chewable_orb 's review for:

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
3.0

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #1) by Mark Lawrence

As Jorg reflects on the painstaking loss of loved ones, his innermost hatred consumes his every waking moment and soon the reader embarks on a ride of pure unadulterated carnage. But unbeknownst to him there is a more powerful web of treachery than meets the eye. A dark veil of deception that defines him as a central pawn in a larger chaotic game.

Mark Lawrence did an incredible job of painting a world of death and despair. The writing and pace were strong and the main character Prince Jorg Ancrath was the protagonist I loved to hate. So much so in fact I have attempted to read this book many times but had to put the book down because of my disdain of Jorg himself. I can say that reading this book would be like taking a midnight stroll in the local cemetery with no flashlight.

I believe the author is extremely talented but there was an issue that stuck in my craw through the entirety of the story. I just couldn't get past the fact that the main protagonist was only 14 years old. His experience of leading a band of misfits far older than himself was not plausible. I could not find any scenario where at his young age his acumen for warfare made sense. I understand this is a story of fiction and ultimately anything can happen. In this particular story, I think Jorg's background must lend some credibility to his actions. Just depending on plain luck to actual tactical warfare tended to become the undoing of a story I attempted to enjoy.

I gnawed at this book like eating my Mom's broccoli quiche long ago. I stared at the plate wishing for the food to disappear so that I could move on to something more sweet and tasty. I had such high expectations that regretfully I can't honestly give it a more positive review. Please take into consideration that I have read the Joe Abercrombie The First Law Trilogy Series and The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch which would be closely tied into the same dark fantasy genre. I felt those books were far more plausible which lent to my overall reading enjoyment.

I would give this 3 stars. I recommend it if only for a reader to experience the gruesome atmosphere that Mark Lawrence creates.