Half the World

December 1, 2014
This splendid second installment in the Shattered Sea epic fantasy series (after Half a King) shifts focus from cunning Prince Yarvi—now Father Yarvi—to Thorn Bathu, an ordinary young woman who’s stubbornly determined to become a fighter. Thorn wants to follow in the footsteps of her father, a great warrior, but she must endure not only the pain of training but also prejudice from the master-at-arms. When Thorn’s sword breaks during her final test, it smashes her dreams—and turns her into a murderer. Father Yarvi steps in to save Thorn and give her a place on one of his ships, but soon she realizes she’s become a pawn in his deep, complicated political games. Abercrombie has a knack for building characters with pathos and wit. Both plot and setting are believable, and readers will easily immerse themselves in Thorn and Yarvi’s world. The fast-paced story draws readers along while setting up what promises to be an explosive final showdown. Agent: Robert Kirby, United Agents.

December 15, 2014
The second, independently intelligible, entry in the Shattered Sea trilogy, following Half a King (2014). In the previous volume, Prince Yarvi of Gettland-he was born with a withered hand to warrior folk (they resemble Vikings) who value only strength-survived great challenges to become Father Yarvi, now minister (counselor) to King Uthil. But the ancient High King, prodded by the wicked, conniving Grandmother Wexen, has formed a grand alliance against Gettland. In secret, Yarvi evolves a scheme to break the High King's ring of steel by forming alliances with the powerful but distant Empress of the South. Meanwhile, young Thorn Bathu yearns desperately to become a warrior (the first female such) in order to avenge her father. During her trial of passage she defeats fellow hopeful Brand, but unsatisfied, Master Hunnan orders her to fight three men at once. Thorn accidentally kills one, and Hunnan names her a murderer. To save her from execution, Brand courageously tells Yarvi the truth of what happened. Seeing Thorn's potential, Yarvi takes her under his wing and, along with Brand, assembles a crew of cutthroats and desperados to make the long, harrowing trip south. They'll be joined by Skifr, a deadly woman fighter who steals forbidden elf-relics for a living. Skifr will train Thorn to be the most lethal combatant in the entire crew-but Thorn, Brand, Yarvi and the rest will need all their formidable talents merely to survive. Again, well-handled for the most part-the thrillingly implausible action, nearly all sword, very little sorcery, is a given, with the intriguingly delicate scheming woven into the backdrop. More predictable are the romantic complications. Superior in nearly all respects, just lacking that authentic spark of true originality.

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Starred review from January 1, 2015

Two young people strive to join the ranks of Gettland's warriors in this novel that's set in the same Viking era-like world as 2014's Half a King but years later. Brand is hoping to win a position so he can raise himself and his sister out of poverty. Thorn is driven by rage and a desire to avenge the death of her father. Neither is accepted into the raiding party, yet their fates link them as Gettland minister Father Yarvi (hero of Half a King) puts together a mission to secure allies for the country against the power of the High King. VERDICT Abercrombie is well known (and loved) for his dark fantasies. Aside from being less profanity laden and having slightly less complicated worldbuilding, this series could just as easily be enjoyed by the adult fans who loved the author's "First Blade" trilogy as by a teen audience. Thorn is the big draw, with her toughness and determination. While it's a bit predictable that a fantasy with a female lead seems to require a romance, the love story is a good one.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
This stand-alone sequel to the author's popular Half a King (2014) features a new protagonist: 16-year-old Thorn, who finds herself pressed into service to Father Yarvi, the cunning minister to King Uthil of Gettland and his queen, Laithlin. Thorn will accompany Yarvi on a voyage designed to turn enemies into friends and allies as Gettland faces the possibility of war with the High King. Along the way, she will be trained in fighting by a woman named Skifr, whom some call a witch, and find her feelings for a boy named Brand changingafter many a twist and turnfrom bilious to (sigh) . . . tender. Though the story gets off to a slow start, the action quickly picks up and proceeds, buckety-buckety, apace. Though never subtle and often portentousand occasionally pretentiousthe tale is nevertheless awash in high deeds and redolent of romance, while Thorn is a strong female protagonist to be reckoned with. Though not terribly original, the novel will nevertheless resonate with fantasy fans, who will look forward to a promised third in the series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)