The Blade Itself

Good:
The book does a decent enough job of setting up a scenario that makes the reader want to continue on with the next one. Logen Ninefingers is a highlight viewpoint that engages right from the start and Inquisitor Glokta isn't quite as immediately engaging but does eventually hook you into caring.

Bad:
Throughout a good portion of the plot a few of the character plot-lines leave you just wanting to skip forward to the others (namely Glokta and Jezal). The Logen Ninefingers viewpoint chapters carry a good portion of the beginning of the book. World-building was a bit of a weak point as well. At least in this first book the setting is quite run-of-the-mill. The historical setting is a bit more intriguing but not quite so developed so far.

Ugly:
Not too much that really offends in my eyes.