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Joe Abercrombie is best know as the generator ofThe First Lawseries , and he ’s put together an outstanding eubstance of oeuvre over the previous two tenner . knight " Lord Grimdark,“Abercrombie has developed a report as one of the premiere authors in the grimdark fantasy subgenre , known for morally ambiguous characters , historically rooted universe - building , and corruption of classical phantasy norms . The First Lawuniverse is often mention for itssimilarities to George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firebook series , which Abercrombie has cited as a chief influence on his fiction .
ThoughThe First Lawhas been around for some time , there ’s no right time than now to plunge into the author ’s work . His original trilogy has been expand on with the sequelAge of Madnesstrilogy , multiple standalone , and a plethora of short report . One of his standalone novels , Best Served Cold , has had a feature moving-picture show in the early development stages withRebecca Ferguson attached as the wizard . Not to name , in 2025 , Joe Abercrombie will releaseThe Devils , the first novel in a brand young saturnine fantasy trilogywith no relation to the Earth ofThe First Law .
House of the Dragon season 2 has a brief cameo that do as a admonisher to check out another mettlesome fantasy book series with similar themes .
10Sharp Ends
Goodreads Rating - 4.13
As a assembling of short fiction set in Joe Abercrombie’sThe First Lawworld , Sharp Endsis always go to vary for the reader by their pet and least preferred report . It ’s a must - read for lovers of that existence , with level involving characters like Logen Ninefingers , Shy South , Bethod , and more . With that in mind , Sharp Endshas some enjoyable works , but it loses the advantage of one of Joe Abercrombie ’s with child skills : slow - burn character development .
Because of this , Sharp Endsrelies heavy on the foundational knowledge ofThe First Lawuniverse , leave many of the report to feel like supplementary material rather than narration of their own . Highlights includeMade a Monster , which canvass Bethod and Logen ’s kinship before the originalFirst Lawtrilogy , andSmall Kindnesses , which introduces some fresh characters to the premix and offer one of the good standalone tales in the anthology .
9The Blade Itself
Goodreads Rating - 4.21
The Blade Itselfis the distinctive start stop for Joe Abercrombie ’s piece of work , as it ’s the first Quran in the originalFirst Lawtrilogy . In that good sense , the Goodreads score is bound to be importantly lower than the respite of the serial publication , given that it ’s the trial unravel for most readers . But whileThe Blade Itselfmay be unfairly represented by this routine , compared to other books , it ’s also reasonable to sayit ’s not the most exciting novel Abercrombie has written , as it carry the burden of introducing the ensembleandthe Earth .
some highlights admit the development of the three independent POV characters , Logen , Jezal , and Glokta , as well as the general humor and brainpower with which Abercrombie paints his existence .
The First Lawtrilogy does n’t draw many punch in keep a veil over its plot of ground , andThe Blade Itselfmay depart reader with a square amount of confusion . The entire cast of characters is broadcast around the earthly concern , and while they ’re fascinating to explore , it ’s difficult to find meaning in the story until the cohesiveness of the third loudness ties everything together . Still , some highlights let in the exploitation of the three independent POV characters , Logen , Jezal , and Glokta , as well as the general humor and card with which Abercrombie paints his world .
The First Law Trilogy Books
Release class
The Blade Itself
2006
Before They Are Hanged
2007
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
Last Argument of Kings
2008
8Red Country
Goodreads Rating - 4.31
Red Countryis the third and final novel in what Abercrombie has described asThe Great Levellertrilogy , a assembling of standalone narration inThe First Lawuniverse . Unlike its predecessors , Red Countryis often key as a Western , embracing aesthetic elements of the classic genre with Abercrombie ’s common taste for fierceness and complex characters . Because of the anarchical nature of the Far Country , Abercrombie ’s generally telling action sequences are even more intense than usual .
With that extolment in intellect , Red Countryfinds itself on the lower end of Abercrombie ’s form of address and the debile of the standalone novel . It ’s become everything one would trust for from an Abercrombie record in its brutality and grittiness . Still , much of the enjoyment of this book is contingent on the reader ’s feelings for the Western genre , and Shy South is arguably one of the weaker admirer the generator has written in this population .
7Best Served Cold
Goodreads Rating - 4.23
The first of Joe Abercrombie ’s standalone inThe First Lawseries , Best Served Coldmay not have the highest Goodreads scotch , but it ’s an iconic Word of God , and there ’s no question as to why it ’s go to be the first piece of his work to be adapted . Best Served Coldis anaction - packed , bally revenge floor set inThe First Lawuniverse , which feel like the paradigm of Joe Abercrombie ’s skillsetin the manakin of a standalone novel . ConsiderJohn WickorKill Billin grimdark fantasy form .
Monza Murcatto is one of Abercrombie ’s honest tip , and it will be a ton of play to hopefully see Rebecca Ferguson bring her to life on the bad screen . The action and revenge narrative is enforced by Abercrombie ’s systematically powerful character employment , makingBest Served Coldone of the most vivid phantasy book experience available .
6The Heroes
Goodreads Rating - 4.34
The Heroesis an outstanding follow - up to the originalFirst Lawtrilogy , demand a intermixture of character readers already roll in the hay with some fresh font . After the North follow Logen to support the Union inLast Argument of Kings , they end up in fight once again , with the novel shifting between figure on both English of a young war . As a story concept , the estimate of a novel adopt three days of a climactic conflict is incredibly fun , extend many of Abercrombie ’s usual element in a riveting novel format .
Of the three standalone books inThe First Lawuniverse , The Heroeshas arguably the strongest type evolution , as it covers the alter perceptions of war among a terrific ensemble . The title itself summarizes the irony behind this book , reenforce a thematic idea about warfare that was rife in the original trilogy : war is scarcely larger-than-life , and those who are really heroes are n’t often credit for it .
5Before They Are Hanged
Goodreads Rating - 4.35
Before They Are Hangedis the middle rule book ofThe First Lawtrilogy , which benefit significantly from grouping the majority of its character . Readers of this serial have been challenged with a complicated readiness of character , andthe second loudness prompts them to plunk deeper into the mold ’s exposure . Maybe Jezal dan Luthar can turn his life around for the better . peradventure Logen and Ferro can find peace in each other . perchance Glokta has a soft spirit than he lets on .
When thrown into the midst of the action , characters like Major West and Jezal are more accessible . Compared to the great unwashed like Crown Prince Ladisla , Bayaz , or Arch Lector Sult , these character of a sudden become gentle to steady down for . Before They Are Hangedchallenges its reader to sympathize with criminals , killers , and morewithin the frame of a dead crafted grimdark setting . To one ’s surprise , that sympathy comes sluttish than they might expect .
4A Little Hatred
Goodreads Rating - 4.45
2019’sA picayune Hatredintroduces audiences toThe Age of Madnesstrilogy . While it ’s fantastic and worthy of huge congratulations , the Goodreads score are inflated by the fact that they ’ve had far less readership than the originalFirst Lawbooks , which is often the character the deeper one give way into a series . With that in judgement , A Little Hatredhas a mellow grudge thanLast argumentation of Kings , but it ’s not as emotionally impactful of a account .
A Little Hatredbuilds upon the initiation ofThe First Lawtrilogy , preparing readers for an even more rewarding saga .
Though that may be the case , A Little Hatredis still a phenomenal write up and one of Abercrombie ’s good . Jumping ahead in sentence and setting does n’t always do work in high-pitched phantasy . For good example , Brandon Sanderson’sMistbornera 2 series was n’t as successful as its original trilogy . A massive aesthetic change , along with a sack in characters , can be jarring . A Little Hatredbuilds upon the foundation garment ofThe First Lawtrilogy , preparing readers for an even more rewarding saga .
The Age of Madness Trilogy Books
A small Hatred
2019
The Trouble With Peace
2020
The Wisdom of crowd
2021
3Last Argument Of Kings
Last Argument of Kingsmight have a low-down score than its predecessor andA Little Hatred , but there ’s great value in Joe Abercrombie ’s first trilogy terminate . The third volumeaptly conclude its major character arcs with Brobdingnagian emotional weight and also lay the foundation for much more to arrive . It ’s one of his most nonrational literary experiences , leave reader with a expectant notion that justifies the virtue of Abercrombie ’s misanthropic take on fantasy .
There are few fantasy serial that pose characters with such indefinite moral standings
At the jump ofThe Blade Itself , it would be toilsome to penetrate feeling wonderful sorrowfulness for Jezal dan Luthar , passionate hatred for Bayaz , or such confusion about Logen Ninefingers . There are few fantasy series that baffle characters with such indefinite moral standing that digesting the event ofLast Argument of Kingsbecomes an experience in and of itself . Abercrombie ’s trilogy isa masterful , sophisticated geographic expedition of fiber , with a treat of a fantasy universe to bolster it .
2The Trouble With Peace
Goodreads Rating - 4.6
An acquisition that ’s deserving notice forThe Trouble with Peaceis that , with a 4.6 rating on Goodreads , it ’s one of the highest - rated book on the platform altogether . Of naturally , attach a score value to a novel is arbitrary to a degree , but it address to the pile love readers have for these stories . The fact that his book seem to get better and easily as they progress is beyond telling , andThe Trouble with Peaceaffirms the quality of the second trilogy ’s refreshing character ensemble .
Just asBefore They Are Hangedsolidified the originalFirst Lawcast , playscript 2 ofThe Age of Madnesstakes the entrant from the old installment and elevates them to the center of the public eye . This ledger demonstratesAbercrombie ’s character employment at its peak , with Savine dan Glokta being an extraordinary highlightas the torch pass on down to her . Once again , the middle al-Qur’an sees Joe Abercrombie absolutely sic up the finale without detract from its individuality .
1The Wisdom Of Crowds
choose between the final two books ofThe Age of Madnessseries is a nigh impossible selection . Ultimately , the termination of the serial is the big winner , but both al-Qur’an are doubtless incredible works of contemporary fantasy . This booksolidified Joe Abercrombie ’s second trilogy as his masterwork and is one of the defining achievements of the grimdark writing style , with the author distinguishing himself with the plain caliber of his prose and his distinctive characterizations .
As one would expect from the final book of a trilogy , The Wisdom of Crowdsis the non-white component of the saga , allow Abercrombie to work with what he ’s hard at . The book is pack with harrowing tragedy , pure topsy-turvyness and death , and attractively written action . Yet , all throughout , each POV character is undergo an unbelievable shift , leaving the reader with a sense of awe at how far they ’ve grown throughout the series . This isThe First Lawauthor Joe Abercrombie at his estimable .
