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United States7166 Posts
So I just finished reading The Blade Itself, an epic fantasy novel written by Joe Abercrombie, a new writer, and yet you could not tell it was his first book. It is the first in The First Law trilogy. I'm so eager to continue reading, I considered to not even bother making this post. But I am lucky to have a brother who has introduced these books to me, so I'd like to introduce them to you too.
Magnificent. Masterful. Now this is a writer I could get used to. I think Infinity Plus said it well, "Finding a writer like Abercrombie amidst the clutter of second-raters who crowd the fantasy genre is like the sun breaking through dark clouds; he wakes you up and reminds you why you took up reading in the first place."
If you've been searching like I have for a series similar to George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, you should be pleased. Much like ASOIAF, The Blade Itself is gritty, dark, and complex. A story told with wit and biting humor, he writes with a style that is refreshing and fluent. Its dialogue is sharp and witty. The fight scenes are very well done; they feel real and vivid. But its greatest strength lies in its compelling characters (again, similar to Martin). A heroic epic fantasy, yet with very unconventional heroes. I would feel confident in recommending this book to readers skeptical of the fantasy genre.
This is one to put at the top of your "must-read" list.
This book is so good it makes  sAviOr look like MuMyung, TL look like GG.net,  Stork like Jared, and anyone with C iccup rank look like Combat-EX. It doesn't matter if you've disliked every book you've read in your life, you're reading posts from a online game forum, just read it!
But enough from me, I recommend checking out this excellent review, it says all I want to say but better.
Or if you prefer short quotes from various reviews, check out these quotes and plaudits from reviews. It also has a short description of the book.
It is a recent series of books, the 3rd installment was released August 2008.
p.s. So far, I'm enjoying it even more than A Song of Ice and Fire. I have been waiting so long for Martin's next installment in the series, but even if it arrived at my doorstep today, I'd continue with The First Law.
p.p.s. There are a few spoilers for ASOIAF in a few of the replies below this post.
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
Sir
You tricked me.
I came to this thread when I saw George R.R Martin but in fact I find that you are simply claiming some guy is as good as Mr. Martin.
Please do not continue with your blasphemus ways.
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United States7166 Posts
hey I gotta grab people's attention somehow! 
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
you'd fuck your brother even with his hand cut off wouldn't you?
You're such a whore.
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
Nm.. you are like the ugly midget son that nobody cared for. You'd murder your own father just to better yourself would you not?
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
You probably considered marrying a base born woman too haven't you? A red wedding for you.. maybe even a cold river for the limp body of your dead and raped mother.
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winter is coming 
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
Sandor Clegane may take you.
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United States7166 Posts
No, but I would smother my own spouse so that I could set the corpse ablaze in a funeral pyre along with the crazy witch who just saved my spouse's life just so I could get my dragon eggs to hatch.
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iNcontroL
USA29055 Posts
Well he DID kill your brother..
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yes I was certain this was about the next book
But I might check these out, always nice with something different.
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Zelniq: what other fantasy comes close to Martin's quality, in your opinion?
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In my opinion, one of the finest fantasy trilogies to have ever come out. Very quirky with a very good storyline, up there as one of the epic fantasy series around.
The story at first veers towards the traditional 'heroes journey' formula, but it goes through several twists and the ending will leave a weird taste in your mouth. Epic, different and somewhat complex. Although, of course, not as complex as ASOIAF.
I have been searching for 1 year for book series' similar to ASOIAF, and have come with some very good book series indeed.
The First Law, by Joe Abercrombie
The Lies of Locke Lamorra <- EPIC FANTASY
(part of the Gentleman Bastards series, it's REALLY good)
Actually I'll write more later, I gotta go gym.
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tell me when the movie comes out.
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United States7166 Posts
On October 27 2008 17:46 defenestrate wrote:
Zelniq: what other fantasy comes close to Martin's quality, in your opinion?
I haven't found any others besides this series, but I heard there are a couple that are sort of similar. Perhaps someone else will enlighten us.
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On October 28 2008 06:10 Zelniq wrote:Show nested quote +On October 27 2008 17:46 defenestrate wrote:
Zelniq: what other fantasy comes close to Martin's quality, in your opinion? I haven't found any others besides this series, but I heard there are a couple that are sort of similar. Perhaps someone else will enlighten us.
Steven Erikson's Tales of the Malazan Empire is as good, if not better than A Song of Ice and Fire. However, these two authors write in a COMPLETELY different style so it's really up to your own opinion.
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awesome i love song of for and ice series, and have been looking for a book to read for a while. thanks, i'm checking out the first book for sure.
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is awesome32274 Posts
*turns on the Hot_Bid alarm*
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Whilst not so epic in scale, I'd suggest Robin Hobbs Farseer Trilogy
Assassin's Apprentice
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest
Her talent in writing is unsurpassed imo and this is coming from someone who destroyed through all of Martins novels and short stories.
Hope at least one person gives them a go because they really are amazing.
Edit: Thanks to OP, I've finished reading everything i own atm, so I'll give these a go~
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I am about a week from exhausting my current book collection at school, so I will definitely pick this up next time I'm at a store.
I would like to read the thread, but I was warned that there are people spoiling books in it, so whoever that is, big ol' middle finger from the walrus.
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United States7166 Posts
On October 28 2008 06:20 Fontong wrote:Show nested quote +On October 28 2008 06:10 Zelniq wrote:On October 27 2008 17:46 defenestrate wrote:
Zelniq: what other fantasy comes close to Martin's quality, in your opinion? I haven't found any others besides this series, but I heard there are a couple that are sort of similar. Perhaps someone else will enlighten us. Steven Erikson's Tales of the Malazan Empire is as good, if not better than A Song of Ice and Fire. However, these two authors write in a COMPLETELY different style so it's really up to your own opinion.
hm, this series sounds interesting. reviews tell me that indeed the writing style is quite different. i will check it out next time im at the bookstore, thanks
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Now that's how you recommend a book. If you said these books were great, I may not go out and buy them. But to say they are at least on par with, or better than a Martin masterpiece. Well then. Now I'm too fucking curious not to buy them.
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Well I just recently finished a series and am now in need of one... so I'll take your word on this.
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Physician
United States4146 Posts
I'll give the first one a try. As for other fantasy.. .. hum.. try *The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Covenant
The main character is Thomas Covenant, a cynical writer afflicted with leprosy, shunned and despised by society, who is destined to become the heroic saviour of an alternate world - or, perhaps, only of his own sanity. - it just had an unusual appeal for the likes of Entropy...
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United States7166 Posts
After I hype something up like crazy to people, I normally tell them not to try to not have too high expectations, as it lessens the experience. For this, I'm not sure I really need to!
Haha, but seriously yeah don't go in with crazy expectations and try not to make too many comparisons with ASOIAF, it's still different of course in many ways, and stands on its own as a masterpiece.
I'm glad you guys are going to check it out. Testie and DC, you won't regret it!
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Bought it, ninety pages in. It feels like a more verbose version of Glen Cook so far.
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On October 28 2008 17:10 defenestrate wrote:
Bought it, ninety pages in. It feels like a more verbose version of Glen Cook so far.
Theres nothing really wrong with that however.
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Finished. It is well worth the fifteen bucks, but the comparisons with GRRM are unwarranted.
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Tell me, where do whores go?
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Wheel of Time is fucking boring yes?
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Eh, was also disappointed by being mislead by G.R.R. Martin's name, but I'm always glad to hear a book recommendation so I'll go pick this up whenever I can 
On November 01 2008 13:34 {ToT}Strafe wrote:
Wheel of Time is fucking boring yes? Isn't that the series that lasts 20 books, but the author died before finishing the last one?
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On November 01 2008 13:53 Falcynn wrote:Show nested quote +On November 01 2008 13:34 {ToT}Strafe wrote:
Wheel of Time is fucking boring yes? Isn't that the series that lasts 20 books, but the author died before finishing the last one?
Yeah, Robert Jordan died last year but left a lot of notes about how he wanted the story to end. Brandon Sanderson is currently writing the last book in his place.
I've actually just been reading Sanderson's final Mistborn book, which came out a few weeks ago. That's a series I strongly recommend to anyone looking for non-standard fantasy. The hook is "What happens if the prophesized hero fails to save the world?" The story begins 1000 years later.
I read the first Malazan book and didn't really get into it. I've heard the later books are better, but I generally won't continue with a series if I don't like the first one. The first book didn't do a good job of telling a cohesive story - it dropped the reader into the middle of things, and the sequels occur both before and after those events. Too confusing for me.
I read the first trilogy of the Thomas Covenant books and hated them (bought all three of them together). Thomas Covenant is just too unlikable as a character, the supporting cast is just trash, and the plot is flimsy.
Amazon's been recommending The First Law series to me for awhile so I may check it out next. I have to find something to read while GRRM writes his one book every 5 years. Funny thing is that Amazon always recommends the second and third books, never the first one.
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Whilst GRRM may be gritty, dark, and complex, I find his style neither refreshing nor fluent.
I will have a read, so let's hope Joe Abercrombie is better...
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On October 27 2008 17:12 {88}iNcontroL wrote:
Sir
You tricked me.
I came to this thread when I saw George R.R Martin but in fact I find that you are simply claiming some guy is as good as Mr. Martin.
Please do not continue with your blasphemus ways.
agreed
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Germany2896 Posts
On October 28 2008 10:27 Nebula wrote:
Whilst not so epic in scale, I'd suggest Robin Hobbs Farseer Trilogy
Assassin's Apprentice
Royal Assassin
Assassin's Quest
Her talent in writing is unsurpassed imo and this is coming from someone who destroyed through all of Martins novels and short stories.
Hope at least one person gives them a go because they really are amazing.
Edit: Thanks to OP, I've finished reading everything i own atm, so I'll give these a go~
Yes the farseer trilo is quite good. I especially loved the first volume. The fool trilo(forgot the real name of it) is ok too, but not the same level as the farseer trilo. On the other hand I did't like the liveship trilo and stopped it somewhere in book 1 or 2.
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8748 Posts
On November 01 2008 17:52 ShadowDrgn wrote:Show nested quote +On November 01 2008 13:53 Falcynn wrote:On November 01 2008 13:34 {ToT}Strafe wrote:
Wheel of Time is fucking boring yes? Isn't that the series that lasts 20 books, but the author died before finishing the last one? The first book didn't do a good job of telling a cohesive story - it dropped the reader into the middle of things, and the sequels occur both before and after those events. Too confusing for me.
Yeah, nobody is able to follow those damn Star Wars movies either.
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I loved the Farseer books. Fitz is imo one of the most believable characters ever created in the fantasy genre. Assassins are generally described as cold killingmachines with no social skills at all, yet Fitz has to rely on his wits and cunningness (and fails sometimes nevertheless) to achieve his goals. I will never forget the chapter in book 2 where Fitz infiltrated Regals castle - extremely intense.
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The last person to recommend me a book on the basis of it being like ASOIAF was the Malazan Book of the Fallen series or whatever it was called. It was bad. I'm still trying to plug away at book 3 I think it is, but the character design is just so masturbatory everyone is some world ending anime half god character. It's absurd
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United States7166 Posts
thank god that's about as opposite from this book as possible for fantasy characters
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On November 01 2008 21:56 Liquid`NonY wrote:Show nested quote +On November 01 2008 17:52 ShadowDrgn wrote:
The first book didn't do a good job of telling a cohesive story - it dropped the reader into the middle of things, and the sequels occur both before and after those events. Too confusing for me. Yeah, nobody is able to follow those damn Star Wars movies either.
A New Hope told a cohesive story within a larger series. Malazan felt like the author wrote 2000 pages and just grabbed a section of 500 out of the middle at random to call the first book.
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Not to mention half the things that take place in the Malazan book are inferred instead of actually explained in any detail. The writing is poor. You can tell what he was trying to do with the series but he just fails and ends up with a convoluted mess of ideas that have no immediate relevance to the story and are briefly revisited several books later leaving you wondering what the fuck he was smoking while writing this series.
Despite that there are characters and plots within the series that I do find somewhat interesting, but it's a matter of time before I get sick of trying to navigate the authors ADD.
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"and anyone with a C iccup rank look like Combat-EX"
This made me smile
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thanks op to making this thread, without it i wouldn't of read the blade itself.
that book was awesome. i'm buying second tm prolly. action in the book is so badass. if you love to read high get this book. best book i've read high by far. so sweet.
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I finished The Blade Itself and wasn't impressed. The book didn't feel like a novel, it felt like one third of a novel -- there was no conflict, climax, or resolution. The character development was average, but the plot went nowhere. I felt like the book was 500 pages of fight scenes and four-letter words. Not bad overall, but not one I'd be recommending to everyone or comparing to GRRM.
I should probably add that I obviously know it's a trilogy, but that doesn't mean each book shouldn't stand on its own merits.
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is this author's name really G.R.R. Martin?
No one else finds this funny?
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I read through the trilogy and while it isn't quite as epic as ASOIAF, it was definitely worth my time and a highly recommended read for anyone who enjoyed ASOIAF. The parallels between the two are impossible to miss, both are set in a similar setting and have the same "epic story" feel. While ASOIAF stays excellent throughout the books, I felt The Blade Itself waned a bit around the middle of the third book, though definitely picked up for an excellent ending, leaving me wanting more.
Lucky for me the author is writing a stand alone book set in the same world (coming out 2009) and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Especially considering The Blade Itself was his first work and that he will only improve from there. The future looks bright for Joe Abercrombie - even if you didn't enjoy The Blade Itself, keep an eye out for his future works.
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No, apparently he's just supposed to write like G.R.R. Martin.
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On November 01 2008 17:52 ShadowDrgn wrote:Show nested quote +On November 01 2008 13:53 Falcynn wrote:On November 01 2008 13:34 {ToT}Strafe wrote:
Wheel of Time is fucking boring yes? Isn't that the series that lasts 20 books, but the author died before finishing the last one? Yeah, Robert Jordan died last year but left a lot of notes about how he wanted the story to end. Brandon Sanderson is currently writing the last book in his place. I've actually just been reading Sanderson's final Mistborn book, which came out a few weeks ago. That's a series I strongly recommend to anyone looking for non-standard fantasy. The hook is "What happens if the prophesized hero fails to save the world?" The story begins 1000 years later. I read the first Malazan book and didn't really get into it. I've heard the later books are better, but I generally won't continue with a series if I don't like the first one. The first book didn't do a good job of telling a cohesive story - it dropped the reader into the middle of things, and the sequels occur both before and after those events. Too confusing for me. I read the first trilogy of the Thomas Covenant books and hated them (bought all three of them together). Thomas Covenant is just too unlikable as a character, the supporting cast is just trash, and the plot is flimsy. Amazon's been recommending The First Law series to me for awhile so I may check it out next. I have to find something to read while GRRM writes his one book every 5 years. Funny thing is that Amazon always recommends the second and third books, never the first one.
Yeah this shit fucking pissed me off. The problem was that Jordan had the BEST ideas for fantasy universes. The down side was that he took for fucking ever to develop them. The book with the winter cover didn't have the main charecter of the freaking series in it at ALL.
Then this guy wrote a prequel rather than writing the next book and then died. That is like giving someone ass-flavored rock candy. Thank you Robert Jordan for your ass-flavored rock candy.
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I've finished the trilogy. It's worth reading - stylistically mediocre but good content and varied characterization. The atmosphere is nice and dark. Quality improves through the second and third books.
It's still vastly inferior to GRRM.
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so i finished the trilogy and need some more stuff to read. a lot of martin fans here so i think this is a good place for my question. has anyone read Hedge Knight or The Sworn Sword, and if so what did they think of them? i also might read The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan... thanks
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On November 25 2008 09:04 ulszz wrote:
so i finished the trilogy and need some more stuff to read. a lot of martin fans here so i think this is a good place for my question. has anyone read Hedge Knight or The Sworn Sword, and if so what did they think of them? i also might read The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan... thanks Both of those novellas are incredibly awesome, you can finish them in roughly an hour each so they're definitely worth checking out whenever you come across them.
Never heard of The Steel Remains though.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1322/firstlawgc6.jpg)
