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 standalone but interconnected novels. The trilogy is set in an epic fantasy world reminiscent of early modern Europe, where magic once existed but is now fading away. The story involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod. With so many books in the series, it can be challenging to determine the best one. While personal preferences may vary, Before They Are Hanged, the second book in the trilogy, received positive reviews from critics, who praised its ability to provide more than just a bridge between the beginning and the end of the trilogy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Joe Abercrombie |
| Number of Books in the Trilogy | 3 |
| Book 1 | The Blade Itself |
| Book 2 | Before They Are Hanged |
| Book 3 | Last Argument of Kings |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Setting | Medieval Europe |
| Magic | Present but fading |
| Plot | Three major powers—The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North—navigate wars and political schemes |
| Main Characters | Monza Murcatto, Caul Shivers, Shylo Vitari, Nicomo Cosca, Curnden Craw, Bremer dan Gorst, Lord Marshal Kroy, Dogman |
| Narrative Style | Multiple points of view |
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What You'll Learn
The Blade Itself
"The Blade Itself" is the first novel in Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy. It was first published in May 2006 by Gollancz in the UK, with an American edition from Pyr Books. This debut novel introduces readers to a complex, character-driven epic fantasy world, filled with moral ambiguity and a healthy dose of cynicism.
The story centres around three main characters: Logen Ninefingers, an infamous barbarian who has run out of luck and is on the verge of death; Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a selfish nobleman and officer dreaming of glory; and Inquisitor Glokta, a torturer who hates everyone, including Jezal. With war brewing in the frozen North, these characters find themselves entangled in a web of power struggles, bloodier rules, and personal vendettas.
The title of the novel is a reference to a quote by Homer in "The Odyssey": "The blade itself incites to deeds of violence". This quote captures the essence of the book, which explores the violent and treacherous nature of the world Abercrombie has created.
"The Blade Itself" received positive reviews from critics. Jon Courtenay Grimwood, writing for The Guardian, praised the novel for living up to its publisher's hype. Siobhan Carroll, in Strange Horizons, recommended it to fans of character-driven epics who can appreciate morally ambiguous heroes. While some readers found the pacing of the book slow at the beginning, others appreciated its complex and fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and nuanced storytelling.
Overall, "The Blade Itself" serves as a strong foundation for the First Law Trilogy, introducing readers to a rich and detailed fantasy world filled with compelling characters and a gripping narrative.
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Before They Are Hanged
"Before They Are Hanged" is the second novel in Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy. It was first published in March 2007 by Gollancz in the UK, with an American edition following from Pyr Books.
The novel continues to follow the six point-of-view characters established in the first book, across three parallel arenas. In the north, Colonel Collem West and the Dogman find themselves allies as the Union Army faces Bethod's rampaging army in Angland. Crown Prince Ladisla commands an ill-equipped and ill-trained army against the Northmen, who have spilled over the border of Angland, spreading fire and death. In the south, Glokta is sent across the sea to help fortify the besieged city of Dagoska against the Gurkish. Glokta has nightmares about being eaten and is visited by Yulwei, a magus, who tells him that the Gurkish have a navy and are being followed by Khalul's army. In the west, Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar, and Ferro Maljinn follow Bayaz, the First of the Magi, on a perilous mission through the ruins of the past. Bayaz leads a party of adventurers on a journey through the wild Old Empire to the Edge of the World.
The title of the novel references a quote by 19th-century German poet Heinrich Heine: "We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged." The novel explores themes of honour, fear, and the complexities of human nature, with Abercrombie's character work receiving particular praise.
Some readers consider "Before They Are Hanged" to be a spectacular book within the grimdark fantasy genre, praising Abercrombie's prose and character development. However, others find the plot predictable and consider the novel less impressive when compared to other books in the First Law series.
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Last Argument of Kings
The novel is set in an epic fantasy world at war, on the verge of an Industrial Revolution. The world is reminiscent of medieval Europe, with the Union, a powerful kingdom, at the centre. The plot involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod. There are two major theatres of war: the North, where the Union and the Northmen invade the Union's northern province of Angland, and the South, where the Union and the Gurkish Empire annex the Union city of Dagoska.
As the King of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. The Open Council must elect a new king, but the process is not clear-cut as the Closed Council and the nobles squabble over who should be elected to the throne. Superior Glokta, under the orders of Arch Lector Sult, uses threats and promises to gain votes, competing with High Justice Marovia and his subordinates. When the King dies, Lord Brock is elected.
In the North, Logen Ninefingers returns to settle his score with Bethod. Logen's close friend Tul Duru is unwittingly killed by the Bloody-Nine, and a bloody last stand ensues. The Union Army, under new Lord Marshal West, arrives and routs Bethod's forces, who takes refuge in Carleon. Meanwhile, Magus Bayaz reveals that Jezal is the illegitimate son of King Guslav and uses tales of his supposed heroics to convince the Open Council to elect Jezal.
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Best Served Cold
The novel takes place in the land of Styria, reminiscent of Renaissance Italy, two years after the events of the Last Argument of Kings. It is springtime, and that means war and revenge. Monza Murcatto, the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Duke Orso's employ, has been betrayed by the Grand Duke, resulting in her brother's death and her being left for dead. Now, Monza is determined to assemble her own crew and get revenge by assassinating the seven men responsible for the betrayal: Orso's bodyguard Gobba, his banker Mauthis, the general of his armies Ganmark, her treacherous second-in-command Faithful Carpi, his sons Prince Ario and Count Foscar, and finally Orso himself.
The novel is a straightforward, tense, and gory revenge story, filled with betrayal and Abercrombie's trademark dark humour. It features intricate and immersive action sequences and brilliant characterizations, with all six POV characters receiving their own background, distinguishable inner voice, unique personality, and superbly written character development.
The title of the novel comes from the proverbial saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold", attributed to Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's epistolary novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782). However, this is a widely held myth, as the phrase doesn't appear in any of de Laclos's works.
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The Heroes
"The Heroes" is the fifth novel in Joe Abercrombie's First Law series, published in 2011. It is set eight years after the events of the original trilogy and follows a three-day battle between the Union and Black Dow's Northmen, fought over a Stonehenge-like structure on a hilltop called The Heroes.
The novel is known for its complex characterisation, with Calder and Brenner dan Gorst standing out as particularly well-developed. Calder, who in the first trilogy is a one-note villain, becomes one of the best POV characters in "The Heroes", as Abercrombie explores his guilt, love, and ambition. Similarly, Gorst appears to be a hero on the outside, but his inner thoughts reveal him to be a depressed, suicidal, murderous character who elicits both sympathy and detestation from the reader.
The novel also includes a diverse cast of characters, with six POV characters in total. In addition to Calder and Gorst, the POV characters include Curnden Craw, an ageing chief of a crew of Named Men; Beck, a young farmer craving glory on the battlefield; and Corporal Tunny, a long-serving veteran and cynical profiteer.
"The Heroes" is also notable for its battle scenes, which are described as "cinematic", "brutal", "visceral", and "bloody thrilling". Abercrombie's usage of consecutive perspective changes adds to the intensity of the action, and the inclusion of the perspective of a common soldier offers a unique and terrifying view of war.
Overall, "The Heroes" is a highly regarded entry in Abercrombie's First Law series, with some fans claiming it to be his best work. It is praised for its character development, intense action sequences, and exploration of the moral ambiguity of its characters.
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Frequently asked questions
The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie consists of three books: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings. While all three books have received positive reviews, some readers consider Before They Are Hanged to be the best book in the trilogy due to its engaging narrative and well-crafted characters.
The First Law trilogy is a series of gritty modern fantasy novels set in an epic fantasy world called the Circle of the World, reminiscent of early modern Europe. The plot involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod. The trilogy centers on the fortunes of various characters as they navigate through conflicts and battles, such as the three-day battle at the Heroes, where the Union forces face off against Black Dow's Northmen.
Yes, there are three stand-alone books set in the world of the First Law trilogy: Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country. These books feature some of the characters from the original trilogy and explore different storylines and perspectives within the same fantasy world.
