The First Law Trilogy – Joe Abercrombie

I picked up The Blade Itself on a whim after hearing people call Joe Abercrombie the “Lord of Grimdark.” I wasn’t sure what to expect—but by the time I finished the trilogy, I was completely hooked. This isn’t your typical good-versus-evil fantasy. There are no noble heroes riding into the sunset here—just flawed, sarcastic, and painfully human characters trying to survive in a world that doesn’t care about them.

Abercrombie’s writing is sharp and full of dark humor. One minute you’re laughing at a character’s cynical thoughts, and the next you’re wincing at how brutal things can get. The story jumps between several perspectives—a barbarian who’s more thoughtful than he looks, a torturer with a conscience, and a cocky noble who seriously needs humbling—and somehow, you end up rooting for all of them, even when they mess up.

What really stands out is how grounded it all feels. There’s a bit of magic, but it’s rare and eerie. Most of the time, it’s about politics, war, and survival—things that feel oddly close to home, just with more swords.

If you like your fantasy gritty, darkly funny, and full of characters who feel real, The First Law trilogy delivers. It’s clever, violent, and way too much fun for how bleak it gets.

Rating: 4.5 / 5