The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

[Ursa major]

I think I'd agree that the first book is not rip-roaring action from cover-to-cover, but as I've said elsewhere, I see the "trilogy" as really one very long book, not a first book with two sequels, so there is a lot of scene setting and character-showing going on (some of it not at all obvious).

I would say that the third volume is the best of them, but looking back at all three as a whole: a fine achievement for any writer, not just a debut writer.

 

[Connavar]

I didnt mind the fact that it was not alot of action outside the scenes in North. At first i was hoping he focused more on Glokta and less on Logen.
Which is shocking to me,political intruige is never more interesting than wilderness,action scenes that Logen and co was involved in.

 

[Ursa major]

I know what you mean, Conn, it's just that Glokta is a star (which is not what I thought I'd be writing after first meeting this sorry soul).


Simplifying somewhat - okay, simplifying a lot - Glokta is a bit like GRRM's Tyrion, but with the removal of all obvious morality and restraint (other than circumstance).

 

[Connavar]

I know what you mean, Conn, it's just that Glokta is a star (which is not what I thought I'd be writing after first meeting this sorry soul).


Simplifying somewhat - okay, simplifying a lot - Glokta is a bit like GRRM's Tyrion, but with the removal of all obvious morality and restraint (other than circumstance).

Not only that i enjoyed alot reading his thoughts that was in italics. He showed nice sense of humour in his situation.

I liked the Named Men, Dogman and co most after Glokta. I wish there were more scenes with them. Hope in the last two books they arent overlooked.

There are many reasons to be impressed by this author. The slow pace for the story dont matter in comparison. What i thought was nice,refereshing from my personal backround was the fact he added Gurkish,other types of people. Brown,black people. Not dark-skinned elf like people like in Erikson series either but real people of other colours,cultures.

Too often in these kind of series the world is a copy anglo-saxon medevil culture. With fantasy versions of Norsemen included.

This world is bigger than that.

 

[nj1]

Not dark-skinned elf like people like in Erikson series either but real people of other colours,cultures.

Too often in these kind of series the world is a copy anglo-saxon medevil culture. With fantasy versions of Norsemen included.

This world is bigger than that.

Sorry for jumping in here but what about Erikson's continent of Seven cities? Based on Africa, several major characters such as Kalam and Quick Ben hail from there (I think even emperor Keleved also came from there).
There are people from the savanna's, jungles of Dal-Hon etc etc. You need to read more about the marines who hail from every part of the globe that Erikson created, each with thier own culture.
Yes Abercrombie's world is good, but IMO not a scratch on Eriksons for depth.

 

[Connavar]

Well i didnt read more than two books of Erikson series so my knowledge is limited. Rake's people being dark was what i thought about. Thats so typical.

Erikson world is much better than the rest of the series. The lack of interesting characters stopped me from reading him. I really liked that huge world, thats why i was so annoyed by the second book....

 

[GOLLUM]

One day I sincerely hope you'll pick it up again Conn...with all due respect I would be amazed if you don't fall head over heels with it given time.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Been a few weeks since I finished the trilogy, so don't want to comment on specifics as I might accidentally spoil the latter books but I loved this trilogy. It's fantastic, and I heartily second the praise for Glokta above.

There are one or two plot twists that weren't to my taste, but they were quite eclipsed by the very enjoyable writing and some excellent characters.

 

[Connavar]

One day I sincerely hope you'll pick it up again Conn...with all due respect I would be amazed if you don't fall head over heels with it given time.

That might happen in the future.

Right now i cant give it time simply because Epic fantasy is not a natural subgenre for me. Taste wise i feel more for down to earth,simpler heroic fantasy ala Gemmell,REH and co


Thats why i was pleasently surprised by The Blade Itself, it was tempo,storywise not my kind of fantasy but still finishing it i was angry i didnt have book 2, book 3

I loaned the first book to my brother who is a big fan of that type of fantasy. He likes GRRM,Sanderson and co i know he will share the cost for the last two books

 

[Heather Myst]

Re: The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie *Five Stars*

This entire series was so good I really think anyone who has not read it yet should treat themselves to this excellent story. It is a little on the dark side but Abercrombie has created some really good characters that will stay with you for a long time. When I first read the series I was so excited to be able to tell all my other fantasy fans about Abercrombie. Glokta reminded me of a Martin character in that he was so very grey. Sometimes you were pulling for him and other times you hated him. These books also made me think of A Song of Ice and Fire because as soon as I finished them I thought I will be reading these again.

 

[Rosemary]

I shall certainly be re-reading them as well. I didn't find the first book slow at all!

Strange, it didn't remind me of any other author or other characters but I did like the way Glokta was portrayed!

All in all I thought it was a great trilogy and looking forward to reading more of his books.

 

[Connavar]

Its all about personal perspective.

Some people think the grayness of Glokta reminds them of GRRM characters and i thought he reminded me of David Gemmell bad guy who are not much of a villain or a hero but in the middle.

Glokta himself is pretty original. For a torturer he was more than that.

Jezal,Ferro,Logen are more typical heroes you see in fantasy. Not that they werent well done.

 

[Ursa major]

All I can do, Conn, is hope you get access to Before They Are Hanged and The Last Argument of Kings as soon as possible.

 

[GOLLUM]

I loaned the first book to my brother who is a big fan of that type of fantasy. He likes GRRM,Sanderson and co i know he will share the cost for the last two books

You're a clever one....

 

[Connavar]

Hey i have to be sneaky i have too many fav authors i'm buying books of.

I have to get quality books for no cost when i can

Thats the reason my sis/brother are fans of Sanderson,Sapkowski,Charlie Huston,Lukyanenko fantasy series. I read those series first and then recommended them instantly.

Got me 10+ free books because they are avid fantasy series readers who couldnt wait for me to buy those books.

Makes me free buy Lord Dunsany,Vance,REH books for myself on the side

 

[williamjm]

I think its a bit shame that in a 3 books series he almost wasted the first book storywise. Great characters but nothing really happened until the end....

Very promising writer but if it was not for some of the characters i wouldnt read the hole series after the first book.

I wonder if the slow pace might be because of Abercrombie's inexperience, it being his debut novel, I imagine that pacing a story correctly isn't an easy thing to get right for a new author, especially when a lot of world-building and plot set-up needs to be done. Alterantively, he might have deliberately paced the novel that way, although the pacing does seem much slower than his other three books - it is noticeable that the stand-alone Best Served Cold gets into the heart of the action much quicker than The First Law does.

Sorry for jumping in here but what about Erikson's continent of Seven cities? Based on Africa, several major characters such as Kalam and Quick Ben hail from there (I think even emperor Keleved also came from there).

Seven Cities always felt more Middle-Eastern to me than African although I can see how the plotline of the colonisation by an Empire could be reminiscent of African history. I think Kellanved was from Dal Hon, incidentally.

 

[biodroid]

My wife bought me The Blade Itself and The Name of the Wind for my birthday.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

This is my first post on this forum as I only found it today!
I had the three books in the series delivered on Monday and can't wait to start. I'm just reading Anathem right now by Neal Stephenson which is incredible but a little hard going at times. I've also had the Mistborn series delivered recently so will be starting these once I've finished the First Law Trilogy. Some good reads to look forward to eh?

 

[Ursa major]

Well I hope you enjoy the First Law Trilogy, crooksy73.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Thanks Ursa - eventually getting to the end of Anathem!