The first law is composed of two trilogies, the one that gives its name to the whole cycle and age of madnessinterspersed with three independent novels, Serve cold, The heroes (the best of the three) and red country. The saga written by British author Joe Abercrombie is published by fantasy publisher Bragelonne. Note that the last volume of age of madnesspublished in 2021, has not yet been translated.
What does it say?
In a medieval universe, several kingdoms clash. The Union, the North and The Gurkhul Empire. We follow several characters who, sometimes reluctantly, will find themselves involved in the political and military upheavals that the region is going through.
There is Logen Nine-Fingers, the most feared warrior in the North, who would like to escape his brutal past, Sand dan Glotka, the crippled ex-military turned ruthless and Machiavellian Inquisitor, Bayaz, the first of the Mages with murky motives, or Ferro Maljinn, a former slave with strange powers, obsessed with revenge. The second trilogy age of madnessbegins about 30 years after the final events of the premiere.
How is it ?
Just like the Iron Throne, The first law belongs to the “gridark” register, a very dark and very violent fantasy, where war is predominant and where the heroes are generally anti-heroes.
In this sub-genre of fantasy, violence is often offset by a good dose of humor – dark, that goes without saying. And Joe Abercrombie is arguably the best at that game. Not only has he created a gallery of characters as complex as they are memorable (special mention for Logen Neuf-Doigts, the warrior in questioning), but his precise and clever writing will often make you smile or laugh out loud. . A thrilling and gripping saga from start to finish.
What magic?
At the origin of the world, humans and demons rubbed shoulders on Earth. A half-man, half-demon creature named Euz drove the demons from Earth and locked them away in the realm of the dead. He enacted the First Law: “It is forbidden to come into contact with the Kingdom of the dead”. Euz also had four sons. He gave different powers to the first three and offered all his esteem to the fourth. Not really happy, the latter therefore followed the advice of the demons to wage war on his brothers.
This conflict of the gods is only present in the background of the conflict between the Union and the other kingdoms, but it is crucial. Only mages, former students of the sons of Euz (and their apprentices) possess magic. But some characters like Logen have unusual physical abilities that make you think they have a bit of demonic blood.
Is it adaptable to the screen?
With a substantial hemoglobin budget, it is quite possible! A good story is above all good characters and those of The first law are exceptional. Moreover, the universe of the trilogy is quite collected and the plot does not go in all directions. Blessed bread for an adaptation.