First Law Books in Order
The First Law trilogy is a grim, darkly funny epic fantasy. The torturer Sand dan Glokta, the Northern barbarian Logen Ninefingers and the vain young officer Jezal dan Luthar are drawn into the schemes of Bayaz, First of the Magi, as war threatens the Union from north and south.
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Series facts
- Books
- 3
- Published
- 2006 to 2008
- First book
- The Blade Itself
- Latest
- Last Argument of Kings (2008)
- Setting
- Set in the Circle of the World
The reading order
Every First Law book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
- 1The Blade Itself2006With Logen Ninefingers and Sand dan GloktaLogen Ninefingers, a notorious Northern warrior, is lucky to survive his latest fight.Buy on Amazon
- 2Before They Are Hanged2007With Logen Ninefingers and Sand dan GloktaThe Union is at war on two fronts.Buy on Amazon
- 3Last Argument of Kings2008With Logen Ninefingers and Sand dan GloktaThe final book of the First Law trilogy.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read the trilogy in order, starting with The Blade Itself. The three standalone novels set in the same world, Best Served Cold, The Heroes and Red Country, come next, and the Age of Madness trilogy follows them.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Logen Ninefingers | Sand dan Glokta | Jezal dan Luthar | Bayaz | Ferro Maljinn | Collem West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The Blade Itself | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 2 Before They Are Hanged | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 3 Last Argument of Kings | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
Characters in the First Law books
6 characters from Joe Abercrombie’s chart, with the number of First Law books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Logen NinefingersNorthern barbarian with a terrible reputation | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
| Sand dan GloktaCrippled torturer of the Inquisition | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
| Jezal dan LutharVain young officer | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
| BayazFirst of the Magi | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
| Ferro MaljinnEscaped slave seeking vengeance | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
| Collem WestOfficer of common birth | 3 | The Blade Itself 2006 |
Crossovers with Joe Abercrombie’s other series
- Age of Madness: Sand dan Glokta also appears in 3 of its books; Jezal dan Luthar also appears in 3 of its books