The Blade Itself is the kind of epic fantasy that takes time to build a vast world, filled with an array of characters both alike and incredibly different in their personalities and pursuits. Many of the protagonists are unlikeable, rarely hiding the shady motivations they have to pursue their purposes. The fights are bloodbaths, the political intrigue relatively strong, and the promise of epic quests lingers until the final pages. It feels like a setup book at times, but it’s done well and leaves you wanting to see how this unlikely group of heroes and villains could possibly save the world from enemies lurking at the gates.

It took me awhile to get into this one, mainly because one of the primary characters is a horrible human being with no redeeming qualities. Another is incredibly self-centered and disconnected from any kind of real life experience, following a pseudo-quest that isn’t all that exciting. Eventually it all comes together and you realize how essential everyone is to the story. The evil character provides a balance to the Mage who strolls into the city, expecting no questions to be asked and finding hesitance from a world that has long forgotten real magic exists. The annoying character shows us the city side of this gritty world, giving us a glimpse of how unprepared his society is for the ‘barbarians’ threatening their way of life. The story bounces between enemy-filled forests, burned down villages, and a sprawling city similar to Rome, leaving us always questioning what happens next.

The best part of the book is the band of ‘heroes’ who feel like anything but, led by Logan Ninefingers. They’re walking legends or nightmares, depending on your past experiences with them, and they’re somehow both terrifying and endearing. The group is tight-knit, always planning each skirmish down to the smallest detail. The violence is brutal, but you somehow barely notice it as they relish their successes. Logan is the kind of reluctant hero I always want to see, going through the motions after years of horrible deeds and potentially wanting to be somebody else entirely. He has hidden depths, and if feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface of the mysteries lurking below his gruff facade. The strongest writing comes from his fight scenes – they’re thrilling, blood-soaked, and a solid entry to the sword and sorcery subgenre. 

Overall, I found it to be an exciting introduction to this world and am looking forward to the next two books. If the first book is any indication, we’re in for endless wars, battles, and an exploration of a magic that is terrifying at its core.