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  • Prince of Fools

  • Red Queen's War, Book 1
  • By: Mark Lawrence
  • Narrated by: Sean Ohlendorf
  • Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (182 ratings)

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Prince of Fools

By: Mark Lawrence
Narrated by: Sean Ohlendorf
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Publisher's Summary

From the critically acclaimed author of THE BROKEN EMPIRE series comes a brilliant new epic fantasy series, THE RED QUEEN’S WAR.

The Red Queen is old but the kings of the Broken Empire fear her as they fear no other.

Her grandson Jalan Kendeth is a coward, a cheat and a womaniser; and tenth in line to the throne. While his grandmother shapes the destiny of millions, Prince Jalan pursues his debauched pleasures. Until he gets entangled with Snorri ver Snagason, a huge Norse axe man, and dragged against his will to the icy north.

In a journey across half the Broken Empire, Jalan flees minions of the Dead King, agrees to duel an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath, and meets the ice witch, Skilfar, all the time seeking a way to part company with Snorri before the Norseman’s quest leads them to face his enemies in the black fort on the edge of the Bitter Ice.

PRINCE OF FOOLS is the first book in the series.

©2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited (P)2014 Mark Lawrence

Critic Reviews

‘A savage voice which is telling you a good jest while trying to drown you in story’
ROBERT LOW (Author of the Kingdom Series and the Oathsworn Series)

‘Really excellent, gritty fantasy – I'm trying to avoid comparison with GAME OF THRONES, but I'm afraid it’s right there. But funnier. Very funny indeed’
YA and Carnegie-shortlisted author ANTHONY MCGOWAN

What listeners say about Prince of Fools

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great start to a new fantasy series.

This story has some interesting characters, reluctant heroes and a wealth of Norse mythology woven into a fantasy setting. Definitely a series with potential.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So funny and just so good

Has the perfect mix of humor, serious and excitement. Different vibe from the Prince of Thorns but just as good

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully narrated

I laughed aloud and even teared up at a certain scene. I love Jalan. I love Snorri. Action-packed, with humour and darkness in equal measure, this is a fantastic story told by an engaging narrator (both the character and the actual narrator of the audiobook). Definitely recommend if you are in the mood for an adventure!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, narration a bit off.

What aspect of Sean Ohlendorf’s performance might you have changed?

The story and writing are great but Sean Ohlendorf's performance doesn't quite capture the main characters personality. The narration sounds (to me at least) a bit flat. I might have a bias opinion of the books narration though having listened to it originally with Tim Reynolds who does an amazing job. I suggest playing samples from each narrator and making your own choice but I would definitely suggest Tim Reynolds version.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and narration

my first Lawrence novel, I read and listened to this story ans loved both forms.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Loved everything about it- (newly introduced to Mark Lawrence, his writing is hilarious) and thought the narrator was amazing!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Worth a read

Initially, I struggled with this book - the main character and the narrator- reminded me of the Broken Empire's first book (I didn't finish Prince of Thorns-), but I stayed with Prince of Fools and it was okay. I especially liked the relationship between Prince Jalan Kendeth and the likable northman named Snorri ver Snagason. Maybe I am just always comparing to the Book of the Ancestor series which I feel is superior. I will tackle the rest of this series and if it gets better I might go back and try the Broken Empire series again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Prince of Fools

An entertaining read but not as good as The Prince of Thorns trilogy I hope the next book in this series is better

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

not my type of fantasy

Christianity, the Norse panteon, how can these exist in a fantasy world? The existence of these religions implies the existence of real world countries, cultures, and associated history to these countries and cultures. Consequently, it broke my immersion to the fantasy world to the point that I could not get back in.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not bad. Not great

The main characters attitude is tiring throughout the book. I'm waiting for him to mature but honestly... it took the entire book.
The story wasn't bad but the "threat" or big finale felt short of the mark.
Decent comedy and although not super exciting it was well written.

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