Elitist Book Reviews

When I read PRINCE OF THORNS, I was blown away. I know, I know. I've said this a time or two. Or twenty. It's no secret that Mark Lawrence has become one of my favorite authors. His novels are a breath of fresh air, and are an absolute pleasure to read. And so now we come to the start of a new series set in the same world as Lawrence's other novels. PRINCE OF FOOLS.

As much as I loved The Broken Empire trilogy, I knew that I wanted something different with Lawrence's latest. I wanted the same quality of writing, and new and amazing characters. But it didn't want it to feel like he was writing an...imitation...of Jorg. I know that sounds odd. I know that sounds like I set my expectations at an absurdly high level.

From page one, PRINCE OF FOOLS the same incredible quality of writing.

The novel had new, amazing characters.

It was completely different from Lawrence's prior novels.

PRINCE OF FOOLS takes place concurrently with The Broken Empire. If there is one slight quibble, it is that I had trouble, in the beginning, placing this novel in the timeline. I wasn't sure when this was. And then all those concerns went away. We are introduced to Jalan Kendeth, the Red Queen's grandson, and thus a prince. But he's fairly far down the line of succession, so he spends his days in the beds of as many women as possible. Until, of course, everything goes wrong when he is introduced to the Viking, Snorri ver Snagason.

The most immediate difference in PRINCE OF FOOLS is tone. Where Jorg was essentially an irredeemable character--which turned off many a reader--you don't ever get that sense from Jalan. Misguided? Sure. A coward? Well, Jalan certain thinks that of himself. There is a more humorous tone throughout the entire novel, and it manages to always be perfectly timed. I found myself laughing out-loud numerous times at Jalan's internal and external musings.

Don't get me wrong, this is still dark fantasy. Things are grim. People are dying left and right. But PRINCE OF FOOLS is certainly more fun than the prior trilogy. This contributes to the pacing, which is Lawrence's most effortlessly paced novel yet.

What this story amounts to is a quest of sorts. Jalan and Snorri end up joined together by magic. While Snorri wishes to find his missing family, Jalan ends up coming along because he's rather forced to. It seems simple enough, but as the story progresses, it also unfolds into something much, much more deep and potentially sinister.

I love the characters in PRINCE OF FOOLS. Jalan never ceased to make me laugh, and his attitude of "run away" was refreshing in a fantasy novel. Snorri is the perfect counterpoint--intentionally--to Jalan. The balance between the two is incredible. Where Jalan provides the comedy and the moral progression of the novel, Snorri reminds us why Lawrence is known for writing dark fantasy. That's all I'm going to say about that. I don't want to spoil anything.

Perhaps the best thing about PRINCE OF FOOLS is how it opens up so much more of the world. It is grounded in the "present" where The Broken Empire had such a focus on how the world got to where it's at. As a result, if has a more "fantasy" vibe to it than the prior novels.

I'm going to say this, and I don't say it lightly. I love PRINCE OF FOOLS just as much as I loved PRINCE OF THORNS. I didn't think I could be any more impressed by Mark Lawrence, but I find myself mistaken. Lawrence proves, with PRINCE OF FOOLS, that he is one of the best in the business. Period.

Waiting for the next book is going to be pure agony.

Recommended Age: 17+
Profanity: What you expect from Lawrence's novels, but a bit less frequent.
Violence: Holy crap, yes. All sorts. It's more visceral in this series. More immediate.
Sex: Alluded to, talked about, initiated, but not quite shown in detail.

Get this book. It's incredible. You don't even have to have read the prior series.

PRINCE OF FOOLS

I think it's pretty rare for an author to end a series in a strong and convincing manner. Be it ten novels or two, it just seems like I'm nearly always let down once I get to the end. When I first read Mark Lawrence's PRINCE OF THORNS, you'll remember that I was completely blown away. In terms of dark and gritty fantasy, it was pretty close to the top of the list. I was worried when KING OF THORNS arrived in my mailbox. It couldn't possibly live up to the first book. Except it did. Then I received the final book in the series, EMPEROR OF THORNS. I didn't even start reading it right away (hence the delay in this review), because, stupidly, I didn't want to be let down. Again, how often does an author blow it? Pretty frequently.

But not this time.

EMPEROR OF THORNS was such a satisfying read. This was the culmination of all the plot threads from the two prior novels, and somehow Lawrence was able to pull them all together. This book isn't simply about Jorg trying to become the Emperor. Well, in a way it is, but its actually about the characters, and who they really are, and then how those personalities influence the future of this realm.

Jorg isn't a hero. I wouldn't even say he's an anti-hero. He's actually pretty much a jerk-face. But I can still root for him because of the way Lawrence shows us the character. If there is one person he is honest towards (more or less), I think it's the reader. He has his good moments (rarely), and then his moments where we see his naked and raw ambition and ruthlessness. But more importantly we see his growth. This is not the same Jorg from book 1. Not even remotely. I think this quote sums it up pretty well how much he has changed, while still remaining true to his origins:

"You should know that he is not a good man, but neither is he a man that can be turned, and should all hell wash against these walls, as I believe it might very well do...King Jorg will stand against that tide."

So we get two different PoVs from Jorg, just like in the prior novel. I won't spoil what they are about, because his journey is really a huge part of the enjoyment. I will say that Lawrence uses the two distinct PoVs like they are two different characters, which the kind of are. As a counterpoint to the two Jorg PoVs, we also get to see things from Chella's PoV. For me, this was huge. Seeing another person's detailed PoV on Jorg really seemed to complete the puzzle for me.

Again, who are these characters? How far are they willing to go to achieve their individual goals? Seeing how everything comes together in a massive convergence (to use a Steve Erikson term) was the reward and payoff I'd been hoping for since first novel.

So what else should you expect in this novel? Violence? Selfishness? Brief glimmers of heroism? Oh yeah. it's all here. What Lawrence does extremely well is throw in those glimmers of light that contrast so starkly against the darkness of the novel. Another highlight for me was seeing more locations in this post-apocalyptic world. It's a world that has just enough familiarity to really make those new moments so interesting. And the ending? Stunning and focused on character, just like it should be

I am completely satisfied. Mark Lawrence's The Broken Empire trilogy, now completed, is a stunning work of dark fantasy, and EMPEROR OF THORNS is the perfect capstone to the series. This is now one of my favorite series ever. Having seen Lawrence's work progress from Book 1 to Book 3 has left me eagerly anticipating PRINCE OF FOOLS this June.

You should read this series. Enough said.

Recommended Age: 17+
Profanity: Oh yeah.
Violence: Very much so.
Sex: Yup. A couple scenes and bunches of references.

Here are your links to buy the series, which is a no-brainer:

PRINCE OF THORNS
KING OF THORNS
EMPEROR OF THORNS

Once I'd finally managed to get past my irrational dislike of anything with hype attached to it, I gave Mark Lawrence's THE PRINCE OF THORNS a read. You may remember from that review that I was completely and utterly blown away. It was just soooooo good. Then the sequel, THE KING OF THORNS showed up in my mail box.

I may, or may not have wept from the joy I felt. Then I may, or may not have babbled excitedly at my wife while thrusting the book in her face. She may or may not have wondered why she married me.

Anyways...

I fear the second book in any series. When the first book was absolutely stunning, and is on my list of favorite reads ever, I get downright petrified. I couldn't help it here; my expectations were so ridiculously high. Unfairly high. And then I read THE KING OF THORNS, and somehow Lawrence did the impossible.

He met my expectations.

Then he exceeded them with the ending.

There really isn't any way to easily describe THE KING OF THORNS. The opening chapters introduce an older Jorg. He is still the same violent, snarky individual I loved in the first book, but he also seems to be learning that all his actions have consequences. Let's be honest here, Jorg is not a good guy. Never has been, never will be. That's why he's awesome. He's just sick of being yanked around and being told how things are destined to play out. Screw that. Jorg makes his own fate.

The novel jumps back-and-forth between the events following the first book, and four years later where King Jorg's castle is under siege. Interspersed in all of this are the little tidbits introducing, and giving insight into, Jorg's companions. Additionally, we get pages from Katherine's journal. They key to this story, not unlike Scott Lynch's THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, is in not telling the story sequentially. I read the entirety of THE KING OF THORNS knowing that some twist was coming, but the unpredictability of the story, and of Jorg himself, made that impossible. When the twist finally did come, I was left shaking my head in appreciation.

Much of my love for THE KING OF THORNS comes just from Lawrence's prose. The way he describes things, the way he transitions from segment to segment, his conversations...they are all so well executed. From that point, the tone of the novel is just fantastic. We actually get two distinct Jorgs. One, more world-weary, four years in the future (which is actually the novel's "present"), then the more blood-thirsty version we are used to from the first novel. That contrast is really what makes this book work, and what makes it distinct from the first novel. As I always say when reading a series, I like to see progression with characters.

Now, there are a few areas where THE KING OF THORNS, to me, isn't quite as good as THE PRINCE OF THORNS. Some of the things that happen (remember, no spoilers), just don't feel connected to the actual story. Many of Jorg's adventures feel more like a piece of short-fiction that was spliced into the novel. The effect is a somewhat more scattered feel to the narrative. It's not game-breaking, but there are times where the direction and momentum of the story get lost. I also feel that Katherine's role could have been a tad clearer in the end.

And that's all I got by way of nit-picks. Seriously.

THE KING OF THORNS builds upon the excellence started by its predecessor. Lawrence captures Jorg's voice perfectly, which makes reading the novel a pleasure. There is no sophomore slump here. There is no "middle-book syndrome". THE KING OF THORNS firmly cements, in this reviewer's opinion, Mark Lawrence as one of the top authors in the genre.

Recommended Age: 17+
Language: Yup.
Violence: Lots, though it doesn't seem as shock value as the first book. To me it shows that Lawrence is getting even better as a storyteller.
Sex: Talked about, but nothing graphic.

Seriously, buy this book. It's worth every penny. If you haven't read the first one and still read this review, 1) you confuse me, and 2) buy that book RIGHT NOW!!!

THE PRINCE OF THORNS
THE KING OF THORNS

Well. Geez. I know who is getting my vote for the John W. Campbell Award this year. And the David Gemmell Morningstar Award.

I'd heard so much about Mark Lawrence's PRINCE OF THORNS. In fact, I'd heard so much that I was starting to fall into the "There is so much hype that it is bound to be terrible" camp. I finally caved and went out and bought the novel. And holy crap...wow. Didn't catch that the first time? Let me restate that. Holy Fraking Crap! This novel was AWESOME!

"Is revenge a science, or an art?" It's a question asked by the main character of the novel, Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath. He's really only a boy, but his youth was destroyed when he watched his mother and brother murdered when only ten years-old. It's the kind of thing that breaks a person, and when the pieces get put back together, they form a much different picture than the original. I was sold on this novel right from the opening chapter, yet those doubts kept creeping in, telling me it would last. Those doubts were kicked out the door. PRINCE OF THORNS was awesome from the first paragraph to the last.

I'm trying extremely hard not to run around in circles, laughing like my 2 year-old is prone to do. PRINCE OF THORNS reads a bit like a dark and dirty version of a David Gemmell or Robin Hood novel that got some influence from Glen Cook and Joe Abercrombie. Uh huh. Awesome.

The introductory premise of the novel is simple enough. Revenge. Jorg wants revenge on those that killed his family. But it becomes soooooo much more than that while still staying true to that original goal of revenge. But let me be clear: this is not a novel for those of you wanting a "good guy". There really are no good guys here. That said, I became attached to Jorg because of how broken he was and how he fought for everything.

PRINCE OF THORNS is told in 1st Person, which could have absolutely wrecked this novel. Instead it lets the reader appreciate Jorg's views on things. The writing as a whole was silky smooth and relentlessly dark. Honestly, I've having a hard time fathoming that Lawrence is a brand new author. His work just seems so professional. So full of experience. The action scenes are paced near perfectly. The "slow" moments all have direction leading towards the final goal of the novel.

OK, it can't all be awesome, right? There has to be some negative thing that was bothersome. Uh, no. I will warn you readers out there, however. For a while I thought this was Alternate Historical Fantasy. And then something crazy happened that made me lean more towards Post-apocalyptic Fantasy. I thought it was an amazing twist. You might feel differently.

Seriously, I can only say positive things about Mark Lawrence's debut. The label "Fantasy Debut of the Year" gets thrown on so many mediocre novels these days. PRINCE OF THORNS actually IS the debut of 2011, and in my not-so-humble opinion is one of the best debut novels I've ever read.

This is the reason I read, folks.

Recommended Age: 18+
Language: Lots.
Violence: Soooo much. It was so well done.
Sex: Talked about a lot. Rape is alluded to quite a bit.

Buy this book. It is worth every penny.

PRINCE OF THORNS