Cecily Zamora
The First Law is a series of gritty modern fantasy novels by British author Joe Abercrombie. The first three novels form a trilogy, while the remaining stories are stand-alone but interconnected novels. The original trilogy, comprising The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and The Last Argument of Kings, is a fully completed and self-contained story. Following the trilogy are three stand-alone novels, Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country, which take place in the same world and feature some characters from the original trilogy. Abercrombie then started a new trilogy, The Age of Madness, with the first book, A Little Hatred, published in September 2019, and the second book, The Trouble With Peace, released in September 2020. So, while the original First Law trilogy is complete, the broader series set in the First Law world is ongoing, with Abercrombie continuing to expand the story and explore new characters and storylines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of books in the First Law series | 9 books and a short story collection |
| Number of books in the original trilogy | 3 |
| Name of the original trilogy | The First Law Trilogy |
| Name of the books in the original trilogy | The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings |
| Genre | Gritty modern fantasy |
| Author | Joe Abercrombie |
| Setting | An epic fantasy world called the Circle of the World, reminiscent of early modern Europe |
| Story | Set in a world at war, on the verge of an Industrial Revolution, where Demons and Humans once coexisted |
| Standalone books | Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country |
| New trilogy | The Age of Madness |
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What You'll Learn
The First Law trilogy is complete
The First Law trilogy is a self-contained story that is complete. The trilogy is comprised of the novels "The Blade Itself" (2006), "Before They Are Hanged" (2007), and "Last Argument of Kings" (2008). The story follows the interweaving fortunes and misfortunes of six viewpoint characters: Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar, Sand dan Glokta, Ferro Maljinn, The Dogman, and Collem West.
The First Law series is a set of gritty modern fantasy novels by British author Joe Abercrombie. The first three novels form a trilogy, while the remaining stories are standalone but interconnected novels. The series is followed by three standalone novels in which some minor characters from the trilogy play important roles.
The first of these standalone novels is "Best Served Cold" (2009), which is set in Styria, a land of warring city-states, and follows mercenary-general Monza Murcatto. The second standalone novel is "The Heroes" (2011), which is set in the North seven years after the trilogy and centers on another war between The Union and The North. The third standalone novel is "Red Country" (2012).
In addition to the original trilogy and the three standalone novels, Abercrombie has also written a sequel trilogy set in the world of The First Law, called The Age of Madness. The first book of this new trilogy, "A Little Hatred," was published in September 2019, with the second book, "The Trouble With Peace," following in September 2020.
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Stand-alone books set in the same world
The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is set in an epic fantasy world reminiscent of early modern Europe, called the Circle of the World. The first three novels form a trilogy, while the remaining stories are stand-alone but interconnected novels. The original trilogy is made up of The Blade Itself (2006), Before They Are Hanged (2007), and Last Argument of Kings (2008).
The stand-alone books set in the same world as the original trilogy are:
- Best Served Cold (2009) - Set in Styria, a land of warring city-states, and follows mercenary-general Monza Murcatto. After being betrayed and thrown down a mountain by her employer, she sets out for revenge with a motley crew of misfits. The book introduces new characters and features multiple known characters from the original trilogy, including Caul Shivers, Shylo Vitari, and Nicomo Cosca.
- The Heroes (2011) - Set in the North seven years after the trilogy, this novel centres on another war between The Union and The North, culminating in a three-day battle over a ring of stones. The story features Curnden Craw, a seasoned veteran in Black Dow’s army, “Prince” Calder, the younger son of the late King Bethod, and Colonel Bremer dan Gorst, an officer in the Union army.
- Red Country (2012) - The plot and character details of this novel are not as readily available. However, as with the other stand-alone novels, it is set in the world of the First Law and features characters from the original trilogy.
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The Age of Madness trilogy
The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is set in an epic fantasy world on the brink of an Industrial Revolution. The world is inhabited by both demons and humans. The First Law trilogy is a self-contained story that is complete within itself. However, there are subsequent standalone books and a new trilogy that expands the world of the original trilogy.
The first book of the trilogy, "A Little Hatred", was published on September 17, 2019, and the final book, "The Wisdom of Crowds", was released in September 2021. The trilogy follows the characters Leo dan Brock, Savine dan Glokta, Orso dan Luthar, Rikke, Gunnar Broad, Vick dan Teufel, and Jonas Clover.
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The Shattered Sea trilogy
The story follows Yarvi, the youngest son of a warlike king. Born with a crippled hand, Yarvi is destined for the Ministry rather than the throne. However, when his father and brother are killed, he is reluctantly declared the new king. Despite being considered a weak ruler due to his physical disability, Yarvi swears an oath to avenge his father and brother and kill their murderers.
The map of the Shattered Sea closely resembles that of the current-day Baltic Sea, with the main three countries of Gettland, Vansterland, and Throvenland making up most of modern-day Sweden. Yarvi travels with a band of warriors, including Brand, Thorn, and Rulf, to seek allies for Gettland in its political conflict with the High King and Grandmother Wexen. Along the way, they face harsh conditions and dangerous attacks, and Thorn and Brand's mutual dislike slowly turns into a blossoming romance.
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The Devils, a new series
The Devils is an upcoming fantasy series by Joe Abercrombie, set to release in May 2025. It is a new series that will be separate from Abercrombie's previous First Law series.
The Devils will be set in a magical version of Europe, which is constantly under threat of invasion by merciless elves. The story follows a group of monsters employed by the Pope to deal with problems that the righteous cannot tackle. Europe is in a dire state, plagued by famine and disease, with greedy princes pursuing their own ambitions. The elves, who were once banished from the world by the half-demon, half-human Euz, are expected to return and bring about an apocalypse. Brother Diaz must unite a group of convicted monsters with a higher purpose: to install a thief on the throne of Troy and unite the church against the impending doom.
The First Law series, also written by Abercrombie, is a gritty modern fantasy series comprising a trilogy and several standalone novels. The original trilogy includes The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings, with the story arc concluding in a satisfying manner. The standalone novels, such as Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country, are set in the same world and feature some characters from the original trilogy.
While the First Law series is complete in terms of its initial trilogy, Abercrombie has expanded the world with standalone novels and a new trilogy, The Age of Madness, beginning with A Little Hatred and followed by The Trouble With Peace. The world of The First Law is thus continuously expanding, with the upcoming release of The Devils adding another layer to Abercrombie's imaginative storytelling.
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Frequently asked questions
The First Law trilogy is a self-contained story that is complete. However, there are three stand-alone books that take place in the same world and focus on side characters from the original trilogy. There is also a new trilogy that involves the adult children of the main characters from the First Law books. The final book of this trilogy was expected to be released in 2021.
The First Law series is a set of gritty modern fantasy novels by British author Joe Abercrombie. The series is set in an epic fantasy world called the Circle of the World, reminiscent of early modern Europe.
The original trilogy comprises the novels The Blade Itself (2006), Before They Are Hanged (2007), and The Last Argument of Kings (2008). The story follows the interweaving fortunes and misfortunes of six viewpoint characters: Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar, Sand dan Glokta, Ferro Maljinn, The Dogman, and Collem West.
Yes, an unabridged audiobook version of each of the books has been released, narrated by Steven Pacey and published by Blackstone (UK) and Orion (US).
Joe Abercrombie has written several other books set in the First Law world, including Best Served Cold (2009), The Heroes (2011), and Red Country (2012). He has also written a trilogy aimed at younger readers called The Shattered Sea Trilogy, and a new series that began in May 2025 with The Devils.
