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Sharp Ends

Sharp Ends

Dark FantasyFantasy
Pages
304
Published
2016
Language
English

Synopsis

A collection of twelve short stories set across the full timeline of the First Law world, from before the First Law Trilogy to after Red Country. Sand dan Glokta appears as a young, unbroken swordsman in "A Beautiful Bastard", before the torture that made him what he became. Curnden Craw and his dozen navigate a job gone wrong. Shevedieh — the self-styled best thief in Styria — and her terrifying companion Javre, the Lioness of Hoskopp, career through a series of increasingly disastrous capers. Friendly counts his way through violence.

The collection gathers stories previously published in anthologies and limited editions alongside several new pieces, making most of them widely available for the first time. Ideal for First Law veterans who want more time with the world and its characters — less essential as an entry point, since many stories assume familiarity with the novels. Rewards readers who already care about the people it returns to.

Prose complexity
5/10

Vibe

DarkGrittyFunnyAtmospheric
Morally GreyAnti-HeroBetrayalMultiple POVsHeist

Genres

Dark Fantasy Fantasy Adventure Contemporary Literature

About the author

J
Joe Abercrombie

Joe Abercrombie (born Joseph Edward Abercrombie, 31 December 1974 in Lancaster, Lancashire) is an English fantasy novelist. He was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and read psychology at the University of Manchester, then moved to London and joined a television post-production company before going freelance as a film editor, cutting documentaries, music videos and concert films. He began writing The First Law in 2002, and the trilogy — The Blade Itself (2006), Before They Are Hanged (...

Characters

Sand dan GloktaProtagonist

Appears in his youth as the Union's finest swordsman — before the war, the capture, and the torture that broke him.

ShevediehProtagonist

The best thief in Styria by her own account, repeatedly proven wrong by events.

JavreSupporting

The Lioness of Hoskopp — a woman of extraordinary violence and equally extraordinary stubbornness.

Curnden CrawSupporting

The last honest man in the North, trying to do right by his dozen in a world that makes honesty expensive.

FriendlySupporting

Former prisoner, counter of things, efficient killer who appears in multiple stories across the collection.

All characters in Sharp Ends

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to read other First Law books before Sharp Ends?

    Sharp Ends is a collection of short stories set in the First Law world, and while it can be enjoyed on its own, many stories feature characters and events that will be more impactful if you are already familiar with the main trilogy (The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Last Argument of Kings). Reading the trilogy first will enhance your understanding of the world and its inhabitants.

  • Does Sharp Ends introduce new characters or focus only on existing ones?

    This collection features a mix of both. You will encounter several beloved characters from the main First Law series, but it also introduces new perspectives and minor characters whose stories expand the lore and give a broader view of the world.

  • Do I need to read the First Law novels before Sharp Ends?

    It is strongly recommended. Many stories feature returning characters from the novels and assume familiarity with the world. A few stories work as standalone introductions to Abercrombie's tone, but the collection is designed for existing fans.

  • How many stories are in Sharp Ends?

    Twelve short stories of varying length, spanning the timeline from before the First Law Trilogy through the period of Red Country.

  • Are the Sharp Ends stories connected to each other?

    Some stories share characters — particularly the recurring Shevedieh and Javre series, and the Friendly appearances — but most are standalone pieces. The collection is not a novel in disguise; the stories work independently.

  • Which story in Sharp Ends is the best entry point?

    'A Beautiful Bastard' is a fan favourite — a prequel to the trilogy showing a young Sand dan Glokta at his peak. It works without prior knowledge and gives immediate context for who he becomes.

  • Is 'Tough Times All Over' in Sharp Ends the same as in Rogues?

    Yes — 'Tough Times All Over' was originally published in the George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois anthology Rogues (2014) and is reprinted here. It is one of the collection's most acclaimed stories.

  • Does Sharp Ends spoil anything from the main novels?

    Some stories reference events or character fates from the trilogy and standalones. Reading the First Law Trilogy and at least Best Served Cold before Sharp Ends is recommended to avoid spoilers.

  • Are there any characters new to Sharp Ends?

    Shevedieh (Shev) and Javre are the most prominent new characters, appearing in several connected stories across the collection. Both became reader favourites and are referenced in later First Law World books.

  • Does Sharp Ends have an overall narrative arc?

    No — it is a true anthology with no overarching plot. The stories are arranged to flow well together, but each is self-contained. The collection is best read in whatever order appeals.

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