Today Only: Free Gift Wrap In-Store! 🎁

The Blade Itself

Collector's Tenth Anniversary Limited Edition
Series: The First Law
4.22 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 298,519 ratings, 20,194 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie is a gripping fantasy novel that weaves the stories of several flawed characters. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, a barbarian warrior, a philosophical torturer, and a reviled nobleman find their paths intertwined. Each must navigate their own battles and new alliances as tensions rise and a greater conflict looms in the Union.
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Blade Itself. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy gritty, character-driven fantasy with a mix of dark humour and complex narratives. The story weaves together the lives of a barbarian warrior, a crippled torturer, and a selfish nobleman, set against a backdrop of war and political intrigue. If you're a fan of morally ambiguous characters and unpredictable twists, this intriguing tale offers a thrilling experience.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Blade Itself

A beautiful, collectible new hardback edition of one of the greatest fantasy novels of the past decade.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

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 Glokta, Jezal, and Logen a whole lot more difficult...

The Blade Itself is a tale of gritty humour, intricate characters, and battle-hardened adventure, weaving the destinies of misfits and scoundrels into a singularly thrilling story.

Series: The First Law

View all

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The reviews for The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie praise its engaging characters, sharp dialogue, and action-packed plot. Critics highlight its gritty, contemporary feel and an understanding of violence that adds depth. The book is noted for providing a cheeky and exhilarating reading experience, resonating well with fantasy fans.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473216785

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 15 September 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 42.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 202.0mm

Weight: 557g

Pages: 656

About the Author

Joe Abercrombie was born in Lancaster, England, studied psychology at Manchester University, and worked as an editor of documentaries and live music before his first book, The Blade Itself, was published in 2006. Two further instalments of the First Law trilogy, Before They Are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings, followed, along with three standalone books set in the same world: Best Served Cold, The Heroes and Red Country. He has also written the Shattered Sea trilogy for young adults, the Age of Madness trilogy for old adults, and Sharp Ends, a collection of short stories. He lives in Bath, England, with his wife and three children. 

Also by Joe Abercrombie

View all

More from Sci-Fi & Fantasy

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.