JH Lillevik

I have never picked up a book by Joe Abercrombie and now I know what I have been missing. The Blade Itself is the first book in The First Law Trilogy and I am so happy my friend Johann recommended that I should read it.

The story focuses on the life of three people, the cynical torturer Glokta, the selfish nobleman Jezal and the infamous Logen Ninefingers. Glokta is the former champion swordsman turned torturer, after he was severely tortured by the Gurkish during the Gurkish Wars. He is part of the King’s Inquisition, which investigates treasonous acts and plots against the King of The Union. As he investigates a plot that seems to circle around the Mercers, a guild of merchants, he falls deeper and deeper into the politics of the capitol.

Jezal is the classic selfish nobleman. He spends his days whoring and drinking. All he wants is glory, so his father has bought him a position  in the army. He has no real skill as far as warfare goes, but as he trains with his superior Major West, he becomes better and better at fencing. He also becomes aware of the politics of the capitol and as war closes in The Union, he looks an unlikely hero.

Logen Ninefingers is the former champion of the King of the North, Bethod. After being exiled from the North, he spends his days being hunted with his friends. He eventually meets the mythical Bayaz, Magi of the First Order. Without really having an interest in it, he becomes drawn into the world of magic and spirits.

As I said before, I am so happy that my friend recommended this book. The characters are interesting, the world he has built is amazing and the story grips me. The way it is written gives me an urge to read more of what he has written and as soon as I have an opportunity, I’ll pick up the second book of the trilogy.

Let me know if there is something I should read or review.

JH

Related articles

• Rereading Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy, The Blade Itself: “The King of the Northmen” and “A Road Between Two Dentists” (tor.com)
• Review: The Blade Itself (allyouneedisnerd.wordpress.com)
• A Review:The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie (ramblingsbypauline.wordpress.com)
• Book Review: The Blade Itself (synapticsugar.wordpress.com)
• Rereading Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy, The Blade Itself: “First of the Magi” and “The Good Man” (tor.com)
• Rereading Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy, The Blade Itself: “Flatheads” and “The Course of True Love” (tor.com)
• The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (booksplosionblog.wordpress.com)
• Rereading Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy, The Blade Itself: “How Dogs are Trained” and “Tea and Vengeance” (tor.com)