Ranking The First Law Books By Joe Abercrombie (As Of 2020)

Mike ranks all 8 currently released First Law books by Joe Abercrombie and gives non-spoiler reasons for their positioning. You have to be realistic about these things.
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#MikesBookReviews #FirstLaw #JoeAbercrombie

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey bookworms! I constantly get people asking me to rank the First Law series, so I figured it was better to do it than live with the fear of it. 5 months until The Trouble With Peace!

[@zacharycoffman7002]

Im reading best served cold after the first trilogy, I'm kinda wondering should I drop the stand alone books and move on to the second trilogy. Not really big on shivers or Monza. I really don't see how it fits, but Ill finish this one before moving along. I really kinda miss some of the characters that were built up... Then nothing was really explained or they just went away. I know that's his style, but I feel like they are just left wondering around in the world and we are just expected to move on to different people

[@meris8486]

You can never have too many First Law books. Unless you fall in a river and drown from the weight

[@asusminor]

Unless your legs aren't strong enough. Sounds like a problem for a gym to solve.

[@meris8486]

@@asusminor skill issue

[@boheinethjensen337]

You have to be realistic...

[@seansmith8157]

Without getting into spoilers that first trilogy ending is WILD. Worth the ride for anyone that hasn’t picked it up yet.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It took me so many years to wrap my head around that ending. On a re-read, I wouldn't change a thing.

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

I just started this series last night. Bought the trilogy set because of your recommendation.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome! I hope you love it.

[@nicholasgerdak1672]

PnutButtaJllyMan same! I’m almost halfway into the blade itself and I’m loving it regardless of the lack of plot😂

[@miklein01]

I’m also planning on starting it soon. Only got the last 90 pages left in MORT, but starting this as soon as I’m done

[@alexandermendez4653]

How did you like it?

[@PnutButtaJllyMan]

@@alexandermendez4653 I read the first 4 books. Liked the blade itself and before they were hanged. Loved last argument of kings. Absolutely hated best served cold.

[@cesarrodriguez8893]

Great Video!! I'm currently on "Before they are hanged" and I'm digging this series so far.

[@lucasbertsche3710]

Finally almost caught up! Starting Trouble with Peace tomorrow. Thanks for getting me into Joe Abercrombie Mike, it’s been quite the ride!

[@kahlbutomacfarland]

One can never talk too much about The First Law. I feel in love with this series so much more than I ever could have expected and I've only fallen deeper in love as the books have gone on. They're fun, easy to read and gave me a very surprising dose of deep existential themes I don't see many people mention and I didn't expect, AND they weren't even necessary to make the series fantastic. I always enjoy hearing yourself and Lienne's Library fawn over Joe, he's deserving and criminally underrated and underknown. It's impossible to rank these without being a tad unfair. Here's my list and small bits as to why (SPOILERS COMING) and keep in mind that even the last book is still a solid 8.5 out of 10 at a min: 1) Best Served Cold- just overall the most fun for me. And we get a glimpse at what could be (and philosophically is imo) the yin to Bayaz's yang. #TeamShenkt 2) Last Argument of Kings- I completely agree with your points on this one. That ending took the series and my opinion of Joe to an entirely different level. 3) Before They are Hanged- again in agreement and early on when a certain character righteously wipes his ass with duty, it gave me a calming breath of fresh air to know I wasn't on the same kind of ride with different paint. *Honestly, the rest are interchangeable given they have different strengths. I'll probably give different orders every time I attempt to do this. 4) A Little Hatred- I'm really tempted to put TBI here as its the first one, but both of his starting books are just that, first acts. But ALH is just a much stronger version of an act 1 and literarily speaking a great example of Joe's growth and boldness to keep trying something a little new or bolder. ALH has my favorite chapter of the entire series from a writing standpoint. 5) Red Country- The big reason it's here is because of the end with Logen that I completely thought was going the other way and I was more invested in that moment than maybe any other of the series. I love his character arc by the end of this entry. 6) The Heroes- It doesn't on its own push the plot much, but given where ALH has gone, it's essential now. From a character standpoint it's nearly just as fun/good as BSC. 7) The Blade Itself- Again, an 8.5 at the absolute worst. It totally hooked me for a first entry so it does its job. It's just weaker than the others because Joe wasn't as good as he has become now. Sharp Ends I won't rank as a novel. I love it, don't get me wrong. enjoyment wise I'd put it at the 5.5 spot I guess. My favorite entry has the be "Hell" because it's a rare glimpse into the Gurkish and their faith. I'd love it if Joe eventually explores these foreign cultures (Thond as well) more as the series goes on.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a hard series to rank. Because they're all so good.

[@miklein01]

Bit late to the party but I’m gonna start the First Law Trilogy as soon as I’m done with MORT. I love your videos and your discussions. I’ve found a ton of great material for my backlog thanks to you. Thank you

[@pillarmusic1641]

You end up reading them?

[@fightronin3753]

Great video!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

[@trevorwingard]

All of the first law characters always fascinated me; they were so well done. The two that stick out the most are of course Glokta, from the original trilogy, but also surprisingly enough, Shenkt from Best Served Cold.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So many unanswered questions about Shenkt!

[@nemoonbekend2483]

Really want to see Shenkt reappear at some point. I have a hunch that Abercombie has big plans for that character. Hope I'm right.

[@trevorwingard]

Mike's Book Reviews yeah, and he doesn’t put up with the bullshit of *cough* certain unnamed individuals, which endears him to me greatly.

[@plungeybabie]

in the process of rereading the series to get to Sharp Ends and then A Little Hatred, just finished Best Served Cold. I'm also a huuuge fan of Mr CS. Great video!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The re-read really made me love it even more. Amazing.

[@harmanpiano]

This is also my favorite fantasy series right now. Gives me that same excited feeling I had reading Lord of the Rings in high school and ASoIaF after that. I feel like it still doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Here’s my ranking: 1. The Heroes 2. Best Served Cold 3. Before They Are Hanged 4. Red Country 5. Last Argument of Kings 6. A Little Hatred 7. The Blade Itself 8. Sharp Ends TBH, this list changes every time I think about it. 3-6 is basically a tie.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I could see that. On the re-read, LAOK moved from #3 to #1 for me. I think I was just so f'd up about that ending the first time.

[@bobgdn]

Thanks for the inspiration !

[@mikesbookreviews]

*nods in Northern*

[@calista3371]

Great video. I want to check this out eventually. It might be a few years. So many books to read. I'm on a Sanderson kick at the moment.

[@mikesbookreviews]

They'll be worth the wat.

[@jayaprakash387]

*wait

[@officialdad7197]

Interesting commentary I've personally done the audiobooks myself and Red Country was one of my favorites, Steve Pacey's narration is exceptional. Does make me think how differently how our opinions would have changed if I read them and you had of listend to them if at all.👍

[@DanExploresBooks]

Just binged book 1 of the First Law and looking forward to getting to 2 and 3.

[@berentook]

I recently brought the first 3 book in this series and am looking forward to starting it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@someusername789]

Great vid, you should update this now that the age of madness is done!

[@tannermckinley4248]

Just finished the original trilogy after your recommendation and I loved it now I'm looking at which one to read next! Think I'll probably just read in order of publication

[@pillarmusic1641]

Cannot wait for more first law!

[@cherilyncleveland1284]

After I finished the originally trilogy I wanted to turn around and go again. I picked up Best Served Cold instead and I plan to read it after I finish a couple of other books I already started. Always enjoy your videos and content.

[@mikesbookreviews]

BSC is such a fun ride. I think it is EASILY his most fun book.

[@thomaslocke8114]

Where did you get those amazing hardcovers? I’ve looked everywhere for hardcovers of these books but could never find any.

[@Hadrian1616]

I had such a great time in the first law world. It was very brutal and ?cerebral? I enjoyed spending time in Glokta's head. The humor he brought in to the narrative kept me from slitting my wrists from the rest of the tales. It got so bleak at times. Really enjoyed Logen and his powers, philosophies, and force of character. Speaking of Logen. Brian McClellan's Powder Mage book 4 (Sins of Empire) introduces a character very similar named Mad Ben Styke. Ben has all of his fingers still, so. Thanks Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's what makes Glokta so awesome. No one else has written a character that basically provides commentary on traditional fantasy tropes the whole time. I love it.

[@MaxCadyS]

The first law is a perfect example of how great characterisation can drive a novel. From my memories of the first 3 books, the plot wasn't anything groundbreaking and it didn't really attempt to subvert the grimdark genre and the setting was pretty much medieval England meets an Arab empire to the south and the Vikings to the north. We're left in the dark regarding much of the history of the world which combines really well with the mysterious, soft magic system, but it's definitely the characters that make this series (I've only read the original trilogy) what it is.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed. The characters are so damn layered.

[@fredbarker9201]

Lachlan Short best part of plot is Glokta’s missions

[@Hieu9696]

After Book 2 I love every character in this series. Every POV is such a delight to read. I am still reading Last Arguments of kings. And I will take my sweet time with it because I want to enjoy every page of it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That ending, though. Man.

[@locolima279]

Good vid, Mike. Thanks. Read the 1st 3 in January. Gonna come back for the stand alones in a couple months. I don't get all thr Glotka love. He was good. But, not on my all time fantasy characters list as some put him. Different strokes I guess. 9 fingers was pretty awesome tho.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can see why Glokta might not resonate with everyone. I think it's just because he was such a fresh take on a fantasy character that he clicked with a lot of us.

[@bookthump]

Hi Mike! I am a new subscriber so please forgive me if you answer this question every week. I am impressed that you have the hardcovers for all of your books. Do you buy them as they are released or do you seek them out later to fill holes in your collection? I was given the trade paperback of The Blade Itself as a gift a few years ago. I have not read it yet, but plan to soon. Thanks for the great videos! Be well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I upgraded my paperbacks last year. Unfortunately the book club editions are the only I could find on hardcovers that weren't astronomically overpriced. Thanks for jumping on board!

[@derylminnich2489]

Just finished 'the blade itself' decided to give it a shot before The Brandon Sanderson stormlight series because you recomended this series as well and I knew there were more books in this series at this time so I figured...what the hell. & WOW. I could not put it down! I have literally not been this into a fantasy novel since book 4 of the wheel of time, 'The Shadow Rising' So special thanks to you for this treat....can not wait to start book 2!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Stormlight is amazing. Couldn't believe how good it was when I started.

[@DegzToyDen]

I would like an updated version of this!

[@anangryscorpion5838]

Great list Mike, ranking Abercrombie is pretty tough since they are all so good in their own ways. September really cannot come soon enough, super hyped to see the artwork for the second book in the new trilogy. My ranking has a few differences but for the most part, pretty similar: 8- Red Country 7-Sharp ends 6- The Heroes 5- The Blade itself 4- A Little Hatred 3- Before They Are Hanged 2- Best Served Cold 1- Last Argument Of Kings In all honesty though, I love everything that Joe has written and I really should get around to reading his YA trilogy, though it's not usually my thing, if anybody is going to make it so, it'll be Joe.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right. I'm stunned I haven't read Shattered Sea yet. But it'll be a priority next year.

[@jcdenton616]

Half way through The Blade Itself. I am LOVING it!

[@turtleanton6539]

Such a great series !

[@xXTheDarkPrinceXx1]

Such an amazing author and criminally underrated (as you have said before and absolutely agree). Joe Abercrombie to me as earned his title of Lord Grimdark. Waiting anxiously for Wisdom of Crowds.

[@Mark-iv6yg]

So happy you’re tipping the hat here... Joe Abercrombie and The First Law deserves MUCH MORE RESPECT. It’s a fantasy series every bit as important as Tolkien, it’s a modern day masterpiece of character work. My favourite is Best Served Cold, it’s relentlessly brutal, it’s as dark a look at the human soul that I have ever read, I can only compare it to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road for the grim nature of the work, extraordinary... The First Law is must read fantasy Sharp Ends is superb And the rest are all pretty damn good too!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Like Red Rising, I'll continue to preach the gospel of Abercrombie until everyone on Earth has read it.

[@Mark-iv6yg]

Mike's Book Reviews my daughter actually just stole my copies of the Red Rising trilogy, but reading them soon, curious what she’s gonna think!

[@artbyandia]

Nice! My top is this: 1 - Best Served Cold 2 - Before They Are Hanged 3 - A Little Hatred 4 - The Blade Itself 5 - Last Argument of Kings 6 - Sharp Ends 7 - The Heroes (not much of a fan of this one. Some good moments and characters, but I really don't care about war scenes and that was this entire book) I am stuck with Red Country. I started reading it last year and I still haven't got to 200 pages. I just never feel like picking it up... I ended up reading Sharp Ends and A Little Hatred first. I feel like I will have to read it from the begining again because I don't remember much but I don't want to xD

[@ScribbleVicious]

I just started reading Joe’s books. I read Half a King and absolutely loved it. I just finished The Blade Itself. I did like it a lot but I feel like it’s a set up book and not much happened in it. I’m looking forward to the next one though.

[@Renee_Kellhus]

I feel the same way about A little hatred, it definitely gonna go high. Please do your top 10 0r 15 reads

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow. I don't know. That's a tough topic.

[@herschism]

Definitely will take more First Law content anyday!

[@mikesbookreviews]

New book soon!

[@rhlecter7263]

My favorite character is Bayaz I love him so much he is such a badass how he spoke with jazel at the end it was such a satisfying dialog ever🤌

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

for myself I would switch the last argument of kings and before they are hanged, but that is just my taste. I loved the growth of Glokta in before they are hanged.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glokta wanted to Make Dagoska Great Again.

[@remycris2108]

I read the first two books back to back but took a break and read the kingkiller chronicles in-between... coming back to finish this third book is a breath of fresh air. I really missed this brutal world.

[@nolanrayner9322]

jeremy arroyo kingkiller must have been tough to get through after reading first law. The difference in quality of dialogue and characterization is night and day.

[@remycris2108]

Nolan Rayner rothfusses writing and complex world building got my through it. But I am definitely sick of young protagonists

[@nolanrayner9322]

jeremy arroyo For me it was female characters like Denna that felt very poorly written. And kvothe is such an r/niceguy it hurts. I did like certain aspects (the money system and the chandrian, except where was the chandrian for the whole rest of the book?) but I could not convince myself to start the second.

[@gut.6925]

Kkc is great too

[@danielfreitas8196]

I only read the first trilogy . I really need to buy the rest of the books ! :) have you read the Shattered Sea trilogy also by him? Great videos. You and Greene are my favorites!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I own Shattered Sea but haven’t started. It’s on the 2021 slate.

[@sasajelesijevic5218]

I have all of the books and i am going to read it this year, i hopee i will love it :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm jealous of you getting to experience this for the first time.

[@igotissues1386]

Say one thing about Mike, say he knows his books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well, don't go into the comments for the most recent Wheel of Time videos. I've become the village idiot lately.

[@thesmuli83]

Thanks for the good video. I have so far read in The First Law Trilogy and The Shattered Sea Trilogy. I thought I would read the rest of the books that appeared in the fall. You're right..The First Law would be a great TV series. Awesome author with awesome characters, story, battles and Grimdark style.Top 10 fantasy series.

[@mercurydylan899]

I recently have coke to the conclusion that these books and this writer and universe is my all time favorite. I can’t stop thinking about it and it’s characters (especially Logen and Orso) these last couple years. That said my ranking: 10. Sharp Ends 9. Red Country 8. A Little Hatred 7. Best Served Cold 6. The Blade Itself 5. The Trouble With Peace 4. The Heroes 3. Before They Are Hanged 2. Last Argument of Kings 1. The Wisdom of Crowds The man knows how to end trilogies. And all of these outside of Sharp Ends I truly adore. And even Sharp Ends has some stunning material and short stories (Made A Monster?!?! Incredible). 5.

[@RandomJot]

The story with Logen was good, but my absolute favourite story from Sharp Ends was 'Wrong Place, Wrong Time.' Seeing the events of Best Served Cold from all those different perspectives was just such a cool (and gut-wrenching) thing to read.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

What fun. I want to play too. Here's mine: 1- The Heroes 2- The Last Argument of Kings 3- Before They Are Hanged 4- The Blade Itself 5- Red Country 6- A Little Hatred 7- Best Served Cold 8- Sharp Ends (Made A Monster is great, though.)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Made a Monster is AMAZING and makes me look at Bethod in a whole new light.

[@bloodynine9017]

Hey mike, Just finished the First law trilogy, what Abercrombie book do I read next before starting the sequel series?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Best Served Cold

[@wardog3248]

In my mind: Sand dan Glokta - Christopher Waltz, Jezal dan Luthar - Cary Elwes, The Dogman - Guy Pearce, Bremer dan Gorst - Brock Lesnar, Ferro Maljinn - Summer Glau, Collem West - Jason Statham, Nicomo Cosca - Benicio del Toro, Bayaz - Jon Voight, Logan Ninefingers - Scott Glenn

[@hedski9542]

Hi Mike is this spoiler free? I am onto Best Served Cold currently and don't want to get spoiled for the next four books, cheers mate.

[@mikesbookreviews]

100% spoiler free.

[@gut.6925]

It would be nice see you ranking your favorite fantasy series

[@mikesbookreviews]

I plan to after I finish a few more that are "on the bubble"

[@Caesar_Himself]

The Heroes is not only my favourite Abercrombie book, it's my favourite work of fiction. It's goddamn fantastic.

[@jeanerasmus7]

Best Served Cold is my favorite First Law book but Last Argument of Kings is where I fell in love with the world that Joe has built. The history was so rich and the characters very likable despite most of them being huge bastards.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Bastards that you hate to love.

[@joronah8650]

I think Joe doesn't deserve enough credit for his worldbuilding. I think it's pretty solid.

[@bloodynine9017]

The first law trilogy is the greatest trilogy of all time in my opinion, here are my top 5 characters. 1. Logen 2. Glokta 3. Dog man 4. Black Dow 5. Jezal

[@TheMeeesterT]

The Blade Itself was the first fantasy book I read as an adult. Little did I realise how spoilt I was until I looked into other fantasy writers. It's about time a network picked up these works. I think it would work really well in animation.

[@briangallagher3106]

I read the count of Monte Cristo this year and the first 3rd was incredible, the rest was unbelievably painful until near the end. I was very disappointed. I still think the first part holds the rest of it up.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

im ordering the first book now.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent! Hope you enjoy it.

[@fredbarker9201]

Fredrik Granström better money value to buy the whole trilogy

[@currangill430]

1. Before They Are Hanged 2. Last Argument of Kings 3. Best Served Cold 4. Blade Itself 5. Heroes 6. Red Country Haven't read or started the new trilogy but I'm guessing Red Country will shift down. I'm with you Mike I didn't really care for Red Country or the povs but still better than a lot of books.

[@richardpaddock9551]

I enjoyed A Little Hatred I just felt like all of the mini POV chapters were very short and jumped around a little too much. Would have been nice to have some a little longer.

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

My ranking so far 1. Best served cold 2. Red country 3. Before they are hanged 4. The last argument of Kings 5. The blade itself 6. The heroes

[@davidalvarez2765]

I just finished the first book and it was good but here’s my critique. Why in the hell would you wait to describe the physical features of characters until the last 100 pages? I already created my own depictions I’m not changing them after 400 pages. Also, the lack of foreshadowing of character transition for logen felt a bit odd although I must admit it was satisfying.

[@coleton7048]

This is what I want, more First Law content! Guaranteed that the one thumbs down on the video at the time of me writing this is from someone butt-hurt over you putting The Heroes low. haha This is my ranking: Best Served Cold Last Argument of Kings Before They Are Hanged The Blade Itself A Little Hatred The Heroes Sharp Ends (Favs: The Fool Jobs, Three's a Crowd, Made A Monster) Red Country

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha it was before the video even premiered! So weird.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews Wasn't me, I swear! ("Body found floating by the docks. . . .")

[@AllUpInUranus]

Random question anybody know how he got the hardcovers with those jackets on them. I have looked everywhere!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The originals? They were book club editions o paid way too much for off of eBay.

[@AllUpInUranus]

Mike's Book Reviews Thank you it was worth a shot

[@sj-hughes3989]

Only four in to this world so far and loving it. Excited to get to the rest. P. S more first law videos will be greatly appreciated, what exactly I have no idea haha

[@mikesbookreviews]

I was thinking the other day I'd like to do more but not sure what else I could do since I've done about a half hour on each book.

[@sj-hughes3989]

@@mikesbookreviews deep lore vids and speculations? All though I personally might not be able to view most as I'm off pace atm, however I'm sure other followers would love the content!

[@hedski9542]

I'd say I was worried by those rankings because I'm in book 4 and the first 4 make up your top 4 but nah, no stopping now. TBR is now Red Rising, Dark Tower and Dresden. I think I need a bit of a sci fi detour after Joe

[@mikesbookreviews]

Red Rising is a ton of fun.

[@unseenlibrary2845]

This series seems like the perfect bridge from me starting to read fantasy with Discworld and getting into more political fantasy like ASOIAF.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It’s a magnificent series.

[@taighyoung9755]

Hi mike, once you have finished WOT you should rank your top10/favourite fantasy series I'd be interested to see were it ended up. Also I didn't like the first gentlemen bastards book much either, have been reading the second and it is actually a lot better contrary to popular opinion.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I was thinking since I was lukewarm on LoLL and everyone that loves that one is lukewarm on the sequels that maybe I'd like them more.

[@joronah8650]

This has become my favorite fantasy series over the past years. Hands down. Man oh man where do I even start. It's just perfect. I was so disappointed when "A Little Hatred" ended up in the bottom 4 of Goodreads' list of best fantasy books last year. And the bottom four were actually the best ones in my opinion LOL! Anyway! My favorite is Last Argument of Kings. It was simply excellent. Satisfying from the first page till last. Twists after twists after twists and the assholes turned out to be actually bigger assholes and you'll find that so fascinating. It will leave you numb yet wanting for more. Man.. Joe Abercrombie is a literary treasure. Must protect him at all cost.

[@mikesbookreviews]

ALH not even being a finalist in that competition is just maddening. He's running laps around the modern fantasy community and he's criminally underknown.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews Might be a harsh judgement, but as near as I can tell Goodreads is mostly just a popularity circle-jerk at this point.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@nemoonbekend2483 This will probably get me in trouble, buy female-centric YA Fantasy rules the roost over there.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews "Body found floating down by the docks. . . ."

[@jeanerasmus7]

@@mikesbookreviews It's true though... Don't quite understand the hype with Leigh Bardugo's works.. I've read Six of Crows and thought it was OK. I'd still choose V.E Schwabb over her any day though. I remember seeing Brent Weeks, Joe and Mark Lawrence at the bottom last year and I was actually furious. Oh Lord help us. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@yellowcityflyfishing]

If I had to rank my top 10 fantasy books, at least 3 of them would be First Law books. It really is the pinnacle for me.

[@yellowcityflyfishing]

If I had to rank them it’d probably look like this- The Heroes Best Served Cold Last Argument of Kings Before They Are Hanged The Blade Itself Red Country Sharp Ends I haven’t read A Little Hatred at the moment. Tbr pile is backed up so plan to read it before The Trouble With Peace comes out.

[@mikesbookreviews]

There is no wrong order. Unless you have Red Country in your top 3.

[@tkinsey3]

Alright Mike, where does TTWP fit into the ranking now that it’s out? It was Top 3 for me!

[@kardsufur2966]

probably #1

[@MagnaMater2]

Damn it, I just realize, I miss two books... - and I badly wanted to do a reread... Seems I need to get the missing books first...

[@mikesbookreviews]

Then it's like you'll get 3 new First Law books this year. Win-Win.

[@MagnaMater2]

@@mikesbookreviews :D Yeah, guess what, I just ordered the missing two, that are out... sorrily I haven't finished the german fantasy-cycle by Richard Schwarz 'the secret of Askir' yet and I wanted to get through with it this year- late in the series he wrote a prequel that involved a female magician,'the owl of Askir' and I really loved that, but the main series... have less grip than the prequel so I just snail my path through it... I wanted to get over with that, ere I read anything new.

[@hellerwich7918]

Interesting to see that my favourite book Red Country is ranked so low by many people. The difference between the characters vision to make a good new life and what it really turned out to be fascinated me as well as the character developement of Tempel (at least that‘s the name of the lawyer in the German version). SPOILER ALERT Maybe the ending wasn‘t as spectacular as many readers were hoping for but it still made sense imo, you have to be realistic ;-)

[@BrendonPatrickWatts]

1. The Heroes (sorry lol but unpopular opinion I loved all the POV characters in here and obviously Ghorst stole the show) 2. Best Served Cold (one of my favorite characters too) 3. Last Argument of Kings 4. A Little Hatred 5. The Blade Itself 6. Before They Are Hanged 7. Sharp Ends 8. Red Country

[@briangallagher3106]

I’ve only read the first trilogy but I inhaled all three books in no time, it’s my favourite trilogy after Lord of the Rings. I have every bit of fate that I’m gonna love the rest. I own The Heroes and and audiobook version of Best served cold but I would prefer to read it physically.

[@tjb8158]

i just finished Red Country and am starting a little hatred. Ranking so far would go like this: 1. The Heroes 2. TLAOK 3. Before They Are Hanged 4. Best Served Cold 5. The Blade Itself 6. Red Country

[@halko1802]

Hopefully someone sees this in a two year old video 😂 Do I have to read the stand alones before the second trilogy?

[@benceelias1849]

I have PTSD from last argument of kings. Can't believe Abercrombie ended Jezal's + Bayaz's arc like that. Haven't been this angry with an ending before 😅 But the thing is... I somehow think it's amazing 😂

[@Crash1991.]

couldn't agree more. He should be a household name

[@mikesbookreviews]

But folks still want to obsess over authors like Rothfuss who seem to be allergic to writing.

[@lizardman1303]

The first trilogy has the best audiobooks I listened to

[@EnglishTheif]

A little hatred and the heros take my number one and two spot.

[@josephdowell1027]

For me the first law series is better than GOT... Let me justify. Im from the UK. My humour is dark and satyrical and Joe seems to perfectly bring english regions and their humour to life in a fantasy world. The whole north is an ode to Yorkshire (where im from). A lot of aspects of his world find me feeling at home completely.

[@fredbarker9201]

I’ve only read the main trilogy so far but I think before they are hanged was the best. Also Bayaz is like the anti-Gandalf Also Glokta is one of the most unique characters not just in modern fantasy but in all of literature.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glokta truly is something special.

[@fredbarker9201]

@@calebmauer1751 fair enough guess I was just excited to have made the link. Tho like u said it’s not too hard to identify

[@fredbarker9201]

@@calebmauer1751 true the whole series is quite anti Lotr.

[@fredbarker9201]

@@calebmauer1751 I love how Abercrombie takes typical tropes (handy helping wizard, main boy character who is heir to the throne, having to find an all powerful device to save the world) But he turns these tropes on their head. Clever guy

[@willardtk2979]

The Heroes is the best one

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I feel uninformed! I thought it was only a trilogy, haha! I have the first trilogy on my shelf and waiting!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Start there and see if it clicks for you. If it does, be happy because there's 5 more books.

[@gabrielgamboa3245]

Muy bien Mike. La primera ley, is the shit.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Si.

[@alexandermendez4653]

Best Served Cold was actually my least favorite. Maybe because I listened on audiobook and by the end I was just sick of Nicomo Costka's voice. Pacey does a great job but I found that character to be grinding on the ears, and there's a lot of him. I just finished Age of Madness and thought it was right up there with the original trilogy, but I'd go with the originals just because of Logen and Glokta. I really enjoyed the political aspects of Age of Madness though, and the Battle of Carleon was my favorite battle scene of any of his books I've read (everything but Red Country and Sharp Ends on my TBR). I just liked the characters from First Law more. That scene right before the Battle of the high places when Logen yells at (I think) Calder, "I'll be looking for your sons when the fighting starts!" gave me chills, and I still think about it years later. I'm about to do a re-read of the originals I think just cause I miss Logen, and I want to really analyze it for details I missed my first two times. Overall it's my second favorite fantasy world after Song of Ice and Fire. I feel like you could take most of the characters from First law and drop them in Westeros and they'd get along fine. Love both of them very much.

[@ezzydeen1]

Nice Ranking. You have to be realistic about these things lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

Of course.

[@Erkaneil]

For some reason I stop reading Joe's works in the middle of 3rd book of first trilogy. After ok first and AMAZING second book, third failed to hook me. Maybe audiobook narration through me off.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow. That is strange.

[@alexwallachian7720]

Agreed on Red Country, the whole western setting felt very forced and immersion breaking. And of course Lamb was completely wasted. I am finally onto Sharp Ends on audio book and Joe Abercrombie actually voices parts of it and it's brilliant. Perfect listening for daily housework sessions.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Exactly. Not the story I hoped for in regards to Lamb.

[@shuntao3475]

As a military's person, I did not mind the long waiting slow moving portions of these books. Book 1 was good, but not great. Books 2 and 3 I thought got worse, and I ultimately stopped reading after book 3. I really pushed through book 3, just to get the series over with. The only series I have enjoyed this then this one would be Legends of the Last Empire and the New Star Wars Garbage. In these series, I just can not like any characters and I do not find the stories entertaining. I just also watched your review on Elantris, which I will be 10 times over compared to these books. Each to his own, yes.

[@boranbkk4270]

Interesting I thought Shy was very well written and convincing just not as dryly witty as most of his other POV characters.

[@bainpoop]

Red country is a great read wtf ya talking about? I’ll just see myself out

[@kardsufur2966]

anyone else find Nicomo Cosca SUPER annoying, over the top, caricature-y, and cringey or just me......?