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Active: 27083 users

The First Law books. G.R.R. Martin fans rejoice!

Forum Index > General Forum
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1 2 3 Next All
Zelniq
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
United States7166 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-28 06:31:42
October 27 2008 08:10 GMT
#1
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 (Z)sAviOr look like (Z)MuMyung, TL look like GG.net, (P)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.


[image loading]

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.
ModeratorBlame yourself or God
Domestica
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States411 Posts
October 27 2008 08:12 GMT
#2
HAPPY BDAY !!
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:12 GMT
#3
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.
Zelniq
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
United States7166 Posts
October 27 2008 08:16 GMT
#4
hey I gotta grab people's attention somehow!
ModeratorBlame yourself or God
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:17 GMT
#5
you'd fuck your brother even with his hand cut off wouldn't you?

You're such a whore.
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:18 GMT
#6
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?
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:18 GMT
#7
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.
Domestica
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States411 Posts
October 27 2008 08:21 GMT
#8
winter is coming
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:24 GMT
#9
Sandor Clegane may take you.
Zelniq
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
United States7166 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-27 08:28:06
October 27 2008 08:26 GMT
#10
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.
ModeratorBlame yourself or God
iNcontroL *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
USA29055 Posts
October 27 2008 08:27 GMT
#11
Well he DID kill your brother..
Painbringer
Profile Joined March 2003
Norway446 Posts
October 27 2008 08:45 GMT
#12
yes I was certain this was about the next book

But I might check these out, always nice with something different.
defenestrate
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States579 Posts
October 27 2008 08:46 GMT
#13
Zelniq: what other fantasy comes close to Martin's quality, in your opinion?
We believe that we invent symbols. The truth is that they invent us; we are their creatures, shaped by their hard, defining edges.
toadstool
Profile Joined May 2006
Australia421 Posts
October 27 2008 09:46 GMT
#14
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.
NEWB?!
gg_hertzz
Profile Blog Joined January 2004
2152 Posts
October 27 2008 10:16 GMT
#15
tell me when the movie comes out.
Zelniq
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
United States7166 Posts
October 27 2008 21:10 GMT
#16
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.
ModeratorBlame yourself or God
Fontong
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
United States6454 Posts
October 27 2008 21:20 GMT
#17
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.
[SECRET FONT] "Dragoon bunker"
ulszz
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
Jamaica1787 Posts
October 28 2008 01:20 GMT
#18
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.
everliving, everfaithful, eversure
IntoTheWow
Profile Blog Joined May 2004
is awesome32274 Posts
October 28 2008 01:23 GMT
#19
*turns on the Hot_Bid alarm*
Moderator<:3-/-<
Nebula
Profile Blog Joined February 2004
England780 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-10-28 01:30:58
October 28 2008 01:27 GMT
#20
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~

<3
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