The second book in the Broken Empire series, Lawrence takes his young anti-hero one step closer to his grand ambition.
To reach greatness you must step on bodies, and many brothers lie trodden in my wake. I’ve walked from pawn to player and I’ll win this game of ours, though the cost of it may drown the world in blood…
The land burns with the fires of a hundred battles as lords and petty kings fight for the Broken Empire. The long road to avenge the slaughter of his mother and brother has shown Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath the hidden hands behind this endless war. He saw the game and vowed to sweep the board. First though he must gather his own pieces, learn the rules of play, and discover how to break them.
A six nation army, twenty thousand strong, marches toward Jorg's gates, led by a champion beloved of the people. Every decent man prays this shining hero will unite the empire and heal its wounds. Every omen says he will. Every good king knows to bend the knee in the face of overwhelming odds, if only to save their people and their lands. But King Jorg is not a good king.
Faced by an enemy many times his strength Jorg knows that he cannot win a fair fight. But playing fair was never part of Jorg’s game plan.
Review......
Oh the words that flow through my mind...
Jorg is the perfect anti hero. A young man made king at an early year amongst his uncle's land.
An army of the Prince of Arrow stands at his gates. Odd of 20-1 against him. Every leader would fall. Give into the odds. We, however get to see one man. Jorg and all his planning try to win.
Prophecy states that the Prince of Arrow will be the next Emperor.
This man sits outside Jorg's gate waiting for the moment to strike.
Jorg a man, driven by his past. A past that is locked in a box. Throughout the pages of this book, we see Jorg try to love, kill the one person that he would never kill, and the fight against the one evil that has manipulated not only Jorg, but many others throughout history. All of this leading to a victory that one will never expect.
I know that this series is set in Europe, however, I fight the urge to claim France is where we find ourselves.
Even though the setting of this book is in our past, the author has cleverly brought in a dose of our present. I will admit, that I was not impressed how this happens, but I will reserve final judgment until I finish the series.
On the outside, one would presume this story is about a man, bent on ruling. Seems harmless and gory. However, the builders that are referenced in this series are an interesting addition. When I read passages about them, I am drawn to a video game reference. Assassin's Creed has a group of "builders" that give their technology to the lesser of species to fight about and use. Also, there is the ancient alien theory that states that humans are shaped by the "visitors" that pushed us into the modern age.
Granted, neither of these are mentioned here. I just wanted to draw an image for you.
Overall, we are taken on a ride. Two to be specific. One, the present and one four years in the past. After Jorg's "assault" on the princess we see what factors end up making this man who he is.
I hope you give this series a try.
Rating
Until Next Time,
J
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