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Books & Reviews

Every book we have read, reviewed, and argued about — ranked, shelved, and annotated.

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Prince of Thorns novel cover — a hooded figure holding a sword among graves
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Featured — Book One of The Broken Empire

Prince of Thorns

“They say these are violent times, the end of days when the dead roam and monsters haunt the night. All that’s true enough — but there’s something worse out there, in the dark. Much worse.”

Mark Lawrence’s grimdark debut follows Prince Jorg Ancrath — a ruthless fourteen-year-old outlaw leading a band of road-brothers across a shattered empire. Our library’s first stone was laid on this book, and it remains the one we return to.

“Dark and relentless, the Prince of Thorns will pull you under and drown you in story. A two in the morning page-turner.”

— Robin Hobb

“This is a lean, cold knife-thrust of a novel.”

— Robert V.S. Redick

“Excellent and dark. A great new talent.”

— Conn Iggulden

“Prince of Thorns is the best book I’ve read all year.”

— Peter V. Brett

Copyright 2010, Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved. Cover art and quotes reproduced for critical review.

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A Word From the Librarian

For readers who prefer the gloom.

Prince of Thorns Book Library is a personal shelf kept in public. Reviews are written to respect both the book and the reader’s time — no plot dumps, no five-star inflation, no spoilers past the first act.

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