Only a few short years ago, the Kingdom of the Union triumphed in a war against bitter enemies to the south. But though the Union has never seemed more powerful, beneath the façade it is weak and corrupt. Ruling in place of the feeble-minded king, the Council is rife with schemers and traitors, while the bold new King of the Northmen skulks on their borders, threatening invasion.
Enmeshed in these difficulties are five mismatched figures: Logen Ninefingers, a barbarian warrior who lost his family, his village and his men in an ambush by the Northmen's semi-human Shanka. Captain Jezal dan Luthar, paragon of selfishness, who'd rather fleece his friends at cards than fight for glory in the fencing ring. Inquisitor Glokta, tormented torturer, whose latest trail of corpses may lead him to the rotten heart of government. Ferro, once a slave girl, now a slave to revenge, a ruthless killer whom fate has chosen for greater things. And the wizard Bayaz, who may be a fraud...or something far greater than anyone imagines.
As their paths inexorably converge, murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled...and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood.