About the Book
A Little Hatred is the first book in Joe Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy, set in the same world as his First Law trilogy but roughly a generation later. The setting has shifted, industrialization is beginning to reshape the Union, and the old power structures are straining under new pressures. Characters from the First Law world cast long shadows here, but the focus is on a new generation dealing with the consequences of what came before.
The book follows several point-of-view characters across different social strata, nobility, soldiers, workers, criminals, as political tensions, class conflict, and outright violence converge. Abercrombie is working with themes of revolution and progress here, but filtered through his characteristic skepticism: there are no clean heroes, and the arrival of industry doesn't mean the arrival of justice.
Readers coming in fresh should know that while A Little Hatred can technically be read without the First Law trilogy, the emotional weight of several character threads depends heavily on knowing what happened before. If you haven't read the original trilogy, the Age of Madness will still function, but you'll get more out of it having that context.
Narration & Audio Performance
Steven Pacey has narrated Abercrombie's work since the original First Law trilogy, and his return here is the single biggest reason to choose the audio format. He has an established repertoire of voices for characters carried over from earlier books, and his handling of the new cast fits the same mold, distinct, consistent, and well-matched to each character's background and temperament. If you've listened to any of the previous Abercrombie audiobooks narrated by Pacey, the transition into A Little Hatred is seamless.
Pacey's pacing suits Abercrombie's writing style. The prose can be dry and sardonic, and Pacey delivers that tone without overselling it. Action sequences land clearly, quieter political scenes don't drag, and the darker moments aren't performed with unwarranted theatricality. He keeps things grounded, which is exactly right for this material.
Production quality from Gollancz's audio releases in this series has been consistent. There are no reported issues with sound or editing in this title. If you're unfamiliar with Pacey's narration style, the Audible sample will give you a reliable read on whether it works for you, his voice is distinctive and not universally loved, but the majority of Abercrombie listeners consider him essential to the experience.
The Audible Verdict
Steven Pacey's narration is a genuine asset here, not just a serviceable add-on. He's been with this world since the beginning, and it shows, the character voices are consistent with earlier entries and the tone is handled with real care. If you're already invested in Abercrombie's world, this is worth a paid credit. If you're new to the series, consider starting with The Blade Itself audiobook first to calibrate whether Pacey's narration is for you before spending a credit here.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
A Little Hatred is well-suited to the audio format. The structure is linear, following multiple POV characters in alternating chapters, a format that audio handles cleanly, especially with a narrator like Pacey who differentiates voices well enough that you always know whose chapter you're in without needing chapter headings.
Abercrombie's prose style, lean, dialogue-heavy, with a consistent sardonic tone, translates naturally to being read aloud. There are no maps, charts, or visual elements that the audio format needs to compensate for. The worldbuilding is embedded in the narrative rather than front-loaded in appendices, which means you lose nothing by listening rather than reading.
The one caveat is for readers who like to flip back and cross-reference character relationships. The Age of Madness has a large cast, and some listeners find it easier to track connections in print. But if you've already read the First Law trilogy, that's unlikely to be an issue, you'll know the names and relationships well enough to follow comfortably on audio.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to read the First Law trilogy before listening to A Little Hatred?
Technically no, A Little Hatred is the start of a new trilogy. But several major characters are directly connected to the original trilogy, and those threads carry significantly more weight if you know the backstory. Most listeners recommend reading or listening to The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings first.
Is Steven Pacey the same narrator as the original First Law trilogy audiobooks?
Yes. Pacey narrated all three books of the original First Law trilogy and the standalone novels set in the same world. His continuation into the Age of Madness trilogy means the voice characterizations are consistent across the entire series.
Is this audiobook appropriate for listeners new to grimdark fantasy?
It works as an entry point to the genre, though Abercrombie's tone is deliberately bleak and morally uncomfortable. If you want a lighter introduction to fantasy before this, it may be worth sampling first. Fans of authors like Mark Lawrence or Scott Lynch will likely find themselves at home immediately.
Is A Little Hatred the first book in a trilogy?
Yes. It's the first book in the Age of Madness trilogy, followed by The Trouble with Peace and The Wisdom of Crowds. All three are narrated by Steven Pacey on Audible.
Similar Audiobooks
The first book of the original First Law trilogy, the essential starting point for Abercrombie's world, also narrated by Steven Pacey.
The direct sequel to A Little Hatred in the Age of Madness trilogy, continuing the same storylines and characters.
Prince of Thorns
Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire trilogy shares Abercrombie's morally compromised protagonists and dark worldbuilding. A reasonable next listen if you finish the Age of Madness series.
Nick Podehl's narration of Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicle is frequently cited alongside Pacey's Abercrombie work as a benchmark for fantasy audio performance.
One of Abercrombie's First Law standalone novels, a good bridge listen between the original trilogy and the Age of Madness, also narrated by Pacey.
Audiobook Details
| Title | A Little Hatred |
|---|---|
| Author | Joe Abercrombie |
| Narrator | Steven Pacey |
| Genre | Grimdark Fantasy |
| Year | 2019 |
| Publisher | Gollancz |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
A Little Hatred is available on Audible, and with Steven Pacey returning as narrator, it's one of the stronger audiobook options in the grimdark fantasy space, a free trial credit is well spent here if you're exploring the genre.
Open on Audible