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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
The much awaited third, and final, book of the Broken Empire series came out this month, and as soon as I could, I started reading it. I guess in some ways I had lucked out, that I had only just started the series earlier this year, and thus did not have to wait overly long periods of time for the next installment. Mark Lawrence has done a wonderful job of telling the story of a boy, growing into a man, in a dark futuristic world that was nearly destroyed by nuclear war. Jorg has pushed on, overcoming some of his 'demons' and showing a dark side of human nature in order to get done what he wants done: becoming Emperor of the Hundred Lands. There was an afterword where Lawrence remarks about this being the final book in the series, and though I understand his thoughts on the matter, I am still a little disappointed that there more than likely will not be any more to read of Jorg Ancrath. But who knows, maybe some short story will show in an anthology ... Either way, Thank you Mr. Lawrence for three great stories!
What a good trilogy; It was a really pleasant surprise for me.
Lawrence's writting style have something poetic I cannot explain very well, but it was really cool.
A fine last book with a very nice and satisfactory ending.
Lawrence's writting style have something poetic I cannot explain very well, but it was really cool.
A fine last book with a very nice and satisfactory ending.
Totally worthy conclusion to a great trilogy. The author forecasts the big reveal of the ending a bit too much, I think (at least, more than he did for the preceding two books' big reveals, but it's still a great read and an outstanding finish. I'm not sure I would have been happy with any other conclusion.
This series was equal parts crazy and fantastic. The strange combination of the modern and the midieval kept it interesting and surprising. The vile characters (including Jorg) made it hard to root for anyone but also harder to turn away.
I'll have to revisit Mr Lawrence's world soon.
I'll have to revisit Mr Lawrence's world soon.
I really liked this one. The character development from book one is awesome. The 3 really felt like a driving force to the end here, which was still surprising and great. I love this fascinating post-apocalyptic world that Lawrence has created. Just a great series.
Emperor of Thorns is unique in the trilogy because it is the first time where we jump out of Jorg's head and into the third person as Chella the necromancer's story comes into play. She has been dogging Jorg this entire time, and now, returned to living flesh, she serves the will of the Dead King who is out to break the broken empire -- unless Jorg can stop him. Jorg is no hero. He might regret the ghosts that haunt him, but even Jorg isn't going to let the Dead King spread his plague of corruption. Meanwhile, the Builders' secrets are slowly being revealed ... though there is no one left to understand them.
Jorg always seems to be going somewhere in these books, and I always find myself at a loss as to the reason for the journey. I have a vague idea that the journey relates to his next ascension and a definitive enemy, and he conveniently walks paths that lead him to new powers and knowledge that help in his end game.
This ambiguity could be considered a flaw in Lawrence's story telling. Or maybe it's just me not paying close enough attention as I listen to James Clamp's incredible narration. But I am here for Jorg and these journeys give me ample opportunity to spend time with him, inside his mind.
To assume Jorg has no conscience is wrong. He has one. He just doesn't allow time wasted on the decision making process because of it. His number one priority is survival--ironic since he has little fear of death. But with the coming of his son in this book, his ruthlessness takes on new meaning.
I always fear that Lawrence will cop out and soften Jorg by seeking his redemption. He hasn't failed me yet. Jorg's son does soften him, in that special way newborns have on new fathers, but it simply gives Jorg a new edge; a new purpose to add to the calculations he makes when determining his next move.
And I do so enjoy those calculations. There's an element of the recent Sherlock Holmes films at play, where Jorg has an inkling of what his opponent might do. But his calculations aren't about artful point and counterpoint. It's about Jorg's unpredictability, in spite of those calculations. Especially against opponents who can see the future or mathemagically plot their course. Some might have issue with how easily Jorg can pull his ass out of the fire each time because of this. I enjoy the creativity behind it and how Jorg's decisions and actions are always new, keen, and interesting.
I have found, of late, that authors seem to write trilogies because it's the trendy thing to do. Lots of extraneous words and scenes are added to stretch the story into three books. But, as I have said in previous reviews, Lawrence's words are precise and never wasted. This is a trilogy because it needs to be a trilogy. And though I get a bit lost with the journeys Jorg takes, I never get the feeling that Lawrence writes them without purpose. He knows exactly where the story needs to go and chooses the most pithy path to get there.
Jorg always seems to be going somewhere in these books, and I always find myself at a loss as to the reason for the journey. I have a vague idea that the journey relates to his next ascension and a definitive enemy, and he conveniently walks paths that lead him to new powers and knowledge that help in his end game.
This ambiguity could be considered a flaw in Lawrence's story telling. Or maybe it's just me not paying close enough attention as I listen to James Clamp's incredible narration. But I am here for Jorg and these journeys give me ample opportunity to spend time with him, inside his mind.
To assume Jorg has no conscience is wrong. He has one. He just doesn't allow time wasted on the decision making process because of it. His number one priority is survival--ironic since he has little fear of death. But with the coming of his son in this book, his ruthlessness takes on new meaning.
I always fear that Lawrence will cop out and soften Jorg by seeking his redemption. He hasn't failed me yet. Jorg's son does soften him, in that special way newborns have on new fathers, but it simply gives Jorg a new edge; a new purpose to add to the calculations he makes when determining his next move.
And I do so enjoy those calculations. There's an element of the recent Sherlock Holmes films at play, where Jorg has an inkling of what his opponent might do. But his calculations aren't about artful point and counterpoint. It's about Jorg's unpredictability, in spite of those calculations. Especially against opponents who can see the future or mathemagically plot their course. Some might have issue with how easily Jorg can pull his ass out of the fire each time because of this. I enjoy the creativity behind it and how Jorg's decisions and actions are always new, keen, and interesting.
I have found, of late, that authors seem to write trilogies because it's the trendy thing to do. Lots of extraneous words and scenes are added to stretch the story into three books. But, as I have said in previous reviews, Lawrence's words are precise and never wasted. This is a trilogy because it needs to be a trilogy. And though I get a bit lost with the journeys Jorg takes, I never get the feeling that Lawrence writes them without purpose. He knows exactly where the story needs to go and chooses the most pithy path to get there.
I really liked the last book, but the ending kind of ruined it a little bit for me...
I liked the fact that Jorg finally shows some emotion, and can resemble a human beeing, and Katherine really kicks some ass in this one, but I did not like the end, cuz how can a person that has been sweet and innocent all the way suddenly be the worst of the worst...?
I liked the fact that Jorg finally shows some emotion, and can resemble a human beeing, and Katherine really kicks some ass in this one, but I did not like the end, cuz how can a person that has been sweet and innocent all the way suddenly be the worst of the worst...?
One heck of a journey in a month!!!
Loved the dark, violent and realistic tale. The connection between the present and past (now and future).
Loved the dark, violent and realistic tale. The connection between the present and past (now and future).
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This grimdark series has always been one of those series that never fail to surprise and please its fans. This one is, of course, just as pleasing as the first two and one hell of an ending to this particular branch of the world. Going into the plot here, as I often do with reviews, is almost a sin in and of itself, so I'll skip that and simply state that things carry on here in a style and way that both suits Jorg's tale and takes it far deeper and darker than you would ever have expected it to go in the first moment you started the tale, but then didn't we always suspect that we knew it? This is a great ending to the trilogy and very satisfying, I'm happy he ended the series at its natural crux and I'll be sure to go on to the next series in due time ( I swear my tbr mountain has become a bit of a world unto itself) and see where it takes us. Mark Lawrence is a great writer and the literary nature and natural voice of this series makes it clear he's one to watch for fans of dark fantasy, grim dark, and antiheroes. I'll be looking forward to his other books if this book was an indication of what we can expect from him in the future.