Last Argument of Kings: The First Law: Book Three

Just finished the 3rd in the First Law Trilogy. Where do i go now? Dammit but that was good. Didn't Adams have 5 books in his Hitch Hickers trilogy? Had a listen to Heroes but you'd miss the magic and skill of Pacey. I might just have to read that one. Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he's a damn fine writer.

I really enjoyed this trilogy - excellent writing and flawed characters whose lives you feel compelled to follow. However huge praise must also go to the narrator, who plays no small part in giving the world and its characters life. If only there was more to come about the Bloody-Nine......or is there???

the whole trilogy is not to be missed. a very raw and gripping story from start to finish. unlike many books, this has no periods of tedious narrating, it is gripping from first to last page. Characters that are so well defined it is easy to identify with them and understand them. i would say that any self respecting fan of fantasy must definanely read this series!

What a super trilogy and I am very sorry that after 70 hours of listening it's all over.

Well if you are reading this I assume that you have read/listened to parts 1 and 2 (also on audible if you haven't and do listen in order) and want to know if part 3 measures up to the high standards as before. the answer is resoundingly yes. There is a lot more action in part 3 but the same strengths apply - very good writing, excellent plot and characters and quite brilliant narration by Stephen Pacey. I wont give a hint of how it all ends as that might spoil things; suffice it to say that the ending is quite in keeping with what has gone before!

A five star listen without a doubt.

This book takes gritty realism to the fantasy genre. The point-of-view characters are all flawed in just the ways you'd expect of them living in this excellently described corrupt land. It manages to make heroes of of the vain, the uncaring and the bullies. Some struggle with their nature, trying to be better people, but never quite having the chance to.

It is a fantasy world devoid of the usual black and whites, and instead populated by utterly refreshing shades of grey.

I am use to rambling long epics (wheel of time being one that immediately comes to mind) and for this series to actually finish in 3 books was a novelty, but I was left wondering if this was a little rushed towards the end - there were so many paths that this book could have taken and at the end I was left with the feeling that the easiest route may have been taken.
All that said - a very enjoyable listen and good narration [except for the narrators "grimAcing"] which got very very annoying in this trilogy and make me wince each time the word was said.

Awesome fantasy series, well written and well read! Once you start it you won't want to put it down.

Gripping and addictive. Apart from the adventures, fighting and magic you get pretty deep insights into psychology, politics and philosophy ...

Having listened to the first two books in the trilogy I was slightly disappointed with the rushed ending to Last Arguement.

The narration by Stephen Pacey is first class as usual, with each character having a distinctive voice.

The first two books were paced very well and although they rattled along nothing felt rushed. The third book is very enjoyable but the last quarter could have been stretched to a fourth volume.

I found myself getting very angry at the actions of some of the characters in this series. I was especially annoyed by Logen and Jezal. Which surprised me because these are not real people or real events; I had been sucked so willingly and completely into this world of Joe Abercrombie's that I found myself quoting his adages in real life.



Now, before you discount me as a weak minded idiot with a less than complete grip on reality (which my AD&D background would suggest as a fair criticism), I am also a fantasy enthusiast and would strongly advocate this series to other fantasy enthusiasts and others who simply like a good read. It is pass-me-my waterproofs-and-goggles gory in parts, and I think some of the sex scenes are written with a double side order of ham, but overall it was a brilliant series to listen to and I can't wait to listen to more.



I've already bought and am listening to Best Served Cold and have found the standard or writing and narration (Steven Pacey is excellent) is maintained. From someone who had never heard of Joe Abercrombie 3 months ago, I am now an avid fan and am very grateful to the reviewers who pointed me in his direction. God bless peer review and all who sail in her.