It’s been years in the making, and you’ve all been so patient! It gives me great pleasure to release the production details of the third and final book of Joe Abercrombie’s “First Law Trilogy”, lovingly published by Curious King. We had the honour of Greg Manchess illustrating the final book, and it’s a huge moment for the press to finish a series.
The plan was to release this earlier in the year, but we didn’t want to open the rights window until all Before They are Hanged copies had been shipped, which they now have!
That aside, I’m pleased as punch to release the full details of Joe Abercrombie’s Last Argument of Kings. Following on from the first two, we have three tiers, the Standard, Deluxe and Lettered. Each book is signed by both artist and author.
Conceptually, it made sense to utilise the crown and sceptre for LAOK due to one of the key storylines, as this book revolves around the third principle character Jezal Dan Luthar.
Unfortunately I’ve had to increase prices on this which really pains me to do. This is down to huge increases in paper and printing costs since I started the series in 2022 (it was a much different world back then). LAOK is huge at 560 pages and has 60 (!!!) pages of second colour letterpress printing (to match the first two). That’s a 30% increase in paper, printing and labour before you factor in price rises. Books this size printed two colour letterpress printed are so expensive to publish. I have taken the brunt of the increases, but have still had to increase them a portion.
For future Abercrombie works I have some ideas about keeping the price reasonable, as I’ve been trying to reduce my retail prices, not increase them. Doing a larger run of the standalone’s would help (more Standard and Deluxe) keep the price down. Also I could have the text letterpress printed and any second colour printed offset potentially too.
Right, on to the third book in The First Law!
Joe Abercrombie
What can I say about Joe Abercrombie that I haven’t already said? The good news is that I never tire of reiterating my praise and respect for Joe, not only as one of the best fantasy authors living, but as one of the most genuine and pleasant authors in the business. Without Joe, Curious King wouldn’t be where it is today, and we’ll never forget that.
Joe Abercrombie stands out as one of the best due to his masterful blend of gritty realism, complex characters, and razor-sharp prose that redefined the genre. His “First Law” series and its successors showcase a world where moral ambiguity reigns, heroes are flawed, and violence is unflinchingly vivid, earning him the title “Lord Grimdark.” Abercrombie’s ability to craft deeply human characters—antiheroes like Logen Ninefingers and cunning schemers like Glokta—brings a raw emotional depth that resonates with readers. His dark humor and knack for subverting traditional fantasy tropes further elevate his work, offering a fresh, cynical perspective that contrasts with the often idealized narratives of the genre. With a career spanning two decades and a growing legacy, Abercrombie’s storytelling prowess continues to captivate and challenge fans, securing his place among fantasy’s elite.
Art
We have a living legend working on the third and final book of this series. Greg Manchess needs no introduction. He is one of the most revered painters in publishing and has not just maintained great work, he continues to improve to this day. For those who don’t have an insight into how these artists plan, prepare, and produce their work, they won’t be aware at just how good and quick Greg is when he gets going on a project. What some do in months, Greg can do in weeks. Oh yes, and it’s all oils. A very unforgiving medium, but Greg makes it look easy.
Greg is producing 9 colour paintings and a B&W line drawing for this edition.
Finishing off the trio of dustjackets, the brief was to focus on the third principal character Jezal Dan Luthar as this is his book to shine. Greg recently turned in his draft of the dustjacket and it’s looking phenomenal!
We have had some amendments done by Greg after we shot the Standard Edition, so the dustjacket in the prototype shots is out of date, and we’ve had a mockup made of the front. The current version of the dustjacket image in it’s current state is just below, and what a powerful picture it is!
Standard Edition
Limited to 500 copies only, the standard edition is 560 pages, printed letterpress two colours (black and blue) on Omnia Natural 120gsm by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills from Nomad Letterpress on their Heidelberg Windmill Press.
This is the only version that comes with Greg’s dustjacket of Jezal Dan Luthar and Bayaz. It is bound in black buckram cloth with two hit foil stamping to the cover and spine, with rounded spine, tailband and coloured ribbon.
The endpaper will be a printed landscape illustration by Greg Manchess, and there will be another 7 colour images within the book, 6 interior images and 1 frontispiece.
The book is protected by a black buckram slipcase with unique design foil stamped onto the cover side.
This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.
Pre-Order Price – £235
Published Price – £255
Deluxe Edition
Limited to 150 copies only. The numbered edition is 560 pages printed letterpress two colours on Omnia Natural 120gsm paper by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills at Nomad Press.
Bound in a matching blue goatskin and handbound by the artisan’s at Ludlow’s Bookbinders and sporting a Crown and Sceptre design with three-pass foil stamping on the cover, spine and back.
The tailbands and ribbon will be the same as book 1 and 2 and we’re carrying on the blood spattered topedge as it just feels right. This design has been worked up alongside the first 2 to ensure they flow.
As with the Standard Edition, this book comes will an illustrated endpaper Greg Manchess and a further 7 tipped in plates (including a frontispiece).
Housed in a curved mauve cloth slipcase with the Crown and Sceptre design foil stamped across all three sides.
This book comes with rights to Best Served Cold and any future Abercrombie works we take on following this release.
This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.
Pre-Order Price: £600
Published Price: £635
Lettered Edition
Limited to just 26 editions and printed two colour letterpress on Magnani Mouldmade 130gsm paper by Pat Randle and Ellen Bills at Nomad Letterpress, this edition features unique bindings, case and title setting.
Bound in finest Harmatan black goat with blue leather onlays on the front, back and spine with three colours of foil stamping. It includes 4 raised bands, rounded spine, coloured headbands and all 3 edges gilded gold.
As with the previous editions there will be 7 tipped in pieces of art (including a frontispiece). The lettered also comes with a new unque marbled endpaper and foldout piece of art (the illustrated endpaper used in the other two editions).
It’s housed in a black and blue leather solander box with a rounded spine, and blind stamped cross hatching across the front and back covers. There are also 3 hits of foil stamping on the leather covering and inside is lined with a sumptuous dark blue suedel.
The Lettered Edition also comes with a matching portfolio which includes 10 prints selected from all three books illustrations. No images of the prototype yet, but this will follow soon.
This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.
Pre-Order Price: £2250
Published Price: £2350
