Hardcover, 355 pages
English language
Published Sept. 5, 2014 by Ace.
"Hailed as "epic fantasy on a George R. R. Martin scale, but on speed," the Broken Empire trilogy introduced a bold new world of dark fantasy with the story of Jorg Ancrath's devastating rise to power. Now, Mark Lawrence returns to the Broken Empire with the tale of a less ambitious prince... The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign, she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister--unseen by most and unspoken of by all. The Red Queen's grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth--drinker, gambler, seducer of women--is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is …
"Hailed as "epic fantasy on a George R. R. Martin scale, but on speed," the Broken Empire trilogy introduced a bold new world of dark fantasy with the story of Jorg Ancrath's devastating rise to power. Now, Mark Lawrence returns to the Broken Empire with the tale of a less ambitious prince... The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign, she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister--unseen by most and unspoken of by all. The Red Queen's grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth--drinker, gambler, seducer of women--is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is not there. But war is coming. Witnesses claim an undead army is on the march, and the Red Queen has called on her family to defend the realm. Jal thinks it's all a rumor--nothing that will affect him--but he is wrong. After escaping a death trap set by the Silent Sister, Jal finds his fate magically intertwined with a fierce Norse warrior. As the two undertake a journey across the Empire to undo the spell, encountering grave dangers, willing women, and an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath along the way, Jalan gradually catches a glimmer of the truth: he and the Norseman are but pieces in a game, part of a series of moves in the long war--and the Red Queen controls the board. Fixed on Fantasy"--
A very different 'hero' than Jorg, but the balance between Snoori and Jal made for a fun romp through the Broken Empire through a different set of eyes.
Highly enjoyable! It’s set in the same broken empire setting as the prince of thorns trilogy, but while it retains some of the violence and grimness of the setting, Jal and Snorri are (literally) shining lights in the bleakness.
Jorg was funny in his over the top persona, but Jal feels like more of a natural protagonist, and his friendship with Snorri is equal parts comeuppance and legitimate concern. Jal overall is great, from his inexplicable berserker blackouts to his normally Rincewindian courage.
This book was somewhere between "it was okay" and "I liked it". I will continue with the series so I think I'm closer to "I liked it" than not.
I enjoyed the characters, and with my first exposure to reading anything from Lawrence I wasn't sure what to expect. The characters are unique but I couldn't shake the feel that Jalan was similar to Locke Lamora of the Gentleman Bastards series.
I also feel that the ending was a little flat. There was a climax at the Black Fort but it was a little underwhelming. I would have preferred to have our weary road warriors a little more downtrodden or have the odds even stacked more against them. Instead the conclusion felt rushed, like a page limit was set and Lawrence had to quickly put a bow on things.
Based on the same world as the "___ of Thorns" books, but the main character is very different. This guy is a douchy prince who is teamed up with a big frickin' Viking. Characters from the other series were shoehorned in for an act of the book that seemed mostly unnecessary. Not the best book, but the series still has potential.
God, this book was fun. I absolutely devoured it. As much as I loved the Prince of Thorns trilogy, this is even better (so far). Just a great adventure story told very, very well.
3.5-- really..
Back into the world Lawrence built. I really enjoyed my tromp around the grimdark of Jorg and was looking tentatively forward to more of the world the Builder's left. Where magic and the erroded history of science exist in something more of a dark renaissance period.
Where Jorg was dark, brooding, mean, mad, and vengeful--Jalan is an aristocratic fluffer who wants to milk titles and stories so he can bed, gamble, and enjoy his stature in life.
His adventure that his Grandmother the Red Queen, and her Silent Sister send her on will be the test of him.
His travelling companion Snorri, off to the Winter wastes for some good ol Nordic vengence finds us in line of long debates of running away and then accidental heroics.
The book made me smile more times than not, and again reading more of the world I so enjoyed but little …
3.5-- really..
Back into the world Lawrence built. I really enjoyed my tromp around the grimdark of Jorg and was looking tentatively forward to more of the world the Builder's left. Where magic and the erroded history of science exist in something more of a dark renaissance period.
Where Jorg was dark, brooding, mean, mad, and vengeful--Jalan is an aristocratic fluffer who wants to milk titles and stories so he can bed, gamble, and enjoy his stature in life.
His adventure that his Grandmother the Red Queen, and her Silent Sister send her on will be the test of him.
His travelling companion Snorri, off to the Winter wastes for some good ol Nordic vengence finds us in line of long debates of running away and then accidental heroics.
The book made me smile more times than not, and again reading more of the world I so enjoyed but little understood in the Prince of Thorns series has been well worth my time. I am curious now where this leads...
