Looks like the cover copy (what some call the blurb) for A Little Hatred is now out there:
“The chimneys of industry rise over Adua and the world seethes with new opportunities. But old scores run deep as ever.
On the blood-soaked borders of Angland, Leo dan Brock struggles to win fame on the battlefield, and defeat the marauding armies of Stour Nightfall. He hopes for help from the crown. But King Jezal’s son, the feckless Prince Orso, is a man who specialises in disappointments.
Savine dan Glokta – socialite, investor, and daughter of the most feared man in the Union – plans to claw her way to the top of the slag-heap of society by any means necessary. But the slums boil over with a rage that all the money in the world cannot control.
The age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. With the help of the mad hillwoman Isern-i-Phail, Rikke struggles to control the blessing, or the curse, of the Long Eye. Glimpsing the future is one thing, but with the guiding hand of the First of the Magi still pulling the strings, changing it will be quite another…”
Mmmmm, what fascinating hints of a world in flux, what intriguing names and situations, what tantalising mixtures of the new and the familiar. It looks as if there’s now a specific publication date as well: September 19th in the UK, and I would assume that date or close to it in the US, and possibly also in some translation markets. The audiobook will hopefully come simultaneously with the hardcover, read, I am told, by the incomparable Steven Pacey. The edited manuscript should be sent back in the next week or two and discussions about covers are well underway on both sides of the pond, so I would expect that date to be getting pretty firm, now. More news as I have it…
85 comments so far
You’ve said in previous posts that their would most likely be 6 pov characters, is this still the case and are all the characters here the povs
There are 7 main PoVs, four of whom are mentioned here…
It seems that Your Polish publisher has just started the preparations 🙂 Hardcover reedition of The Blade Itself is announced for January. Other books will follow.
Cannot wait, September seems so far away. Currently re-reading The First Law series, just finished BSC and can’t believe how much stuff I’d forgotten about.
Is there an actual name for the trilogy? Or are we sticking with The Second First Law Trilogy or The First Law Second Trilogy?
Joe, I’m so excited for the new trilogy. I know nothing about these characters and I can’t wait to meet them. Without revealing too much, do you think you could give us the ages of some of these new characters?
regarding the covers, would the new trilogy going to have a cover similar to the original covers or the “re-imagined”/2018 covers of the first trilogy?
James,
Savine and Orso are in their late 20s, Leo and Rikke 21 or so. The other three PoVs are older, ranging from early 30s to late 40s.
David,
The US version will be a development of the recent ink-spattered First Law covers. It’s looking like the UK covers will be a new approach – much though I love the parchmenty covers I think we’ve taken that look about as far as we can go, now. Time to try something new…
Rikke – he or she?
(is she Dogman’s daughter?)
Bydloman,
Rikke is the Dogman’s daughter, yes.
286 days to go…..
I hope there will be interim reveals of covers and other tasteful tidbits? I assume eventually there’ll be Sub Press editions?
Any chance of everyone’s favourite character being included? Late fourties sounds about right.
September 19. So close and yet so far.
Yesssss! Can’t wait! First Law is the best fantasy trilogy ever! Okay, Lord of the Rings is pretty good. But other than that…THE BEST.
Joe, with regard to the ages mentioned above, are you going slightly towards – if not the Young Adult market – then a less hard-bitten universe this time or will it be as visceral and cynical as ever? Is there going to be a Cosca, Glokta (the elder) or Logen stylee POV?
The older POVs, people we’ve met before?
will it be published in italy?
Steve,
Hopefully there will be Sub Press editions, but they usually follow up some time after the fact…
Inkognito,
If you mean Ninefingers, he’d be in his late 60s…
Etienne,
It’s the First Law world. As hard bitten and adult as ever, I’d say. The age ranges of the Points of View aren’t much different to the First Law, or Best Served Cold, or the Heroes. They certainly aren’t young adult characters like in Shattered Sea, which I’d think of more in the 15-19 age range. It may be that some of the central cast at least begin a bit less world weary, bitter and fucked up than in the First Law, but don’t worry, we’ll get them there…
Michael Mullen,
None of the central seven PoVs are people we’ve met before, though four of them are the sons or daughters of people we know very well, and many of those well known people feature significantly in the book as a result…
Nice to hear news about your new trilogy, I appreciate your works. Can you reveal the name of the trilogy, please? I think not only me, but everybody here would be glad.
Great news and I’m looking forward to all.
You are a great writer Mr. Abercrombie.
Sounds great, can’t wait for next september!
I was wondering, will we see more of the Old Empire in the next trilogy?
Hi,
Amazing, I’m so excited about this new saga !
Do you know if the French edition will be publish at the same time ?
Thanks for the news,
Theo
Glokta can have children? :Đž
Nicholas,
There probably will be a trilogy name but we haven’t settled on one yet. I was mostly thinking about titles book by book during the writing and thinking potentially we’d just talk about the whole thing as nine First Law books. But I do want new readers to feel they can start with this trilogy – there are obviously a lot of connections to previous books but I still think they can be read this way – so yeah, there probably will be a title for the trilogy in due course but we’re still thinking.
Baptiste,
This trilogy is very much centred on the North and the Union, with a bit of Styria.
Theo,
Part of the idea of getting these books all written well in advance of publication was the hope that translation editions could released as close to the English Language editions as possible. Translation’s still a time-consuming business though and the best translators often have a big backlog of work, so it’s not always possible. It’s really for the local publishers to say…
Stas,
Someone hasn’t been paying close attention…
This update really caved in my helmet, if you know what I mean.
Ribbing aside, I can’t wait for this. For me, the way you weave “recurring” characters between your stories is my favorite part of the continuing First Law series.
Teaser sounds terrific. Make it great, o author.
oh shit yes!
Cant even begin to express the excitement to return to that world
i understand it will focus mainly on the union and the north,but will we be able to see the gurskish and the ones left behind in the red country,they seemed like already they tinkered with some form of pre industrialization if i recall it
Cheers Joe
also, the type of young lady Savine turns out to be will be an interesting experiment on its own in terms of “nature vs nurture” 🙂 cannot wait! (but have to, and will, so… can?) awesome!
Im so hard now. Blue balls until september will be a challenge.
Hi Joe,
Could you be persuaded to say a little bit about the other 3 POV characters, such as name and a bit of background info?
Will Khalul and Gurkhish Empire take a bigger part in a new trilogy?
Okay Joe. You’ve sold me on it. I don’t need to know anything else. Glokta’s daughter? I’m buying *at least* three copies. I mean, I’m probably gonna just read this on my kindle, but I’m buying three physical copies, BECAUSE IT’S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MATTER.
Well worth the wait! I’ll buy both the hardcover and audiobook. Your words and the voice of Steven Pacey is a perfect brew!
Hi Joe, is there any chance my boy Shivers shows up? Curious to see what happened to him? Too vicious to die i hope…
Nicholas,
As I say, Union and the North are the focus this time around.
George,
Every chance, I’d say…
Hmmm, I wonder what the chances are of Stour Nightfall being the child of a certain MIA noblewoman?
September can’t come quick enough!
Cover copy sounds great Joe! Any chance this Stour Nightfall is any relation to one of our old friends Black Calder or Stranger Comes Knocking?
Many thanks Joe for taking the time to reply. Hugely looking forward to A Little Hatred.
Hi Joe, eagerly waiting any new content. You mentioned that Styria would take a smaller proportion and I was wondering what roles Jappo, Tee, Kande and Cas the junior would play in this game.
They are Styrian after all! Styrian are the best (or the worst depending on the point of view)!
Good to hear that things have reached the stage where dates are being set.
So is it going to be a yearly rollout from that point forward?
AJ,
There’s always a chance…
Alex,
At least one of those characters appears…
Neil Mullins,
Currently looking like a yearly schedule, with mass market releases coming in between each one. Any quicker than that and I’m not sure you’re getting the most of each release. Also it hopefully means I can make a lot of headway with whatever comes next…
If not in this book could we please please please get a little cameo form Drofd and Tunny they are the best. Maybe like in “Sharp Ends” or Drofd getting demoted on purpose.
Either way my main question:
Will we hear what happens to the characters we met in the other books and are not directly in this one like some news about an immortal crazy psycho bitch killing a lot of gurkish. Or some comments about what Sulfur is doing(If he doesn’t appear in the book). Or what the beautiful superior pike/raves is doing?
Can wait till September.
PS: Sorry for my bad English
Hey Joe,
Would you guys consider hiding the King’s name, Jezal, in the blurb…? cause it’s a big spoiler for readers that are just beginning in the series. Synchronously enough, I read this blurb right on the same day I got to the chapter when Jezal is made king in the third book, it’s such a twist! Enjoying the hell out of it, sir.
Best
“with whatever comes next…”
would you describe the new trilogy to be near the end of your first law stories, still the beginning or somewher in between? if you have already planned your career til retirement 🙂
First of all, congratulations.
Im from Spain and I have read all of your book twice, atleast!!
When do you think we can read A Little Hatred here in spanish language?
Felix
Hi Mr Abercrombie, big fan. I just wondered of you were planning to rotate any other characters in minor or major roles from your previous stories. Big fan of Tunny, Gorst, Finree, or even smaller characters like Sergeant/Lieutenant Forest or Javre and Shevediah. I assume you will as you’ve done so numerous times before. Any names you care to hint at?
I am so excited for these books! I have just begun my re-read/audiobook listen through the series. I love your character development and how some very minor characters become major characters later on! It makes me concentrate that much more on the little details.
Hello Joe. Huge fan, is there a movie or show where they do an approximation of the northern war cry? It just sounds like a pack of wolves in my head.
Florian,
You’ll certainly hear some hints about people who don’t appear.
Carlos,
You’ve always got a bit of a trade-off when you’re blurbing a sequel between spoiling people who never read those books, and implying continuity for those who have. The books we’re talking about came out over ten years ago now, if you can believe it. I guess that passes the statute of limitations for spoilers…?
Katzee,
I don’t really think of it that way. It’s a world full of people. I don’t necessarily see that having an ‘end’ any more than history in our world ‘ends’ with one great event or another. I think I could always come back, or not. Depends what else is going on…
Felix,
Spanish rights were sold way back so I expect the book will appear relatively close to the UK publication – depends on availability and speed of translation, though.
Owen,
I’d probably better not drop too much more information for now, but, yes, Tunny, Gorst, Finree, and Sergeant (now Colonel) Forest, all have significant roles.
Strangercomeknockin,
Who would know better than you, the Chief of a Thousand Tribes, what a Northern war cry sounds like…?
Hi Joe,
Since, as you mention, Gurkhul is not part of this new trilogy does that mean we won’t get any new information on Bayaz and Khalul’s feud? Things that happened when they were under Juvens or what they’re planning to do now?
Savine’s story has got me most intrigued. So many possibilities!
Dammit! You’ve now got me yearning to re-read everything.
What a teaser! ARRGH
Is there any chance that we learn more about Bedesh? He seems really interesting. Can’t remember if he died or just disappeared.
I think I’ve said enough for now…
I will civilise this comment section…
@Daniel I was also convinced the new trilogy would be the showdown between Bayaz and Khalul. You know, with Ferro in the mix and her cursed arm and al… But more butchery in the North (maybe even the UTMOST north) is welcome as well. Super looking forward to this Joe!!
the first of the magi is still around, of course
Hey Joe,
Very excited about the new books. Not sure if you are willing to give this away, but will you do much more world building in these books, of the more historical variety? For exanple all the good stuff with Euz and his sons? I get that it may not matter who killed who 1000 years ago, for the narrative, but I really did enjoy those parts in the second book.
Hi Joe,
Can I drop my suggestion that guys hide king Jezal’ name in the Blurb? You deceived us so carefully that it would be a shame to spoil it for readers who are still reading the first books. Coincidentally enough, I just read this blurb on the very same day I read this chapter in book three. Great stuff, sir.
@Quint: fairly certain that what happened to Bedesh is totally unknown / one of the big mysteries. You might even go as far as to hope that, if the first 3 out of 4 sons of Euz (Juvens, Kanedias and Glustrod) were covered in the first trilogy, Bedesh MIGHT have a bit of room for the second…
…in any case September 2019 can’t come any sooner. Part of me still can’t believe that we’re here, I was SO sure we wouldn’t be lucky enough to see the story continue after the first trilogy.
Thanks so much Joe!!
Does Savine take after after Jezal in, possibly, more than just looks?
Do you think some aspects of behavior can be hereditary?
I’d be curious to know what non-fiction you’ve been reading while planning and writing this trilogy.
Just because I’m always hungry for good stuff to read of course, not because I see it as a way to guess possible themes and plot directions this could take or anything like that!
I was convinced the new trilogy would be the showdown between Bayaz and Khalul. You know, with Ferro in the mix and her cursed arm and all… But more butchery in the North (maybe even the UTMOST north) is welcome as well. Super looking forward to this Joe!! Also, maybe a small suggestion: How about a book from the standpoint of Khalul?! Could be interesting right?
YAY! CAN’T WAIT!
Damn all, these books are taking way to long to publish! Sept 2019 can’t come soon enough.
Thank you for the update Joe!
So much looking forward to the next instalment
That sounds ace! But then, we knew it would!
Have you ever thought about putting your immense talents to use in the world of tabletop gaming? I’d love to blast around the Circle Of The World, smashing Shanka brains in as The Bloody Nine (if the dice permit…). That would be epic!
I can’t wait for these books. Joe is my favorite author. I’ve read all his books. His characters are the best in the business.
Looking forward to it, Joe. You have yet to disappoint.
I never thought exploding with excitement was a thing until I read this. Looking forward to it!
I can’t wait! First Law > ASOIAF
THANK YOU for sharing a tentative release date! I was concerned that I might not have enough time to finish reading the previous books again before the new ones drop.
Hurry please because I cannot wait, so glad to hear that Steven Pacey is narrating the audiobook.
Seems that my choice to read through The First Law and the rest in order (again) wasn’t such bad idea after all. Can’t wait to read this. Looking interesting.
Who would I have to torture, maim and kill to get my hands on an ARC? Just whisper the name and consider it done….
Thank you Joe! That a new 1st Law book is coming in September and it will be read by Steven Pacey gives me a reason to live. Hmmm – I think I’ll start listening to all the books again (for the fifth time) this spring…
Just reading the blurb brought a huge smile to my face during a depressing time in my life, nevermind reading the actual book. Really looking forward to September. Thanks Joe.
There may be snow on the ground now but I think this blurb was so hot that it has started a thaw.
Thank you Joe Abercrombie and Michael J. Sullivan for all the hours of good reading while I wait for George R.R. to Dance.
Joe your books rock!
any bastard children of a certain soldier of fortune would be welcome in this coming bloodbath
Fucking Bayaz..
you just mentioned that Savine dan Glokta(she) is a Jezal and Ardee’s daughter.( of course if Glokta didn’t recover from his infertility or they didn’t adopt another daughter). In the First Law Wiki is written that they had son, I doubt that someone mentioned his/her gender in trilogy. Glokta’s, Ardee’s Jezzal’s info shows that they are parents of the son.
https://firstlaw.fandom.com/wiki/Sand_dan_Glokta
https://firstlaw.fandom.com/wiki/Ardee_West
Joe, I am incredibly excited about your new books. I check your website regularly and it’s the first area of the bookstore I walk over to.
Will we get to see ‘Old Man Logen’? Maybe wielding a sword with a certain silver letter on it?
How about Ferro the Eater?
I am so jazzed about this book. Sometimes you take a chance on an author you’ve never heard of who wrote a book that you’re not sure about and it ones up changing the entire landscape of Epic Fantasy. At least for me. Thank you.
Hello Joe, any information about a portuguese (brazilian) translation of “A little hatred”?
Thank you!