THE BLADE ITSELF | Non-Spoiler Review
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
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The first law is my favorite fantasy series of all time
🙌🙌🙌
I love this series with a passion of thousand burning suns and the unstoppable rage of the Bloody-Nine.
This was such a fantastic, nuanced review of a book you love! I binge read all 8 books last summer one after another before the release of The Trouble with Peace and instantly became obsessed. I went into it expecting to be lukewarm on book 1 because of the apparent 'lack of plot' but I actually ended up giving it 5 stars without a question because it was just so damn rewarding and entertaining, and unlike anything else I've ever read. I think the one I enjoyed the least besides the short stories collection is Red Country, but even that kept me glued to the page towards the middle. Abercrombie's witty writing style and clever character work seem to always win me over, no matter what the man writes.
I reaaaaally hope you'll get an ARC of The Wisdom of Crowds before its release in September and bring us an early spoiler free gush of a review!
Haha yeah Red Country wasn’t my favorite either and I know Lord Grimdark himself said he was feeling burned out when he wrote it 🤷♀️
To my knowledge, publishers rarely give out ARCs for final books in a series, so I’m not holding my breath, plus I need Stephen Pacey‘s narration 🙌
I loved it from the word go... but I have been realistic for a couple decades by now, so it's not really a surprise :p
First vid I watch from your channel and I basically agree 100% with all you just said. A rare occurrence. Beautifully put.
awww i want a bloody nine t shirt. Specially cos i actually have nine fingers too.
If you re-read this book any more times, you'll turn into the real life Glokta.
Why do I do thith.....whyyyy
I really find your reviews intellectually helpful and well rounded- you are a charismatic character yourself - I like how you described how you felt differently when reading the book at a younger age - such character development! Thank you so much I will listen to this and cancel Malice based upon what you said as I can’t imagine disagreeing.
Just picked this up at Half Price Books yesterday. Never heard of it before and it looked interesting enough. Im really excited to read it now
This is the best review of The Blade Itself that I found and it's mostly because of your love and passion and deep understanding of the series. I'm halfway through the book (first time reading) and I have to say, I LOVE IT so far! :D
I'm just now reading TBI for the first time and I'm already obsessed. Some of the ways the characters act feels a little bit over the top though particularly jezal 😂
I just wanted to let you know that I really really like your video
I’ve watched a lot of book reviews and it’s very refreshing
And as far as a review, it’s what I needed to hear
Read it and loved it. Now reading book 2. Totally agree with you about getting to know the characters through their inner and outer dialog
This was a great review, you captured pretty much everything I liked about it. I’m one of those people that saw and appreciated this book the first time around, and I often listen to the audiobook while I’m walking to work. It’s my favorite First Law book because it encapsulates everything I really like in a story, those being character and atmosphere. Because I have to admit that while the later books are still good for the most part, I personally have more criticisms of them than I did with TBI, which is the king in my opinion. My favorite thing bout the book being the prose and dialogue. I feel the First Law series is a must read if you really want to learn how to write well. Keep up the awesome content, I love all your videos.
I do think that over time and over many rereads this has become more and more of a favorite (among favorites) - the one that started it all, there’s no duplicating or replacing the birth of a legend, is there?
@@LienesLibrary absolutely. It's the first love, and like you said, only gets better every time you re experience it.
A very honest and sincere review 🙂
I dislike this review because it tempts me to throw out my planned TBR to start this series. I own the first book and I keep putting it off and this is making me want to read it right now.
Muahahahaaaaa! Yeees toss aside all those OTHER books and make way for Lord Grimdark 🙌
And you will like it *even* more if you listen to it with Steven Pacey narrating.
I *Love* this series.
Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie; he can write very satisfying endings.
Loved your "review"! Kind of comforting to be not the only one addicted to that stuff. I've read the First Law trilogy 5 times but contrary to you The Blade Itself hit me at my very first read. Most consider The Blade Itself one of Abercrombies weakest books, I think it is as great as (or maybe even better than some of) his other books. Maybe some people just need a bit to adjust to a new writing style and setting. Rereading the trilogy is like visiting old friends for me. Well kind of horrible friends but at least some of them try to be good ... occasionally.
haha yes, I admit I do like these horrible characters and look forward to spending time with my good pals Logen and Glokta 🙈
@@LienesLibrary Be careful around Logen, you know what usually happens to his friends. And Glokta is my favorite tooth fairy 😁
If Blade Itself is considered one of his weakest books, then i’m in for a real treat. i loved it!
I am a quarter of the way through it, and ngl I was getting frustrated with the impression that nothing had happened yet. So I I decided to watch your review. I am a very plot driven reader, but can enjoy character driven stories as long as I know I'm not going to get the type of story I prefer. So thank you for being honest about the book and now I can read it and enjoy it and won't be disappointed by an ending that doesn't meet my expectations
Just started this one for the first time last night! Happy to hear it gets better with re-reads, because I’m a big time re-reader.
Ohemgheeee hoped you luuuuuuv it! 🥳
Damnnnn, that Bloody Nine t-shirt!! Also, The First Law series is the best grimdark series of all time, imo!
It’s the best in my book! 🙌
So nice to find a piece of storytelling for which you find yourself saying (usually several books later, and possibly with a reread under the belt): "With the clarity of hindsight..." And then you have a crap-ton of new thoughts and feelings. Your review brings that home. Thanks.
Totally know what you mean and yes that’s the dream really for a reader 👌
I'm a bitt blind so I do audiobooks instead of reading when I can. Listened to this one after your ruthless Abercrombie marketing campaign on the ASOIAF streams.
Perhaps it's Steven Pacey's masterful narration. Perhaps it's because I'm a cynical old bastard. It's probably both, but loved this on first listen.
The structure is very interesting. As a big ASOIAF fan, I'm used to seeing POVs last a whole chapter, so the chapters where the POV shifts were particularly impressive. Another thing I really liked was the theme of dogma being so destructive.
About to dive into book two.
Not yet on the re-read stage yet. Finishing up Red Country.
i read this for the first time last month and all these characters are the worst I LOVED ITTT, the humour is 10/10 and you're so right these characters are soooo real and messy and i have no idea where this story is going but im soo ready for book 2
So glad you loved it! Hope the next books will keep you hooked 🥳
I literally just bought Before They Are Hanged, so I'm excited to finally continue the series!
Woohoo! Hope you love your first First Law journey 🙌
I thought the book was good, but not great. By the end of the trilogy, I was in love with Joe Abercrombie. I think I should reread it now, though.
Hey, I just finished The Blade Itself yesterday! I agree with everything you said. I think some underrated aspects of the book are its prose, which is actually quite beautiful at times (Logan’s first time seeing Adua) and the comedy, which is always sharp and clever (basically every time Glokta is thinking or being condescending). Can’t wait to finish the trilogy!
Absolutely agree that Abercrombie is a wordsmith who breathes life into every scene and every character 👌
Agree about the prose. It is strange to me that so few reviewers mention the prose. He kind of reinvented the limited third person POV for me. There is never any out of character info dump and all the descriptions are exactly how the POV character sees, hears, thinks or feels ir. The description of Adua is very different from Jezals (who grew up there), Logens (who never saw a big modern city) and Ferros (who is colour blind and hates everything) POV. All is consistent to a level I never experienced with other authors. And I'm convinced that Abercrombie could write flowery and poetic he just doesn't do it because it doesn't fit any of the characters. Imo the prose is the groundwork of the great characterization.
@@bernhardrenner5176 “Ferro who is color blind and hates everything” 🤣👌
Reading it for the first time I knew it would be one of my "to be reread" series.
I reread 2 & 3 just so I could get a deeper understanding of Ardee & Ferro's story. I loved this trilogy. I am totally following your video guide as to what order to read his books. Thanks again.
Yay! So glad you’re enjoying! The best is yet to come I promise 😉
I'm halfway through and I. Love. It!!
So by the fourth time through you’ll give it 7 stars 😅
I got the First Law Trilogy for my birthday based on your recommendation! You rave about Joe Abercrombie so much that I figured I had to give it a go! I am hoping to read it over the summer break (I work in education and that just seems like a good time for a binge)
Imo any time is a good time for an Abercrombie binge 😁 hope you enjoy!
Just got this book because of your recommendation cant wait to get into it
Oh boy hope it doesn’t let you down!
Totally agree with you...Prior to the HBO series, my ex-roommate got me started on the Song of Ice and Fire, and though I turned from fantasy years prior (due to the sanitation of the genre...good vs. evil with no Clint Eastwood), the series reignited my interest into what I thought was a dead genre. Then, google search dark fantasy (did not know grimdark at the time). Joe popped at the top of all lists. (aside: think I saw Best Served Cold at my local Barnes, and that piqued my interest, but didn't purchase). So I read the Blade Itself...actually read the trilogy, and wasn't impressed. But continued reading all his books. Now rereading the trilogy from the beginning. Am starting to notice clues, which I like. I guess I'll sum up this nonsensical diatribe with what kept me going: Read tons throughout my life and most I forget right away. Yet, this trilogy has characters that have stuck with me to this day. 9 fingers and dogman and bayaz the first time. 2nd time through get to add more like Glockta (though never forgot his issue with eating due to dental problems). Anyways, can see how people who know the genre may have issues but everyone else who grew up in the same hollywood that Joe did will realize how awesome these novels are.
Such an amazing review, Liene! I couldn't have said any of this better myself.
I have a similar experience with this trilogy. I read it 2 years ago and rated it 3-4 stars because, despite amazing writing, I was confused as to what it was all leading to and why everything was so grim. Now upon rereading I changed all my ratings to 5 stars and appreciate what Joe is actually doing here. And I'm having an absolute blast spending time with these characters and laughing at the sarcastic humor.
Will definitely reread again.
yes! but the fact that it gets better upon reread just means that all ever want to do is reread these books 😂
I trust you and how you feel about certain books 📚
I really liked the Blade Itself. And your point about the humor in bleak situations, speaking as someone who grew up poor and not white in the States...being able to laugh is sometimes all you have. So good point.
As one of my favorite sayings goes, if you’re not laughing you’re crying...
I’m going through a slow re-listen of the series to prepare for Wisdom and semi-participate in Alex Nieves’s readalong. I wrapped up TBI last week and am halfway through BTAH. It’s my third favorite series, and Abercrombie is one of my favorite living authors. I love that you’re such a big fan, and your journey was cool to hear about.
So hyped for Wisdom and Stephen Pacey is very worth relistening to 👌
Indeed - I listen to a ton of audiobooks, and he is by far my favorite living narrator.
@@BaldBookTuber definitely in my top 3
Can't wait to start reading the second book in the series 🤗🙂
Woohoo! Hope you love it
This channel should be called The Blade Itself
I think I'm on 6th. I still find little bits on each read-thru of all the books
I dunno what's happening with my comment lmao but this was awesome, I loved the internal monologue of the characters and that made Glokta so interesting. There's absolutely plot threads being built here and we just don't see where everything is going yet which is probably why so many people say there's no plot.
I agree with both your shadow comment and this comment hehehe - i'm going to need Glokta and his practicals to investigate what's up with this......someone needs to confess!
@@LienesLibrary As long as it doesn't involve me being beaten up by Frost or tortured by Glokta.
@@alexnieves no, your router just has too many thumbs and teeth 😈
Very good review. I loved the First Law trilogy and the world as a whole! Easily up there as one of my favorites. I just sent this to a few friends hoping you can convince them of what I could not. I’m currently half way through Red Country. Plan to finish it this week and move onto the Age of Madness. Can’t wait to see the reviews of the rest.
Oh that’s awesome to hear! Hope your friends decide to do themselves a favor and read the books haha
And don’t forget Sharp Ends!
@@LienesLibrary I hope so as well. And Noted! Look into getting it as soon as Red Country is finished.
It’s my favorite Joe Abercrombie book. Despite all the violence, it never felt inappropriate in given situations. The series ending was just perfect.
So good 🙌👌
In the word of Frosty the Practical, “Etherer.”
Great review, and impressively critical given your obvious devotion to JA’s books. So glad to see you tackle head-on the popular criticism around plotting. As you say, there IS plot and narrative. The genius is that it is largely hidden and only revealed as the trilogy unfolds. So The Blade Itself is even more impressive once you’ve completed the trilogy and can appreciate M’lud Grimdark’s subtlety in a staggeringly impressive first novel.
Like others, I was locked into the book very early. I only had to read Glokta’s first chapter to know that I would follow Abercrombie through the gates of Hell. I don’t care what he says about Glokta’s origins, he’s channeling raw, uncut Blackadder when he writes Glokta and I won’t ever get enough of it. And all the characters are great - real & flawed, as you say.
The last point I’d stress is the humour. From the dry, sardonic wit of Glokta to the earthy vulgarity of the Northmen - FMD, even naked Bayaz putting some stick about* - the whole book is suffused with wry humour that is never excessive or distracting. It’s just real, human comedy, for which Abercrombie seems innately gifted.
*That reads very wrong, but I’m keeping it.
It really is a staggering achievement especially for a authorial debut - seems like he was born to do this 🙌
Im a little less than halfway through the blade itself. Im not sure what to think of this book so far. Its not bad in any way, but im not loving it. I hope the rest of the book changes my mind.
A couple friends and I are about to start this series, really looking forward to it!! We also just started reading The Broken Earth trilogy, so we are apparently on the Liene fantasy train, and the sights have been great so far!
The video I recorded directly after this was on The Broken Earth 😂🙌
@@LienesLibrary Excellent, it's fun seeing you talk about books you are passionate about, looking forward to it!!
I had a VERY similar experience with The Blade Itself. I'm pretty sure I gave it a 2 originally, then a 3, then a 4, and now a 5. First Law is one of my favorite series, Abercrombie is one of my favorite authors, and Best Served Cold might be my favorite book of all.
Best Served Cold was my favorite until I read his new trilogy 🙌
This is definitely the best non-spoilery review I've watched of yours! Thank you so much! I loved this novel, it was a strong 4.5 stars for me! It made me excited to read the sequel in April. I prefer mysteries and a slow reveal surrounding the magic/laws of the world, character motivations and political intrigue. I can't wait to see what Abercrombie had in mind! If an author can make me care about his characters and some (or most) elements of the world he's created, it's enough for me, and he managed to do that very well. And I must say my favourite novels of all time have a well-balanced mix of humor and dark/thought-provoking themes, so I just knew I might very well love his books. :)
Now let's start The Farseer trilogy in March, I've been dying to read it since last December, but life - aka book mail - happened. 🙈
I just finished the First Law trilogy for the first time and loved it. I gave the first two books four stars and the third book I gave five stars. I'll be reading the standalones soon.
those were my exact star ratings the first time through!
@@LienesLibrary There was something I figured out about one of the character's plans about halfway through the third book that made me laugh out loud and I knew right then I would be giving it five stars.
I'm halfway through the Blade Itself and I'm really enjoying it so far. I feel like the first half is just spent getting to know the characters and just letting you see how interesting they are. It reminds me of a Tarantino film. lol. I expect the plot will come into play more in the second half.
I’d never thought of it that way before but it does kinda have a Tarantino feel in more ways than one 🤔
I so agree with your point about the dialogue at 17:43
Ever since reading this series I can't stand books where every character talks the same.
Oh Lordy I can’t stand bad dialogue 😂
I think I will try and read this book 📖 please stay safe love you and your amazing channel love your number one fan in Australia John
Ill get to this one day 🤞
Great shirt....too bad it’s his left hand missing the finger
Yeah that’s definitely a Jerry Garcia symbol on her shirt. Have a few shirts with that myself, but slapping “bloody nine” on it is a great idea.
LET MY COMMENT IN!!!!!
hehe hi :)
@@LienesLibrary CZcams trying to silence me :(
I liked it from the start and I am planning to reread the first trilogy this year at least. I am also one of the few people that liked Jezal from the start and doesn't have Glokta as number 1 favourite XD
Gasp! Jezal grew on me but no one can top my spirit animal, the one and only Sand dan Glokta 🙌
Need a Bloody Nine shirt
Why Joe Abercrombie is awesome? Because you have to be realistic about these things.
🙌👌
Sure, but maybe I'll wait for a more wholehearted recommendation.
(I'll read it, I swear. Just gotta feel pretty good about life before tackling something grimdark.)
I’m sure you know what’s best for you, but I will say that Abercrombie’s books are surprising non-depressing 🤷♀️
The Blade Itself series is the best contemporary author fantasy fiction book - you have to be realistic about these things.
Okay, so I was at Barnes & Noble, trying to decide whether I should grab John Gwynne's The Shadow of the God's, and I saw The Blade Itself and thought about the million times I've heard you mention Joe Abercrombie, and thought...I am just a little tired of hearing the hero's tale myself, and so I said "f@#k it", there's no way this can be bad, not with the way Liene raves about it, so I got it, and because the store clerk couldn't break a $100 bill and so I went ahead and got Before they are Hanged also to make it easier on her 🤷🏿♂️, nonetheless I'm glad I did it, I was originally gonna read The Age of Madness by itself, and just skip the rest, but I'm sure starting with First Law will only help me appreciate it more, so...thanks for the recommendation, great job and great video, keep up the good work.
hope you love it even a fraction as much as I do!
@@LienesLibrary Oh stop being so modest and give yourself credit lol, you have great taste in books and you know it, go treat yourself, and while you're at it, tell Joe Abercrombie he owes you money for your free promotion. ✌🏿
good review, i now want to read the blade itself... for the fourth time ;). and i agree with a lot, but i would change one thing probably: the scene with the fire spirit. like that never comes up ever again? if that is a thing he can do, why doesnt he do that everytime? (bc it would be to gimmicky). its a very cool scene, but it doesnt fit
The spirit thing is actually explained in the series. They are leaving the world. Same with the magic.
@@bernhardrenner5176 no i know, but given that logen could carry a fire spirit under his tongue to light the next campfire/spit at people (and presumably has done so enough times in the past that he didnt think it all that remarkable), it doesnt make much sense for him personally never to do that again? unless its very uncommon for fires to have spirits? either way its weird that it literally never comes up again.
@@IWantedALongerName Now I think I got what you mean. Even though the spirits told Logen that they might not appear again it has always worked for Logen.
Oh, so that's a Bloody-Nine-shirt. I was wondering if you'd joined the forces of Saruman, that Isengardian Bolsonaro, haha. And this book? I still smile every time when I read my three-star review of this book in which I wrote that I didn't like the characters, it had no plot, and that it was merely 'slightly above average' :D
sounds like first-read me 😂
@@LienesLibrary exactly 😂 so I guess I’ll read it three times more and it’ll be five stars for me as well 🤷🏻♂️
@@thecontradictorian2225 guaranteed 😜
If you like Abercrombie so much why don’t you marry him? lol jk
My plan is to read the trilogy after I’m done with the Farseer Trilogy and Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I’m hoping I’ll like it because I’ve read other grimdark and it just comes off very edgelord and humorless. I’ve heard he has a great sense of humor in both his writing and as a person from interviews I've seen of him. So I’m looking forward to it. Also, Liene you should read Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Tad Williams, the author, is a great writer and would consider it almost like a Robin Hobb in the way that they are pretty classic fantasy and, but can write the shit out of a story.
Abercrombie’s grimdark is surprisingly less grim and less dark than you’d think, at least as pertains to the reader’s experience. Unlike many other grimdark books, his never feel depressing to read because he strikes a balance between the horrifying and the heartfelt and/or humorous that is 👌
@@LienesLibrary That's good to hear because some of these other books I've tried to read come off painfully dorky and over the top. lol I've heard nothing but good things about Abercrombie and I trust your taste in books. 👍
I like the first law trilogy for the style, but why does his prose suck so bad? I grimace every time he uses 'grimaced' for the thousand fucking time. The characters, superb. The story, fantastic. His writing style and prose, freaking garbage.
what, you talk about the pretty book but dont show it?! what a missed opportunity! XD
Haha they’re not paying me to promote it 😜
@@LienesLibrary but i wanted to SEE
@@lesyablackbird it’s linked in the video description 😂