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515
Novel • Fiction
Numeria • Medieval Fantasy World
2006
Adult
18+ years
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.
Gritty
Dark
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Challenging
286,165 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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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.
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.
286,165 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Inquisitor Sand dan Glokta
A once-prominent swordsman turned cynical torturer, who endures chronic pain and navigates the dangerous political landscape with dark humor and detachment.
Jezal dan Luthar
A noble-born young officer with remarkable swordsmanship but a self-centered nature, who grapples with his privileged upbringing while seeking personal growth.
Bayaz
A powerful and enigmatic wizard with a deceptive appearance and immense magical abilities, who keeps the motivations behind his quest closely guarded.
Collem West
A soldier of common birth who rises through the ranks due to hard work and dedication, he is protective of his sister Ardee and shares a friendship with Jezal.
The Named Men
A group of Northern warriors loyal to Logen, characterized by distinct personalities and adherence to a code of honor, persistently resisting Bethod's rule.
Arch Lector Sult
The cunning head of the Inquisitor’s Office, who uses others to achieve his self-serving goals and sees the world as a strategic game.
Ardee West
The independent-minded younger sister of Collem West, who struggles against societal constraints and her brother’s protective control.
Ferro Maljinn
A skilled and relentless warrior with a deeply ingrained desire for vengeance against her former captors and an inherent distrust of others.
Yulwei
A mysterious Magi known for his stealth and cautious wisdom, who serves both as an advisor and a critic within the magical community.
Bethod
A strategic and merciless leader of the North, whose presence looms large despite not appearing directly, instilling fear through his actions and cunning tactics.
515
Novel • Fiction
Numeria • Medieval Fantasy World
2006
Adult
18+ years
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