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The First Law

The First Law · Joe Abercrombie

The First Law books in order

There are 3 books in The First Law. The latest, Last Argument of Kings, came out in 2008, and Joe Abercrombie hasn't announced another one yet.

No new book announced yetLatest book 2008

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Release information last checked 24 October 2026.

The First Law books in order

  1. The Blade Itself
    Book 1
    The Blade Itself
    2006
  2. Before They Are Hanged
    Book 2
    Before They Are Hanged
    2007
  3. Last Argument of Kings
    Book 3
    Last Argument of Kings
    2008

What The First Law is about

From the description of The Blade Itself, the first book.

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies. Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules. Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it. Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta a whole lot more difficult. Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood.

The First Law at a glance

Author
Joe Abercrombie
Books published
3
Still to come
None announced yet
First book published
2006

Questions readers ask

Is there going to be another First Law book?

Joe Abercrombie hasn't announced one yet. If a new First Law book is announced, AuthorPing will let you know.

How many books are in The First Law?

3 books have been published in The First Law so far.

What order should I read The First Law in?

Read the main books in order: 1. The Blade Itself, 2. Before They Are Hanged, 3. Last Argument of Kings.

Is The First Law finished?

Joe Abercrombie hasn't announced another First Law book, so it may be finished. Series do come back, though, and AuthorPing will let you know if a new one is announced.

How will I know when the next First Law book is announced?

Follow The First Law in AuthorPing, a free app for iPhone and Android. AuthorPing notifies you when a series or author you love has a new book coming out and shows a countdown to every release.

More from Joe Abercrombie

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