A review by _theanxiousreader_
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This book was the slowest of the trilogy, with very little real plot whatsoever. It, however, introduce us to our legendary characters and their personalities. Looking back in hindsight at the end of the last book, it was such an incredible journey that our characters went on that it's almost heart warming to look back and think about Jezal's biggest problem being the contest or Glokta's biggest problem being the Mercers which all quickly became inconsequential. A brilliant start to one of the best trilogies ever written