Didn't like this one as much as the first one, but it was still fun.

That was test. Grimdark it's not supposed to be fun, so if you thought it was "cool" that it was fun, YOU FAILED! It was dark and bloody and... dark ... and stuff. Really though, I dig the horrific aspects and there are some memorable original characters. Last time it was Cole who I loved to hate and thought was a really cool concept for a hero, this time it was Sir Meredith who I loved to hate and thought was a really cool concept for a villain. The good guys suffer a LOT in this one and it doesn't get a little depressing because they win so rarely.

This book ends with the Four Kingdoms in trouble from multiple angles, so I'm definitely curious about what happens next and will be checking out the 3rd book. ( )

Excellent addition to the series with some wonderful depth of character on display as well as the violent action the series has always promised. While Brodar Kayne might be a trope in fantasy, there's a depth displayed in this book that exceeds similar tales. ( )

I received a free copy of Sword of The North from Librarything in exchange for a review. Sword of The North is the second novel in a fantasy series, and I would highly recommend reading the first book first. Otherwise there is a lot to catch up on and familiarize yourself first. The book has multiple POV’s.

Now normally this is where I would put a brief intro to what the book is about. But the book has a few storylines, and multiple characters. It’s been pretty well covered by others and by the description at the top, so I feel it’ll be fine to leave this section alone.

This book has a lot of gritty detail to it. Lots of graphic murder, including slitting someone’s throat, and drowning another person while their friend watches. Not a book I’d recommend for the squeamish. Also there is sexual content.

I would recommend reading the first book, because oh my goodness. I was lost. Now about 50 pages into the book I started to get the hang of everything. At first I thought it was just one POV, and so I was very confused when Sasha and Eremul started making appearances. So it took me a little longer to get into this world, before I could thoroughly enjoy it. I now have the need to buy the first book, then reread this one.

See the complete review posted on Book Frivolity. Check out other Fantasy and Historical Fiction ruminations there as well! POV's: Multiple
Narrative:Third Person, Limited, Subjective

My first reaction when I finished Sword of the North was: You want gritty, this is like rubbing yourself all over with an emery board!

Sword of The North is possibly the darkest Grimdark novels I have read in quite some time. The world is broken, the characters are all in horrendous situations and the outlook is about as bleak as you can make it. There is horror and death around every corner and there is not much happening to convince people that The Age of Ruin is anything, but The Age of Ruin.

It could have easily been a pretty flat and depressing trudge. The amazing thing is, Scull has been able to make it sing and give it life through craftily bleeding little aspects of hope into the story that the reader can latch onto, little elements that might be a saving grace to keep the characters moving forward. There is also a streak of dark humour running through it, that comes from the strangest of places. Sarcastic wit, humorous violent rages and psychopathic thought processes all serve to create anything from sniggers to belly laughs.

Occasionally it is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster ride, which I think is one of the most important elements to keep grimdark interesting. At one stage, within 1% of the novel (according to the reader!), I had a tear of emotion, a belly laugh and the feeling of extreme betrayal. There is humour sidled beside death, and love beside hate. It creates such a heady atmosphere, and it kept me enthralled the whole way through.

The development of the characters between The Grim Company and Sword of the North is immense. The most outstanding aspect of this instalment, is that no matter how much action is whizzing about, the human aspect is never lost. Each of the points of view are dealing with demons that readers can relate to: drug addiction, ageing, bullying, disability and anxiety to name but a few.

There are two characters that go through the most obvious developments, but the progression I found most engaging is in Yllandris. The conceited, beautiful and powerful concubine of the King, has been broken down into an emotional and physical wreck. With it she becomes the champion of children lined up for sacrifice, and is willing to sacrifice herself to stop the reign of the Mad King. Her thought processes are fragile and beautiful, and where I disdained her in Grim Company, I fell in love with her in this. The great thing is, Yllandris is not the only character that is treated with consideration, almost all are changed and moulded anew by the events that have befallen them.

Brodar Kayne, the actual Sword of The North, is given some extra groundwork with flashback scenes to his past as a warrior, and his relationship with his wife and child; the driving force of his journey back to the Highlands. I'm usually not a big fan of flashbacks, but these actually served to broaden Kaynes character and reveal his motivations, not just pad out the book with superfluous meanderings.

The plot line is huge. There is so much going on in and around the two central themes that it had the potential to cause brain bleeds; but by keeping each spoke contained within each point of view, it doesn't become unwieldy in the slightest. At no point did I feel like I had missed a crucial element, or that I had been thrown so far wide of the 'real' plot that my attention started to wander off with it. It just flows so nicely, and by keeping the point of views in a regular pattern, it maintains a good structure, rather than jerking you out of one element and into the next, eliminating the potential for confusion.

The battle scenes are fast and furious, yet well enough written that there's no confusion as to where that arrows aimed or who is swinging what sword at who. Generally, the pacing was hard hitting all the way through, but well kept in check so there wasn't any time line clashing or underdeveloped ideas.

However (I always have at least one!), right near the end, things started to get so clamorous I started to lose track of where people were, what they were doing or why they were doing it. It just felt a little too hysterical for the real impact of the battle royale to sink in. I understand the need to make those events as chaotic as possible to create atmosphere, but pulling back and spreading it out, possibly would've left a mightier impression.

But,



This was fantastic! If you liked The Grim Company, you'll love Sword of The North! It's really a step above the first instalment, in both composition and development, but still with the characters you love (and possibly hate!). Abercrombie, Erikson and Lawrence (and so many others!) have some real competition on their hands with Scull advancing like this!

Harcopy Worthy? Nods head vigorously!

Major point taken: Always be careful when selecting a pet. ( )

I didn't end up finishing Sword of the North because I stopped being in the mood for grimdark, but that's not the book's fault. I'm excited for the war brewing and the consequences of dead gods everywhere and will be picking it back up when I'm in the right mood.