The Blade Itself

by Joe Abercrombie
The Blade Itself cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy, Political, Military, Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99 Hardback • £18.99–£25.00
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 2262
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780575091504
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2009-06-18
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 4

The Blade Itself introduces readers to a gritty and unforgiving world where the line between hero and villain is blurred. Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled torturer with a sharp mind, Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a vain and selfish nobleman, and Logen Ninefingers, a notorious warrior with a bloody past, are each drawn into a web of intrigue and danger. Their paths cross with Bayaz, a bald old man with a terrible temper and a mysterious past, who could be the First of the Magi or a spectacular fraud. As their lives become increasingly entangled, they must confront their own demons and the darker forces at play in their world. The novel is praised for its delightfully twisted and evil narrative, making it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy.

Reviews
Jim Wilbourne · Jim Wilbourne · 2025-03-23
good 4.00

The novel is noted for its strong character-first approach, building up the characters before establishing the main plot. This focus on character development is seen as a significant strength.

The reviewer highlights the novel's strong character-first approach, which focuses on building up the characters before establishing the main plot. This focus on character development is seen as a significant strength, making the characters feel real and relatable. The reviewer appreciates how the characters' experiences and motivations drive the story, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged. The reviewer also notes that the novel's character-driven approach sets it apart from other fantasy books, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    The novel takes a strong 'character first' approach

    Focusing on building up the characters before establishing the throughline of the rest of the story

    The characters' experiences and motivations drive the story

Calliope's Prisoner · 2020-07-29
excellent 4.00

The characters are rich and their experiences, ranging from lost love to bloody combat, are impactful. The book is a triumph of character-driven fantasy.

This reviewer was delighted by the depth of the characters and the impact of their experiences. They appreciated the range of emotions and situations the characters go through, from lost love to gritty combat. The reviewer found the book to be a triumph of character-driven fantasy, praising the way it explores the complexities of its characters. They highlighted the emotional resonance and the gritty realism as key strengths.

Quick quotes

    I was delighted by the richness of the characters and the impact of their experiences.

    Ranging from lost love, to gritty and bloody combat.

    The Blade Itself is a triumph of character-driven fantasy.

Grimdark Magazine · 2014-09-05
brilliant 4.50

The book is a joy to read with its complex world and morally grey characters. The ongoing wars add depth to the narrative.

This reviewer was thoroughly impressed by the richness of the world and the morally complex characters. They enjoyed the ongoing wars and the way they added layers to the story. The reviewer found the book to be a brilliant example of grimdark fantasy, praising its depth and the way it keeps readers engaged. They highlighted the characters' moral ambiguity as a particular strength.

Quick quotes

    A brilliant, complex world with morally grey characters and ever ongoing wars.

    The Blade Itself truly reminds me of what a joy it is to read a book.

    The characters' moral ambiguity is a particular strength.

Doing in the Wizard · 2012-03-08
mixed 3.50

The story is fascinating despite the excessive use of profanity, which feels out of place. The characters are well-developed and engaging.

This reviewer found the story captivating and the characters well-developed, but they were put off by the frequent use of strong language. They felt it interrupted the flow of the narrative and was unnecessary. Despite this, they appreciated the depth of the characters and the intricate world-building. The reviewer's overall impression was positive, highlighting the book's strengths in character development and storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Too many F-bombs interrupting the otherwise fascinating story.

    The characters are well-developed and engaging.

    The story is captivating and the world-building is intricate.

Appears in Lists