r/bookclub • u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 • Feb 27 '25
First Law [Discussion] Bonus Read - The Last Argument Of Kings by Joe Abercrombie (Book 3 of The First Law Trilogy)
“Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.”
Hello, readers! Welcome to the FIRST check in for The Last Argument of Kings, Book 3 in The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. This week we are discussing the Beginning through A Ragged Multitude (Chapter 10)!
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Enjoy the section and the discussion questions. Hope you all enjoy this book!
Rogue
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
How has Dogman been performing in his time as chief?
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
He seems to be doing pretty well! Especially with seizing that town at the beginning, he's being as merciful as he can be in the situation. I'm glad he's staying chief with Logen rejoining the party.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 13 '25
I really appreciated how Logen respected Dogman's new position as leader instead of assuming things would automatically revert to their original state. We didn't really get to see their dynamic as a group with Logen, but I assume this shows some growth on his part.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 Mar 14 '25
Is it growth from Logen? It seems like he was always a reluctant leader and is quite happy to be less in charge. At least as long as he mildly supports the person he follows.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 14 '25
That's true, and he didn't push to be in charge on the mission with Bayaz. I guess I just expected him to be mad that he wasn't being welcomed back to his same role in the group, like he'd been replaced or rejected. But it's possible he didn't tie the leadership to his identity that much.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I'm glad he's staying chief with Logen rejoining the party.
Me too. It makes me like both Dogman and Logen more. Dogman because I underestimated him (and who doesn't like an underdog!) and Logen because ....well could he be any more wholesome... I mean.... for a murderous soldier who suffers from blackouts during which he seems to rampage savagely... that is (seriously though Logen is my fave!)
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u/Kas_Bent Team Overcommitted Jul 07 '25
I think he's been doing fairly well, though he's not comfortable with the mantle of leadership (for me, that's why he's been doing so well). It seems like the men respect him and he doesn't come with quite the baggage that Ninefingers does.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
If there is something you want to discuss that I missed, feel free to post it here!
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Feb 27 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
Bayaz is proving to be a master manipulator. He's been pushing Jezal into uncomfortable situations to induce changes in him, and now he's in full puppet mode.
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
Most definitely, what's his goal with Jezal I wonder?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Mar 02 '25
Lol, oops I meant to write Jezal, your comment made me realize it.
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
Lol I must have read your mind cuz I didn't even realize you didn't write Jezal!
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u/SneakySnam Endless TBR Mar 13 '25
This chapter made me wonder if Jezal has something about him that is somehow easier to work his magic with! Because besides this episode, the only real time we’ve seen him do this was at the Contest (unless I have forgotten some details).
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
For some reason most of the Northmen have gained Scottish accents when I read their dialogue lol
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Thoughts on where our characters are by the end of this section?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 13 '25
Ferro has sort of drifted away. I hope we get more action from her soon!
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 Mar 14 '25
I'm hopeful for her to reappear as well! Given the lack of ships heading to Kanta I expect she'll be stuck in Adua for long enough that she gets roped into a scheme or fight soon enough!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I was really sad when she and Logen parted ways. They are an odd pairing but I am rooting for them
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u/Kas_Bent Team Overcommitted Jul 07 '25
I really want her to join up with the Northmen and just go absolutely savage on the opposition. I can see her just dominating Dogman and co and leading them into battle. I want her to have her own little band of insane warriors.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 Mar 14 '25
How on earth has Quai already become even more suspicious?! He mentions that's he's only sticking around in his non-free state for vengeance. Who is this vengeance against? Could it be Bayaz?
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
What do you think the beginning quote has to do with the story?
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u/SneakySnam Endless TBR Mar 13 '25
Most everyone in this story has had some tribulations, and i think it’s shaping up to be a revenge story. Logen against Bethod, Ferro against the Gurkish, Bayaz ???, Quai ???, and Glokta against, well, nearly everyone as far as I can tell.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Where do we find Superior Glokta at the beginning of the novel? What schemes is he up to now? And at whose order?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Feb 27 '25
I didn't expect Sult to be making a power grab and going for King. Glotka seems pretty dedicated to that, maybe because he'd likely take over Sult's position then.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
maybe because he'd likely take over Sult's position then.
Ohhhh interesting theory. I realise now that I have no idea what Glokta's end game actually is. He is a well behaved weapon, but what drives him beyond obeying orders is not something I have much comtemolated (or if I have I don't recall from the 1st 2 books right now)
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
How has Jezal changed since we met him in the first novel?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Feb 27 '25 edited Feb 27 '25
Well, he's a decent human being, no longer the narcissist that he was. I was worried that once home he'd drop back into the old routine and the old Jezal would come back, but with everyone at war, he seems to be solidifying his changes
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 28 '25
That confrontation with Glokta really showed his growth. Even Glokta comments on it.
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
He's definitely changed for the better, but he's still got some of his self centered reasoning, like how he felt more upset that the beggar was being beaten where he had to see it instead of being upset at the injustice of the act itself.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
Hmmm this is a good point. Maybe I had been too hopeful that he had really come a long way. Is it only surface growth? A temporary thing? Or the start of actual tangible change?
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 13 '25
Jezal has really learned to consider others' needs and feelings (and heck, to even recognize these things exist was probably growth for him). He is still Jezal, keeping some of his essence where he worries over his appearance and reputation, but his interactions with both Ardee and the beggar demonstrated a new ability to look beyond his own immediate needs and desires. It does sometimes perplex him as to why he does this or feels this way, it seems, but the growth is there.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
How are Logen and Ferro after their long boat ride?
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u/nepbug Buried in Bonus Books Feb 27 '25
It might just be the perspective the story is being told from, but it seems like Ferro is the part of the relationship that is doing the most sabotaging, though Logen isn't exactly fighting for it.
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 Mar 14 '25
Based off that first chapter, they are firmly not Logen and Ferro. Ferro seems to the driving force there as well. Logen doesn't appear to be opposed to more time together though doesn't make any strong statements. Probably a good choice as Ferro would immediately run for the hills.
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I just mentioned elsewhere that I'm sad they've gone their seperate ways. I, weirdly, want them to be some sort of emotionally detatched couple together forever
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Were you expecting the quest of Logen, Bayaz and the others to end the way it seems to have with coming back to where they started?
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u/Endtimes_Nil Too Many Books Too Little Reading Time Mar 02 '25
Yes, after the end of the last book there didn't seem much else for them to do but return. I suppose they could have gone questing for something else, but it feels more in line with this story's style to have it be a total loss.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 13 '25
it feels more in line with this story's style to have it be a total loss.
Well said! It's something I'm still getting used to about these books because I keep expecting them to heroically accomplish something but it does appear to be more about the struggle. No complaints here, just a mental adjustment compared to the tropes I would expect to find!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I have never before read a book where the whole mission was pointless and everyone just goes off their own way amd been ok with it. It spraks volumes for Abercrombie's writing. Can you imagine giving a plot summary to people. So half the characters achieve nothing and it was all pointless and thats the whole book but it's really good lol.
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u/tomesandtea Viceroy of Verity | 🐉🧠 Mar 24 '25
Yep, it's really hard to explain, but I think they're great books despite the fact that I'm not sure if anything is actually happening other than war. Maybe that's the point, or maybe we'll get an amazing reveal at the end where all the pieces fall into place. I feel like anything could happen!
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
Yesssss. I am enthralled by this nothing and the mystery is compelling. Character building is also on point. I would definitely love a wild twist though
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Thoughts on this first section?
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
It is good to be back! I think I love these books more with each one we read. Abercrombie is a phenomenal storyteller. I am well hooked
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Any favorite moments, quotes etc?
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I just loved the moment that Logen learns Dogman is in charge. Both because we then know they'll be reunited and because his reaction was just perfect. In fact everyone was so pleased to see Logen again (well not everyone unsurprisingly dismembering one's father is not endearing).
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Where do we find Dogman and the band of Northmen who fight against Bethod at the beginning of the novel?
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u/Fulares 📚Bookclub Boffin📚 Mar 14 '25
Honestly seems like they're single handedly the reason this war is going moderately well. Taking that port was a huge win for Adua and they desperately needed it based on the previous book. I'm predicting that if Bethod is beaten by the end, the Northmen will have been key.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
How is Colonel West doing after the craziness of the previous novel?
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u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 Mar 24 '25
I find myself caring the least about West because he is a POS and I'd much rather be with any other character. I wonder what role he'll have this time.....
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u/Kas_Bent Team Overcommitted Jul 07 '25
Ugh same. I haven't forgiven his actions in the second book regarding Ardee and he would have to have a really strong change of character for me to care about him.
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
What have Logen and the group been doing since the previous novel?
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u/NightAngelRogue Dungeon Crawler Rogue | 🐉 Feb 27 '25
Theory time! This is the beginning section. Where does the story go from here?