60 pages 2 hours read

Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Blade Itself follows Logen Ninefingers, a warrior battling creatures called Shanka, as he meets Bayaz, a powerful Magus. Meanwhile, in Adua, Inquisitor Glokta uncovers corruption, and nobleman Jezal trains for a fencing Contest. Characters from different lands converge, setting the stage for war and intrigue. This book features references to suicide, domestic abuse, and enslavement.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself captivates readers with its gritty world-building and complex characters. Praise highlights Abercrombie’s dark humor and vivid action sequences. Criticisms note a convoluted plot and uneven pacing at times. Overall, the book offers an engaging, albeit uneven, entry into the grimdark fantasy genre.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Blade Itself?

A reader who enjoys The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie likely appreciates dark, gritty fantasy with morally complex characters and intricate plots. Fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series or Glen Cook's The Black Company will find the grim realism and brutal world-building particularly compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Fantasy

Action / Adventure

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Themes

Society: Politics & Government

Society: War

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed