Last Argument of Kings: Can a Man Change?

Rocks fall and everyone dies. That’s it. That’s the review. See you later, everyone.

Up to this point, I’ve really enjoyed the First Law trilogy! ‘The Blade Itself‘ was a fantastic introduction that hooked me on this world and its characters almost immediately. ‘Before They Are Hanged‘ further developed the cast, developing them into a truly intriguing and memorable collection of characters. Now, with ‘Last Argument of Kings,’ it all comes to an end. But is it a finale to celebrate? Or another disappointing dud?

It’s neither. This is basically the ending of Berserk ’97 if the manga didn’t exist.

Dark days have fallen upon the Union. Bayaz’s mission for the Seed has ended in failure, and the beleaguered party go their separate ways. Logen returns to the North to aide Collem West and the Dog-Man in the war against Bethod. Bayaz returns to the Council to plan against the coming darkness, and a vengeance-hungry Ferro remains reluctantly at his side. Jezal aims to settle down for a simple life, unaware of the grand and terrible fate the First of the Magi has in store for him. Meanwhile, the political noose around Glokta’s throat is growing tighter by the day. The time is fast approaching for the end. Is there any hope for the future of our heroes?

No. The answer is no.

This book is a bummer from beginning to end. Whenever you think things can’t get any worse, it immediately does. Nothing ever goes right for anyone at any point in this whole story. Just in case you forgot that this was a grimdark series.

Change is the central concept at the heart of this finale. But not in the happy, “Everyone can find redemption and change for the better,” kind of way. Rather, this explores the idea that people can’t change. That they shift the blame of their worst sins onto others in order to escape their guilt. It’s depressing, but it’s also a fascinating concept that re-contextualizes everything we thought we knew about the series up to this point. It makes you question your loyalty to the protagonists and wonder if you’ve been following the villains this entire time.

Bayaz is the strongest example by far. In the first two books, he was framed as your standard Gandalf-type wise old man with a dangerous temper. But this book pulls back the layers, revealing the First of the Magi for who he really is. It is a haunting transformation, like watching your kindly grandpa reveal tear a puppy’s head off.

Hope you’re not a fan of happy endings. Because there are none of those here. Things are worse off for our protagonists’ actions than they were when the series started! It genuinely makes you wonder; are we the baddies?

Yes. The answer to that question is yes. “Oh, but the bad guys eat people!” Yeah, and the good guys laugh at the idea of democracy and spread incurable plagues. Pick your poison.

‘Last Argument of Kings’ is a phenomenal finale to the ‘First Law’ trilogy. Dark and depressing, it made an impact on me that I won’t soon forget. With this, the trilogy has become cemented as one of my new favorite fantasy series.

Luckily for me, this isn’t the end! While this trilogy has ended, there are plenty more books set in this same world! In truth, I’m only a third of the way through!

Which means I have even more depression and horror to look forward to! Hooray! Thanks, Joe!