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Emperor of Thorns
Emperor of Thorns
Emperor of Thorns
Audiobook13 hours

Emperor of Thorns

Written by Mark Lawrence

Narrated by James Clamp

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

In the final novel in the Broken Empire Trilogy, the boy who would rule all may have finally met his match... King Jorg Ancrath is twenty now-and king of seven nations. His goal-revenge against his father-has not yet been realized, and the demons that haunt him have only grown stronger. Yet no matter how tortured his path, he intends to take the next step in his upward climb. Jorg would be emperor. It is a position not to be gained by the sword but rather by vote. And never in living memory has anyone secured a majority of the vote, leaving the Broken Empire long without a leader. Jorg plans to change that. He's uncovered the lost technology of the land, and he won't hesitate to use it. But he soon finds an adversary standing in his way, a necromancer unlike any he has ever faced-a figure hated and feared even more than himself: the Dead King.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 6, 2013
ISBN9781501992452
Emperor of Thorns
Author

Mark Lawrence

Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job is as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. Between work and caring for his disabled child, Mark spends his time writing, playing computer games, tending an allotment, brewing beer, and avoiding DIY.

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Reviews for Emperor of Thorns

Rating: 4.194235763659148 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Well, this was intense. I think I have some kind of book hangover, most of you will know the feeling: you finish a great book and there’s a hole left inside of you. You want more, but there isn’t anything more to read. You’re staring at that last pages, thinking: “What the hell just happened here”.
    That’s kind of how I feel at the moment. I’ll need some time to process this book, think about it a few days, let everything settle in my mind.

    The book is split into two storylines: one in the present, 4 years after Jorg took Renar Castle and one in the past, 4 years earlier, right after Jorg became King. We also get a little insight in Katherine Ap Scorron’s thoughts as Jorg reads her diary entries, scattered across the land by the wind due to an event we can only guess at, but when reading the prologue, you know something big has/is going to happen.
    I always seem to have a little trouble with split storylines. It’s totally my fault though, I’m an impatient kind of person. If you dangle bits of information in front of me, hinting at some kind of mystery that will be solved further on in the book, I get impatient. That’s why I wanted things to move along a little bit faster somewhere around the middle of the book. I wanted to know what happened the day Jorg went to Père Lachaise. That doesn’t mean the book wasn’t fast paced, it was! I just really wanted to know what was in the box. Bad trait of mine? I guess.
    The fact that I did want to know so badly kept me reading on without pause though.

    Back to the story. So, Jorg is King now! But he hasn’t had the chance to properly warm his throne when Prince Charming comes along. Handsome, wavy golden hair, strong, kind, a knight in shining armour. Needless to say, I didn’t like him. This Prince of Arrow seems to think he’s the one to take the Emperor’s throne (destined maybe?), feed the poor and bring peace to the torn and scattered countries. Nope, if I want an Emperor, it’s going to be Jorg.
    Great right? Though Jorg would definitely make a worse Emperor than the Prince of Arrows, I still want Jorg to win. That’s how much I’ve grown to like him.
    To be fair though, Jorg seems a bit kinder in this second installment of the Broken Empire Trilogy. Although he doesn’t want to admit it, he’s changing, he cares.
    A big part of him is still consumed with hate and the echoes of the hurt that has haunted him all these years, and there are dark forces digging its claws into him, so bad little Jorgy isn’t entirely gone.

    There were a few moments that really touched me: the scene with Janey, the things that happened under Halradra and Justice, poor Justice, got some sad sighs out of me.
    I really loved the way the author kept me guessing. “Is this another mindtrick or is this real?”, “Is this Sageous again, or Chella? Or am I just being paranoid?” You knever know where the things you read are going to lead you (and Jorg), it’s an adventure for Jorg aswell as for the reader.
    It’s great to see how things unravel, or seem to unravel (you never know for sure with this book). Every moment can get a new, razorsharp edge when you turn the page, something you didn’t expect and leaves you doubting all the others things that happened.
    The writing was brilliant, but I didn’t expect anything less after reading Prince of Thorns. There’s always something more behind the things the author writes, something intelligent. The style he uses in his books is something I’ve never encountered before and I like it!
    I want more!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    INCREDIBLE READ!!! WICKEDLY, CRUEL, SHARP, AND UNFORGETTABLE. GREAT TWIST, WELL TOLD, I COULDN'T BUT ANY OF THESE BOOKS DOWN. JORG IS INCREDIBLE!!!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    OMG, sad, powerful, carefully crafted work of art, addictive, pleasurable

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In this second book of The Broken Empire series, Jorg Ancrath is now the king of Renar, the small highland kingdom once ruled by his uncle, the man who murdered Jorg's mother and brother. Like the first book, it switches between the present and four years previous. It also switches between Jorg's narrative and Katherine's journal. In the present, it is Jorg's wedding day to a woman he has never met. It is also the day he is to meet the Prince of Arrow on the battlefield. In the past, we learn what led to this day and hints at secrets so horrible, Jorg has had to have his mind stripped of memories or go mad with them.Now that Jorg has rid his head of outside influences (literally), he is developing a conscience, albeit a rudimentary one. Even he believes that the Prince would make a better, more compassionate Emperor. Still, he's Jorg and he wants what he wants and will fight for it with his new army and his remaining road brothers. Despite the fact that he is outnumbered, he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve and surrender is not an option.Jorg has to be the most likeable unlikeable anti-hero in all of fantasy. You know that Jorg is a rapist, a cold-blooded killer and you know that the Prince of Arrow is the better man. Yet, it is hard not to root for Jorg. This says a lot about author Mark Lawrence's talents as a writer. Often, the middle book in a series is really just a setup for the end. Not so here. This story is so fast-paced, so full of twists, turns, and false trails that it will make you dizzy. Some reviewers have called Lawrence one of the best writers of fantasy fiction around and, after reading this book, it is easy to see why.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The second installment from Mark Lawrence, one of my favourite debut novelists from 2011. I loved the style and technique that Mark showed in his first book Prince of Thorns, the young challenged man at odds with himself, everyone and the world. In this book it takes a different path almost. Mark mixes up the current storyline with flashbacks from four years prior, and the main protagonist Jorg has gone from a surly teenager to a man almost grown, but with these chapters from his past thrown in. It had the potential to be quite confused and jumbled, but as soon as I got into the story, it flowed well, and there was a smoothness about it that kept my interest piqued and wanting me to carry on reading. Love or hate Jorg, Mark had done a brilliant job creating such an interesting, disturbing, complex character. I can;t help but empathise with him at points when reasons told from his perspective, logic and reasoning, but then i also disagree with him too. For me, I love his 'brothers' and the supporting characters that we get glimpses of throughout. My only fault would be that not enough of these are given in the book for my liking, and I hope the third isntallment Emperor of Thorns does give more time and embellish on these snippets we are given on these characters that have such great potential. All in all, Jorg delivers again, with some fantastic storytelling, some great new ideas, battles, tactics and I am very much looking forward to seeing him and hearing from him again!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This second book in the Broken Empire series was just as fun, dark, twisted, and delectable as the first book. It starts out four years after the end of the first book. It is King Jorg's wedding day and the Prince of Arrow is on his doorstep with his very large army. The book goes back and forth between this day and to four years earlier when he and his Brothers set out to find a fire-mage who can help Gog control his abilities with fire. They end up going on a longer and more complex quest. We also get snippets of Katherine's journal. I thought they were a nice little break from the otherwise constant viewpoint of Jorg and was a great way of letting us get to know the characters of the Prince of Arrow and his brother, Egan. It made one of the twists at the end all the more obvious to happen (obvious after the fact for me; I didn't see it coming, but it made sense after it was revealed).Lawrence also reveals a lot more about the world and time period in this book. In the first book, the author hinted at when and where this series takes place, though many readers probably picked up on those clues. But there's no hinting in this book. Other reviewers probably have spoiled this information, but I'm going to leave it up to the readers to find out. I do think Lawrence did a really good job with this setting. It's familiar, but unique at the same time - a nice melding of the new and old.What did I learn about Jorg in this book - he really does not like to be told what to do. Jorg is fascinating - he's cruel, brilliant, and sarcastic. I can see why his men are devoted to him. "Red Jorg." Kent said in a whisper as I passed."Red would be good, Kent. But I fear I am darker than that."
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Like the first book, on the surface the story of King of Thorns is a simple one; in one timeline, a young man goes on an adventure to seek help from a wizard, and four years later in the present time, he is defending his kingdom from a rival prince. Sounds straightforward and rather typical, but the truth is that this book is as dark as its predecessor. If you're an avid reader of fantasy, the story elements and tropes will feel familiar...except more twisted and messed up.I was glad to see that Jorg has grown up and matured a bit in this sequel; I admit his attitude and anger management problems in Prince of Thorns drove me crazy, but to be fair he was practically a child in that book. Slightly older now, it is nice to see that a couple years have taught him to stay his hand in certain situations, and that he is a more thoughtful and contemplative character. Don't get me wrong, he's still the asshole we know and love, but at least he's not thinking about gutting someone like every other page.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's rare to find a trilogy or series where book 2 outclasses book 1. Book 1 is matured over years and book 2 pushed out to a timetable. But this is one of those rare occasions. A longer, more complex book that demands both your intelligence and attention, and rewards both very richly. It's a more complex and involved story than book one. Jorg is growing up but still has a hard edge. A very hard edge! The prose are wonderful, powerful and poetic description and very original world building. A great ending too. A real climax with no cliff hanging. I loved it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A really strong ending. The questions are answered, the price has been paid. I wish there would be more in the series, but Mark is strong enough to resist temptation.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The much awaited third, and final, book of the Broken Empire series came out this month, and as soon as I could, I started reading it. I guess in some ways I had lucked out, that I had only just started the series earlier this year, and thus did not have to wait overly long periods of time for the next installment. Mark Lawrence has done a wonderful job of telling the story of a boy, growing into a man, in a dark futuristic world that was nearly destroyed by nuclear war. Jorg has pushed on, overcoming some of his 'demons' and showing a dark side of human nature in order to get done what he wants done: becoming Emperor of the Hundred Lands. There was an afterword where Lawrence remarks about this being the final book in the series, and though I understand his thoughts on the matter, I am still a little disappointed that there more than likely will not be any more to read of Jorg Ancrath. But who knows, maybe some short story will show in an anthology ... Either way, Thank you Mr. Lawrence for three great stories!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It is extremely difficult to review this book or this series without getting into spoilers.

    Its an extremely good book and I found myself cheering a lot as I vigorously agreed with a lot of the protagonists decisions.

    Characterization: 5 out of 5
    Setting: 4.5 out of 5. I have a few small gripes.
    Plot: 4 out of 5. Its an excellent plot but I saw the ending coming around 50% into the book.
    Dialogue: 5 out of 5.

    Overall this is an absolute must-read for fantasy readers.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The last in the Broken Empire trilogy, we’ve followed Jorg down a dark and bloody path. Here, we see the end. Jorg has never hidden his ambition or his desire to rule over all. In this book, he sets out to use all his cunning and ruthlessness to achieve it. But the Dead King – the Dead King is coming. As with the previous, we see the split time – following Jorg via the present and the past. Lawrence uses a deft hand, taking the reader from the past to the present, interweaving the stories. The ending – no spoilers – but many people didn’t like it. However, I found it perfect for the story. It ended the journey in the only way it could, with redemption. This story, ultimately, was about redemption, about taking the sorry and death and suffering of the past and making it matter. This is a fantastic series, worth reading. It is bloody and dark, to be sure, but that is what makes it the story that it is.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    well, my actual rating is something between 3.5 and 4, and to my opinion the second book is still the best book among the three.This sequel like the previous two has the unique way that Lawrence tells the story.Going back to the past and then understanding now, but for me the chapters that was written in past times were too much. I prefer maybe more mystery, more dark points in present,....And the ending was far from what I liked.To me it was a happy ending which wasn't suited this trilogy ever.After all, I enjoyed reading this trilogy a lot, and am waiting for next book 'Prince of Fools'.And Of course, Jorg became one of those books characters that I miss a lot.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Anti-hero all the way. In each of the proceding volumes this whole time I've been torn between deciding that the main character is a villain or a hero. He's the bad guy killing worse guys and saving the world (or trying to).

    I started reading this about 10:30PM Sunday night. Terrible decision since I then had to stay up till 4AM to finish it. With 2 1/2 hours of sleep I actually managed to do just fine on Monday.

    I would only recommend this book to people who really like Fantasy or pretty dark works of fiction.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed greatly seeing Jorg’s journey from child to man and all his adventures in between. Although I’m sad to see this series come to an end, I have to applaud Mark Lawrence for the genius that was the end of this book/series. He gave Jorg, the anti-hero, the perfect, surprising, and well-deserving end he deserved… But… Emperor of Thorns wasn’t a perfect book nor my favorite in the series, that spot still belongs to first book, Prince of Thorns.

    I recommend this series to open minded fantasy fans.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Were I able to give this book ten stars I would!I appreciated Lawrence's overview in the beginning of this book. I have never known an author to give a summary of the previous novels to ensure their readers were starting off on the right foot. Now let's talk about Jorg. To see the progress he has made since Prince of Thorns is amazing. He continues to take impossible odds and turn them in his favor in some of the most unpredictable ways. He is smart, brutally honest and fierce when protecting his family. With the amount of crap he went through in his life, I am amazed he turned out to be a man I admired. Yes he was cruel, he broke the rules, but he did what needed to be done no hesitation and i grew to admire him. Lawrence is an extremely talented author to have created such a complex, intriguing character.Now as for the cruelty part...I can always depend on Lawrence to add a healthy dose of disturbing images in his novels. Sometimes I just want dark and gritty which the broken empire never fails to deliver. This one actually turned my stomach a few times. I do have to say though, at some points I couldn't help but laugh with Jorg's witty comebacks as he caused mayhem.I am sad to see Jorg's story arc come to an end. He is a character I will never forget
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The ending is the hardest to cope with. I do not want to spoil it for you, but how do I describe the wrenching feeling of loss that wreaks havoc on my soul? Seriously though, a fantastically brilliant end to Lawrence's trilogy. Jorg's epic adventure to get that crown comes with a heavy price. I loved not only Jorg, but the rag tag bunch of thugs that followed him around like tame puppies. Tame puppies that will not hesitate to kill you, though. For those who do not already know, this book is set in the future but the future resembles the past. A big nuclear explosion/apocalypse caused the world to revert back to the "olden day". Lawrence, however, peppers the story with references to our present as well as scientific tidbits (which i absolutely loved).
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow. What an excellent ending to the trilogy. Looking at my reviews of the past books it went from 3 to 4 to finally 5 stars now. Excellent series, very different from your usual fantasy. Very impressive how such an evil main character can still get you to cheer for him. The time shifts in the book are handled very well and world and it's history expertly described. I really enjoyed the way the author described modern events and concepts as seen thousands of years later. Well written, great characters, gripping story, fantastic plotting. What more could you ask for?
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's hard to say anything at all about this book without spoiling it for new readers. It's emotional, satisfying, sad in places. I'd say it was a brave, honest, and flat out exciting read. I loved the whole trilogy from begining to end, but this one was probably my favorite. I love how the themes really come out in this one and so many things come full circle. Also liked hearing more about the Builders and seeing all the groundwork there come into play. Closing the back cover on this one I just wanted there to be more.