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

For grown ups!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's is bloody and truthful. Logan nine fingers is the man.

What did you like best about this story?

People die and some can't believe that they do.

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

Yes. Absolutely. I only listen at work. About eight hours a day is the most I can manage. Took me only three days to finish

Any additional comments?

Amazing book. Can't remember any point where I "groaned" in aggravation BBC of crappy writing.

great author one of the best narrators

one of my absolute favorites.
it is very harsh so if you are squeamish about fluids and language then this isn't for you, but wow is it good

My favorite audible book

Plot character pace humor angst journeys and life lessons the best out there. And incredible performance. Bravo bravo.

Awesome

My favorite series. I like it more then GOT. At least there’s conclusion to this series

Get this book

Was referred here by a friend and am going to thank him for it. Tremendous story and narrator.

the blade itself is a wild ride

What did you love best about The Blade Itself?

the rich character detail ...for I was able to loved or hate all characters occordinately

Who was your favorite character and why?

nine fingers was my fav chacracter for you can tell he was a man who knew his strength and weakness and tried to be a true friend to all

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

the inquisitor

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

major west and his sister when he hit her out of fustration and anger

incredible writing and performance

What did you love best about The Blade Itself?

This series is dark, funny, and has very smart has prose that is both belligerent and cunning, and characters that break all sorts of molds and somehow perhaps none.

What about Steven Pacey’s performance did you like?

This is the first review I've ever written and I've listened near non-stop for more than 3years to audio books. One after another. Steven Pacey is the best. His ability to connect with the moment and the characters , leaves me no room not to follow him into this world.

Any additional comments?

Joe Abercrombie, genius. Steven Pacey, genius. This is one of those endings, when I put the last book down that I was sad because it's gonna be ruff listening for a bit. The bar is now set too dam high, and it'll take a bit for my standards to drop back down to a normal range and sadly even longer to find another artist or two to raise it back up. This may seem sappy but it is sincere, my gratitude for the sharing of your craft joe and Steven.

Unexpected Greatness

When I first looked at this book it seemed a little out of my norm. I picked it up on a whim and I do not regret the purchase. If you like fantasy sword and sorcerer stuff with a little SF and a bunch of action. This is the book for you. It is a little gory and has a lot of harsh language that does not bother me but could offend some. I was impressed with its style and I have almost completed the series.

Great book.

one of my favouites

I love this series. I've read it and listened to numerous times. The voice artist does an A++ job. If you like darker stories where the endings aren't all unicorns and rainbows then this trilogy will become one of your favourites. Bloodier than Game of Thrones and characters that you will love and others you will hate because you love them. Nothing is at it seems.

One of my favorites!

One of my favorite series! I absolutely love the narration! Steven Pacey nails it! This is the 3rd time I'm listening to this series because I enjoy it so much.. I have only listened to the same story a handful of times because I feel like it's a waste.. I can tell that's not the case with these. Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a gritty story with awesome characters, brought to life by a fantastic narrator!