It really stands out in this one though, as the main timeframe arc is a big, impossible to win, battle. Running throughout the book are multiple time frames, similar to the first book. He still has a good portion of ruthless and inhuman personality so he still holds true to the anti-hero element of the trilogy. I am glad I stuck with this trilogy, as this book was probably one of my favourite listens of 2013 so far Story – 4.5/5 King of Thorns is a vast improvement on the first in my opinion growing and maturing the main character Yorg into someone who is more believable. The writing itself is a step above the usual fantasy fare where the expression tends to be weak, it really is a well-written book, I just wish the translation to audio book had been carried out more smoothly!

The ex-footballer Roy Keane would make an excellent Prince - a highly intelligent, borderline psychopath.

What about Joe Jameson’s performance did you like?Įxcellent voice modulation and intonation - a pleasure to listen to his interpretation.Ĭould you see King of Thorns: Broken Empire 2 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be? Thoroughly engaging and inventive story - medieval neo-noir hybrid? I wish the audio producers would pay more attention to the specific requirements of their publishing medium - it really does come close to ruining an otherwise excellent production. More than any other book I've listened to, this is really intrusive and annoying, especially since the narrator is so good with the different voices he uses that there is really no need for the endless use of 'he said'. Yes! - the constant 'he said', 'she said' every time any character utters a word. Is there anything you would change about this book?

But playing fair was never part of Jorg’s game plan. Faced by an enemy many times his strength Jorg knows that he cannot win a fair fight. Every good king knows to bend the knee in the face of overwhelming odds, if only to save their people and their lands. Every decent man prays this shining hero will unite the empire and heal its wounds.Įvery omen says he will. A six nation army, twenty thousand strong, marches toward Jorg's gates, led by a champion beloved of the people. First though he must gather his own pieces, learn the rules of play, and discover how to break them. He saw the game and vowed to sweep the board. The long road to avenge the slaughter of his mother and brother has shown Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath the hidden hands behind this endless war. I’ve walked from pawn to player and I’ll win this game of ours, though the cost of it may drown the world in blood…The land burns with the fires of a hundred battles as lords and petty kings fight for the Broken Empire. To reach greatness you must step on bodies, and many brothers lie trodden in my wake. The second book in the Broken Empire series, Lawrence takes his young anti-hero one step closer to his grand ambition.

King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence