King of Thorns

In Broken Empire's second novel, Lawrence brings his young anti-hero one step closer to realising his lofty goal.

You have to tread on people to get to the top, and I've trampled many brothers along my path. I've gone from being a pawn to a player, and I'll win this game even if it could cost the world all its blood.

Lords and minor monarchs war over the Broken Empire, as the earth burns from the flames of a hundred conflicts. Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath has seen the secret hands behind this never-ending battle on the long journey to revenge the murder of his mother and brother. When he observed the game, he made a pledge to win every time. He must first collect his own pieces, understand the game's rules, then figure out how to breach them.

Twenty thousand soldiers from six nations advance on Jorg's gates under the command of a popular leader. I hope that this dazzling hero will mend the empire's wounds and bring it together for all honest men. Every omen promises to do so. In the face of insurmountable odds, every wise monarch understands when to yield, if only to save his people and their territories. However, King Jorg is a poor ruler.

confronted with a foe several times stronger than him Jorg is aware that he won't win in a fair battle. But Jorg's strategy never included being fair.