The Blade Itself: The First Law: Book One (World of the First Law, #1) (First Law Trilogy, #1)

by Joe Abercrombie

3.98 of 5 stars 41 ratings • 12 reviews • 83 shelved
Book cover for The Blade Itself

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Logan 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 but bad songs, and dead friends.

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 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 corrupt heart of government . . . if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Murderouso 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.

Broken Binding subscription exclusive. Signed, numbered, stencilled edges, decorated hardcover, and limited to 1500 copies.

  • ISBN13 9781399604925
  • Publish Date March 2022 (first published 4 May 2006)
  • Publish Status Out of Print
  • Publish Country GB
  • Imprint Gollancz