crickety's review against another edition
1.0
This novel was an incredible disappointment. I barely know what to say about it, nothing really worked for me. The whole thing felt extremely childish which jarred with the violent themes and basic plot. I was especially disturbed by the amount of sexual violence and how it was handled. I personally don’t like reading about young teens being skilled rapists or abusing prostitutes. Violence and gore is what brought me to the book but the creepiness of the main character made it near impossible to finish. Seriously, there are great and gore-filled books out there that doesn’t read like they’re written by a disturbed horny teen, find those instead.
lolo626's review against another edition
4.0
Edgy teen spends 400 pages being edgy. Bloodshed ensues
chris_nz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nikolastoti's review against another edition
4.0
The start of one of the best adventures I have ever read. Mark Lawrence makes it super easy to dive in Jorg's world, a young Prince that had a fucked up childhood living in a post apocalyptic medieval era.
words_on_paper_official's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first grim dark fantasy I have read. I won’t lie there were some great battles and fight scenes described. Some of those battles were with our protagonist Jorg. The internal battles he faces being good and evil and taking what he wants and what’s rightfully his. He deals with the trauma of seeing his mother and younger brother brutally murdered When he was a boy.
Now barely a teenager himself he is forced to grow up on the road with his band of ruthless “brothers” who pillage and steal and rife their way through towns and villages.
Throughout the story we learn that Jorg is out for blood and seeks revenge on the man responsible for the slaying of his mother and brother. As Jorg seeks his revenge he makes rash decisions that endanger he and his “road brothers”.
I found some spots of this story to be hard to read. Not in the sense that it was bad but just difficult following along. Maybe it’s because I don’t read fantasy much or some of the writing was not flowing for me. Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked the main protagonist “Jorg” even though most people may find him despicable for what he does. I think he’s just a young boy that was forced to grow up way to fast. I’m not excusing his actions by any means.
Now barely a teenager himself he is forced to grow up on the road with his band of ruthless “brothers” who pillage and steal and rife their way through towns and villages.
Throughout the story we learn that Jorg is out for blood and seeks revenge on the man responsible for the slaying of his mother and brother. As Jorg seeks his revenge he makes rash decisions that endanger he and his “road brothers”.
I found some spots of this story to be hard to read. Not in the sense that it was bad but just difficult following along. Maybe it’s because I don’t read fantasy much or some of the writing was not flowing for me. Overall I enjoyed this book. I liked the main protagonist “Jorg” even though most people may find him despicable for what he does. I think he’s just a young boy that was forced to grow up way to fast. I’m not excusing his actions by any means.
zobad16's review against another edition
5.0
Really impressed with the book. A great start to a great series. This book had some amazing characters Jorg is my new favourite character. Hopefully the other books in the series keeps up with the same kind of impressive writting.
manuclearbomb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
3.5
Definitely grimdark fantasy but the reveals as the story goes along are good; solid first book that has me excited for the rest in this world. Will read Book 2
taroteacup's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the best anti hero book I have read. You won't help falling in love with the diabolical Jorg as he basically carves his way to victory through all odds. Seriously though, I probably have never seen a better hero then this one.
cookiemonsterrr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Gripping and tense! Jorg is not a lawful or moral character by any means, and he is a pretty awful person, but he's very interesting. You just can't help but root for this traumatized, complex guy, even as you dislike the things he does.
I quite liked this series when I was in high school. I think it's my third reread, if not fourth or fifth? I don't remember, it's been years. I basically went into reading Prince of Thorns with little to no memory of the events covered in this book and found myself enjoying it!
I don't remember if Katherine features more in the later books, but I hope she does. I would like to see more female characters that aren't just victims or one off appearance characters.
One thing that might be a deal-breaker for prospective readers of this book is the inclusion of sexual assault themes in this book. Jorg and some of his road brothers participate in pretty awful examples of this and it did make me squeamish and uncomfortable even though it wasn't graphicly described. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure this was necessary? But it makes some sense considering the dark medieval kind of fantasy setting of the story + the context of Jorg and his brothers being essentially raiders and bandits. Oh well, its fiction. You can probably skip over the sections that have this, since they don't have a major bearing on the plot, I don't think. But if you think it will trigger you then please take care of yourself and avoid this book entirely.
I quite liked this series when I was in high school. I think it's my third reread, if not fourth or fifth? I don't remember, it's been years. I basically went into reading Prince of Thorns with little to no memory of the events covered in this book and found myself enjoying it!
I don't remember if Katherine features more in the later books, but I hope she does. I would like to see more female characters that aren't just victims or one off appearance characters.
One thing that might be a deal-breaker for prospective readers of this book is the inclusion of sexual assault themes in this book. Jorg and some of his road brothers participate in pretty awful examples of this and it did make me squeamish and uncomfortable even though it wasn't graphicly described. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure this was necessary? But it makes some sense considering the dark medieval kind of fantasy setting of the story + the context of Jorg and his brothers being essentially raiders and bandits. Oh well, its fiction. You can probably skip over the sections that have this, since they don't have a major bearing on the plot, I don't think. But if you think it will trigger you then please take care of yourself and avoid this book entirely.
ronsos's review against another edition
4.0
Dark, violent, and intense. Jorg is one of the most despicable characters you'll ever read. Incredibly compelling, though, in spite of that. This book pulses with dark energy. Couldn't put it down. Really not what I expected, in a good way (but hard to explain).