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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Less edgy than the first, but doesn’t feel very coherent. Think late-stage Gege “hype moments, aura, and a**pulls”. Especially the latter.
The split-up way the story was told this time--alternating between a time soon after the end of the first book and a time four years later--took a while for me to get used to, but as Jorg pieces things together between the two (struggling between his dark side that has kept him alive and the lingering little sparks of human feeling he can't quite decide whether to keep or crush), and schemes and plots advance, things gradually become clearer, leading to a somewhat surprising but satisfying end.
A rough start until I figured out why the timeline is alternating like this and why we're only finding things out in bits and pieces, but worth it. We see more of and learn more about some familiar characters from the first book, find out more about the world they inhabit, and see different sides of our antihero protagonist.
I look forward to the next part of Jorg's story!
A rough start until I figured out why the timeline is alternating like this and why we're only finding things out in bits and pieces, but worth it. We see more of and learn more about some familiar characters from the first book, find out more about the world they inhabit, and see different sides of our antihero protagonist.
I look forward to the next part of Jorg's story!
This feels like a two-parter more than your usual middle novel. It's a new episode in the sordid saga of Jorg Ancrath, throwing us into the action without context 4 years after the events of [b:Prince of Thorns|9579634|Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #1)|Mark Lawrence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327917754l/9579634._SY75_.jpg|14466531], and just lets us wade our way through until we catch up. I'm no fan of the tossed in at the deep end approach coupled with the prologue that foretells the climax, but it pays off in the end.
Why a two-parter? Because it both has it's own main arc in the form of the present day narrative - Jorg being besieged by another potential ruler who wants to unite the Broken Empire - and picks up again from that one 4 years previously where a barely pubescent Jorg has just picked up his first crown. While one of these stories is resolved, the other... hangs. Ominously. I really like how the two narratives play off each other, giving us the knowledge from the past we need to understand present-Jorg's actions. But... It also doesn't. Not completely. Towards the end there are allusions to past events, but no answers. That and the still nebulous "magic" system. How did Jorg win that last victory? There's the actual action part, yes, but how he came to have it as his plan? Oh, you'll find out in Book 3. Hopefully.
He does also still get away with things far too easily. Oh, there's some terrible obstacle ahead against insurmountable odds and everyone's saying it's hopeless? Did I mention I have some magic/hidden soldiers/knowledge of goatherd traditions that conveniently saves us all? Dare I say this is all a bit Grimdrk Gary Stu? I mean yes, he's clever and all but it does get a little repetitive.
And there is one moment when poor Jorgy suffers a sudden memory loss. It is part of the story, but it left me very confused about what just happened. Characters reporting on things didn't really answer the questions, and the reveal at the end still left a big gap in what happened between the cut off point we read and the aftermath.
Regardless, it's another excellently interwoven story of utterly vile characters who have, thankfully, been tempered a little by age, experience, and a ton of introspection (you will get a lot of introspection from good old Jorgy - he has much to say). I really liked how we got to know more of Katherine and understand just how much of a dark mirror she is to Jorg. Their shared madness and obsession despite being apart is yet another part of the morbid fascination of this series. There haven't been many female characters who weren't seductresses or crones, so she and Jorg's tweenage bride are an interesting addition.
Yes, there's great deal of violence, but it seems,if anything, toned down after the shocking nature of the first book. Maybe it's down to long-term exposure if you're fresh out of reading the first, or the circumstances for it (being part of a war/siege rather than random wanton destruction). Again, it's perfunctory and matter-of-fact rather than relishing in the act. Jorg's narration is about how clever he is, not about wallowing in depravity. Sexual conduct, violent or otherwise, is only alluded to. It just shows that you don't have to go there to do shocking well in grimdark. There is however animal torture. It's there as part of the story, not as a random shock tactic, but it's hard to stomach.
The end was a bit of a frustration - how, Jorg, how can you not have shared this memory yet when you crow so much about everything else? - but I guess that's what they call a hook. I'm only glad to be reading this many years after the whole series had been published, the wait would have been impossible.
Why a two-parter? Because it both has it's own main arc in the form of the present day narrative - Jorg being besieged by another potential ruler who wants to unite the Broken Empire - and picks up again from that one 4 years previously where a barely pubescent Jorg has just picked up his first crown. While one of these stories is resolved, the other... hangs. Ominously. I really like how the two narratives play off each other, giving us the knowledge from the past we need to understand present-Jorg's actions. But... It also doesn't. Not completely. Towards the end there are allusions to past events, but no answers. That and the still nebulous "magic" system. How did Jorg win that last victory? There's the actual action part, yes, but how he came to have it as his plan? Oh, you'll find out in Book 3. Hopefully.
He does also still get away with things far too easily. Oh, there's some terrible obstacle ahead against insurmountable odds and everyone's saying it's hopeless? Did I mention I have some magic/hidden soldiers/knowledge of goatherd traditions that conveniently saves us all? Dare I say this is all a bit Grimdrk Gary Stu? I mean yes, he's clever and all but it does get a little repetitive.
And there is one moment when poor Jorgy suffers a sudden memory loss. It is part of the story, but it left me very confused about what just happened. Characters reporting on things didn't really answer the questions, and the reveal at the end still left a big gap in what happened between the cut off point we read and the aftermath.
Regardless, it's another excellently interwoven story of utterly vile characters who have, thankfully, been tempered a little by age, experience, and a ton of introspection (you will get a lot of introspection from good old Jorgy - he has much to say). I really liked how we got to know more of Katherine and understand just how much of a dark mirror she is to Jorg. Their shared madness and obsession despite being apart is yet another part of the morbid fascination of this series. There haven't been many female characters who weren't seductresses or crones, so she and Jorg's tweenage bride are an interesting addition.
Yes, there's great deal of violence, but it seems,if anything, toned down after the shocking nature of the first book. Maybe it's down to long-term exposure if you're fresh out of reading the first, or the circumstances for it (being part of a war/siege rather than random wanton destruction). Again, it's perfunctory and matter-of-fact rather than relishing in the act. Jorg's narration is about how clever he is, not about wallowing in depravity. Sexual conduct, violent or otherwise, is only alluded to. It just shows that you don't have to go there to do shocking well in grimdark. There is however animal torture. It's there as part of the story, not as a random shock tactic, but it's hard to stomach.
The end was a bit of a frustration - how, Jorg, how can you not have shared this memory yet when you crow so much about everything else? - but I guess that's what they call a hook. I'm only glad to be reading this many years after the whole series had been published, the wait would have been impossible.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amazing. it is for the first time that I have read a story where the hero is so dark. We always speak of things when good always wins or the winner is always good. But I should give to it Mark Lawrence, for introducing us to Jorg Ancrath. You just can't hate him for being so evil. Perhaps haven't enjoyed reading about a character this much since Aragorn from LOTR. Hitting Emperor of Thorns right away.
Oh boy, and I thought the first book was dark? Yiiikes....
Still, It's a fascinating story, in some ways. Enough that even for the need for MULTIPLE trigger warnings, I want to see how this all ends. Maybe not right away, but soon. I think I need at least a month of fluffy happy fantasy to balance this out before I'm ready to dive back into this story's conclusion or the short stories that surround it.
Still, It's a fascinating story, in some ways. Enough that even for the need for MULTIPLE trigger warnings, I want to see how this all ends. Maybe not right away, but soon. I think I need at least a month of fluffy happy fantasy to balance this out before I'm ready to dive back into this story's conclusion or the short stories that surround it.
I opened my review of Prince of Thorns, book 1 of The Broken Empire saga, by saying:
"Damn, but this was one hell of a book!"
I would like to begin this review in a similar spirit, by saying:
"Damn, but this was one hell of a book to review."
I've let it settle and digest for a few days, but I'm still very conflicted in my thoughts regarding King of Thorns. Mark Lawrence has improved upon many aspects of that first book, particularly in the areas of character development and world-building, but the converging paths of the narrative structure didn't work so well for me this time around.
Generally, I'm not a big fan of stories that jump back and forth in time, balancing flashbacks with the 'current' or 'present day' narrative. It's just not a device that works for me. Having said that, it did work for me in the first book, largely because Jorg was such a unique sort of protagonist that I was truly interested in just what happened to place his feet upon such a path. Here, the 'present day' narrative jumps ahead four years, forcing a gap that allows for the same device to be used again. The problem is, with my curiosity about Jorg's origins already sated, the flashbacks here lacked the same drawing power. As much as I appreciate what Lawrence attempted to do with the copper box - I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which his banked memories altered the course of battle - I didn't find the 'big' memory a compelling enough mystery to justify taking us away from the events of his wedding day.
Of course, it doesn't help that the story of Jorg's wedding day is such a strong story on its own. Taking place over the course of a single day, it develops his character, advances the plot, and resolves several key conflicts in exemplary fashion. Here we have a few moments of courtship, a rushed marriage, a siege, a quest, and a battle - more than enough to carry a tale. Once again, Jorg and his band of brother face impossible odds, but find novel and exciting ways of stealing the upper hand. This is fighting dirty, as we'd expect, but it works.
Speaking of fighting dirty, the climax is another aspect of the tale about which I'm conflicted. It's completely in keeping with Jorg's character, and brilliantly resolves some of the larger challenges facing his march to the ultimate throne, but once again it relies upon artifacts of Builder technology. I'm honestly not sure whether I like that pattern. It intrigues me and excites me, and I love the Dark Tower way in which the ghosts of the past have both a significance and an enduring sense of peril, but it just felt a little to convenient here, a little too much of a stretch. Ultimately, whether it's a clever device or a bit of a cheat is something I really can't say until I see how Emperor of Thorns is resolved. I would actually be disappointed not to see it attempted again, but the 'how' and the 'why' of it will mean everything.
I would, of course, be remiss not to say a few words about the women of the world. While her diary entries didn't necessarily add anything to the narrative for me, it's clear that Katherine is being pressed into a pivotal role. Not only is she quickly becoming a key piece in the overall game of thrones, but the significance of her thorn in Jorg's side continues to grow. As for his child-bride Miana, she was a pleasant surprise, worthy of not just her place in the story, but also of a place as Jorg's side. I expected very little of her going in, but began to like her early on, and definitely respected her contributions by the end. Chella, as we might expect, continues to play a role in events, haunting Jorg's thoughts and driving him into confrontation with the dead. The scene in which she forces a confrontation with the ghosts of his genocide amid the marsh and the mud is just awesome, and almost enough to redeem my conflict about the dueling narratives.
Overall, King of Thorns is a strong read, and a worthy sequel to Prince of Thorns. Despite my conflicts with the telling of it, I enjoyed it immensely, and actually stayed up late to read the final 200+ pages. The cast of characters has grown, Jorg has grown, the world has grown, and the stakes have grown. A bigger book than the first in every respect, this is a tale that leaves even bigger expectations for Emperor of Thorns.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
"Damn, but this was one hell of a book!"
I would like to begin this review in a similar spirit, by saying:
"Damn, but this was one hell of a book to review."
I've let it settle and digest for a few days, but I'm still very conflicted in my thoughts regarding King of Thorns. Mark Lawrence has improved upon many aspects of that first book, particularly in the areas of character development and world-building, but the converging paths of the narrative structure didn't work so well for me this time around.
Generally, I'm not a big fan of stories that jump back and forth in time, balancing flashbacks with the 'current' or 'present day' narrative. It's just not a device that works for me. Having said that, it did work for me in the first book, largely because Jorg was such a unique sort of protagonist that I was truly interested in just what happened to place his feet upon such a path. Here, the 'present day' narrative jumps ahead four years, forcing a gap that allows for the same device to be used again. The problem is, with my curiosity about Jorg's origins already sated, the flashbacks here lacked the same drawing power. As much as I appreciate what Lawrence attempted to do with the copper box - I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which his banked memories altered the course of battle - I didn't find the 'big' memory a compelling enough mystery to justify taking us away from the events of his wedding day.
Of course, it doesn't help that the story of Jorg's wedding day is such a strong story on its own. Taking place over the course of a single day, it develops his character, advances the plot, and resolves several key conflicts in exemplary fashion. Here we have a few moments of courtship, a rushed marriage, a siege, a quest, and a battle - more than enough to carry a tale. Once again, Jorg and his band of brother face impossible odds, but find novel and exciting ways of stealing the upper hand. This is fighting dirty, as we'd expect, but it works.
Speaking of fighting dirty, the climax is another aspect of the tale about which I'm conflicted. It's completely in keeping with Jorg's character, and brilliantly resolves some of the larger challenges facing his march to the ultimate throne, but once again it relies upon artifacts of Builder technology. I'm honestly not sure whether I like that pattern. It intrigues me and excites me, and I love the Dark Tower way in which the ghosts of the past have both a significance and an enduring sense of peril, but it just felt a little to convenient here, a little too much of a stretch. Ultimately, whether it's a clever device or a bit of a cheat is something I really can't say until I see how Emperor of Thorns is resolved. I would actually be disappointed not to see it attempted again, but the 'how' and the 'why' of it will mean everything.
I would, of course, be remiss not to say a few words about the women of the world. While her diary entries didn't necessarily add anything to the narrative for me, it's clear that Katherine is being pressed into a pivotal role. Not only is she quickly becoming a key piece in the overall game of thrones, but the significance of her thorn in Jorg's side continues to grow. As for his child-bride Miana, she was a pleasant surprise, worthy of not just her place in the story, but also of a place as Jorg's side. I expected very little of her going in, but began to like her early on, and definitely respected her contributions by the end. Chella, as we might expect, continues to play a role in events, haunting Jorg's thoughts and driving him into confrontation with the dead. The scene in which she forces a confrontation with the ghosts of his genocide amid the marsh and the mud is just awesome, and almost enough to redeem my conflict about the dueling narratives.
Overall, King of Thorns is a strong read, and a worthy sequel to Prince of Thorns. Despite my conflicts with the telling of it, I enjoyed it immensely, and actually stayed up late to read the final 200+ pages. The cast of characters has grown, Jorg has grown, the world has grown, and the stakes have grown. A bigger book than the first in every respect, this is a tale that leaves even bigger expectations for Emperor of Thorns.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins