The Blade Itself

In a world where the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood, the fates of three men are about to collide. Logen Ninefingers is an infamous barbarian who has run out of luck, leaving behind nothing but dead friends and bad songs. Captain Jezal dan Luthar is a dashing, selfish nobleman who believes his greatest challenge is winning a fencing tournament. And Inquisitor Sand dan Glokta, a crippled war hero turned torturer, would rather see them both in a box, finding satisfaction only in extracting confessions.

Their separate struggles with murderous conspiracies, old scores, and the brutal realities of war are set on a collision course by the arrival of a mysterious and short-tempered wizard. In this unflinching fantasy, nobility is found in the most unlikely of souls and the most celebrated heroes are deeply flawed. It is a story that forgoes grand prophecies and shining knights to explore the motivations of unforgettable characters in a world where survival is the only true victory.