I AM SO GLAD YOU PICKED THESE UP!

I love when you film outside. Wherever you live, it’s BEAUTIFUL

Did you Audiobook this? The audiobooks are AMAZING!!! The narrator slays it with everyone having a very distinct voice/accent. Glokta especially is done so well.

"Body found floating by the docks".......

There's the First Law trilogy, and then there are three stand alone novels set in the same world, and then there's the first book of a second trilogy called A Little Hatred (just published in September) which is set a generation or two after First Law.

Abercrombie is amazing. IMHO he keeps getting better with every book, and he's quickly become one of my absolute favorites. His characters are just... Mwah! Morally grey perfection.

I've been binging your channel for days, and just made a book run for this book, and the entire Gentleman Bastards series. I can't wait to get started!

Say one thing about Joe Abercrombie, say he knows how to write a great character. And to think you haven't even met one of the most amoral, self-serving, despicable, yet laugh-out-loud funny characters in all of fantasy: Nicomo Cosca, famed soldier of fortune. Enjoy book two and beyond.

Daniel convinced me to put this book on my TBR from the fantastic collab you guys did. I appreciated the spoiler free review as I’m looking forward to reading it soon!!

Awesome to see a Booktuber reviewing in the Great Outdoors!

Dude I love talking about a book right after I’ve finished it and therefore I love watching other people do the same! The end of books leaves you with such a book high, it’s great! Glad you liked the book

This is literally one of my favorite series I'm so excited you read it

You’re in for a real treat. I still find myself thinking about the ending of this trilogy all the time. He builds it all up well, and the books just get better as you go. That ending.. phew... 🤯🤯🤯🤯

I started this on Monday; but I'm only 50 pages in or so - it has been a busy week. Your enthusiasm towards the pros reaffirmed that I've made a good choice! Thanks for the spoiler free review.

Absolutely love your review! Wish I could do reviews like you. Never know what to say after I read a book. You made me want to pick up this book.

That scenery. 😍 Be still my heart. I am actually taking some books to my local used book store tomorrow and I’m hoping they have this in stock because I’ve been dying to read this series.

The first book I was ok on it, but it was honestly the second book that sold the trilogy for me. The whole trilogy is very character driven. The world builds a little bit, but never really enough to take the focus away from the characters. This trilogy was like the opposite of Broken Earth for me. Mixed on first book instead of it being one of my favorites, and the last two books were over the moon amazing as apposed to really lackluster.

I just finished this book today and searched your videos to comment! Can't wait to start the second one tonight!

I loved these books so much!!! Joe Abercrombie's writing style just blew me away and I now consider him one of my favorite authors. I read all his books this year except one that I'm saving for when I need saving from a reading slump. I can't wait to see your reviews and thoughts on the next two books! This has become one of my favorite series of all time. ^_^

Great review! Great format! Great job! Thank you

I just seen a video with you and a guy listing fantasy books from beginner to advanced this books is the one I decided to go with. Getting ready to listen to a audiobook of it now. Best wishes to you and yours .

I've read the first two books this summer and I'm still saving the last one, cause I know it's gonna be super epic and I don't want it to end too soon. I also took my time before diving into the second book and missing the world really made me love and appreciate it more. I liked Blade Itself but man oh man, Before They Are Hanged was just so much better!! The plot was good and character dynamics was just FANTASTIC! The way they interacted with each other made me want to be in the book all the time! I think it's better that you're not getting to the second book right after the first one. You'll enjoy it more once you get to it. ^^

I love your outside videos 😭💕

I just finished it 2 days ago and absolutely loved it! 100 pages into the second one at the moment.

Hey, do you mind letting us know what camera/mic do you use when filming outside?

This book was a unique experience for me. My initial reaction was very positive but I minded more that ot had no plot. Bit then, days and weeks passed and I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and I started to love it more and more until I couldn’t help myself and picked up the second boon which OMG it’s book of the year for me as of today. Coincidentally I am starting book three today! I am glad Merphy loved the book too

I just finished this as well and MY GOODNESS! The fighting scenes are some of the best I've read. They really had my heart pumping. I can't wait to start the next one!!

I've had this (and Lies of Locke Lamora) on my shelf for years and haven't gotten around to it yet. Between you and a couple others talking about it, I really want to read it now.

I’ve just finished this book. I can’t describe how much I loved it. Joe Abercrombie is my new favourite writer. I have just started book 2 and so far loving it. It felt great coming back to these characters again. Love your reviews btw no matter what style you do them in. Can’t wait to see what you think of book 2

My favourite book in a long time. It got me back into fantasy after so many years of a lull.

I Think the Blade Itself is the best starter book to the grim dark book style

I agree that this book is A LOT of set up but I loved Glokta and Logen so much that I didn’t mind. I also liked that there’s no a ton of world building just because I feel I get enough of that in my Stormlights and the likes. So glad you got around to this! I’m reading book 2 now and loving it.

I picked up this book a LONG time ago and just never read it. Merphy's review is making me want to bump it up in my reading list, though!

Aaaaand First Law just ticked up a few spots higher on my TBR. Thank you!

Glokta is by far my favorite character probably ever so far! I’m currently reading Before They Are Hanged and loving it! Super excited to see where it goes.

My best friend just recommended this book to me and now you so I'm definitely reading this as soon as I can get it as an interlibrary loan. 👍

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! I read the trilogy and the first stand alone so far and loved them all. Who would of thought that a ruthless torturer could be a favorite character?

Joe Abercrombie writes about violence so well. He makes a disembowelment sound like poetry.

Say one thing about Joe Abercrombie, he likes be repetitive when it comes to character motivations 😂

These books.... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!! Omg I just love Joe Abercrombie so much. The audiobooks are also excellent. EXCELLENT.

Just started this series, and I'll say "ditto" to everything you just said. I love well-developed characters, and Abercrombie hits it out of the park with Glotka and Logen Ninefingers.

I’m so glad you and Elliot are both reading First Law. You don’t have to worry about finishing ASOIF because it ain’t gonna be finished

"Still alive, I'm still alive." I first read these as they were published in the UK and loved the series. I've just returned to them via the audiobooks and found a new depth to them, they are so well read with beautiful character acting.

The ambivalence between the darkness and the light of the world/characters is definitely gripping!

Better written then ASOIAF? Oh Merphy, you hurt my heart. How about we just go with “more readable?” LOL I’m really glad you liked book 1; can’t wait to hear you thoughts on book 2. I can’t predict whether or not you’ll like the direction it goes but I will say he continues to execute his goals for the story just as flawlessly throughout the series. And it is one trilogy and 3 stand alones.

One of my favourite series, it only gets better. One of the best produced audiobooks too along with the Dresden files.

It's been a few years since I last read this but I remember the trilogy just getting better and better. The first two standalone follow up novel's where also good and book 6, Red Country, was my favourite. I think I'll have to plan a complete reread as I believe Joe is going back to this world.

I read this book awhile ago and loved it, but for some reason never got around to the sequel. I think this is going to be the first on my TBR after finishing Mistborn Era 1.

The next two books expand the world significantly. One of my favorite stories (as a trilogy).

If you loved this book, you're definitely in for a treat for the next two in the first trilogy. SO good! Abercrombie sure knows how to build characters. This is one of the few series where I would constantly flip back and forth on characters and their decisions. Also, I just love Ninefingers so much.

Loved the Dogman chapters. They cracked me up and made me want to cry all at once

Your immediate feelings are well placed. The story gets even better in books 2 and 3. Sand dan Glokta is one of the great literary characters ever. I like The First Law even better than the Mistborn and Gentlemen Bastard series. The sequels/standalones are phenomenal too. Haven’t yet started A Little Hatred but it’s on my TBR.

I JUST finished the trilogy and I loved it. Agreed, the first book was just setup and thus a little bit boring from a story point, but the characters... they might not be likeable good people, but some of the most interesting well written characters I have ever read about. I just really hardcore cared about what they did and what happened to them. Can't wait to dive deeper into this world with the standalone novels and the next trilogy. Grimdark isn't usually something I enjoy (and this is on the lighter side), but man, I loved this. Looking forward to your other reviews for the series.

Hi. First of all, I adore your channel and I've spent the last few weeks watching hundreds of your videos. I love your spoiler free reviews and the enthusiastic way you talk about books (especially when it's all over the place like in this video because I can feel your excitment and this makes me excited for the book, too). So there are a lot of new books on on my wishlist now and this will end up on it as well. There is just one topic that is very dear to my heart and that's ASOIAF. I don't think it's a series everyone should read (because preferences exists) and I understand when people don't like it for whatever reason and DNF it. I'm just curious if they do it knowing what they are missing. So basically there is the plot that is spelled out and there is another plot that you have to puzzle together on your own from the information hidden between the lines and in repetitive descriptions. Well, you don't have to because the books work well enough if you just follow the obvious plot, but it's one of the reasons the books are written the way they are written. Plus: only through these hidden details you will realise which characters are lying and why they are lying. Which also means you can't trust anything that's written in dialogue but constantly have to question every spoken sentence... So if you like mysteries, solving puzzles and rereading thousands of pages over and over again (like me), I wouldn't give up on the series, yet. But if you don't like this kind of thing at all and are bored by all the descriptions, violence, etc. then ASOIAF is probably not that enjoyable. (I'm sorry, this got really long.)

Just finished it myself. Really enjoyed it.

I’m about 30 pages from the end of this book and it’s become my favourite fantasy read in a looooong time. Beating the first 4 wheel of time Name of wind Locke lamora Malayan book 1 or dark tower book 1... I’m absolutely loving this book and can’t wait to continue...

Another book series that started with a heavy on setup volume is the Anne McCaffrey Dragonriders of Pern launch title Dragonflight. The follow up novels, Dragonquest and The White Dragon were worth the set up.

I will be starting this series soon looking forward to it.

It´s funny my experience was almost the contrary. I DNFed this book when I was about halfway through maybe? I liked the characters a lot, especially Logen, but it started to be kind of boring to me. On the other hand ASOIAF for me is amazing, read it twice, probably going to read it again sometime in the future, for me George RR Martin has a writing style that really resonates with me. It´s interesting how readers can be so different, at the end a lot of it is about taste. That being said, I have been thinking about giving The Blade Itself another try. Because I REALLY liked the characters, and as time passed, sometimes I catch myself wondering what ended up happening to them.

Thanks for that video! it was a really great review and I enjoyed it. Could you do one on The Bartimaeus Trilogy?

I really like this review. Abercrombie totally hooked me and I actually didn't read the others but am starting now. Can't wait as Glokta just ......ah man I love him

I loved this trilogy and the stand alones . They seemed to keep getting better every book . That or I just loved the characters so much I couldn’t wait till the next book . Got my sub so I can follow along ,hope you like them as much as I did .

I loved A Song of Ice and Fire but The First Law trilogy has almost surpassed it for me. So glad you enjoyed The Blade Itself and I’m sure you will enjoy the rest of the series! Can’t wait for your reviews.

I am always happy when new people try Abercrombie's books. And especially so if they like them :D

Merphy: First time commenter. Been watching your videos for about a year now. It was this review of your first Joe Abercrombie book that finally prompted me to write my first comment - and here it is in logline form: Glad you liked "The Blade Itself"! I'll tell you where I'm coming from. I'm an older guy who grew up alongside old school fantasy, with LOTR remaining my favorite reading experience of all time. Then, I drifted away from the genre. Like, for decades. Until finally, 3-4 years ago, I stumbled across "The Name of The Wind"... ...and I've been reading 80-90% fantasy ever since. Catching up. Discovering an entire generation of new fantasy authors that have taken the genre to new levels. Yes, I've enjoyed many of your own favorites: Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, Robin Hobb (okay, maybe that last one was one of mine). But my "Tier 1" authors are some of the acknowledged Titans: JRR Tolkien, George RR Martin, Patrick Rothfuss... and one surprising young entry who is not a household name - Joe Abercrombie. Like you, this was most surprising to me because I'm not a fan of ultra violence (or "torture porn" as I sometimes refer to it) so I had little expectations for a sub genre called "grimdark" which I had never heard of before. But Joe Abercrombie surprised me, and settled onto my shortlist of "Tier 1" fantasy authors the moment I finished the first book I read in his "First Law" universe. For me, that happened to be "The Heroes" (chronologically, the 5th book in the series, which consists of the opening trilogy and then 3 more standalone novels) which is still my favorite. But they are all well written, with the biggest surprise being how much HUMOR Mr. Abercrombie is able to wring out of such potentially... well, grim and dark material. All six of the First Law books are worthy... ...and I hope you continue to enjoy YOUR journey into Joe Abercrombie's often surprisingly "jollylight" world!

I like these casual chatty vids with more minimal editing. They seem easy for you to make and say all your thoughts--what's not to love?

Still haven't read this, I'll find time to eventually

Great contrasts so in that way it is balanced. Needs the three books to get the world. But the part of the world he does reveal is pretty good.

I love how you make me want to read a book so badly, and then when I look for it I find out it is not translated in french and it is so frustrating for me because I am not that confortable reading english !

Totally agree with your opinion. I Just finish the book the day before yesterday so We were reading the book at the same time and your pros and cons are mine too. But I have to add a new one: WHERE IS THE MAP? I really really needed a map while i was reading. Am I the only one who misses it?

I hope you try the Shattered Sea trilogy by the same author one day. They are some of my favourite books!

I know this is 5 months later but I'm halfway through this book and loving it!

Great review Merphy. Imo The First Law books are much closer in style, and vibe to the Gentleman Bastards series than ASOIAF anyway.

Great review, but I really disagree that the Blade Itself is "better written" than a Game Of Thrones, and I think both of the authors would disagree as well. The Blade Itself was Abercrombie's first book, and even though neither of these authors are known for their incredible prose, A Game Of Thrones was written after Martin had already had a career writing SF and a TV writing career as well. The prose in a Game Of Thrones was just so much more smooth and expert than the Blade Itself. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it.

Say one thing for Logan ninefingers, say he’s a damn interesting protagonist! Glad you loved this, it’s one of my all time favourite series with some complex characters which felt like they really inhabited this world. I’d have to agree that the world could be better fleshed out in book one.

I loved the caatinga.

I really don't know why people put this world as so dark and grim.. it's just a realistic normal world

Don't worry! GRRM also hasn't finished A song of Ice and Fire! that being said, will be checking this one out, have been meaning for a while really.

it sounds amazing!

what i really like about these reviews is that you say barely nothing about the plot. Like you, I prefer to be as blind as possible when I start a book but so many reviewers do little more than go on and on about the plot (even when they say it's spoiler free). It's definitely on my TBR!

I love all Book´s of this Series. It´s perfekt if you seek Fantasy for Adults.

I found the books fun to read and very engaging, loved the characters. I was just disappointed that the end was quite a downer. I know that's the point of grimdark, but still

I can't stop grinning. I just love Glokta. You'll get to see the world in the second volume. I don't know what to say about Last Argument of Kings because some of my favourite scenes, but also some scenes I hate are in there. I've got a question for you, Merphy: why does Ardee West, who is not a stupid girl, agree to some sort of relationship with Jezal? Can you tell? :)

Every character has a dark side and a sliver of redeeming characteristics that just makes you think they will have a great arc moving forward. I'm just on book 2 now

Can’t wait till you get further on this series; the books just get better and better. Probably my fav fantasy series after LotR. Please don’t skip out on the standalone trilogy as they are, IMO, better than the original trilogy!

There are so many deep layered characters in this universe he needed an entire book to write the players. He writes the game in the follow ups.

I still really think you need to give ASoIaF more of a try... But I also think that you went into it (as many of us did...) not truly understanding the scope and material... Which is fine... I loved it my first read through, and before understanding it's true depth... But nooowwww... Now I know better... And Martin really is probably the most brilliant writer since dante... I mean... I'm a religious history major, and have taken a whole seminar (less than 10 students and the dean of the department) dissecting Dante... And I'm telling you... Martins work can be analyzed just the same! (in world context obviously...)

I was interested to see your thoughts on this. Glotka was one of the most interesting characters I've ever read. But other than that the book was boring and had a very vague plot, also a fairly predictable, standard classic fantasy plot. Im not sure if I'm going to continue or not.

please make a video on short stories book recommendation

Can I suggest Guy Gavriel Kay? Re reading Lions of Al-rassan atm and forgot how much I enjoy him.

I'm about to start this book in about 5 min after this review

ASOIAF comments alone got me (and they have nothing to do with this books but is a sentiment to which I can relate). You haven't steered me wrong yet so I'll give it a try.

The second book will drag you in and never let you go. I never met characters that I loved and hated so much at the same time....

Merphy... put... down... the... COFFEE

A book lover in the great outdoors? Merphy, I feel like I don't even know you anymore

I needed more plot. It was so much setup that there wasn't enough to excite me to continue with the series.

The audio books are excellent. At the end of book 2 I jumped around on my porch fist pumping. Say one thing for JRfnK... He's psyched for book 3.... And ur Before They are Hanged review.

I don’t think First Law is better written than Asoiaf, but it is certainly more reader friendly. I just finished Last Argument of Kings and it was absolutely fantastic. That being said, asoiaf is on a whole different scale. The world is much larger, and the characters are more complex. But I think the biggest reason I prefer asoiaf at least a little more is because it is more nuanced than pretty much anything else I’ve read, so many little details you’ll miss the first time you read the series. But First Law was still incredible and I still would recommend it to anyone who wants a similar but easier experience as asoiaf

Where do you live? It's gorgeous! Great review by the way. Looking forward to picking this book up.

Glokta is maybe my favorite fantasy character I've ever read. Certainly in my top 3. Step, click... pain.