Recommended to read in publication order.
The First Law Trilogy aka The Original Trilogy
- The Blade Itself (TBI)
- Before They Are Hanged (BTAH)
- Last Argument of Kings (LAOK)
The Great Leveler aka The Standalones
- Best Served Cold (BSC)
- The Heroes (TH)
- Red Country (RC)
The Short Story Collection
• Sharp Ends (SE)
The Age of Madness Trilogy aka the New Trilogy
- A Little Hatred (ALH)
- The Trouble With Peace (TTWP)
- The Wisdom of Crowds (TWOC)
Remember, while it’s possible to start with the standalones or the Age of Madness trilogy, reading the First Law Trilogy first will provide you with a richer understanding of the world and its history. However, Abercrombie’s works are designed to be accessible even if you choose to start with a standalone novel.
The Shattered Sea Trilogy
Joe Abercrombie’s “Shattered Sea” trilogy is indeed another fantastic series to consider in his bibliography. While it exists separately from the world of the First Law and its related works, it’s worth mentioning as a standalone option.
You can read the Shattered Sea trilogy either before or after delving into Abercrombie’s other works. Some readers prefer to start with the First Law trilogy to get a taste of his writing style and then explore the Shattered Sea series.