Last Argument of Kings cover

Last Argument of Kings

The First Law • Book 3

by Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by Steven Pacey

4.59 ABR Score (225.4K ratings)
★ 4.37 Goodreads (204.4K) ★ 4.75 Audible (21.0K)
27h 4m Released 2015 Fantasy

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Abercrombie spent two books making you care about these broken people — Steven Pacey makes sure the payoff costs you something.

  • Great if you want: a grimdark finale that actually delivers on its promises
  • Listening experience: relentless and emotionally punishing — the final hours especially
  • Narration: Pacey's Glokta is one of the great audiobook performances in fantasy
  • Skip if: you need at least one character to stay uncorrupted

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About This Audiobook

War engulfs the North as Logen Ninefingers prepares for what may be his final confrontation with the King of the Northmen, an enemy who was once his closest ally. Meanwhile, in the Union, Superior Glokta wages a deadlier campaign through the shadowed corridors of power, wielding torture and blackmail as his weapons while nobles scramble for the dying king's crown. As peasant revolts threaten the realm's stability, Jezal dan Luthar finds himself reluctantly drawn back into conflicts he'd hoped to escape. The First of the Magi orchestrates events from behind the scenes, but his grand plan to save the world requires breaking the most fundamental magical law.

Steven Pacey delivers a tour de force performance that transforms Abercrombie's brutal fantasy into an immersive theatrical experience. His vocal range captures each character's distinct personality, from Logen's weary growl to Glokta's sardonic wheeze, while maintaining perfect clarity across the epic's sprawling cast. Pacey's pacing builds tension expertly through political intrigue and explosive battle sequences alike. His nuanced delivery amplifies the author's dark humor and moral complexity, making the audio format ideal for experiencing this gritty conclusion where traditional fantasy heroism crumbles under the weight of harsh reality.