The First Law Trilogy Boxed Set: The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings

This review isn’t about the content of the book, I’ve already read book 1 and needless to say, it’s amazing. However I wanted to point out that it was sealed very well, got to me with no damage whatsoever, which is very impressive to do especially when I got the express delivery. Would highly recommend this series. I originally wanted the orbit fantasy version but I’m really glad I went with this. Amazing covers.

This is a great Dark Fantasy Novel if you're into that kind of Fantasy. Set arrived wrapped and in excellent condition with fast delivery as usual. Note that the Dimensions of each book are 12.7 x 20.32 cm, and NOT 12.8 x 23.5 cm as in the description, so the letter's print size might be small for some. Highly recommended.

It was damaged on the edge

Bought this for my kids and they loved it :-)

A truly brilliand and thougoly interesting story. If you like dark and gritty stories where no character is the hero and everyone is characterised by their flaws, their past, and the weight of their choices, this story is a must read!

Viene da chiedersi come mai certi scrittori ci mettano dieci anni e piu' per lasciare delle serie incomplete, quando il buon Abercrombie nel giro di pochi anni ha sfornato una trilogia al fulmicotone. L'ambientazione e' un fantasy "europeo" diviso in un tre paesi (equivalenti di inglesi, vichinghi e arabi), la magia e' presente e usata con moderazione (non di continuo, ma nemmeno si risparmia sui punti mana). I personaggi principali sono di grande personalita', in particolare Logen (un berserker) e Glokta (un inquisitore), e tutti hanno un profilo morale indefinito, senza mai essere veri eroi o criminali. Interessante la figura di Glokta, che sembra la versione volgare di Severian del Libro del Nuovo Sole di Gene Wolfe. Mentre di Severian venivano evidenziate le riflessioni morali, glissando sulle torture da lui eseguite, nel caso di Glokta i supplizi sono rappresentati in modo quantomai esplicito, come a voler giustificare una violenza necessaria in un mondo duro e spietato. La storia ha un ritmo elevato, ricco di eventi e sottotrame: battaglie, esplorazioni, intrighi, e persino una storia d'amore. Molto dettagliate sono le battaglie e le scene di sangue, talvolta anche molto forti. Questo cofanetto e' un modo eccellente per acquisire tutta la serie in un colpo, e seguirla con comodita'. I tre volumi seguono una struttura classica: introduzione, sviluppo e conclusione. La particolarita' e' che la storia non e' scontata, e riserva molte sorprese, senza pero' eccedere nei colpi di scena fatti solo per tenere sveglio il lettore. La caratteristica principale della vicenda e dell'ambientazione e' un forte cinismo di fondo, che sembra prendere in giro il classico "high fantasy", riducendo gli ideali di gloria e onore a vuote velleita'. Tutto questo si risolve in un finale non gradito a tutti, ma molto ben raccontato. L'unico difetto che ho trovato nel prodotto e' che manca di una vera e propria fine, con una risoluzione inconcludente realizzata probabilmente per lasciare spazio ai sequel, che sono infatti sopraggiunti negli anni successivi.

The Blade Itself It’s not often I pick up a book and start reading, only to catch myself on repeated occasions grinning – in a deliciously evil way – from ear to ear. That’s exactly what happened when I delved into my first ever Joe Abercrombie novel: The Blade Itself. And why? Because it has perfect balance. THAT’s why. Think “Conan the Barbarian” meets “Game of Thrones” in a gloriously epic production directed by Quentin Tarantino, and you’ll get an idea of what’s in store. It’s bloody; it’s brutal; it’s breathtaking and brilliant. Cutting-edge stuff, quite literally, with thoroughly engaging characters, (I just loved Inquisitor Glokta. He’s the favorite uncle I never had), vivid imagery, and an action-packed plot, you’ll be “incited to deeds of violence” and swept away in a world of adventure you won’t want to end. I took to this story of an empire – swollen by its own grandeur; overconfident in its own invincibility; and ignorant of its imminent collapse – as naturally as a Tasmanian Devil does to throwing tantrums. It still calls to me in my sleep! Before They Are Hanged This is the second Joe Abercrombie novel I’ve had the pleasure of delving into – the second of “The First Law” series, come to that – and I have to say, it’s one of the best continuation books I’ve read. THIS is the way to write heroic fantasy. And how could he possibly fail when all the ingredients are there: ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed; barbarian hordes creating havoc; ghoulish demons raising hell; traitorous scoundrels and incompetent, over-privileged fops making things worse – much worse; compellingly complex characters you can’t help but love or hate, contending as much against impossible odds as their own shortcomings. . . Like I say, all the ingredients for an adrenaline-laced, epic high adventure are there, just waiting to unfold. And unfold they will, with all the panache of a berserker on amphetamine-laced steroids taking a fight-club vacation in the boldest, brashest, bloodiest landscape imaginable. It's grim, dark and glorious. And by the end, you’ll be inclined to forgive your enemies . . . But not before they are hanged! What’s not to like? Last Argument of Kings In this, the third installment of “The First Law” series, Joe Abercrombie brings his trilogy to an end. And I have to say, I thought it was cleverly done. Logan has business – bloody business – to attend to in the north. Bethod has had his rampaging way for far too long, and it looks as if it’s up to the Bloody-Nine to sort things out! Sand dan Glokta faces an equally tricky – and just as gory – situation in the capital, where political intrigue, treasonous jockeying, and assassination attempts by friend, foe, and demon alike come thick and fast, forcing him to take extreme measures in order to survive. The Gurkish Empire, not content with annexing Dagoska, the Union’s southernmost province, continue their assault and bring the war to the heart of the Union. And Jezal dan Luthar, having made it safely back from the edge of the known world, wants nothing more than a quiet life. To settle down with the woman he loves to raise a family. But the king is dying. Added to all the turmoil festering in one place after another, it’s no wonder the common folk are terrified and start revolting. And guess who the powers-that-be task to deal with it? A veritable cauldron of strife and torment, if ever there was one. To help heat things toward boiling point, we have all the usual accelerants: Narcissistic wizards; incompetent rulers; revolting peasants – and lords too, come to that – restless, warriors itching for a fight; and devious, flesh-eating ghouls, all crowing for the world’s end. And the thing is, though Joe Abercrombie builds the series to a climactic conclusion, he doesn’t just end it after an epic battle. Oh no. He adds a cunning touch of realism to the mix that helps us appreciate that, at the end of every epic – when the fabled deeds are done and our heroes and heroines come to rest from their labors – picking up the pieces is never easy. Life goes on. But for the survivors, that life might be so drastically changed, that they’ll never be the same. Kudos to Joe Abercrombie. He leaves us with a bittersweet taste of a world where the lovechild of Joffrey Baratheon and Harley Quinn is allowed to take the reins of a shattered kingdom, only to steer it in a Pulp Fiction direction. Ultima Ratio Regum.