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surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
After a slow month without much reading, I finally decided to bite the bullet and give the First Law series a try, since I heard so much about how amazing the characters are. I was a bit skeptical however since I am someone who usually values the story more than anything and I also heard that the first book doesn't have much of a plot, it's more of a setup. After finishing it now, I think there's definitely merit to that criticism since the book does end on a 'to be continued' way with no big payoff and I can see people finding it anti-climactic, even disappointing perhaps. When I think of the overall plot, there isn't much to remember at all either, especially considering the length of the book.
With all that said, I have come to realize something very much to my surprise. Say one thing about SurDiablo, say he didn't give a damn about the bloody plot! It's a book where nothing mind-blowing happens for the most part and I still really enjoyed it from top to bottom. I loved pretty much all of the characters in this and even those I didn't love, like Ferro, I still really really enjoyed their pov. I loved being in their shoes, their dialogue, their interactions with each other, the mystery, and the ever-present bleakness, combined with the dry humor. This is one of those rare books where I never felt bored at any point whatsoever and was always so tempted to get back to reading immediately. The descriptions never overstayed their welcome and I found the overall story more than interesting enough, but what mainly drove my interest was obviously the characters themselves. I found myself wanting to continue reading just to see what would happen to them, not concerned about story advancement at all. Heck, I can confidently say that I could read Glokta playing chess with his practicals and talking about random stuff for 3 hours and I wouldn't be bored at all. Suffice to say he's also my favorite character, closely followed by Logen the 'Bloody' Ninefingers. I have never felt so invested in characters like this before, except in Wheel of Time but that was a 14-book series, while this is a trilogy where I have read only one book so far.
Another thing that caught me off-guard is how damn funny it was, regardless of being known as a major grimdark novel. It made me laugh several times, while not taking away the suspense or emotional impact. I cringed wheneverGlokta tortured someone or felt pain climbing stairs, I seethed when the gang lost Forley, I found my heart sinking and pretty much needed a break after reading West's chapter where he abused Ardee. All these characters had been or continue to be assholes and their internal thoughts and external dialogue seamlessly blend together. They are flawed people with questionable morality and I still find myself being fascinated by them, even loving some of them, which is a testament to the author's amazing, realistic characterization. If this was a cinematic universe, I would say the closest comparison would be a Tarantino movie, with engrossing dialogue and raw violence. If this was the 'weakest' book in the series, I am really hyped to read the rest of them and I would recommend this series to those who love grey characters. :)
With all that said, I have come to realize something very much to my surprise. Say one thing about SurDiablo, say he didn't give a damn about the bloody plot! It's a book where nothing mind-blowing happens for the most part and I still really enjoyed it from top to bottom. I loved pretty much all of the characters in this and even those I didn't love, like Ferro, I still really really enjoyed their pov. I loved being in their shoes, their dialogue, their interactions with each other, the mystery, and the ever-present bleakness, combined with the dry humor. This is one of those rare books where I never felt bored at any point whatsoever and was always so tempted to get back to reading immediately. The descriptions never overstayed their welcome and I found the overall story more than interesting enough, but what mainly drove my interest was obviously the characters themselves. I found myself wanting to continue reading just to see what would happen to them, not concerned about story advancement at all. Heck, I can confidently say that I could read Glokta playing chess with his practicals and talking about random stuff for 3 hours and I wouldn't be bored at all. Suffice to say he's also my favorite character, closely followed by Logen the 'Bloody' Ninefingers. I have never felt so invested in characters like this before, except in Wheel of Time but that was a 14-book series, while this is a trilogy where I have read only one book so far.
Another thing that caught me off-guard is how damn funny it was, regardless of being known as a major grimdark novel. It made me laugh several times, while not taking away the suspense or emotional impact. I cringed whenever
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Torture, and Gore
Minor: Cannibalism
mikariah's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The world is nothing special (yet), mainly a list of names and references that make me imagine a somewhat more Westeros-esque shaped landmass of medieval Europe analogs (there is a place called Angland and a shapeless and unknowable 'North.' I mean, come on). If you're coming into it expecting something groundbreaking on that front, you'll probably not find it. Of course, there are many more books in this world, and I can't speak for what they all add to it. However, I found that the worldbuilding included enough things that kept it interesting enough for the story's purpose.
Because the thing that really sells this book for me is the characters.
And I can accept a LOT if the characters are great, which I believe that these are. Now, I'm a little biased because 'just-a-little-too-fucked-up' is exactly how I like my characters in the morning. Exactly. They are all problematic faves. Even the least terrible of them have some mess they're going through, and it sucked me in, which is good because there is not much plot to speak of. Yet.
The prose is straightforward and practical. Perhaps a little too much at times, and I wished there was less psychological distancing in the flow, but overall it read quickly and painlessly.
As a side note: the content warnings aren't necessarily expressing some sort of validation within the text. The characters are just... well, they have problems. And they experience problems.
Because the thing that really sells this book for me is the characters.
And I can accept a LOT if the characters are great, which I believe that these are. Now, I'm a little biased because 'just-a-little-too-fucked-up' is exactly how I like my characters in the morning. Exactly. They are all problematic faves. Even the least terrible of them have some mess they're going through, and it sucked me in, which is good because there is not much plot to speak of. Yet.
The prose is straightforward and practical. Perhaps a little too much at times, and I wished there was less psychological distancing in the flow, but overall it read quickly and painlessly.
As a side note: the content warnings aren't necessarily expressing some sort of validation within the text. The characters are just... well, they have problems. And they experience problems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Ableism, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Rape, Slavery, Vomit, War, and Xenophobia
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Blade, Itself is the first book in the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. There’s several main characters you meet in the story: Logen ‘Ninefingers’ a well known fighter from the North, San Dan Glokta an Inquisitor and torturer, & Captain Jezal dan Luthar a would be fencing champion. Throw in the wizard Bayaz, First of the Magi and his less than competent assistant, and a woman named Ferro with a strange magical ability and you have a VERY colorful cast of characters!
This first book is incredibly character and world-building focused. Wildly funny at times as well. Can’t wait to continue on with the series!
This first book is incredibly character and world-building focused. Wildly funny at times as well. Can’t wait to continue on with the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
jakeulbrich's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
netflixismyroommate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book does what it sets out to do: tell a medieval fantasy war story. It’s just not attempting anything particularly original.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Blood, Sexism, Classism, Torture, Gore, Ableism, War, Misogyny, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Slavery, Genocide, Mental illness, Colonisation, and Cannibalism
Minor: Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Racial slurs, and Religious bigotry
ratat0sk42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Anyone who like complex characters, gallows humour, and dark, gritty fantasy will love this book.
It has smooth and easy to read prose, and lots of style with a surprisingly funny edge to its narration. Every single character has depth and motivations that make you unsure if they're the good guy or the bad guy at any given moment.
One thing some people may take issue with us that the book doesn't really have much of a plot in the traditional sense, not much actually happens but I found the characters tso engrossing I didn't mind at all.
Another thing of note is that the book is part of the First Law trilogy, which is less three stories that fit together than one big story cut into thirds, as such it doesn't really end, it just flows into the next book. If you read this book, you're in for the long haul. it's a damn good though.
It has smooth and easy to read prose, and lots of style with a surprisingly funny edge to its narration. Every single character has depth and motivations that make you unsure if they're the good guy or the bad guy at any given moment.
One thing some people may take issue with us that the book doesn't really have much of a plot in the traditional sense, not much actually happens but I found the characters tso engrossing I didn't mind at all.
Another thing of note is that the book is part of the First Law trilogy, which is less three stories that fit together than one big story cut into thirds, as such it doesn't really end, it just flows into the next book. If you read this book, you're in for the long haul. it's a damn good though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Chronic illness, Violence, War, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Colonisation, Body horror, Blood, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Cannibalism
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Grief
strawberrypinch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Torture, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Child death, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Trafficking, Colonisation, Cursing, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, War, Xenophobia, Confinement, Death, Excrement, and Vomit
mattitanskane's review against another edition
While masterfully written the paint by numbers political fantasy story wasn't able to hold my attention enough to get me invested in a new trilogy. Skimmed through the remaining pages and read a synopsis of the rest of the trilogy online. I found Logen's character arc compelling and would have enjoyed reading more of it but sadly the story kept introducing more and more characters with increasingly mundane storylines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and War
Minor: Sexism, Cursing, Slavery, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
marthadude's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I feel like I can't really review the book on its own merits since it's part of a trilogy, but it's an excellent start to a larger story. It's more character heavy than plot heavy, but the characters are really fascinating. I'm very eager to start on book two and to see where things go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, War, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexism, Racism, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Blood, Cursing, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Vomit, Physical abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Animal death, Cannibalism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual content
the_one_krissy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Okay, now I can finally scratch "read an Abercrombie book" off my bucket list. Did I like the book? Yes. Did I still have issues with it? Oh yes. Do I now get what all the fuss is about? Not really, not yet. Do I intend to continue with this series? Definitely, but I'm not in any particular rush to do so.
The feeling I got from this book was that it was setting up the scene for something bigger, and that was pretty much it, although the audiobook seemed to last forever and a day (the narrator did an excellent job, though, so I can't say I minded all that much). It introduced the main characters, but didn't give them a whole lot to do (yet, I'm guessing). It did some world-building but still left me rather confused as to what's where and what it has got to do with anything. As a matter of fact, if the writing and dialogue hadn't been so engaging, I'd probably have been bored to tears at some point.
Fortunately, the prose was very good and I loved the dialogue. The characters... Glokta grew on me against my better judgment and Bayaz is interesting, but at this point Jezal is a whiny brat who deserves to get his ass kicked, Ferro is just plain crazy, and I'm indifferent about Logen. They're all pretty interesting folk, though, and I'm hopeful I'll grow to enjoy them more in the sequels.
Where was the female representation, though? Ardee and Ferro were the only women of any consequence in this book, and that is not saying a lot, because one of them is relegated to the role of Jezal's manipulative love interest only, and the other does not have anything else than fighting and revenge in her life. I'm hoping to see some improvement on this front, too.
Another thing that I wasn't all that enthused about were the fight scenes. Some people hate reading romance - I tend to space out and doze off when presented by a blow-by-blow account of a fight. I do not care, please just get on with it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I believe that the series gets better like I've been told. I can see there's potential, plus I really did love the dialogue and Glokta's seething sarcasm.
The feeling I got from this book was that it was setting up the scene for something bigger, and that was pretty much it, although the audiobook seemed to last forever and a day (the narrator did an excellent job, though, so I can't say I minded all that much). It introduced the main characters, but didn't give them a whole lot to do (yet, I'm guessing). It did some world-building but still left me rather confused as to what's where and what it has got to do with anything. As a matter of fact, if the writing and dialogue hadn't been so engaging, I'd probably have been bored to tears at some point.
Fortunately, the prose was very good and I loved the dialogue. The characters... Glokta grew on me against my better judgment and Bayaz is interesting, but at this point Jezal is a whiny brat who deserves to get his ass kicked, Ferro is just plain crazy, and I'm indifferent about Logen. They're all pretty interesting folk, though, and I'm hopeful I'll grow to enjoy them more in the sequels.
Where was the female representation, though? Ardee and Ferro were the only women of any consequence in this book, and that is not saying a lot, because one of them is relegated to the role of Jezal's manipulative love interest only, and the other does not have anything else than fighting and revenge in her life. I'm hoping to see some improvement on this front, too.
Another thing that I wasn't all that enthused about were the fight scenes. Some people hate reading romance - I tend to space out and doze off when presented by a blow-by-blow account of a fight. I do not care, please just get on with it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I believe that the series gets better like I've been told. I can see there's potential, plus I really did love the dialogue and Glokta's seething sarcasm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Misogyny