The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. It consists of a trilogy and two stand-alone novels set in the same world.
The trilogy is published by Gollancz in the UK and Pyr in the USA. The stand-alone novels remain with Gollancz in the UK but will be published by Orbit Books in the USA[1].
The trilogy is set in an epic fantasy world reminiscent of medieval/renaissance Europe. There are three major nations involved: the Union, a large kingdom similar to Europe; the Gurkish Empire, which is similar to the large Middle-Eastern empires of antiquity; and the Northmen, a rough alliance of several northern tribes with Viking and Anglo Saxon overtones under the leadership of a warrior-king named Bethod. The Union is drawn into war against the latter when the Northmen invade the Union's northern province of Angland, and against the former when the Empire attempts to annex the city of Dagoska.
The trilogy centers on the fortunes of three major characters: Sand dan Glokta, a crippled torturer in the Union's Inquisition; Jezal dan Luthar, a self-centred nobleman and swordsman; and Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian warrior of the North forced into an uneasy alliance with the Union to defeat his sworn enemy, Bethod. In addition to these characters, the story follows Collem West, an anger-prone and constantly worried Union officer; the so-called Dogman, a world-weary and experienced northern scout; the fierce southern woman Ferro Maljinn, an ex-slave bent on revenge; and the scheming wizard Bayaz, First of the Magi.
The books of the trilogy do not contain maps, as the author prefers not to use them and he was supported in this by his UK publisher, although he did not rule out maps appearing in the future[2]. In fact, maps feature heavily in his stand alone novel 'The Heroes'.
Best Served Cold is set in the same universe as the First Law series, roughly four years after the trilogy. It takes place in a new location, focusing on a different set of characters. Some are minor characters from the original trilogy given more depth and others are new characters. Major characters from the trilogy sometimes appear in cameos or are mentioned in passing.
"The Heroes" (2010) focuses on a three-day battle set in the same world as the First Law Trilogy. Union commander Lord Marshal Kroy leads the Union forces against the much smaller Northern army lead by Black Dow. The story features many characters seen in previous First Law novels like Bremer dan Gorst, Prince Calder, and the Dogman.[3]