A review by vaxildidi
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

dark slow-paced

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

2.25

A 500 page prequel/prologue that couldve done the same job in like...a quarter of the pages. 

Jumping right into it:

First of all there was no reason for this to be a complete standalone novel, and even less reason for it to be 500 pages. The first...200 or so pages are completely superfluous, as evidenced by Glotka`s investigation into the Mercers playing no part in ANYTHING in the second half of the book as well as Jezal being the exact same character with the exact same shitty attitude towards anyone that isnt him or Ardee at the end as he did on page 1. It is further exemplified by Ferro not being introduced until about page 200 and still ending the book about as fleshed out as Logen or Jezal. 

The politics of this world also seem woefully underdeveloped. The government structure of the Union is brought up multiple times and only at the most surface level relevant to the pov character at the time (usually Glotka) so I have no idea whats really going on there, and The North seems to be made up of about 200 people, all of which know each other and used to be in warring tribes...so I am not sure how thats a functioning kingdoms. 

Also, I have to talk about Jezal for a moment. What was the point of him having multiple come to jesus moments in his fight with Ardee, his conversation with Glotka, and nearly losing the Contest (which I maintain he should have lost), only for him to regress every single time into the same pompous asshole that I couldnt wait to be done with? 

And the most frustrating part of all of this? Is the book has NO RIGHT to be as good as it is despite these glaring flaws. Logan, Glotka (despite being a terrible man), Ferro, Bayaz, Ardee, and even Quai all incredibly interesting characters that I would like to spend more time with and learn more of...as long as they have some tangible plot driving them forward.

 The action sequence at the end of Logan and Ferro vs a group of masked Practicals was incredibly fun. The little tastes of the lore are infuriatingly intriguing and I want to know more. Bayaz`s evocation magic, Yulwei`s disguise magic, Ferro`s healing factor, Eaters being a thing, and Logan`s ability to talk to spirits/split into Bloody-Nine mode? All incredibly fun and would love to see more. 

Also, everything that happens within/around the House of the Maker was intriguing as hell, why we spent 70 pages with Jezal being a pompous douche and like 14 total pages in the House of the Maker is mindboggling. 

One more positive, while not strictly necessary, I dont think, I did enjoy Dogmans POV chapters. He seems like a swell guy. 

I just...I know I am not the first person to say this, but this book is like if Fellowship of the Ring was 500 pages and ended right before the council meeting in the Elven city, because like...I still dont even know what the quest is *really* supposed to be. I know it involves Ferro being important,something about the seed of Kanedias, and the Prophet Khahul being evil. 

Might give book 2 a try at some point, but you didnt sell me well, Mr. Abercrombie. Oh also, I have to get this off my chest. Having a character I really liked beat the shit out of his sister in a blind rage for no fucking reason with like...50 pages of book left felt like a weird choice.