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A review by nerdyreferencelibrarian89
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
5.0
This was a reread of this book, this time I listened to it on audio.
Originally, I gave the book 4 stars, however, it easily deserves 5. I love this book, and it is even better knowing where the story is going as you can see the foundation for the next two books being subtly created.
The book itself is a must read for any fans of characters with well rounded personalities. The "good" characters still do a lot of bad things. Perhaps my favorite thing about this first book is watching the journey and thought process of Logan Ninefingers, the Bloody Nine, who is one of my all time favorite literature characters.
He fights to improve himself, make a positive impact on the world, all the while carrying the heavy baggage of his past misdeeds that are merely hinted at in this book. A thoughtful, well rounded Barbarian is a refreshing change in fantasy, and helps create on of the most entertaining character arcs I have read over the course of the trilogy.
Abercrombie does an amazing job making characters dis-likable, Luther is a whiny shit who you hope to fail, Biaz a annoying know it all, who never actually gives answers. Despite these characters being frankly terrible people, they feel human, and give a vitality and realism to the story and world.
I love the way Abercrombie writes the fights in this book, they aren't the heroic high fantasy that is traditionally written but instead the fights that are visceral and brutal. They are filled with broken bones, bruises, and cuts.
The audio for the book is frankly amazing. The narrator breathes even more life into this already vibrant story, lending a lisp to poor inquisitor Glotka, an arrogant tone to Luther. It is one of the best audio experiences I have had in a very long time, and I cannot wait to continue to listen to the series.
Honestly, if you are a fan of fantasy, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Originally, I gave the book 4 stars, however, it easily deserves 5. I love this book, and it is even better knowing where the story is going as you can see the foundation for the next two books being subtly created.
The book itself is a must read for any fans of characters with well rounded personalities. The "good" characters still do a lot of bad things. Perhaps my favorite thing about this first book is watching the journey and thought process of Logan Ninefingers, the Bloody Nine, who is one of my all time favorite literature characters.
He fights to improve himself, make a positive impact on the world, all the while carrying the heavy baggage of his past misdeeds that are merely hinted at in this book. A thoughtful, well rounded Barbarian is a refreshing change in fantasy, and helps create on of the most entertaining character arcs I have read over the course of the trilogy.
Abercrombie does an amazing job making characters dis-likable, Luther is a whiny shit who you hope to fail, Biaz a annoying know it all, who never actually gives answers. Despite these characters being frankly terrible people, they feel human, and give a vitality and realism to the story and world.
I love the way Abercrombie writes the fights in this book, they aren't the heroic high fantasy that is traditionally written but instead the fights that are visceral and brutal. They are filled with broken bones, bruises, and cuts.
The audio for the book is frankly amazing. The narrator breathes even more life into this already vibrant story, lending a lisp to poor inquisitor Glotka, an arrogant tone to Luther. It is one of the best audio experiences I have had in a very long time, and I cannot wait to continue to listen to the series.
Honestly, if you are a fan of fantasy, do yourself a favor and read this book.