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 - l...
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May 02, 2011
Jon
rated it: 
The first three hundred pages of this book were riveting. Most of the rest were entertaining and exciting but ultimately the ending disappointed somewhat - unless you like leaping off a cliff to the next book. Lucky for me, that next book is in the mail and I can soar back into the story soon.
There isn't a character that isn't fascinating in this story. Glokta, the tortured torturer; Logen, the wise almost pacifistic barbarian; Jezal, the arrogant noble on a collision course with More...
There isn't a character that isn't fascinating in this story. Glokta, the tortured torturer; Logen, the wise almost pacifistic barbarian; Jezal, the arrogant noble on a collision course with More...
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Dec 16, 2010
Jim
rated it: 
Raymond Chandler famously said that if an author mentions a gun, it had better go off at some point. The same goes for fantasy writers. Fantasy doesn't need to be all blood and whirling blades, but if a fantasy writer straps a broadsword to a character's side, it had better be drawn in anger, at some point.
This was one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while, especially impressive as it's a first novel. It has a fair amount of the aforementioned blood and swordplay, but it is More...
This was one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while, especially impressive as it's a first novel. It has a fair amount of the aforementioned blood and swordplay, but it is More...
3 comments
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Jul 23, 2011
mark
rated it:
I’m going to do something that's a little disrespectful and start this review by talking about another fantasy series that I’ve enjoyed: A Song of Ice and Fire. That series rules. It has everything I’ve wanted in a series since Tolkien but there’s one thing to be said about it, neither good or bad, that is a big part of its impact: it is dark, very very dark. The darkness comes, as it should in all quality fiction, not necessarily from the actual bad things that happen to good people, but from t
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Dec 15, 2011
Ibrahim
rated it: 
I almost put down the book when 3 paragraphs in the first 3 pages began with some version of this line:
"Shit," he said.
But I managed to slog through because I was told this was a some genre-breaking novel that didn't rely so heavily on typical fantasy clichés and it was supposed to be really dark and gritty. Instead of gritty, it felt kind of like a teenager who swears a lot to try and sound like an adult: really forced and usually out of context. A lot of the writi More...
"Shit," he said.
But I managed to slog through because I was told this was a some genre-breaking novel that didn't rely so heavily on typical fantasy clichés and it was supposed to be really dark and gritty. Instead of gritty, it felt kind of like a teenager who swears a lot to try and sound like an adult: really forced and usually out of context. A lot of the writi More...
5 comments
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Dec 02, 2007
Inara
rated it:
Title in German:
Kriegsklingen
This is the story of Logen Ninefinger a warrior of the north, Inquisitor Sand dan Glokta a former brilliant young swordsman now a torturer, Captain Jezal dan Luthar a vain and self-obsessed nobleman, Bayaz the first of the Magi, Bethod King of the Northmen, Collum West, an armyofficer, Ardee West his sister, Ferro Maljinn and some more...
To give a proper synopsis of this book is difficult, many characters are introduced in this first installme More...
Kriegsklingen
This is the story of Logen Ninefinger a warrior of the north, Inquisitor Sand dan Glokta a former brilliant young swordsman now a torturer, Captain Jezal dan Luthar a vain and self-obsessed nobleman, Bayaz the first of the Magi, Bethod King of the Northmen, Collum West, an armyofficer, Ardee West his sister, Ferro Maljinn and some more...
To give a proper synopsis of this book is difficult, many characters are introduced in this first installme More...
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May 03, 2010
Hazel
rated it:
Vivid characters populate this novel which inverts the usual fantasy formula. Which do I love best, the chief torturer or the barbarian? My new mantra? 'Still alive'...
April 2010
On this second reading I've decided for Sand dan Glokta. My introduction to the Spanish Inquisition via Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors has given me a new appreciation of his art. But you don't have to be interested in the history to appreciate this fantasy character. More...
April 2010
On this second reading I've decided for Sand dan Glokta. My introduction to the Spanish Inquisition via Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors has given me a new appreciation of his art. But you don't have to be interested in the history to appreciate this fantasy character. More...
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Aug 09, 2008
Arn
rated it:
The book gets better the longer you stick with it. It starts off fairly loose and disparate, with far-flung characters (who run the gamut from disreputable-unlikeable-downright horrible) who seem to have only tenuous relationships with each other, if at all. Although there's plenty of action throughout the book, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. It's only about two-thirds of the way through that the story seems to coalesce, but once it does...Oh Boy, does it ever take off! Of course, the books
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Mar 25, 2008
Matthew
rated it:
Let me start by saying that I don't like any of the characters in this book. Each of them is deeply flawed in some manner and I wouldn't care to spend time with any of them.
But...
I found the book very engaging and even though I don't like any of the people I found myself drawn into their lives and the world. A very gritty, hard world populated with folks that belong there. It's _less_ romantic than Glen Cook's Black Company series. Not as much humor either, and unapologet More...
But...
I found the book very engaging and even though I don't like any of the people I found myself drawn into their lives and the world. A very gritty, hard world populated with folks that belong there. It's _less_ romantic than Glen Cook's Black Company series. Not as much humor either, and unapologet More...
May 18, 2011
I seem to be in a mood for fantasy novels, so digging up all those very popular books I have been stockpiling for ages, this was next.
And it is no-go. I gave it a 100+ pages and while nothing about this is horrible, the eight deadly words come to mind: I do not care what happens to these people. Not a bit.
It seems to be a mostly political intrigue book - I love those, so I was biased to like it. The 3 main characters are flawed (euphemism, actually they are creeps), perha More...
And it is no-go. I gave it a 100+ pages and while nothing about this is horrible, the eight deadly words come to mind: I do not care what happens to these people. Not a bit.
It seems to be a mostly political intrigue book - I love those, so I was biased to like it. The 3 main characters are flawed (euphemism, actually they are creeps), perha More...
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Apr 21, 2008
Stephanie
rated it: 
Very action packed -- though the "world" is clearly not ours, it reads almost more like a historical novel than a fantasy novel. Abercrombie is establishing his cast for the trilogy, setting up backgrounds, and setting wheels in motion. While a good portion of the characters introduced are men, the women characters definitely stand out and are no simpering secondary characters. I can't wait to get to the next book.
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Jan 06, 2010
Jamie
rated it:
Ooh, I loved this. The writing is excellent, aside from the author's mild preoccupation with teeth. Great characterizations - and that's almost all there is in this first part of the trilogy, which might not suit everyone but I was enchanted. The fight scenes are vivid and seem very realistic, perhaps because they involve nearly as many accidental and incidental injuries as deliberate ones. There's some dry humor, but the overall tone is pretty dark.
The plot itself offers just enough More...
The plot itself offers just enough More...
Aug 22, 2011
Carol
rated it:
I enjoyed The Blade Itself a lot. I liked the way the story was constructed, primarily following three main characters, although a fourth was added partway through the book. I was fairly certain they would intersect at some point, so part of the interest in the story is seeing how their individual tales will intersect. The stories of each are mostly linear, with some appropriate flashbacks, but never done so choppily that one can't tell primary time frame. I can't tell you what a relief this i
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Nov 13, 2010
Kara
rated it:
Rather surprisingly, I liked it.
Yes surprisingly, because I'm not generally into books that have a lot of fighting, and occasional torture. Call me a puss, but I trend toward simple and happy, not complex or disturbing. (And well, torture makes me squirm... but let's try a jaunt in the real world anyway).
However, it turned out I really wanted to know more about these characters (very good in depth and quirky character development) and what was going to happen to them. More...
Yes surprisingly, because I'm not generally into books that have a lot of fighting, and occasional torture. Call me a puss, but I trend toward simple and happy, not complex or disturbing. (And well, torture makes me squirm... but let's try a jaunt in the real world anyway).
However, it turned out I really wanted to know more about these characters (very good in depth and quirky character development) and what was going to happen to them. More...
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Mar 22, 2010
Kat
rated it:
I started reading Joe Abercrombie's debut novel immediately after finishing a very popular old 1970s classic post-Tolkien fantasy that had left me -- quite frankly -- bored. I had the flu, my body ached, and I was feeling sorry for myself. But by the end of the first chapter of The Blade Itself, I was feeling much better. First, Mr. Abercrombie's writing was vivid, tense, action-packed, and droll -- just the way I like it. Second, I found myself thankful that I was merely bed-ridden with the flu
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May 12, 2011
Paul
rated it:
After having recently reviewed one of the most hyped novels in the last six months, Scott Lynch's debut "The Lies of Locke Lamora", I decided to tackle Joe Abercrombie's "The Blade Itself", another much-hyped debut. It should be said that I am a sucker for hype and, clearly, the testing of the fates. Could there really be two excellent debut fantasy novels in the last six months? The probability didn't seem good. (The Magic 8-ball had no answer!)
However, "The B More...
However, "The B More...
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May 12, 2008
Terence
rated it:
Another author in the tradition of Glen Cook & Steven Erikson: There is no Good nor Evil, just people, and even the most heinous Dark Lord had a mother.
Of course, the danger in such a book is that you wind up with utterly unlikable characters and no one to root for. Afterall, you may not have liked Aragorn but you knew that his side was Good; it happens that I've liked most of the characters in Erikson's work but I couldn't condone many of their actions. It's my 2nd gripe with Robert More...
Of course, the danger in such a book is that you wind up with utterly unlikable characters and no one to root for. Afterall, you may not have liked Aragorn but you knew that his side was Good; it happens that I've liked most of the characters in Erikson's work but I couldn't condone many of their actions. It's my 2nd gripe with Robert More...
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Nov 05, 2007
Mark
rated it:
A promising start to a new fantasy series by a new writer.
At first glance, the book has a similarity to many other fantasies currently doing the rounds. The book has been sold as ‘gritty heroic fantasy’, though there are subtle differences enough here to make it better than a run of the mill fantasy.
One of the key themes through the book seems to be about heroism, from a number of different perspectives. The book starts with Logen Ninefingers (so called because he is miss More...
At first glance, the book has a similarity to many other fantasies currently doing the rounds. The book has been sold as ‘gritty heroic fantasy’, though there are subtle differences enough here to make it better than a run of the mill fantasy.
One of the key themes through the book seems to be about heroism, from a number of different perspectives. The book starts with Logen Ninefingers (so called because he is miss More...
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Jan 28, 2008
Kim
rated it:
This book was a lot of fun. The author has a deadpan sense of humor very similar to mine, so I definitely enjoyed this. The best part of this book is the characters. They are very fully developed and very interesting. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view and it's possible to tell who's point of view it is just from the writing style. There's lots of action and the setting is very interesting. However, this book feels like it is written entirely as an introduction
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 04, 2009
Reid
rated it:
Within a hundred pages of this book, I bought the next two, knowing it would take a while for them to reach me here in China. I intentionally read the book only about 30 pages a day, savoring it like a delicious soup. Now that I've finished, it's like I want another bowl, and I just have to wait, with amazon just giving me a delivery estimate of sometime in the next 15 days. Damnit! Abercrombie has a good sense of humor, he's well-read in the genre and avoids many cliches. His 3rd-person pe
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Feb 08, 2012
J.F.
rated it:
I first encountered Abercrombie's writing via Lou Ander's Sorcery & Dark Magic anthology.... Which is a total lie. What I should say is that Sorcery & Dark Magic was the first time I encountered Abercrombie's fiction and read it all the way through. For me, The Blade Itself was one of THOSE books. You know, the books you pick up and think, "I really ought to read this," yet for one reason or another put back on the shelf.
I blame Dogman.
I'd pick up the book, start t More...
I blame Dogman.
I'd pick up the book, start t More...
Jan 30, 2012
Nathan
rated it: 
Being a big fan of Martin and Tolkein's epics, I picked up Joe Abercrombie's first book, the Blade Itself, of his First Law trilogy. The book follows a mix of characters who are brought together (or are fighting against) in order to embark on a still unknown adventure. While there is a lot of action, the book is ultimately disappointing in its writing, story, and characters.
The writing, from a purely technical point of view, makes the reader embarassed (even moreso) upon reading this g More...
The writing, from a purely technical point of view, makes the reader embarassed (even moreso) upon reading this g More...
Jan 01, 2012
Ricky
rated it:
Obviously, George R.R. Martin has spawned an entirely new thread of high fantasy—I guess they’re calling it “dark fantasy” or “realistic fantasy” or whatever. The bottom line is that no more farm boys of vague parentage becoming saviors of worlds—that is out, and the ensemble-cast, bloody, and politically complicated fantasy is in. The series is as readable as anything this year, and pulls in a close second to The Name of the Wind as the best fantasy book I’ve read since AFfC. Logen and Jezal
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Nov 27, 2011
sologdin
rated it:
A fun read. Artful jacket design.
Misleading marketing copy on the back cover (which appears to have been republished by Goodreads, above), which makes it seem like a bad D&D story, complete with a group of disparate personalities of differing character classes who set out on a magical adventure to defeat an evil gelatinous cube.
The story isn't like that at all. It does create something of a seven samurai by the end, and partakes of the more or less regular trope of a More...
Misleading marketing copy on the back cover (which appears to have been republished by Goodreads, above), which makes it seem like a bad D&D story, complete with a group of disparate personalities of differing character classes who set out on a magical adventure to defeat an evil gelatinous cube.
The story isn't like that at all. It does create something of a seven samurai by the end, and partakes of the more or less regular trope of a More...
Sep 18, 2011
Emily
rated it:
My Dad foisted the Joe Abercrombie books on me as revenge for getting him hooked on Martin's the Song of Ice and Fire. And, as for a book in the "tits, blood and scowling" genre of fiction, the first book in "the First Law" trilogy is surprisingly good.
I'm not a huge fantasy fan. If I'm going to read fantasy, I want it to be something more than the old Raymond E. Feist books. I want wars and politics and backstabbing and good stuff! Less magic, fewer fairies and More...
I'm not a huge fantasy fan. If I'm going to read fantasy, I want it to be something more than the old Raymond E. Feist books. I want wars and politics and backstabbing and good stuff! Less magic, fewer fairies and More...
Jul 27, 2011
The Blade Itself is a very good start to what seems to be a very interesting fantasy series. Immediately Abercrombie demonstrates a flair for writing action sequences that is among the best I have read. He immerses the reader into his world without an over-reliance on description... he does it through the actions of his characters and through gradually revealing parts of their story allowing us to understand how they have experienced his world. In fact though his writing of the many great act
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Jun 12, 2011
gia
rated it:
The Blade Itself is a fantasy novel in the growing tradition of A Game of Thrones, with a group of colorful primary characters from whose point of view the story eventually unfolds. Now, A Game of Thrones drops its users into the world of Westeros in the middle of a mess of politically-charged intrigue that leads into a war, which is underway by the book's end. I won't reveal the ending of The Blade Itself, but it feels much more like prologue than A Game of Thrones: its primary purpose is intro
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Jun 10, 2011
Bearcatmark
rated it:
The Blade Itself is a very good start to what seems to be a very interesting fantasy series. Immediately Abercrombie demonstrates a flair for writing action sequences that is among the best I have read. He immerses the reader into his world without an over-reliance on description... he does it through the actions of his characters and through gradually revealing parts of their story allowing us to understand how they have experienced his world. In fact though his writing of the many great action
More...
May 16, 2011
Lars J.
rated it:
Not a bad book at all. Most reviews below have covered the details so I'll just add and/or stress a few points.
First, the start of the book is kind of awful. You're promised a "cliffhanger" and get exactly that but it's not very effective. Also it stresses a very bad stereotype and fails to grab your attention. I really didn't think I would make it through the book after the first 20 pages or so. But it does get better.
Also the beginning was damaged by the writi More...
First, the start of the book is kind of awful. You're promised a "cliffhanger" and get exactly that but it's not very effective. Also it stresses a very bad stereotype and fails to grab your attention. I really didn't think I would make it through the book after the first 20 pages or so. But it does get better.
Also the beginning was damaged by the writi More...
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May 10, 2011
Cameron
rated it:
The Blade Itself feels a bit like a man's skeleton. The shape of a story is here, with a fine backbone and the general outline of what could potentially become a great series of novels. But it's missing a great many of the qualities that would turn it from a decent read to something greater.
The characters, for the most part, feel fairly stock. With the exception of Glokta, I never felt that any of the characters had any real sinew or fat to them, so to speak. These are mere ideas o More...
The characters, for the most part, feel fairly stock. With the exception of Glokta, I never felt that any of the characters had any real sinew or fat to them, so to speak. These are mere ideas o More...
Mar 10, 2011
Sara
rated it:
Hwaaaa... I freaking love this book. It is patently unfair that this series should be Abercrombie's first work, because he's only going to get better, and now I will be forced to purchase all of his work. Has he no consideration for how broke I am?
The story, which is about a bunch of people who are flawed in entirely believable dimension, yet making every attempt to grow and change, is impeccable in its reflection of human foibles. Really, when was the last time you read a fantasy bo More...
The story, which is about a bunch of people who are flawed in entirely believable dimension, yet making every attempt to grow and change, is impeccable in its reflection of human foibles. Really, when was the last time you read a fantasy bo More...
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