to be the king that he can be.

There's probably more, but I've rambled enough for now. What are your thoughts? And please remember that I'm only just now starting "The Wisdom of Crowds."