Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

In 'Blink', Malcolm Gladwell explores the concept of intuition, revealing that it is not an innate ability but rather a skill developed through practice, environment, and specific principles. He examines how our ability to make snap decisions can be honed and improved, offering insights into how this can transform various aspects of our lives, from personal relationships to business practices. Gladwell delves into the science behind rapid decision-making, discussing how our unconscious mind processes information and the factors that influence our instincts. He argues that by understanding and refining our intuitive abilities, we can become more effective thinkers and decision-makers, leading to positive changes in our homes, workplaces, and society at large.

Reviews

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21

excellent 4.50

The book follows Jorg Ancrath, a prince turned outlaw, navigating a chaotic world with a mix of violence and introspection. The reviewer praises the immersive writing and complex protagonist, despite his moral flaws, making it a compelling start to the trilogy.

Prince of Thorns introduces Jorg Ancrath, a prince who becomes an outlaw leader in a post-apocalyptic world. The story is told through two timelines, revealing Jorg's past and present. The reviewer highlights the book's action, philosophical depth, and the unique, morally ambiguous protagonist. Jorg's character is both repulsive and compelling, making the reader root for him despite his actions. The world-building is intriguing, with hints of a futuristic past and supernatural elements. The writing is immersive and thought-provoking, with a strong drive to keep reading. Overall, it's a violent yet reflective journey that sets up a great trilogy.

Quick quotes

Memories are dangerous things. You turn them over and over, until you know every touch and corner, but still you’ll find an edge to cut you.

Hate will keep you alive where love fails.

Anything that you cannot sacrifice pins you. Makes you predictable, makes you weak.

tubarksblog.com · Unknown · 2019-11-10

excellent 4.50

The reviewer found 'Prince of Thorns' to be a dark, poetic, and exhilarating novel with a unique protagonist. They praised its fresh take on the fantasy genre and the author's ability to craft a gripping narrative, despite some minor criticisms about its length.

The reviewer was captivated by 'Prince of Thorns', describing it as a dark, poetic, and exhilarating read. They highlighted the novel's unique protagonist, Jorg Ancrath, whose cold and emotionless demeanor adds a haunting quality to the story. The reviewer appreciated the first-person narrative, which allows readers to connect with Jorg's dark thoughts and actions in a personal way. They also praised the author's ability to craft a gripping narrative, noting that the pacing was excellent and the fight scenes were surprisingly engaging. The reviewer found the storyline to be spot on, with brilliant pacing and necessary world-building. The only minor criticism was the novel's relatively short length, but they understood that this was likely due to the author's writing style. Overall, the reviewer highly recommended 'Prince of Thorns' and predicted it would be on the Top 10 Fantasy Books of the Year.

Quick quotes

Disturbing, Beautiful, Chaotic, Poetic, Haunting, Exhilarating… Believe it or not, these are all words I would use to describe a single book.

The way it is told crafts the story into something spectacular. Told in the first person it reads like poetry.

The story line is spot on, the pacing is brilliant, no lengthy descriptions, only the necessary world building and the characters are loveable/detestable (you decide).

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2005-02-05

fascinating 4.50

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence is a dark and controversial fantasy novel that follows a 13-year-old sociopath named Jorg. The book is praised for its vivid prose and post-apocalyptic setting, but it also deals with disturbing themes. Readers are fascinated by Jorg's character and the exploration of his psyche, despite his horrific actions. The book is not for everyone, but it is considered an important milestone in modern fantasy.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence is a book that has sparked a lot of debate within the Science Fiction and Fantasy community. The story follows Jorg, a 13-year-old boy who leads a gang of marauders and commits horrific acts with no remorse. The book's prose is vivid and visceral, transporting readers into Jorg's damaged mindset. The setting, a post-apocalyptic feudal society, is also a major draw for many readers. The book is not for the faint of heart, but it is praised for its boldness and the way it generates discussion. The character of Jorg is particularly fascinating, as readers are left to wonder about the nature of his psyche and whether he has the capacity for growth. The book is an important milestone in modern fantasy, daring to explore dark and confronting themes.

Quick quotes

The prose is just so effective at transporting you away and putting you directly in Jorg's head. It is vivid, it is visceral, and it feels so real.

Lawrence gives us a damaged boy doing horrible things in a damaged world, and I want to explore the how and the why.

The book is an important milestone in the modern fantasy landscape.

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