Books read in 2020 - No. 6
Hi Peeps
Was hoping I would be putting my seventh book review up by now but "The Blade Itself " took longer to read.
I was thinking it would be a David Gemmell copy and so a fast read, although there are some similarities to "Legend", in that it's a gritty realistic fantasy, it is also something else.
Plus both feature clans in the North bonding under one ruler to attack the South. Both heavily feature an ageing warrior who is well known. Both have grey anti-hero characters. Now I've read the book I realise some similarities which feature in most gritty fantasy. Although this book is also very different.
I've followed Joe Abercrombie's career since he first published "The Blade Itself" in 2006, sadly the same year David Gemmell died. I wonder if David Gemmell ever read it.
I even met Joe in Leeds Waterstones when he did signings for his short story collection Sharp Ends.
I've bought Joe's First Law books, but been putting off reading them. This was because when he first arrived on the scene, people compared him to DG. I didn't want to read his books in case he was better than my favourite author.
David Gemmell is still my favourite but boy is Joe Abercrombie close. Reading chapters with Logen 'Nine-fingers' seemed like reading the Drenai books. Although Joe's writing style is different and I think adds more detail. Certainly he does with character development and World building.
Yes Joe has some great characters including Logen 'Nine-fingers' a "Legend" in the North who has won many fights especially when his Berserker personality comes out but is trying to atone for his past deeds.
Jezal Dan Luthar a promising Fencing champion , although he is big headed.
Inquisitor Sand Glokta a crippled torturer whose mission is to find traitors to the King and the Union. Glokta is my favourite character and the only one where you get inside his head.
Bayaz the First of the Magi who is an ancient Magician/Wizard who is looking for a powerful object to defeat the evil stirring in the South by the name of the Eaters.
This book has more magic in it than I thought.
There are so many other characters we get to meet and get details of which is the strong point of Joe's writing and book. That and World building. The plot is not a strong point but consists of the Union being attacked from the North by Bethod a mad King and also by an Emperor in the South, the Gurkish.
Also in this is Bayaz quest to unite these characters, to take on a journey for a magical artefact to save the World.
So not the most unique of plots but quite a lot to have going on. This book is mainly the set up book introducing the main players and how they fit into the story.
Like I've said Joe's characters are brilliant and I really liked his prose once I got into it. It needed a few tweaks and some phrases repeated but not annoyingly so. Joe is very good at describing the scenery, people. Another highlight of his writing is his action and fighting scenes which make you feel like you're there. Like David Gemmell did.
The main problem is that some parts of the novel dragged, especially when they were in open council as a couple of talking scenes went on for ages. Although whenever Chancellor Hoff was in charge of the court I kept thinking of Stephen Fry. Maybe if they make a TV adaption he could be in it.
The final third of the novel picks up the pace with more action and the pieces fitting together. I also like Logen's old gang who are trapped in the North led by Threetrees and The Dogman.
Overall - a fitting first novel for Joe Abercrombie and a great set up for the Trilogy with some brilliant well developed characters and great writing. Still David Gemmell is my favourite author but Joe is climbing up there and I've heard the second book has more plot going on. Not seeing the Grimdark thing as David Gemmell books read dark with grey characters and situations.
Score - 9/10
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