Then in Katherine’s Diary entries, we have her accounts on things in her life from the end of Prince, when Jorg knocked her out and escaped, leading up to the present Wedding Day. During the four years earlier, we see Jorg set off on a type of quest to bring Gog to see a fire-mage up in Heimfrit to see if the mage can help Gog to control his fire. Meanwhile on Wedding Day (four year later), we see Jorg having to deal with the sudden arrival of his new wife, while at same time preparing the defend his kingdom from the invading forces of Arrow. We have Wedding Day, letters from Katherine’s diary, and a continuation of the previous novel starting about 3 months later called four years earlier. Like Prince, we have alternating times lines going on. King of Thorns starts us right where Prince of Thorns left off. We finally learn more about this world that I have been dying to learn about. One such thing it helps bring to life is this fascinating world, which seems to be some alternate/parallel time-line of our current history? (There have been references Aristotle and other philosophers since Prince). Now the plot comes to take the main stage. In Prince of Thorns I felt it was a good plot, but took a back seat to the focus on Jorg. Where most authors tend to struggle or fall off with the second book in a series, I am happy to say that Mark keeps the ball rolling right on with King of Thorns. We get more background information for our main protagonist Jorg – which helps to continue to develop his character arc – and also for some of our Brothers, such as Makin. The plot really comes to life here as well. But playing fair was never part of Jorg’s game plan. Faced by an enemy many times his strength Jorg knows that he cannot win a fair fight. Every good king knows to bend the knee in the face of overwhelming odds, if only to save their people and their lands.

Every decent man prays this shining hero will unite the empire and heal its wounds. A six nation army, twenty thousand strong, marches toward Jorg’s gates, led by a champion beloved of the people. First though he must gather his own pieces, learn the rules of play, and discover how to break them. He saw the game and vowed to sweep the board. The long road to avenge the slaughter of his mother and brother has shown Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath the hidden hands behind this endless war. I’ve walked from pawn to player and I’ll win this game of ours, though the cost of it may drown the world in blood… The land burns with the fires of a hundred battles as lords and petty kings fight for the Broken Empire. Just as Dark! Just as Brutal! Just as More Awesome! All hail King Jorg! Backcover: To reach greatness you must step on bodies, and many brothers lie trodden in my wake. King of Thorns (Broken Empire Trilogy #2) by Mark Lawrence

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence