The Blade Itself

, #1

Paperback, 544 pages

English language

Published March 7, 2007 by Gollancz.

ISBN:
978-0-575-07979-3
Copied ISBN!

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (158 reviews)

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he’s on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long …

3 editions

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Had to admit to myself once again that a fantasy book was not working for me - and such a well loved one at that. :’)

I liked Jezal and Glokta’s POVs well enough. I felt like they had a lot of potential for growth. Logen, though - he suffered the Eddard/Jon of GoT problem. Generic honorable man is just not that interesting, dark past or not. I didn’t get to the fourth POV because I DNFed at 25%.

The main reason I DNFed is because I was bored. ☺️ Nothing was happening that I cared much about, and what was there honestly felt a bit simplistic. Also - this is grimdark? GoT, Realm of the Elderlings, She Who Became the Sun, and Winds of the Forelands are all darker. There’s humor in this that really screws up the grim vibe.

I was also kind of stunned that there wasn’t …

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Wow, this ended up really surprising me. I walked into this book having heard some of the more common criticisms, namely the almost complete lack of plot. I'm more of a character reader myself, so I wasn't terribly worried. But even though interesting character work is important to me as a reader, I also really REALLY don't like it when the first book of a series exists solely as an introduction without its own story to lean on, so I started this off This book expecting to be really critical of that. However I knew that Abercrombie's character work was very well regarded, so I was curious to see how that tension panned out. And I have to admit, the characters won me over hard.

We follow several different POV characters as they move about their own individual adventures without any real consistent through line or story. There are hints …

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Not boring, but not much happens. It's not a story that stands on its own. It doesn't have an ending. Though the last couple of chapters finally saw some kind of progression. You really have to go on to book 2, otherwise you don't really have a story.

The characters are great, though. Not a lot of world building. I sure hope it improves in the next books.

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

4.3 stars. This book and author is so underrated and forgotten on the fantasy shelves. Incredible book and writing style, you are hooked from the first page and are never bored. Some say there are too many characters ala GoT, but thats not true at all. A must read book that I cant wait to see the rest of the journey of!

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Enjoyable but feels too much like setup

3 stars

The First Law series has been recommended to me for a long time, and I finally decided to dive in. Abercrombie's reputation as a great character writer is well deserved, but the first book in the series is a bit light on plot. I will continue with the rest of the series, as I've heard that the plot gets better after the first entry.

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

It's hard to write good fantasy that manages to be deeply cynical in a way that feels realistic rather than grimdark; this book hits the mark with aplomb. Interesting characters, and the writing manages to communicate their POV and worldview not just by describing their thoughts, but through what they say and do. A very enjoyable read.

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Stop me if you heard this one before: a long forgotten but powerful mage, a fencing pretty boy from high society, and a rugged brute have their fates intertwined as a larger and more sinister plot threaten the country.

What could have been a boring and trite story was anything but. Abercrombie avoided a rehash of a familiar story by having distinct and interesting characters and a narrative that moved along quickly. From the first chapter I was hooked and my enjoyment of the story never let up. Just as I abandoned a previous fantasy series I wondered if I needed to take a break but Abercrombie proves that a simple story concept doesn't have to be boring.

Each character/POV has their own struggles and interesting backstory that you never feel tired and you find yourself rooting for some pretty unlikable people (a famed swordsman turned torturer). The story has …

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Really great, but too short! It ends just as it's getting going.

I enjoyed Abercrombie's range in writing the different perspectives - each voice came through distinctly, even if the plot was just getting started. It was a bit refreshing that the novel stays exciting despite any big payoff.



reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I enjoyed the setting and the unorthodox characters. The action sequences are very clear and exciting. the contrast between the points of view and the Union vs the North etc. is well portrayed. I found Logen and Glokta most interesting. Even thought this has a reputation for being the grimmest, darkest fantasy out there, I found the writing style and humour kept it (oddly) lighter in tone than other so-called dark fantasy that I have read.

It would be nice if more stuff happened a little quicker though and it feels like the whole book is just there to setup what comes later. As I had all books to hand this wasn't a problem for me.

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

It's a long book and it just serves to introduce some characters and part of a fantasy world. Nothing much happens in this one, but I expect the story will unfold in the next two books, which I don't intend to read. (I'm interested in what happens though. I'll try to find some spoilers.)

It tries hard to be original in the characters and the setting, but somehow it didn't work for me. If I just look at the character traits, like a crippled inquisitor who used to be a favored, handsome young man, it all sounds interesting. But then they still manage to come out two-dimensional, nothing more than the sum of these traits. The characters don't come alive.

One part where the book surprisingly excels is humor. It's supposed to be this dark, gritty fantasy epic, but I found myself chuckling several times. The characters may not be …

reviewed The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (The First Law, #1)

Review of 'The Blade Itself' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A great series start! I'm about half way through [b:Before They Are Hanged|902715|Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1179318094s/902715.jpg|2116927] now and still having a blast! There's pretty good character and world building, and the author hasn't been shoving your nose along the plot; instead leaving you to infer.

avatar for aandnota

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Davercade

rated it

4 stars
avatar for pjmyburg

rated it

3 stars
avatar for selykg

rated it

2 stars
avatar for samullen

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Aardinkvis

rated it

4 stars
avatar for buu709

rated it

3 stars
avatar for tempse

rated it

4 stars
avatar for salvage

rated it

5 stars
avatar for tesserato

rated it

4 stars
avatar for kergoth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Keeh

rated it

4 stars
avatar for anndra

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Daylight

rated it

5 stars
avatar for curzon

rated it

5 stars
avatar for xavierroy

rated it

4 stars
avatar for unsquare

rated it

5 stars
avatar for joejoh

rated it

2 stars
avatar for nic

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Mollarom

rated it

4 stars
avatar for arclight

rated it

5 stars
avatar for paulralph

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Solysto

rated it

3 stars
avatar for dodgerwa

rated it

3 stars
avatar for 73pctGeek

rated it

3 stars
avatar for chrismaler

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Coalford

rated it

5 stars
avatar for tremain

rated it

5 stars
avatar for johnke

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Wyatt

rated it

4 stars
avatar for CSND

rated it

3 stars
avatar for satyajit

rated it

4 stars
avatar for WonkoTheSane

rated it

5 stars
avatar for spiralmind

rated it

3 stars
avatar for cerieshunter

rated it

4 stars
avatar for claracd

rated it

3 stars
avatar for dragna

rated it

5 stars
avatar for courts

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Shahnoor

rated it

5 stars
avatar for turmacar

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Ghalidrim

rated it

4 stars
avatar for slowline

rated it

5 stars
avatar for arnoud999

rated it

4 stars
avatar for wicud

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cogmer

rated it

4 stars
avatar for AnotherFelix

rated it

4 stars
avatar for m4cb3th

rated it

4 stars
avatar for greystar

rated it

4 stars
avatar for future_will

rated it

3 stars
avatar for yashima

rated it

4 stars
avatar for gtco

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Turtle4233

rated it

5 stars
avatar for JuniperusVox

rated it

3 stars
avatar for CapnJazzHandz

rated it

5 stars
avatar for srypher

rated it

5 stars
avatar for OffbeatPulse

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Rand

rated it

4 stars
avatar for thrickles

rated it

3 stars
avatar for Silent-Rob

rated it

3 stars
avatar for fryguy451

rated it

4 stars
avatar for gizmo404

rated it

4 stars
avatar for iamd3vil

rated it

5 stars
avatar for CasualReader

rated it

5 stars
avatar for dev_tea

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Jorn

rated it

4 stars
avatar for cwzp

rated it

4 stars
avatar for rremizov

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Jaldert

rated it

2 stars
avatar for deathgrindfreak

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hamish

rated it

5 stars
avatar for pneuma

rated it

4 stars
avatar for princeofspace

rated it

4 stars
avatar for retro198908

rated it

4 stars
avatar for bhargav

rated it

5 stars
avatar for karlhungus

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Fantpmas

rated it

4 stars
avatar for ghostchaser

rated it

3 stars
avatar for ntavish

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Eyeshine

rated it

4 stars
avatar for grislyeye

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Nachtfalke

rated it

5 stars
avatar for robhedges

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Psvensson

rated it

2 stars
avatar for annyreading

rated it

4 stars
avatar for tcgoetz

rated it

4 stars
avatar for jhaase

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Shtakser

rated it

4 stars
avatar for alma_de_cantaro

rated it

3 stars
avatar for CharlesCrow

rated it

3 stars
avatar for piotr

rated it

4 stars
avatar for rleyton

rated it

5 stars
avatar for cargide

rated it

4 stars
avatar for johnnycastrup

rated it

5 stars
avatar for Bob_Agilus

rated it

4 stars
avatar for recri

rated it

3 stars
avatar for bookinand

rated it

4 stars
avatar for veganmashuu

rated it

5 stars
avatar for inti

rated it

4 stars
avatar for flatlined

rated it

4 stars
avatar for flatlined

rated it

4 stars
avatar for PineappleButtonUp

rated it

4 stars
avatar for schellenberg

rated it

4 stars
avatar for faceleg

rated it

5 stars
avatar for hareluuu

rated it

4 stars
avatar for jmc142

rated it

5 stars
avatar for forvrin

rated it

5 stars
avatar for CMGX9

rated it

5 stars
avatar for bzelkovich

rated it

3 stars
avatar for karlhungus

rated it

5 stars
avatar for 2d

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Geekess

rated it

2 stars
avatar for kiri_nezu

rated it

5 stars
avatar for bread

rated it

5 stars
avatar for rspavel

rated it

3 stars
avatar for smyth

rated it

5 stars
avatar for zz

rated it

4 stars
avatar for TimMason

rated it

3 stars
avatar for theconfusedyeti

rated it

4 stars
avatar for scottkillen

rated it

3 stars
avatar for lowclasshifi

rated it

4 stars
avatar for jt196

rated it

4 stars
avatar for angarca

rated it

4 stars

Subjects

  • Fantasy
  • Fiction

Lists