The Wisdom of Crowds Joe Abercrombie ending

I just finished TWOC, and I have to say this entire trilogy was such a slog to get through. While the dialog was well written, the plot, characters, pacing, and setting was so dull, predictable, and uneventful.

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What happens in The Wisdom of Crowds?
What happens to Orso in Wisdom of Crowds?
Will there be another book after Wisdom of Crowds?
Is Bayaz an eater?

Orso and Rikke were the two most intriguing characters, and we didn’t get much “screen time” with either, and then Joe ends up killing off Orso. The ending of TWOC was decent, but the climax of action and actual things happening took way too long. Most of the plot in this book felt like Joe purposely made most of the characters dull, incompetent, lesser versions of protagonists in the original trilogy to once again prove that in the end this is Bayaz’s world. However, in this trilogy Bayaz seemed to just take a timeout and accepted many his machinations had failed, and he would simply rebuild because he has the time.

Again the setting of the trilogy was stuck in Adua or the North. After introducing Monzca, her rise to power in Styria, and willing partner with Shenkt, all we got with Styria was a meeting with Jappo that basically led to nothing with this faction.

My one question is with Rikke’s final vision. Was the figure in Bayaz’s eye saying “I have returned” supposed to be Glustrod? Is that hinting that Bayaz will again use the Seed, but this time his ambition will finally drive the world to ruin and unleash Glustrod and the demons on the world?

I am disappointed and frustrated. First, disappointed that I will likely have to give Abercrombie the title of the best book of the year a second year in a row because I hate repeating myself. Telling you that reading Abercrombie’s works is a good idea is like telling you that the sun shines – it’s already obvious. Second, I am frustrated that despite likely being the best book of the year, I can’t really talk about The Wisdom of Crowds.

The more I tell you about Crowds, the more I will take away from your reading experience. I can highlight a few things, but you are likely going to find them unsatisfying. A tease of a review that doesn’t really say anything other than “this book is really good.” I could tell you that Abercrombie is the single best author I have read at crafting endings and that Crowds is absolutely no exception. I could tell you that it has been a long time since I have read a book with characters I am this emotionally invested in. I could tell you that the climax was so powerful that I needed to cancel my plans for the evening after I read it. Or I could tell you that it is very clear that the story of the world of The First Law is not even close to finished and there is nothing I want more than the next installment of this series. I don’t really want to tell you anything, but if this book is going to place where I suspect it will be on our Best of 2021 list, I need to have a review to reference.

The Wisdom of Crowds is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s likely in my top ten favorite books of all time. Abercrombie’s character work is unparalleled; his action is the best in the business. Don’t even get me started on his plots. The themes of Crowds are cutting in their topicality and clever in their execution. His prose is a case study in immersive worldbuilding. These books paint a world and saga of impressive scope and depth and each new entry in The First Law universe is adding to the collective story they tell between them.

Do I think Crowds is better than my other top Abercrombie book, The Last Argument of Kings? It is extremely hard to compare the two because they are very different stories. If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be Kings – but it would be damn close. The Age of Madness has come to a close, and with it has gone my peace of mind as I ponder the depths of the story I just read.

Rating: The Wisdom of Crowds – 10/10
-Andrew

An ARC of this book was provided to us in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.

What happens in The Wisdom of Crowds?

Wisdom of the crowd is a theory that assumes large crowds are collectively smarter than individual experts. It believes that the collective knowledge and opinions of a group are better at decision-making, problem-solving, and innovating than an individual.

What happens to Orso in Wisdom of Crowds?

Orso is arrested by the new regime, whilst the recently defeated Young Lion and his wife are regarded as heroes, of a sort. There is much to do. Brock, now Citizen Brock, despite his defeat by royalty, is determined to lead the people into a new age of prosperity and wisdom.

Will there be another book after Wisdom of Crowds?

The Wisdom of Crowds is book three of The Age of Madness trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, his second trilogy set in The First Law world. It was published in September 2021 by Gollancz in the UK and Orbit in the US. ... In-verse Timeframe..

Is Bayaz an eater?

Bayaz is an Eater: At least two of his apprentices, Shenkt and Yoru Sulfur, are Eaters. In The Heroes, Bayaz psychs out Calder while eating meat in the midst of heaps of corpses. The meal is served by Yoru Sulfur, and Bayaz's glee at the meal is quite similar to the enjoyment Shenkt derives from eating human flesh.