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60 pages 2 hours read

Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Blade Itself follows Logen Ninefingers, a warrior battling creatures called Shanka, as he meets Bayaz, a powerful Magus. Meanwhile, in Adua, Inquisitor Glokta uncovers corruption, and nobleman Jezal trains for a fencing Contest. Characters from different lands converge, setting the stage for war and intrigue. This book features references to suicide, domestic abuse, and enslavement.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself captivates readers with its gritty world-building and complex characters. Praise highlights Abercrombie’s dark humor and vivid action sequences. Criticisms note a convoluted plot and uneven pacing at times. Overall, the book offers an engaging, albeit uneven, entry into the grimdark fantasy genre.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Blade Itself?

A reader who enjoys The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie likely appreciates dark, gritty fantasy with morally complex characters and intricate plots. Fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series or Glen Cook's The Black Company will find the grim realism and brutal world-building particularly compelling.

Book Details
Pages

515

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Numeria • Medieval fantasy world

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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