James Barclay

dragonkillernz · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 365 Location: New Zealand

I just finished that book, The Blade Itself, and I have to say, it's pretty damned good. I have a thing for finding good debut authors Razz

I did it with James and I did it again.

Here's an interview with him.
http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2006/12/joe-abercrombie-interview.html

And to entice you to read, here's a few quotes from said interview:

"I showed a few chapters to my family, who were astonished to find it didn?t completely suck. That was all the encouragement I needed."

"The area for which I?ve garnered the most praise, however, is the nice feeling paper in which my books are bound. If you like nice feeling books, you can't go wrong with The Blade Itself."

I especially cracked up with that last one Razz

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Ian Fulguirinas(dragonkillernz)

DarrenT · Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 60 Location: United Kingdom

The sequel is even better.

And you can expect his official website to launch sometime this Spring / early Summer...
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dragonkillernz · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 365 Location: New Zealand

I'll so be there Razz

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Ian Fulguirinas(dragonkillernz)

Lizzy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject:

I'm about 100 pages in to the blade itself, and it's every bit as good as I'd been lead to believe, if not better. Very witty and has had me chuckling lots. Very Happy

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Listen to Lizzy, she's always right! as said by Jovial

Tk421 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 275 Location: United Kingdom

my copy arrived this morning. Woohoo. I'll be reading it as soon as I've finished reading another debut author's book.
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"Right so we're going to steal a bomb that can be remote detonated, take it back to our base and then huddle around it? That sounds like a great plan."

Lizzy · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject:

You won't be diappointed, it's really very very good. Inquisitor Glokta is a fantastic character, and you should read it for him alone.
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Listen to Lizzy, she's always right! as said by Jovial

Tk421 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 275 Location: United Kingdom

lol can I read it for the other characters too?
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"Right so we're going to steal a bomb that can be remote detonated, take it back to our base and then huddle around it? That sounds like a great plan."

Lizzy · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

probably

No seriously when you've read it you'll know what I mean.
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Listen to Lizzy, she's always right! as said by Jovial

dragonkillernz · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 365 Location: New Zealand

So I've bought the second novel as well, and its just as good, if not better than the first. It seems my book collection has been growing since I moved out of home, paradoxically, when I should have less money Razz

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Ian Fulguirinas(dragonkillernz)

Tk421 · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 275 Location: United Kingdom

Just finished reading The Blade Itself last night. It's not bad at all. Glokta was cool you're right there Lizzy, although for me Logen Ninefingers was the best character. The scene with the bloody nine for instance.
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"Right so we're going to steal a bomb that can be remote detonated, take it back to our base and then huddle around it? That sounds like a great plan."

Wulfa_Coldheart · Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 97 Location: United Kingdom

The Blade Itself and Before they are Hanged are both great books and I'm really looking forward to the final book - Last Argument of Kings.

The First Law series has been pretty refreshing, in a fantasy market were many authors take themselves far to seriously, to find a series with such interestings characters, intriguing plots and and a fanastic sense of humour is great.

The series is almost a parody of the fantasy genre, but without being ridiculous or offensive.
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TheJovialGnome · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 295 Location: Boston

Just finished it too and I have to say that I was mightily impressed, refreshingly different and leaves you wanting more which I will doubtless get in Before They are Hanged. Very Happy

And Lizzy is spot on about Glokta, wonderful character - wasn't too sure at first but he really grew on me - his acerbic thoughts had me chuckling to myself throughout. Shocked

Highly recommended!
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sir robin · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

seems i'll be joining the club with liking the blade itself.

Really hated Jezal at first. And Gloktas sarcasm was refreshing in a fantasy novel.
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Max Power · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 467 Location: United Kingdom

Just started this, and I already like Glokta - he's imposed himself on the story very early on and I'm looking forward to more of him.
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Deornoth · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 446

HeeHee, I'm reading 'Last Argument of Kings' (the final book in the trilogy) and it's better than both of it's predecessors Very Happy

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