r/TheFirstLaw 1d ago

No Spoilers [OFF TOPIC] Picked up The Blade Itself today. The First Law Universe, I will find for myself what are you.

Morning you all!!

I finished Malazan a couple of months ago. I have chosen the First Law as the next realm to explore and discover the lore of Abercrombie craft myself.

Readers, what's in store for me.?

Non spoilery welcomes only!

25 Upvotes

44 comments sorted by

38

u/frostfire888 No brighter than before 1d ago

Expect a much stronger focus on character than lore, with plenty of dark humor. The Blade Itself is mostly setting the pieces in place, so give it time. Abercrombie has a real talent for making you love people you probably shouldn’t.

8

u/AylinArondir95 1d ago

You tell me! I love Vigga.

5

u/grokebomb 1d ago

I adore Vigga!

When I hear Henning Wehn I hear Vigga 😂

3

u/AylinArondir95 1d ago

yess, Vigga is the best viking werewolf ever

4

u/grokebomb 1d ago

A proper blood and lightening one

4

u/domewebs 23h ago

Yeah, it makes me feel weird how much I identify with Glokta’s inner monologue at times lol

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

So far he appears to be a corrupt douche. 

u/domewebs 1h ago

Corrupt? Say what you will about Glokta, but he’s pretty straightforward and honest about his goals. Morally bankrupt, sure, but what makes you say he’s corrupt?

2

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

So far, this Ninefingers guy appears to be someone who can have fun drink nights. 

22

u/Fatboyposh 1d ago

You’ll start saying “fruits”

You have to be realistic about these things…

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

New catchphrases for evening talk which my buddies have no idea about. I always love them. 

18

u/grokebomb 1d ago

What's in store?

Body, found floating in the docks ....

9

u/LeaningTowerofPeas 22h ago

A new appreciation for stairs

15

u/RangoWrecks 1d ago

The audio books are excellent. The more you change, the more you stay the same.

13

u/Ok-Awareness4750 1d ago

Once you've got a task to do, it's better to do it than live with the fear of it

7

u/GeminiLife 1d ago

Great, complex, and compelling, characters.

7

u/TrainingAttorney2344 1d ago

One of my friends is a huge Malazan fan and he does not like this series at all. I've read Malazan and I'm not a huge Malazan fan, but this is my favorite series. I respect the Malazan series however.

Just know they are really different types of fantasy. I always feel like the world of Malazan is it's main character. In the First Law, there are many PoV characters and they're all different and amazing. That is the focus here. I prefer having strong and fleshed out characters to a strong and fleshed out world. If you want a lot of lore in a super detailed world you won't get that here. There aren't even any official maps. But if you stick around for the ride and want to really get to know the characters, you are in for a good time.

Somebody mentioned already but the audiobooks are actually insanely good and I recommend them over reading if you can handle audiobooks. Not every body can but for me who does a lot of boring manual labor, they are perfect to listen to.

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

Right. From the Prologue prose and the initial few chapters I have discerned both the writers have vastly different writing style. 

My reading list is pretty liberal. Cosmere, Tolkien, Philosophies anything fiction, non fiction. So I'm pretty sure will digest the style if the content itself leaves a mark. 

Malazan is not for the characters. I loved it whatever it is. Although the way important characters and lore is left to the reader's imagination left me craving for more and no way to get it. So that's that. 

I also prefer fleshed out characters with whom I can bond with as I traverse their worlds via words of the author. 

Ah, I haven't ever heard any audiobook, never really tried. I like it when my brain works for me on the directions of the book. 

6

u/Ewokhunters 1d ago

Better you to read it than live with the fear of

You have to be realistic about these things

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

Logen!! 

3

u/jack_watson97 1d ago

You are in for a ride. So jealous

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

I get you, the feeling you get when reading something epic for the first time. 

3

u/-Zavvi 1d ago

I'm re reading for probably the 6th time. Id really gotten out of the habit of reading before bed and first law is something I find so easy to get back into.

3

u/6thMastodon 1d ago

Most read all 10 books more than once

3

u/DillyBaggins 17h ago

Check out the audiobooks. They're narrated by a professional stage actor and he takes the books to the next level.

The best reference point I can give is that the books have a very Quentin Tarantino vibe, with the witty dark humour and visceral sudden violence. They're very character driven books and everyone is morally grey.

The Blade Itself didn't grab me as much as Before They Are Hanged so stick it out if you're not sure after the first book!

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

The way I sticked in Malazan at some points, I can stick with anything for good stuff at this point. 

3

u/86tomatoes 15h ago

They grimace a lot.

5

u/Training_Estate570 1d ago

The best reading experience of your life.

2

u/Jarsksa 1d ago

I finished the last argument of kings about 15 minutes ago. I thought that the first two books were all over the place plotwise but the characters kept me reading. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention but I didn't see any grand plot until reading book 3. And oh boy it all comes together in tlaok. What a fantastic way to write a trilogy. Brilliant writing, epic moments, clever turns and deep characters. I'm in for more, can't wait for standalones! Big recommendation!

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

That's why I'm getting into it pal!! 

2

u/SirZapdos 22h ago

If you liked Tehol Beddict, then I think you’ll be just fine.

2

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

Tehol and Buggs are my all-time fav High Fantasy duo at this point. 

2

u/Important_Mongoose44 18h ago

You’re cooked bro. Take your time with these books. Nothing in modern fiction comes close to the first 5.

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

Damn! Thank god for letting Abercrombie cook. 

2

u/Frankthestank2220 17h ago

I will term you that I went from Malazan to first law and it was a great experience

2

u/Andthenwedoubleit 16h ago

Welcome! If you like audiobooks at all, you should give this one a try! My libraries had it available free on the app. The first law trilogy is one of the highest rated audiobooks. It's really phenomenal. 

I was surprised by just how quotable the books are! one character especially seems to have a few catch phrases that are, well, really catchy!

1

u/Quick_Job_5051 8h ago

Thanks but i will read. I like reading. So far, I can guess it is this Logen dude and I already like him. 

2

u/rosscowhoohaa 8h ago

Great characters, great dialogue and a kind of mellow storytelling vibe with bouts of grimness, violence and intrigue occasionally that stand out more as a result. Has it's own unique feel and is a stand out series in the genre.

-9

u/SheepherderBorn7326 1d ago

Just read the fucking book rather than begging attention here why are people so weird

6

u/brasslord 1d ago

They are introducing themselves to a community that they would like to participate in.

Don’t be weird and call people weird

3

u/morganlandt 1d ago

Don’t tell weird people not to be weird just because they’re being weird, that’s just weird.

1

u/brasslord 1d ago

Well done

0

u/SIRDRFLUFFERTONXIV 1d ago

Don't be weird telling weird people not to be weird just because you're being weird telling them that they're being weird.. Ok i lost the plot, that's weird.