The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Mar 23, 2013 Derek rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery

It's appropriate that my copy is a battered library discard, taped and dog-eared and smelling a bit.

Abercrombie has picked his targets carefully. Worldbuilding narration is whittled to the minimum--the reader never learns what the "Agriont" is until someone explains to Logen Ninefingers what he is seeing--and instead this is all about the interesting, interesting characters, each of whom are as battered and travelworn as the book they are being read from. It gives the story an intimacy that I di It's appropriate that my copy is a battered library discard, taped and dog-eared and smelling a bit.

Abercrombie has picked his targets carefully. Worldbuilding narration is whittled to the minimum--the reader never learns what the "Agriont" is until someone explains to Logen Ninefingers what he is seeing--and instead this is all about the interesting, interesting characters, each of whom are as battered and travelworn as the book they are being read from. It gives the story an intimacy that I didn't expect. Whatever the larger plot throughout the trilogy, each character's journey is personal.

(view spoiler)

The personal focus on the events is so far forward that it feels like a postmodern commentary on epic fantasy. Here, it is not as much the clash between supernatural forces or even political conflicts as it is the worms-eye view, how the sociopolitical thrashing and possibly turmoil among legendary figures will affect--damage--each person.

And the fights, oh the fights. Gloriously brutal battle, full of crunch and splatter and exhaustion and things only sort of going right. Everything costs, and nobody walks away unscathed.

Logen Ninefingers in particular struck as possibly the best Conan analogue I've ever seen, and possibly better than Conan himself. He is cut from the same cloth, but cut by someone less obsessed by machismo and primitive existence and admiration for his creation: it's clear that the Northern culture is just as sophisticated as the Union, but less stratified and with a different set of values and priorities. Abercrombie takes the additional genius step of this being Logen's first visit to 'civilization', and him being gobsmacked by the size and grandeur of edifices and constructions.

I'm delighted to follow where the author leads, for the rest of this series. ...more

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Feb 11, 2016 Wayne Heinz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I think I may have inadvertently sold a bunch of Joe Abercrombie books and pissed off some elementary school parents and teachers.

Let me explain.

My son, Leif, hates reading. Everyone in our household loves to read, except him. My daughters are avid readers, I read multiple books every week, and my wife loves to read non-fiction, but my son hates reading.
Leif was in a special reading class throughout most of elementary school. His reading deficit grew out of his dislike for reading, and I ...more

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Jun 09, 2009 Chompa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Really good story. The characters were varied, but original and while not all were likeable, they were all interesting. This is to me the evolution of the fantasy novel. It is adult without over the top about it.

I am really looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy.

Logen Ninefingers is probably the most interesting character I've seen in ages. ...more

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Jan 04, 2009 Chompa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book a good while ago and loved it. I've also loved everything else Abercrombie has written. Sadly, after finishing Red Country I was done and hungering for more.

I decided to try an audio version of this book and was blown away by it. Steven Pacey did the narration and was amazing.

I'd taken a run at some other audiobooks, but they didn't keep my interest. I am not sure if it was the subject matter (one of my favorite books that I was already familiar with) or the amazing voice work ...more

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Mar 12, 2010 Milton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I purchased The Blade itself based on cover art alone. The book more that lived up to my expectations. Joe Abercrombie is an excellent story teller. He created an excellent world filled with interesting and believable characters. It's one of the best books I've read in years. I cant wait to complete the trilogy. ...more

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