
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 First Law is also the title of the original trilogy, which is a reference to a law put forth by the legendary half-demon Euz from the series, stating, It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The First Law of Thermodynamics | The principle that energy is conserved |
| Energy cannot be created or destroyed | |
| Energy can be converted among different forms | |
| The total energy of the universe remains constant | |
| The total energy of a system remains constant, even if it is converted from one form to another | |
| Kinetic energy can be converted to heat energy | |
| The internal energy of a system can be determined through the physical existence of a reference process | |
| The first law motivates the introduction and clarification of the meaning of temperature | |
| The First Law in Fiction | Refers to a law put forth by the legendary half-demon Euz |
| "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct" | |
| "Forbidden to communicate with the world below, forbidden to summon Demons, forbidden to open gates to hell" | |
| Newton's First Law of Motion | An object at rest remains at rest |
| An object in motion remains in motion at a constant speed and in a straight line |
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What You'll Learn

The First Law of Thermodynamics
This law is particularly concerned with the transfer of energy as heat and work. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy between two bodies at different temperatures, while work is the force used to transfer energy between a system and its surroundings, which is necessary for creating heat and transferring thermal energy. Both heat and work enable systems to exchange energy.
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The First Law of Motion
Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. This means that objects have a natural tendency to resist changes in their state of motion. If an object is at rest, it will stay at rest, and if it is in motion, it will continue moving in the same direction and speed unless something intervenes.
This law can be applied to a wide range of scenarios, from everyday objects to celestial bodies. For example, if a ball is rolling across a surface, it will keep moving forward unless an external force, such as friction or an unbalanced force like a person stopping it with their hand, acts upon it. Similarly, a satellite orbiting the Earth will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force, such as the gravitational pull of a nearby planet.
The concept of inertia, which is central to the First Law of Motion, was first introduced by Galileo and further clarified by Newton. Inertia refers to the property of an object to resist changes in its motion. The greater the inertia of an object, the more difficult it is to change its state of motion. Inertia is determined by the mass of an object; a larger mass results in greater inertia.
Friction is an important external force that can impact the motion of an object. For example, if an object is sliding on a rough surface, friction will cause it to slow down and eventually stop. However, if the surface is made smoother, such as by applying oil or lubricating powder, the object will be able to slide further due to the reduced friction. In the case of a completely frictionless surface, the object would theoretically continue sliding indefinitely in a straight line.
Newton's First Law of Motion revolutionized humanity's understanding of the physical world and laid the foundation for classical mechanics, a fundamental branch of physics. By asking "what is the cause?" Newton shifted the scientific perspective towards a cause-and-effect worldview, enabling the discovery of further patterns and insights in the natural world.
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The First Law: Euz's ban on touching the Other Side
The First Law refers to a set of gritty modern fantasy novels by British author Joe Abercrombie. The First Law is also the name of the trilogy that comprises the first three novels of the series, with the remaining stories being standalone but interconnected novels. The trilogy consists of The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings. The story follows six viewpoint characters, including Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar, and Ferro Maljinn, and centres around the Union, a central realm in the Circle of the World, which is in a state of near-perpetual war.
The title of the original trilogy refers to a law put forth by the legendary half-demon Euz from the series, which states, "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct". The Other Side is the realm of Demons, from which magic power is derived. Long ago, the world was inhabited by both Demons and Humans. Then, hundreds or thousands of years ago, Euz, a half-Demon, half-Human with great magical powers, banished the Demons from the world to the Other Side, allowing humans to flourish.
Euz left behind the First Law, forbidding any direct contact with the Other Side. Magic still exists, relying on connections to the Other Side, but it is fading, to the point that most people don't believe in it. Euz's ban on touching the Other Side is absolute, with additional prohibitions on communicating with the world below, summoning Demons, and opening gates to hell.
The First Law series is set in an epic fantasy world on the verge of an Industrial Revolution, reminiscent of early modern Europe. The plot involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, united under King Bethod. The trilogy centres on the fortunes and misadventures of its characters as they navigate conflicts between these powers.
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The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie
The plot of the original trilogy involves two major theatres of war. The first takes place in the north between the Union and the Northmen, who invade the Union's northern province of Angland. The second is in the south between the Union and the Gurkish Empire, who attempt to annex the Union city of Dagoska.
The trilogy is sometimes marketed under the name "World of the First Law" and has also been released as a combined omnibus volume titled "The Great Leveller". The title of the original trilogy is a reference to a law put forth by the legendary half-demon, half-human Euz, which states, "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct," the Other Side being the realm of Demons, from which magic power derives. Long ago, Euz banished the Demons from the world, but magic still exists, relying on connections to the Other Side.
The three standalone books are set in the same world as the trilogy and feature some of the same characters. They introduce new characters from the world of the First Law, including mercenary commander Monzcarro "Monza" Murcatto, who is on a quest for revenge after a deadly betrayal.
The First Law series is known for its technical dazzle and brilliant composition, with each word feeling necessary. Abercrombie has been praised for his careful accounting of every plot thread, paying off in the end. However, the series has been criticised for its lack of female characters, with the first book featuring over 20 significant male characters and only one female character for the first third of the book. Abercrombie has acknowledged this mistake and has added more diverse points of view in subsequent books, including two female main characters in his standalones.
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The First Law trilogy
- The Blade Itself
- Before They Are Hanged
- The Last Argument of Kings
The title of the trilogy refers to a law put forth by the legendary half-demon, Euz, which states: "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct", where the Other Side is the realm of Demons, from which magic power derives.
The plot of the trilogy 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 first takes place in the north between the Union and the Northmen, who invade the Union's northern province of Angland. The second is in the south between the Union and the Gurkish Empire, who attempt to annex the Union city of Dagoska.
The trilogy centres on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate through these conflicts. The characters are described as morally grey, flawed, and fascinating. They include the tortured inquisitor Glokta, the barbarian warrior Logen Ninefingers, and the cocky nobleman Jezal dan Luthar. The trilogy is known for its unpredictable plot twists, brutal battles, and ruthless politics.
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Frequently asked questions
'The First Law' is a series of gritty modern fantasy novels written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The first three novels form a trilogy, while the remaining stories are standalone but interconnected novels.
The plot of the original trilogy 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 first takes place in the north between the Union and the Northmen, who invade the Union's northern province of Angland. The second is in the south between the Union and the Gurkish Empire, who attempt to annex the Union city of Dagoska.
The First Law is a law put forth by the legendary half-demon Euz from the series, which states, "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct," where the Other Side is the realm of Demons, from which magic power derives.
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is conserved, meaning it cannot be created or destroyed but can be converted among different forms, while the total energy of the universe remains constant.
Sir Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion states that every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force.











































