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stacias99's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think I can adequately convey just how much I loved [b:King of Thorns|12891107|King of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #2)|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322539112s/12891107.jpg|17382436]. I felt conflicted the entire time I read its predecessor, [b:Prince of Thorns|9579634|Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #1)|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327917754s/9579634.jpg|14466531], but this time around there was no conflict about how much I like Jorg. Jorg is the kind of protagonist that reminds me why I love reading. I feel as though Jorg is a very fully fleshed character, a young man full of contradictions and, at times, at war within himself. His inner conversation is full of that dry wit that I appreciate in real life, and he is not just a blade, he is an intellectual as well (pondering many lofty concepts).
During this reading, I was able to mark all the passages that I found stunning for the language or for the imagery or for the emotion evoked. There were a lot. I really like [a:Mark Lawrence|4721536|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1318781585p2/4721536.jpg]'s style of writing. The structure of the book worked for me (flashing back and forth between the present day and the past, chapters marked by Jorg's recollections of the Brothers), and I was completely drawn in by the plot.
I am both satistifed by the completeness of the story told by this book and on edge until I can finish Jorg's entire story. It's a rare and beautiful state to be in. I'm definitely going to read [b:Emperor of Thorns|15804760|Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377769015s/15804760.jpg|21528629], and I'm actually contemplating beginning the series again so I can experience all 3 books together. I highly recommend it (readers should be aware - disturbing things do happen and some may shy away from the subject matter, but as in the first book, I didn't feel any of the scenarios were gratuitous, they added to the gritty realism of the novel, and though I found that some happenings made me uncomfortable, I felt challenged as a reader rather than disgusted).
We're built of contradictions, all of us. It's those opposing forces that give us strength, like an arch, each block pressing the next. Give me a man whose parts are all aligned in agreement and I'll show you madness. We walk a narrow path, insanity to each side. A man without contradictions to balance him will soon veer off- King of Thorns, pg. 238
During this reading, I was able to mark all the passages that I found stunning for the language or for the imagery or for the emotion evoked. There were a lot. I really like [a:Mark Lawrence|4721536|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1318781585p2/4721536.jpg]'s style of writing. The structure of the book worked for me (flashing back and forth between the present day and the past, chapters marked by Jorg's recollections of the Brothers), and I was completely drawn in by the plot.
I am both satistifed by the completeness of the story told by this book and on edge until I can finish Jorg's entire story. It's a rare and beautiful state to be in. I'm definitely going to read [b:Emperor of Thorns|15804760|Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)|Mark Lawrence|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377769015s/15804760.jpg|21528629], and I'm actually contemplating beginning the series again so I can experience all 3 books together. I highly recommend it (readers should be aware - disturbing things do happen and some may shy away from the subject matter, but as in the first book, I didn't feel any of the scenarios were gratuitous, they added to the gritty realism of the novel, and though I found that some happenings made me uncomfortable, I felt challenged as a reader rather than disgusted).
lootgoblin's review against another edition
4.0
My detailed review is on my blog at https://navigatingneverland.org/2016/10/15/king-of-thorns-broken-empire-2-by-mark-lawrence/
King of Thorns is a spectacular addition to this series. Though the plot moves slowly, it was still engaging and I loved the mystery behind it. Much more of the world was explored and there are even clues to its history. I thought Jorg was a lot more mature and develops quite a bit in this book, but I was disappointed that the other characters are still bland. The writing is great and I thought the cover was almost perfect.
King of Thorns is a spectacular addition to this series. Though the plot moves slowly, it was still engaging and I loved the mystery behind it. Much more of the world was explored and there are even clues to its history. I thought Jorg was a lot more mature and develops quite a bit in this book, but I was disappointed that the other characters are still bland. The writing is great and I thought the cover was almost perfect.
farsotstein's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE THIS BOOOOK!
Second read (I am currently re-reading The Broken Empire trilogy) and I am still blown away! Wohooo!
First time I read the King of Thorns I had real trouble keeping up with the events. I mean, yeah I see the "4 years before" sign but it was so much back and forth through the timeline that I was feeling lost in the first place and after that drawn to the plot.
Hovever, with this second read (9 years later), I find it much clear (hail my kind of adult brain) and I loved it even more. The changes in time give soooo much to the plot and the development of the story, it's just crazy. It's like a giant puzzle you're solving while everyone else in the books already lived it and knows what's about to happen. Or at least Jorg sure does. ;)
Speaking of Jorg, he's my all-time favourite morally grey character. He's smart, cunning, ferocious... what's not to love. Of course, I will make sure not to cross him IRL... :D
Second read (I am currently re-reading The Broken Empire trilogy) and I am still blown away! Wohooo!
First time I read the King of Thorns I had real trouble keeping up with the events. I mean, yeah I see the "4 years before" sign but it was so much back and forth through the timeline that I was feeling lost in the first place and after that drawn to the plot.
Hovever, with this second read (9 years later), I find it much clear (hail my kind of adult brain) and I loved it even more. The changes in time give soooo much to the plot and the development of the story, it's just crazy. It's like a giant puzzle you're solving while everyone else in the books already lived it and knows what's about to happen. Or at least Jorg sure does. ;)
Speaking of Jorg, he's my all-time favourite morally grey character. He's smart, cunning, ferocious... what's not to love. Of course, I will make sure not to cross him IRL... :D
damiany24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
maffa303's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely incredible. Wasn't sure the sequel could keep up with the standards set by the first, but this did not disappoint. According to the back cover, Robin Hobb called it a "two-in-the-morning page turner". I would say this is a pretty accurate description, as I have read the last 350 pages today, finishing it at around 2am. Looking forward to reading the next one and seeing how this trilogy ends. All I can say is, if you haven't read this trilogy yet, then you are missing out.
archiegitdog's review against another edition
5.0
This was far better than the first book; Prince of Thorns. Now I have to read Emperor of Thorns. If you get the chance give all three books a go
seriuzbiznus's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
restless's review against another edition
2.0
Well, this was different.
Book two opens with two women (Katherine, via her diary) and Miana.
We follow Jorg as he manages to not be a complete jackass to Miana, defends his castle from a siege, and does... things. There was more focus on Jorg's emotional development, and less on the disembowelment, raping and pillaging, which made for a more palatable read.
As others have noted, the supporting cast do not get any development at all, nor does the world (which is Deus Ex Machina) and the treatment of POC characters remains... well... he tried? I guess?
Book two opens with two women (Katherine, via her diary) and Miana.
Spoiler
Katherine's subsequent story arc: "I think I was raped, I have bruises on my legs, I am pregnant, I hate Jorg, I can't stop thinking about Jorg" followed by Mr. What's-his-face "oh no, I just made her imagine all of that" is deeply f-d up for so many reasons, but let's not split hairs because we'd be here all day.We follow Jorg as he manages to not be a complete jackass to Miana, defends his castle from a siege, and does... things. There was more focus on Jorg's emotional development, and less on the disembowelment, raping and pillaging, which made for a more palatable read.
As others have noted, the supporting cast do not get any development at all, nor does the world (which is Deus Ex Machina) and the treatment of POC characters remains... well... he tried? I guess?
Spoiler
Jorg's mind being partially Deus Ex Machina, via the box, for most of the book is an interesting choice of metaphor. I am getting slightly worried that by book 3, Lawrence will declare, "see, he was a good person all along! he was manipulated! he didn't know his own mind while he was disembowelling farmers, nuking villages and raping innocent women! his dad murdered his dog!" and I really don't know how I am going to feel about that.84reasons's review against another edition
4.0
Another great page turner and just as good as the first, little disappointed with where the genre is being twisted here however potentially may tie up well in the last book. Recommended.