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The Blade Itself is the first novel in The First Law, a series of Fantasy novels by British author Joe Abercrombie. It was first published on May 4, 2006.

Plot
The Blade Itself follows three principal storylines simultaneously.

In the North
Logen and his crew (Tul Duru, Dogman, Dow, ThreeTree, Forley) are camping in the forest, when they are attacked by Shanka. In midst of the fighting Logen gets separated from his crew and he survive a fall off a cliff. Nothing knowing if any of his crew survived and not wanting to risk another attack by Shanka, Logen decides to go on his own. On the way he summons spirits and the spirits inform him that a Magus is seeking him. Finally he meets up with Malacus Quai, an apprentice of the Magus Bayaz. Quai guides Logen to Great Northern Library where Bayaz is based. At the library, Logen meets Bayaz and their discussion is interrupted by Prince Calder. Calder demands that Bayaz should accept his father Bethod as king of the north. Bayaz scares Calder away. Expecting that Bethod would come next day, Bayaz arms Logen with Kanedias's sword. As expected Bethod turns up at the library with Scale and Caurib (witch) and demands to know if Bayaz would support him. Bayaz turns down the offer and expecting retaliation from Bethod decides to move to the Union with Quai and Logen.

Thinking that Logen is dead his crew elect ThreeTree as their new chief. They decide to travel south and on their journey south they realize that Bethod is planning to attack the Union. Worried that North could be vulnerable to attack from Shanka travelling from South, they travel to Carleon and send Forley to warn Bethod of approaching Shanka. Prince Calder is in charge of holding Carleon in his father's absence. Carleon has Forley executed and sends out his men to kill Tul Duru, Dogman, Dow, ThreeTree. They manage to kill men send out my Prince Calder. ThreeTree swears revenge on Bethod and they decide to join up with Union soldiers at Angland to fight Bethod.

In the South
Ferro Maljinn and her crew is attacked by the Gurkish soldiers. Only Ferro survives the attack, while she is burying member of her crew she meets Yulwei. Yulwei offers to help her escape Gurkish soldiers in exchange of a favor in future. Knowing she might not be able to escape alive, Ferro accepts Yulwei's offer. Yulwei uses his power to make them invisible, so that they can pass Gurkish camps without being seen. Near Dagoska, Ferro runs away from Yulwei. Next day Ferro is attacked by eaters. Ferro tries to fight them off but isn't able to defend herself. Yulwei attacks the eaters and kills them. Realizing she needs Yulwei help to survive she does not run away from Yulwei again.

In the Union
Sand dan Glotka tortures Salem Rews, a member of Guild of Mercers to obtain his confession on charges of dodging King's Taxes. During his investigation Glotka realizes that many members of Guild of Mercers are dodging taxes. He is asked by Arch Lector Sult, to continue his investigation into the dealings of Guild of Mercers. Jezal dan Luthar has entered the "The Contest (fencing competition)" for the title of the best swordsman in the Union. He is not interested in the contest but is forced by his father to participate in the contest. Jazel spends most of his time drinking and gambling with his friends (Lieutenant Jalenhorm, Lieutenant Kaspa, and Lieutenant Brint). Major Collem West and Lord Marshall Varuz help Luthar in his training. Luthar makes a fool of himself during training session because he is not interested but he changes his attitude towards training after he meets Ardee West (Collem West's sister).

Glotka's investigation reveals that the almost all members of Guild of Mercers dodged taxes and orders directly came from Coster dan Kault, head of the Guild. Arch Lector Sult exposes the Guild of Mercers. In the meanwhile Bayaz, Quai and Logen reach Audua. Bayaz demands for the seat on the Closed Council reserved for the First of the Magi. Sult asks Glotka to investigate the Bayaz's claims. Luthar fights in the contest and reaches the final. In the final, Luthar fights Bremer dan Gorst and defeats after receiving help from Bayaz. Glotka's investigation reveal that Bayaz should have the key to the house of the maker, which hasn't been opened for many years. Sult plans to expose Bayaz during Jazel's victory banquet. They reveal to everyone present that Bayaz must have the key to the Maker's house. Bayaz agrees to take Glotka, Jezal and Logen as witnesses. They enter the house next day, as they enter close to the house Jezal and Logen are filled with dread. Bayaz shows them the "The whole Circle of the World”.

Ferro and Yulwei arrive in Audua. Union's army is dispatched to defend Angland. Glotka is promoted to the post of Superior of Dagoska and is tasked with defending the city against Gurkish attack. He is given complete power over the governing council of Dagoska. Jezal is asked by High Justice Marovia to go on adventure with Bayaz. Jezal, Logen, Ferro, Bayaz, Quai and Longfoot (guide) travel to the Edge of the World.

Viewpoint characters
Each chapter concentrates on the third person limited point of view of a single character; the book mostly presents the perspective of three main characters and three secondary Characters provides rest of the story.

The main Point-of-View Characters are
 * Logen Ninefingers, aka "The Bloody-Nine", is an Northmen
 * Sand dan Glokta, an Inquisitor in the Union's Inquisition
 * Jezal dan Luthar, a Captain in the King's Own Army

Secondary Point-of-View Characters are
 * Ferro Maljinn, a former slave of the Gurkhul
 * Collem West, a Major in the King's Own Army
 * The Dogman, is one of Logen's crew

Editions
The book is published by Gollancz in the UK and Pyr in the USA.

Reception
The Blade Itself was released to very positive reviews.