The Blade Itself

The First Law: Book One

By: Joe Abercrombie

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 22 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled and bitter relic of the last war, former fencing champion turned torturer, 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 and shallow, 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 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 hard....especially when Bayaz gets involved. An 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....

©2010 Joe Abercrombie (P)2010 Orion Publishing Group

Best fantasy book you've never heard of

Wow. I am not a fantasy book kind of guy but after this was recommended to me I gave it a shot. Firstly what a stellar performance by Pacey, so many characters, so perfectly realized. I am really looking forward to the next two in the series narrated by him as well. Secondly the writing is fantastic, I always had such a full and vivid picture of what was happening in wonderful detail. I can't wait to delve more into Ambercrombie's other work.

An amazing performance for a solid narrative

What made the experience of listening to The Blade Itself the most enjoyable?

Steven Pacey is possibly the most talented performer I have heard on an audio book. He made the story incredibly enjoyable.

What other book might you compare The Blade Itself to and why?

The Blade Itself is not unlike The Way of Kings in narrative structure. The world is lower fantasy (i.e. less magic), and the narrative not as tight, but it follows several disparate protagonists whose stories slowly spiral toward each other in a large narrative arc.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard Steven Pacey before, but I am completely impressed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really. It was an enjoyable listen, but not as compelling as other books I couldn't put down.

Any additional comments?

Sand dan Glokta is one of the most interesting and compelling characters I have ever read. Anyone who likes complicated, sympathetic anti-heroes should be very pleased by this character.

awesome werewolf story

I never leave reviews but I am for this book, I am huge werewolf story and movie buff and these 3 books are the best werewolf story I've heard so far.. werewolf horror at its best :)

Yes, yes, yes!

Would you listen to The Blade Itself again? Why?

Absolutely! It was engaging and original. I normally tune out during fight sequences, but Abercrombie is masterful at describing the action and he left me gasping at times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Logen Ninefingers, for sure. I also have high hopes for Glotka.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first and I liked his narration very much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Logen carried the apprentice on his back for days. Also when Ferro came back for Logen.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to start on the next one!

The most wonderful unlikely heroes

Mr Abercrombie makes his unlikely heroes human and sympathetic, even when they are variously cruel, cowardly, venal, relentless, self-serving and vain. Beautifully read by Steven Pacey, who gives each character a distinct voice with a distinct attitude. Recommended for fans of fantasy set in brutal times - no sparkly vampires here.

Plot is well hidden, but worth the wait!

I admit that this book started out really strange, and I reached a point maybe halfway in when I still had no clue where the story was going. That being said, the characters were still wonderful and extremely well narrated. The characters drive this book, but the story doesnt start making sense and kick off fully untill the second book. For me that was fine, but I understand a lot of people dont have the will to continue reading. I can however guarantee that once you get well into book 2, there's NO WAY you'll stop listening...
Great characters, avoids a lot of black'n'white fantasy-style.

Just brilliant

Some years after reading the paper versions I have found these Audio productions. The story is excellent anyway, but what takes this audio experience to even greater heights is the reader.

Steven Pacey has mined all the nuance and meaning of the characters and somehow put them into their voices. So much more enjoyable than the written word when delivered in this amazing and thoughtful way.

If you don't like fantasy or have never tried it - this is the story set to change your opinion. However, be warned, it doesn't get any better than this...

Such a pleasant suprise

Would you listen to The Blade Itself again? Why?

YES! The performance/narration is simply amazing. Pacey is brilliant as each of the characters in these novels. Each person comes alive with his performance.

What other book might you compare The Blade Itself to and why?

Similar in themes to Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series (aka Game of Thrones)

Which character – as performed by Steven Pacey – was your favorite?

Ninefingers above them all, but his Northmen Companions kept me devouring these books.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The retelling of Glokta's suffering

Any additional comments?

I am new to Audio Books. I am supremely picky about what I listen to. Pacey and Abercrombie are like a drug. I cannot get enough. My favorite moment was when I realized that Glokta's (who is missing several teeth) has a lisp when he is speaking, but NOT when he thinks or reads to himself. Simply brilliant.

Good book building on more

This book has allot of character development and is pointless in listening to unless you plan on listening to the series.
It took me more than half of this book just to gain some vested interest in the characters, and about the same time frame for the plot to unveil itself.
That said I am deep into the second book and am very glad I slogged through many beginning hours.
This book does not strap itself down to one directed theme. You will get war, politics, magic and deep understanding of the characters and what makes them who they are.

Great characters and outstanding narration

What did you love best about The Blade Itself?

What I found most notable about The Blade Itself was how much it focused on characters that are usually the "bad guys" in most fantasy novels: the torturer, the self-centered, rakish noble and (somewhat) the barbarian. Abercrombie excels at creating characters with interesting back-stories and varied motivations.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sand dan Glokta. Abercrombie does a great job of portraying his bitterness and resentment but also his dark humor and quick mind. There is something utterly disturbing about watching a torture survivor mete out similar horrors to those he's endured but still feeling like this character has some spark that makes him a better person than those around him.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I cannot rave about Steven Pacey's performance enough. The first time I realized that he differentiated between Glokta's speaking voice and his inner voice by lisping to indicate Glokta's missing teeth when he was speaking aloud, I thought, "Wow, he's nailing it!". Pacey gives a very recognizable voice to each character that is consistent throughout the book(s). Without these distinctions, the story would be much harder to follow. It really makes me want to seek out other books read by Steven Pacey.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was one moment that moved me, but I couldn't really write about it without giving it away!