The First Law - Full breakdown of one of the greatest fantasy series

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00:00 | Intro
00:30 | What is it about?
02:56 | Pros & Cons
09:50 | Reading tips
11:32 | Explanation of the different sub-series
14:02 | Every book ranked
19:27 | Outro
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Пікірлер: 91

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Want to talk fantasy books with me? Head over to my discord channel and join the discussion with me and 600+ people! discord.gg/SbrEfnzKht

@mr.orange8205 Жыл бұрын

"The Heros" is my favorite Abercrombie book, and it might be my favorite book. I love it.

@claytonhomer3096 Жыл бұрын

It is my second favorite Abercrombie book and I feel is very underappreciated in rankings of peoples lists!

@mr.orange8205 Жыл бұрын

@@claytonhomer3096 Which is your first?

@claytonhomer3096 Жыл бұрын

@@mr.orange8205 Before they are Hanged. I think Glokta in Degoska is my favorite part of the books.

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

Me too, me too!

@alexverrall2760 Жыл бұрын

The Age of Madness was his opus, wisdom of crowds had such a perfect Abercrombie ending.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Yeah it was so perfectly "Abercrombie".

@whatyouknowaboutthat2546 Жыл бұрын

I loved all 10 of the books in this universe. I really hope we get a continuation especially with how the last book, The Wisdom of Crowds, ended. I definitely need to see some revenge for a certain someone lol

@brock5932 Жыл бұрын

Started the audio book of The Blade Itself last week. Pretty pumped to finally get into this series!

@chrisprosser5055 Жыл бұрын

I'm listening to the series at the moment. I'm on The Heroes right now and enjoying the series more and more with each book. I didn't expect to like it this much and was a bit sceptical that "grimdark" would be for me, but the way he makes the characters feel so real and lightens the mood with humour is great. I think the only aspect I have struggled with are the torture scenes in the first trilogy. They felt a bit too real for my liking 😅, but well worth getting through.

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

The Heroes is my favourite of his books - so good. Are you enjoying Stephen Pacey’s voice acting?

@chrisprosser5055 Жыл бұрын

@@tanja9364 the narration is soooo good, really captures the personalities.

@carnissa Жыл бұрын

Love all the First Law books. My favourite is Before they are hanged. Top 3 characters: - Glokta - Orso - Bayaz

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

My favourite is Clover!

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Great picks! Can't disagree with you there.

@veyleaf1206 Жыл бұрын

Nice shoutout to the audiobooks, Steven Pacey is sooooo so so good Makes basically all of my favorite characters stand out even more (especially Cosca)

@user-xi6bf1iu1c Жыл бұрын

I am going to start "The blade itself" in a few hrs, and now I am more excited to start it than ever.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

That's awesome timing!

@amyroze Жыл бұрын

My husband doesn't read and I wanted to get him into fantasy and so I started reading the First Law trilogy outloud to him. We finished the 1st and 2nd book and I was amazed how he started seeking me out to read more!! But then we fell out of reading with the 3rd book because I started working nights and it's been about half a year. I'm not working nights anymore and have been wanting to get back into reading but I personally felt that middle book syndrome with the 2nd book pretty hard even though I love the characters. Watching this video helps me feel like I finally want to read the 3rd book The Last Argument of Kings because I know how picky you are with endings, Matt 😂! Thanks for putting this out!!

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

Try the audio books! I cannot recommend them highly enough.

@amyroze Жыл бұрын

@@tanja9364 I just might do that!

@tanjamcfadyen209 Жыл бұрын

@@amyroze My husband too doesn't read (he's disabled) and I set him up with the audio books version on the ipad with earphones. It was good hearing him chuckling to himself! Unfortunately he doesn't have the ability to hold on to information as well as he should any more (bloody MS) so unless he sits there and listens to the whole book, all in one go, he loses track of what is going on - I've told him he's not the only one, it could be age too! But he did enjoy the story.

@IbbyMelbourne Жыл бұрын

Weird yet perfect timing, I just read the first few chapters of The Blade Itself last night. Who would have thought a guy simply trying to walk down stairs could be one of the most engaging things I've read this year.

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

YES!!! I remember feeling like that too. Oh you are in for a treat. If you are able, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND listening to the audio book - it is ‘read’ by the God of narration that is Stephen Pacey!

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

100%. Most authors that would be such a bore, but Abercrombie makes it incredible.

@jamiethomas4165 Жыл бұрын

Great video. The audiobook narration for first law almost ruined all other audiobooks for me. So good!

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Yeah same here! Luckily there are some really good ones as well, but Pacey is the king in my opinion!

@trlspann Жыл бұрын

If you like westerns and fantasy, then Gemmell’s “Wolf in Shadow” might be for you Matt.

@T-Flow79 Жыл бұрын

I love all the First Law books!!! They were my first foray into Grimdark and I haven’t looked back! Started reading this after I completed the Dark Tower because I didn’t think I was ready for an epic series (wot or malazan). Don’t regret that decision in the least

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

It's a really great intro to grimdark!

@dinocollins720 Жыл бұрын

I've read First Law, but still watched the video! I like First Law okay, but I'm not a huge grimdark fan, so I'm not as high on the series as most people; however, you did such an excellent sales job on the series in this video that it's making me want to reread the series again haha 😂

@jordendarrett1725 Жыл бұрын

I’ve only read one thing by him, and that was a short story in the collection ‘Rogues’. That alone impressed me greatly. I remember trying The Blade Itself years ago and couldn’t get past 50 pages. I’m definitely willing to give him another try, always fun listening to you ramble on your opinions 👍🏾

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

I just heard what you said about the Heroes - I drew my own map!!!! I so agree with you. BUT this is my favourite Abercrombie book! I’ve listened to the series twice and the second time round elevated it for me.

@seanhalpin87 Жыл бұрын

The ONLY thing I disagree with is the placement of best served cold, it's my favorite of the standalones

@T-Flow79 Жыл бұрын

My gut reaction after I completed each of them, was Best Served Cold was the best. In hindsight I’d maybe put it in a tie with the Heroes. Red Country was alright but I don’t think on par with the other two

@run_conquer_prevail_9189 Жыл бұрын

BSC was my favorite, too! The last half of Heroes was pretty awesome and would have been my favorite but the first half was not quite as good. Red Country was by FAR my least favorite of any of his books so far

@Twistedstar0320 Жыл бұрын

A choice between reading the First Law or not is no choice at all. You have to be realistic about these things.

@e79905 7 ай бұрын

Say one thing about Steven Pacey, say he can act in an audiobook. The way Glockta has two voices shows how detailed and precise he is. I'm a fan.

@HailSagan95 Жыл бұрын

I just finished Gardens of the Moon last night, and was on the fence on whether to read book two of First Law or Malazan next. I think this sold me. Plus, I think I need a bit of a breather before I read Deadhouse Gates. Great video!

@christianemmler6496 Жыл бұрын

always take a breather after a Malazan - your Brain will thank you

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Great choice!

@DanExploresBooks Жыл бұрын

I have only done the first trilogy and none of his other books yet. I was pretty stunned by his character work. Eventually I will need to get back to his other stuff.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Yeah definitely go back and check them out!

@sashajackson1887 Жыл бұрын

Thankyou for doing this, I've just finished the first trilogy (last night actually) and wasn't sure whether to keep going due to character change but will definitely keep an eye out for them now. P.s Fitz is also my favourite but I loved Glokta too

@claytonhomer3096 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video, Matt! This is one of my favorite series (especially the first trilogy.) The twist you are talking about is one of if not my favorite single twist of all time and so unique. I also understand why it would not satisfy some readers. I am 100% with you on the audiobook. I read eyes only first then on a reread did them audio and Pacy crushed it. He actually elevates the books in my opinion. He doesn't read the books so much as acts them like a play. With all the different accents and the brilliant choice to do Glokta's internal thoughts without the lisp and spoken words with the lisp..so f'ing good. I almost want to do another re read, but I think I will finish the last half of Malazan first. So many good books, so little time. Cheers!

@michaelfenixmade8958 Жыл бұрын

I started watching your channel like 6 months ago and started the First Law series based off one of your ranking videos. I JUST finished the 9th/currently final book last night! Wanted to thank you for introducing me to the First Law world & these characters (Glokta, Cosca, Logan, Orso, Jezal, Calder, Rikke, Savine, Gorst). So good. Got several of my friends to pick up the series now too. Thanks again Matt!!!

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

That's so great to hear - thanks for telling me that! :)

@skeletrexbonebrigade1271 Жыл бұрын

I really like these breakdown videos you do

@dylancanread Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this video, Matt! I read The Blade Itself last year as part of a reading vlog and I have been dying to resume the series ever since!

@Thefantasybookwarrior Жыл бұрын

I’m currently working my way through the Malazan series and stormlight. While also taking breaks to start some Berserk. What are some new/newer fantasy series that I can get on board with? First law is also on my list.

@safinan8008 Жыл бұрын

Great review!! Happy reading to you!! 🎥📖

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Thank Safina!

@jusatin Жыл бұрын

What a great timing with the video! I’ve been hearing these amazing twists in the series. I’ve now finished the first book, but did not find any twists there? Everything seemed to be pretty obvious and straight forward. Will they start coming later, or did I completely miss something?

@josephwilson-doan4163 Жыл бұрын

Great video!

@NevsBookChannel Жыл бұрын

Great video Matt! I have yet to read any Abercrombie but it's on my daughter's bookshelf ready to go.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

LOL I love that these super dark books are sitting on your daughter's bookshelf! :)

@sasapejcin3568 Жыл бұрын

I only read the first trilogy and The last argument of king was mind-blowingly good book!

@LPMagic341 Жыл бұрын

FYI Matt, saying that Logen has a split personality is absolutely a spoiler for TBI. It doesn’t happen till far into the book, and was super shocking for me when it happened

@Iza56 Жыл бұрын

Going to read it in May. Can't wait because booktube has been hyping it for a while now 😄

@thebrothersgwynne Жыл бұрын

One of the greatest series out there 🤩.

@tomutting9935 Жыл бұрын

Completely agree with your thoughts on Best Served Cold - fun and fast-paced, but not nearly as thought-provoking or unpredictable plot-wise as the rest of his books. Tonally it was a little off for me too, whimsical absurdist moments (the musician criminal tryouts, morveer, cosca) interspersed with super dark, heavy moments (eg the hammer torture scene). The OG trilogy struck a much better tonal balance imo.

@TomOrange Жыл бұрын

I really need to read these

@tanja9364 Жыл бұрын

You so do!

@richard135 Жыл бұрын

Let's go Matt almost 10k ...LIKE

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Almost there!

@csd8204 Жыл бұрын

Love this series. Abercrombie can get a bit self indulgent at times (like wth the mercenary Cosca). But he makes up for it wth great character work.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Yeah fully agreed.

@mnbgfdsa Жыл бұрын

Just finished last argument of kings and this video comes out :D

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

I'm watching you Marto! lol

@amy_harboredinpages8272 Жыл бұрын

I've been considering his books. 📚🤔📖

@jackiesivat807 Жыл бұрын

I am half half on this people love this series and crazy about it but for me it’s not that deep, I am new to fantasy but still I don’t find this series that mind blowing as people on KZfaq make it out to be but again I would kill and die for my favorite book so let me not judge. First law is over hyped but i love some Jazel Dan Luthar

@kenneth_mata Жыл бұрын

I've been wanting to read this one for a while but I kept hearing that it is fully character driven and for me plot/story is king so I'm unsure if it's a good fit for me

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

The plot is very good, but it takes a little while to get going. The first book is definitely a character work, but after that it's off to the races.

@lkay398 Жыл бұрын

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews I am also generally a plot/story guy first, but have been LOVING realm of the elderlings based on your previous breakdown video. I recently read the Blade Itself and outside of Jezal's pov thought it was a complete snoozefest. Is it worth continuing on or is the series probably not for me?

@tyrson4331 Жыл бұрын

There are oficial maps. One for Styria in Best Served Cold and one for the world in Sharp Ends

@blacknbluecollarreader Жыл бұрын

Love this series!! I have asked my kids to sub in order to get you to 10K. lol. Can't wait for the party when you do.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Wooo, thank you!

@Legolas71088 Жыл бұрын

How's the leg?

@HotTakesDiscussion Жыл бұрын

People don't read this series in publication order and it drives me nuts 😬

@PrimateNine Жыл бұрын

I've read the first book twice and both times had zero desire to continue the series. It just felt like there wasn't a plot, and the promise of the plot to come felt underwhelming.

@PrimateNine Жыл бұрын

I will say that his character work is stellar, specifically Glokta. Incredible stuff but it just wasn't enough for me.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

There ISN'T a plot in the first book, think of it as one really long prologue. The real plot starts in the 2nd book.

@PrimateNine Жыл бұрын

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews interesting! maybe a 3rd read followed by a continuation is finally in order. Keep up the great work! Love your channel.

@MrRadiantMan Жыл бұрын

Just one thing Matt..1:30..That is Collem West, not Jezal.

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Google images has failed me!

@seanhalpin87 Жыл бұрын

Can't wait for the next trilogy, cause after how wisdom of Crowds ended, there is another generation coming. A certain meddling person isn't done meddling

@MattsFantasyBookReviews Жыл бұрын

Yeah, even though Abercrombie says he is done...I'm not buying it.

@seanhalpin87 Жыл бұрын

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews it won't be until like 2029 at the earliest cause we have the devils coming in 25, and then the next two. So I anticipate another trilogy starting the end of the decade

@michaelfenixmade8958 Жыл бұрын

Wait he says he is done??? I can’t… not after that ending lol. I need MORE!

@seanhalpin87 Жыл бұрын

@@michaelfenixmade8958 I've never seen him say he's done, just that he's working on something new for the time being