Half a War (Shattered Sea #3) by Joe Abercrombie

Half a War
Shattered Sea #3
Joe Abercrombie

Front cover

Date read: 28 September - 9 October 2018
Length: 497 pages


The countries around the Shattered Sea are at war. Princess Skara must rise up if she wants to reclaim her birthright. With her army she must face Grandmother Wexen and Bright Yilling before Father Peace can be sought. Can she do it?

YOU CAN ONLY CONQUER

YOUR FEARS BY FACING THEM.

HIDE FROM THEM, AND THEY

CONQUER YOU

I have liked a lot of characters in this series, and I also like Skara. She seems hard but fair to her people. This series is kind of unique in that each book doesn't really follow the same people, but they are all linked. For instance, in the beginning I didn't really like Grom-gil-Gorm because I was looking at the story from one set of characters views, but by the end I find I actually quite like him. It's the same with Queen Uthil.

There's also quite a few 'minor' characters that you can't help but like, such as Rin and Koll. They pop up every now and then, and you just feel drawn to them. I was sad about Brand and Grom-gil-Gorm, but probably more especially Brand. 

I wasn't as keen on Half a War as I was on the previous two. But nevertheless I have very much enjoyed this series!

Joe Abercrombie

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword
Red Queen #2
Victoria Aveyard

Front cover

Date read: 17 - 27 September 2018
Length: 440 pages


Mare Barrow is a Red with Silver abilities, something called "Newblood". She sets out on a mission to recruit others like her, hoping to reach them before her enemies do. Can she save them all in time?

I was born to kill a king,

to end a reign of terror

before it can truly begin.

In Glass Sword I feel that Mare has really grown up a lot. She's had to learn the way of the world very quickly and prepare for things she probably never imagined she'd ever be doing. Sometimes it's easy to forget she's only a young adult.

I'm still unsure about Cal. After the events of  Red Queen I'm finding it hard to trust anyone! I want to like him, I really do, but it's not easy because I liked Maven, and we all know how that turned out!

I'm really enjoying this series and I'm really looking forward to what's next. All the books I am reading right now seem to be about war, but luckily they're quite different.

Victoria Aveyard

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Dance With Dragons 2: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5 part 2) by George R. R. Martin

A Dance With Dragons 2: After the Feast
A Song of Ice and Fire #5 part 2
George R. R. Martin

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 16 September 2018
Length: 493 pages (557 with appendix)


In Kings Landing Queen Cersei is in jail awaiting trial. Tyrion has been sold as a slave in Yunkai along with another dwarf and a pig. Dany has married (!) a questionable man. Margaery and Tommen wed. Stannis travels to Winterfell to confront the Boltons, all the while the Wildlings are preparing for war.

The future of the Seven Kingdoms

hangs in the balance.

I still can't believe this is the last published book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series! I was naughty and started watching the TV series before I got around to reading the books. Usually I prefer to read the book first, and most the time I do. But at the time I got into the TV series, I was already reading a long running book series and wanted to wait until I finished that before starting this one. And now I'm sad it's over. 

As someone who watched the TV series, I was really surprised to read that Dany had married again. She's such a strong and independent character and I always got the impression she was never going to marry, after what happened to Khal Drogo. But there you have it.

It's good so see some justice being done in Kings Landing in regards to the royal family. Cersei got away with so much for so long it's about time she paid for her crimes!

I'm looking forward to The Winds of Winter coming out, whenever that may be. Goodreads say 2020 but George R. R. Martin is notorious for pushing back deadlines.

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist