Hardcover, 355 pages
English language
Published Sept. 5, 2014 by Ace.
"Hailed as "epic fantasy on a George R. R. Martin scale, but on speed," the Broken Empire trilogy introduced a bold new world of dark fantasy with the story of Jorg Ancrath's devastating rise to power. Now, Mark Lawrence returns to the Broken Empire with the tale of a less ambitious prince... The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign, she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister--unseen by most and unspoken of by all. The Red Queen's grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth--drinker, gambler, seducer of women--is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is …
"Hailed as "epic fantasy on a George R. R. Martin scale, but on speed," the Broken Empire trilogy introduced a bold new world of dark fantasy with the story of Jorg Ancrath's devastating rise to power. Now, Mark Lawrence returns to the Broken Empire with the tale of a less ambitious prince... The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire dread her like no other. For all her reign, she has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister--unseen by most and unspoken of by all. The Red Queen's grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth--drinker, gambler, seducer of women--is one who can see The Silent Sister. Tenth in line for the throne and content with his role as a minor royal, he pretends that the hideous crone is not there. But war is coming. Witnesses claim an undead army is on the march, and the Red Queen has called on her family to defend the realm. Jal thinks it's all a rumor--nothing that will affect him--but he is wrong. After escaping a death trap set by the Silent Sister, Jal finds his fate magically intertwined with a fierce Norse warrior. As the two undertake a journey across the Empire to undo the spell, encountering grave dangers, willing women, and an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath along the way, Jalan gradually catches a glimmer of the truth: he and the Norseman are but pieces in a game, part of a series of moves in the long war--and the Red Queen controls the board. Fixed on Fantasy"--
About a boy
Adventure story about a careless,selfish and meek prince and his meeting with the death, teaching him how valuable life is. Enjoyed it. End could've been better, but it was well written.
First Mark Lawrence's book that I've read. The story follows a self-indulgent, cunning, escapist, weakling prick of a Prince, one's life showered with indulgences gifted by nepotism in a ruler clan, Jalan. By an unfathomable reason he becomes entangled in a magic spell that sends him on a journey to the cold north. Snorri, a Viking who lost his family meets Jalan when he's presented being enslaved to tell his tale at the throne room. His quest to save the family that was taken away, while being entangled with Jalan because of the magic spell takes us through a fantastic journey that is written with so much adventure as with characterization, throwing in a substantial amount of Norse myth.
The ending was fantastic and I badly want to start the 2nd book, only quibble having to wait for the 3rd that will be released later this year.
Great read. Don't …
First Mark Lawrence's book that I've read. The story follows a self-indulgent, cunning, escapist, weakling prick of a Prince, one's life showered with indulgences gifted by nepotism in a ruler clan, Jalan. By an unfathomable reason he becomes entangled in a magic spell that sends him on a journey to the cold north. Snorri, a Viking who lost his family meets Jalan when he's presented being enslaved to tell his tale at the throne room. His quest to save the family that was taken away, while being entangled with Jalan because of the magic spell takes us through a fantastic journey that is written with so much adventure as with characterization, throwing in a substantial amount of Norse myth.
The ending was fantastic and I badly want to start the 2nd book, only quibble having to wait for the 3rd that will be released later this year.
Great read. Don't be fooled by anyone who says its a pulp adventure fantasy. It is much more than that. The relationship between Jalan and Snorri is portrayed superbly.
