Logen Ninefingers

Lore & Background

Logen Ninefingers is a warrior from the North who earned a fearsome reputation helping to bring Bethod to power. He has since fallen out with Bethod. After being attacked by Shanka creatures, Logen and his small crew of friends flee. Logen is separated from his crew and sets off on his own path. He meets Bayaz, a powerful centuries-old Magus, who enlists Logen's help in accompanying him to Adua. Logen returns to the North and kills Bethod, becoming the new leader of the Northmen—though he does not take the title of king. Later, he aids the Union in the Battle of Adua, but the formal treaty (the 'Peace of Adua') is negotiated by others after he leaves. At the end of the book, Logen fights Black Dow and wins, then leaves the North; the cliff fall occurs earlier during his escape from the Shanka.

In Their Own Story

Logen Ninefingers is a warrior from the North who earned a fearsome reputation helping to bring Bethod to power. He has since fallen out with Bethod. After being attacked by Shanka creatures, Logen and his small crew of friends flee. Logen is separated from his crew and sets off on his own path. He meets Bayaz, a powerful centuries-old Magus, who enlists Logen's help in accompanying him to Adua. Logen returns to the North, kills Bethod and becomes the new king. Later, he sets out to aid the Union and a treaty is forged between the Union and the North. At the end of the book, Logen returns to the North, but is betrayed by Black Dow who becomes king.

Reader's Guide

Logen Ninefingers is a warrior from the North who earned a fearsome reputation helping to bring Bethod to power. He has since fallen out with Bethod. After being attacked by Shanka creatures, Logen and his small crew of friends flee. Logen is separated from his crew and sets off on his own path. He meets Bayaz, a powerful centuries-old Magus, who enlists Logen's help in accompanying him to Adua. Logen returns to the North, kills Bethod and becomes the new king. Later, he sets out to aid the Union and a treaty is forged between the Union and the North. At the end of the book, Logen returns to the North, but is betrayed by Black Dow who becomes king.

Did You Know?

• Logen Ninefingers earned a fearsome reputation helping to bring Bethod to power in the North.
• Logen is separated from his crew after an attack by Shanka creatures.
• Logen meets Bayaz, a powerful centuries-old Magus, who enlists his help.
• Logen kills Bethod and becomes the new leader of the Northmen, but does not take the title of king.
• Logen fights Black Dow and wins, then leaves the North; the cliff fall occurs earlier during his escape from the Shanka.

The Warrior's Redemption Arc

Logen Ninefingers is a warrior from the North who earned a fearsome reputation helping to bring Bethod to power. He has since fallen out with Bethod. After being attacked by Shanka creatures, Logen and his small crew of friends flee. Logen is separated from his crew and sets off on his own path. He meets Bayaz, a powerful centuries-old Magus, who enlists Logen's help in accompanying him to Adua. Logen returns to the North, kills Bethod and becomes the new king. Later, he sets out to aid the Union and a treaty is forged between the Union and the North. At the end of the book, Logen returns to the North, but is betrayed by Black Dow who becomes king.

Geopolitical Landscape and Conflict

The plot of the original trilogy involves three major powers: The Union, the Gurkish Empire, and the North, recently united under King Bethod. There are two major theaters of war. The first takes place in the north between the Union and the Northmen, who invade the Union's northern province of Angland. The second is in the south between the Union and the Gurkish Empire, who attempt to annex the Union city of Dagoska. The trilogy centers on the fortunes of a variety of characters as they navigate through these and other conflicts.

The Role of Magic and Ancient Laws

Magic still exists, which relies on connections to the Other Side, where the Demons live. However, Euz left behind the First Law: 'It is forbidden to touch the Other Side directly.' The title of the original trilogy is a reference to a law put forth by the legendary half-Demon Euz from the series, which stated, 'It is forbidden to touch the Other Side direct,' the Other Side being the realm of Demons, from which magic power derives.

Publication History and Adaptations

The First Law is a fantasy series written by British author Joe Abercrombie. The First Law is the title of the original trilogy in the series, but is also used to refer to the series as a whole. The full series consists of a trilogy, three stand-alone novels, short stories, and a second trilogy, titled The Age of Madness, of which the third book was published in September 2021. As of 2023, a film adaptation of Best Served Cold from Skydance Media is in pre-production, with Tim Miller attached to direct. Abercrombie wrote the screenplay and Rebecca Ferguson is set to star as Monza Murcatto.