The Blade Itself

by Joe Abercrombie
The Blade Itself cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99 Hardback • £18.99–£25.00
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Technical
  • ID: 2262
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2026-01-06
  • ISBN: 9780575091504
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2009-06-18
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 4

The Blade Itself introduces readers to a grim and gritty world where the line between hero and villain is often blurred. Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled torturer with a sharp mind and a bitter heart, navigates the political landscape of his kingdom with ruthless efficiency. Meanwhile, Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a vain and selfish nobleman, finds his comfortable life disrupted by the arrival of Bayaz, a mysterious figure with a temper as fierce as his magical prowess. Logen Ninefingers, a notorious warrior with a bloody past, seeks to escape his violent history but finds himself drawn back into the fray. As their paths converge, they must confront their own demons and the darker forces at play in their world. /n/n The novel is praised for its intricate world-building and complex characters, offering a dark and engaging exploration of power, ambition, and redemption. With a blend of political intrigue, magical elements, and brutal action, The Blade Itself sets the stage for an epic saga that challenges the conventions of traditional 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.

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