The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) in Beyond Reality

Mar 13, 2011 Maggie K rated it really liked it

What did I think? I thought it was awesome with awesome sauce!

I know I only gave it 4 stars, but that's because so much of the book was on setting up the characters and getting them together...although there was some action, it wasn't integral to the plot action. However, I am firmly convinced it will all be there in the second book now that everyone is off on their missions!

and speaking of characters, I was amazed at how well the characterization worked. All of these characters are so well, hum ...more

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Feb 24, 2010 Melissa Hayden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

The beginning of the book was easy yet a little hard for me. There is a lot of background work done here on the characters and the status of the world. You are introduced to all the characters in their elements, places, and world before they are introduced to each other. It can get a little confusing, but if you can keep it all separate it is worth it. One of the best parts here is having your characters separate and seeing their views on what they know or see, then seeing them actually meet and The beginning of the book was easy yet a little hard for me. There is a lot of background work done here on the characters and the status of the world. You are introduced to all the characters in their elements, places, and world before they are introduced to each other. It can get a little confusing, but if you can keep it all separate it is worth it. One of the best parts here is having your characters separate and seeing their views on what they know or see, then seeing them actually meet and how the knowledge of that one character could help the other they just meet-if shared. Seeing how they get into the conversations to share the information or even when they don't share the information because they don't know who they have been in contact with or what they are involved in.

Through out the book you really get a feel of how unstable the three Empires are and the contempt they feel for each other. There are the Northmen, the Union and Angland, and the Gurkish. The Northmen and Gurkish seem to have leaders that are very ruthless and blood thirsty to take over as much land they can and rule all they take. The Union is stuck in the middle of both these places, yet doesn't seem to be as barbaric as the other two with killing. Angland is the place, in the North but is part of the Union, in which the Union sends all their guilty parties of treason agains the crown or toward the government (and in this time it could be a small thing or a large doing that could land you here - even working with or looking at the wrong person could hurt you). They have shared borders all these years?!? If you ask me I don't know how...

Just when you think you have all the characters details down a few more are added. All these people from the different areas of the world are pulled together to save their worlds from a bigger threat than the Northernmen or Glukish navy or Unions soldiers. What is this greater thing to be defeated by these specially selected few? That answer seems to be only known by the First of the Magi, Bayaz, and his brothers.

There seems to be a magic that surrounds each character in their own way. Yet the characters don't seem to be aware to the fact they have something special about them. These characters don't even realize the enemies they make and the bigger enemies they upset. In this book the story only begins, the adventure only starts.

I am sorry to add here that you will have to read the next book to see where they go after this story. What about the war? Who is this greater threat? I too have to now go get the second book in this trilogy. I have questions and can not let them go unanswered. There is just too much scheming and bribing and underlying meanings in things said or not said that I just have to keep going with the trilogy. I hope you enjoy it as well. ...more

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May 13, 2010 F.V rated it really liked it

On the front cover of the blade itself, by Joe Abercombie the praise from Guardian «Delightfully twisted and evil» is suppose to tell the reader what to expect.

So is it delightful? In some ways the characters are described with a touch depth. We have classic heroes, antiheroes and of course the evil heroes. Which you kind find in similar books by example George R.R Martin. And I think you will also be able to find your favorite hero. My favorite is always the more selfish hero that are more con On the front cover of the blade itself, by Joe Abercombie the praise from Guardian «Delightfully twisted and evil» is suppose to tell the reader what to expect.

So is it delightful? In some ways the characters are described with a touch depth. We have classic heroes, antiheroes and of course the evil heroes. Which you kind find in similar books by example George R.R Martin. And I think you will also be able to find your favorite hero. My favorite is always the more selfish hero that are more concerned about his won well being and the weight and their purse.

The blade itself has of course all the ingredients you can find in most fantasy books. Sword buckling men , damsels in distress, damsels that are causing distress(my favorite women) and magic. Though not the typical «cast and destroy» magic. It has more of an purpose and harder come by.

The story is somewhat «twisted». There are the usual intrigues with hidden agenda's and several major plots. Which some definitely has a value for the story and some more of sidetrack. And I do dislike sidetracked stories. Which in my a lot of “modern” fantasy writers is misusing in their books. I think you can have complex story, but to it simply. But will you be surprised by the “twisted and evil doings”. But, not if you have read Steven Erikson or George R.R Martin.

The characters are what makes this book an interesting book. They are well described and Abercombie is not afraid to explore more then one aspect with a person. Persons do change, sometimes for better or worse. The world and doings has an affect on people that will change them. And the change has to believable. Which can be hard for an author to make a convincing turn in characters personality.

Abercombie is also a skilled writer. It is actually hard believe that this is first novel. I guess “the four readers” he gives credit to has been very good to give critics and guidance.
His vivid descriptions of what an characters are given is experiencing is heightening the reader experience, even if it can be somewhat unintentional “funny” like this little phrase is and example of : the slow pulsing of the sap in the old tree trunks”. Hmm, that is very good hearing.
...more

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Sep 28, 2016 KG rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: finished-listening

OMG that was a powerful story! I listened to the audiobook version, BRILLIANTLY narrated by Steven Pacey (!!!!!), and loved the heck out of it. It was mega-dark, but very well created. I'm strongly inclined to move forward in the series...and that will ABSOLUTELY be via the audiobook since Steven Pacey was incredible in the multiple voicings of the various characters. Love the characters, love the story, love the pace! Such wonderfully quirky characters! I can't wait to see where the next two bo ...more

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May 03, 2014 Liane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

~2014: Yuck. Like reading middle school creative writing. Disappointing cuz I had such high hopes.

2023 update: 10 years later I’m trying the audiobook

2023 updated review: the beginning was still a little difficult to get into, but I kept going this time and I’m hooked. The narrator is great too

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