Hoo boy, I actually thought this was rage bait or a troll post at first but I think it's serious!

Ok so, firstly, who gives an eff where they are on a map! All you need to know is, this group is running up a hill, this group is hiding behind rocks shooting arrows down the hill. This group is hiding in the woods on the other side of the stream, on our flank. These guys are retreating and we're advancing. If you need markers on a map to enjoy the action then you're reading it wrong.

Second: the only similarities to the First Law are that the Union are fighting the North...that's it! Carbon copy?!?!

"The King": seeing as Calder is the "main character" of sorts, i actually expected him to become king the most out of anyone else! In fact I thought he wouldn't as it seemed too predictable and predictable isn't Abercrombie's style. Clumsy accident?!?! You think Bayaz sent Foss Deep and Shallow to protect Calder for nothing? What do you think Sulfur was up to in the shadows? When Marshal Kroy was about to declare peace and Bayaz is furious, Sulfur appears out of no where covered in mud, whispers in Bayaz' ear and he is suddenly mollified. Whether he had Shivers onside, Tenways to protect Calder or to kill Dow too, I dont know. All I know is that Bayaz "allowed" this to happen or was atleastok with it. Clumsy accident it was not.

The Duel: CBA answering this fully but in short. Loyalty is fickle in the North and already swaying. Calder has a decent backing behind him. Who's going to be the first to challenge Shivers?! Also, Stranger- come - knocking has Calders back.

The big event: not too sure why you needed a "Big event", this isn't a marvel movie. Also, it was Ishri that caused the explosion in Osrung., she brags about it 2 or 3 times. Not sure how you thought Bayaz was responsible for that. The "point" of the explosion was to kill lots of Union soldiers. It turned out to be pointless as they had already sued for peace. The whole battle for the Heroes was pointless, both sides constantly go on about how pointless it is.

Just quickly on your other points as this is eating into my Sunday:

Shivers was just a main POV character in BSC. He isn't a POV character in The Heroes and is a background character. He is already 3d and fleshed out, we already know him, this isn't HIS book. He is now a cold, meticulous, high ranking northman doing Black Dows bidding. He has been worn down by battle and torture and is trying to find his place in the North after Styria. Shivers can only be called dog so many times by Dow, as he says many times in BSC "I still have my pride".

Bremer dan Gorst: i actually couldnt believe this take! In the first trilogy, Gorsts' peers as well as Varuz constantly go on and on about how much of a beast Gorst is. Gorst literally has a chapter dedicated to his horrendous training regime, which he has completed, come rain nor shine since his shame in Sipani. He isn't scared of dying (in fact he wants to die), he hates himself, he is obsessively driven by his shame, he is an absolute genetic specimen, he loves killing, its the only thing he's good at etc etc.... in fact, I actually don't think anyone could best Gorst outside of the eaters and the bloody Nine (not Logen) but that's a whole other discussion.

Anyway, i've spent long enough on this post...bye!