King of Thorns

This book has to be one of the most ambitious narratives I've ever read. It's plotted between the present (of the time of the book, of course) and four years prior. It moves seamlessly through these two times, weaving together a very complex tale and it does it successfully, as the past and the present blend without snare to present a very broad image.

The first book was something of an acquired taste. Jorg Ancrath was an arrow fired from a blindman's bow, hellbent on destruction, pain, and panic. This sequel finds a bit more of a likable Jorg. Maybe the first book blunted some of his edge. He's still a killer. He's still cleverer-than-you. But he's more reserved now. He's a man who sees the bigger picture in the game of life. He's a king of his own lands now, and there's a threat coming from a neighboring country. The Jorg from the first book might have realized the battle was unwinnable and retreated. This Jorg realizes that he has a people to protect and lands to unify under his banner.

Mark Lawrence is one of the best fantasy writers out there–emphasis on the word “writer.” Some fantasy writers are just storytellers, and there's nothing wrong with that. Lawrence understands the power of words and his prose is tight and focused. I enjoy that.

I will definitely be reading the third book.