Before They Are Hanged: The First Law: Book Two: 2

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Glokta: Very well, Practical Vitari, if you really can't resist me. You'll have to go on top though, if you don't mind. The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The First Law is the title of the original trilogy in the series, but is also used to refer to the series as a whole. [1] The full series consists of a trilogy, three stand-alone novels, short stories, and a second trilogy, titled The Age of Madness, of which the third book was published in September 2021. [1] https://joeabercrombie.com/best-served-cold-reread/#:~:text=In%20the%20end%20the%20book,Kings%2C%20somewhere%20around%20228%2C000%20words. I must apologise for my attire, but Kantic garments are so much more comfortable in the heat. I have become quite accustomed to them during my years here.’ Tough Times All Over" won a Locus Award, and "The Fool Jobs" and "Some Desperado" received nominations. [13] Chronology of events [ edit ]

The title of the original trilogy is a reference to a law put forth by the legendary half-Demon Euz from the series, which stated, "It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct," the Other Side being the realm of Demons, from which magic power derives.The Great Leveler ▪ 2. Best Laid Plans ▪ 3. Questions ▪ 4. The Wounds of the Past ▪ 5. The Condition of the Defences ▪ 6. The Thing About Trust ▪ 7. Allies ▪ 8. Campfire Politics ▪ 9. Small Crimes ▪ 10. Rain ▪ 11. Bloody Company ▪ 12. Long Shadows ▪ 13. And next… My Gold ▪ 14. Fear ▪ 15. One Hundred Words ▪ 16. The Blind Lead the Blind ▪ 17. Prince Ladisla’s Stratagem ▪ 18. Until Sunset ▪ 19. Long Odds ▪ 20. The Road to Victory ▪ 21. Necessary Evils ▪ 22. Among the Stones ▪ 23. The Fruits of Boldness ▪ 24. One for Dinner ▪ 25. One of Them I have spent some time in the South.’ The best days of my life, and the worst. ‘I was in Gurkhul during the war. I saw Ulrioch.’ In ruins after we burned the city. ‘And I was in Shaffa for two years.’ If you count the Emperor’s Prisons. Two years in the boiling heat and the crushing darkness. Two years in hell. ‘But I have never been to Dagoska.’ A reference to the words that Louis XIV had inscribed on his cannons: " Ultima Ratio Regum," which is Latin for "the last argument of kings." The titles of the works derive from various sources, including real-world quotes or phrases, and in-world references. The first of the standalone books takes place roughly three years after the trilogy. It takes place entirely in Styria, an island continent reminiscent of Italy during the Italian Wars, focusing on the vengeance of a betrayed mercenary leader, Monza Murcatto.

Having said that, the worldbuilding and all the other aspects are expanded upon, of course, and I loved learning more about this world, and especially the characters. The old man was a caricature of decrepitude, shrunken into his great robes of state like a withered plum in its furry skin. His hands seemed to shiver even in the heat, his head was shiny bald aside from a few white wisps. He squinted up at Glokta through weak and rheumy eyes. Nobody writes grittier heroic fantasy that Joe Abercrombie, and the second book in his The First Law series just proves the point in spades … Immediate, daring, and utterly entertaining, this second book provides evidence that Abercrombie is headed for superstar status.” The series is followed by the three standalone novels in which some minor characters from the trilogy play important roles. Best Served Cold (2009) is set in Styria, a land of warring city-states, and follows mercenary-general Monza Murcatto. After being thrown down a mountain by her employer, she sets out for revenge with a motley crew of misfits. The Heroes (2011) is set in the North seven years after the trilogy, and centres on another war between The Union and The North, culminating in the three-day battle over a ring of stones called The Heroes. And finally, Red Country (2012) is set in the Far Country about thirteen years after the original trilogy. Youthful Shy South had hoped to bury her bloody past, but she’ll not flinch from what needs doing when her brother and sister are kidnapped, with only her cowardly old step-father for company. And finally, our old friend Glokta finds himself in the South tasked with preventing the Gurkish from taking the city of Dagoska. As a war starts up on a second, much less defended front, Glokta must fight his own demons from the past as a prisoner of the Gurkish in addition to the Gurkish themselves.

Harker curled his lip. ‘If you say so, Superior, but they can’t be trusted, and that’s a fact. They don’t think like us.’ The story is by turns darkly humorous and incredibly well observed. The sheer number of brilliantly drawn characters is a joy to read and Abercrombie once again proves he is deft at changing voice as he changes point of view.” The second book in the series continues to follow the six point-of-view characters established in the first book, in three parallel arenas. The year is 575 and in the north, Colonel Collem West and the Dogman find themselves allies as the Union Army face Bethod’s rampaging army in Angland. In the south, Glokta is sent across the sea to help fortify the besieged city of Dagoska against the Gurkish. And finally in the west, Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar and Ferro Maljinn follow the ancient First of the Magi on his journey through the wild Old Empire to the Edge of the World. When Monza decides to join Duke Rogont, head of the League of Eight, in Ospria he becomes drunkenly disillusioned and jealous over perceived slights by Monza in favour of the Duke at a dinner party held in honour of Monza's joining as his General. He meets Carlot dan Eider who further incites his anger towards Monza by telling him more about her past although he denies it and tries to make it out as though Carlot is only interested in getting revenge. A high wall cut through the city before them, casting a long shadow over the squalid buildings of the slum. There was a wide pit in front, freshly dug and lined with sharpened stakes. A narrow bridge led across to a tall gate, set between looming towers. The heavy doors were open, but a dozen men stood before them: sweating Union soldiers in steel caps and studded leather coats, harsh sun glinting on their swords and spears.

A reference to the phrase "Revenge is a dish best served cold," which originated with the French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. [14] Let me explain. Sometimes in books, you’ll get one character that everybody loves because they’re the funny one or because they have a redemption story that makes you admire them. In other stories, you’ll have a group of great friends but there isn’t really much depth to them other than personalities that help progress the story plots (the bad one, the good one etc). The Union contains the provinces of Angland, the Midderlands, Dagoska, Starikland and the city of Westport in Styria. It is a powerful kingdom reminiscent of Western and Central Europe, particularly the Holy Roman Empire.

These mini stories going on throughout the book made the fact that there’s not much of a vast sweeping story or twists and turns not to feel like much of a problem.