Prince of Thorns

by Mark Lawrence
Prince of Thorns cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Fantasy
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2263
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781101543290
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2011-08-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Prince Jorg Ancrath, orphaned and hardened by tragedy, leads a band of thugs with a singular goal: to reclaim his father's throne. His journey is one of violence and cunning, as he navigates a world filled with treachery and dark magic. The story is a gritty exploration of power, revenge, and the moral complexities of a young man driven by loss. Jorg's unrelenting pursuit of his birthright sets the stage for a tale that defies traditional fantasy tropes, offering a raw and unflinching look at the cost of ambition. Mark Lawrence's debut novel is noted for its dark and uncompromising tone, challenging the conventions of the fantasy genre. The narrative delves deep into the psyche of its anti-hero, providing a compelling and often disturbing portrait of a character who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The Broken Empire trilogy begins here, with a story that is as brutal as it is captivating.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2022-06-15
brutal 4.50

The novel is a gripping blend of grimdark fantasy and post-apocalyptic dystopia, told through the eyes of a complex and morally ambiguous protagonist. The dark themes and brutal world-building make it a standout in the genre.

This review highlights how Prince of Thorns masterfully combines elements of grimdark fantasy and post-apocalyptic dystopia, creating a rich and immersive world. The protagonist's perspective adds depth and intrigue, making the story both compelling and unsettling. The reviewer appreciates the raw and unflinching portrayal of a brutal world, which sets the novel apart from others in the genre. They also note the skillful way Lawrence weaves together themes of revenge, power, and survival, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Prince of Thorns is simultaneously a grimdark fantasy, a post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller, and an epic revenge narrative told from the point of view of a morally complex protagonist.

    The dark themes and brutal world-building make it a standout in the genre.

    Lawrence's prose is eloquent and unflinching, even when describing scenes of carnage.

Reddit - Fantasy · 2021-05-10
dark 4.20

The novel is much darker than Game of Thrones, with more potent magic and manipulative characters. The reviewer found the story engaging but noted its intensity.

This Reddit review compares Prince of Thorns to Game of Thrones but emphasizes its darker tone and more potent magic system. The reviewer appreciates the manipulative and complex characters, which add layers to the story. They found the narrative engaging but noted that the book's intensity and dark themes might not be suitable for all readers. Overall, they highlight the novel's unique blend of fantasy and dystopian elements, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    It does have a feel of Game of Thrones, but it is much much darker.

    The magic is more potent. The mages are more manipulative, the kings who are playing their games.

    The novel's intensity and dark themes might not be suitable for all readers.

Fantasy Hive · 2017-09-06
compelling 4.00

The opening chapters are particularly engaging, with the prose sustaining interest throughout. The reviewer found the narrative compelling and the world-building impressive.

The reviewer was immediately hooked by the opening events of Prince of Thorns, praising Lawrence's prose for maintaining their interest throughout the early chapters. They highlight the compelling narrative and impressive world-building as key strengths of the novel. The reviewer also appreciates the balance between action and moments of reflection, which adds depth to the story. Overall, they found the book to be a captivating read that effectively draws the reader into its dark and complex world.

Quick quotes

    Though the opening events well and truly hooked me, it's the prose that sustained my interest throughout the rest of the book's early chapters.

    Lawrence's world-building is impressive, creating a dark and complex setting that feels both familiar and fresh.

    The balance between action and moments of reflection adds depth to the story.

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