The abyss gazes back

Week 34: Prince of Thorns – Mark Lawrence

Recommended by: Luke Kidson

If Locke Lamora (pay attention, you read about him a few months ago) is a self-styled Gentleman Bastard then it's fair to say that Prince Jorg Ancrath is best described as an Utter Bastard. Blacker than black, he's the most anti of antiheroes, perhaps to the point where you wonder if he is the antagonist even though it's his story. That was my first impression anyway.

And remained so for a while, wondering if the author is simply trying to see how far he can push the envelope with acts of cruelty and depravity, with the fact that he's so young thrown in for good measure, and still take you along on the ride. But as you read on, there's the odd streak of charcoal grey thrown in, perhaps a vein of silver, maybe even a dash of something that may once have been off-white. So there is some character development and while he's not necessarily likeable or sympathetic, he's sure as hell compelling. Lawrence drags you kicking and screaming into his world and has written what I believe in the trade is known as a page turner.

The world itself is a faux Western Europe, a brutal and bloody affair reminiscent of the Holy Roman Empire in that it consists of dozens of kingdoms of varying strengths and sizes. What is interesting is that it's almost an alternate Europe, for there is a Pope and it throws in references to historical figures from Plato to Shakespeare and, somewhat inevitably given Jorg's nature, Nietzsche. The abyss probably hasn't gazed into many darker souls. Ordinarily this might stand out in a medieval setting (it's par for the course in plenty of urban fantasy and steampunk), but world building here takes a distinct backseat to the characters and plot so I think it passes muster.

Otherwise my main complaint would be that while Jorg's natural abilities, both physical and mental, allow him to work his way out of many situations, his rashness and lack of forethought at times ought to land him into trouble that he simply cannot get out of. The arrogance of youth is perfectly befitting for his character and while killing off the protagonist is not unheard of, one senses that if he were not the leading man, he would soon discover that there's always a bigger bully in the playground.

If you can stomach it – there's probably a reason George R.R. Martin didn't write any chapters from Joffrey's perspective – there's a lot to like here. It fairly zips along and Jorg and his Brothers are certainly memorable characters. As the warning goes, "He who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose." Well Jorg dares and he's power-hungry, ambitious and ruthless enough for a dozen men, so woe betide anyone who crosses him, or even his path.