King of Thorns (Broken Empire, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Mar 13, 2015 Daphne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: quest

Just as bloody, gritty, and awesome as the first installment. I loved every minute of it. Lawrence definitely writes the kind of fantasy I'm into. It's highly realistic, and doesn't sugar coat how utterly nasty war is. ...more

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Oct 23, 2013 Patrick rated it liked it

Shelves: book-series

I enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, despite it feeling a bit shallow. It was very entertaining, but I can understand many of the complaints surrounding that novel.

King of Thorns picks up where the last novel had left off. Like it's predecessor, it follows two different story lines. The "current" story line takes place on Jorg's wedding day, where he must take down the Prince of Arrow. I don't remember too many details of the "Four Years Ago" story line.

This novel was a lot less entertain ...more

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Aug 03, 2017 Kerstin rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2017

King of Thorns is the second installment in the Broken Empire trilogy and while I gave it the same rating as the previous book, I've enjoyed it that little bit more.

The story is told in alternating chapters, following two different time lines: now and four years ago (which is right after the last book ended). Interspersed are chapters told from Katherine's POV, as Jorg gets hold of her diary at some stage.
I quite enjoyed this non-linear way of telling the story and it was easy enough to follow. ...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Arushi rated it really liked it

Shelves: grimdark

King of Thorns, the second installment of the Broken Empire trilogy did not disappoint. The layout follows the pattern that was started by the first book, Prince of Thorns. Two timelines, one now, and one from four years ago, with random information about the 'Brothers' spread out before chapters.

But more layers are added to this one. For one, throughout the book, Jorg is also reading Katherine ap Scorron's journal. So that is a third perspective which is introduced and you know that he is read King of Thorns, the second installment of the Broken Empire trilogy did not disappoint. The layout follows the pattern that was started by the first book, Prince of Thorns. Two timelines, one now, and one from four years ago, with random information about the 'Brothers' spread out before chapters.

But more layers are added to this one. For one, throughout the book, Jorg is also reading Katherine ap Scorron's journal. So that is a third perspective which is introduced and you know that he is reading it after everything that is happening in the book has already come to an end. That is, the start of the book, is also the end, yet the beginning is vague enough that you truly have no clue about what is going to happen next.

As if that were not enough, in the four years later part (called Wedding Day for obvious reasons) you also get information about four years ago because Jorg has sealed some of his memories in a box. So as they come out, you (and he) live them now, again.

It is a huge puzzle, being put together from many different directions, systematically, but in seemingly unrelated patterns until it all comes together and you can suddenly see the big picture. It just clicks.

I like those kind of movies, but not so much the shows and the books coz they tend to drive me crazy. This one managed to give just the right number of clues. So I had a good guess about what had happened, I just needed to know the how of it.

I had a grand time reading this book. Jorg was... different. I kept looking for the Prince I had just left behind in the previous book, and caught him in glimpses, but right until the end, he does not completely reveal himself. There is a reason for that, but then, there is a reason for everything.

Yet, even this different Jorg, has not lost his touch. The man he is becoming does think of the consequences unlike the past, but does it (whatever it may be) anyway because that is the way he is. Still, you have to admit, some maturity has sunk in:

"“How old are you?”

I felt the Brothers stiffen. It can be annoying to always have the people around you think you’re going to murder everyone who looks at you wrong.

“I’m old enough to play with fire,” I said."

King Jorg is different than Prince Jorg, but still extremely intriguing. I cannot say more, without giving away a lot of spoilers, but one thing is for sure, the sheer defiance and pride that is a part of his personality is mesmerizing to watch, especially because he can take a joke. Mostly.

My expounding on the series, the books and Jorg are done. I do wonder how I would like this series a second time around and for that, I will probably give it another go before the third and final book comes out. ...more

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