Anaya Nolan
The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. It consists of a trilogy and three standalone books set in the same world as the trilogy. The first book of the trilogy, titled 'The Blade Itself', introduces a cast of complex and well-developed characters in a world loosely based on medieval Europe. The trilogy centres on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate conflicts between three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of books in the First Law trilogy | 3 |
| Number of standalone books in the First Law world | 3 |
| Author of the First Law series | Joe Abercrombie |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Number of books in the Shattered Sea trilogy | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
The First Law trilogy
The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The First Law trilogy consists of three books:
- The Blade Itself
- Before They Are Hanged
- Last Argument of Kings
The trilogy is set in a world loosely based on medieval Europe and involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod. The plot centres on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate through conflicts between these powers. The first book, The Blade Itself, introduces a cast of well-developed, complex characters thrown together in this world. The reader is unsure who the good and bad characters are, and the line between hero and villain is blurred. The characters are relatable, and the story is part magic, part military, and part politics.
The second book in the trilogy, Before They Are Hanged, continues the story of the characters introduced in The Blade Itself. The plot becomes more complex, with conspiracies and old scores ready to be settled. The fall of some characters is visceral and relatable, with good people splintering and doing awful things.
The final book in the trilogy, Last Argument of Kings, brings the story to a close. The ending is epic and awesome, and the complex plot comes together. The characters' arcs conclude in a satisfying way, with some characters picking themselves up and climbing again. The story ends with a unique ending that may ruffle some feathers.
In addition to the original trilogy, there are three standalone books set in the same world as The First Law: Red Country, Sharp Ends, and The Heroes. These books feature some of the same characters as the original trilogy and are sometimes marketed under the name World of the First Law. There is also a second trilogy set in the same world, The Age of Madness, which consists of the books A Little Hatred, The Trouble With Peace, and The Wisdom of Crowds.
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The Blade Itself
The First Law is a series of fantasy novels written by Joe Abercrombie. The first novel in the series, titled "The Blade Itself", was initially written between 2002 and 2004 and published in 2006. It serves as an introduction to the complex characters and the world loosely based on medieval Europe. The story is part magic, part military, and part politics, with a diverse cast of characters, including Logen Ninefingers, a legendary Northman warrior, and Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a dashing and selfish nobleman.
The novel received praise for its gritty and intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and subversion of traditional heroism. Abercrombie's knack for creating complex characters and exploring their internal conflicts on an intimate level has been particularly well-received. The book also sets up the mental states of the characters, including their anxiety, exhaustion, and pressure, providing a deeper understanding of their actions.
Overall, The Blade Itself serves as an engaging introduction to the world of The First Law, laying the foundation for the complex characters and the epic conflicts to come in the subsequent novels of the trilogy.
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The standalone books
The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie consists of a trilogy and three standalone books. The standalone books are set in the same world as the trilogy, with some of the major characters from the trilogy making appearances in smaller roles. The standalone books are sometimes marketed under the name "World of the First Law". They have also been released as a combined omnibus volume titled "The Great Leveller".
The first of the three standalone books follows mercenary Monzcarro "Monza" Murcatto on her quest for revenge after a deadly betrayal. The book introduces new characters from the world of the First Law and features several known characters from the original trilogy, including Caul Shivers, Shylo Vitari, and Nicomo Cosca.
In the first part, Monza is found barely alive by a mysterious stranger, who performs various surgical procedures to mend her wounds. The stranger also gives her a smoke pipe with a highly addictive substance called "husk", to which she becomes addicted. After regaining her strength, she escapes and seeks out a hideout that she and her brother Benna had prepared. With the weapons and money stored there, she returns to Talins to start her quest for revenge.
The second part takes place in Westport, where Monza hires the master poisoner Castor Morveer and his assistant, Day, to help with her assassination plots.
The second standalone book, "The Heroes", is a favourite among readers, with one review describing it as "magnificent, richly entertaining".
The third standalone book, "Red Country", is described as having a "gritty edge to its world and an awareness of the human cost of violence that is very contemporary".
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The Great Leveller trilogy
The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The First Law World consists of a trilogy and three standalone books published afterward. The trilogy consists of the following books:
- The Blade Itself
- Before They Are Hanged
- Last Argument of Kings
The three standalone books are set in the same world as the trilogy and include some of the same characters. The first of these standalone books is titled "The Great Leveller" and follows mercenary Monzcarro “Monza” Murcatto on her quest for revenge after a deadly betrayal. The book introduces new characters from the world of the First Law and features multiple known characters from the original trilogy, including Caul Shivers, Shylo Vitari, and Nicomo Cosca.
- Half A King
- Half The World
- Half A War
These books were published between 2014 and 2015, after the original trilogy and the standalone books. The trilogy centers on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate through conflicts between the three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod.
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The World of the First Law
The trilogy follows the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate conflicts between these powers. One key character is Logen, who returns to the North at the end of the first book but is betrayed by Black Dow, who becomes king. Another important character is Glokta, who becomes the Arch Lector and Bayaz's proxy in the Closed Council. The series also features female characters, although some reviewers have found them to be underdeveloped.
In addition to the original trilogy, there are three standalone books set in the same world: The Heroes, Red Country, and Sharp Ends. These books feature some of the same characters as the original trilogy, as well as introducing new ones. The Heroes takes place seven years after the events of the original trilogy and focuses on a three-day battle between the Union and the North. The standalones are sometimes marketed under the name World of the First Law.
The First Law series has been praised for its complex and compelling characters, as well as its gritty and contemporary portrayal of violence. However, some reviewers have criticized the series for its excessive number of POV characters and lack of clear heroes and villains.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 3 books in the First Law trilogy: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings. There are also 3 standalone books set in the same world as the trilogy: Half A King, Half the World, and Half A War.
The First Law books were written by British author Joe Abercrombie.
The First Law books are fantasy fiction. They are described as dark fantasy and epic fantasy.
The First Law series is set in a world loosely based on medieval Europe and involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North. The plot centres on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate conflicts between these powers.
