Last Argument of Kings

The First Law: Book Three

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 27 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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 the Northmen still stands firm and there’s only one man who can top him. His oldest friend and his oldest enemy. It’s time for the Bloody-Nine to come home.

With too many masters and too little time, Superior Glokta is fighting a different kind of war - a secret struggle in which no-one is safe and no-one can be trusted. His days with a sword are far behind him. It’s a good thing blackmail, threats, and torture still work well enough.

Jezal dan Luthar has decided that winning glory is too painful, and turned his back on soldiering for a life with the woman he loves. But love can be painful too, and glory has a nasty habit of creeping up on someone.

While the King of the Union lies on his death bed, the peasants revolt and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No-one believes that the shadow of war is falling across the very heart of the Union. The First of the Magi has a plan to save the world. But there are risks. There is no risk more terrible, after all, than to break the First Law.

©2008 Joe Abercrombie (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group Limited

Is this really the end of the argument?

Any additional comments?

This is as 3.5 star. Overall it was a great story, however I found that there were a few inconstancies with the characters (very minor).

I really like the second book in the series, it was a solid 4 stars. I feel that the first one didn't quite have enough action, and the 3rd had a bit too much. Too much action can make pacing seem off, too much of anyone thing makes the pacing seem off.

I find this series to be a fairly fresh take on fantasy and I can't wait to read the next one. Which is stand alone novel. Come on Audible put it in a BOGO sale.

Mature fantasy, I guess so

Any additional comments?

A lot of the reviews of this book have referred to the series as mature or adult fantasy. If that means complex characters wrapped around moral ambiguity that that is for sure this series. The characters are likable despite some frankly evil and masochistic tendencies. The world created here is violent and Abercrombie is not sparing with the details, gruesome would be an understatement. All of the main actors in this drama have had some tragic circumstances which have made them who they are. As I mentioned despite this I found that I wanted even the most despicable to find redemption. Well not all of them but certainly the main actors on this stage.

The plot I found difficult to care that much about, I am not sure this world is worth saving, It certainly is not the Shire!! And at times it is a bit plodding, I rarely fast forward audio books but I did a little but with this book. Mostly because I was less interested in what happened than I was to see how these fascinating people would deal with. So as fantasy I would rate this a five for sure. If you like this book I would suggest the Scar by
Sergey Dyachenko and Marina Dyachenko two Russians. It too is a serious look into a man and woman's soul.

And there is magic, used sparingly but I like a little wizardry in my fantasy stories.

Not for me.

Good series; well written and narrated. Too intensely dark for my taste, but I'm sure that others will find it excellent.

Great

Steven pacey is amazing he brings every character to life you start to know characters by voice and it's all one man cheers !!

great end to a great trilogy

whaaa. no, he/she was so close to...you will love Gloctka even though you shouldn't.

Not high brow or anything but very entertaining.

Not high brow or anything but very entertaining. And I think every priveleged, untested young man can learn something from Jazel's development

this third book took a crazy turn.

The series is great, this third book took an unexpected turn. everything changes, but it's great none the less

3rd book was Excellent

Many thanks to Joe and Steven for another work of art! I loved the first two, rushed into the third and it was everything one could have hoped for. Thanks, the narration by Steven made this series and brought the characters to life and provided a required continuity between these great works.

Amazing

A great adventure to an epic finale of a series. The narrator brings the characters to life and brings the adrenaline in the face of conflict. I only wish there was another book in this series of blood shed and survival.

Excellent continuation of the series

Concludes all of the major plot lines and leaves interesting paths ahead for the cast of characters. Narration is absolutely incredible and is one of the greatest strengths in the series. A good mixture of satisfying justice served to characters mixed with an unpredictable realism that reaps bittersweet rewards for the cast. Of the 3 books, this one was my least favorite but still completely worthwhile.