The work week begins. I quickly slip into my business suit and head back into the office to save a few innocent people. But while I try to fool myself into being excited about the grind, deep down, I’m not, so I’m going to escape dreary reality by reading some great books.

As always it seems, I’ll be trying to finish up my novels from last week then turning to a new (or old) book I can’t wait to try — because I’m a completionist, and I want to see how the trilogy, ends even if I haven’t loved the first two installments.  Plus, it’s Abercrombie, and I’m on a quest to find one, just one, novel of his that I love.

Half a War by Joe Abercrombie

Genre: Young Adult Grimdark

Series: Shattered Sea #3

Publisher: Harper Voyager (July 16, 2015)

Author Information: Website | Twitter 

Length: 352 pages

Words are weapons

Princess Skara has seen all she loved made blood and ashes. She is left with only words. But the right words can be as deadly as any blade. She must conquer her fears and sharpen her wits to a lethal edge if she is to reclaim her birthright.

Only half a war is fought with swords

The deep-cunning Father Yarvi has walked a long road from crippled slave to king’s minister. He has made allies of old foes and stitched together an uneasy peace. But now the ruthless Grandmother Wexen has raised the greatest army since the elves made war on God, and put Bright Yilling at its head – a man who worships no god but Death.

Sometimes one must fight evil with evil

Some – like Thorn Bathu and the sword-bearer Raith – are born to fight, perhaps to die. Others – like Brand the smith and Koll the wood-carver – would rather stand in the light. But when Mother War spreads her iron wings, she may cast the whole Shattered Sea into darkness.

Purchase the book at Amazon.