HALF A KING BY JOE ABERCROMBIE

Genre: Fantasy

Source: Netgalley ( in return for an honest review)

“When you’re in hell, only a devil can point the way out.”
― Joe Abercrombie, Half a King

Release Date: JULY 15TH 2014

Series: Shattered Sea

Synopsis: “I swore an oath to avenge the death 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. 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 finds his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy.

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*I would like to thank Netgalley for this as an e-arc in return for an honest review.*

Let me just start by saying that Joe Abercrombie is absolutely brilliant! Half a King was filled with diversity, amazing and breathtaking world building and dynamic and fantastic characterization. This is the first book I have ever read by Joe Abercrombie and I have to say I am absolutely sold.

In a coming of age story, Prince Yarvi must struggle and go far from home to use his knowledge and learn more about himself and life than he ever expected. Being looked down upon his whole life for his handicap, Yarvi must prove to all that he is more than half a man. Yarvi goes through great character growth and Abercrombie does a marvelous job with the story line and situation in which Yarvi must go through to prove himself.

I have to say that this book is pretty grim and has some dark and gruesome material , but it was not lacking in adventure, actions or some bad ass characters. I fell in love with so many of the characters, they were just so kick ass and had some great snarky personalities! The book was full of suspense and surprises as well. Just when I thought I knew how a situation was going to play out I was caught off guard and completely surprised. The ending was something I never saw coming.

Half A King was an absolutely wonderful, unique and action packed fantasy story that I could not put down because the story never let up! I highly recommend this to any fans of high fantasy!