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The Blade Itself (The First Law #1) by Joe Abercrombie
📖 515 pages
Genre: Fantasy • Grimdark • Epic Fantasy

Summary:
In a world where heroes are rare and survival often means getting your hands dirty, The Blade Itself throws us headfirst into the brutal reality behind epic fantasy.
We follow a cast of unforgettable characters: a crippled torturer who hates his job, a barbarian trying (and mostly failing) to be a better man, a vain nobleman desperate to prove he’s more than a pretty face, and a dangerously clever wizard with plans far bigger than anyone suspects.
Joe Abercrombie flips traditional fantasy on its head—this is a story where victories are costly, morality is murky, and violence has consequences. Sharp dialogue, dark humor, and morally grey characters drive a gripping introduction to a world teetering on the edge of war. This isn’t about chosen ones—it’s about what people are willing to become when the blade is already drawn.

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Join the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series Squad! 🗡️📚
If you’ve ever wanted to start a fantasy series but didn’t want to go it alone, this is your crew. We read one book a month together—enough time to savor the story, debate the characters, and unpack the twists without the stress.

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How It Works:
🪐 Series Focus: We’re starting a brand-new journey with The First Law trilogy. This month’s read is The Blade Itself, Book 1 of Joe Abercrombie’s gritty fantasy saga. New world, new characters, fresh start.
🙌 No Pressure Zone: Didn’t finish the book? No worries. Join us anyway—we’ll dive into themes, character arcs, favorite lines, shocking moments, and whether this is a series worth continuing together.

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📍 Join us at the Dog in Croydon on the 25th of February 2026 at 7:00 PM
Grab a drink, sharpen your wits, and step into a world where magic is dangerous, heroes are flawed, and the line between good and evil is anything but clear.

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