Scan barcode
A review by sipping_tea_with_ghosts
The Wheel of Osheim by Mark Lawrence
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After being lukewarm on The Liar's Key, I put off finishing the series for a few months before the thorns of the Broken Empire sunk back in somewhere once again and I found myself taking this concluding installment thankfully in big chunks instead of meager bits like with the second book. TLK suffered from a pacing that infuriated me, with a series of events that could've been condensed down by at least 200 pages for how much was actually relevant. Wheel of Osheim counters this criticism right away with a strong introduction that will leave you confused at how it follows the ending of Liar's Key but will overflow with mystery, humor and action as Jalan is thrown into an area of the world he knows nothing about and is ill-equipped to deal with the local terrors.
Much like Lawrence's other works in this universe, Wheel of Osheim follows two different timelines, switching on and off at opportune times so that the pacing never gets dull and the revelations are unceasing. Even then, there will still be questions on certain matters right up until the end, even as the main plot goes into overdrive and pieces fall into play for a big showdown. It all makes for an extremely compelling and addictive read, especially with all the character and world building done prior. I would say the only real detriment to this roller coaster would be the ending itself - Mark's way of ending stories always feels simultaneously overelaborate and crushingly short at the same time, like its in a hurry to tie things up. While it does conclude things admirably, I can't help but always feel a sense of anti-climax with these books, kind of hoping that Mark will just slow down and let the scene breathe. The solution itself is also a bit deflating, we're told of only two real outcomes of this epic journey and I honestly thought we would get a subversion on this or a hidden third way, but no, what you think Jalan will do with this power to change things...he will absolutely do. At least I'm happy for that tender bastard.
The ending aside, the journey there was more than worth it. The character work on Jalan especially has made him one of my favorites in recent memory, even surpassing Jorg Ancrath. He's gone from a guy I would willingly smack with a bottle of wine for complaining too loudly, to a man I'd buy a drink for and let him blather on about his conquests as the all important Prince (of dozens) of Red March. The bratty 20-something grows in believable ways throughout this journey, having bouts of bravery and selfless actions when pushed to the brink but will still regress into his old ways whenever he's allowed. Will he still turn and run at the sight of danger? Most likely, but he'll damn and curse himself while simultaneously trying to justify it.
The writing overall has a perfect flow - particularly on the chapters of a city under siege and interludes concerning abominations of flesh and hatred. Action scenes are a massive improvement and the dives into horror and military strategy is making me think of a Rage of Dragons crossover I never knew I wanted. The funny parts are some of the best in the series, with a particular highlight being a fist fight Jalan has with an angry father for reasons I'm sure you can surmise if you read even the first book of this trilogy.
Overall, this left me thirsty for more Broken Empire in a good and bad way. Good for the world building and character work that's relevant in Mark's other books, and bad for the lack of complete closure for some of the side characters, making me hope we might return to this doomed world once more and see what becomes of them. Regardless, Wheel of Osheim was way too fun to put down for long and the thorns of the empire are leaving affectionate scars at this point.
Much like Lawrence's other works in this universe, Wheel of Osheim follows two different timelines, switching on and off at opportune times so that the pacing never gets dull and the revelations are unceasing. Even then, there will still be questions on certain matters right up until the end, even as the main plot goes into overdrive and pieces fall into play for a big showdown. It all makes for an extremely compelling and addictive read, especially with all the character and world building done prior. I would say the only real detriment to this roller coaster would be the ending itself - Mark's way of ending stories always feels simultaneously overelaborate and crushingly short at the same time, like its in a hurry to tie things up. While it does conclude things admirably, I can't help but always feel a sense of anti-climax with these books, kind of hoping that Mark will just slow down and let the scene breathe. The solution itself is also a bit deflating, we're told of only two real outcomes of this epic journey and I honestly thought we would get a subversion on this or a hidden third way, but no, what you think Jalan will do with this power to change things...he will absolutely do. At least I'm happy for that tender bastard.
The ending aside, the journey there was more than worth it. The character work on Jalan especially has made him one of my favorites in recent memory, even surpassing Jorg Ancrath. He's gone from a guy I would willingly smack with a bottle of wine for complaining too loudly, to a man I'd buy a drink for and let him blather on about his conquests as the all important Prince (of dozens) of Red March. The bratty 20-something grows in believable ways throughout this journey, having bouts of bravery and selfless actions when pushed to the brink but will still regress into his old ways whenever he's allowed. Will he still turn and run at the sight of danger? Most likely, but he'll damn and curse himself while simultaneously trying to justify it.
The writing overall has a perfect flow - particularly on the chapters of a city under siege and interludes concerning abominations of flesh and hatred. Action scenes are a massive improvement and the dives into horror and military strategy is making me think of a Rage of Dragons crossover I never knew I wanted. The funny parts are some of the best in the series, with a particular highlight being a fist fight Jalan has with an angry father for reasons I'm sure you can surmise if you read even the first book of this trilogy.
Overall, this left me thirsty for more Broken Empire in a good and bad way. Good for the world building and character work that's relevant in Mark's other books, and bad for the lack of complete closure for some of the side characters, making me hope we might return to this doomed world once more and see what becomes of them. Regardless, Wheel of Osheim was way too fun to put down for long and the thorns of the empire are leaving affectionate scars at this point.