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)]

WOW. Again Please.

I can't say enough about this trilogy. I am an avid 25+ year devotee to the fantasy genre. That sounded nerdy, but true.... The author does something that I have personally never experienced -- more than Jordan, Sanderson, Rothfuss, Martin and all the rest!-- His characters are ALIVE. Real people that I can almost touch. Amazing, beautiful brutal, spectacular, endearing, pitied, hated, loved, feared and inspired people. Flawed heros... and more. They are written and I believe they are real. No one else has come this close to such amazing character development (and such a unique story!) other than perhaps Chain of Dogs from the Malazan Empire mega series (good series, but that book is a standout).

The narrator for this series certainly had an impact. That's an understaement in the extreme. This fellow is the BEST narrator of any audio book or series I have ever read.... I've not only read all the authors, and their various series noted above, many times over each (plus many more authors-- I'm a boring attorney and need an escape) but I have listened to the audio versions. This narrator is the best out there. Period. Mic drop.

Probably give it a week and listen to the series again, just for funsies. I'm smitten.

love

loved the story loved the narration couldn't be more pleased will read more in the series

Excellent finale to the best trilogy I have read

Pacey is an absolutely remarkable craftsman with the words as his materials.

Having read the trilogy prior to have listened I am thankful to have done so in that order.

To have access to this terrific series forever is well worth my annual fee to Audible.

reviewed

final book.
a a a a a a a a a a a. b. word remaining

Best book in the series by far

A brilliant conclusion to a brilliant trilogy. Seems as though I'll never tire of Abercrombie's fantasy world.

If I said more than "wow!", it would be too much.

If you could sum up Last Argument of Kings in three words, what would they be?

Seriously, "three words?" That's not possible. I have never hated the main characters of a book while still caring for them. I can't decide of these people are heroes with clay feet or villains with good intentions..

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

"Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers."

What about Steven Pacey’s performance did you like?

I loved how even he seemed to get caught up in action. I loved characterizations of all of the characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It made getting off from work even more exciting.

One of the Greats!

the audio version of this series is way better than the books. the whole series is a great ride. glokta and logan are some of my all time favorite characters. can't wait for his new series to start!

great series

not sure this seemed like a good place to end, but I'm hoping we might see another book

Darkness ends this book

So much is covered in this book. When the twists start coming, they continue until the final moments. The performance is brilliant. It's hard to talk about why this book is a masterpiece without spoiling it, so I will say one thing about the first law trilogy. I'll say.

Grim and dark

one of my all time favorite literary characters is Glokta. His voicing and drive to survive is amazing