The The First Law is a Epic Fantasy / Grimdark Fantasy series by Joe Abercrombie, made up of 3 books published between 2006 and 2008. It begins with The Blade Itself (2006), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Last Argument of Kings (2008), spanning 2 years of storytelling.
| # | Title | Year | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Blade Itself Locus Award 2007Full award history → | 2006 | Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia |
| 2 | Before They Are Hanged | 2007 | Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia |
| 3 | Last Argument of KingsLatest David Gemmell Legend Award 2009Full award history → | 2008 | Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia |
The First Law series: frequently asked questions
What order should I read the The First Law series?
Start with The Blade Itself (2006), the first book in the The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.
How many books are in the The First Law series?
There are 3 books in the The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie, published between 2006 and 2008.
What is the first book in the The First Law series?
The first book in the The First Law series is The Blade Itself, published in 2006 by Joe Abercrombie.
What is the latest book in the The First Law series?
The most recent book in the The First Law series is Last Argument of Kings (2008) by Joe Abercrombie.
About the First Law series
Joe Abercrombie's First Law is grimdark fantasy at its sharpest and most cynical — a series that takes the genre's noble clichés and gleefully dismantles them. Its cast includes a crippled, sadistic torturer-inquisitor, a vain duellist, and a famous barbarian who just wants to be a good man and keeps failing.
Abercrombie's gift is voice: pitch-black humour, brutal action, and characters so vivid and flawed you root for them against your better judgement. Nobody is a clean hero, and the "wise wizard" pulling the strings is the most disturbing figure of all.
Start with the original trilogy ("The Blade Itself"), then the excellent standalones and the Age of Madness trilogy. Read in publication order — the standalones and sequels deepen the same world and recurring characters.