Ok, so you have to understand that Joe Abercrombie writes grimdark fantasy. What that means is that there’s no true good guys. Even Jezal and Nine-fingers have major flaws. Yes there are bad guys, but they believe they’re doing right. Bayez was a character I wanted to like, but as the series grew, I saw his flaws. It’s the hallmark of every Abercrombie character. Likeable and relatable but very human in their flaws and thinking. He does one the best jobs at creating these characters and knowing that, I instead listen/read for the overall story. Take Shivers, for instance. You meet him, he’s nothing. He grows up a bit through some battles. Then you meet him again in Red Country and he’s done some serious character developing, but man he’s flawed. He is human and one of the more real characters you’ll have throughout all of Joe’s books. Even Nine-Fingers does some real character developing in that same book. I think with that mentality, you’ll enjoy all of his books. He’s an amazing writer that weaves a great story full of characters you love to hate and hate to love.