The Blade Itself (The First Law Trilogy, 1)

*audiobook review* This book starts off in the epic fantasy vibe - vigniettes of different characters that all come together by the end of the book into a finely-woven tale. One thread is that of Logen Nine-Fingers, a barbarian from the north - we meet him as he narrowly avoids his own death at the hand of raiders. Another thread spins from the tale of Inquistor Glockta - a former fighter held captive for two years, who had turned his broken body and skills to ferreting out whatever truth he needs to find. The last major thread comes from Jezal dan Luthar, a spoiled brat of a gentleman who thinks it may just be cool for his career if he becomes a fencing master for his country. There's a huge cast of characters, but it's no problem at ALL for the audio listener because Steven Pacey is an absolute artist at narration. The combination of Abercrombie's clean text and the skilled voice work of Pacey brings every character alive from the very beginning - you hear the fear and resignation in Logen's voice as he falls off a cliff, the pain and life-long effects of torture in Glokta's voice, and the subtle spoiled tones in Luthar as he decides what kind of man he's going to be. These people and the rest of the cast meet in the story of Bayez, first of the magi, who is headed to the Union capitol to gather resources and equipment for an expedition that is meant to save the world. It's going to be hard with Bethod's Northmen attacking from the northern part of the Union, and the barely peaceable Gurkish Empire agitating to take over parts of the southern Union. The king is barely coherent, the ruling council is corrupt, the nation is woefully underprepared for war, and the scene is set for a fantastic audiobook experience. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling audiobook experience - Pacey's narration skill may even make the book easier to understand because each character has a unique voice. This is my favorite book I've read this year!

I really enjoyed reading The First Law trilogy and getting to know the characters created by Joe Abercromie. I admit that when I began to read The Blade Itself, it took a couple of chapters for me to become absorbed by the story, but I appreciated JA's writing style and wit and found the Bloody Nine to be as interesting a barbarian as I had ever encountered. Logen is a hero... for the most part. He is feared by many, he is practical and amusing, he is intuitive and he is a relatively decent man. He is also deeply flawed and at war with himself, as many of us are, so one may relate to him as he experiences both triumphs and tragedies. The story itself provided enough action and intrigue to keep me entertained and interested in what might come next. I found myself cheering for and supporting different characters at various times, disliking most of them at one point or another, then resuming my cheering at a later point. I appreciated the fact that not every story arc was obvious and easily predicted, and that the main characters weren't perfect, but they each showed growth throughout the series. I liked that most of the characters were alternately fascinating or repulsive. I loved Glokta's sarcasm and sadism, West's intelligence and noble attitude towards' things HE felt were noble, Ferro's ferocity and Bayaz's twisted and manipulative nature. Of course, there were a few things I didn't like. For example, I wasn't a big fan of the Logen/Ferro "romance". It seemed bizarre and awkward, at best. I liked them individually, but when they were together in any way besides as warriors, I found it annoying. I didn't like that at the beginning of the series I had no idea what the heck was going on and couldn't read comfortably for around 100 pages. I wasn't impressed with some aspects of the story that seemed to drag, ie: The Contest, wherein Jezal and other swordsmen compete for a title. However, I really don't feel that these issues detracted much, if at all, from the trilogy as a whole. I definitely liked the way in which the series ended, as there are many directions that JA can take the story if he chooses to continue writing about these characters. I'm glad that he didn't write himself into a corner when ending the trilogy. All in all, I thought that the First Law was enjoyable and creative. It is not fantasy a la Jordan or GRRM (as well it shouldn't be); it is unique and gives the genre a little push in an interesting direction. I recommend all three books.

Dans ce premier volet de la trilogie, le lecteur suit le parcours de plusieurs personnages: un guerrier, un mage, un jeune noble narcissique, une sauvageonne en fuite et un inquisiteur infirme. Le chemin des uns croise le chemin des autres, et tous convergent vers la cité d'Alua, capitale de l'Union. L'Union est actuellemnt menacée par le royaume du Nord et l'empire du Sud. Les personnages sont intéressants et attachants (en dépit de leurs défauts) et le livre comporte son lot d'aventures, de complots, de noirceur, le tout relevé d'une dose d'humour et d'une pincée de magie. Bref, une lecture prenante qui met en place les personnages et la situation et qui donne envie de découvrir la suite.

Story is interesting, characters are well developed and the narration is involving. Makes you want to keep reading to know what happens and that is the sign of a good book

Great book. Memorable characters, full of violence, gore, action, and reflection. There is a little lack of plot but that time is invested in the characters like Inquisitor Glotka. Make yourselves a favor and buy this book.

I'm sure, in fact I know that this is a book that has received a lot of positive attention for all the right reasons, and I am equally aware that it is one that has been for quite along time. Just an indication of how long it takes me to get around to read some things. There is so much positive that I could write about it, that it is hard to actually choose where to start or what to concentrate on, so I'll just say, for me at least, this was about the characters. It seems that most of the epic fantasy novels seem to be about world shaping events, an ancient threat coming again, and although there is a hint of that here it seems to be a little more grounded, a real feeling of medieval style kingdoms vying against one another for power, but even that takes an almost back seat to the characters that drive the story. As far as the novel goes there are three main characters, the scarred northern barbarian Logen Ninefingers; the physically twisted, grotesque Inquisitor Glokta; and the noble swordsman Jezal dan Luther. There are of course other characters that we meet along away, although most of them are seen in relation to the three main characters there are a few others who do get their own chapters, but they seem to me more part of the bigger picture than the driving force of this particular novel. And of course each of these characters comes into contact with other characters all of which seem to have strong personalities, even down to the most minor of supporting cast. But the trio at the core of the story are the heart and soul of a brilliant tale and even though they start in very different places there is always that feeling that they are going to come together in the end. It is also the way that Abercrombie plays with your perceptions and allows the character to surprise you that really makes to book work. In the case of all three of the characters the way you initially see them is changed by the end of the book. Perhaps most notably is Glokta, a physically twisted figure, that by the very nature of his profession must be as twisted in mind, but it is only as his personal tale is told that the reader begins to learn there is so much more to him, leading to a sympathetic character who is likeable and lost. It is the same for the other two, in the latter few chapters we get to see more of them, something that either twists your perceptions or confirms something that you have been told throughout but do not really see. Jezal is presented as a young officer from a good family who seems to have an intense weight placed upon him, and seems to struggle under the pressure. It is hard not to feel sympathy for him, trying to live up to everyone else's and his own expectations. His confusion at the love he feels for a woman from another part of society, one where nothing can happen but he loves her anyway is touching and only deepens the feelings you have for him, until the last few pages where he is shown in his true light, a selfish, spoiled man, more worthy of contempt than Glokta. And then there is Logen. Someone who we are told throughout is one of the most terrible and fearsome fighters in the North, whose looks back this up, but the reader never really sees it. He comes across as someone scared of losing his life, surprised when he does not get killed, who would run rather than fight, who is more of a thinker than his scarred looks would convey... until we get to the end and we see the legendary Ninefingers released and everything is turned on its head. The same could be said for the supporting cast, from the Bayaz, the First of the Magi through to the bullish Bremer dan Gorst who faces Jezal in The Contest, who is revealed in just a few words to have the most noble of souls. In all the book is engaging, well written, with a great story and more than good enough to draw this reader in for future novels. (Whenever I get to them!)

Loved this cover and came the day after order. Fantastic book.