The The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie is 3 books of fantasy that runs on dark and witty. Spice ranges from 1/5 to 1/5 across the series, clocking in at 1,713 total pages. Here's exactly how to read them in order.
Publication order — the way Joe Abercrombie intended. Each book links to our full mood and spice guide.
A dark, witty Adult fantasy built around anti-heroes, war, political intrigue. 531 pages with a gentle romantic thread and a satisfying conclusion.
Full guide →A dark, witty Adult fantasy built around quest, war, anti-heroes. 543 pages with a gentle romantic thread and a satisfying conclusion.
Full guide →A dark, devastating Adult fantasy built around war, betrayal, anti-heroes. 639 pages with a gentle romantic thread and a satisfying conclusion.
Full guide →The heat stays consistent across the series.
The Blade Itself is book 1 and the intended starting point. It introduces everything you need — characters, world, and the dark energy that define the entire series. No prequels or companion novels required.
Read the full guide for The Blade Itself →Read the The First Law series in publication order: 1. The Blade Itself, 2. Before They Are Hanged, 3. Last Argument of Kings. This is the intended reading order by Joe Abercrombie.
The The First Law series has 3 books totaling 1,713 pages. We have full mood and spice profiles for every book in the series.
The The First Law series is low-heat, averaging 1/5. If you want clean or mild reads, this series delivers.
The The First Law series is a fantasy series by Joe Abercrombie with dark, witty, epic vibes. Check each book's full guide for a spoiler-free breakdown of mood, tropes, and fit.
Start with The Blade Itself — it's book 1 and introduces everything you need. Our full guide for The Blade Itself breaks down the mood, spice, and what to expect.