Half a King is the first novel in a new trilogy by British author Joe Abercrombie, the Shattered Sea. The book was released In July 2014 and will be followed later this year by both the middle and final novels, Half the World and Half a War. How is Abercombie's foray into the YA crowd?
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Why have I believed that Joe would be predictable? Half a King isn't really a YA novel in the conventional sense. The gory factor or murkier side of humanity isn't as strong in this first book of the Shattered Sea, but it's still not intended solely for the younger crowd... from 7 (or a bit more?) to 77. Anyway, do we really care if it's YA or not? Is it good, that's the real question?
First and foremost are the differences between this work and Joe's previous books. Instead of jumping on the wagon with a number of power players already established, Half a King takes the overused farm boy with a destiny but reinterpret it in the guise of a deposed impaired pretender to the throne. Much more interesting. Furthermore, in contrast with the First Law series, the storytelling is more straightforward and offers a linear quest, even if it's around the sea. Joe's writing is less elaborate, consisting of very short chapters focusing a lot on advancing the plot and the essential dialogues. The book is more accessible even if the First Law novels weren't laborious to dig into.
Yarvi, the main character, serves as an anchor to set the tone of the story. From the start, it's clear that his handicap, his maimed hand, in a patriarchal world glorying warfare and fighting prowess is a huge problem, even more so when you're part of a royal family. That's why he chose the path of the Ministry, associated with women throughout the book. He feels weak and as if he doesn't belong, but at least he found an opportunity. It's clear that he will have to overcome more than just the challenge of surviving as a slave seeking retribution.
Then this fragile new possibility is shattered. He becomes king but swiftly enough, finds himself chained to an oar and starts making plans to recover his status. With only his mother as a possible and inaccessible trustworthy ally, his dedication for vengeance will allow him to make good use of his experience, knowledge and expertise gathered through his studies under Mother Gundring of the Ministry. From the necessary friendship he will make and the hardship of their collective flight, will emerge a whole new man. Yarvi will finally bloom, become the man would could have been king, such as he thought he never could be or hasn't had it in him. His mother's son.
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The mangled boy's tale is compelling but remember that the author is a character driven writer and it shows in the secondary characters accompanying the ex-king of Gettland, who swore an oath he won't abandon. I strongly believed in the process by which Yarvi was able to gather them to his cause, even if some of it is simply for survival reasons. A man nicknamed Nothing without much to say but fighting like no other, two fellow oarsmen full of opinions and a long life experience, another slave that Yarvi betrayed, and a romance worthy navigator. Nice cast.
However, by the time they reach their destination and the eventual long awaited confrontation, a foe plays the "I talk for too long and give an opportunity for a kill" game, a secret identity is revealed, still shockingly, as a too fortuitous event (but spicing up the story) and some events are manifestly assumed but all this remains captivating enough. I'm glad that no joyful Disney endings were in sight but I wasn't totally enthralled by the ending. As I mentioned, Yarvi's the anchor to this world and it's a gloomy one. Eventually, the lack of merriment, even in the whole settings visited and people the unlikely group ran across, can create a feeling of bleakness.
They say that you have to look at the journey and not the destination. While it's been an entertaining journey, for me, it wasn't a mesmerizing one. I like Yarvi and what he has become, I want to know what happens to him next, but it's not a powerful craving. A very good book but not an 'Abercrombie's great' one. Still, pick it up, you'll miss something if you don't.
“I swore an oath to be avenged on the killers of my father. I may be half a man, but I swore a whole oath”
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 must do it all with only one good hand.
The deceived will become the deceiver
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.
The betrayed will become the betrayer
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.
Will the usurped become the usurper?
But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi’s path may end as it began – in twists, and traps and tragedy...I have been a fan of Joe's work since the Blade Itself and when he published The Heroes, I think he was at the top of his game, it's one of my favorite books of all time. Red Country was still very interesting but I admit that I was kind of shocked when I learned that he would be writing YA oriented Fantasy. Joe, who's been the new leader of the 'grimdark' wave (while in his case, it was always to support the story, not offend the readers or take advantage of it, and the epithet of 'grimdark' isn't an eulogy as far as he's concerned), would be adventuring into the YA country? What about characters like the Bloody-Nine, Glokta or Bremer Dan Gorst? I should have seen it coming...
Why have I believed that Joe would be predictable? Half a King isn't really a YA novel in the conventional sense. The gory factor or murkier side of humanity isn't as strong in this first book of the Shattered Sea, but it's still not intended solely for the younger crowd... from 7 (or a bit more?) to 77. Anyway, do we really care if it's YA or not? Is it good, that's the real question?First and foremost are the differences between this work and Joe's previous books. Instead of jumping on the wagon with a number of power players already established, Half a King takes the overused farm boy with a destiny but reinterpret it in the guise of a deposed impaired pretender to the throne. Much more interesting. Furthermore, in contrast with the First Law series, the storytelling is more straightforward and offers a linear quest, even if it's around the sea. Joe's writing is less elaborate, consisting of very short chapters focusing a lot on advancing the plot and the essential dialogues. The book is more accessible even if the First Law novels weren't laborious to dig into.
Yarvi, the main character, serves as an anchor to set the tone of the story. From the start, it's clear that his handicap, his maimed hand, in a patriarchal world glorying warfare and fighting prowess is a huge problem, even more so when you're part of a royal family. That's why he chose the path of the Ministry, associated with women throughout the book. He feels weak and as if he doesn't belong, but at least he found an opportunity. It's clear that he will have to overcome more than just the challenge of surviving as a slave seeking retribution.
Then this fragile new possibility is shattered. He becomes king but swiftly enough, finds himself chained to an oar and starts making plans to recover his status. With only his mother as a possible and inaccessible trustworthy ally, his dedication for vengeance will allow him to make good use of his experience, knowledge and expertise gathered through his studies under Mother Gundring of the Ministry. From the necessary friendship he will make and the hardship of their collective flight, will emerge a whole new man. Yarvi will finally bloom, become the man would could have been king, such as he thought he never could be or hasn't had it in him. His mother's son.
The mangled boy's tale is compelling but remember that the author is a character driven writer and it shows in the secondary characters accompanying the ex-king of Gettland, who swore an oath he won't abandon. I strongly believed in the process by which Yarvi was able to gather them to his cause, even if some of it is simply for survival reasons. A man nicknamed Nothing without much to say but fighting like no other, two fellow oarsmen full of opinions and a long life experience, another slave that Yarvi betrayed, and a romance worthy navigator. Nice cast.However, by the time they reach their destination and the eventual long awaited confrontation, a foe plays the "I talk for too long and give an opportunity for a kill" game, a secret identity is revealed, still shockingly, as a too fortuitous event (but spicing up the story) and some events are manifestly assumed but all this remains captivating enough. I'm glad that no joyful Disney endings were in sight but I wasn't totally enthralled by the ending. As I mentioned, Yarvi's the anchor to this world and it's a gloomy one. Eventually, the lack of merriment, even in the whole settings visited and people the unlikely group ran across, can create a feeling of bleakness.
They say that you have to look at the journey and not the destination. While it's been an entertaining journey, for me, it wasn't a mesmerizing one. I like Yarvi and what he has become, I want to know what happens to him next, but it's not a powerful craving. A very good book but not an 'Abercrombie's great' one. Still, pick it up, you'll miss something if you don't.
Cover: The Subterranean Press limited edition cover is amazing while the covers for both the hardcover editions (UK and US) are ok...
Release date: July 15th 2014
Map: Indeed, of the Shattered Sea and environs
Number of pages: 352 pages hardcover edition
Acquisition method: My own e-book purchase
Other: No...
Release date: July 15th 2014
Map: Indeed, of the Shattered Sea and environs
Number of pages: 352 pages hardcover edition
Acquisition method: My own e-book purchase
Other: No...
| I liked... | Was disappointed by... |
| Yarvi's blossoming | The constant feeling of bleakness |
| The secondary cast | Some twists |
| The plot all along the journey when Yarvi gathers support | The less elaborate writing |
Half a King review rating :
