Yes, yes, I know The Trouble With Peace only just came out a few weeks ago, but I’m in the process of finishing off The Wisdom of Crowds, the last book in the trilogy, and part of that has been getting the cover copy straight. Of course the book won’t be out until September 2021 – you can barely even preorder it yet in the US (though you might be able to in the UK) – but if your appetite should need whetting…
“Chaos. Fury. Destruction.
The Great Change is upon us . . .
Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds.
With nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption. Orso will find that when the world is turned upside down, no one is lower than a monarch. And in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out of allies . . . while Black Calder gathers his forces and plots his vengeance.
The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the Weaver’s ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together . . .”
Oooooooooooooh…
41 comments so far
I hope there is song of revolution. Not just a slogan to chant, but an actual song that the throngs of rioters sing. Just a few lyrics, Joe, if it pleases you.
AAARGH! I just finished The Trouble With Peace, and I’m on tenterhooks. Your books (and book series) never disappoint. I never thought you’d equal and/or surpass The First Law, but this is pretty much at the same level. Nothing is ever quite what it seems in your stories. Unpredictible doesn’t begin to cover it. So I have to wait a YEAR for the ending… Aaargh.
I’m hoping one of Rikke’s fathers old allies makes an appearance to help her out…
Love your work Joe!
Just copy Jan Foley’s comment, roll on September 2021!
Where’s 9 Fingers when we need him?
Can’t wait to see how you’ll follow up The Trouble with Peace. Judging by this, I’m looking forward to seeing what the First Law’s version of the National Razor is.
I’m curious to know what you changed after what happened in the real world some months ago. Something about riots, perhaps?
Why did you choose the new title, instead of The Beautiful Machine?
Now, if you don’t mind me asking, do you know what you will write after The Age Of Madness is done? Will you ever write a high fantasy world?
Terrifying!
But more analytically, if an underlying theme of the first trilogy is the downside—to understate it—of capitalism, this trilogy is beginning to feel like the downside of revolution. Really valid critiques! And timely.
The asides of a devoted fan: my sister and I have spent hours talking about how smart and good your books are. Also, we, both women in our thirties, love your female characters. As in, it is so effing refreshing to read women who feel so real and so respected as people by the author. It’s infuriatingly rare. Anyway, appreciation from us!
This is Rachel, Michele’s sister (above). Seconding her praise and appreciation! We have both gently and occasionally more aggressively recommended your books to friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers, and we love the audiobook marriage-made-in-heaven between you and Steven Pacey.
A message of hope, so ;))
Again, twists and turns. You think you got the thread then another twist.
Well done Joe
@Dan: Old Allies? That’d be like a Lamb to the slaughter, I reckon
Down with the BANKS!!!! Can’t wait for next year!
Sounds like it’s about time for a nine fingered northman to show up and correct the order of the world no?
That’s great Mr A – I met you at a signing at Waterstones, Leeds. years ago. I have always enjoyed your writing style and creativity….and I’m sure “The Wisdom of Crowds” will continue your legacy on
I wish they’d stop asking for Logen Ninefingers to return. He would be 60-70 years old. Although he was magical in some ways and there are other very long lived characters in the world of the First Law, it would be a bad kind of fan (dis)service.
I’m sure it also annoys the author to see fans keep going on about Ninefingers, like all the new characters aren’t good enough. Gunnar Broad is basically Logen, if you’re looking for a character that’s very good at fighting and is being consumed by rage and self-loathing.
Oooooooohhh, indeed. The political machinations in this series are so compelling, as are the twists and turns the story takes.
I loved meeting King Jappo, but my heart still longs for Monza to make an appearance, Even if just for one scene
Normally i am strictly fantasy(like dragons and magic and elves and such) but years ago my girlfriend had the first law trilogy so i picked it up. You are by far my favorite author in any genre and im constantly comparing events in my life to your books and using passages to help explain myself. Tyvm!
The best book yet!!! What a wild ride! Rikke is surprising and I suspect, and it’s not a genius leap, that Jappo is Caul Shivers’s son! I am desperate for the publication of The Wisdom if Crowds!!! Just keep Steven Pacey safe, I’m a listener!
We’ve had plenty of people almost stabbing themselves with their own arms, but when somebody almost shoots themselves with their own cannon, then will the revolution truly come full circle.
yasss
I almost wish I hadn’t read that now. I’m going to the hospital to see if they can put me in a medically-induced coma til September.
Your books don’t just hit the spot. They punch the spot in the gut and they keep punching it until they get a confession.
Your books are outstanding. Would just love to see a little more High Fantasy. “A Little Hatred” was your best by now and I do hope for a great finish next year when “The Age of Madness” comes to an end.
I can’t wait to see what Bayaz does. Yori Sulphur repeatedly said that his master would not be happy with what was going on.
By the Dead, that’s some appetite-whetter! I’ve heard it said that travellers lost in the desert must take such water as they are offered, but that’s only made the trek through the wastelands to September 2021 seem that much longer… And at my age you really shouldn’t be willing the clock to tick any faster.
What a tease. Damn it.
I keep thinking this thing is going to come down to Rikke vs Bayaz. I can’t wait for my daughter to be old enough to read Rikke’s tale.
Joe, do you get sick of reading your own fiction during the editing process? Or do you find it becomes more engaging as you whip it into shape?
In my opinion past time somebody optioned these novels to produce for TV or movies. Will probably be better than most of the stuff churning out of the studios and we know there is an appetite for this type of story.
Good end to the 2nd book totally did not see that coming. In this series I loved Orso I can relate to his monologues. By the dead wake me up when September *starts.
Joe – have loved reading your books. Some loose ends that need to be tied – as nooses?
Missed your most vengeful and brutal character in the last few books, except for some casual remarks on effectively changing the history of the entire continent of Kanta…., “Peace, Ferro”
As revolutions go – the pendulum on those seems to swing back and forth a couple of times before changes really make their mark ( Louis the 16th – Directorate – Napoleon 1 -Louis the 18th – Charles the 10th (there are 2 Jappo’s to choose from for you in those last two).
I would not mind a finale to the First Law world novels that features Logan, Monza, Ferro and Shivers to wrap-up the tale and finish off the only real bonifide bastard in your story – Bajaz. If he is the first letter of the ‘old’ alphabet someone should be the last?
Just wanted to say I love your work. You, sir, are a master of your craft. You make me weep (in a very manly fashion) on a sunny day, and grin like a maniac at 3:30 AM. You have made my life a little better for having lived vicariously through your words.
Just want to say how damned awesome you are for consistently putting quality books out only a year apart. As someone whose first real dive into the fantasy genre was the Kingkiller Chronicle “trilogy”, I can’t tell you how refreshing that really is. September can’t come soon enough for me!
I’m excited to see what the final chapter in this trilogy will bring.
Dumb question, but – have you ever officially discussed whether this is the last trilogy in this series?
In any case, I enjoyed The Trouble with Peace. I was somewhat on the fence reading A Little Hatred, but I’m definitely more interested in seeing how things play out for these new characters now.
Not gonna lie, a huge part of me yearns for some of that mythology and magic that were such a big part of the First Law trilogy; and I’m hoping that some of the talk by the Breakers/Burners about “throwing the gates open” will involve a bit of that.
But either way, there’s no question that I’ll be grabbing a copy of the final chapter to this trilogy as soon as it’s available.
Thanks for continuing to take us on this wild ride, and happy new year!
The last book was AWESOME. Almost all the old friends and foes showed up. Waiting for all the living magi to appear, of course, not only their “afterthoughts” like Yoru and Ishri (man, HER appearance was REALLY stylish and subtle. Had some suspiciouns that it would be her, due to her remarks about her Scripture teacher, who, by the nature of qoutes, could be no other than Khalul, but the scene with bondages was GREAT). Waiting till autumn!)))) You are one of the best writers in the genre!
Great books, very strong characters, and you seemed to keep it very Pc making people happy and smartly enough broadening your audience. Hopefully Orso, or one of the male characters will not be shown as a selfish retard like all the other men that were higher up on the social scale. Other than making the “white moles” the sorry cowards I really think you are a genius and being a white male that never shared any privilege I seemed to like Rikke/dogman/clover/Savine. Leo was made a cry baby, who had homophobic and racist ideas ( of course he’s white so he has to) but he could still have an interesting arch. Somebody mentioned capitalism above I think, the first law books are def not about capitalism. More like socialism, or caste systems, or better yet a dictatorship honestly. Being a history major I always enjoy reading people’s comments that are fairly ignorant of government and politics. Hopefully your last book will be as great as the others, and maybe not so politically aligned with the left in today’s politics
You never disappoint. These two books have been a pleasure to read. ATfP was fantastic. Nothing against aLH, which was also great but I wasn’t able to out down ATfP. I’m wondering if/when there will be a signed edition of TWoC? Thanks for your world and words Joe.
So I’d never read/listened to a single one of your books until September of last year. I’ve now had Steven Pacey tremendously deliver all 9 First Law books directly into my brain at high volume. I’m sadly starting to mutter things like “by the dead” in earshot of family members, who probably think I’m very odd while giving friends over Zoom such sage advice as “A man lost in the desert must take such water as he is offered”. What I’m suggesting is… I probably need a break. At the same moment I feel slightly lost without a conclusion!
TTWP has really left me with no idea what to expect from the final novel. Things are nicely poised, but could go in all sorts of directions. My only mild suspicion is a few characters from the original trilogy seem to have been disposed of with little fanfare or no explanation; this is probably only my desire, but a wider plot involving some of them overthrowing the real villain of the Saga would be a rather fitting end in my opinion.
Anyway… thanks for making this seemingly never-ending lockdown far more entertaining; I look forward to The Wisdom of Crowds and your future novels in other lands….
I have been reading for 50+ years and I have never been giddy in anticipation of an upcoming book.
Until now.
Damn you, Abercrombie, I’m a grown man!!!!!
We keep hearing about Bayaz and his problem with the other two members of his order in the West, I liked them both from what little we saw from them in the first trilogy, I hope the two of them make an appearance. And I hope there is more to whatever disagreement there is between Bayaz and them.
I burned through all your books in about 3 months. Not one has disappointed! Have you thought about going all the way back to the days of The Maker and telling an origin story of the time when Magic was still, very much in the world? Or even a Bloody Nine Origin story?
The Wisdom of Crowds is sadly not sold in Turkey. I’m still trying to find a way to purchase it. Haven’t been to your twitter nor any forums so I wouldn’t get spoilers but it’s getting tougher and tougher. I didn’t even read it yet but I’m confident it is a magnificent read. Much love from Turkey milord.