Prince of Fools
Ratings89
Average rating3.9
The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire fear her as they fear no other.
Her grandson Jalan Kendeth is a coward, a cheat and a womaniser; and tenth in line to the throne. While his grandmother shapes the destiny of millions, Prince Jalan pursues his debauched pleasures. Until he gets entangled with Snorri ver Snagason, a huge Norse axe man, and dragged against his will to the icy north.
In a journey across half the Broken Empire, Jalan flees minions of the Dead King, agrees to duel an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath, and meets the ice witch, Skilfar, all the time seeking a way to part company with Snorri before the Norseman’s quest leads them to face his enemies in the black fort on the edge of the Bitter Ice.
Series
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3 primary books4 released books#1 in The Red Queen's War
The Red Queen's War is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2001 with contributions by Mark Lawrence.
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Hmm! I feel like an outlier here as everyone seems to adore the book. I found it only so so. Maybe Its because I have a hard time not giggling over a hero who is named “Jalan”, which means road in Malay. But maybe because I found the plot very simple and wanted more of a challenge. I didn't really like Jalan. A charming rogue, yes, but insufferably immature and obstinate in his ways. Again, I am spoiled by my usual hardened, bitter and gloomy fantasy heroes. Also, the world seemed vague and the magical system even more so.
And some plot points seemed rushed aside. Like, why was Jalan chosen to bear the magic? Why did he agree to be dragged to the north? Why can he see the silent sister?
Still, Lawrence kept me turning the pages - which surprised me since I had these negatives about the tale. I suppose, in the end, I was a tad charmed by Jalan and the Viking Snorrin. But how I wished the story had more depth...
4.5 stars. Jal is one of my favorite characters in fantasy because he's just different. It's refreshing having a main character who's a coward, rather than the de facto courageous hero.
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3,356 books#3,356 in What are your favorite books of all time?
When you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
