The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

[Joe Abercrombie]

Wayhay..

I have a Question for Joe.

Sorry, didn't see this until just now. In answer to the first part - yes and no. In answer to the second - yeah, what is up with that?

Vague enough for ya?

Here's hoping that the next book is not the last.

Well, it will be the last with these characters in central roles, I'm afraid, but I'm currently working on a new book, which you could call a standalone fantasy thriller, set in the same world as The First Law but in a different setting and with different central characters.

It's about revenge.

 

[Mark Robson]

Hello, Joe. You slid in under my radar somehow. Just noticed your name in the list of people online. Great to see another fantasy author on the boards. I'll confess straight away that I've not read any of your work yet, but 'The Blade Itself' has been on my 'to read' list for some time now. Mainly due to all the positive comments I've seen around here.

We're gathering quite a throng of authors at Chronicles now. Looking forwards to seeing more of you around the boards.

 

[anthorn]

Yeah really vague,

 

[Somebloke]

Many thanks for the interest, and the kind words. It's always a real thrill when you hear that someone's enjoyed your work. Makes the long nights bent over the lap-top seem worthwhile . . .

'Before They are Hanged' is the next volume, just being finished now and due out March 2007.

'Last Argument of Kings' is the last of the trilogy, predicted for March 2008, but that may be subject to some variation due to my intense laziness/more important authors releasing their books at the same time.

I apologise for the wait. I understand the frustration. Fantasy is always so darned complicated. When you pick the next book up, you can never remember who any of the characters are, or what they were doing. In my defence, I can promise you that there will only be three in this series.

Unless they offer me a lot of money.

Or a medium amount of money.

Or any money.

As for everyone else, I can only say:

Buy the Blade Itself.

Reading it is optional, but you must buy it.

- - -

"We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged"
(Heinrich Heine)

Thre is absolutely no reason why this should make me buy the book.


I will though. That's a little disturbing.

 

[GOLLUM]

The sooner Book 3 comes out the better for those of us who are enjoying this series.

Joe, who are your major literary influences, especially within speculative fiction??

 

[Joe Abercrombie]

Hello, Joe. You slid in under my radar somehow.

I'm like that Catherine Zeta Jones with the lasers in Entrapment.

There is absolutely no reason why this should make me buy the book.

I will though. That's a little disturbing.

The bold type compels you, and you cannot resist.

The sooner Book 3 comes out the better for those of us who are enjoying this series.

Joe, who are your major literary influences, especially within speculative fiction??

The third part will be out in March 2008, in the UK at any rate, so in theory Canada and Australia as well. Probably about six months later in the US.

I guess authors are influenced by anything they've ever read, seen or played and liked (or disliked). For me a lot of that is history and more general fiction, plus a range of films, manga, computer games and cop shows. Within the speculative I'd have to say Tolkein (he wrote this book called the Lord of the Rings), Martin, Moorcock, LeGuin, Eddings, plus Steve Jackson's Sorcery gamebooks and a whole load of role-playing supplements. The usual suspects for a guy of 21.

Alright, you got me, 27.

Alright, 32.

 

[Grawgos]

I love this series. I had read about it online for sometime and it sounded interesting. Living in the US, I of course had to wait abit longer to get it and when it did come out, it came out in trade paperback. I bought it, read it, jumped online and bought the hardcover editions of book one and two. Book two is signed, he he he. Come March, I will be paying for international shipping once again. Love the series.

I am the only one whose favorite character is Practical Frost?

 

[power to the J]

I am the only one whose favorite character is Practical Frost?

He's my second favorite...does that count? My first fav. is Glokta (not very original, I know). I am concerned, though, that I wont like Jezal enough to care about him on his journey. Is that just me? I just really dislike him...

 

[Kissmequick]

Is that just me? I just really dislike him...

Me too. I know enough people like that IRL without reading about the pillocks

However I'm not finished yet ( got distracted by Confessions of an Accidental Porn Directer which I got for chrimbo and made me giggle myself silly, and Exiles Gate which I read till my bum went numb) so we shall see.

 

[Mastermizery]

This book was amazing, I am about 75% done with the book and it keeps beggining to amaze me. i have already bought the other 2 books and can't wait until I can read them

 

[Mastermizery]

and yes Joe, the bold does compell us.

 

[soulsinging]

I plan to order this series from the UK after my spring break... the versions they have in stores here in the US are HUGE and look incredibly unwieldy... it's like a hardback only in paperback, very weird. So I'm ordering the proper sized British versions, hehe.

 

[ratsy]

I plan to order this series from the UK after my spring break... the versions they have in stores here in the US are HUGE and look incredibly unwieldy... it's like a hardback only in paperback, very weird. So I'm ordering the proper sized British versions, hehe.

Yeah, they are an odd size. They are in trade paperback only in Canada too. Same as my version of the Lies of Lock Lamora. Almost the size of a hardback without the comfort. Not a big fan..They are okay if the book is thin but not 500+ pages

 

[Stephen Aryan]

The entire series is fantastic. Great and crystal clear characterisation, twisty-turny plots that leave you guessing, so many shades of grey and a very gritty read that doesn't compromise and doesn't wimp out. A friend in New Zealand recommended this book to me as he said it reminded him a lot of David Gemmell. Being such a big fan of the big man I checked this out and was not disappointed. A great book and a great trilogy from an exciting new author who has brought something new to the genre.

I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book, Best Served Cold, set in the same world, but it's a standalone story.

 

[Patch]

Just finnished the first book, thought it was really great.

I initially disliked Jezal, but i think hes got potential to change for the bette, thats what is so great about the characters, they all mostly have glimmers of humanity. Even the "baddies" like the practicals - you see their side of it as well, especially the description of Vitari the red haired practical being helped up by Glokta after Logen gave her a beating. And Glokta, Frost and Severard's relationship is quite touching, even though they do horrible things!

My favorite bits are the bits with Dogman, Threetees etc. I was just wondering if someone who has read the other books could tell me if we find out the full story about them and Logen - why they were exiled by Bethod, and why they stuck with Logen if he was the one who beat them all. And when did Logen settle down and have a family, which were then killed by the Shanka, was that after his time as Bethod's champion?

If someone could just say yes we do find out, or no we dont, that would be great. Im going to read the rest of the series anyway, but id just like to know if we do find out. Thanks.

 

[Hypnos164]

Yes, you get a lot of backstory on Logen and varying amounts on the other named men

 

[Patch]

Thankyou very much!

 

[Patch]

Just finished the trilogy. Excellent stuff.

Has anyone got any thoughts on characters for the Best Served Cold book? Im thinking Vitari might show up, and "Styria’s least reliable drunkard"...Cosca perhaps? And "a barbarian who just wants to do the right thing"...Shivers or Dogman? Hmmm cant wait.

I think Abercrombie has said that there will be minor characters from the First Law in major roles, but i dont know if those i mentioned are minor enough.

SPOILERS!

Spoiler

Dam you Abercrombie! Leaving Logen in the river like that! But it was neat how he ended up exactly as he started. I wonder will we ever know what happend to him???

And you were just downright mean to West!

..................

Anyhow, great books, great twists.

Cheers

 

[soulsinging]

I love this series. I had read about it online for sometime and it sounded interesting. Living in the US, I of course had to wait abit longer to get it and when it did come out, it came out in trade paperback. I bought it, read it, jumped online and bought the hardcover editions of book one and two. Book two is signed, he he he. Come March, I will be paying for international shipping once again. Love the series.

I am the only one whose favorite character is Practical Frost?

I liked Severard the best

 

[Althain's Warden]

I've just started book 2 and am very, very impressed ! Book 1 was stupidly entertaining ! All the characters come across as very believable and i really liked the takes of the characters when travelling to new places. Some of Logen's thoughts on 'civilization' were just ace.
Glotka is probably my favourite character although Logen and the other named northmen are ace too.
I personally find Ferro the hardest to get behind, not saying she's bad just doesn't entertain me as much.