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If you read my review for King of Thorns, you are likely surprised to see this.
King of Thorns did not really leave me wanting more, and partly the reason for that may be because I was in the midst of selling a house at the time.
Since then, life has settled somewhat, and I continued to remember the reading experience of Prince of Thorns. So, this series did not go away for me and I decided once and for all to give myself closure and read the last book.
Well, as you can see from my status updates, I had already decided to give this 5 stars only 30% into the novel. I had just read a chapter of such intensity that I actually needed a break and made that update as a diversion.
Any book that can do that to me deserves my highest rating.
My head is still reeling after the ending, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it, and if it wasn't for the intensity I had experienced, I would probably have given the story 4 stars. But I'm giving this a strong 4.5 and rounding up if for no other reason that this is superior world building, something that is woefully bland in a lot of the fantasy I've read.
King of Thorns did not really leave me wanting more, and partly the reason for that may be because I was in the midst of selling a house at the time.
Since then, life has settled somewhat, and I continued to remember the reading experience of Prince of Thorns. So, this series did not go away for me and I decided once and for all to give myself closure and read the last book.
Well, as you can see from my status updates, I had already decided to give this 5 stars only 30% into the novel. I had just read a chapter of such intensity that I actually needed a break and made that update as a diversion.
Any book that can do that to me deserves my highest rating.
My head is still reeling after the ending, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it, and if it wasn't for the intensity I had experienced, I would probably have given the story 4 stars. But I'm giving this a strong 4.5 and rounding up if for no other reason that this is superior world building, something that is woefully bland in a lot of the fantasy I've read.
A fantastic and appropriate ending to one of the best modern fantasy trilogies.
Didn't like it as much as the first, liked it better than the second although it still had the convoluted flashback structure. Some great twists and an expected yet unexpected ending. I guessed who the Dead King was back in the second book— for once I was correct.
But really, the flashback structure is why I didn't give any of the books five stars. Why set most of the book in flashback? I still don't understand that decision. But I do give ML thumbs up for sticking to a proper trilogy structure and delivering said books quickly, unlike some writers we despair over.
But really, the flashback structure is why I didn't give any of the books five stars. Why set most of the book in flashback? I still don't understand that decision. But I do give ML thumbs up for sticking to a proper trilogy structure and delivering said books quickly, unlike some writers we despair over.
Other reviews can be found at http://wellreadviking.blogspot.com/
Emperor of Thorns is the final book in the trilogy The Broken Empire. I have found myself engrossed time and time again by the characters and story that Mark Lawrence has created. The main character, Jorg, is not what you would call a hero, not in any sense of the word. He murders, sometimes for the fun of it. He sleeps around and at times is contrary just for the hell of it. Even with the fact that he is a clear antihero, you find yourself rooting for him and his goals.
If one line could sum up the contents of a book the phrase "Dark times call for dark choices. Choose me." would be the phrase. This book is dark. The world in which this book takes place is not a pretty one. People are living in the crumbling remains of a past society that has mainly been forgotten. There is clear evidence that this world was devastated by nuclear disaster and they are trying to put things the way they were as best they can.
As with the first two books of this series the timeline jumps back and forth. It gives you a current look at Jorg and his situation and it also gives you a glimpse into different parts of his past that has some import on what is going to happen. When you reach the end of the book you will not find the ending you expect, but you will find an ending that makes perfect sense given the world and the character.
If you are looking for a book to set aside all fantasy tradition and tropes, a book that treads in uncharted territory, then this book is for you. This book series, in its way, is just like the New York Yankees. You either love it or you hate it. Middle ground is basically nonexistent.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Emperor of Thorns is the final book in the trilogy The Broken Empire. I have found myself engrossed time and time again by the characters and story that Mark Lawrence has created. The main character, Jorg, is not what you would call a hero, not in any sense of the word. He murders, sometimes for the fun of it. He sleeps around and at times is contrary just for the hell of it. Even with the fact that he is a clear antihero, you find yourself rooting for him and his goals.
If one line could sum up the contents of a book the phrase "Dark times call for dark choices. Choose me." would be the phrase. This book is dark. The world in which this book takes place is not a pretty one. People are living in the crumbling remains of a past society that has mainly been forgotten. There is clear evidence that this world was devastated by nuclear disaster and they are trying to put things the way they were as best they can.
As with the first two books of this series the timeline jumps back and forth. It gives you a current look at Jorg and his situation and it also gives you a glimpse into different parts of his past that has some import on what is going to happen. When you reach the end of the book you will not find the ending you expect, but you will find an ending that makes perfect sense given the world and the character.
If you are looking for a book to set aside all fantasy tradition and tropes, a book that treads in uncharted territory, then this book is for you. This book series, in its way, is just like the New York Yankees. You either love it or you hate it. Middle ground is basically nonexistent.
Rating: 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed the final book of The Broken Empire Trilogy. I actually started to like Jorg in [b:Emperor of Thorns|15985373|Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)|Mark Lawrence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1352546239l/15985373._SY75_.jpg|21528629], I still don't think he is a good person, but I appreciated his self-deprecating sense of humour, and I respect that he knew he wasn't a good person but he was trying to do a good thing.
The Broken Empire series is very dark and very violent, but it is a really great read.
The Broken Empire series is very dark and very violent, but it is a really great read.
I choose to blame the season for the length of time it took me to finish this book. I've been busy with holiday tasks and family visits during my free time. It has nothing whatsoever with our desire to binge watch Voyager on Netflix. None. Whatsoever.
Ahem.
This book follows the theme of the first two, splitting the narrative between the 'now' 20 year old Jorg and the 15 year old Jorg. This time Lawrence added Chella's story to hint at the Dead King.
Jorg does a lot of growing in this one, not exactly moving away from being an outright shithead but realizing he has the ability to temper his dark side with thinking of others and considering others. This doesn't slow his ambitions in any way but helps him to understand his motivations.
He also understands how he's been a pawn in a larger game played by the Builder's remnants. What he does to fix things and how that relates to who the Dead King really is -- well, I'll stop now.
Read the book. It's a strong finish to the trilogy. Lawrence has a writing style that is a pleasure to read.
Ahem.
This book follows the theme of the first two, splitting the narrative between the 'now' 20 year old Jorg and the 15 year old Jorg. This time Lawrence added Chella's story to hint at the Dead King.
Jorg does a lot of growing in this one, not exactly moving away from being an outright shithead but realizing he has the ability to temper his dark side with thinking of others and considering others. This doesn't slow his ambitions in any way but helps him to understand his motivations.
He also understands how he's been a pawn in a larger game played by the Builder's remnants. What he does to fix things and how that relates to who the Dead King really is -- well, I'll stop now.
Read the book. It's a strong finish to the trilogy. Lawrence has a writing style that is a pleasure to read.
REREAD 1/12/2017: Still in awe of how good this was.
8/6/2013: I don't even have words for how good this was. I am tempted to go find the author and shake another series out of him. Failing that, this trilogy will be on my to-read over and over list.
VERY nice work Mr. Lawrence.
8/6/2013: I don't even have words for how good this was. I am tempted to go find the author and shake another series out of him. Failing that, this trilogy will be on my to-read over and over list.
VERY nice work Mr. Lawrence.
I would give Emperor of Thorns 4.5 stars.
The story is constructed very well, and only after reading the third part of the Broken Empire trilogy one can trully apprecieate how well-thought everything was, along with he introduction of additional plots and characters. Jorg, supposedly, an anti-hero is the protaginist very rich in character, and it's hard not to sympathize with him at one point or the other.
Particularly enjoyable is the language - great mixture of nearly poetic sentences and down-to-earth attitudes. Lawrence's novels seem to flood with potential quotes, each more beuatiful than the previous one.
The story of Jorg was one of the best fantasy novels I've read in the last few years. So, why not five stars? I asked myself this question. I enjoyed the post-apocalyptic, presence of the long lost world, but I still feel that the Builders' plot somehow did a bit of damage to the whole story and the ending in particular.
It is still a great, enjoyable reading and it made me fall for Mark Lawrence's writing.
The story is constructed very well, and only after reading the third part of the Broken Empire trilogy one can trully apprecieate how well-thought everything was, along with he introduction of additional plots and characters. Jorg, supposedly, an anti-hero is the protaginist very rich in character, and it's hard not to sympathize with him at one point or the other.
Particularly enjoyable is the language - great mixture of nearly poetic sentences and down-to-earth attitudes. Lawrence's novels seem to flood with potential quotes, each more beuatiful than the previous one.
The story of Jorg was one of the best fantasy novels I've read in the last few years. So, why not five stars? I asked myself this question. I enjoyed the post-apocalyptic, presence of the long lost world, but I still feel that the Builders' plot somehow did a bit of damage to the whole story and the ending in particular.
It is still a great, enjoyable reading and it made me fall for Mark Lawrence's writing.
I can only approve of this series' critiques: 'Jaw dropping', 'Drop whatever else you're reading and start the Broken Empire trilogy'. Honorus Jorg of Ancrath embodies almost everything a usual hero disgusts and yet it has never been this easy to like such a character. The Broken Empire easily is one of the best I've read in years.
After reread: the series even get better after reading The Red Queen's war, some things make more sense now. I also found it astonishing how such a grim, dark story turned out carrying a strong message of hope and eventually love.
After reread: the series even get better after reading The Red Queen's war, some things make more sense now. I also found it astonishing how such a grim, dark story turned out carrying a strong message of hope and eventually love.