The blade itself

The novel The Blade Itself is the first part of The First Law trilogy, by Joe Abercrombie, a New York Times bestselling author.

"Logan Ninefingers, the infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck and is embroiled in a fight that will make him a dead barbarian. He is left with only bad songs, dead friends, and many happy enemies.

Captain Jezal dan Luthar, the handsome noble officer, a model of selfishness and arrogance, has nothing on his mind but winning dueling matches. But war is raging, and on the frozen battlefields of the North, the fighting rages with its bloodiest rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, a crippled hero duelist turned torturer who torments his victims. He only wishes to see Jezal return in a coffin. He hates everyone: rooting out treason from the Union by extorting one confession after another leaves no room for friendships. That is, if he can stay alive long enough. Bloody conspiracies surface, old debts await repayment, and the line between hero and villain becomes so sharp it bleeds.

An unpredictable, captivating novel, charged with black humor, overflowing with unforgettable characters. A fantasy brimming with the details of reality."