A classic coming-of-age tale set in a vivid and richly-imagined world from Sunday Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie.
‘A fast-paced tale of betrayal and revenge that grabbed me from page one and refused to let go’ GEORGE R.R. MARTIN
Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea itself. And he … Sea itself. And he must do it all with only one good hand.
Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.
Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.
But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi’s path may end as it began – in twists, and traps and tragedy…
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I really liked this book. It gave me the same feeling as when I first discovered the author. I was excited reading it, & did not want to put it down. At first I kind of felt like it might be watered-down a bit from the violence and sex, but I was proven wrong later in the book. The story is fast-paced. The characters are all very interesting. Joe Abercrombie really delivers!
Really fun and unique take on viking-style fantasy. It’s simultaneously dark and uplifting, the entire work is brilliant.
Waaay less than what I expected from the author of “the blade itself” and the others in that series…
This is one of my all time favorite series. Very thought provoking, definitely didn’t see the outcome.
I love the way the author leads us through the twists of fate as our hero earns his rite of passage. Reading the whole series.
This is the first time I have read from this author. I like it. However it was disappointing in places. I look forward to reading more from the author– with less similarity to other works. It did not have enough originality
If you’d like to take a break from reality, this series from Joe Abercrombie will take you there. Intriguing characters, full of adventure with plenty of heart will draw you in.
I really wanted to like the protagonist better. Just couldn’t.
I tried twice to read this book and couldn’t get past the whining of the main character. I saw recommendations from authors I love and gave it one more try…and it was worth the try. Great pacing, lots of action, and effective character arcs, it turned out to be a fun ride and entertaining read. Just get past the first many pages of whining!
Really liked this series
Enjoyed the ride. Looking forward to more about Yarvi and Gettland.
“Half a King” was a fantastic kickoff to a very entertaining trilogy. Light reading here, and there is nothing wrong with that. Loved the characters.
Wonderful story filled with terrific characters.
This book has a lot of action, and I like the relationships built in adversity. The twist near the end I didn’t see coming. This was my first Abercrombie book, and I enjoyed it.
I’ve read other reviews that criticize this as a Young Adult novel. While it would be accessible to young adults and does feature a young protagonist, I would not say it is just a young adult novel; it is suitable for anyone who enjoys this genre. It has been compared to Game of Thrones, but it is not nearly as dense or complex. It basically follows one character/plot line throughout, which makes it an easier read. However, it does have a similar feel and a world somewhat similar to one aspect of Martin’s. It is well-written, engaging, and not entirely predictable. I will read the rest of this series.
I enjoyed this whole series. I think the first book was probably my favorite, but they were all good.
I bow to no one in my love for writer Joe Abercrombie. I am super-fan of this author and his work, but this book just isn’t up to his usual writing standard.
“Half a King” is the first book in the Shattered Sea trilogy. I’m not 100% sure if it’s part of the same world as his First Law trilogy, but in nations that were not explored in those books or whether it’s a different world entirely. In any case, these sea-faring nations are meant to resemble our Scandinavian/Viking countries from centuries ago. We begin with a young prince who ends up on the throne unexpectedly and, typically, has to deal with treachery on all sides. He was never supposed to be the heir to the throne and he also has physical deformities, which is not something that is looked at kindly in his warrior culture. When he is forced to rule, he is also torn between being a king and the career he trained for all his life.
It’s readable and there are some interesting characters, but that’s only due to Abercrombie’s skill. The book is something of a slog to get through the second book of the trilogy is much worse. I’ve tried to read it three times and it’s so boring that I just can’t get into it. It’s a great tool if you need to fall asleep fast, though.
I think the problem is that this trilogy is geared towards the YA market and that’s not Abercrombie’s strength. He’s the kind of writer he is: his books have profanity, sex, sadism, and a certain amount of gore. Stripping him of these elements is like take all use of herbs and spices away from a great chef. Blandness is what you are left with, in both cases.
I can’t recommend this book or this series. Rather, I suggest a reader unfamiliar with Abercrombie check out his First Law trilogy. If you’re a younger person, hold off for a few years until you can handle his writing style. It will be worth the wait.
Part one of a trilogy. I loved this book and the next two as well. Would recommend for George Martin fans. The plot grabs you and never loosens.
This is the first book in the Shattered Sea trilogy. Loved them all.
Fantastic read! Excellent writer!!