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The Blade Itself
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
The first novel in the First Law Trilogy and debut novel from New York Times bestseller, Joe Abercrombie.Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian -- leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies. Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules. Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it. Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald 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 Logen, Jezal, and Glokta a whole lot more difficult. Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood. Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Blade Itself is noir fantasy with a real cutting edge. First Law Trilogy The Blade Itself Before They Are Hanged Last Argument of Kings For more from Joe Abercrombie, check out: Novels in the First Law world Best Served Cold The Heroes Red Country
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Ruthiella
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Thank you for the tag @PageShifter 😊

#whatsyourjobmonday

This book has a lot of “main” characters. I‘ll pick Sand dan Glotka. In this book he‘s a former army officer turned Inquisitor after surviving torture and imprisonment. Makes my contracts and international trade administration job seem much easier… 😱

46 likes1 stack add
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Ruthiella
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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#weekendreads

📚Still chugging through the Abercrombie. I had to back burner it to finish some other stuff last week.

📚 Listening to the entertaining if glib “Everyone in My Family…” murder mystery.

📚 Getting an early start (for once) on this month‘s #ClassicLSFBC pick.

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LitStephanie
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

This is a gem. Listen to the audiobook if you possibly can as it is excellent. Fantasy genre, but not over the top with the supernatural elements. Rather, this is a darkly humorous political and war adventure. There is a lot of violence and some torture, but it doesn't have the gratuitous torture porn feel of George R R Roberts Game of Thrones series. I really enjoyed how Abercrombie pokes fun of bureaucracy.

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Littlewolf1
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

5⭐️ this is a political, dark, epic fantasy, and it was freaking amazing. It was violent and bloody and brutal and sad. I honestly don‘t have the words to express how much I loved it. I will, however, be a little controversial, and say, I think this was so much better than a very well-known popular book, turned into TV show that everybody‘s obsessed with. My opinion only of course. I‘m looking forward to finishing this trilogy.

LitStephanie 100% agree with all that. 3mo
13 likes1 comment
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Littlewolf1
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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“Logen plunged through the trees, bare feet slipping and sliding on the wet earth, the slush, the wet pine needles, breath rasping in his chest, blood thumping in his head.” #FirstLineFridays

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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

I rarely focus on what a book lacks, but I am so impressed with this medieval high fantasy action book that doesn't have raping in it! I don't read a lot of these types of books b/c authors use so much rape and domestic abuse so I was blown away by this. Don't get me wrong, it is bloody, there is a lot of torture some mild racism and sexism.
Overall I enjoyed this it is fast moving and has a thread of humor throughout.

Ruthiella I look forward to NOT reading that as a plot point. 👍 11mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @Ruthiella right??? Some domestic abuse is talked about that happens off page but to not read rape scenes is such a relief! 11mo
The_Book_Ninja Yeah…Fantasy books with rape in can get in the bin 11mo
Littlewolf1 I am reading this one now… I am about halfway through but really enjoying it. 10mo
26 likes5 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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“Everything frightens me, and it's well that it does. Fear is a good friend to the hunted, it's kept me alive this long. The dead are fearless, and I don't care to join them.”

Going to finish this today. It really is a remarkable book. I see now why the ratings across platforms is so high.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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“A friendship between a man and a woman is what you called it when one of them had been persuing the other for a long time and had never gotten anywhere. He had no interest in that arrangement“

One thing that no one mentioned to me about this book, is there is a current of humor running throughout. It is very refreshing.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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You have to have fear to have courage

#quotes #thebladeitself

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Traci1
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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I am trying to finish my book, but my little weighted lap blanket keeps sighing at me. 😄

#dogsoflitsy

kspenmoll Love “ weighted blanket” 1y
Traci1 @kspenmoll She's definitely weighted. Honestly, she feels like 80 pounds of dog in a 20 pound dog suit. 1y
66 likes2 comments
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Traci1
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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I'm currently reading this one, and it is just fantastic. I hate putting it down to do stuff. Grown-up responsibilities suck.

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Rileytmurray
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
Pickpick

Really enjoyed this one as a new fantasy series. Enjoyed all the characters, world building, and overall feel of the book

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wildwoodreads
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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So today on the blog I participated in The Nope Book Tag. One of the questions it asked was “name and antagonist that you would hate to run into.” And since I‘m reading The Blade Itself, Glokta was the first person that came to mind. Seriously, I wouldn‘t want to be in his bad side.

I‘ve heard his character evolves a little though so I‘m interested to see that. But what antagonist would you hate to run into?

55 likes1 comment
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wildwoodreads
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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We‘re finally finished with remodeling so it‘s time to get caught back up on reading. I‘m so excited to spend a cozy weekend at home with books and tea.

I‘m ready to read a chunk in The Blade Itself. I‘ve been enjoying it. I just haven‘t had the time to focus on it. But now that my house is put back together it‘s time to get to it.

wildwoodreads If you need a cozy tea recipe to try this weekend check this one out: https://wildwoodreads.com/2022/08/19/a-friday-morning-book-chat-a-cozy-tea-recip... 2y
58 likes1 comment
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yoavshai
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 283.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

6 likes1 stack add
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Twainy
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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I received book one in a new book box series.

The First Law by Joe Abercrombie

I was given number 824/1500.

The big picture is the audiobook & how I was hooked. I love this series!

The book is signed by the author.

I think the stenciled edge of the 3 books might complete the star that‘s on the hardcover.

All the stars!!

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JuliaTheBookNerd
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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1. If they are done well, yes, I love anti-hero books ❤️
2. Tagged and added some pics of a few of my favorite anti-hero books 🥰🩸🔪

#Two4Tuesday #AntiHero @TheSpineView

#BookNerd 🤓💙📚

TheSpineView Loved Six of Crows! Thanks for playing! 3y
Dragon Great choices!💚🐉 3y
43 likes2 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView

1) As long as they're MEANT to be an anti-hero! Sometimes I'm not sure whether characters are supposed to be arseholes!

2) Tagged. I need to re-read this one and finish the trilogy. Glokta is a fabulous character and Joe Abercrombie is from Lancaster where I used to live 💕

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Michellesibs
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Mehso-so

My first grim dark fantasy and having now read this book I truly understand the meaning of this sub genre. The setting is grim, the characters are horrible, the plot is dark. There's no good guy bad guy here, everyone is awful.
I really am not sure how I feel about this book. It is the beginning of a trilogy and I'm definitely interested enough to see where this story goes but as its so heavy on the bleakness I'll think ill space these books out.

SilverShanica I know what you mean. When I read it I spent most of the time going “what is going on here?” At some point I‘ll get around to the rest of the trilogy and then maybe I‘ll figure it out. 3y
Michellesibs @SilverShanica I'm going to have to force myself to pick up the second book but I'd really like to continue, someday! 3y
45 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Nessavamusic
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

This one took me a while to finish, but it had an excellent ending which made up for the very slow paced first half. Such intriguing, brutal, terrible yet likable characters. I am intrigued to continue the trilogy. 4⭐️ My #bookspin pick complete!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
48 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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#weekendreads
1. Quite determined to finish tagged this weekend, listening to Shadow‘s Claim by Kresley Cole and reading The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley.
2. Pumpkin bread
3. The Bakeshop at Pumpkin & Spice - though I only finished the first of this book of novellas. I DNF‘d the other two. This book screams cozy fall goodness.

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Nessavamusic
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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#weekendreads
1. Tagged, listening to The Last Graduate and just finished The Spanish Love Deception
2. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3. Oh yes, several holiday themed books in the que!

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Nessavamusic
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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#thoughtfulthursday
📖Reading tagged, also 🎧The Last Graduate and ebook The Spanish Love Deception
🍁Taking the dogs to the dog park on a beautiful fall day
📚I really dislike immature characters in adult books.

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🍂📖✨ 3y
30 likes1 comment
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Schlinkles
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Who waited until a week before book club to start this 500+ page beast? Guilty…

Twainy The audio!! I‘m listening to The Wisdom of Crowds. The narration is adding at least another star to this 5 star book. Steven Pacey is perfect for this series! That‘s entertainment! 😁 3y
Lauram I do the same thing every month! I manage to finish with an hour to spare. Good luck! 3y
sbains1980 Reading Before They Are Hanged right now! ❤️ 3y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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xicanti
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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THE BLADE ITSELF did get better! Hurray! I still don‘t love it the way I loved BEST SERVED COLD, but I‘m interested enough to keep on reading.

Lreads 🐶😍 3y
xicanti @QuietlyLaura his face makes me so happy. 3y
JudeCC 😍 😍 😍 3y
See All 6 Comments
smalldogs_bigbooks2419 I‘d be way too distracted by that sweet face. I wouldn‘t get much reading done, no matter how good the book was. 3y
xicanti @smalldogs_bigbooks2419 this is my never ending challenge. 3y
43 likes6 comments
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xicanti
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Who thrifted an awesome-looking but poorly-insulated Hocus Pocus mug yesterday? Me!

Who waited years to read THE BLADE ITSELF but isn‘t really feeling it? Also me. 😔 I‘m gonna give it a hundred pages instead of fifty, because in theory it‘s totally my thing. Hopefully it clicks for me.

MoonWitch94 What is that delicious looking roll?!?!? 3y
xicanti @MoonWitch94 it‘s a tomato roll! Same basic setup as a cinnamon bun, but I put moonblush tomatoes and cheese in the swirls. 3y
MoonWitch94 🤤🤩omg sounds delicious 😋 3y
46 likes3 comments
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LazyOwl
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

Still trying to put my thoughts in order. Not your average fantasy as there is not a huge amount of magic involved. I enjoyed and am definitely interested to see where the stories goes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Katerina Oh, I love this series! Not so keen on Abercrombies YA books, but The First Law trilogy and the stand alone books in the same universe are excellent reads!
I haven't read the Age of Madness trilogy yet, but it's on my list.

Such vivid writing and the characters just jump off the page. Love it :D
3y
LazyOwl Glad you enjoyed it. There's so much going on in the story. I agree the characters are really well written and each have their own unique quirks. I read the Shattered Sea series ages ago which I loved. I don't know why it's taken me this long to pick up another Abercrombie. 3y
36 likes2 comments
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Maike
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

Many POV‘s, all of them so interesting. I can‘t wait to see where the journey is going. Really looking forward to the fall buddyread of book two with @DuckOfDoom

DuckOfDoom So do I! AutumnTBR place for book 2 is already reserved 3y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BookMaven9
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

A masterful first book in the the first law trilogy. Well developed characters that you will find unforgettable. I found the middle to be a bit slow and the story felt stalled, he focuses so much on characters it‘s almost like he forgot to move the story along. But it did pick again and I‘m hooked. Looking forward to book 2..

TrishB Great pic 👍🏻 4y
12 likes1 comment
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BookMaven9
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Beautiful days with my puppers and a super good book!

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aryapdane
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

How could I have gone so long without reading this book? It has everything that I enjoy in a book. Brilliant prose and well crafted characters. Say one thing for Abercrombie, say he knows how to write characters. He's so brilliant in fact that I didn't even notice there was no plot in The Blade Itself. Sand dan Glokta is the reason I couldn't put down this book and I can't rest until I've read the second book. And everything he has ever written.

3 likes1 stack add
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aryapdane
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie

I've never really been a fantasy person but this book has been given to me as a challenge. Hopefully this'll be fun ✌🏼😅

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 4y
aryapdane Thanks! 4y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 📚👏🏻🤗 4y
3 likes3 comments
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GrilledCheeseSamurai
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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I started a re-read of this trilogy yesterday. I'ma try and squeak it in on the side before the end of the year.

I really wanna read Abercrombie's new(er) Age of Madness series but it's been so long since I've read any of his stuff that I figure I should just start fresh.

Anyways - so far it's as fantastic as I remember it being. 💯🤘💯

Jovy Loved this series! ❤️ I know what you mean about rereading before getting to the new releases. It‘s been ages!! 4y
JazzFeathers Had it on my TBR since forever. I should really find time for it. 4y
76 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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BacklistReader
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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We‘re in the home stretch and to be honest I‘m not sure of what to say about these.

I‘m nervous about World Without End as the other book by Ken Follett I read I didn‘t like but I can‘t quite place my finger on why.

I have heard a lot of good things about Joe Abercrombie just in general.

And I can‘t wait to get back into the world that Philippa Gregory creates whether that be with the Tudors or somewhere else.

#unreadandontheshelf

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Rina_Black
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie

You have to learn to love the small things in life, like a hot bath. You have to love the small things, when you've nothing else.

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Rina_Black
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie

Once you've got a task to do, it's better to do it than to live with the fear of it.

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vlwelser
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Mehso-so

This was good. It took me about a week to get through it, which feels like forever, but probably isn't. It's the first in a trilogy, but I sort of think I might be all set.

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parasolofdoom
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick
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my.books.in.squares
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Happy 1st December everyone.

I love this time of year. 🎄🎀

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Skeebies05
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

It was good. A tad too much fencing but the last 200 pages made it very worth it! On to book two.

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Rambo_Reads
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

One of my favourite fantasy series (though I don't think I've mentioned it on here before). When people are looking for grimdark, this is where I point them ⬆️👍

DrexEdit So so good! 😊 💜👍 5y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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J0v1njelyn
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Pickpick

WOW! Can it be any better?! An intriguing cast of characters, a mysterious adventure, and a war looming for the people of Adua. An amazing narration by Steven Pacey added a down to earth and witty dialogues. Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #TheFirstLaw

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my.books.in.squares
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Got my hands on these today. Heard great things about this trilogy.

Have you read these, what did you think? I've not read anything by Joe Abercrombie yet but I love trying new authors. 🤞

TheSpineView Not yet, but like I heard they are good. Stacked! 5y
TrishB I enjoyed these 👍🏻 5y
Scamp1234 Loved this series. It has one of my favorite characters ever, Sand dan Glotka. Abercrombie likes to turn your basic assumptions in fantasy books on your head and surprises you throughout with where he‘s taking the series. 5y
Lucy_Anywhere I loved this series. Great characters, especially Glotka 5y
53 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Bookdragon2020
The Blade Itself | Joe Abercrombie
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Pickpick

I had absolutely no expectations going into this one, I found it rather entertaining and as I neared the end I felt so glad that I finally read it, book 2 is already waiting for me, so I guess I am going on another adventure...