The Devils (The Devils, #1)

by Joe Abercrombie

A swordfight is a war in miniature, and wars are often won and lost before a blow’s struck. In the training yard, the armourer’s workshop, the quartermaster’s office. In assessing your enemy, guessing his strengths, predicting his limitations, anticipating his tactics. In knowing your own.

“No matter how you fight, you can’t beat time. It lays low every Empire, topples every tyrant.”