Last Argument of Kings

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 27 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The final novel in the First Law Trilogy by New York Times best seller Joe Abercrombie.

Logen Ninefingers might have only 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 stop 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. As his days with a sword are far behind him, it's fortunate that he's deadly with his remaining weapons: blackmail, threats, and torture.

Jezal dan Luthar has decided that winning glory is too painful an undertaking and turned his back on soldiering for a simple life with the woman he loves. But love can be painful too - and glory has a nasty habit of creeping up on a man when he least expects it.

The king of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No one believes that the shadow of war is about to fall across the heart of the Union. Only the First of the Magi can save the world, but there are risks. There is no risk more terrible than to break the First Law....

©2015 Joe Abercrombie (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Exhilarating.... Abercrombie's knack for wit and grit holds your attention throughout, and his eye for character means that there's heart as well as muscle." [ SFX (UK)]

unbelievable finish

one of the most intriguing endings I've have ever read. lots of fun and games.

THE Triology

I read a load of books in my time, but this series stands out above the rest. not only are the books just brilliant in all respects, but the voicing of the audio is THE best I have ever heard period. 5 stars all around.

Great end to a Great Trilogy... or is it the end.

Joe Abercrombie is a great Author who has created an amazing world. Great Characters, Great setting, unparalleled writing. Thanks Joe.

This is what epic fantasy should be!

The first two books I enjoyed, this third book had me utterly hooked. loved the characters and their journey. Would very much recommend the series just because of this third book. Wow.

Dark

I was Tempted to give the book a lower rating because I was dissatisfied with in the ending, the choices made by the writer, and the ultimate fate of the flawed but likable characters that this reader has come to enjoy if not admire. In the genre of fantasy and a story where monsters can heal themselves, magicians can live for thousands of years and have the power to call on cyclones and the dark arts to destroy, I kept hoping for some healing, some happiness, some good things in the end. To my chagrin, the author provides a pessimistic and realistic ending to a story that while believable, is also depressing. Steven Pacey did a great job with the narration.

sad it's over

loved everything about the first law trilogy. dont mean to be cliche but this would undoubtedly make an amazing tv series in the right hands.

Satisfying ending; no one gets what they deserve

Loved this trilogy. It was solidly plotted with twists at the end that made for a satisfying story. No heroes emerge, but there is character growth. You have to be realistic about these things.

Good end but didn't feel bad when it was over

This series was good and had plenty of action to keep me engaged. But for some reason it didn't leave me wanting to know more. Perhaps that means it was a good ending perhaps it means I didn't connect very well with the cheracters. I kept waiting for an explanation of how the magic system worked, but it never came.

great story

Ditching the music/torture sounds would be fantastic, but that is a small gripe for a fantastic novel.

Just an ending away from 5 stars

Would you consider the audio edition of Last Argument of Kings to be better than the print version?

For myself, yes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Last Argument of Kings?

The battle scenes are descriptive, enthralling and really put you in the middle of the action!

Which scene was your favorite?

The inner dialogue of Glokta throughout the series is extremely entertaining to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The character development was very fun to experience, especially moving toward the end of The Last Argument of Kings. No laughing or crying, but I did enjoy the plot twists and unexpected moments of comedy.

Any additional comments?

I very much enjoyed all three books in this series. The characters were entertaining and compelling and the story line itself allowed for fluidity and adaptation moving forward from book to book as well. My only negative comment for this book, and the one thing that left a sour taste in my mouth, was the conclusion. ... or lack there of. Being in a genre where the "not-quite-ending" ending is more and more popular in a multi-edition story, It's almost a given that there are going to be books that don't leave you as satisfied as you'd like to be when the curtain drops. In almost all cases, however, these have not been the final book in the series. To put my feelings about this final installment of The First Law into entertainment terms; I paid my money, enjoyed the show and would be happy to see an encore performance, but what would be even more amazing is if the band didn't lay down their instruments and walk off stage in the middle chorus of their smash hit as the last song of the evening.