Before They Are Hanged: The First Law: Book Two: 2

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Joe Abercrombie Awards". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation . Retrieved 19 February 2022. In 2009, Abercrombie released the novel Best Served Cold, set in the same world as The First Law Trilogy but is a stand-alone novel. He followed with The Heroes (2011) and Red Country (2012). The books have now been published in close to 30 languages, and sold somewhere in the region of 3-4 million books.

Severard nodded, lanky hair swaying around his thin face. ‘Oh, I live to serve.’ I’m not sure what you live for, but I doubt it’s that. He sauntered off, whistling tunelessly, clattered across the plank, down the wharf and off between the dusty brown buildings beyond. Introduced as initially a side character in 'Before They are Hanged', Caul Shivers was a young Named Northman that originally sided with Bethod. Having heard that Dogman and his crew had Rudd Threetrees as their Chief, he and his two score of Carls join with them and the Union to fight against Bethod. He and many of the men under him seemed disillusioned by Bethod's campaign to regain Angland from the Union as well as his dealings with the Shanka and far flung Cinna troops. In the incurring battle, he helped fight against the Feared and subsequently was one of the supportive voices to make Dogman Chief of their band. Harker frowned. ‘Since the rebellion, natives have only been allowed within the Upper City if they have a permit.’Some skilled craftsmen and so forth, still employed by the Guild of Spicers, but mostly servants who work in the Upper City and the Citadel. Many of the Union citizens who live here have native servants, some have several.’ The original trilogy comprises the novels The Blade Itself (2006), Before They Are Hanged (2007) and Last Argument of Kings (2008). The story follows the interweaving fortunes and misfortunes of six viewpoint characters; Logen Ninefingers, Jezal dan Luthar, Sand dan Glokta, Ferro Maljinn, The Dogman, and Collem West. Each is drawn in the plan of Bayaz, a wizard of the Older Time, whose his magical skill is only outstripped by his political savvy.

Last Argument of Kings: The First Law, Book Three". Publishers Weekly. 7 July 2008 . Retrieved 8 August 2012. A reference to the phrase "Revenge is a dish best served cold," which originated with the French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. [14] The North is referred to as such not only by The Union (for whom it really is to the north) but also by those who live there, who refer to themselves as Northmen. Nicomo Cosca, a notoriously treacherous, but charismatic and generally good-tempered mercenary who turns up repeatedly under different employers.Well … not exactly. Superior Davoust was never that interested in confessions from the browns, we just, you know …’ You will take ship immediately, and assume command of the Inquisition in the city of Dagoska. You will establish what became of your predecessor, Superior Davoust. You will investigate his suspicion that a conspiracy is afoot, perhaps in the city’s ruling council itself. You will examine the members of that council, and uproot any and all disloyalty. Punish treason with scant mercy, but ensure that your evidence is sound. We can afford no further blunders. Very well, Practical Vitari, if you really can’t resist me. You’ll have to go on top, though, if you don’t mind.” Glokta However, in the final arc of Monza's revenge scheme to finally kill Orso himself, Shivers having accompanied Monza to Talins turns on her in the heat of battle and tries to kill her; stopped only by Friendly who intervenes. Friendly and Shivers engage in a close battle until they are interrupted by Shenkt who disarms and incapacitates both of them. Shivers fate seems undecided as he's placed into custody in a dungeon in Talins' but Monza decides to grant him mercy, showing that she had changed her view on her own motto and would let him go. There is some question as to whether or not the child Monza is carrying is Shivers' or Duke Rognot, but at the close of the book, it seems as though he has no knowledge of it. The series is followed by the three standalone novels in which some minor characters from the trilogy play important roles. Best Served Cold (2009) is set in Styria, a land of warring city-states, and follows mercenary-general Monza Murcatto. After being thrown down a mountain by her employer, she sets out for revenge with a motley crew of misfits. The Heroes (2011) is set in the North seven years after the trilogy, and centres on another war between The Union and The North, culminating in the three-day battle over a ring of stones called The Heroes. And finally, Red Country (2012) is set in the Far Country about thirteen years after the original trilogy. Youthful Shy South had hoped to bury her bloody past, but she’ll not flinch from what needs doing when her brother and sister are kidnapped, with only her cowardly old step-father for company.