Reviews with content warning for War - The Blade Itself

Reviews tagging 'War'

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

40 reviews

vaxis's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Few writing choices annoy me more than onomatopoeia as dialogue that is then tagged as what the onomatopoeia was. Lots of "'Ugh,' he groaned" and "'Ssss,' she hissed."

Very slow paced book.

Overall pretty good especially for a debut. I like it, I had fun with it.

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fsm's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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apiecalypsejen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The First Law trilogy is my favourite of the two trilogies that take place in this world. The characters are definitely flawed, each of them in their own way with not one of them being clear or free of some kind of barrier or encumbrance to you calling them your "favourite" without some reluctance or guilt (aside from

possibly Brother Longfoot

). This story sets up the next two books, which means it is a lot of establishing of relationships, characters, and the basis for the

journey/war

that comprises the second book. It's a great story about men in their 20s, and how they can be hardheaded and too arrogant, and where that can take them, as well as has two excellent and deep woman character in Ferro and Ardee.

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btrz7's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

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dagoth_ur's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a REALLY fun book, however, it is not as half as dark as some people make it out to be. I love Abercrombie's writing style, I think the book would have come out as edgelord-ish without the humor. my only complaint is how big the book is, like physically it is really hard to read in bed.

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coulro's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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thebookishdesigner's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“History is littered with dead good men.”

The Blade Itself was my first taste of Lord Grimdark. Having seen The First Law cited as the series you need to read if you loved Game of Thrones I thought it was going to be one for me, and although in some ways it wasn’t what I was expecting I still really enjoyed it.

The plot of the book is full of intrigue and conspiracy. It’s defiantly a page turner. The only thing that I wanted more of from this book was the violence. There was some grim fighting, but most of the sword play was fencing so there was little risk involved in these scenes. I was really in the mood for something with a lot of fighting, a lot war, and a lot of blood. Whilst I think it will be delivered in the next books it was missing here. Chapter 42 - The Bloody Nine, was an absolute standout in this book and was exactly what I was hoping for in this regard.

As good as the plot was it’s characters that make this book. Even the characters who you’re meant to dislike, you can’t help loving because of how well written every single one of them is. Logen and Glokta in particular are some of the best characters I’ve been introduced to in a very long time.

It it worth nothing that while I read this I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Steven Pacey. What a fantastic job he did! Pacey really brought the characters to life, I don’t think they could have picked a more perfect narrator for this series. As I continue on I will defiantly be listening to the audio as I read the physical edition too.

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