Scan barcode
A review by gittejump
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Blade Itself is the setup book to the First Law series. Here we get introduced to some standout characters and learn about their motivations and backstories.
There is war brewing in the background, but our cast is interested in living their own lives. They are all selfish people and want what is best for themselves.
Logen Ninefingers is a former barbarian fighter who is trying to make his way in life after losing everyone he knows. Hopefully with less death, but he doubts it. Battle is all he knows.
'Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's a survivor.'
'I've no doubt the world would be a better place if I'd been killed years ago, but I haven't been, and I don't know why.'
Captain Jezal dan Luther wants to play, gamble and win the sword tournament. He does not want to be involved in war and politics.
'A few glasses of wine can be the difference between finding a man a hilarious companion or an insufferable moron.'
Inquisitor Glokta is a lovable crippled torturer who hates everyone and everything. He is determined to pull out conspiracy in the kingdom one confession at a time.
'If Glokta had been given the opportunity to torture any one man, any one at all, he would surely have chosen the inventor of steps.'
'There was no banister, nothing to cling to. Sixteen enemies. A challenge indeed.'
I really enjoyed this book for the characters and the way they play off each other. Each character is very distinct and memorable. I also liked that there was no shining hero, instead everyone is morally grey and self-serving.
There is war brewing in the background, but our cast is interested in living their own lives. They are all selfish people and want what is best for themselves.
Logen Ninefingers is a former barbarian fighter who is trying to make his way in life after losing everyone he knows. Hopefully with less death, but he doubts it. Battle is all he knows.
'Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say he's a survivor.'
'I've no doubt the world would be a better place if I'd been killed years ago, but I haven't been, and I don't know why.'
Captain Jezal dan Luther wants to play, gamble and win the sword tournament. He does not want to be involved in war and politics.
'A few glasses of wine can be the difference between finding a man a hilarious companion or an insufferable moron.'
Inquisitor Glokta is a lovable crippled torturer who hates everyone and everything. He is determined to pull out conspiracy in the kingdom one confession at a time.
'If Glokta had been given the opportunity to torture any one man, any one at all, he would surely have chosen the inventor of steps.'
'There was no banister, nothing to cling to. Sixteen enemies. A challenge indeed.'
I really enjoyed this book for the characters and the way they play off each other. Each character is very distinct and memorable. I also liked that there was no shining hero, instead everyone is morally grey and self-serving.
“Every man has his excuses, and the more vile the man becomes, the more touching the story has to be. What is my story now, I wonder?”
I'm keen to read the next book in the series for the followup on these characters and hopefully see the plot pick up a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Excrement