Kara Sears
The First Law series is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The series 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 First Law trilogy is followed by three standalone novels, and a sequel trilogy titled The Age of Madness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Joe Abercrombie |
| Author's occupation | Freelance film editor |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Type | Novel series |
| Setting | Circle of the World |
| Number of books in the original trilogy | Three |
| Number of stand-alone novels | Three |
| Number of short stories | Two |
| Number of sequel trilogy books | Three |
| Name of the first novel in the original trilogy | The Blade Itself |
| Name of the first stand-alone novel | Best Served Cold |
| Name of the first short story | Sharp Ends: Stories from the World of the First Law |
| Name of the sequel trilogy | The Age of Madness |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Abercrombie's background
British author Joseph Edward Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, Lancashire, England, on December 31, 1974. He attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and went on to study psychology at Manchester University.
Abercrombie moved into television production before taking up a career as a freelance film editor. During a break between jobs, he began writing his first novel, 'The Blade Itself', in 2001 or 2002, completing it in 2004. It took a year of rejection by publishing agencies before Gillian Redfearn of Gollancz accepted the book for a five-figure deal in 2005. It was published in 2006 and was followed by two other books in 'The First Law' trilogy: 'Before They Are Hanged' and 'Last Argument of Kings'. Abercrombie has said that video games have been a big influence on his writing, including early text-based adventure games and historically based strategy games. He also played a lot of dice games and drew maps of imaginary places as a child.
In 2008, Abercrombie was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. That same year, he contributed to the BBC Worlds of Fantasy series, alongside writers such as Michael Moorcock, Terry Pratchett, and China Miéville. In 2009, Abercrombie released the novel 'Best Served Cold', the first of three standalone novels set in the world of 'The First Law' trilogy. This was followed by 'The Heroes' in 2011 and 'Red Country' in 2012, both of which were also set in the world of the trilogy. 'Red Country' was a Sunday Times and New York Times Hardcover Bestseller.
In 2019, Abercrombie released 'A Little Hatred', the first book in a new trilogy set in the world of 'The First Law', followed by 'The Trouble with Peace' in 2020 and 'The Wisdom of Crowds' in 2021. In April 2022, Tor announced that it had acquired a new trilogy from Abercrombie at auction. The first book in the new series, 'The Devils', was released in May 2025, with James Cameron's production company acquiring the rights. Abercrombie also contributed to the fourth season of the Netflix animated anthology series 'Love, Death & Robots', writing the screenplays for three episodes.
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The First Law trilogy
The world of the trilogy is on the verge of an Industrial Revolution. Long ago, the world was inhabited by both Demons and Humans. Then, hundreds or thousands of years ago, a legendary half-Demon, half-Human with great magical powers, banished the Demons from the world. Magic still exists, but it relies on connections to the Other Side, where the Demons live. The Union, one of the trilogy's three major powers, contains the provinces of Angland, the Midderlands, Dagoska, Starikland, and the city of Westport in Styria. The other two powers are the Gurkish Empire and the North, recently united under King Bethod.
The Union is in a state of near-perpetual war, constantly being manoeuvred into conflicts by a dysfunctional government and an uncompromising foreign policy. The first theatre of war is 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 these and other conflicts.
The books are known for their unflinching realism, with brutal battles, ruthless politics, and raw, dangerous magic. Abercrombie's style is dry, witty, and often darkly humorous, making even the bleakest moments enjoyable. The plot twists come thick and fast, leaving the reader breathless and desperate for more. The trilogy's themes of power, corruption, and the cyclical nature of violence are woven deeply into the narrative, creating a story that feels as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
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Standalone novels
The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie consists of a trilogy, three standalone novels, short stories, and a second trilogy titled The Age of Madness. The standalone novels are published by Gollancz in the UK and Orbit Books in the United States.
The first standalone novel, "Best Served Cold", was published in 2009 and is set in Styria, a land of warring city-states. It follows mercenary-general Monza Murcatto, who sets out for revenge with a crew of misfits after being betrayed and thrown down a mountain by her employer, the Grand Duke Orso.
The second standalone novel, "The Heroes", was published in 2011 and is set in the North seven years after the trilogy. It centres on another war between The Union and The North, culminating in a three-day battle over a ring of stones called The Heroes. The North is tested by the new king, Logen's old friend Black Dow, and the novel focuses on a dozen Northmen sent to guard the ring of stones.
The third standalone novel, "Red Country", was published in 2012 and is set in the Far Country about thirteen years after the original trilogy. It follows Shy South, a young woman with a bloody past who sets out to rescue her kidnapped brother and sister, accompanied by her cowardly old stepfather.
In September 2019, Joe Abercrombie released "A Little Hatred", the first novel in a new trilogy set roughly 28 years after the events of the original trilogy.
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Short stories
The First Law series is written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The first three novels form a trilogy, while the remaining stories are standalone but interconnected novels. The series is set in an epic fantasy world reminiscent of early modern Europe called the Circle of the World.
All short fiction is collected in Sharp Ends: Stories from the World of the First Law (2016) and The Great Change (And Other Lies) (2023). "Tough Times All Over" won a Locus Award, and "The Fool Jobs" and "Some Desperado" received nominations.
The Original Trilogy story arc includes the short story "A Beautiful Bastard". The Best Served Cold story arc features characters such as Monza Murcatto, Nicomo Cosca, Castor Morveer, Friendly, Caul Shivers, and Cas Shenkt. The Heroes story arc includes Bremer dan Gorst, Prince Calder, Curnden Craw, Finree dan Brock, Tunny, and Beck.
The Age of Madness Trilogy story arc features Leo dan Brock, Savine dan Glokta, Orso dan Luthar, Rikke, Gunnar Broad, Vick dan Teufel, and Jonas Clover. The short stories within the First Law series add depth and detail to the epic fantasy world created by Abercrombie, exploring the various characters and their adventures in the Circle of the World.
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The Age of Madness trilogy
The trilogy introduces new characters, including crown prince Orso, son of King Jezal and Queen Terez, and Savine dan Glokta, daughter of Sand dan Glokta and Ardee West. Angland is inherited by Leo dan Brock, the young and reckless son of Finree dan Brock and her late husband. Other new characters include Vick dan Teufel, a member of the King's Inquisition; Jonas Clover, a famous warrior in the North seeking a quiet life; and Gunnar Broad, an ex-soldier returning to a changed country.
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Frequently asked questions
British author Joe Abercrombie wrote the First Law series.
The First Law is a series of gritty modern fantasy novels. It is set in an epic fantasy world called the Circle of the World, reminiscent of early modern Europe. Magic once existed in this world, but now seems to be fading, to the point that most people don't believe in it.
The First Law series consists of a trilogy, three standalone novels, short stories, and a second trilogy titled 'The Age of Madness'. The original trilogy consists of 'The Blade Itself', 'Before They Are Hanged', and 'The Last Argument of Kings'.
