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andra_mihaela_s's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After collecting multiple Abercrombie books for several years, 2 days ago I decided to start my journey into the deep with "Half a King".
I don't understand why people saying his YA is less than his adult works(granted I haven't read those, but why should you compare different stories trying to say different things?).
"Half a King" is the first book in the "Shattered Sea" trilogy; following Yarvi- a crippled prince trying to take back his throne and have his revenge.
Firstly, I will say that Yarvi was exactly the protagonist I didn't know I needed : witty, easily shocked, a coward, always silent and observant, and most of all...someone with a dissability that robbed him of confidence through the horrible treatment from the ones around him.
Yarvi, and his deformed hand, is dear to my heart!
Alongside him, I grew to care about every member of the oarmates!(I especially love Rulf and Nothing!) Not only that, but, in my humble opinion, the author did a splendid job of constructing the characters of this book..from Nothing (man, I did not expect that!), Ankran(nice turn of events!),Shadikshirram, and Odem... to Sumael, Jaud,Laithlin,Mother Gundring and Grom-gil-Gorm!
It is more than clear that THIS author doesn't need hundreds of pages to give you a human and not a caricature.Everyone felt fully real with desires, expectations and goals in mind!
Up until now...my favorite character is Nothing, followed closely by Yarvi and Grom-gil-Gorm!(I don't know what that says about me...>..>)
The atmosphere was on point...we can feel the scandinavian ispiration for this story. For a first book, the lore and world building were just enough to get me more interested for future books, and just right to not transform the narration in exposition.
The fact that we can see which people take pride in what, the differences and similarities in religion, even racism!.. 0_0...with only dialogue and sparse menationing of practicies....again: 0_0
I LOVED THE TIME WE SPENT ON THE SOUTH WIND...weird coming from a "normal" person...but it is what it is...and I bet i'm not the only one!
I also enjoyed the strong men AND women...good/bad/grey and other colors! showcasing each a talent or skill.
The plot is straightforward but completely in sync with our crew's motivations! I beleive Yarvi is reflected in his journey from the point of view of finding purpose and self-understanding.There is no loose threads by the end(for a minute i was worried), but still we have an open window to the second arc! ^_^
I want to address the battle scene at the Screaming Gate...in my opinion this scene is the only one not smooth as water...it was a litle bit easier than other things Yarvi had to get through, and Jaud was used somewhat as an escape for a MC that, in normal circumstances, didn't have a way out in that scene.
With all this being said...I don't know if the 4.25 stars I will give this book are purely technical(because it deserves them) or have a little heart to them(after all it was exactly the book for my mood!)
P.S. I suspect Yarvi has little compassion and lots of indifference to everyone outside his circle...we can see that in numerous instances, and I must say that I quite like that! :)))) Not to mention clear signes of PTSD!!!
Content Worning: violent deaths, slavery.
I recommend this book to everyone wanting dissabiliy representation(i cannot speak on how good it is), high stakes, character growth and a read as close to grimdark without getting there.
Enjoy
I don't understand why people saying his YA is less than his adult works(granted I haven't read those, but why should you compare different stories trying to say different things?).
"Half a King" is the first book in the "Shattered Sea" trilogy; following Yarvi- a crippled prince trying to take back his throne and have his revenge.
Firstly, I will say that Yarvi was exactly the protagonist I didn't know I needed : witty, easily shocked, a coward, always silent and observant, and most of all...someone with a dissability that robbed him of confidence through the horrible treatment from the ones around him.
Yarvi, and his deformed hand, is dear to my heart!
Alongside him, I grew to care about every member of the oarmates!(I especially love Rulf and Nothing!) Not only that, but, in my humble opinion, the author did a splendid job of constructing the characters of this book..from Nothing (man, I did not expect that!), Ankran(nice turn of events!),Shadikshirram, and Odem... to Sumael, Jaud,Laithlin,Mother Gundring and Grom-gil-Gorm!
It is more than clear that THIS author doesn't need hundreds of pages to give you a human and not a caricature.Everyone felt fully real with desires, expectations and goals in mind!
Up until now...my favorite character is Nothing, followed closely by Yarvi and Grom-gil-Gorm!(I don't know what that says about me...>..>)
The atmosphere was on point...we can feel the scandinavian ispiration for this story. For a first book, the lore and world building were just enough to get me more interested for future books, and just right to not transform the narration in exposition.
The fact that we can see which people take pride in what, the differences and similarities in religion, even racism!.. 0_0...with only dialogue and sparse menationing of practicies....again: 0_0
I LOVED THE TIME WE SPENT ON THE SOUTH WIND...weird coming from a "normal" person...but it is what it is...and I bet i'm not the only one!
I also enjoyed the strong men AND women...good/bad/grey and other colors! showcasing each a talent or skill.
The plot is straightforward but completely in sync with our crew's motivations! I beleive Yarvi is reflected in his journey from the point of view of finding purpose and self-understanding.There is no loose threads by the end(for a minute i was worried), but still we have an open window to the second arc! ^_^
I want to address the battle scene at the Screaming Gate...in my opinion this scene is the only one not smooth as water...it was a litle bit easier than other things Yarvi had to get through, and Jaud was used somewhat as an escape for a MC that, in normal circumstances, didn't have a way out in that scene.
With all this being said...I don't know if the 4.25 stars I will give this book are purely technical(because it deserves them) or have a little heart to them(after all it was exactly the book for my mood!)
P.S. I suspect Yarvi has little compassion and lots of indifference to everyone outside his circle...we can see that in numerous instances, and I must say that I quite like that! :)))) Not to mention clear signes of PTSD!!!
Content Worning: violent deaths, slavery.
I recommend this book to everyone wanting dissabiliy representation(i cannot speak on how good it is), high stakes, character growth and a read as close to grimdark without getting there.
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Racism
More...