Characterisation outside of the central group is also a little vague: the machinations and plots of the main villain seem a bit random without further exploration of his character. My review copy didn't have a map and it doesn't look like the final version will have one either, which is a shame because the geographical interrelationships between the various kingdoms of the Shattered Sea and the northern wastes from where Yarvi has to make his overland journey are not strongly presented in the text. The downside is that the worldbuilding doesn't get as much of a look-in as it sometimes needs to. The benefit of that is that there are not many wasted words and the story moves extremely briskly. Working with less than half the word-count of any of his previous books, this is also his most concise, focused novel to date. Abercrombie paints deftly the relationships between Yarvi and his new companions, such as the enigmatic swordsman 'Nothing', the master navigator Sumael and the bowman Rulf, fusing them into a genuine fellowship over the course of many trials and adventures: a harsh overland march through a frozen, barren wasteland is particularly vivid.

Yarvi is constantly on the back foot until put into a situation where his wits and education can be used to the mutual benefit of himself and a band of companions.

The main character is Yarvi, initially presented as a crippled, intellectual man forced to exist in a society where valour with a sword or axe is praised above everything else. There isn't much swearing and no sex at all, but beyond that the only way you'd know this was a YA novel is because the author said so on his website. This is still very much a Joe Abercrombie novel, meaning there's an air of both cynicism and humour to proceedings and there's a fair amount of violence. Those hoping for a radical change in direction or prose style will be disappointed, though conversely those hoping he'd stick doing at what he does best will be overjoyed. It's a change of gears for the British author, and there's a fair bit riding on how he manages to pull it off. It's also his first novel for a new publisher and the first set outside his signature First Law world, not to mention his first Young Adult novel. Half a King is the first novel in a new trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Thrust onto the throne, Yarvi must instead take up the sword to avenge his dead kin and defeat his kingdom's enemies, from within and without. It's not something he ever wanted: born with only half a hand, he's spent his life training to become a Minister, a man of learning and science. The abrupt death of his father and elder brother puts Prince Yarvi on the throne of Gettland.

Half king joe abercrombie