Shy South and her stepfather, Lamb, return from a trip to town to discover that their house has burned to the ground and Shy's younger brother and sister are missing. Setting out to find the children, the pair meet up with a young man named Leef who is searching for his own brother. Their journey takes them through the lawless Far Country, where their path crosses with that of notorious mercenary Nicomo Cosca and his lawyer, Temple, a man who has started to question his purpose in life. As Lamb's past catches up to him, Shy learns that the stepfather she has always considered a coward possesses unsuspected talents. Set in the same world as his "First Law" trilogy (The Blade Itself; Before They Are Hanged; Last Argument of Kings), Abercrombie's latest fantasy adventure follows the fortunes of one of the series's most complex characters, adding even more depth to a richly detailed yet grim universe. VERDICT Though familiarity with the "First Law" books is helpful, this tale of a young woman's determination and an old man's redemption stands on its own, bolstered by strong characters and a sure hand at storytelling. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Abercrombie continues expanding the world of his First Law trilogy with this gripping and violent stand-alone military fantasy, which loosely follows The Heroes. Shy South returns home from a trip to town to find her younger brother and sister have been kidnapped and her farm razed. Shy and her stepfather, Lamb, who both have some shady spots in their past, begin to track a cold-blooded killer who's rounding up children and herding them to the far north. Along the way, they encounter numerous impediments, including trophy-taking natives, raging rivers, and run-ins with both Union soldiers and Northmen. Meanwhile, Gen. Cosca of the Company of the Gracious Hand illegally marches his mercenaries over the northern border in search of rebels, real or imagined, stirring up mayhem and ill will as he goes. Terrific fight scenes, compelling characters (some familiar, some new), and sardonic, vivid prose show Abercrombie at the top of his game. Agent: Susan Howe, Orion. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.