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

it's complicated

The Blade Itself is complex and rich, if somewhat slow moving. Incredible range of characters and plot threads.

Truly great

Fantastic characters and story and masterfully performed! Truly one of the best fantasy novels out there!

Doesn't get any better

Abercrombie in the First Law series just kills it. He spins a cast of characters that won't be duplicated. He is among the few bright spots in fantasy/sci fi. Developed characters in full dimensions. Characters you love and hate. Add on top a plot line that will hook you like crack. What else do you need?

FANTASTIC!

Where does The Blade Itself rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Narration was one of the best I have ever listened to! Clear definition between chapters and characters, inflection was great.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Blade Itself?

Well done on the fight scenes!

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

Logan Nine Fingers was my favorite performed by Steven Pacey although DeGlockta(sp) was up there.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reactions just a great book, I couldn't stop listening to it!!

Gritty and outside the box

For those people looking for a feel good, safe, predictable read THIS IS NOT IT! But if you want to hear a great vivid web of storytelling from a perspective that grips you like a train wreck, then this is for you. Great character descriptions, and for a first novel and series, Joe has captured characters that you just can't wait to hear more of and despise or love, your pick. He will just keep getting better!!!

Hang in for the next books

I won't repeat the praise that's already been repeated several times but I do want to stress that while book 1 does have some action, it's primarily a character development book and a chance to get to know some great characters. I listened then was a bit reluctant to move on to the next book as there were some parts that dragged a bit. It's good, but more like a 3.5 star book. I am SO glad I hung in there as books 2 and 3 are edge of your seat, sit in your car after your commute, stay up late and an excuse to vacuum your house good!

A must! Great story, superb reading!

What did you like about this audiobook?

I listen to this over and over. The story is great, everyone is damaged. No one is a hero. Full of observations and truisms about life. One of my absolute favorites

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Its full of observations of life. Logan is continually telling you about the advice his father gave him. They are all words to live by, for example "Better to do it, than live in the fear of it." Or, "You can never have too many knives." Great!

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

The narration is head and shoulder above any other audio book I've heard (and that's in excess of 400 titles)

Do you have any additional comments?

"A road between two dentists" is the best chapter!

This best series/narrator combo bar none!

I have close to 300 books in my library &, although many of my books have wonderful Authors with excellent narration, I have never, NEV-ER had the desire to listened to one of my books a second time, (I mean for me, what's the point, when I already know the outcome!) until I came to this series of books by Joe Abercrombie & narrated by Mr. Pacey!
If you are looking for a series that is a full immersion into the excellence of what an Audible book experience can be, then look no further than this marriage, as Mr. Pacey breath's life into the characters of Joe Abercrombie's outstanding epic story/series! For me, their combination is the best I've found on Audible!
Again, I have many favorite authors & a handful of voice actors whom I consider the very best @ their craft & genre's , but for my money, this series is the high water mark of the Audible book experience & should not to be missed!

If you love grimdark fantasy..... then this is your new favorite book!

Joe Abercrombie is the king of grimdark. But for me,
his great English wit is what sets him above the the likes of George R R Martin, Steven Erikson, Kel Kade, Brandon Sanderson etc. etc.

Steven Pacey is also among the top of his class as a narrator!!!

Takes a bit, but well worth it

I was a bit skeptical for the first 30% but it really pulled me in after that. I can't wait to get to the next in the series.