Half a King cover art

Half a King

Shattered Sea, Book 1

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Half a King

By: Joe Abercrombie
Narrated by: Ben Elliot
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About this listen

A classic coming-of-age tale set in a vivid and richly-imagined world from Sunday Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie.

‘Joe Abercrombie is doing some terrific work’ GEORGE R.R. MARTIN

Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea itself. And he must do it all with only one good hand.

Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.

Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.

But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi’s path may end as it began – in twists, and traps and tragedy…

©2014 Joe Abercrombie (P)2014 HarperCollinsHarperCollins Audio FictionHarperFiction - Fiction Audio - Digital
Fantasy Heartfelt

Editorial reviews

Sunday Times best-selling author Joe Abercrombie has created a richly detailed fantasy epic in Half a King, Book One of the phenomenal Shattered Sea audiobook series, unabridged and narrated by American actor Ben Elliot. Young Prince Yarvi is an embarrassment to his father. He is small and intelligent, a far cry from the muscled thugs in the kingdom. It is in exile that he finds friends who accept him for who he is and together they form an army. Setting out to reclaim his right to the throne, Yarvi can use only his mind as the ultimate weapon. Available now from Audible.

Critic Reviews

‘Abercrombie writes fantasy like no one else’ Guardian

‘This is my favourite Abercrombie book yet’ PATRICK ROTHFUSS

‘Joe Abercrombie is fast becoming my favourite writer. HALF A KING is a remarkable achievement — thrilling, enthralling, and relentless. The action is frenetic, the characters are as sharp as the blades they wield, and the humour is biting. It's sure to garner him a whole new legion of fans’ DEREK LANDY

‘Enthralling. An up-all-night read’ ROBIN HOBB

‘HALF A KING can be summed up in a single word: Masterpiece’ MYKE COLE

‘With eye-popping plot twists and rollicking good action, HALF A KING is definitely a full adventure’ RICK RIORDAN

‘A magnificent, captivating world.’ James Dashner of MAZE RUNNER

What listeners say about Half a King

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great but short

loved this book it's was a little short. it was a bad choice for my free book I should have picked something that would go on and on so I could get my money's worth. otherwise really fun book

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Buy this book. It is very well done.

Joe Abercrombie has fast become one of my favourite fantasy authors. This is a great book

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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bit of a disappointment

Nothing at all like his other books...the humour was lack lustre and Ben Elliott's narrating was boreing as watching paint dry :(

im generally a huge fan of Joe...but not of this series :(

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2 people found this helpful

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Where oh where is Steven Pacey?

Awesome story with some easter eggs. Would of been oh so much better if Steven Pacey was narrating.

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5 people found this helpful

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Always the Shattered hero

Joe Abercrombie always talks about the shattered hero. Or is this really saying we all have to make do with what we have.
A brilliant writter who takes me on a journey

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2 people found this helpful

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Another great Abercrombie book

I’d left this sitting in my audible library after reading all the negative reviews of the narrator. I don’t know what everyone’s moaning about! Of course he’s no Steven Pacey (well who else is!) but he’s still damn good. He reads fluently and smoothly and you still feel the characters living. This trilogy is a little simpler than the others and seems a little more aimed at the YA readers, but I’m up to the 3rd now and still every bit as invested in the characters and plot.

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Great piece. A tad predictable.

So the story opens up as (no spoilers) a revenge story. In such a story you can expect dramatic twists and turns. And there are certainly plenty of those.

The problem of course is that half the turns are predictable. It does not help that story elements paramount to a grand reveal are mentioned often, almost rubbing reader's nose in it.

The writing style is amazing - 5/5. Very descriptive and very brief at the same time.

Characters change with circumstances, like in the real life. And like in the real life sometimes that change is not for the better. It is often uncomfortable to accept some of the characters actions and choices, but they are gritty realistic decisions readers need, not the ones they want. In the end they are accurate and true to the characters themselves.

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Good Abercrombie not God Abercrombie

Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first, he must survive cruelty, chains and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea itself. And he must do it all with only one good hand. If you're a Abercrombie fan, beware that this book and the trilogy are TAME. Not like his other gorgeously grim stories and witty writing. It is like a kid's version, fast-paced and engaging with twists and turns. He keeps you reading - you will enjoy it. It's good. Just not the God Abercrombie I adore.

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not all i'd hoped but enjoyable

I'm the biggest Abercrombie fan and really felt sad it was over. Still, after reading all of his other series this seems like it could all of been put into 1 book instead of spread out to 3

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the depth

love the story, absolutely hate the narration, hard to connect to the character with such a droning monotone and the way he emphasises S in every word makes my ears want to bleed.
bring back Steven Pacey

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