The Blade Itself (#1 The First Law) by Joe Abercrombie -- Restarting November 1st 2024

[Saar The Book owl]

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 – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman Captain Jezal dan Luthar, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta a whole lot more difficult.

Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood.

[Laura]

Starting this!

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting November 1st 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

Let me know when you get to the 3rd one! I need the push!

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "Let me know when you get to the 3rd one! I need the push!"

Will do 😊 I want to get through all of them before the year is out so this is the push I need too!

[Maddie]

I remember we had plans to read all the big high fantasy series together haha I got them in a note in my phone, then I kind of disappeared off GR for a couple months.

[Karen]

Another highly rated series that I’ve never got round to! Great prologue to book one…very dramatic.

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "I remember we had plans to read all the big high fantasy series together haha I got them in a note in my phone, then I kind of disappeared off GR for a couple months."

Girl! Exactly the same haha! My reading really slowed down but I'm back into hibernation mode now it's into the -ber months.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Another highly rated series that I’ve never got round to! Great prologue to book one…very dramatic."

This is a reread but I need to carry on and continue the series as I absolutely ADORED this the first time around. I started yesterday morning and only got 5 pages in so far though.

[Karen]

10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character.

[Karen]

30% - brutal world they live in, but each seems to know what’s expected of them.

[Dannii]

End of chapter 'Questions' - (view spoiler)[I loved how this opened with one character desperately fleeing from the Shankas and how this immediately made me root for him.

Glokta is portrayed in the opposite light. The depictions of his tongue prodding at the gums where his teeth should be and the snot bubbling after his struggles on the stairs all seemed designed to cause disgust. He was clearly struggling in his own way and yet I could not root for him, like I could easily root for Logan. The following scenes proved I was right to feel such a way. There was something I loved about his character. I did not warm to him but was interested by him and his mind, in the early ways that many of the unlikeable characters are set up in Game of Thrones. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character."

(view spoiler)[He has clearly suffered so much in his life but that doesn't make him any more sympathetic to the suffering of others. His past has hardened him to it, it seems. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Second quarter - surprisingly enjoyable. Characters are well-depicted and,unpleasant as they may be, even appear sympathetic.

[Maddie]

Dannii wrote: "Maddie wrote: "I remember we had plans to read all the big high fantasy series together haha I got them in a note in my phone, then I kind of disappeared off GR for a couple months."

Girl! Exactly..."

I've just got to get to work lol get reading. I'm spending all of my time reading ku

[Dannii]

I've literally just got KU a few days ago and the urge to add a million new books to my tbr is intense! I'm needing to escape into an epic fantasy world today though and escape our own, and it helps that this is a reread.

[Dannii]

End of chapter 'Fingers and Teeth' - (view spoiler)[This has great yet subtle comedic timing, like the conversation about clean living between Marshal Varuz and Jezal followed by Jezal almost blackout drunk a sentence later.

Following this it is revealed that Jezal and Glokta share a history, which I'm interested to learn more about. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

End of chapter 'The Good Man' - (view spoiler)[ Glokta is still painted in a bad light yet I'm starting to really sympathise with him. He's seen the worst of the world and reacts in kind. I can feel a redemption arc coming though. Hoff, however, was entirely unlikeable!! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character."

[spoilers removed]"

I loooove this about Glokta haha he's great, disgusting but intriguing.

[Maddie]

I don't think I need to re-read so I'm going to just read your updates!

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character."

[spoilers removed]"

I loooove this about Glokta haha he's great, disgusting but i..."

I genuinely think he is one of the most interesting characters ever to be created. There are so many layers to him!

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "I don't think I need to re-read so I'm going to just read your updates!"

No worries :) I really needed this reminder of everything that went on.

[Dannii]

End of chapter 'A Road Between Two Dentists' - (view spoiler)[War seems to be nearing ever closer and I'm also loving all of the characters with every passing page. Honestly he fills so much into his character construction! It comes to something when you're feeling sad for the pot that Logan had to leave behind haha! Bayaz's chapter was such fun to read from and he showed the same layers as all the others, with his ability to be both loveable yet terrifying. I'm eager to learn more about the magic in this world. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Dannii wrote: "Maddie wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character."

[spoilers removed]"

I loooove this about Glokta haha he's great, d..."

Yesss he reminds me of the bald guy from Game of Thrones from uhhh Qarth? Pyat Pree lol loook him up

[Karen]

Third quarter. (view spoiler)[ Nice moment between Glokta and West when we learn of their history and see beneath the veneer shown to others. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Definitely enjoyed this more than I expected to. Brutal, but some unexpected moments.

[Karen]

Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "10% - enjoying the introduction so far. A brutal world. Glokta is a wily character."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Agreed, he's filled me with loathing from the outset, but as we draw closer to him and learn about his past I found myself thinking he might not be quite so irredeemable. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Dannii wrote: "I've literally just got KU a few days ago and the urge to add a million new books to my tbr is intense! I'm needing to escape into an epic fantasy world today though and escape our own, and it help..."

KU is dangerous! Vowed I'd only do the free trial but now find myself thinking I'll not manage without it!

[Karen]

Got another to get finished but then I'll start on book two. Are you planning to continue it Danni, to move onto book three later with Maddie?

[Maddie]

Karen wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I've literally just got KU a few days ago and the urge to add a million new books to my tbr is intense! I'm needing to escape into an epic fantasy world today though and escape our o..."

Hahaha yeah it's dangerous! I've been reading mostly purely off there lately oops

[Dannii]

End of Part One - (view spoiler)[I almost can't read some of Glokta's chapters for the descriptions of torture. When he clamped open the prisoner's teeth and started probing them I was literally squirming!

Dogman and the rest can't stop bickering and it was honestly so funny to read. They sound like children without Logan to lead them and can't agree on a single thing together. They are deadly killers yet bicker like 10-year-olds.

I actually love West's sister! Everything she said to Jezal wasn't wrong, he is likeable but still a spoiled and moaning child. It seemed to be the catalyst to his change however as following their conversations he went for a run which wasn't something he would have done before. He would have continued to feel sorry for himself and drink his troubles away.

I'm liking Logan's learnings with Byaz and how it is giving him a new perspective on the world, with knowledge being the root of power. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yeesss omg the body torture just makes me want to look away but I know that I can't because I'm reading it lol

[Maddie]

I can't wait to pick this series back up lol. I'm determined to get through the rest of my Broken Binding books after this series also.

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "Yeesss omg the body torture just makes me want to look away but I know that I can't because I'm reading it lol"

I don't think I've read much that made this feel this uncomfortable before!

[Maddie]

Goes to show it's good writing!

[Dannii]

I'm taking my sweet time with this one but through no fault of the book. Life has gone so busy and I'm still battling a foggy covidy brain so can only focus on this one in the mornings as I don't want to miss any of the details. I'll still finish and carry on but may fall behind you both when you get to book three.

End of chapter 'Barbarians at the Gate' - (view spoiler)[War is looming and the main perspectives, that seemed so separate, are starting to all have their places in the larger storyline, with the advance from the Northmen and Bethod. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm taking my sweet time with this one but through no fault of the book. Life has gone so busy and I'm still battling a foggy covidy brain so can only focus on this one in the mornings as I don't want to miss any of the details. I'll still finish and carry on but may fall behind you both when you get to book three.

End of chapter 'Barbarians at the Gate' - (view spoiler)[War is looming and the main perspectives, that seemed so separate, are starting to all have their places in the larger storyline, with the advance from the Northmen and Bethod. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

That's fine! I'll still be carrying on with you :)

[Maddie]

I can't remember book 2 much

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "That's fine! I'll still be carrying on with you :)"

Thank you!

[Dannii]

End of Chapter 'Nobody's Dog' - (view spoiler)[Brother Longfoot is actually adorable! I loved how enthusiastic and upbeat he was, which was like Logan's worst nightmare and polar opposite. He almost got them into serious trouble when he led them on a shortcut through the city, through its poorer quarters, and flashed his coin purse without considering his surroundings. You could see how altered Logan was to his younger and more renowned figure, as he allowed those who sought to rob them to escape with some coins and their lives instead of killing for pride and honour and because he was taught there was no other way to win something. When we have chapters with his old crew they also have similar sentiments when one of them muses that they so long fought their way through their troubles that they forgot there could be another way.

Glokta's visit to the men of knowledge produced some information about the history of magic and the key to producing it to the masses once more perhaps.

Jezal's win due to Byaz's cheating on his behalf was actually so funny! Just because he is a magi doesn't mean he isn't above cheating and pettiness. It didn't feel so funny when his opponent lost with such grace though. I hope this doesn't go to his head and, instead, makes him really focus on becoming great and not just a spoiled, rich son who is average. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Final thoughts - (view spoiler)[I loved how all the characters slowly converged together, over the course of this novel, and how it is almost impossible to accurately describe the overarching plot as each seemed to follow their own, individual storylines, until, suddenly, they weren't! They have been grouped together to face a common enemy and the stakes are only going to be even more heightened in book two!

I ended up loving every one of these characters because, not despite of, their faults. One of my favourite moments was the conversation between West and Glokta. I was all set to to hate West after he hurt his sister and I learned about the abusive household both had lived in, but he redeemed himself somewhat by genuinely seeming to alter with the revelations that he could potentially be turning into their father. He did not then seem such a bad person, merely one who had survived major trauma like they all had. It was also revealed how he had always tried to be a good friend to Glokta when all others turned away from him. I HATE miscommunication in books but in this instance it just made my heart sad :(

I actually felt emotional at how brave Forley was even after repeatedly overlooked as the weakest of their group. He showed major guts facing off death in order to do the right thing and send an alert to Bethod. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Third quarter. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[There were some lovely moments, for a book so full of darkness! I usually hate miscommunication in books but here it just filled me with sadness at how wrongly they had felt the other had treated them. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Definitely enjoyed this more than I expected to. Brutal, but some unexpected moments."

I adored it just as much as my first reading too. My only wish is for more female characters as this is a very male dominated world. We only have two females we get to know!