Let's get things straight, aside from the lengthy title (The First Law: Book One, The Blade Itself), this book has no pretentions of being anything other than a fast-paced epic fantasy. The book proudly wears its inspirations on its sleeve but clearly has an agenda to dust away some of the cobwebs of traditional fantasy-fiction by creating a buoyant, lite-fantasy setting.

Abercrombie's minimalist writing style flows fast and hits the crux sooner rather than later; those wanting an explorative experience need not apply as this book hugs the rails until the ride's over. Of course, this isn't a bad thing. The Blade Itself appears to draw from authors like Gemmel and Eddings for the purposes of world-building and narrative guidance (bastion of civilisation under threat from warring nation, greater threat looms, a cohort of rag-tag adventurers must be formed etc), indeed many of the characters fall under fantasy stereotypes (though there are faint traces of parody in some).

It's refreshing and a pleasant surprise, then, to find that Abercrombie has injected some much needed Moorcock and Peake into what could have been a straight-forward narrative and created one of the most fascinating, grotesque characters in fantasy in the past couple of years. The chapters with Inquisitor Glokta feel as though they're from a different novel, with Glokta's crippling deformities fuelling his oblique view on society, but this gives a welcome contrast to the clean fantasy aesthetic in Abercrombie's world.

The Blade Itself is firmly lodged with mainstream fantasy, those looking for subversions and revelations won't find them here. That said, it's difficult not to recommend such an easy read with a refreshing writing style and a band of likeable characters heading out on an old fashioned adventure.

It's ok to dine lite once in a while, just keep some substance close by for when you're done.

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