Master Glokta has a problem. How can you defend a city surrounded by enemies and riddled with traitors when your allies can't be trusted and your predecessor has vanished without a trace? This is enough to make the torture master want to escape - if only he could move without a cane.

The northerners poured across the border of England and bring fire and death across the frozen country. Crown Prince Ladislaus intends to push them back and win eternal glory. There's just one problem: he commands the most poorly armed, poorly trained, and poorly led army in the world.

And Bayaz, First of the Magi, leads a group of brave travelers on a dangerous mission through the ruins of the past. The most hated woman in the South, the most terrible man in the North and the most selfish guy in the Union form a strange alliance, but a deadly one. Perhaps they would even have a chance to save humanity from the eaters. If only they didn't hate each other so much.

Ancient secrets will be revealed. Bloody battles are won and lost. The worst enemies will be forgiven - but not before they are hanged.