The First Law Trilogy

Author: Abercrombie, Joe

One of the best fantasy book series period and one of the best audiobook performances to boot. This is one of those rare reading performances by a master narrator where the audiobook makes a great book into something grand.The Blade Itself (first in the First Law series) is brutally dark book interspersed by moments of dry humor ÃƒÆ’Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ something that is performed perfectly by Steven Pacy in his narration of it.Â Pacy nails down the cynicism and dry humor of the characters perfectly: the dry humor and sarcasm of the characters is blended seamlessly with the gritty world.The author's powerful voice and engaging British accent give each character a certain gravitas -- you FEEL the emotional complexity of The Bloody Nine (the philosophical barbarian psychopathic killer ); you empathize with the plight of the tortured-turned-torturer Glokta as he unwillingly plies his dark trade while trying to do what is right. Pacy brings out the best -- and worst == in his characters through his nuanced and striking narration of them.Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook over reading the book.The audiobook version IS the way you should experience Abercrombie's work -- not only his astounding First Law trilogy, but his other books in the series as well.Â Steven PaceyÂ is at his best and The First Law trilogy is his magnum opus performance.Â Don't even think about skipping this one. And if you've had the pleasure of reading it, do yourself a huge favor and listen to these audiobooks -- a whole new story will come to life from Pacey's reading.Listen to a sample of Steven Pacy's voice

Similar Recommendations

If you love Abercrombie and are looking for MORE audiobooks in the same vein, I recommend looking at The Grim Company by Luke Scull. The audiobooks are fantastically narrated and the story is about as Grimdark as you are going to find. Scull is writing some of the best Abercrombie style grimdark in the genre right now.

My next recommendation would be to look at The Blood Sounder's Arc series by Jeff Salyards. It's dark military fantasy that hits many of the same buttons that do Abercrombie. The audiobook versions are fantastic from start to finish. Absolutely listen to these if you love First Law.

You may want to explore Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire trilogy for dark, gritty anti-hero fantasy. It does push many of the same buttons as the First Law books. Lawrence's related trilogy (Prince of Fools) also has a lot of similarities to First Law in style and form. You'll like it.

Booklists having this book

Top 25 Best Fantasy Audiobooks

Listening to an Audiobook is a popular way to 'read' a book these days -- especially for those who are always on the move and don't have time to site... Read more

Other books by Abercrombie, Joe

The Blade Itself

Abercrombie's work has become synonymous with the growing sub-genre of grimdark fantasy Naturally there's a lot of crossover between grimdark fantasy (which subverts the tropes of traditional heroic fantasy) and... Read more

Before They Are Hanged

The second novel in the wildly popular First Law Trilogy from New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie. Superior Glokta has a problem. How do you defend a city surrounded by... Read more

Last Arguments Of Kings

The final novel in the First Law Trilogy by New York Times bestseller Joe Abercrombie. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him -- but it's going to... Read more

The Heroes

The title is a bit tongue-in-cheek, as Abercrombie himself describes it this way: "Three men. One battle. No heroes." It was designed to be a standalone novel, but is set... Read more

Red Country

A New York Times bestseller! They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is following. Shy South hoped to bury her bloody past and ride away... Read more

The First Law

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. Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny,... Read more

Before They Are Hanged

Superior Glokta has a problem. How can he defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors, when his allies can by no means be trusted? Ancient secrets will... Read more

The Last Argument Of Kings

The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the king of... Read more

Best Served Cold

Monza Murcatto is out for blood. Known as the Snake of Talins, the most feared and famous mercenary in Styria, she is betrayed by her employer and left for dead.... Read more

Half A King

If you don't know who Joe Abercrombie is, then shame on you. His other work is at the forefront of gritty fantasy (hint: you might spot him further down this... Read more

Half The World

Fifteen-year-old girl soldier Thorn learns the ways of war in the king's army while falling in love for the first time. By the New York Times best-selling author of Half... Read more

Half A War

"New York Times "bestselling author Joe Abercrombie delivers the stunning conclusion to the epic fantasy trilogy that began with "Half a King, "praised by George R. R. Martin as "a... Read more

Half A King

Reading a new Abercrombie book is just like going to a fancy restaurant, it doesn't happen very often, but when it does, you relish every moment of the experience. Half... Read more

The First Law Trilogy

One of the best fantasy book series period and one of the best audiobook performances to boot. This is one of those rare reading performances by a master narrator where... Read more

Sharp Ends

Sharp Ends is the ultimate collection of award winning tales and exclusive new short stories from the master of grimdark fantasy, Joe Abercrombie. Violence explodes, treachery abounds, and the words... Read more

Half The World

Abercrombie kicked off his Shattered Sea series with the award-winning Half a King, but his second novel approaches true mastery. Half the World picks up many years after the first,... Read more

Half A War

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED AND THE INDEPENDENT â€¢ New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie delivers the stunning conclusion to the epic fantasy... Read more