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Sharp Ends

Stories from the World of The First Law
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( 25,571 ratings, 2,083 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie is a gripping collection of short stories set in the world of his First Law series. Filled with dark humour, intense action, and complex characters, this book offers new adventures and deepens the lore, making it a treat for fans and newcomers alike.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy gritty, action-packed fantasy with a blend of dark humour and complex characters. The stories offer a deep dive into the world of the First Law series, providing rich, interwoven tales of adventure and intrigue.

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A collection of short stories from The First Law universe

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Immerse yourself in the gritty, treacherous world of Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie, a masterful collection of short stories that delve into the nooks and crannies of the First Law universe, where violence and cunning reign supreme.

The Union army may be overrun with scoundrels, but there's one man, Colonel Sand dan Glokta, who arrogantly believes he can single-handedly stand against the Gurkish horde. His story is just a taste of the biting wit and brutal action that Sharp Ends offers.

Meanwhile, Curnden Craw and his band of misfit warriors are on a mission to retrieve a mysterious object from beyond the Crinna. The only hitch? No one actually knows what they're looking for, leading them into a quagmire of chaos and uncertainty.

In another part of Abercrombie's ruthless world, Shevedieh, who fancies herself the finest thief in Styria, finds herself stumbling from one calamity to the next, dragging along her best friend and worst foe, Javre, the unstoppable Lioness of Hoskopp. Their tale is one of irony and unexpected twists, as alliances and enmities blur.

Then there's Bethod, an idealistic chieftain worn out by years of relentless bloodshed. His one remaining obstacle to peace in the North is his own deranged and terrifying champion, the Bloody-Nine, a man whose very name strikes fear into the hearts of many.

Combine these riveting narratives with previously published award-winning tales and exclusive new stories, and you have Sharp Ends, a compelling compilation where words cut as sharply as swords and treachery lurks in every shadow. Abercrombie's rogue's gallery of characters will enthral both devoted fans and new readers alike, offering a deeper plunge into the caustic, captivating world of the First Law.

Prepare yourself for an onslaught of action, wit, and unexpected turns. With its explosive violence and intricate storytelling, Sharp Ends is an unmissable addition to the library of anyone who loves dark fantasy with razor-sharp edges.

Series: World of the First Law

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  • The Heroes
    In the frozen and unforgiving North, where might is right and power is wrested through sheer brutality, Black Dow has etched his name in blood and violence. Known as a man who has killed more foes than winter itself, he has ascended to the throne of the North by leaving a trail of skulls in his wake. But consolidation of...
    Paperback
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    (1)
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  • Sharp Ends
    Immerse yourself in the gritty, treacherous world of Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie, a masterful collection of short stories that delve into the nooks and crannies of the First Law universe, where violence and cunning reign supreme. The Union army may be overrun with scoundrels, but there's one man, Colonel Sand dan Glokta, who arrogantly believes he can single-handedly stand...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Best Served Cold
    In Best Served Cold, Joe Abercrombie crafts a gripping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and survival in a brutal, war-torn world. At its heart is Monza Murcatto, also known as the Snake of Talins, a ruthless and formidable mercenary who has earned the title of the most feared and respected warrior in the employ of Grand Duke Orso. Blood and victory...
    Paperback
    $2200
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    $2499
    In Stock
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  • Red Country
    They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is coming. Shy South tried to escape her brutal and bloody past, dreaming of a quiet life. However, when her family is taken from her, she realises she must resurrect her old, deadly skills to get them back. Determined and relentless, Shy sets off on a perilous journey,...
    Paperback
    $2100
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    In Stock
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  • Red Country
    THE PAST NEVER STAYS BURIED. They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is following. Shy South hoped to bury her bloody past and ride away smiling, but she'll have to sharpen up some bad old ways to get her family back, and she's not a woman to flinch from what needs doing. She sets off...
    Hardback
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  • The Heroes
    Three men. One battle. No Heroes. They say Black Dow's killed more men than winter, and clawed his way to the throne of the North up a hill of skulls. The King of the Union, ever a jealous neighbour, is not about to stand smiling by while he claws his way any higher. The orders have been given and the...
    Hardback
    $6000
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  • Best Served Cold
    Springtime in Styria. And that means war. There have been nineteen years of blood. The ruthless Grand Duke Orso is locked in a vicious struggle with the squabbling League of Eight, and between them they have bled the land white. While armies march, heads roll and cities burn, behind the scenes bankers, priests and older, darker powers play a deadly...
    Hardback
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie is highly praised for its twisted and darkly humorous storytelling. With remarkable writing, it's considered some of the finest epic fantasy work. The book highlights Abercrombie's position as a leading figure in modern British fantasy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780575104693

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 February 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Joe Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, England, studied psychology at Manchester University, and worked as an editor of documentaries and live music before his first book,Β The Blade Itself, was published in 2006. Two further instalments of the First Law trilogy,Β Before They Are Hanged, andΒ Last Argument of Kings, followed, along with three standalone books set in the same world:Β Best Served Cold, The HeroesΒ andΒ Red Country. He has also written the Shattered Sea trilogy for young adults, the Age of Madness trilogy for old adults, andΒ Sharp Ends, a collection of short stories. He lives in Bath, England, with his wife and three children.Β 

Also by Joe Abercrombie

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  • The Trouble With Peace
    CONSPIRACY. BETRAYAL. REBELLION. Peace is just another kind of battlefield... In a world where unrest spreads like a plague, The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie unveils the subtle and overt battles waged in the quest for power. This second instalment in the gripping Age of Madness trilogy plunges readers into a land on the cusp of transformation, where society...
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  • A Little Hatred
    WAR. POLITICS. REVOLUTION. THE AGE OF MADNESS HAS ARRIVED . . . In A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie, we are ushered into a world on the brink of an industrial revolution, where the old ways clash violently with the new. The novel sweeps us onto the battlefields of the North, where the next generation of would-be heroes struggle against...
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  • The Devils
    Europe stares into the abyss. Plague and famine stalk the land, monsters lurk in every shadow, and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions. Only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone. Sometimes, only the darkest paths lead towards the light. Paths on which the righteous will not dare to tread......
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  • The Age of Madness Trilogy
    From New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, the Age of Madness trilogy is a revered epic fantasy series where the age of the machine dawns, but the age of magic refuses to die. This box set contains the completed trilogy: A Little Hatred, The Trouble with Peace, and The Wisdom of Crowds. "A master of his craft." -- Forbes...
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  • Red Country
    They burned her home. They stole her brother and sister. But vengeance is coming. Shy South tried to escape her brutal and bloody past, dreaming of a quiet life. However, when her family is taken from her, she realises she must resurrect her old, deadly skills to get them back. Determined and relentless, Shy sets off on a perilous journey,...
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  • Tim's Pick
    The First Law Trilogy
    Embark on an enthralling journey into the heart of darkness with the First Law Trilogy, a captivating series by renowned author Joe Abercrombie. Delve into a world teetering on the edge of chaos, where sinister plots unfurl, ancient rivalries ignite with a vengeance, and the demarcation between hero and villain blurs to a perilous thin line. Through a labyrinth of...
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  • The Blade Itself
    The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie is a gripping and darkly humorous fantasy novel that plunges readers into a world of brutal conflicts and complex characters. Set in the war-torn land of The Union, this tale of cunning politics, intense battles, and vivid personalities weaves an unforgettable narrative that captivates from the first page. Inquisitor Glokta, the tormented and disfigured...
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  • The Wisdom of Crowds
    Concluding the AGE OF MADNESS trilogy, The Wisdom of Crowds brings the series which is revolutionising fantasy to its stunning conclusion... 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...
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  • The Heroes
    In the frozen and unforgiving North, where might is right and power is wrested through sheer brutality, Black Dow has etched his name in blood and violence. Known as a man who has killed more foes than winter itself, he has ascended to the throne of the North by leaving a trail of skulls in his wake. But consolidation of...
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    Elsewhere:
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  • Last Argument Of Kings
    Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie is a gripping and masterfully woven tale of conflict, ambition, and power. As the epic conclusion to the First Law Trilogy, this novel delves deep into the lives of its complex characters, each facing their own personal battles in a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Logen Ninefingers, known for his ferocity...
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  • Best Served Cold
    In Best Served Cold, Joe Abercrombie crafts a gripping tale of betrayal, vengeance, and survival in a brutal, war-torn world. At its heart is Monza Murcatto, also known as the Snake of Talins, a ruthless and formidable mercenary who has earned the title of the most feared and respected warrior in the employ of Grand Duke Orso. Blood and victory...
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    $2200
    Elsewhere:
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    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Last Argument Of Kings
    The end is coming. Logen Ninefingers might only have one more fight in him, but it's going to be a big one. Battle rages across the North, the King of the Northmen still stands firm, and there's only one man who can stop him: his oldest friend and his oldest enemy. It's past time for the Bloody-Nine to come home....
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