Half a War cover art

Half a War

Shattered Sea, Book 3

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Half a War

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

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 only 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 . . .

©2015 Joe Abercrombie (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Classics Coming of Age Epic Epic Fantasy Fiction Military War & Military Fantasy Royalty War Thought-Provoking Scary
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Critic reviews

‘Like GAME OF THRONES on an adrenaline drip. A full-throated war cry of a novel’ Daily Mail

‘The perfect end to an outstanding trilogy’ SFX

‘Grabbed me and refused to let go’ George R.R. Martin

'Grips like a bear hug, warms like a bear skin' Daily Mail

‘My favorite Abercrombie book yet’ Patrick Rothfuss

‘Enthralling. An up-all-night read’ Robin Hobb

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

‘Abercrombie writes fantasy like no one else’ Guardian

‘Another great tale from a master’ Sun

‘Joe Abercrombie is fast becoming my favourite writer.’ DEREK LANDY

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

What listeners say about Half a War

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

as good as first law series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes all of his books tbh

Who was your favorite character and why?

mother scare , reminds me of the wife

What does Ben Elliot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

good charachters and accents

Any additional comments?

if carlsberg did real people in fantasy world ...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

sad when it ended

I love his writing, excellent characters. I am looking forward to some new stories by him.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb tale of poliotics and death

If anyone needs lessons in the effects of ministers and kings it is here. Judged well for young to old adults the conclusion the The Shattered Sea Trilogy bites deep into emotion and blood lust. All is balanced, all is changable, much is based on words only. I even found myself welling up at one point near the end, a rarely known experience for me. The story is firsteate and the narration very good, although sometimes the text demand young voices to sound vibrant and commanding rather than thin and weak, but overall the telling is well done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great ending to the trilogy

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Taking a third perspective worked really well and gave me a distinctly different view of some famous characters.

Abercrombe writes a brilliant story and although you may try to guess what will happen is never as you plan.

Enjoy!

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

Vengeance gets you nowhere

Yarvi vengeance could have ended in book one, it felt a little dragged on, for a father and brother who didn't love him. And I kinda knew how his character would be from the first chapter. Sad 😣😭. I felt sorry for thron and run, no vengeance for them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very satisfying conclusion to the story

Thoroughly enjoyed this usual fantastic characterisation good story with a fantastic setting and quite a few unexpected twists in the story

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Something less predictable, please.

Acceptable plot spoiled by heavy handed activism.

I wish at least one, literally one, character’s “likeability” wasn’t entirely predictable and based on his/her gender, age, ambition level.

Recipe:
Women are more virtuous than men.
Young and passionate are more moral than cunning oldies. Ambition leads to corruption. Few romantic events. Few diplomatic events. Few military events. Reversal of archetypes (pantheon: “caring” male gods, “dynamic” female goddesses). And that’s it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable

Okay but that's it. I was expecting more and whilst new characters are always welcome I felt the foundation of the main few eroded through this book unlike the first law where they grow and morph in unpredictable ways.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed in the plot.

I love Joes writing with a CAPITAL “L” only discovered him recently as was looking for a new author. His writing is strong and the characters are relatable which makes his storytelling a pleasure to partake of.
I tried a Mark Lawrence book before buying this one and enjoyed his writing too but the story launched into the much over-played post-apocalyptic thread, what a groaner! so I returned his book straight away and bought this instead. Only to find Joe has thread similar into this otherwise amazing story, so I would humbly state “Joe! you are far too good to launch your characters down the same tired route that so many others have trod before, I have been reading Sci-Fi fantasy novels since a nipper, your writing is so fresh and honest it is an absolute joy to read. But and it is a big, but to find that them walking through a deserted post-apocalyptic city having taken radiation medication........ I’m so disappointed..... I’m sad

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lives up to the previous 2 in the series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

3rd part of a series with great characters and a fast moving story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Yarvi - he seems to be able to manipulate events by understanding human nature

What does Ben Elliot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

believable characters which could seem shallow

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Wars are not won by battles alone

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