The Blade Itself

by Abercrombie, Joe
ISBN: 9780316387316
4.7 (3)
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Overview

The first novel in the First Law Trilogy and debut fantasy novel from New York Times bestseller, Joe Abercrombie.

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta a whole lot more difficult.

Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood.

Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Blade Itself is noir fantasy with a real cutting edge.



First Law Trilogy
The Blade Itself
Before They Are Hanged
Last Argument of Kings

For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out:

Novels in the First Law world
Best Served Cold
The Heroes
Red Country

  • Format: TradePaperback
  • Author: Abercrombie, Joe
  • ISBN: 9780316387316
  • Condition: Used
  • Dimensions: 9.10 x 1.50
  • Number Of Pages: 560
  • Publication Year: 2015

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  • Dark Fantasy at it's Finest

    Shaun F. - 4 years 10 months ago

    The Blade Itself is a fantastic dark fantasy novel that is not for the faint of heart. You take a trip into the world of politics, magic and a nation on the verge of war. This novel gives us everything we love about fantasy worlds, but with the twist of mysterious conspiracies.

    HPB Staff Review

  • A mad man, a rich and useless Nobel, a former shave who trusts no one, and a lying ancient magician walk into a bar.. What happens next?

    Keith C. - 6 years 2 months ago

    This is the first book in a grimdark fantasy series. It's absolutely delightful, in the way it's written, the characters, the settings, and the humor. It contains a very odd mixture of humor, extreme violence, and a little bit of magic. The players involved don't fall into the typical 'good guy, bad guy' roles. They are all flawed, some more than others. While they may be trying to be better, it doesn't always work out. A loose cast of spoiled nobles, a schizophrenic northern warrior, a wizard who unlike Gandolf, ain't such a nice guy. It's the first book in the First Law Trilogy, and after that there are three more stand alone novels and a collection of short stories in this world. He's even currently writing a new trilogy to continue on! I recommend this to all of my friends, and have bought and given away multiple copies. Do yourself a favor, and if you like the works of George RR Martin, Mark Lawrence, Robin Hobb. Give ol' Joe shot, won't ya.

  • Enthralling worldbuilding, characters, and plot! A must-read!

    Heather S. - 6 years 2 months ago

    For anyone looking for a great epic, this is your book and your series. Fantastic worldbuilding, mystery, and characters you love (and some characters you love to hate!). Every character's personality has a really human depth. I laughed, sweat, and snarled during this book. It was awesome. And if you're in the mood for an audiobook, the voice actor for this one is great. I still hear his voice for certain characters. There's a second trilogy out now, and I just finished the first book to that one. Now I have to wait for the next installment :( Say one thing for this reviewer: say she's impatient and excited for the next!