Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself is sure to delight readers tired of the predictable machinations of standard fantasies. Its cast of characters resembles a rogue's gallery: a cripple turned torturer; a misanthropic old wizard; a self-absorbed nobleman; and a contentious barbarian. An author to watch.
SFX.com
[A] highly readable fantasy that isn't going to scare off mainstream readers or newcomers to the genre . . . .a whole banquet of violent action and intrigue.
Starburst
You'd never guess that The Blade Itself is Joe Abercrombie's debut novel. He writes like a natural. There are great characters, sparky dialogue, an action-packed plot, and from the very first words ('The End') and an opening scene that is literally a cliffhanger, you know you are in for a cheeky, vivid, exhilarating ride. (5 star review)
Blood Blade & Thruster Magazine
. . . is a fantasy novel full of enough ironic and slightly self-deprecating humor and Scorcese-esque violence to make the average hipper than thou non-fantasy reader want to learn more about the genre (my favorite kind to convert), yet filled with enough touchstones to make your average Tolkien weaned fantasy reader quite happy indeed . . . just one of the great characters in a rogues gallery of fantasy archetypes with a twist, Inquisitor Glokta is one of the finest examples of a sympathetically drawn antagonist I have seen in a very long time, in a book of any genre, and some of his inner dialogue is absolutely quote-worthy . . . if the rest of the series is as much fun as the first bit, Pyr can gladly have my $10 . . . .This book is highly recommended by BBT Magazine!
Publishers Weekly
British newcomer Abercrombie fills his muddled sword-and-sorcery series opener with black humor and reluctant heroes. Logen Ninefingers, a barbarian on the run from an ex-employer who's now king of the North, finds his loyalties complicated when he switches sides and becomes a valuable source of intel to the beleaguered Union. Glokta, a torture victim turned torturer, gets roped into securing the Union's position against both the invading Northmen and the incompetent Union king and council, and ruthlessly wields his skills in attempts to weed out traitors. Foppish Jezal, a preternaturally excellent swordsman, manages to win the contest to become the Union champion, thanks to a little help from Bayaz, a mage with his own agenda. The workmanlike plot, marred by repetitive writing and an excess of torture and pain, is given over to introducing the mostly unlikable characters, only to send them off on separate paths in preparation for the next volume's adventures. (Sept.)
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From the Publisher
"Pointed, driven, and sharp."—Locus on Red Country"
Magnificent, richly entertaining"—Time on The Heroes"
Imagine The Lord of the Rings as directed by Kurosawa."—Lev Grossman, Wall Street Journal on The Heroes"
[Abercrombie has] begun breaking his own rules. And succeeding wildly at it. ... [R]arely has Abercrombie had so much fun while rollicking through his colorful cast's foibles and witty dialogue - and rarely has he dished out so much straight-for-the-heart poignancy."—The A.V. Club"
New, fresh, and exciting."—The Independent (UK)"
Exhilarating... Abercrombie's knack for wit and grit holds your attention throughout, and his eye for character means that there's heart as well as muscle."—SFX (UK)"
Abercrombie writes fantasy like no one else."—Guardian (UK)
