Book Review: Half the World by Joe Abercrombie

Absolutely loved this book. It's a traditional epic fantasy that has everything that I love about this genre: a harrowing journey, a love story, great battles, betrayal and intrigue.
Although I really enjoyed the first book in the series, I liked this one even more.

Plus - can I just say that this book's cover is a winner!

The story is told from the points of view of Thorn and Brand - two warriors who join Yarvi on a journey across half a world to find allies against the ruthless High King. Whereas, the first tale was entirely from Yarvi's point of view, this one is told from two very different perspectives. Thorn and Brand are both skilled young warriors, but she is touched by Mother War, and he by Father Peace. Together, they join Yarvi on a quest that brings them close, while at the same time testing both their limits.

This novel is fast-paced, beautifully written and has some unforgettable characters. Once again, the Viking-inspired fantasy world is vividly brought to life, as is grit, struggle and hardship. What Abercrombie does beautifully is to weave big themes (courage, love, destiny - just to name a few) with the harsh realities of life in a warrior-dominated culture.

If you enjoy traditional epic fantasy, powerfully told, then you will love the Shattered Sea series.
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Book Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

A great epic fantasy read about revenge and courage. This is a gripping coming of age story, which is refreshingly free of fantasy stereotype - but with all the elements that fans of this genre will love. 


It's a fast-paced, exciting epic fantasy adventure that had me captured from the first page.

“The fool strikes. The wise man smiles, and watches, and learns. Then strikes.”
 
Prince Yarvi never wanted to be king, but after a twist of fate puts him on the throne, he must forge a new path for himself. Untested, crippled, and with a self-esteem in the gutter, Yarvi knows he's a poor choice for king. However, when his new life is torn from him, and he has all the trappings of privilege stripped away - Yarvi embarks on a quest for revenge. If he survives it, he will be a changed man.

I loved this story - Yarvi is a flawed character and one that's easy to relate to. The action is swift and the gritty, Viking-age inspired fantasy world is memorable. Abercrombie's characterisation is excellent, with a clever blending of the lines between good and evil. 

I'm now reading the sequel in the Shattered Sea series: Half the World, which I'm loving as much as the first book. Review will be coming soon - watch this space!
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Five reasons why I write epic fantasy

Epic fantasy has been a lifelong passion. It started reading fairy tales as a child and moved on to fantasy novels as soon as I had an attention-span long enough to make it through a full-length book! I've tried my hand at writing in other genres but always return to this one. Why?

Here are some reasons why epic fantasy will always be my favourite genre to write in:

1. Epic fantasy is pure adventure - you embark on a journey when you read an epic fantasy, and it's even better when you write one! You get to create a new world and fill it with details purely from your own imagination - great fun!
2. Epic fantasy deals with big issues - courage versus cowardice, good versus evil, fate versus self-determination, plus love, friendship, brotherhood, and a raft of other fascinating themes belong to this genre. As a writer, you get to explore these freely - and there's no better backdrop then an epic fantasy tale.
3. Epic fantasy is constantly reinventing itself - although it might seem as though this genre is based on well-worn tropes, I love taking the stereotypes and twisting them into something fresh. Think of Game of Thrones - it's definitely epic fantasy, but at the same time unique enough to gain mass popularity. This genre never goes out of fashion.
4.  Epic fantasy has a quest - there's something romantic and timeless about a quest. Whether it's to find some magical talisman, destroy something dangerous or save the world from destruction - a quest gives an epic fantasy tale a great sense of urgency and purpose. Readers love it when something massive is at stake!
5. Epic fantasy explores our humanity - it may be set in another world, but epic fantasy at its best explores what it means to be human. Characters are usually uprooted from their old life and thrown into an adventure that will change them forever - most of us will never get the opportunity to experience something so powerful, but our characters will!

Do you write epic fantasy? If so, share some of the reasons you love this genre below!

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My best Epic Fantasy reads: 2012-2014

Aside from the Song of Fire and Ice series (Game of Thrones etc.) - a true epic fantasy classic - here are a few other good reads from the last couple of years, that I'd recommend.

The Kingkiller Chronicle (Patrick Rothfuss)
The Name of the Wind (Book #1)
The Wise Man's Fear (Book #2)

Truly 'epic' fantasy, the Kingkiller Chronicle series is a great read for anyone who loves traditional epic fantasy. Both books are 'door-stoppers' - immersing the reader in a richly drawn world. It's the story of a talented young man, with a great destiny. I must admit I preferred the first book, to the second. That said, it's a gripping series that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys epic fantasy.

Read my reviews for these books on Goodreads to find out my thoughts on this series:
The Name of the Wind
The Wise Man's Fear

The Broken Empire Series (Mark Lawrence)
Prince of Thorns (Book #1)
King of Thorns (Book #2)
Emperor of Thorns (Book #3)

This epic fantasy is a compelling, 'dark' series that's a little different from others in the genre. The main character is an 'anti-hero' - a damaged, violent and immoral young man named Jorg. I don't usually go in for dark fantasy, but this series is so well-written and beautifully crafted that I would highly recommend this series as well.

Although I didn't review the first two books (I did rate each of them 5 stars), you can read my review for Book #3 on Goodreads:
Emperor of Thorns

The Prince of Fools (Book #1 The Red Queen's War) - Mark Lawrence
This is the first book in Mark Lawrence's new series. It's set in the same world as the Broken Empire series, but follows a new character on an incredible adventure. Absolutely loved this book - even more than the novels in Lawrence's first series. Highly recommend!

Read my review on Goodreads
Prince of Fools

Raven's Shadow (Anthony Ryan)
Blood Song (Book #1)
Tower Lord (Book #2)

Traditional epic fantasy adventure that's fast-moving and beautifully written. It's the story of a young man, abandoned by his father in a harsh order, where he must become a great warrior - or die trying. I enjoyed both novels in the series so far, although the story hasn't taken the direction I'd expected...

Read my reviews on Goodreads, for more details about these books:
Blood Song
Tower Lord

I could go on... Being a voracious reader, I have chewed my through many more books than these! However, if you love epic fantasy, and are looking for some good books to get lost in, why not give one of the above a try?

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Kindle Free Book Promotion: Journey of Shadows

Do you love traditional epic fantasy? Looking for a truly epic adventure with characters you can truly relate to?

Grab JOURNEY OF SHADOWS (Book one of the Palâdnith Chronicles) FREE for five days only on Amazon! 

Offer runs from 17-21 November - so don't miss out!

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Would you like to read the prequel novella to the Palâdnith Chronicles for free?

Sign up to Sam's monthly newsletter and receive a FREE copy of DEEP-SPIRE (PDF format). Newsletter subscribers will also get sneak previews of upcoming novels, behind the scenes 'extras', epic fantasy book reviews & recommendations, and podcasts from Sam!

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REVIEW: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great epic fantasy read about revenge and courage. This is a gripping coming of age story, which is refreshingly free of fantasy stereotype.

Prince Yarvi never wanted to be king, but after a twist of fate puts him on the throne, he must forge a new path for himself. Untested, crippled, and with a self-esteem in the gutter, Yarvi knows he's a poor choice for king. However, when his new life is torn from him, and he has all the trappings of privilege stripped away - Yarvi embarks on a quest for revenge. If he survives it, he will be a changed man.

I loved this story - Yarvi is a flawed character and one that's easy to relate to. The action is swift and the gritty, Viking-age inspired fantasy world is memorable. Abercrombie's characterisation is excellent, with a clever blending of the lines between good and evil.

Highly recommend!

View all my reviews

KINDLE BOOK PROMOTION: JOURNEY OF SHADOWS

Ready for an adventure? Fast-paced, character-driven traditional epic fantasy

Grab JOURNEY OF SHADOWS (Book one of the Palâdnith Chronicles) for 99 cents for five days only on Amazon! 

Offer runs from 27-31 October - so don't miss out!

Do you love traditional epic fantasy, but are looking for a truly epic adventure with characters you can truly relate to?

JOURNEY OF SHADOWS (shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Awards, 2014) is the first novel in the Palâdnith Chronicles, a traditional epic fantasy series that's fast-paced and full of classic epic fantasy elements: coming of age, good versus evil, and a quest. However, my characters are people just like you and me, thrown into an epic adventure and forced to deal with the consequences. 

Have you ever dreamed of a different life - one of adventure, excitement and purpose?

Seth, Eni and Val have. Yet, dreaming is all they have done. Until, the day fate intervenes.

Three brothers. One legacy that binds them.

JOURNEY OF SHADOWS introduces you to the world of Palâdnith. I let my readers discover Palâdnith, and the scheming realmlords who rule it, through the eyes of my characters. You won't find pages of back-story and lengthy descriptions. You're launched into the story from the first pages!

Sounds like the kind of epic fantasy you are looking for?

Get a copy of JOURNEY OF SHADOWS for 99 cents from Amazon while this offer lasts.

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Would you like to read the prequel novella to the Palâdnith Chronicles for free?

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