The First Law Reading Order

The The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is complete. Here are the 3 books we cover, in order.

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Reading order

  1. 1. The Blade Itself

    Joe Abercrombie · The First Law #1 · complete series

    Spice 1/5 Darkness 4/5

    Book 1

    A torturer, a barbarian and a vain nobleman walk into a war. Abercrombie is funny, which is the only reason the darkness goes down so easily.

    • Grimdark
    • Morally Gray
    • Court Intrigue
    Content warnings

    Torture, Graphic violence, War

  2. 2. Before They Are Hanged

    Joe Abercrombie · The First Law #2 · complete series

    Spice 1/5 Darkness 4/5

    Book 2

    Glokta goes south to hold a doomed city while Logen, Jezal and Ferro trudge off on Bayaz's quest. Funnier and tighter than book one, and Glokta's chapters are the best in the trilogy.

    • Grimdark
    • Morally Gray
    • Found Family
    Content warnings

    Graphic violence, Torture, War, Gore

  3. 3. Last Argument of Kings

    Joe Abercrombie · The First Law #3 · complete series

    Spice 1/5 Darkness 5/5

    Book 3

    Abercrombie ends his trilogy by taking every fantasy convention he set up and twisting it. Huge battles, and an ending readers still argue about.

    • Grimdark
    • Morally Gray
    • Court Intrigue
    Content warnings

    War, Graphic violence, Torture, Gore, Death of a loved one