My favorite moment was definitely the pre-battle dinner between Leo and Orso, where Orso is delightfully running circles around Leo's dim bulb of a brain. Much like in real life, Leo's reaction to his entire philosophy being proven wrong was to double down. Leo's the fantasy version of a reactionary so that whole scene was painfully familiar (while also being super fun.)

I love how all of Abercrombie's books deal so well with combat. They show the strategy, unpredictability, cruelty, cowardice, bravery and just dumb luck involved. Plus, he follows up with the aftermath which adds to the complexity of conflicts.

One of my favorite small parts of the audio book is that Jappo’s voice Is done in the same gravelly harsh whisper as Shivers. Before the line where Orso thinks he looks like a Northman, I was like it’s shiver’s son!!!

Shivers is still around, that's nice. The other son. 😆

Orso and Tunny are friendship goals.

I don't see Leo being clever enough to fill Glokta's crutches, but that is an interesting take I hadn't considered

Orso has all the potential to be my favourite Abercrombie character to date, which is really saying something. So many possibilities for the last book in the trilogy, Joe really has left himself a ton of threads to play with, I'm expecting book 3 to be a pretty chunky one. Also a scene i really loved was the funeral/death scene of The Dogman, actually got a little emotional reading that, but then, I always did love The Dogman.

Oddly, you're the only one other than me so far who's noticed the "Leo becomes Glockta" thing.

I bawled like a baby at the Dogmans funeral

I dont think ive known a character deeper then Caul Shivers. It feels like everything he says is dripping history and pathos like i know exactly why he says and acts the way he does. He went from naive and trying to be honourable to spiteful and bloodthirsty to nihilistic and ambivalent to the man he is today, one who sees the world for what it is, dosent try to fight it or change but just looks after the people in his life he cares about with no venom or hatred in him even for his enemies.

"Magic is fading from the world". By the way, did you know that Joe has said (in multiple interviews now) that he's always liked the idea of taking the trope of magic fading from the world and then subverting it and having magic suddenly return after some years. He's implied a few times that books he'll potentially write after this trilogy will explore that idea. I, for one, am very excited. I'm torn about one thing: whether or not I want to catch one last glimpse of an elderly nine-fingered northman or not. I loved his Shane-like departure in Red Country, and it's kind of the perfect ending for him. But I would love to see him just one last time maybe? Anyway, torn.

I loved this gush of yours because I can 100% relate. 5 best parts of this genius book for me were (SPOILERS obviously): 1. Ardee's and Finree's matchmaking, especially the part when Ardee is making fun of the Young Lion ("Will you catch me if I faint?" and "Rawrrrr!"). I almost choked I laughed so hard. 2. Jappo. His brief cameo made him an instant scene stealer. Also his apperance basically confirming he is Shivers's son. O_o Btw if you haven't listened to Steven Pacey's narration of the Jappo scenes, you're missing out. The price of the audiobook is worth that alone. 3. Leo being gay for Jurand and his gay trip with his gay friends in Sipani. Approved by his wife. Priceless. 4. Rikke, a freaking badass MOFO getting the better of everyone, and also her every single interaction with Daddy Shivers and Isern-i-Phail. What a wholesome trio. 5. Orso being done with life but trying anyway. When is this poor guy going to catch a break? x(

Pike started out as the fat quartermaster Rews to San Dan Glockta's unit during the short story in The Sharp Ends. Later, Rews is one of the merchants that Glokta tortures and sends to the Angland mines, where his face is horribly burned. He re-emerges under the name Pike in Before They Are Hanged.

Something I haven't seen mentioned anywhere. Savine's baby might be seriously fucked up. All the pearl dust, drinking, the pretty serious injury to the mother from the cannon. Not to mention the fact it might be an incest baby since we know Savine and Orso banged after Valbeck. I wonder if there will be an effect on it. Edit: yees Rikke, Shivers and Isern are the best trio ever!

I freaking love all those chaotic chapters where we get inside every side character's head during all the mess. The suspense just won't stop building up.. whew!!!

I absolutely love every POV in this latest trilogy - but my favourite by far is Clover. I NEED more Clover.

I love the insight on racism he showed

Am I the only one who wants Leo dan Brock and Glokta to meet again and Glokta being snide and giving him advice on how to be a cripple because well he is family.

It was so hard to see things spiral out of control yet the character development resulting from this tragedy was so awesome. I didn't know who to root for at first but found myself siding with the young King lol

I want Leo and Jurand to have their real moment. I’d love to see Jurand tell broken Leo that he still loved him and would still follow him into hell! ❤️😊

I’m so happy! I had *almost* as much fun listening to your review as I did reading the books (I need to start meeting my friends based on how much they love Abercrombie.) I agree that Savine was the standout of ALH, while the most interesting characters in TWP were Orso and Rikke. That makes me wonder if in the 3rd book we’ll see a larger char arc from Leo (aka new Glokta - the scene where he’s walking up the stairs to be hanged was an almost exact copy of Glokta walking up stairs in an earlier book). I also hope we see more Jappo. The chapter where he meets with Leo than Orso was brilliant. Def one of my favorites....and the tease of who Jappos’ father is!!! One thing you didn’t mention is just how fucking funny parts of this book were. I literally lol’d a few times: “.......and definitely like women.” Don’t worry, we have more First Law coming: www.reddit.com/r/TheFirstLaw/comments/iyceqv/joes_next_decade_of_books_interview/? But first I have to wait a year while reading inferior books by people that arn’t Abercrombie and pretending that any other author can fill the First Law sized hole in my life! 🙈

Also Jappo! I loved that interaction with Orso!

In one interview, I think, Abercrombie said he might like to bring magic back again... so maybe... maybe not. Leo, to me, seems a little bit dull to be an inquisitor. Never-say-never, it might just happen, but if I was trying to make Leo suffer (because why not), I'd resurrect his cause under the most sordid of conditions. Then have him become a figurehead ruler where everyone praises him for his 'valiant defeat' against the Tyrant Orso. All the while, Leo knows that Bayaz is *still* pulling the strings, so he must sit and be dependent on the lie of his own selfless nobility - a lie he can barely tolerate. A crippled, jaded, King Jezal, but a King with an heir. My candidate for a successor to 'Old Sticks' is his daughter. The one thing that struck me about Savine's business dealings in A Little Hatred, was how much she induced distress in others to get her way. Her screws were financial and social, but she broke people with them, and in that respect she resembled her step-father almost too well. I wondered if somehow Glokta had slipped her in to observe torturing sessions, because she clearly had a taste for causing pain - and neither biological parent seemed especially mean. Whatever the reason, I felt Abercrombie was winking at us a little there. Abercrombie has sprung some fun surprises, so I'll be happy to be wrong. If Leo becomes the head-inquisitor, I'll be interested to see how it happens.

Shivers is my fav. I'm seeing a link with Rikke, Shivers, Bayaz, and the Murcatto dynasty. Bayaz has already tried to warm to Rikke, who is close with Shivers, who fought with Murcatto. I don't think Bayaz will go down without a serious world shattering fight. I think those are his players on the board. Or...... most likely I'm dead wrong.

1 of my favorite chapters is Leo being coerced into marrying Savine. The contrast right after her chapter. How they've plotted it down to having a ring and Savine waiting on his balcony. He's so outmatched and clueless the entire time. And Ardee's "2 *grand* mothers line"…

I call Rikke ‘Ricky!’ Like Gervais. Am I wrong? Am I going to die at sea??

I wonder if it is possible for Savine's rebel to success? Savine herself go negotiate with Jappo?

Liene you absolutely have to listen to the audio versions of the first law. They are the best fantasy audio books ever. The voice actor Stephen Pacy is utterly incredible the guy guves each character a voice check out his sandown glokta. Literally incredible

Wizards and barbarians, but badass and well written.

I finished it in 4 days and it's probably my favourite First Law book?! I loved Best Served Cold earlier this year but The Trouble with Peace was just brilliant

ok im late to the party but heres my takes: 1 i had forgotten how fucking funny abercrombie is. like i know hes my fave author but its just genuinely hilarious (the betrothal scene?! audibly laughed) 2 i love that rikkes arc this book wasnt all about her choice to keep or not keep the long eye. like i could see other fantasy books have her ambivalate for chapters upon chapters about if she wants to be normal or if she wants to be special and then in a moment of desperation choose the long eye only bc she has to use it to save a friend or whatever. boring. she makes the obvious choice, doesnt even look back for a second. love that. 3 kinda felt the explosion scene was overdone. like it works, and i usually like the perspective shifts during action sequences, its a cool trick. but when you just repeat the same scene up to the explosion three times without adding any new information i kinda felt it was tedious and i wanted to know what happens next? i mean its neat to give us some very minor characters to flesh out the world, but in the battle sequences they usually at least move the plot forward a little. 4 i sure hope hes gonna kill off bayaz, bc honestly the magi are the biggest problem the first world universe has (from a world building perspective. i could write a dissertation about this, but suffice it to say their involvement in literally everything takes agency away from all other characters. just see BSC) 5 it kinda felt sort of hopeful in places, more than i think im used to from joe? im thinking like terez and shaleres reunion. i never loved terez bc shes kind of the worst class of aristocrat but shes really had a shitty life in many ways and im glad to see her get some happiness at last. 6 its a fucking good book ok

Is it possible that Glokta had something to do with the breakers? He says that line about "burning down the world" that's revisited several times, and he's the one who pushes for Pike to get on the Closed Council on multiple occasions. Hatred of Bayaz would be a huge motive.

Nice review, I really need to get all the books and begin the journey. Plus ! I love every time you throw in a Star Wars jabs, they really makes me laugh out loud. I had problems with all 3 movies.

Great review! II'm definitely TEAM Leo dan Brockta!!!

There is some metaphor here of a balloon expanding or watching the pressure gauge go gradually up on a pressure cooker and it starting to rattle etc. that perfectly encapsulates this book, as I read I kept glancing and the pressure gauge and being amazed that it was still rising and with no explosion yet. The sense of anticipation, and the constant subversion of expectations gave this book a mood that has never been encapsulated for me before. He so artfully weaves these story threads that leave you with more questions than with expectations of what's to come which is so rare these days and so fantastic. And his constant experimentations with multiple perspectives (train explosion) or time perspective shifts ("This hasn't happened yet") leave me dumbfounded at his continual improvement and evolution as a writer, I mean, the next book can't be better again, can it??!?!?!?!? Also, shout out to Yoru literally biting someone's face off mid fight hahahah wtf, we finally see him in all his terrible glory and leave to rest any doubt of "particular diet".

What are your thoughts on Leo? I know you mentioned the parallels at the end, but up to that point I was so frustrated with him. Kept thinking “you cannot possibly be this stupid” for the majority of the book. Sure he’s a coddled momma’s boy but his association with all these strong women should have knocked some sense into him

Late to the party here but did you pick up on that point in the meeting between Orso and Jappo when Orso thought that Jappo looked more northern than Styrian. I'm really hoping that Jappo's father turns out to be a certain one eyed northman.

OK I'm late to the party, I finished this book about 20 minutes ago and I'm still buzzing about it. This book is incredible! The reveals we get in act 3 I didn't see coming at all, even Clover who has done nothing but double cross characters surprised me by, surprise, double crossing Stour. They weren't contrived, they weren't pulled out of thin air and they definitely weren't added to "subvert expectations" Abercrombie just has a way of taking characters that are so realised, still manages to have them surprise you and STILL feel like they are acting totally in character. Seeing how the long eye and the death of her father has changed Rikke makes me love her even more and anytime spent with Shivers (one of my favourites) is always a treat. I can't think of a story arc I didn't love to be honest.

Yeah. They definitely set it up that the banks aka Bayaz are evil. Vitari said it to Vick, Brint said it to Vick, and Pike said it at the end. Interestingly, Vick was going to ask Glokta about Valint & Balk, but never had the chance. She has shown herself to be extremely clever, and she may very well be the one to finally devise a way to bring down Bayaz--with a little help from friends of course, namely Orso who has also become wise to the First of the Magi. I also think Abercrombie is writing the book in a way that makes it engaging for new readers who pick up the trilogy without reading the previous novels. He has hinted again and again at how Bayaz is the big baddie, and in proper Abercrombie fashion removes him from the equation to give the other characters room to breathe. I really hope that Bayaz returns in the third book to finally get his comeuppance. Bayaz had even said to Orso that a king must lead by making hard choices for everyone. Those are words that will come back to haunt the meddling Magus.

First Law is the story of Bayaz and Pike (Salem Rews) !

Anyone else thinks that Zuri is Ishri or at least an eater?

Just finished the book I really enjoyed it yet I was surprised about orso how he is so different in this book and I really don't like the character sabine here I can't believe she would treat glokta like that to the man who raised you and loved you 😊🤗🌟🥰

I finally finished this today and it’s gotta be my new fav Abercrombie book (unseating BSC). Took me awhile because I finished the Broken Earth trilogy before getting into TWP (great rec btw). I’m going to fanboy out pretty hard here, so apologies. I loved the Leo/Glokta parallels starting at the beginning when Leo has his Glokta moment about stairs. Lol. I’m SO happy he’s bringing in so many aspects from the standalones and not shoving them aside (always bugged the piss out of me how people acted like those books didn’t matter). Now just sneak in some Javre and Shevediah and have her mission to take something from a wizard play a role, and I can just orgasm to death. I’m so team Shenkt is hurts. Loved him spitting Bayaz’s name with contempt. I hope the ultimate end of the story (this trilogy or whenever) is the fall of Bayaz. Any means necessary and I’m a happy guy. I always liked the idea of Glokta conspiring something and shocking Bayaz as the most unsuspecting assassin and literally getting the killing blow, but I’ll take anything. Shenkt eating him would be appropriate (btw, I would weep if Shenkt got a stand-alone to tell his whole story). I’m really hoping the Orso/Jappo convo got cut off before some interesting things were revealed (Jappo telling him about Bayaz like Vitari did Vick). And would love there to be a grand conspiracy even involving Orso to take out Bayaz. Btw, wtf is Bayaz doing “in the west”? Sidenote fan service request, Jappo has to meet Shivers. If all my dreams come true and we are on the cusp of a Rikke (the owl)/Styrian/Orso/Breakers alliance to take out Bayaz, could happen. Still holding out hope Glokta has his finger in it too. Seemed a little too comfortable just walking away from the job imo. I also got giddy that he brought the Shanka back. Joe seems thankfully intent to not leave any element of the past to simply die an irrelevant death. And something is up with Zuri and this teacher she keeps mentioning. Can’t wait to see where that goes, I have my suspicions. I’ve already went obnoxiously long so I’ll stop. Just wondering if I’m in the minority with these thoughts.

OK, so Rikke's prophecy goes like this: “I saw a wolf eat the sun, then a lion ate the wolf. A lamb ate the lion and an owl ate the lamb”. I have only one question. WHO IS THE OWL???

Will there be a video about predictions for book 3? :D

This is probably the biggest no-no opinion, but I actually liked stour nightfall and kind of felt bad for him at the end, and actually liked his character.

I considered the possibility that Leo is becoming like Glokta. But there is a key difference. Glokta never betrayed the Crown. Leo did

Have you read the shattered sea trilogy? And if so, does it satisfy the Abercrombie itch? I want to read them because now I have no more first law to read :(

I'm not gonna watch it ..yet ..but *wink*

So the last I heard of Zacharus was in sharp ends but I keep seeing the mention of birds. I think Finree or rikke mentioned one high above the battle of red hill, some at the last hanging, often mentioned that birds keep singing regardless of the danger about etc. Idk if this is obvious but I could see Zacharus as the owl swooping in on the lamb. If anybody remembers the dialogue with Zach last time lmk

Guess I'll just turn down the volume and watch you gesticulate wildly.