Abercrombie's writing is sharp, but it's the dialogue and internal monologues that truly shine. Those elements are perfectly suited for audio. The back-and-forth between characters, the sarcastic asides, the brutal introspection—it all comes alive when spoken.
That's why, regardless of catalog status, this is an S-tier audiobook. The trial is a small commitment for a potentially huge payoff in entertainment. I envy anyone getting to hear it for the first time.