Having recently read the first book and being halfway through the second I am overjoyed to announce I love this series, and would recommend it to any lovers of fantasy literature who are old enough to drink.
Just a warning up front, this is a dark book with distinctly unlikable characters doing unspeakable acts from literally the get go (read actually interesting). However I have found that the witty writing style from the perspective of the reprehensible yet darkly funny, Jorg and unorthodox ( without being confusing )story structure keeps this from overwhelming even those with weak stomachs and keeps you reading on, despite occasionally feeling dirty for doing so!
Plot wise, I will be brief to avoid spoilers:
Prince leaves home after undergoing a traumatic event which mess him up to a ridiculous yet curiously believable level.
He joins a band of outlaws and cut throats who are very well developed characterwise ( The Brothers) and rampages throughout the land, indulging himself in murder and pillaging, albeit with an eventual plan which becomes apparent.
We learn of the Hundred Kingdoms and the fight for the title of Emperor.
We learn that Jorg's father is a massive oink.
We learn a little about Shadowy individuals with magical abilities plucking strings and pulling levers behind the scenes. Who manage this without seeming by the numbers villains.
Add a few monsters and some awesome shot outs to the world of today, which I won't spoil as many made me chuckle.
And you have the Prince of Thorns!
Just a quick mention of Jorg's evaluation of each character between chapters, an affectation which I love and would encourage more writers to use, as It prevented the usual run down of who's who for the first hundred pages, allowing the narrative to shoot ahead, and was frankly hilarious.
Prince of Thorns
Having recently read the first book and being halfway through the second I am overjoyed to announce I love this series, and would recommend it to any lovers of fantasy literature who are old enough to drink. Just a warning up front, this is a dark book with distinctly unlikable characters doing unspeakable acts from literally the get go (read actually interesting). However I have found that the witty writing style from the perspective of the reprehensible yet darkly funny, Jorg and unorthodox ( without being confusing )story structure keeps this from overwhelming even those with weak stomachs and keeps you reading on, despite occasionally feeling dirty for doing so!
Plot wise, I will be brief to avoid spoilers: Prince leaves home after undergoing a traumatic event which mess him up to a ridiculous yet curiously believable level. He joins a band of outlaws and cut throats who are very well developed characterwise ( The Brothers) and rampages throughout the land, indulging himself in murder and pillaging, albeit with an eventual plan which becomes apparent. We learn of the Hundred Kingdoms and the fight for the title of Emperor. We learn that Jorg's father is a massive oink. We learn a little about Shadowy individuals with magical abilities plucking strings and pulling levers behind the scenes. Who manage this without seeming by the numbers villains.
Add a few monsters and some awesome shot outs to the world of today, which I won't spoil as many made me chuckle. And you have the Prince of Thorns! Just a quick mention of Jorg's evaluation of each character between chapters, an affectation which I love and would encourage more writers to use, as It prevented the usual run down of who's who for the first hundred pages, allowing the narrative to shoot ahead, and was frankly hilarious.