The Ninefingered Logen, notorious warrior of the North, finds himself in a dire position for the umpteenth time in his life. Surrounded by enemies and with his companions dead, he may be facing death for one last, fateful time. However, the dead will give him one final chance - for, it seems, someone still has plans for him whom they call the Bloody Nine.

Captain Jezal dan Luthar is perhaps the most self-centered young man of the Union. His sole ambition is to win glory and fame at the annual fencing competition. But a war is approaching - and in the frozen North, they fight by very different rules...

The Inquisitor Glokta, once a hero, former prisoner of war, and now a torturer, would take great pleasure in seeing Jezal dead. Of course, the truth is that Glokta hates everyone. His frantic search for traitors leaves him no room for friends - and the latest string of murders he is investigating might lead straight to the corrupt heart of the government... if he can manage to stay alive long enough to solve the case.

Finally, there is Bayaz, a cranky and particularly irritable old man. Is he truly the First of the Magi or a cunning charlatan? Whoever he ultimately is, the only sure thing is that he will make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta exceedingly more difficult...

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]