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Broken Empire #2.5
Sleeping Beauty
This story is also included in the anthology Road Brothers : Tales from the Broken Empire.
The 10,000 word story covers a period between the end of the 'early thread' in Emperor of Thorns and the start of the 'now' thread in King of Thorns.
It's really a bit of fun, prompted by a challenge from a reader to warp the tale of Sleeping Beauty around that of young Jorg Ancrath. I may have thrown another fairy tale or two into the mix...
The 10,000 word story covers a period between the end of the 'early thread' in Emperor of Thorns and the start of the 'now' thread in King of Thorns.
It's really a bit of fun, prompted by a challenge from a reader to warp the tale of Sleeping Beauty around that of young Jorg Ancrath. I may have thrown another fairy tale or two into the mix...
33 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2013
41 people are currently reading
5413 people want to read
About the author
Mark Lawrence
99 books56.3k followersMy books vary a LOT - so
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[My new book Daughter of Crows is out in March 2026!]
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Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was 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'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
[My new book Daughter of Crows is out in March 2026!]
Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/marklawrencea...
Blog here: http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrB...
Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLawrence...
https://www.instagram.com/mark___lawr...
Threads
https://www.threads.net/@mark___lawrence
Blue Sky
https://bsky.app/profile/marklawrence...
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
http://eepurl.com/cimnK1 #Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/marklawre...
Pintrest!
https://uk.pinterest.com/princeofthor...
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarkLawr...
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was 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'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
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August 22, 2025[You can check out all my short stories - many of them free - HERE. ]
The story is also included in my anthology Road Brothers : Road Brothers: Tales from the Broken Empire
This 10,000 word story covers a period between the end of the 'early thread' in Emperor of Thorns and the start of the 'now' thread in King of Thorns.
It's really a bit of fun, prompted by a challenge from a reader to warp the tale of Sleeping Beauty around that of young Jorg Ancrath. I may have thrown another fairy tale or two into the mix...
Sleeping Beauty starts:
A kiss woke me. A cool kiss pulled me from the hot depths of my dreaming. Lips touched mine, and deep as I was, dark as I was, I knew her, and let her lead me.
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Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
The story is also included in my anthology Road Brothers : Road Brothers: Tales from the Broken Empire
This 10,000 word story covers a period between the end of the 'early thread' in Emperor of Thorns and the start of the 'now' thread in King of Thorns.
It's really a bit of fun, prompted by a challenge from a reader to warp the tale of Sleeping Beauty around that of young Jorg Ancrath. I may have thrown another fairy tale or two into the mix...
Sleeping Beauty starts:
A kiss woke me. A cool kiss pulled me from the hot depths of my dreaming. Lips touched mine, and deep as I was, dark as I was, I knew her, and let her lead me.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
...
November 25, 2015
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
Jorg Ancrath as sleeping beauty?
Sounds crazy, right? Especially since most of us know Jorg from Mr. Lawrence's seminal grimdark novel Prince of Thorns and its sequel King of Thorns, and recall that he is far from the embodiment of nobility and goodness. Somehow, someway Mark Lawrence makes it work, however, crafting a twisted story of the young king (this one is set between book two and three of the trilogy) as a “sleeping beauty” of sorts.
The story itself focuses on Jorg and a traveling companion making the mistake of seeking shelter from a storm in a haunted cave. While they are aware of the rumored ghosts that inhabit the place, Jorg is never one to let silly things like specters hold him back from his chosen course of action, and soon he finds himself a “sleeping beauty,” wondering when he will wake up and to what fiendish horrors. I really can’t tell you more, or I’ll ruin the wicked fun.
Overall, this was another grimdark tour de force from Mark Lawrence, filled with creepy images, fierce combat, and shadowy revelations about the world of the Broken Empire. Not only is it a must-read for series fans looking for a fix of Jorg, but its easy accessibility makes it a great introduction for new readers wanting to just try the series out. Sure, our grimdark hero has a habit of being terribly lucky, unbelievably knowledgeable, and gifted in that perfect way to overcome his current set of challenges, but a reader really must not let that detract from the fun, because it is merely part of the legend that is Jorg. I’d recommend it to all grimdark devotees, Jorg Ancrath lovers, and fans of fantasy-horror genre benders, because it is a not-to-be-missed fairy tale retelling.
Jorg Ancrath as sleeping beauty?
Sounds crazy, right? Especially since most of us know Jorg from Mr. Lawrence's seminal grimdark novel Prince of Thorns and its sequel King of Thorns, and recall that he is far from the embodiment of nobility and goodness. Somehow, someway Mark Lawrence makes it work, however, crafting a twisted story of the young king (this one is set between book two and three of the trilogy) as a “sleeping beauty” of sorts.
The story itself focuses on Jorg and a traveling companion making the mistake of seeking shelter from a storm in a haunted cave. While they are aware of the rumored ghosts that inhabit the place, Jorg is never one to let silly things like specters hold him back from his chosen course of action, and soon he finds himself a “sleeping beauty,” wondering when he will wake up and to what fiendish horrors. I really can’t tell you more, or I’ll ruin the wicked fun.
Overall, this was another grimdark tour de force from Mark Lawrence, filled with creepy images, fierce combat, and shadowy revelations about the world of the Broken Empire. Not only is it a must-read for series fans looking for a fix of Jorg, but its easy accessibility makes it a great introduction for new readers wanting to just try the series out. Sure, our grimdark hero has a habit of being terribly lucky, unbelievably knowledgeable, and gifted in that perfect way to overcome his current set of challenges, but a reader really must not let that detract from the fun, because it is merely part of the legend that is Jorg. I’d recommend it to all grimdark devotees, Jorg Ancrath lovers, and fans of fantasy-horror genre benders, because it is a not-to-be-missed fairy tale retelling.
July 30, 2023
"Sleeping Beauty" is #8 on my list of Top Ten Mark Lawrence Short Stories. Read my full listicle at Grimdark Magazine.
"Sleeping Beauty" is a short story from the Broken Empire that puts Jorg into a fairy tale setting as a kiss awakens him from an extended fever dream that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. This story is part of the Road Brothers anthology and pays homage to multiple fairy tales, including Goldilocks and Rapunzel, but most notably parallels the story of Sleeping Beauty.
The kiss that awakens Jorg, at least in his own mind, is from Katharine ap Scorron, the focus of his romantic obsessions. It is not clear if Katherine is actually there, or if she is just a figment of Jorg's imagination. Or perhaps Katherine is the one who is manipulating Jorg's dreams with her newly acquired dream-weaving powers.
The dream itself finds Jorg in a military medical bunker from the ancient Builder civilization, with a data echo threatening to enter Jorg's body to give itself a physical form. Jorg is strapped down and subjected to various forms of medical experimentation, including the use of an artificial skin gel that can heal burns.
The story flows in and out of this dream-world, blending Jorg's reality with his hopes and fears. It is not clear how much of the dream sequence is Jorg's own fever-induced delirium versus a manipulated dreamscape planted in his mind. The science fiction elements were particularly well done as Jorg interacts with the data echo of the ancient Builder.
Mark Lawrence has a particular knack for writing fever dream sequences in several of his books, and this short story is another great example.
"Sleeping Beauty" is a short story from the Broken Empire that puts Jorg into a fairy tale setting as a kiss awakens him from an extended fever dream that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. This story is part of the Road Brothers anthology and pays homage to multiple fairy tales, including Goldilocks and Rapunzel, but most notably parallels the story of Sleeping Beauty.
The kiss that awakens Jorg, at least in his own mind, is from Katharine ap Scorron, the focus of his romantic obsessions. It is not clear if Katherine is actually there, or if she is just a figment of Jorg's imagination. Or perhaps Katherine is the one who is manipulating Jorg's dreams with her newly acquired dream-weaving powers.
The dream itself finds Jorg in a military medical bunker from the ancient Builder civilization, with a data echo threatening to enter Jorg's body to give itself a physical form. Jorg is strapped down and subjected to various forms of medical experimentation, including the use of an artificial skin gel that can heal burns.
The story flows in and out of this dream-world, blending Jorg's reality with his hopes and fears. It is not clear how much of the dream sequence is Jorg's own fever-induced delirium versus a manipulated dreamscape planted in his mind. The science fiction elements were particularly well done as Jorg interacts with the data echo of the ancient Builder.
Mark Lawrence has a particular knack for writing fever dream sequences in several of his books, and this short story is another great example.
January 12, 2016
Zabavna mala pričaiz univrzuma Slomljeno Kraljevstvo. Ne donosi ništa novo da nas upozna sa likovima ali je fino mini priča smeštena između prve dve knjige. Glavni interes je što u suštini predstavlja varijaciju na uspavanu lepoticu ali na način koji više odgovara ovom surovom svetu.
Plus ima lepa cameo i za Zlatokosu i tri medveda (realna varijanta ne bajka :) ).
Fun.
Plus ima lepa cameo i za Zlatokosu i tri medveda (realna varijanta ne bajka :) ).
Fun.
June 26, 2013
"‘Sleeping beauty, woken by the princess’s kiss,’ I said.
And so I set off to find her."
A short the Broken Empire story that reads more like sci-fi than fantasy. Mark Lawrence does a great job of mixing fantasy with fairy tales and science fiction.
You can read the story for free by clicking on the link below:
http://harpervoyagerbooks.com/wp-cont...
And so I set off to find her."
A short the Broken Empire story that reads more like sci-fi than fantasy. Mark Lawrence does a great job of mixing fantasy with fairy tales and science fiction.
You can read the story for free by clicking on the link below:
http://harpervoyagerbooks.com/wp-cont...
May 18, 2014
I once heard it said that, if Ferrari ever made computer servers, you could be sure of just these things
they would be sleek
they would be fast
they would only be available in red, black or yellow
every man who bought one would assume it would make him more attractive to women
A similar train of thought can be applied to Mark Lawrence writing fairy stories
the writing would be as smooth as silk
the characters intoxicatingly reprehensible
the tropes turned on their heads and
the humour as sharp and black as the action was swift and red.
And so it is with Sleeping Beauty, with a nodding acquaintance to another couple of fairy stories along the way.
they would be sleek
they would be fast
they would only be available in red, black or yellow
every man who bought one would assume it would make him more attractive to women
A similar train of thought can be applied to Mark Lawrence writing fairy stories
the writing would be as smooth as silk
the characters intoxicatingly reprehensible
the tropes turned on their heads and
the humour as sharp and black as the action was swift and red.
And so it is with Sleeping Beauty, with a nodding acquaintance to another couple of fairy stories along the way.
June 27, 2013
Goddamn brilliant.
July 29, 2018
"Good lives are built of moments – of times when we step
back and truly see"
back and truly see"
January 29, 2018
Mark Lawrence returns to the more horrific origins of fairytales in Sleeping Beauty.
Deftly adapting the basis of Giambattista Basile’s original version to the world of the Broken Empire, the reader is reunited with Jorge when he receives a kiss from a princess, only to find himself a captive and a victim of assault, not unlike the princess in Basile’s original Sleeping Beauty.
As with the full-length installments in the series, Mark Lawrence has crafted another installment in Jorge’s tale that is as much a pleasure to read for the telling of the story as for the story itself.
Anyone who enjoys Jorge’s journey will enjoy Sleeping Beauty.
“I think if I beat it with my sword the problem should go away”. It’s a technique that works on a lot of problems. – Honorous Jorge Ancranth
Deftly adapting the basis of Giambattista Basile’s original version to the world of the Broken Empire, the reader is reunited with Jorge when he receives a kiss from a princess, only to find himself a captive and a victim of assault, not unlike the princess in Basile’s original Sleeping Beauty.
As with the full-length installments in the series, Mark Lawrence has crafted another installment in Jorge’s tale that is as much a pleasure to read for the telling of the story as for the story itself.
Anyone who enjoys Jorge’s journey will enjoy Sleeping Beauty.
“I think if I beat it with my sword the problem should go away”. It’s a technique that works on a lot of problems. – Honorous Jorge Ancranth
June 27, 2013
What can I say that hasn't been said about Jorg Ancrath already? I loved this short story. So much to the point where I printed a copy, which now sits on my bed bookshelf. I love the take on Sleeping Beauty Fairytale and the beautiful prose. As far as I'm concerned we can even skip July and just go right to August.
June 26, 2013
I loved the imagery in this story. Mark paints a vivid picture as always. I had missed Jorg...nice to catch up with him a bit before EoT :)
September 8, 2017
Sleeping Beauty with Jorg Ancrath...
Let me repeat that:
Sleeping Beauty (a horrible fairytale made pretty by Disney but still a fairytale) with Jorg 'I will kill you without a second thought because you annoy me' Ancrath!
I spent a few minutes chuckling to myself, wondering how Lawrence was going to do such a thing before I delved in and was blown away.
The concept seemed ridiculously brilliant, but the execution was grimdark and wonderful. As with the first two books of this series, this book has two timelines. It's the story of Jorg and Hakon making their (lost) way searching for shelter. And then we follow Jorg, now awake, in a place that was not built by the Broken Empire. Oh no! It was built by that of the Builder Age.
I won't say more because it would spoil the story. But, this was definitely fun and creative with a little bit of Hansel and Gretel thrown in for good measure too.
Let me repeat that:
Sleeping Beauty (a horrible fairytale made pretty by Disney but still a fairytale) with Jorg 'I will kill you without a second thought because you annoy me' Ancrath!
I spent a few minutes chuckling to myself, wondering how Lawrence was going to do such a thing before I delved in and was blown away.
The concept seemed ridiculously brilliant, but the execution was grimdark and wonderful. As with the first two books of this series, this book has two timelines. It's the story of Jorg and Hakon making their (lost) way searching for shelter. And then we follow Jorg, now awake, in a place that was not built by the Broken Empire. Oh no! It was built by that of the Builder Age.
I won't say more because it would spoil the story. But, this was definitely fun and creative with a little bit of Hansel and Gretel thrown in for good measure too.
July 9, 2013
This is a story set in the world of 'The Broken Empire' series by Mark Lawrence, featuring the inimitable Jorg Ancrath.
While you may read this short story without having started the trilogy, please do not read this review without having done so. There may be inadvertent spoilers. You should reap the full benefits of reading the books for yourself.
Jorg and his companion escape the trappings of one place to continue their travels. Their journey takes longer than they anticipated and they are caught in the middle of winter. They seek shelter in a cave only to find a greater trap waiting for them. This story is about where they find themselves trapped, who or what has trapped them, and if and how they might escape.
This story is neither about beauty nor of slumber. It is not a fairy tale. While there may be a lesson or two to be learned, I doubt its main intent is to impart one. Do not look for the 'happily ever after' either, though I'm not necessarily saying this comes to a dire end.
There is a prince but he is more bent on destruction-- of himself and of others. He is more likely to cause a damsel distress than he is to save her from it. There is a princess but she is self-reliant and is more apt to do the saving.
Other than the fairy tale which inspired this short story, Lawrence references other classic fairy tales. What is alluring about these references is that they focus on the darker side of the tales, zeroing in on the aspect that makes them fearsome and grisly, and even suggesting an alternate ending.
This will tide you over until the release of the third and final installment in the trilogy. The tone and mood are familiar and unmistakable. It is a good way of reorienting yourself with the post-apocalyptic world the story is set in. You will find more remnants of the world that was, perhaps providing new insight on the role of the old world in the conclusion of the greater tale. More importantly, you are reunited with Jorg and are given a greater peek at his psyche-- what he thinks of himself and his deeds, the origin and nature of his fears, what goals may color his future.
Finally, I would be remiss if I fail to mention a poignant note in this tale: In 'Sleeping Beauty', Jorg will come full circle with the hook-briar that has marked him and been his most constant companion for most of his life.
While you may read this short story without having started the trilogy, please do not read this review without having done so. There may be inadvertent spoilers. You should reap the full benefits of reading the books for yourself.
Jorg and his companion escape the trappings of one place to continue their travels. Their journey takes longer than they anticipated and they are caught in the middle of winter. They seek shelter in a cave only to find a greater trap waiting for them. This story is about where they find themselves trapped, who or what has trapped them, and if and how they might escape.
This story is neither about beauty nor of slumber. It is not a fairy tale. While there may be a lesson or two to be learned, I doubt its main intent is to impart one. Do not look for the 'happily ever after' either, though I'm not necessarily saying this comes to a dire end.
There is a prince but he is more bent on destruction-- of himself and of others. He is more likely to cause a damsel distress than he is to save her from it. There is a princess but she is self-reliant and is more apt to do the saving.
Other than the fairy tale which inspired this short story, Lawrence references other classic fairy tales. What is alluring about these references is that they focus on the darker side of the tales, zeroing in on the aspect that makes them fearsome and grisly, and even suggesting an alternate ending.
This will tide you over until the release of the third and final installment in the trilogy. The tone and mood are familiar and unmistakable. It is a good way of reorienting yourself with the post-apocalyptic world the story is set in. You will find more remnants of the world that was, perhaps providing new insight on the role of the old world in the conclusion of the greater tale. More importantly, you are reunited with Jorg and are given a greater peek at his psyche-- what he thinks of himself and his deeds, the origin and nature of his fears, what goals may color his future.
Finally, I would be remiss if I fail to mention a poignant note in this tale: In 'Sleeping Beauty', Jorg will come full circle with the hook-briar that has marked him and been his most constant companion for most of his life.
February 23, 2015
"(...)A kiss had woken me and I’d found, as we so often do, that the world had moved on without me. And that’s the riddle of existence for you. When to move and when to stay. Dwell too long and we become the prisoner of our dreams, or someone else’s. Move too fast, live without pause, and you’ll miss it all, your whole life a blur of doing. Good lives are built of moments – of times when we step back and truly see. The dream and the dreamer. There’s the rub. Does the dream ever let go? Aren’t we all only sleepwalking into old age, just waiting, waiting, waiting for that kiss?..."
I love the short stories that Mark Lawrence has written of his Broken Empire Trilogy. I like those little insights to the world of the Builders that are all around them.
In Sleeping Beauty, Jorg and Hakon encounter some remnants of the Builders age on their way back from a visit to the ancient city of Vyene, probably an old bunker. But there are ghosts of the past that lurk there and one of those warn Jorg and his companion of the terrible needles that they might encounter inside of the cave... but Jorg never listens.
This is the most amazing sci-fi retelling of fairy tales that I've read so far. It features a lot of reference to other fairy tales, not only "Sleeping Beauty", the most obvious one being The Snow Queen.
Mark's prose is impeccable as you might have noticed when you read the quote at the beginning of my review.
Though it can be read before the Broken Empire Trilogy, I recommend you to read it after King of Thorns because at the start of the trilogy I was very confused with all the things related to the Builders.
August 7, 2013
As I get more and more pissed off waiting for Amazon to deliver my copy of Emperor of Thorns, I get my fix of Jorg Ancrath through the short story Sleeping Beauty. Quite simply my favorite character of modern fantasy, and one of the darkest series around. Jorg comes up against the technology of the builders and its amazing to see how advanced the builders were before their influence ended, the tale of sleeping beauty is cleverly weaved into this glimpse of technology amidst the intelligence, charm and brutality that is Jorg Ancrath.
Interesting and disappointing to read that this trilogy is the end of Jorg, as the author has decided not to continue with his story arc, but start anew with a different character set in the Broken Empire. Prince of Fools will be the next release in June 2014 and I look forward to that, for now just need the post office to get my book to me.
Interesting and disappointing to read that this trilogy is the end of Jorg, as the author has decided not to continue with his story arc, but start anew with a different character set in the Broken Empire. Prince of Fools will be the next release in June 2014 and I look forward to that, for now just need the post office to get my book to me.
May 30, 2017
Getting back into the Broken Empire universe and getting reacquainted with Jorg feels like coming home to old friends. His witty, short-fused temper and his snarky inner voice are easily recognizable.
Even though I didn't listen to this via audiobook, in my mind, whilst reading, I heard the voice of James Clamp narrating (He narrated the entire trilogy).
This short story provides another few pieces to the puzzle that is the world of the Broken Empire and it was interesting and entertaining.
Even though I didn't listen to this via audiobook, in my mind, whilst reading, I heard the voice of James Clamp narrating (He narrated the entire trilogy).
This short story provides another few pieces to the puzzle that is the world of the Broken Empire and it was interesting and entertaining.
July 3, 2013
It started with a kiss. All good fairy stories start this way, right?
We all know that good fairy stories have happy endings, too. Right? Well this is no ordinary fairy story. In fact it's not one at all. It is a little scifi/fantasy tale featuring Jorg as the "Sleeping Beauty". And as fans of Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire books know, Jorg is no ordinary prince/king. He is cunning and clever.
He and his companion have sought shelter from the bitter cold in a cave - which turns out to be a bunker from some previous era. They are assailed by insectile droids.
And that is when things get interesting.
I honestly did not know what to make of it to begin with as I have not read scifi for a few years now, and it took a bit to get my head round it. It shows the skill of a superb author to draw you in and before you know it, you are hooked! It is a brilliant little piece of writing that showcased Jorg's indomitable spirit and resourcefulness.
Excellent!
We all know that good fairy stories have happy endings, too. Right? Well this is no ordinary fairy story. In fact it's not one at all. It is a little scifi/fantasy tale featuring Jorg as the "Sleeping Beauty". And as fans of Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire books know, Jorg is no ordinary prince/king. He is cunning and clever.
He and his companion have sought shelter from the bitter cold in a cave - which turns out to be a bunker from some previous era. They are assailed by insectile droids.
And that is when things get interesting.
I honestly did not know what to make of it to begin with as I have not read scifi for a few years now, and it took a bit to get my head round it. It shows the skill of a superb author to draw you in and before you know it, you are hooked! It is a brilliant little piece of writing that showcased Jorg's indomitable spirit and resourcefulness.
Excellent!
November 21, 2014
This is a brief but exceptionally well-done little snippet from the midst of the Broken Empire trilogy - very heavy on Builder settings and mythos, which was wonderful and surreal to read through Jorg's eyes. A nice little bite of Lawrence's amazing worldbuilding efforts in the wait period until King of Fools (or whatever the next Red Queen's War book ends up being)
June 8, 2016
Different. :)
May 14, 2015
I love short stories. It is an excellent opportunity to meet with authors' work.
For months I have been tormenting myself whether or not to read Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire as I've never seen so many contradictory reviews.
Many readers were praising Mark for his characters, prose and plot where others were condemning the book because of Jorg's actions and claimed that they could not sympathize with the main carachter.
I decided that if there is so much noise around an author, I should at least give it a try.
I am glad that I did. Sleeping beauty was the first story I read from Mark Lawrence and his prose captivated me.
I loved the scenery, I read emotions in such a short story, I heard a deep silence that hypnotized me...
I decided that Mark Lawrence is my favourite (Assam) cup of tea.
For months I have been tormenting myself whether or not to read Mark Lawrence's Broken Empire as I've never seen so many contradictory reviews.
Many readers were praising Mark for his characters, prose and plot where others were condemning the book because of Jorg's actions and claimed that they could not sympathize with the main carachter.
I decided that if there is so much noise around an author, I should at least give it a try.
I am glad that I did. Sleeping beauty was the first story I read from Mark Lawrence and his prose captivated me.
I loved the scenery, I read emotions in such a short story, I heard a deep silence that hypnotized me...
I decided that Mark Lawrence is my favourite (Assam) cup of tea.
January 25, 2015
Jorj and Hakon encounter some remnants of the Builder age on their way back from a visit to the ancient city of Vyene. Mark Lawrence captures the aura that is Jorj from the Broken Empire series and gives us a proper description of the Norseman Hakon in this 33 pager.
Some strangeness from a fantasy perspective with the Builder stuff... but the author's choice of words is up to his usual high bar. An example excerpt that just speaks to the reality of our lives... "When to move and when to stay. Dwell too long and we become the prisoner of our dreams, or someone else's. Move too fast, live without pause, and you'll miss it all, your whole life a blur of doing." Priceless stuff here.
Some strangeness from a fantasy perspective with the Builder stuff... but the author's choice of words is up to his usual high bar. An example excerpt that just speaks to the reality of our lives... "When to move and when to stay. Dwell too long and we become the prisoner of our dreams, or someone else's. Move too fast, live without pause, and you'll miss it all, your whole life a blur of doing." Priceless stuff here.
January 19, 2015
Well, I didn't plan on reading this tonight but I thought I'd get a few pages in and then go to sleep only to realise 30 mins later that I'd read the whole thing... just grabs hold of you and takes you along for the ride! It was really enjoyable and clever.. who thought Jorg could fit so nicely with fairy tales? If you like the Broken Empire series then this is well worth the read and if you haven't come across it before then for 99p .. give this a go and you never know you might end up spending a few bob more and buying the trilogy and Prince of Fools :)
February 9, 2015
A grand example of Mark Lawrence's fantastic prose, this story is great as a standalone but you will really enjoy it after reading Prince of Thorns and King of Thorns, the first two books of The Broken Empire series.
It is so much more than the point of view of a sociopath antihero, it marries the grimdark with science fiction and does it with such skill with words it's almost lyrical -poetic darkness at its finest.
It is so much more than the point of view of a sociopath antihero, it marries the grimdark with science fiction and does it with such skill with words it's almost lyrical -poetic darkness at its finest.
May 7, 2015
I have become a big fan of Mark Lawrence since reading his Broken Empire Trilogy, and this short story did nothing except make me want to read that all over again. Lawrence is a great writer, and I've said it before, I'd read anything with Jorg Ancrath as the protagonist. You owe it to yourself to check out his work. This particular work was an interesting take on a few classic fairy tales and a good read. Short and sweet.
December 11, 2015
I could read stories of Jorg all day long - he may be the most compelling character I've ever encountered. This is a great treat for those that have read the books, with more bits and pieces about the Builders. There are some tantalizing clues that flesh out where other builder works came from and what they were intended for, and the bit about the origin of the hook-briar fills in a gap I have wondered about since the first book. A mini masterpiece!
June 27, 2013
A brilliant break from the horrible wait till the day Emperor of Thorns comes out!
June 28, 2013
A great short story, loved the twist on sleeping beauty. Always enjoy a story with Jorg and this short one just made me want to read Emperor of Thorns all the more. Can't wait for it!!
September 29, 2014
I thought this was a great dark twist on a classic fairy tale.
January 10, 2017
Just a short story, but a nice addition to the universe. I'm a sucker for stories like this though, blending the old with the new
July 10, 2020
Très courte, mais excellente petite nouvelle dans l’univers de l’Empire Brisé. Cela n’a fait que me rappeler que je dois lire plus de Mark Lawrence! On y retrouve le personnage de Jorg, charmant jeune homme, dans une brève aventure. J’ai assez peu à dire… bien que la lecture ne soit pas essentielle, elle demeure très intéressante pour les fans de la série. Et de plus, elle est gratuite en numérique sur la plupart des plateforme alors pourquoi s’en passer!
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