From the Bookshelf of Grimdark Fantasy…

Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire, #1)

Mark Lawrence

Start date: September 1, 2015

Finish date: October 31, 2015

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Why we're reading this: Winner of September Grimdark Group Read Poll.
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Group Reads Discussions

* May/June '18 - Blackwing - **BEWARE OF SPOILERS**
By Tracey the Li… , First In, Last Out · 11 posts · 81 views

last updated Sep 27, 2018 01:21PM

* May/June '18 - Blackwing by Ed Mcdonald - **NO SPOILERS**
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last updated May 29, 2018 04:41AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 08, 2012 Michael rated it really liked it

I had heard so many good things about this book and although I'm not a fan of the gritty dark fantasy I think this was done exceeding well. Mark's prose is very well written and I found myself noting a number of particularly well done sentences, which is unusual for me to notice.

From time to time, fans of my series ask me to do a prequel on my character Royce and how he was when in the Black Diamond Thieves Guild and before the calming influences of Gwen and Hadrian started to shape him. From no ...more

156 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2025 Carrie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 23-for-23, 2024-books-to-read, winter-23-24, 25-for-25

Thank you Mark Lawrence for getting me out of my fantasy reading slump!

24 likes · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2011 Greg (adds 2 TBR list daily) Hersom rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fanlitreading, hersom-s-all-time-top-10

Trapped in a thorn bush, ten-year-old Prince Jorg watches in horror as his mother and brother are savagely murdered. A mere few years later, Jorg is the ruthless leader of a band of cold-blooded outlaws, raiding village after village on a path to vengeance through a land plagued by feudal wars.

If you're a Joe Abercrombie fan, I'll give you Greg's bona-fide 100% guarantee you'll love Prince of Thorns. I'm not implying in any way that Mr. Lawrence is an Abercrombie clone. Lawrence's writing is def Trapped in a thorn bush, ten-year-old Prince Jorg watches in horror as his mother and brother are savagely murdered. A mere few years later, Jorg is the ruthless leader of a band of cold-blooded outlaws, raiding village after village on a path to vengeance through a land plagued by feudal wars.

If you're a Joe Abercrombie fan, I'll give you Greg's bona-fide 100% guarantee you'll love Prince of Thorns. I'm not implying in any way that Mr. Lawrence is an Abercrombie clone. Lawrence's writing is definitely all his own but his dark tone, cleverness, and realism make a perfect match to Abercrombie's stuff.

Prince of Thorns is written as a first-person narrative told by Jorg. It's a grim revenge story that, except for a couple supernatural elements, reads just like medieval historical fiction. In fact, as I read it, I struggled to figure out what made this book fantasy. Then, just shy of halfway through, in only a few sentences, Lawrence turned the whole thing upside down. Actually, he really did it with one word, but at the time, I was so wrapped up in the story that I missed that word for what it was. Maybe other readers are smart enough to catch on sooner than I did. Regardless, get a good grip on the arms of your favorite reading chair before you get floored. I don't want to give any more away because discovering where and when this story is set is a huge part of the excitement. So I'll leave at this: in the span of a few paragraphs, this book went from a standout debut to shining genius.

The violent deaths of Jorg's mother and brother, his torturous recovery from a fever brought on by the poison of the thorns, as well as the cruel upbringing in his father's castle, all seem to have made Jorg into a monster. Or maybe those things just brought the monster to the surface. Jorg is more merciless than his marauding cohorts, maybe even more than his enemies. And he's just barely in his teens. Usually, I can't buy into a child character that acts more like an adult, let alone be a military leader of hardened men. Not only did I buy it this time, I ate it up. I'm always amazed when an author can create such a connection to a villainous character. It's a little disconcerting, but I can't deny that I like this guy. With Jorg, it's always all or nothing. Most times, he hasn't a clue what he'll do until he does it. He is so defiant that sometimes he even feels compelled to go against his own plans! This line defines Jorg in a nutshell: "I don't like to get angry. It makes me angry." Call me sick, but not only do I find that hilarious but I just get it.

Lawrence's style is so much fun to read. He's a master at one-liners and I found the entire book quotable. It's darkly comedic, action-packed, and economical. Lawrence is one of those writers with an exceptional talent for saying a lot with few words. The story reads fast and the reader ends up in a totally different place than he or she ever expected.

Prince of Thorns is the first book of THE BROKEN EMPIRE trilogy, but it stands just fine by itself. It's a book with a real conclusion instead of an installment with a cliffhanger. But Jorg definitely has more tales to tell and I'll be there to hear them. However, as exciting as hanging out with Jorg is, I'd never trust him enough to turn my back to him.
...more

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Nov 10, 2014 Tooms rated it really liked it

Prince of Thorns is the kind of novel the crept up on me. I was initially unimpressed but the well written prose kept me coming back. I do admit it took me a long time to get started on this novel proper. It really didn't strike me.

As the story progressed however and our anti-hero Jorg became more than his evil deeds, it suddenly became a book I could not put down. This is a novel that rewards those who see more than the words written on the page.

Jorg is most definitelty the nastiest central ch ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2013 Deborah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This book is wonderful.

The story has sucked me in. I keep wanting to prolong the enjoyment, to read these books in small bites and one book leads to the next and I cannot stop reading them.

There are the things I like about the book. (I can't figure out what may or may not be a spoiler for you. Beware.)
This protagonist is a terrible person. And yet, we're willing to feel hurt on his behalf, to continue to take an interest not only in his story but his successes. That's a wonderful balancing act ...more

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Apr 11, 2014 Deborah Wolf rated it it was amazing

Prince of Thorns is an exceptional read for those who like their fantasy on the far side of the dark side. It is not for the faint of heart; indeed, I would not recommend it to my younger or more conservative friends, as it examines in minute and uncomfortable detail some of the wickedest things humans can do to one another.

Mark Lawrence has proven his absolute mastery of grimdark fantasy; from his multi-hued characters to perfectly timed dark humor, even the occasional glimpse of sunlight thro ...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Chompa rated it really liked it

You know those fantasy novels where the hero is a young man and he slowly learns his way in the world becoming a powerful hero and force for good? This ain't that book.

Prince Jorg is honestly a nasty piece of work. Yes, one could argue that he's a product of his environment and affected by outside forces, but then again.... maybe he's just a mean little bastard.

This was a refreshing take on the fantasy novel. Not only is the main character very atypical, but the setting is quite interesting as ...more

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Apr 16, 2014 Colin rated it it was amazing

Simply put, a fantastic opening to an even better series. This guy knows how to tell a tale people. Not for the faint of heart, gritty and dark but satisfying.

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Feb 06, 2011 ink_and_pages_ rated it it was amazing

Absolutely amazing read. I've never read a fantasy book with so many twists and with such a fast pace. Two of my favorite authors are G.R.R. Martin and Joe Abercrombie, and I thought they were brutal with/to their characters.
Prince Jorg of Ancrath is right up there with Logan Ninefingers and The Hound.
I loved how seriously unapologetic this book and its protagonist is.
I read this book at every chance I got and am starting King of Thorns now.
If you a love dark, twisted, gritty, awesome read ge ...more

1 like · Like · see review