A sequel as gorgeously written as Prince of Thorns, with Jorg telling the story at 18 and also in flashback to the time immediately following the first book four years before. I loved the addition of an epistolary narrator in Katherine and I would probably read an entire book of her journal entries alone.

In King of Thorns, Jorg is growing up and also growing a conscience, now that he isn't defined by revenge. He's also -- gulp -- possibly in search of redemption. Now I'm a big, big fan of redemption stories; love them, but I have to admit that at first I missed the little psycho. There was just something so utterly terrifying but completely fascinating about evil-Jorg in the last book that I was a little sorry to see him begin to reflect on his deeds. Which, admittedly, were pretty gruesome.

But even sociopaths grow up, I guess. All children (hopefully) move from intent self-focus to a wider world-view, which in Jorg's case means revisiting his decision to obliterate thousands. It's character arc; it's logical, and in the end I decided that I really do want Jorg to triumph without taking the rest of the world down to do it. As long as he stays just a little bit evil.

Emperor of Thorns next, I assume? Bring it.