The Blade Itself: Book One

If you prefer a series that leaves you thoroughly satisfied at the end, don't read this. If you prefer a series where characters get redeemed in any meaningful way, don't read this. If you prefer a series where the world is revealed to you through clever exposure and not through (despite being well thought out) exposition dumps, don't read this. If you like books that leave you miserable after reading but where a full month after you're done you think to yourself 'some of that stuff was quite neat and despite everything I liked that character', then read this.

Had a physical copy of this book, but never found the time to read it, always stopping and starting and losing track, basically didn't get into it. Then bought the ebook and had another go, really glad I did, brilliant read, great story and characters, personalities built up well so you really get to know them. I noticed alot of comments mention glokta, he is brilliantly twisted.

A good start to a good series, with compelling characters and a degree of intrigue. Not the best fantasy I've read, but certainly not the worst. Comparisons to Gemmell are misplaced though. Abercrombie's not quite as good with his action as Gemmell, and Gemmell's more about one character and their adventures, where Abercrombie is more interested in the politics of the worlds he builds. The books are strongest when dealing with Inquisitor Glokta, where torture is an institutionalised reality, used to wring confessions with little interest in actual justice. Glokta himself is also a great character; a hero reduced to a cripple whose reality is every-day pain.