Author guide

Joe Abercrombie Books in Order

Joe Abercrombie is an English fantasy novelist born in Lancaster in 1974. After studying psychology at Manchester University and working as a freelance film editor, he published The Blade Itself in 2006. He is known for darkly humorous, morally complex fantasy, including The First Law world, the Shattered Sea trilogy, and The Devils series.

fantasygrimdark fantasyyoung adult fantasy

Catalog record updated August 25, 2026.

Joe Abercrombie's Newest Book

The Devils

novel · First published 2025

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends. Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it's a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

The Blade Itself

The opening of The First Law trilogy and the publication-order entry point to its shared world.

Half a King

The opening novel of the separate Shattered Sea trilogy.

The Devils

The opening novel of the separate The Devils series.

Read in order

Books by series

shared-world · ongoing

The First Law World

A shared fantasy world encompassing The First Law trilogy, related standalone novels, short-fiction collections, and the Age of Madness trilogy.

Series guide →

1
The Blade Itself
Book 1 · novel · 2006

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.…
2
Before They Are Hanged
Book 2 · novel · 2007

Bitter and merciless war is coming to the frozen north. It's bloody and dangerous and the Union army, split by politics and hamstrung by incompetence, is utterly unprepared for the slaughter that's coming. Lacking experience, training,…
3
Last Argument of Kings
Book 3 · novel · 2008

The King of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No one believes that the shadow of war is about to fall across the heart of the Union. Only the First of the Magi can save the…
4
Best Served Cold
Book 4 · novel · 2009

War may be hell, but for Monza Murcatto, a solider of considerable fortune; it's a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular - a shade too popular for her employer's taste. Betrayed and left for dead,…
5
The Heroes
Book 5 · novel · 2011

Set over three days, "The Heroes"--the new novel by the author of "Best Served Cold"--is about violence and ambition, gruesome deaths and betrayals, and the brutal truth that no plan survives contact with the enemy.
6
Red Country
Book 6 · novel · 2012

"Abercrombie writes fantasy like no one else." - The Guardian They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is following. Shy South hoped to bury her bloody past and ride away smiling, but she'll have to sharpen…
7
Sharp Ends
Book 7 · short-story-collection · 2016

The Union army may be full of bastards, but there's only one who thinks he can save the day single-handed when the Gurkish come calling: the incomparable Colonel Sand dan Glokta. Curnden Craw and his dozen are out to recover a mysterious…
8
A Little Hatred
Book 8 · novel · 2019

From New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie comes the first book in a new blockbuster fantasy trilogy where the age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the…
9
The Trouble with Peace
Book 9 · novel · 2020

Despite the peace, unrest snakes through each layer of society, the Breakers still lurk in the shadows, and Orso struggles to find a path through the maze of politics.
10
The Wisdom of Crowds
Book 10 · novel · 2021

Chaos. Fury. Destruction. The Great Change is upon us . . . Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of…
11
The Great Change (and Other Lies)
Book 11 · short-story-collection · 2023

trilogy · complete

The First Law

The original gritty fantasy trilogy.

Series guide →

1
The Blade Itself
Book 1 · novel · 2006

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.…
2
Before They Are Hanged
Book 2 · novel · 2007

Bitter and merciless war is coming to the frozen north. It's bloody and dangerous and the Union army, split by politics and hamstrung by incompetence, is utterly unprepared for the slaughter that's coming. Lacking experience, training,…
3
Last Argument of Kings
Book 3 · novel · 2008

The King of the Union lies on his deathbed, the peasants revolt, and the nobles scramble to steal his crown. No one believes that the shadow of war is about to fall across the heart of the Union. Only the First of the Magi can save the…

standalone-novel-sequence · complete

Standalone Books in the World of The First Law

Three standalone novels set in the world of The First Law.

Series guide →

1
Best Served Cold
Book 1 · novel · 2009

War may be hell, but for Monza Murcatto, a solider of considerable fortune; it's a damn good way of making money too. Her victories have made her popular - a shade too popular for her employer's taste. Betrayed and left for dead,…
2
The Heroes
Book 2 · novel · 2011

Set over three days, "The Heroes"--the new novel by the author of "Best Served Cold"--is about violence and ambition, gruesome deaths and betrayals, and the brutal truth that no plan survives contact with the enemy.
3
Red Country
Book 3 · novel · 2012

"Abercrombie writes fantasy like no one else." - The Guardian They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is following. Shy South hoped to bury her bloody past and ride away smiling, but she'll have to sharpen…

trilogy · complete

The Age of Madness

A trilogy set in the world of The First Law during an age of industry, revolution, and political upheaval.

Series guide →

1
A Little Hatred
Book 1 · novel · 2019

From New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie comes the first book in a new blockbuster fantasy trilogy where the age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the…
2
The Trouble with Peace
Book 2 · novel · 2020

Despite the peace, unrest snakes through each layer of society, the Breakers still lurk in the shadows, and Orso struggles to find a path through the maze of politics.
3
The Wisdom of Crowds
Book 3 · novel · 2021

Chaos. Fury. Destruction. The Great Change is upon us . . . Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of…

trilogy · complete

The Shattered Sea

A Viking-inspired fantasy trilogy for young and adult readers.

Series guide →

1
Half a King
Book 1 · novel · 2014

Betrayed by his family and left for dead, prince Yarvi, reluctant heir to a divided kingdom, has vowed to reclaim a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the shattered sea itself - all…
2
Half the World
Book 2 · novel · 2015

Thorn Bathu was born to fight. But when she kills a boy in the training square she finds herself named a murderer. Fate places her life in the hands of the deep-cunning Father Yarvi as he sets out to cross half the world in search of…
3
Half a War
Book 3 · novel · 2015

"New York Times "bestselling author Joe Abercrombie delivers the stunning conclusion to the epic fantasy trilogy that began with "Half a King, "praised by George R. R. Martin as "a fast-paced tale of betrayal and revenge that grabbed me…

series · ongoing

The Devils

A fantasy series set in a magic-riddled Europe threatened by invading elves.

Series guide →

1
The Devils
Book 1 · novel · 2025

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The…
2
The Heretics
Book 2 · novel · 2027

A forthcoming sequel to The Devils.

Frequently asked questions about Joe Abercrombie

Where and when was Joe Abercrombie born, and what did he study?

Joe Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, England, on December 31, 1974. He studied psychology at Manchester University.

Source: joeabercrombie.com (opens in a new tab)

What did Joe Abercrombie do before becoming a successful novelist?

He worked in television post-production before becoming a freelance film editor. His editing work included documentaries, awards shows, music videos, and concerts.

Source: joeabercrombie.com (opens in a new tab)

Which writers and media influenced Joe Abercrombie’s fantasy?

He has cited J.R.R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Moorcock, and especially George R.R. Martin as important influences. He also credits history, noir fiction, films, and television with shaping his narrative and action style.

Source: joeabercrombie.com (opens in a new tab)

What awards has Joe Abercrombie been nominated for?

He was a 2008 finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, now known as the Astounding Award. The David Gemmell Awards also recorded multiple Best Novel nominations for his fantasy fiction.

Sources: thehugoawards.org (opens in a new tab)davidgemmell.com (opens in a new tab)

Why is Joe Abercrombie important to modern grimdark fantasy?

He is widely regarded as a leading voice in grimdark fantasy, known for combining cynical, violent settings with dark humor and moral complexity. His work helped establish that tone as a major strand of contemporary epic fantasy.

Source: theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)