Monday, February 16, 2015

Half the World by Joe Abercrombie

Series: Shattered Sea #2
400 p.
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Published: 2/12/15
Source: From NetGalley and publisher for review
Sometimes a girl is touched by Mother War. 
Thorn is such a girl. Desperate to avenge her dead father, she lives to fight. But she has been named a murderer by the very man who trained her to kill. 
Sometimes a woman becomes a warrior. 
She finds herself caught up in the schemes of Father Yarvi, Gettland’s deeply cunning minister. Crossing half the world to find allies against the ruthless High King, she learns harsh lessons of blood and deceit. 
Sometimes a warrior becomes a weapon. 
Beside her on the journey is Brand, a young warrior who hates to kill, a failure in his eyes and hers, but with one chance at redemption. 
And weapons are made for one purpose. 
Will Thorn forever be a pawn in the hands of the powerful, or can she carve her own path?
My thoughts:

I really enjoyed the first book, Half a King, and so I couldn't wait to read this book. We follow a different set of characters because our last set has grown and now are teaching the newcomers. This is Thorn's book. A heroine who wants to become a warrior in a world where women are allowed technically but not encouraged to do so. The story isn't just about learning to fight but what to fight for as well.

While I loved Thorn and enjoyed following her from being mercilessly teased to a place of honor and respect, I have to say my favorite character was Brand. In some ways I felt that his courage in standing for what he believes and who he is as a person was far superior to those that faced a deadly enemy head on. I also found his journey to be the harder one because his rewards for staying true were private and not stuff of songs. He was a true hero in his own right without fanfare.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed coming back to this world and can't wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy a good fantasy.

25 comments:

  1. I hope the library gets this one as they have book 1 ;)

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  2. What a curious cover! He sounds like an amazing hero too.

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  3. This sounds awesome - I need to get myself a copy of Half a King! Lovely review! :-)

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  4. This series sounds great, I need to go and look up the first!

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    1. Oh since you've been reading more fantasy, I think you'll really enjoy it.

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  5. That is one cool cover! And I'm so glad you enjoyed it, because it sounds pretty great. Awesome review, Melissa!

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  6. Lovely review Melissa! I hadn't heard of this one before but i'm definitely intriguied :)

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  7. I really need to get back to reading his books. I do enjoy them, and I'm far to far behind in the books. thank you!

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  8. I am so glad to see you are enjoying these. Beautiful review Melissa.

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  9. Great review! I like the sound of Thorn, as I love strong heroines!

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  10. I have an ARC of this and was so excited to receive it but I just haven't had the time to get around to it, sadly. Anyhow, I cannot WAIT to finally have the time to pick this up--it sounds amazing and this is such an incredible series. So glad you enjoyed it, Melissa! :)

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  11. Ahhh ... this sounds right up my alley. Gotta go see if I already added the first book.

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  12. I remember the great reviews about the first book and it's great that this one is also really good! Great review!

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  13. I sometimes struggle with the Fantasy genre because I like following the shame characters throughout a series. Seems to me like you had no difficulty transitioning though. That's good!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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  14. That is a very cool cover!!! I have to say I don't ever want to be on a body of water that has waves that can turn into sharp objects though:) I've heard such great things about Half a King Melissa, I'm glad this follow up was equally good:)

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  15. Cool! I've been looking for readalikes for the Game of Thrones for my high school kiddies and I think this may fit the bill. I will have to check it out. Glad book 2 wasn't a let down.

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  16. The characters sound really well done in this one. I haven't heard much about it but I do like the cover

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  17. Me TOO. I loved this so much. But as much as I loved Brand, I think I loved Thorn more ;) Doesn't really matter, b/c I loved both to teeny, tiny pieces. And I'm ridiculously happy that book three comes out in July. It's gonna be epic.

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  18. Oh, I didn't realize this was a new main character! The other story was really good but the MC was kind of a downer. I think I need to meet Thorn!

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