The Book Report #69

Episode #68

The Blade Itself By Joe Abercrombie

The First Law – Book One

The Book

This book was first published on the 4th of May 2006 by Gollancz in the UK. Gollancz is an imprint of the Orion Publishing Group. Who themselves are owned by Hachette Livre.

My copy is a paperback, first published in 2007 and is the 59th printing. This copy has 538 pages, which include a preview of the next book and some advertisements for other books in the collection.

What Did I Think

This book is a fantasy drama set from the point of view of various characters set in different locations around this fantasy world.

War is coming from the North, and even though the South know it is coming, they don’t seem to be in a rush to do anything about it. This is the first book of three, and in this first book, the groundwork is laid for the backstory and gathering of characters, directing them to their final destination, whether that be death or glory.

The society of the South has been alive for hundreds of years, and the bureaucracy of the city has taken over, where there is no rush to get anything done. The King of the South is pretty much useless. And everyone around the King is waiting for him to wake up or die, so someone else can take over.

Meanwhile, Bethod is on a slow march towards them and doesn’t care who is in his way. You either join him or die. It is that simple.

Logen

The first character we meet is a warrior and a man of the North who has been sent on a mission by the spirits, which starts with him finding the great Magi Bayaz. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but he’s along for the ride and will provide help if it is required.

I did enjoy his berserker rage moment. But, I believe, it may have been more of a last-ditch adrenaline rush. But still impressive.

Glokta

Currently, my favourite character. He is a man who has been in some battles and has paid the price for his trouble. He is now crippled and heaverly scared, spending his life in constant pain. Because of this, he struggles with his duties, finding his truth, however and wherever he can find it, as an Inquisitor, and he will get what he needs, whatever the cost.

Everyone seems to take him lightly and for granted. But even when he is on the verge of collapse, he holds strong, not showing any weakness to anyone who could hold it against him. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t perfect, but he is not letting anyone try to put him down.

Captain Jezal Luther

This is the most manipulated character in the book. He is used and pushed around to get him to do whatever people need him to do. The problem is he doesn’t know it yet. He is going to be pissed when he finds out what really happened.

Ferro

She is an aggressive character who has yet to shine. She has made an impact, but there is more to learn. At the moment, we know that she wants to kill everyone who is connected to the people who killed her family and village. Bayaz has chosen her for a mission she doesn’t understand yet, which is due to her blood type.

Bayaz

The first of the Magi is a man who has been around for every long time and has no time for your bullshit. He will play along as long as he needs to, but push him too far and you are gone. You don’t exist. Simple as that.

He has a mission to complete, and nothing is going to get in his way. You are warned.

The Journey

This first book is the staging ground to lead into the next books in the series. We have a story that will lead to a conclusion, and we are introduced to the characters who will take us through the story. So far, we have a team and they have their mission, although the details are not completely revealed. Yet.

I have to admit I was shocked and saddened when I realised I had reached the end of the book. I need to find the next book to get my next fix.

The story glides at an even pace, and the jumping between characters at each chapter flows steadily enough to understand where they are going and what is going on. I am waiting to see what happens when Logen’s gang finally catches up, and they find out he is still alive and vice versa.

The characters themselves have a story, and although not written, there is a backstory for all of them. But it doesn’t really matter, as you feel close to all of them, even the secondary and third characters.

Would I Recommend

Do you want drama instead of nonstop all-out action? But don’t worry, you will get some action. This may be the book for you. This book is a good start, and I am interested in the next book in the series. I will keep a lookout either online or next time I’m in a bookshop.

So, please give this book a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/ USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/  USA, Barnes & Noble or eBay UK/  USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.