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Alissa
The works are unrelated and set in different worlds, so you can safely pick whichever you like first. I agree with Lee Dunning though, Half a King is not completely a discontinuity, but it's very different from Abercrombie's previous books, so if you had been meaning to read him forever, The Blade Itself is your pick.
Lee Dunning
Personally, I would start with "The Blade Itself". It's more representative of Mr. Abercrombie's work. I very much enjoyed "Half a King", but it is definitely geared toward a younger crowd, and as such lacks some of the complexity of the author's other works.
Softbananas
I'm with the others here, The Blade Itself is top notch. I just started reading The Half King and although not quite the same it has much of the Abercrombie style and I am enjoying it very much
Pete Kim
please read The Blade Itself and read everything in published chronological order! it will be very rewarding. you will get a greater feel and appreciation for the entire...existence(?) of his writing universe!
Billy
would advise you read the First Law trilogy first, simply because I think they are JA's best works thus far. I've not read this title yet but I will. I have read everything else he's put out since the First Law and I tell you, nothings come close to being as good.
Luke
It depends on the reader. I picked Half a King because I'm not a fan of the 'dark and gritty' fantasy that he is noted for, and this book toned that aspect down. But I still wanted to find out what else makes Abercrombie the talent he is. I wasn't disappointed.
Chris Comerford
Agreed with the first two answerers - The Blade Itself is more indicative of Abercrombie's strengths as a writer, though Half a King is (so far, at time of writing - nearly halfway through it) still pretty good.
Joe Langdale
I have just finished the blade itself and have to say that for me, if it was a battle between the first book in the shattered sea series and the blade itself. The Winner ... Half a king.
I have strong suspicions the first law series will grow exponentially though.
I have strong suspicions the first law series will grow exponentially though.
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