History Literature / TheTroubleWithPeace

''The Trouble with Peace'' is the second novel in the "''Age of Madness''" trilogy by British writer Joe Abercrombie, which continues the story of the world he created in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' trilogy.

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!! This work provides examples of:
* BullyingADragon: A lot of the younger generation characters are highly dismissive of Bayaz, and make no secret of the fact that they could not care less about crossing him and don’t feel obligated to keep their parents' deals with him; despite their parents warnings that they have ''very'' good reasons to regard Bayaz as TheDreaded.
* CassandraTruth: The older generation's warnings about why crossing Bayaz is a '''bad''' idea almost always falls on deaf ears with the younger generation.
* CurbStompBattle: One one corner, a dozen Burners with swords and axes. One the other, [[spoiler:an Eater]]. The fight is just as unevenly matched as you could expect.
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:The only one among the conspirator rebel lords who is not captured after the Battle of Stoffenbeck is Lord Isher, chief architect of the rebellion.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: Contrary to the everyone’s expectations (except Savine’s) King Orso spends the entire novel rising to the occasion as High King of the Union, proving to be a skilled negotiator and talented politician.
* OutsideContextProblem: The Burners’ [[spoiler:assassination attempt against King Orso]] was actually very cleverly (if ruthlessly) planned and probably would’ve succeeded. However, none of them could’ve anticipated [[spoiler:the presence of an Eater during the event, who ended up slaughtering them all.]]
* NotSoDifferent: During his negotiations with King Jappo, Orso establishes a common ground by pointing out how similar that are to each other in demeanor, relationship with their respective mothers and approach to ruling. Jappo is forced to admit that Orso is right.
* SexIsViolence: Leo eventually realizes that his new wife slapping the shit out of him actually turns him on.
* SchizoTech: While hinted at in the previous novel, this one solidifies the great disconnect between the setting's industrial development (which appears to be at a Victorian stage with factories, mass production and the first trains) and its military technology (which is still at a XVI century level at least, relying on pike formations, crossbows and only using gunpowder for artillery, not personal guns.).
* YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters: The groups trying to bring about The Great Change are willing to kill innocent people and bystanders, if it means striking a blow against what they see as a corrupt regime. [[spoiler:As proven when they blow up the new steam engine Curnsbick has invented and is demonstrating to the public, in order to created chaos they can use to attempt an assassination of King Orso.]]

* TookALevelInBadass: Contrary to the everyone’s expectations (excelpt Savine’s) King Orso spends the entire novel rising to the occasion as High King of the Union, proving to be a skilled negotiator and talented politician.

* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:The only one amon the conspirator rebel lords who is not captured after the Battle of Stoffenbeck is Lord Isher, chief architect of the rebellion.]]

CassandraTruth: The older generation's warnings about why crossing Bayaz is a '''bad''' idea almost always falls on deaf ears with the younger generation.

Several months have passed since Crown Prince Orso ascended the throne of the Union after his father’s untimely passing, but the embers of the recent wars and uprisings continue to smolder and threaten to reignite a fire that may burn the whole kingdom down: across Midderland the exploited poor and fertile soil for the Breakers and the Burners agitation, while the nobility resent the Closed Council; in Angland, once loyal subject nurse their grievances over being left to fend for themselves against the Northmen and then expected to pay even more taxes; and Stour Nightfall, King of the Northmen has not forgotten his defeat or given up his claim to Uffrith.

In this volatile situation, the heroes of the new age must take sides in the inevitable conflicts that lays ahead and may threated blow this new Age of Madness wide open.

* BullyingADragon: A lot of the younger generation characters are highly dismissive of Bayaz, and make no secret of the fact that they could not care less about crossing him and dot feel obligated to keep their parents' deals with him; despite their parents having ''very'' good reasons to regard Bayaz as TheDreaded.

* CurbStompBattle: One one corner, a dozen Burners with swords and axes. One the other, an Eater. The fight is just as unevenly matched as you could expect.