Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #1)

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Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1)

by Mark Lawrence (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 8,361 ratings · 1,016 reviews

When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. At thirteen, he led a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king...
It's time for Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath to return to the castle he turned his back on, to take what's rightfully his. Since the day he hung pinned on the thorns of a briar patch and watched Count Renar's m...more

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published August 2nd 2011 by Voyager

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

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Community Reviews

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Apr 28, 2013 Mark Lawrence added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: mine

STOP PRESS:

Yay! Robin Hobb (newly welcomed to Goodreads) reviewed my book on Goodreads! LOOK That's officially ten types of awesome right there!

Yay! Terry Brooks reviewed my book on Goodreads!
LOOK Unreal! I read The Sword of Shannara as a kid in 1979!

Yay! Rick Riordan reviewed Prince of Thorns on Goodreads! LOOK

Yay! Peter V Brett reviewed Prince of Thorns on Goodreads! LOOK

& reviews from fine authors Courtney Schafer, Myke Cole, & Theresa Frohock (has to be said Myke is more wordy on K...more

69 likes · like · see review

Dec 26, 2012 Carol rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one, really

Shelves: action, male-lead, epic-fantasy, fantasy, video-game-fantasy, gr-rated-highly, yuck

Here's Cliff Notes to my review: The Blade Itself Lite, with significantly less character development, a typical revenge plot and little redemption.

Feels suspiciously like watching a dog-fight video from ASPCA. Violent, powerful with a lack of finesse, subtlety or characterization, and the only redeeming aspect might occur at the end. The main character resists personal growth and opportunities for redemption, and commits violence after violence. We open as he watches a man die with his belly ri...more Here's Cliff Notes to my review: The Blade Itself Lite, with significantly less character development, a typical revenge plot and little redemption.

Feels suspiciously like watching a dog-fight video from ASPCA. Violent, powerful with a lack of finesse, subtlety or characterization, and the only redeeming aspect might occur at the end. The main character resists personal growth and opportunities for redemption, and commits violence after violence. We open as he watches a man die with his belly ripped open, while some of his men loot corpses, rape women and set buildings on fire, and another comes through and chops off heads. Ostensibly it is in pursuit of a larger goal, but what it translates to is a path of casual violence, both intimate and large. I get that that's what the author means to show, but I felt sort of sick and uncomfortable reading it. The most interesting parts were the "four years ago" flashbacks that begin to flesh out how our lead became the dysfunctional person he is. The tragedy looms large and awful, but the story lacks the sense of spiraling into rage that would helps us understand how he transformed the killing and it's aftermath into the path he did.

An interesting angle is the sort of post-apocalyptic connection that is at first hinted at with literary references, and then becomes more obvious. Forgive me, but it reminds me strongly of the trend later Shannara books took, with mysterious ruins, mutated populations and nuclear waste leaks. In this first book, there is little that is unique except (view spoiler)

Character building is a fatal flaw in Prince of Thorns. The band of twisted merry men are each little more than a significantly defining characteristic. Furthermore, the only two positively influential people in the prince's life are created out of the simplistic racial stereotypes of the "Magical Negro," and the "wise Asian teacher" who has the child's best interest in mind despite being a slave/indentured servant. The prince himself is more than a wee bit overqualified, like a master video game assassin; an expert tactician, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, decent blade work, physically fast, good horsemanship, able to use a crossbow, and all despite being only fifteen.

While I've dabbled in gaming, I've always stayed away from the flat-out warfare/shooter video games (excepting Bioshock and it's lovely period inspired weirdness). I feel like I'm seeing a trend in modern fantasy towards books inspired by that kind of video-game based storyline that focuses on the imagery of violence and quest-driven action with minimal characterization. Personally, I like my people and worlds more fully developed, but I can see where this book might appeal to that population.

One uncharacterized star

Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2012/1...(less)

59 likes · like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Elspeth rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: imho

I cant get behind a book that has the main character raping girls in the first few pages.
No thanks, I am good.
I have read a lot of books with rape in them, but I have to say they were mostly with a female protagonist.
One of my favorite fantasy series The Deed of Paksenarrion Paks lets herself be tortured for five days and nights, and rape isn’t the only thing that she has to suffer.
I understood why the character did this, I also understood why the author wrote the story the way she did.
I can...more I cant get behind a book that has the main character raping girls in the first few pages.
No thanks, I am good.
I have read a lot of books with rape in them, but I have to say they were mostly with a female protagonist.
One of my favorite fantasy series The Deed of Paksenarrion Paks lets herself be tortured for five days and nights, and rape isn’t the only thing that she has to suffer.
I understood why the character did this, I also understood why the author wrote the story the way she did.
I can see why an author will do this to their female leads, it can make them stronger, give them motivation to become the best they can be to fight evil in whatever form it comes in.
There are a couple of reasons I have issues with the main character being rapist, the first being the obvious. I cannot empathize with a rapist, there isn’t a good enough reason in the world for me to like a person that commits such a crime. I can’t think of another author that has had their main character act in the way Jorg has.
This leads into my second reason for disliking the course of actions of this book. It’s an easy out, a cheap shot in making the main character be evil, and he is evil, this is not the actions of an anti-hero. I like a good anti-hero, I enjoy the show Dexter, and Richard Kadrey writes a mean one with his Sandman Slim series.
I like books where the author takes time to build the story so the reader and the character get to know each other and settle their differences.
In this book there isn’t time, the author just jumped right in with this disgusting display to portray what a horrible man Jorg is.
This is why I will not be reading this book, it’s not all the reasons, but it’s the top two.

EDIT: Here is the rape scene that people are saying never happened.

(view spoiler)
(less)

69 likes · like · see review

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Gal Cohen Elspeth, as a reader I haven't encountered such scenes I must admit, but as a reader I wouldn't throw down a book if i read about young men being rape...more
21 minutes ago

JennyJen Ah, yes. The old " I'm not telling you how to read or think, I'm just telling you how I read or think and then I'm going to bash you over the head wit...more
3 minutes ago

Nov 14, 2012 Nathan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-male, high-fantasy, rated-4-star, read-2011

Forget all the comparisons, the book is nothing like GRRM or Abercrombie's work. It is however, very good. A very tight and focused sprint to the finish, when finished with this short book I was shocked by how much world building was actually involved. And it is a world that I can not wait to learn even more about.

Dont be alarmed, this book at first seemed to be dark for darkness sake. But we gain revelations toward the end that changed my view somewhat. It is not an every bad guy turns out to...more

28 likes · like · see review

Sep 15, 2012 Didi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, magic, unable-to-put-down

Please check out my blog at www.choicebookreviews.net! and check out other reviews and great suggestions while you're there!

WOW! where have i been? to say this book was a surprise is an understatment! i can't even remember how i stumbled upon this amazing read, i think a discussion of the best apocolyptic novels to date? but am i ever thankful i did.
a story so rich in beautiful writing, witty dialogue, magic and endless action is what this is. and the main character, jorge. he is so beyond his 1...more Please check out my blog at www.choicebookreviews.net! and check out other reviews and great suggestions while you're there!

WOW! where have i been? to say this book was a surprise is an understatment! i can't even remember how i stumbled upon this amazing read, i think a discussion of the best apocolyptic novels to date? but am i ever thankful i did.
a story so rich in beautiful writing, witty dialogue, magic and endless action is what this is. and the main character, jorge. he is so beyond his 14 years. you feel his rage, need for revenge and infinite desire to apease the death of his mother and brother. i found his wisdom shocking for one so young, but then i remembered he didn't have the childhood of an average child. he endured rigorous tutelage and training for a future king. but as you delve further into the book you realize his sharpness and instinct was molded from such horrors as death and betrayal. keeping all this in mind, you don't despise jorge, in my case i actually was attracted to his relentless courage and desire to get what's his.
the characters are woven beautifully. i especially liked the nuban. he was almost a father figure to younger jorge. and althought it's minor, i loved the book cover. i just saw the book cover for king of thorns, due in august and i am in love with it.

totally loved this!

POST COMMENT, SPOILER PRESENT:
I wanted to clear something up I noticed some readers were having an issue with, and that is the presence of rape in this book. Some readers were outraged that such a topic was used so effortlessly and banned the book solely on that reason.
I wanted to point out a couple of things. Firstly, the use of rape as a means to control and lay claim to the taken land has historically been practised and I might add, documented thoroughly. This is not to downplay it's significance or lessen it's deserved condemnation. On the contrary, it is a vicious tool used by many that have conquered and should never be taken lightly.
Secondly, in Prince of Thorns, Jorg is leader of a bunch of outlaws, if you may, that pilfer and desecrate lands they attack. For the story to be believable and relevant, and I mean in the sense that these guys are ruthless and without morals in a land broken and fractured, it must exercise truths of the realities of war.
Unfortunately, that includes the horrible discard of a people and the rape of it's women. Using rape, in my opinion, isn't meant to entertain but to educate the reader as to what kind of immoral, dystopian land we are entering. Regardless of what millenia we are in, humans will always be human and in places outside law and justice, the worst of the human sins are exercised without thought to the barbarity of their actions.
So for anyone "outraged" by the topic at hand rest assured that there are other books on the softer side, like My Little Pony and Peter Pan that will keep the rose-colored glasses on a little longer :) Now that I got that off my chest, Excellent book and well worth the read! :)(less)

30 likes · like · see review

May 22, 2012 Lamora rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Potential serial killers/rapists and murderers as a how-to manual.

Recommended to Lamora by: Unfortunately, me.

Shelves: complete-crap, burn-it-now, fantasy, library-book, reviewed, will-not-continue-series-anymore, wtf

Can't tell if this is YA or not.

Well, guys, I did it. I fucking finished it to the last page. I was very much tempted to drop it after, within the first few pages, the protagonist manages to rape two women and murder one of the members of his band of men without any regrets whatsoever.

Anyway. Now I get to yell and scream at the book to my heart's content.

Let's start with the main character. Jorg, you piece of shit. It's funny, because you share the same first two letters of good ol' King Joffrey...more

59 likes · like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Michael marked it as to-read

I had heard so many good things about this book and although I'm not a fan of the gritty dark fantasy I think this was done exceeding well. Mark's prose is very well written and I found myself noting a number of particularly well done sentences, which is unusual for me to notice.

From time to time, fans of my series ask me to do a prequel on my character Royce and how he was when in the Black Diamond Thieves Guild and before the calming influences of Gwen and Hadrian started to shape him. From no...more

17 likes · like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Peter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*even better on a re-read

The story follows a young prince who has witnessed a truly traumatizing event, his mother was raped and murdered and his younger brother murdered in front of his eyes at the age of 9. The novel for becomes a character study in how this effects a developing mind, violence ensues. Even though he is only 14 through most of the book, Prince Jorg is a complex and well thought out character. I found myself wondering how it was possible I could be rooting for someone like him,...more

29 likes · like · see review

Dec 02, 2012 Kelly Maybedog Hawkins marked it as never

Shelves: what-danger-danger-will-robinson, what-danger-danger-wilma-robinson, what-fantasy, why-focus-on-behavior

This "hero" is a sociopath. I get that. But though his general psychopathic violence is disturbing enough, when he refers to rape almost as an aside, I get particularly angry. Our society is already inured enough to violence which is awful. Do we need to look at rape as akin to burning a house down or killing livestock? I know which I would never choose.

I've read the passage from the book which occurs in the first chapter and you can, too:

(view spoiler)...more

14 likes · like · see review

Nov 01, 2012 Kyle rated it 3 of 5 stars

It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to say about this book, and I'm still pretty sure that I'm not sure (yeah I know). If you are looking for a book with a hero who has a noble heart, good intentions, and a basic love of those around him...look somewhere else.
If you are looking for a "hero" who is a psychopathic monster, but whom you find yourself liking and wanting to succeed anyway, then you are getting warmer.
This book shows that Mark Lawrence has beautiful writing skills, excel...more

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 05, 2012 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: addicted, awesome-characters, bloody-darkness, cannot-put-down, different-worlds, dystopia, favorite-authors, fantasy, favorite-series, favorites, good-pacing, gritty-fantasy, likable-protagonist, love-the-storytelling, love-the-setting, monsters, not-mary-sue, quick-reads, series, supernatural, re-read, lovable-bad-boy, reviewed, five-stars

Prince of Thorns is definitely a very intriguing read. I'd first come to know of it through Jason Chan's wonderful cover (from his blog), and bought the book shortly after.

The cover is an instant win, and as for the content?

I loved it and finished pretty quickly, props to Mark Lawrence for creating such a violence infested yet believable world. Jorg's psychotic nature would have been repulsive in any other setting, or any less developed setting, but Mr. Lawrence anchored him and his no-so-merry...more

16 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Carola rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, fantasy, owned, 2011

I received this book through the GoodReads give-aways and was really excited about it when the pretty hardcover book arrived.

Prince Jorg has witnessed his mother and younger brother being murdered. As his father is clearly not going to avenge the murder of his wife and son, Jorge runs away from the castle and starts a life of violence.

Now, like many others have said, you will love this book or you will hate it. Admittedly, when I started reading I had doubts. The book is written from Jorg's poin...more I received this book through the GoodReads give-aways and was really excited about it when the pretty hardcover book arrived.

Prince Jorg has witnessed his mother and younger brother being murdered. As his father is clearly not going to avenge the murder of his wife and son, Jorge runs away from the castle and starts a life of violence.

Now, like many others have said, you will love this book or you will hate it. Admittedly, when I started reading I had doubts. The book is written from Jorg's point of view and his words bite. The first few chapters I couldn't make up my mind on what I thought about the book. I kept wondering what the point of the book was, with all its seemingly purposeless violence, and it kept me curious enough to continue reading. Why exactly is Jorg so full of hate? That question is answered soon enough through the flashbacks, but it just raises more questions. What does Jorg want, what is his goal? Why does he do the things he does?

Well, that is when the plot really starts moving. Throw in a big plot twist and this book becomes mightily interesting! So interesting that I raced through the latter half of the book, eager to find out more, and I was not disappointed.

I was happy to find out that this book is the first volume of what will be a trilogy and I am looking forward to the rest of the series! The only disappointment of this book is that I wish I had read it in English instead of Dutch. The language in the book is strong, and Jorg's tone is painfully sarcastic most of the time. I can't help but wonder what he would sound like in English.

[edit] It's interesting how, after rethinking a review more than a year later, your opinion can change. Only somewhat, though. I still like the book, and I think I still want to read volume 2. But when I was standing in a bookshop, holding King of Thorns in my hand, I was having doubts. I really, with all my passion, hate the the main character Jorg. I object to everything he does. Still, I think a book about an extreme anti-hero that you can impossibly feel any empathy for can be interesting in itself. From what I read of the blurb of King of Thorns, I don't think Jorg will become a good person and I am glad of that. I don't want to like him or to start feeling empathy for him, and I sure as hell hope the author doesn't suddenly make him a hero, a 'cool' person or a nice person. Here's me crossing my fingers!(less)

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Sep 18, 2012 Suzanne Rooyen rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story is violent and uncompromising with a protagonist who's not afraid of the darkness within his soul. The writing is magnificent and the book is well worth reading purely for brilliance of syntax.

I think a comparison between Lawrence's Prince Jorg and G.R.R Martin's Prince/King Joffrey is unavoidable. They are similar in their conceited, teenage reach for power and their lack of empathy or compassion. But Joffrey is a spoiled brat who's never known pain or hardship, feeling entitled to...more

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May 19, 2013 Amanda Lyons rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderfully dark and often humorous trip this books has been!

Prince of Thorns is the story of Honorous Jorg Ancrath as much a prince of thievery and cruelty as he is to the throne currently occupied by his less than chivalrous father. A smart quick-witted and brutal 15 year old, Jorg is often taken for less than the sum of his experience. He is no less than a rogue and has more than earned his place among his Brothers of the road by cracking skulls as much as by leadership.

Jorg is no ord...more What a wonderfully dark and often humorous trip this books has been!

Prince of Thorns is the story of Honorous Jorg Ancrath as much a prince of thievery and cruelty as he is to the throne currently occupied by his less than chivalrous father. A smart quick-witted and brutal 15 year old, Jorg is often taken for less than the sum of his experience. He is no less than a rogue and has more than earned his place among his Brothers of the road by cracking skulls as much as by leadership.

Jorg is no ordinary teenager. He's lived among the brutal marauders, under their rules for the last four years. He left his father's castle by his own choice at the age of ten on a quest to avenge his mother and brother who were horribly murdered before his eyes. His quest as yet unfinished he travels his world making war and death his stock and trade. Until that is he's brought home and the path he's chosen is forced to change.

I haven't read a book with such a great first person narrative in ages! Jorg makes no bones about just what sort of person he's become since he left his father's castle telling us exactly what it is he and his men do as they wander about in as clear detail as he cares to offer. Jorg it seems has become an evildoer and relishes the action and battle he finds with his comrades though that horrible night which changed his life is never far from his thoughts. While this should make him a less than sympathetic character it well and truly doesn't! While he's capable of a great deal of wrong he's also a very keen wit and is clearly acting to survive in a world he feels has no sympathy for the innocent. He is essentially giving his world back the same pain and misery it has given him only with a lot more charm and cunning than it bargained for!

While Jorg is only 15 he speaks with the voice of a man twice his age and with a wry sort of humor most couldn't take in such darkness. His companions and the many combatants they meet along the way are just as intriguing as the storyteller himself. I think any fantasy fan is going to love this book! The voice Jorg tells his tale with (there is more on the way thank goodness!) is crisp clear and very easy to get caught up in. Lawrence's writing is hugely entertaining and he takes us to so many unexpected places that you can't help but want to read more. This books is a treat to read and well worth the time invested!(less)

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Jan 12, 2012 edifanob rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-books, 2011-reads

I read the German edition. What a great debut. So expect a review in German.
I will read the english edition too and will post this review near publishing date in August.

Nach langer Zeit habe ich mal wieder ein Buch in Deutsch gelesen.
Ein großartiges Debut von Mark Lawrence.
Ich werde das Buch auch in English lesen und reviewen. Allerdings erst im August.

Und hier ist nun die deutsche Review.
Bevor nun jemand anmerkt, dass es diese Review auch auf Amazon.de unter dem Namen brienneselwyn gibt, möchte...more

22 likes · like · see review

Jun 04, 2012 Steve Drew rated it 5 of 5 stars

SUMMARY: A wonderfully written, feverish dream of a Fantasy novel. I would highly recommend Prince of Thorns to anyone who is willing to step into a shade of darkness in order to experience this unique and well-crafted book by Mark Lawrence.

No question - a lot of readers will have trouble with this novel. The twists and flow of his protagonist's skewed mind and the brutality of Lawrence's world make for some tough sledding.

Read Prince of Thorns if you love excellent, refreshing writing and can...more SUMMARY: A wonderfully written, feverish dream of a Fantasy novel. I would highly recommend Prince of Thorns to anyone who is willing to step into a shade of darkness in order to experience this unique and well-crafted book by Mark Lawrence.

No question - a lot of readers will have trouble with this novel. The twists and flow of his protagonist's skewed mind and the brutality of Lawrence's world make for some tough sledding.

Read Prince of Thorns if you love excellent, refreshing writing and can accept (enjoy?) entering a world where shattered moral compasses are the norm.

Details and thoughts - few minor spoilers...

I reached for Mark Lawrence's Prince of Thorns wondering what the fuss was all about. People love the novel. People despise what Mark Lawrence put together as a distasteful, bitter taint on Fantasy. Well, what is it? I slid into the novel with my guard up and an anticipatory grin.

It's one of the uniquely and pleasantly-written novels that I've come across in some time. Not the brutal theme and actions, mind you - it's Mark Lawrence's ability to bring me into his world that I truly enjoyed.

There's something about Mark Lawrence's first-person perspective that matches well with his writing style. Forget "epic" or "magic system building" or "intricately crafted tables of food". Slipping into to the slightly maddened thoughts of his protagonist, Jorg, was a fulfilling read without the detailed story-line engineering.

This may seem odd, but the closest experience I've had to reading Prince of Thorns was the incredibly rich world that Bethesda Softworks put together for the Fallout series. A sense of wonder and destruction in a brutal, post-apocalyptic world - all from a solitary, single-person perspective. Clever humor immediately followed by scrambling fear. Hope and rest with the dread feeling that things were about to get worse...and they always were.

In the end, the novel was not anywhere nearly as evil as some reviewers painted it to be. Rough, but not that rough. Savageness, atrocity and ruthlessness brought into play by Mark Lawrence's David Gemmell Morningstar Award-nominated writing.

Suck it up and buy the book - it's damn good. Or don't if this type of well-written Fantasy is not your type of thing. I loved it and am left wanting more.(less)

29 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

A vicious little knife blade of a novel - and I mean that in the best possible way. Our protagonist, one Honorous Jorg Ancrath (though he generally just goes by Jorg) is horribly scarred inside and out by legitimately horrific traumas, and it has left him brimful with hate and rage - emotions he expresses with the savage indiscrimination of a stoat. When we meet him, he is roving as the leader (at the startling age of 13; Jorg is not merely vicious as a stoat but sharp as a tack - or perhaps mor...more A vicious little knife blade of a novel - and I mean that in the best possible way. Our protagonist, one Honorous Jorg Ancrath (though he generally just goes by Jorg) is horribly scarred inside and out by legitimately horrific traumas, and it has left him brimful with hate and rage - emotions he expresses with the savage indiscrimination of a stoat. When we meet him, he is roving as the leader (at the startling age of 13; Jorg is not merely vicious as a stoat but sharp as a tack - or perhaps more aptly sharp as a razor - as well, making him a singularly dangerous individual indeed) of a band of "road brothers". That is to say, unrepentant bandits, murdering, pillaging, and raping their way about the countryside and loving it.

This is hardly the limit of Jorg's ambition, however. Indeed, there hardly seems to be one. He's vowed to be a king by 15 (with his presently-abandoned-but-soon-reclaimed princely heritage figuring, naturally), and to reunite the empire that's splintered into a hundred fragments all mainly preoccupied with their endless grinding war for advantage against one another - by becoming Emperor of all of them, of course. Watching his single-minded pursuit of his ambition with all his cleverness and ruthlessness both is entertaining as hell - Jorg's gifts for cleverness, lateral thinking, and applied ruthlessness and cruelty are stretched to their limits as he strives to achieve the seemingly impossible when anyone else would concede themselves hopelessly over their heads.

The other strengths of the novel are multiple. The prose is clever, original, and occasionally blackly funny, while the characterization is vivid - Jorg in particular is riveting to watch as he constantly wavers between (or perhaps straddles) the line between antihero and outright villain protagonist. The setting exceeds the usual as well - while at first it seems we may be seeing just another pseudo-medieval fantasy, it's seen soon enough that this is the ruins of the post-apocalypse of a technologically advanced society. So whence the magic (and the shadowy players who emerge to complicate Jorg's life more)? Well, buy the sequel and find out more... I did. :-P(less)

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Oct 22, 2012 Kirstine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

(It's more like 2.5 stars, however much it pains me, shhhh)

This book, man.
I AM TORN.
(Hah, accidental pun).

No, really, I'm not sure what to say. I've wanted to read this book for ages, the title was the first thing that caught my eye and I remember thinking it was so cool. I still do, and the explanation for it, at least, didn't let me down. The rest of it sort of did.

You know how in some books there are small hints littered all over the pages? Hints that will let you know, discretely, that ev...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Rose Vanden Eynden rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book--although I honestly kept berating myself for it. The very young protagonist, Jorg, is a poisoned creature with no conscience and a bloodlust that would put Dexter Morgan to shame, shaped by the treacherous murder of his mother and his younger brother while he helplessly watched. Jorg's quest for vengeance and the throne of his duplicitous father is paved with rape, pillage, and death--and yet, I couldn't help wanting him to succeed. Mark Lawrence has crafted a fine story fille...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Leah Petersen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I'm not the first one to point out that making an anti-hero work is really difficult; it's a fine line between being disgusted by the actions and hating the character. Lawrence hit on the balance. I still walked away disturbed, perhaps more so at the end than I'd been all along. But Lawrence created all the right circumstances and a world that made Jorg what he is without justifying it, without apologizing for it, while making you think about the potential for the monster in all of us.

Chillingly...more

15 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Georgia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, beyond-awesome, die-author-die, dystopian, strange-writing-style, first-in-series-or-stand-alone-book, the-broken-empire-series, books-i-own

One of my Moste Favourite books. It's inclusion of every topic under the sun with topics such as witchcraft, the world is evil whichever side you choose, lost prince, prince of thieves, cannabalism, unknowing medieval-like dystopian world and it's lack of romance shoots it up to too-many-stars-to-count level in my opinion. The dystopian world is hinted at near the end of the book, where ancient devices similar to, (or synonymous with), nuclear missiles/bombs are referenced. I love it and put it...more

20 likes · like · see review

Mar 23, 2012 Mags~CVAddikt~Chaos defies imagination! rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, 5-stars-2012, epic-fantasy, killer-instinct, mixed-feelings, mind-player, guilty-pleasure, dark-oscuro-donker-sombre, dystopian-post-apocalyptic

Ahhh what the hell ...

This book deserves 5 stars ... yep ... if an author makes me like a sociopath killer prince with several issues ... the author is a genius!!!

22 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2013 Adrian Matthias rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just finished reading "Prince of Thorns" by Mark Lawrence. It is, by far, the best fantasy story I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. If you like your fantasy dark, gritty, bloody, and poignant then read this bastard of a novel. The protagonist - if you can really even call him that, puts his Vader grip on your neck from the first page, and doesn't let go, even after you've finished his tale. There are two more books in the series, and I would say that I intend to read them... but given...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Mathieu rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Très très bon roman !

Récit très sombre et très violent dans lequel on suit Jorg, un jeune brigand ne vivant que de vols et de meurtres.

Le jeune homme est en réalité le prince héritier d'un des 100 royaumes qui composent l'Empire, une vaste entité dont la direction est brigué par chacun des souverains.

Le jour de ses 14 ans, Jorg décide de retourner chez lui pour y réclamer son droit au trône. S'étant enfuit sans autorisation et sans laisser de traces, il n'y est bien sûr plus le bienvenu.

Ce roman...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Paul Freeman marked it as to-read

I really liked this book. I know there has been a bit of controversy over the MC's attitude and seeming lack of conscience, but for me this actually made it more appealing. I was curious to see what made Jorg tick. Sure, initally he comes across as an utter bastard, and even had he not suffered the trauma of watching his mother and brother brutally killed, you get the feeling he would still have turned out a bollocks. However as the story unfolds we realise he is more complex than simply a psych...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Savindi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, fantasy

I’m not entirely sure if this book is popular in North America because I haven’t heard too much about it, then again I tend to live under a rock sometimes. That being said, from what I gather Jorg’s character has sparked a lot of controversy because he is a sociopath and is a very young character. However after reading Prince Of Thorns Jorg reminded me so much of Joffrey Baratheon from A Game Of Thrones and I’m not sure which one is worse to be honest. If you have read both books, I’d definitely...more I’m not entirely sure if this book is popular in North America because I haven’t heard too much about it, then again I tend to live under a rock sometimes. That being said, from what I gather Jorg’s character has sparked a lot of controversy because he is a sociopath and is a very young character. However after reading Prince Of Thorns Jorg reminded me so much of Joffrey Baratheon from A Game Of Thrones and I’m not sure which one is worse to be honest. If you have read both books, I’d definitely like to hear your thoughts on the two characters.

First off, this is the first book that I’ve read that has a setting which combines both Post-Apocalyptic and fantasy elements and I have to say Lawrence’s execution of this world is brilliant. In my opinion the length of the book is perfect and (my edition was just shy of 325 pages) allows the book to be fast paced which kept my attention. The book is not overly descriptive which I appreciate, but there were certain parts where I wish there was more description because it would have helped me understand the story better. The time shifts in Prince Of Thorns was done well because chapters concerning the past were labeled “Four Years Earlier” which helped to understand the story.

As for the plot, I enjoyed it a great deal. The story follows Jorg in his quest to avenge the death of his mother and younger brother William. However he becomes sidetracked in his thirst for revenge for some reason and instead goes on killing rampages with his band of brothers. However as the book reaches its climax readers will find out the subplot which in turn becomes the main plot (to my understanding) taking over and it makes Jorg more analytical and ruthless in his need for revenge.

As for the Characters, Jorg literally drives the story.Though he is an anti-hero, Jorg is a compelling literary character. Yes he is ruthless and he does unforgivable things, but at the same time he is smart and charismatic. As soon as the story starts he has a pull on you and you can’t exactly stop yourself from being drawn in. While Jorg can be best described as an ‘undiagnosed sociopath,” you can’t help but have a soft spot for him. As a reader you wonder if his traumatic experiences as a child shaped the teenager he has become or did he always have this mean streak? Either way it is interesting to see that even Jorg comes to question his motivations towards his actions. You see his internal struggle as he tries to not care but there is a part of him, however small that does care. And it’s one of the best aspects of the story as you witness this sociopath reasoning with himself over his decisions. Some readers may not be able to bear Jorg as a character, but if there is one admirable trait in him, it’s his honesty.

Minor Spoiler

At the end of the book, Jorg says

I’ve grown, but whatever monster might be in me, it was always mine, my choice, my responsibility , my evil if you will. It’s what I am, and if you want excuses, come and take them.

I didn’t particularly care for the secondary characters except for Makin and the Nuban. I found Jorg’s brief meetings with Jane interesting because she saw right through him. Katherine, Jorg’s Step Aunt is a character that I’m curious about. I wanted to know why she seemed to care so much about Jorg despite knowing him for a matter of days. I hope we get to see her in the sequel King Of Thorns which comes out later this Summer.

There is much violence and gore in this book and I can understand some readers getting turned off by it, I don’t know why, but I didn’t seem to mind too much despite being utterly grossed out at one part of the book. I’m wondering if King Of Thorns will be the same if not more violent.

Overall, Prince Of Thorns was an enjoyable read. As I said before it was fast paced, exciting and intriguing. I was able to read it in two days and I was left wanting more. I have to confess that Jorg was able to seduce me with his charisma and he definitely is an unforgettable character. For a debut novel, I thought Lawrence did an excellent job with the writing and world-building. There were some beautiful prose and quotes. I’m definitely looking forward to reading King Of Thorns.

My Rating: 4.5/5

Would I recommend it? I personally would, but I can understand readers being turned off by it.(less)

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Mar 17, 2012 Blake16 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Jorg "Il Terribile"

Dai… alla fine è stata una bella lettura e non me lo aspettavo per niente.
Guardate cosa ho scritto un paio di giorni fa, presa dallo sconforto più profondo, in un momento di sfogo:

PRE-RECENSIONE DEL 14 MARZO 2012... Libro ancora in fase di lettura
Oddio!!!
Sono ancora a cento e qualcosa di pagine...
'Sto libro non fa per me.
Faccio fatica a leggerlo... è un fantasy puro e solitamente sono pochi i fantasy puri che mi prendono.
Ma questo... non riesce per niente a catturare la mia at...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Todd rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned, fantasy

I got half way through 'Prince of Thorns' and could go no further. The over-the-top violence that some have written about didn't bother me or put me off the book. No, what DID put me off the book was this- I never, for even one moment, bought the 'Justin Bieber Meets Rambo' title character.

Yes, I've read ASOIAF, several times, and I'm aware that there are preteen and teen characters of derring-do in those books. The difference, and it is a fundamentally crucial one, is that George R.R. Martin ca...more

25 likes · like · see review

Feb 21, 2012 Leo Elijah Cristea rated it 1 of 5 stars

FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE: http://bit.ly/pD0Tpg

Mark Lawrence’s debut novel, Prince of Thorns, is the hardest book I’ve ever had to—and likely will ever have to—review. It’s not your usual fantasy novel; I’ll make that clear right now. I’ll also make it clear that I've not given it a good rating, like everywhere else I've seen. I seem to be one of the only people I've come across right now that doesn't like this book. But I don't. I have to give it a 1* rating, because it worked for me that litt...more

11 likes · like · see review

Aug 01, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, own

I heard a lot about this book and the moral depravity evident in the story. I honestly did not find it disturbing or excessive.
The main character is 13 as the book starts. Flashbacks to when he was 9 and the pivotal moment in his young life occurs, are sprinkled throughout the beginning of the book. I personally would have liked to see the character about 3 or 4 years older. I think he would have been capable of what he does at his age but because of the era and the place we live I don’t think i...more

5 likes · like · see review

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Why do we love to read about bad people?	11	110	Mar 08, 2013 12:24pm
South African Boo...: Prince of Thorns (Spoilers)	20	61	Jan 22, 2013 06:17am
Broken Empire: Similar Books	8	41	Jan 03, 2013 02:17am
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About Mark Lawrence

Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job is as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Between work and caring for his d...more

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Books by Mark Lawrence

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Quotes from Prince of Thorns

“Tell me, tutor,' I said. 'Is revenge a science, or an art?” — 57 people liked it

“There’s something brittle in me that will break before it bends.” — 50 people liked it

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Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire #1)

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