King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
23 August 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Ancrath, King of Thorns, Mark Lawrence, Prince of Thorns
Just finished reading King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence and before I place one more word to blog I will just say ‘wow’. Last year Mark Lawrence brought to us Jorg, the Prince of Thorns, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, in fact it was in my top 10 for the year (thank you again Little Red Reviewer). For me personally it brought a new sort of perspective to fantasy. The anti-hero who, in spite of himself, you couldn’t help eventually shouting in support of. I mean, it’s a pretty nasty world that Lawrence has created here but Jorg, who, in fairness, is plagued by his own demons, is not necessarily the worst of the bunch.
I picked this book up with a certain sort of trepidation. Part of me wanted to rush head long and part of me was afraid of the ‘second book syndrome’ that I’ve experienced in the past and which usually succeeds in my losing interest in the rest of the series. As usual impetuousness won the day and I rushed in ….. but fear not on this account. No longer a Prince, the King of Thorns rises above it’s first instalment to truly become the successor to the throne. I loved this book. Where the hell Mark Lawrence has been hiding for the past few years I have no idea but I hope he has no immediate plans to return. This book is just pure genius. I don’t know how he did it but he’s written this wonderful and complex plot where all the strands come together, like magic, and where very little is left unanswered.
Okay, enough gushing.
The plot starts with Jorg aged 18. We’ve moved on and he’s now King of the Highlands. However, his domain is threatened, a mammoth army sits on his doorstep, he’s outnumbered 20:1 and the battle of wits is about to commence.
The story is told in two time frames so that even though we’ve jumped forward in years we still get to see how Jorg has reached his current whereabouts. This is such a brilliant device and works really well here. We move to one time frame and get to take part in the current battle whilst moving back in time to read about seemingly random and meaningless events – albeit interesting. This also helps to keep the momentum going rather than reading the plot in a straight line and watching the story unfold we seem to jump from one action scene to the next barely catching breath inbetween. This story is woven like the most complex tapestry and really is a thing of beauty, I was practically clapping my hands in appreciation at certain points. I started the read and almost had a headache in the first few chapters (okay, maybe I’m not as smart as some and sometimes had to stop and think ‘what?’) but then without any discernible effort on the part of the author I was totally immersed. He had me. I was on a tractor beam and couldn’t get off. I just sat and read and it wasn’t until I realised that I was completely alone and the house was deathly quiet that I noticed that it was about 2.00 am in the morning and everybody else, without my even noticing or acknowledging it, had gone to bed. Talk about casting a spell!
In the Prince of Thorns we were introduced to this strange new, I don’t know, post apocalyptic world that has almost returned to mediaeval times, war rages and Kings plot against each other and yet we have strange remnants from the past that lend the read a certain sort of grim fascination. But, in this new world things have moved forward apace and we also have a strange thinning of the veil that separates the real from the unreal. Ghosts, strange misshapen monsters and cruel mistresses of death. The King of Thorns builds upon that world further bringing all sorts of creepiness in its wake. The imagination is just amazing and the situations that Jorg finds himself in seem almost desperate or without hope and yet ML manages to find sneaky ways to manoeuvre around impossible odds in a plausible way. (Okay, methinks maybe I have returned to the realm of gushing).
Jorg is a different character in this book. He appears to have developed an odd new sense of humanity. I mean, I don’t think he’s going to ever be accused of being ‘soft and fluffy’ but he suddenly seems to have acquired a conscience – probably helped by the fact that he seems to have his own personal ghosts lurking in shadows to remind him of his past (although, and I won’t go into it further – memory can be a funny thing, particularly in this world). He’s still pretty unsavoury but he and his crew – who are developed much further in this novel as the pages speed by – seem to be on a different type of mission. The first instalment saw Jorg consumed by revenge. This sees him stubborn and unwilling to bend the knee. He’s ambitious and he has a plan. I quite liked this ‘new’ Jorg – he’s still quite capable of lopping off the odd head here and there if he’s displeased but it feels a little bit more judicious – in that you generally don’t feel any immediate sympathy for the person who has just found themselves bleeding on the floor without aforementioned noggin! Jorg’s wit, however, remains the same, he’s clever, dry and just frankly made me laugh. In this novel his band of motley men are also developed – which isn’t to stay they all remain intact, as in No.1, ML takes no prisoners, but we get to know them a little better. Makin has become something of a favourite as has Gog.
In the first book, we ended on a strange sort of note – did we really know Jorg. Had we met the true man. At the conclusion of No. 2 I experienced a similar feeling. I don’t think we have met the real Jorg yet (you’ll know why once you’ve read the book). I’m waiting for the third book to see who he really is. Oddly enough, although a different character in both I’ve enjoyed reading about Jorg very much. This is dark and gritty. It’s pretty uncompromising and there are a few scenes that frankly made me squirm – the dog! That’s all I’m going to say! I had to cover my eyes for that scene until I realised that I couldn’t read any longer – then I just covered my ears and held my breath (until I fainted). Not really, but you get the impression. Dark. Gritty. However, if you like fantasy I just simply cannot see how you could fail to like this. It’s different but it has something about it that’s familiar. If you took a look at all the other fantasy books you’ve read, took all the ideas and melted them into plasticine, then remoulded it into a different shape, you might capture a little bit of the essence of this book. But only a little bit. It’s fantasy Jim, but not as we know it!
For the avoidance of doubt and in case of a lack of clarity above I very much liked Prince of Thorns, I loved King of Thorns and I now wait with baited breath to see what ML will do next! Frankly, it can’t come quickly enough. It’s going to be a l o n g wait!
King of Thorns
The Hobbit readalong
I’m taking part in the Hobbit read along being hosted by Writers’ Bloc. This is the first week reading up to Chapter 6. Questions this week are provided by Writers’ Bloc (numbers 4 – 6) and Inkeri (numbers 1 – 3).
I wanted to read this again before the film comes out and I’m actually really pleased I decided to join in this read-along (it’s been a long time!) Not surprisingly I have forgotten more than I ever remembered but I’m enjoying the experience and having reread Lord of the Rings not too long ago it makes it an interesting experience comparing the two. Be aware that if you haven’t read The Hobbit then the following post will undoubtedly contain spoilers so you might want to stop reading from here onwards – you could instead go and pick up a copy and join in!
The questions this week are as follows:
1. In the book Bilbo gets visited by 13 strange dwarves, and just lets them in to eat his cakes and drink tea. In the modern world it would be really weird if people just started barging in your home. Why didn’t Bilbo just tell them to go?
I guess this boils down to two things really. Firstly, etiquette. There seem to be a number of conventions which simply must be followed and it would be rude not to – that’s the way I’m reading it anyway. Secondly, obviously many years ago, and probably due to a number of things, such as the fact that your nearest neighbour could be a long walk or ride away, I think people had to be more hospitable. Exactly what sort of reaction you would get if you turned up at my door would depend on the mood and time of day/week that you showed up. I’m sure I would be polite (well sometimes I would!) but the fact is that, like Old Mother Hubbard, sometimes my shelves can be pretty bare – particularly if I’m about to go and shop for the week. You’d be lucky if you found a few cake crumbs!
2. Where would the dwarves and Bilbo be if Gandalf wasn’t with them? It’s seems to me that it’s him who saves them from the scary situations.
I must admit I was thinking exactly the same thing. Gandalf just disappears and then seems to turn up at exactly the right moment. Funnily enough I was thinking he seems to be using much more of his ‘wizardly’ ability in this story than he did in Lord of the Rings and it’s just as well for Bilbo and the dwarves that he is doing so because they seem to be bungling and bumbling along so far! In fact, without Gandalf this would be a much shorter book as they’d have all been stewing in a pot by now!
3. Bilbo plays a game of riddles with Gollum. He ends up winning by asking “What have I got in my pockets?”, which Gollum is unable to answer. Do you think it was fair, as it wasn’t actually a riddle?
Well, I don’t really think it was a fair question but I suppose you could argue that appearing in front of somebody and threatening to eat them if they don’t win your little game is hardly fair either! I think my mind would go blank under those circumstances.
4. For those of you who haven’t read The Hobbit before, is the tone of writing one you’d expect from a book that has been loudly proclaimed as a classic? And for those of you who have read it before, how did it feel – like coming home to a much loved book, or were you surprised by how much you’d forgotten?
Well, I’m enjoying comparing this to Lord of the Rings. Obviously The Hobbit doesn’t have the scope of LOTR and for me it does feel somehow not quite as ‘grown up’. I read that Tolkien wrote this for his children and reading it you can imagine that he wrote this so he could read it to them at night. I am surprised how little I remember (although it was a while ago). I remembered the trolls – for some reason that particular scene just stands out for me. I’m also surprised at how quickly we seemed to jump into the action and for that matter how many mishaps have so far been experienced by this little band of merry men.
5. We’ve seen quite a few songs so far. Do you pay attention to them, or do you skip them altogether? Do you like how silly they are, or do you think them an interruption?
I distinctly remember disliking the songs in both The Hobbit and LOTR the first time round and actually skipping them entirely. I seem to have much more patience on the rereads. Whether that’s linked to the fact that I’m not in such a desperate rush to get to the end of a book when I’m rereading I can’t say. All I know is that I read them now and just simply find them quite amusing, not to mention they sometimes tell a bit of a story.
6. What has been your favourite scene, so far?
I’m a bit torn with this one – between the scene with the trolls and the scene where Bilbo meets Gollum – although I think it’s because I’m picturing and hearing in my head Andy Serkis – he really did make this character great to watch. To be honest though I think I’m going to stick with the trolls (this scene was over much quicker than I actually remembered though!). I love the bit when Bilbo tries to pickpocket one of them only to have the purse itself blow the whistle on him. Plus all the picking him up by his toes and shaking him about – I don’t know whether that shows a flaw in my character – but it just made me laugh. Even as he was going to pick the troll’s pocket I was thinking ‘what, no!’ What a maniac. It all turned out okay in the end but only due to the timely intervention of Gandalf!
Back next Sunday for the second instalment. See you then.
The Hobbit
A short Gaiman interlude
Just finished reading Coraline by Neil Gaiman. This is a lovely, short creepy story that tells the story of Coraline who having recently moved to a new house finds a strange door that leads nowhere. Or does it?
This is another wonderfully creepy story brought to us again by NG. Coraline, in exploring her new house comes across a secret passageway that once travelled along seems to bring her out into the same house she’s just come from. An alternative/parallel habitat where the occupants are in fact her ‘other’ mother and father.
This is a great read. Very quick and quirky and as usual awash with imagination. The cat character is just excellent and made me laugh with it’s arrogance and superior attitude. I also liked the upstairs and downstairs neighbours who added a sort of grand theatrical feel to everything.
The alternate house starts off almost looking too good to be true – and it is. Just goes to show that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence. Another mother who has all the time in the world to devote to Coraline, cooking her favourite meals, playing games, a lovely bedroom with a very strange toy box, but, things aren’t to be that simple. The other mother has a fairly exacting price to pay for all this devotion.
I guess you can see a strange sort of resemblance to Alice in Wonderland here. We certainly have a bunch of quirky characters and a strange setting where anything seems possible – even an ally that turns out to be a talking cat but Gaiman always has his own strange take on everything and manages to inject a certain feeling of foreboding in the early chapters that gradually increases to a quite creepy and tense finale.
Now, all that being said, I do have a few minor criticisms – although probably more to do with me than the book. Firstly, I think I ruined this book for myself by watching the film first. I just couldn’t help but picture the characters when reading – I don’t suppose that’s necessarily a bad thing but I think I would have liked to have used my own imagination a bit more. Secondly, the film Coraline is such a visual treat with a riot of colour that reading the book afterwards almost pales a little by comparison – which is weird really because, apart from a few diversions, the film pretty much sticks to the book. Lastly, I think this book does come across more for a younger audience than say The Graveyard Book, although it’s simplicity does lend it a very quick read – one sitting, literally.
On the whole a weird and wonderful little indulgence and a great read to pick up in between your more chunky, time consuming novels.
Coraline
The Company Man by Robert J Bennett
Just finished reading The Company Man by Robert Bennett. Robert Bennett is such an impressive author, he’s got no shortage of imagination, he’s a great story teller and oh boy can he set the scene. Not to mention you cannot pin this guy down. Mr Shivers for example, was it horror, was it fantasy? The Company Man is it a dark and gritty detective, is it sci-fi/conspiracy. I don’t know. These are not the sort of books that you can read and then just simply say ‘this is ‘fantasy’ or this is ‘horror’. Like I said, very difficult to pin down which is something of a talent I think.
The Company Man
Book Tag – you’re next!
I’ve been tagged by Tanya at green pawpaw to join in with book tag. This is the first time I’ve taken part in this and it seems a pretty fun thing so my answers are below. Thanks Tanya – and, sorry, had to bring Gaiman into this – got Coraline and American Gods sat waiting to be read.
Firstly there are rules! The first rule is that I have to post the rules. I also have to answer the questions set by the person who tagged me. I then have to think of 11 other people to tag, let them know they’ve been tagged and give them 11 questions to answer. Easy really!
So, there’s the rules. Now to choose who to tag (if you don’t want to take part, no worries, but it would be great to hear your answers! – ha, no pressure then!!) (Actually, I must confess that my first thought was ‘how on earth would I choose ? And do I even know enough people? – trauma! – not really, as it happens I quite enjoyed making my list (gonna turn into a listing maniac now)).
1. Little Red Reviewer – I love this blog and it’s where I get most of my books recommendations from.
2. Genkinahaito – movie reviews, anime and manga, very interesting
3. Booky pony – reads a metric tonne of books (how is it even possible?)
4. Books Without Pictures – (Grace, I know you’ve already been tagged so I’ll put your link up! – couldn’t leave you off though)
5. 50 Year Project – a great blog, really interesting, loads going on, stories through pictures, travel, everything..
6. Nashville Book Worm – books and movie reviews, check it out!
7. The Jane Doe Novel Experience – a really interesting idea/experiment, writing a novel and posting chapters on her blog.
8. Novel Girl – lots of advice for would-be writers, book reviews not to mention writing her own novel
9. A Garden Carried in Your Pocket – the name alone (come on!) – lots of book reviews, very creative, sewing, gardening, quilting!
10. pixmuse – a lovely blog, creative with pictures for all seasons
11. Stainless Steel Droppings – without who I probably wouldn’t even know most of you!!!
And now to the Q&A:
1. If you had the power to ban a certain book, or certain kinds of books, however productive the outcome may be (think Twilight or Oliver’s Story), even if you knew a huge majority of readers might thank you for it, would you?
mmmm, 50 Shades of Grey – because it’s now going to cause a literal storm of cheap-slut-porn-books, poorly written, no story, trashy sex on each page, no dialogue pulp pretending to be literature! Rant over! Actually, I don’t think I’d ban anything – too controlling and people should be allowed to make their own choices.
2. What is one book you wish you had written?
I wish I could write a book! My partner is always telling me that I read so many books that I must be able to write one! It doesn’t really work like that. I’m a reader not a writer but I think if I was to choose a book that I wish was mind it would either be something by Gaiman – just because I’m all loved up with his books at the moment or The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss is a writing hero!) Or, The Troupe – because I did REALLY like that just recently. Okay, that’s three answers (stop typing now…) No, Lord of the Rings. STOP!!
3. You have finally achieved world domination and as new king/queen of the world, you need to fashion yourself a crown. But of course, you’re too cool for precious metals and the like. What would your crown be/be made of?
I think I’ll have a crown made of Haribo sweets – it’s gonna be messy! Plus it’s probably not going to last long. Bit like those sweets that are on an elastic string that you have to bite off – sticky and sickly! Actually, I’ve sort of put myself off that idea – but it’s the only thing I’m coming up with for now. I’ll probably think of a better answer as soon as I post this! Shells.
4. Have you ever wondered how a doggie biscuit tastes and wanted to try?
I have two dogs but to date have not had any desire to try their food! Which isn’t to say I don’t buy them nice doggie things – they go wild for dentastix (to clean their teeth with) but I’ll just stick to my own biscuits and a toothbrush. Perhaps if I get trapped under a heavy object in the kitchen and have no alternative…
5. Is there a book that you weren’t able to complete for whatever reason, but lied about it and told people you did? Which one?
Just recently there have been quite a few books that I just haven’t had the patience to complete. Not sure why, but I’ve lost the will to continue to the end of a book if I’m not enjoying it. Not sure that I’ve ever told people I’d read a book that I haven’t though.
6. Your choice of instant pick-me-up food?
Tempted to say Ben and Jerry’s. But no. Probably something really simple like toast – hot and buttery!
7. If there was an appendage you could add to the human anatomy (wings, talons, a tail…), what would it be?
Got to be wings. I’ve actually dreamt of flying – really! How cool would it be to be able to fly. You could have an extra long lie in and still not be late for work – don’t know what your hair would look like by the time you got there – also you might be covered in bugs! (eugh!) Still, sticking with the wings.
8. If you could go back in time and stop a famous event from taking place, what would it be and why?
The Great Fire of London, no, because then London was rebuilt, better than it was before, stronger, faster (oh, wait, I’ve moved onto the bionic man), okay, seriously, I would go back in time and make sure that Vimto was never invented – that’s not a famous event. I think it would be to stop WWII. Don’t know how and can’t even think of all the implications, but there it is.
9,10,11. All the book characters you’ve ever loved are people in your immediate friend circle. Who would you turn to:
a) to make a bucket list with you and go all over the world fulfilling each item on the list?
Aragorn. Simple as. He’s got the phwoa factor, he’s handy in a fight! He can read a map and won’t get you lost. Who am I kidding – he’s just a hottie!
b) to plonk down next to you on that patch of moon land you guys bought, feel awesome, and somehow keep each other from dying of boredom until the next space shuttle comes to pick you up?
So basically, who would I choose to be stranded with – definitely not a vampire – I’d be the only source of food after all. Jean Tannen – obviously! Not that I have a one track mind or anything – Aragorn for answer (a) and now Jean!
c) when the world thinks you’re responsible for the attack on the entire human race by some random scary evil alien monsters and you are the only one who knows what they want but nobody will listen to you and you need somebody to help you save the world? (Sorry. This is a question that plagues me at night.) Superman.
I’m sticking with these questions with no changes because I’ve had a good time reading them out to my family and hearing the answers. Surprisingly – two of my family have tried dog biscuits (why oh why, perhaps this is a testament to my cooking), chocolate was the obvious answer to the pick me up food, school books that have to be read were the most popular answers for books that you lied about reading and I’m afraid I can’t even list the answers to the extra appendage question – but you’ve all got good imaginations so use them!
Now, I can’t deny that this is a bit time consuming but I’ve really had a giggle – simply because I got everyone involved and I’ve come to the realisation that my family love daft, random questions!
I hope you’ll enjoy these and no worries if you don’t have time to take part (I won’t stalk you or anything!).
Lynn 😀
