Book Review: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself is a fantasy novel by Joe Abercrombie. It was published by Gollancz in 2006. It is the first book in Abercrombie’s The First Law series. This review is intended to be free of spoilers, but none of us are perfect. I purchased the book myself, and no review copy was provided. There are affiliate links at the end of this review.

Blurb:

Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled and increasingly bitter relic of the last war, former fencing champion turned torturer extraordinaire, is trapped in a twisted and broken body – not that he allows it to distract him from his daily routine of torturing smugglers.

Nobleman, dashing officer and would-be fencing champion Captain Jezal dan Luthar is living a life of ease by cheating his friends at cards. Vain, shallow, selfish and self-obsessed, the biggest blot on his horizon is having to get out of bed in the morning to train with obsessive and boring old men.

And Logen Ninefingers, an infamous warrior with a bloody past, is about to wake up in a hole in the snow with plans to settle a blood feud with Bethod, the new King of the Northmen, once and for all – ideally by running away from it. But as he’s discovering, old habits die really, really hard indeed…

…especially when Bayaz gets involved. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he’s about to make the lives of Glotka, Jezal and Logen a whole lot more difficult…

Review:

In the grim and unforgiving world of The First Law trilogy, Joe Abercrombie spends this first novel establishing a grimdark world and introducing us to a cast of characters who defy the conventions of epic fantasy. I’m going to focus on character development in this review, as this really is a character-driven fantasy novel.

The first character I’m going to look at is Logen Ninefingers; once a feared warrior, now a broken man who wanders the wilderness. His past is a graveyard of battles, and his present is a symphony of regrets. The songs that follow him are dirges, not ballads. He’s not presented as a typical barbarian. Between the expectedly gruff exterior lies a man who genuinely grapples with guilt, loyalty, and the weight of violence. He seeks redemption but often finds himself drawn back into bloodshed. His internal struggle between the “Bloody-Nine” (his berserker alter ego) and the desire for peace adds layers to his character. Is he a hero or a monster? Abercrombie keeps us guessing.

Captain Jezal dan Lutha is, to me, the least interesting of the main characters. He is a paragon of vanity who dreams of glory. His rapier dances in the fencing circle, oblivious to the war drums echoing across the North. His arrogance is a blade sharper than any steel.

Inquisitor Glokta is a darkly fascinating character, twisted by torture and betrayal. He limps through the corridors of power. His past haunts him like a relentless specter. Once a dashing soldier, Glokta endured torture during a war. Now, he’s a crippled inquisitor, tasked with rooting out treason. His body is a canvas of pain, and his mind is equally scarred. Glokta’s wit is as sharp as his instruments of torture. He despises everyone, including himself. His investigations lead him through Adua’s corrupt underbelly, where betrayal is currency. Beneath his terrifying exterior, Glokta is a complex character who seeks answers about his own past. His journey is one of self-discovery, even as he inflicts pain on others.

And then there’s Bayaz, the enigmatic First of the Magi. Is he a sage or a charlatan? His bald head hides mysteries, and his temper is a tempest. He weaves spells and schemes, pulling threads that bind these disparate lives together.

Abercrombie excels at character-driven storytelling. Logen’s internal struggle, Glokta’s cynicism, Jezal’s vanity—all resonate. Bayaz, the enigmatic wizard, adds an air of mystery.

The setting they inhabit is gritty, soaked in blood and treachery. Abercrombie’s world is unapologetically brutal. Battles are messy, politics are murky, and survival often trumps honor. The characters face harsh consequences for their choices, and the narrative doesn’t shy away from pain or loss.

Each protagonist – Logen, Jezal, Glokta, and Bayaz – embarks on a personal odyssey. Their paths intersect, diverge, and collide, revealing hidden depths. Abercrombie masterfully weaves their stories, creating a tapestry of conflicting desires and motivations. Trust, in particular, is a fragile currency. Characters grapple with loyalty to friends, nations, and ideals. Betrayals cut deep, leaving scars that shape their trajectories. The question of who to trust (and when) is central.

The Blade Itself is a triumph of character-driven fantasy. It’s not some tale of shining knights, but of flawed souls navigating treacherous waters. Traditional fantasy tropes are successfully subverted. Heroes aren’t infallible; villains aren’t wholly evil. Shades of grey dominate, making characters both relatable and unpredictable. That said, as dark as it is, Abercrombie injects humor; sharp and unexpected. It’s a reminder that even in grim times, laughter persists. However, as you turn the final page you’ll find yourself haunted by echoes of steel, betrayal, and the lingering question; what price would you pay for survival?

Rating: 5/5

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