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

Amazing story, best narrator!

This story had everything: great characters, action, humor, untrigue. All told by an AZIMG NARRATOR. Bravo....bravo!!

Amazing simply amazing!

Best book in a long time! Beautiful story and characters! This is a pure gem.

Wow

What a ride. The first few chapters were intriguing and interesting enough, but they needed a bit of ‘muscling’ through. When it got going I was utterly enthralled. The conflict in these characters is chewy, the metaphors are slick and brutal and textured and beautiful, and the narration is makes it a masterpiece.

The last time I reacted to an audiobook like this Ian Holm was playing Frodo, not Bilbo.

Stunning. On to part 2 for me.

Excellent!!

The book was most interesting with an amazing performance by Steven Pacey. I highly recommend it to fans of the Witcher/Name of the wind series. You won’t be able to put it down period!

Amazing Narrator Equal to Terrific Yarn

Imagine a book read by Alan Cumming, John Gielgud, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman. . . well that's the idea. Each of the characters has an accent appropriate to his birthplace and status. He is spot-on and consistent. What a delight!

we are not worthy!!!!!!

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

Attention! Award winner! The likes of Tolkien, Alexandre Dumas, Voltaire! Read it! I know you will find even better comparison... This recording is excellent, voices are great! And its not just ''read''. Buy the book but don't miss this integral recording. Like listening to games of thrones and (anathema!) ... with a better story. A touch of Zola, hard cold reality.... In a ''Fantasy'' novel... Bravo Monsieur Abercromby... Excellent literature! Great Fun! Intelligence! Can't wait for your next book, series or Novel, I will get it!Alexandre Dumas The 3 musketeers...

Waiting for Dances w/Dragons?

OMG please George, finish the story!! This is actually George RR Martin worthy, loved the detail, characters, and I can't wait to listen and find out what is going to happen. Narration also very nice.

Essential for Grimdark fans

This is one of my favorite books, it’s darkly humorous and brutal. If you like gritty fantasy this is a must read. The characters are tragic and yet the dire circumstance are balanced with smart and funny prose.

Refreshing

Took awhile to get into it but in my experience that is best. Like King's Gunslinger. I started and stopped a dozen times before I got the flow. Once I did I couldn't stop. I am glad I discovered it late into this series. I abhor waiting for authors to get around to writing the "next" book. Patrick Rothfuss is a perfect example (delighting in pissing off the readers). But then back to this book. This series is one of the best most refreshing - with fascinating characters - series it has been my pleasure to "read". I personally think the "Fantasy" genre is too limiting. Skip this series at your own loss.

Surprisingly Good

I read a lot of fantasy, but generally I like my protagonists likable and a happy or at least satisfying end to the story. I picked up this book due to all the great reviews and I can say they are justified. The reader can make or break a novel and this reader is exceptional. He made a good book into an excellent book.

The characters aren't likable, but they are highly enjoyable. I definitely recommend this book.