This splendid second installment in the Shattered Sea epic fantasy series (after Half a King) shifts focus from cunning Prince Yarvi-now Father Yarvi-to Thorn Bathu, an ordinary young woman who's stubbornly determined to become a fighter. Thorn wants to follow in the footsteps of her father, a great warrior, but she must endure not only the pain of training but also prejudice from the master-at-arms. When Thorn's sword breaks during her final test, it smashes her dreams-and turns her into a murderer. Father Yarvi steps in to save Thorn and give her a place on one of his ships, but soon she realizes she's become a pawn in his deep, complicated political games. Abercrombie has a knack for building characters with pathos and wit. Both plot and setting are believable, and readers will easily immerse themselves in Thorn and Yarvi's world. The fast-paced story draws readers along while setting up what promises to be an explosive final showdown. Agent: Robert Kirby, United Agents. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Thorn is a rarity in Gettland-a girl seeking to become a warrior. When she's accused of murder by her teacher after a death in the training square, her plans of serving in the king's raiders fall to ash. When Brand, a boy in her cohort, speaks up in her defense, his ambitions are similarly destroyed. Father Yarvi (the hero of the series' first book, Half a King), Gettland's cunning minister, takes the two youths under his wing as members of his crew on a diplomatic mission seeking allies for their small nation in a doomed rebellion against the High King who plots against them. Both protagonists must strive to become something more than tools or weapons in the hands of greater powers. This Norse-style series is somewhat less adult-oriented than most of Abercrombie's previous work but still has plenty of his trademark gory action and grim consequences. Narrator John Keating does a lively job with a fast-paced story, though his broad accent for Thorn's dialog may be a bit much for some American listeners. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Viking-style adventure, young heroes, and bloody tales of betrayal and revenge. ["This could just as easily be enjoyed by the adult fans who loved Abercrombie's `First Blade' trilogy as by the teen audience to which it is also being promoted": LJ 1/15 review of the Del Rey: Ballantine hc.]-Jason Puckett, Georgia State Univ. Lib., Atlanta © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The second, independently intelligible, entry in the Shattered Sea trilogy, following Half a King (2014). In the previous volume, Prince Yarvi of Gettlandhe was born with a withered hand to warrior folk (they resemble Vikings) who value only strengthsurvived great challenges to become Father Yarvi, now minister (counselor) to King Uthil. But the ancient High King, prodded by the wicked, conniving Grandmother Wexen, has formed a grand alliance against Gettland. In secret, Yarvi evolves a scheme to break the High King's ring of steel by forming alliances with the powerful but distant Empress of the South. Meanwhile, young Thorn Bathu yearns desperately to become a warrior (the first female such) in order to avenge her father. During her trial of passage she defeats fellow hopeful Brand, but unsatisfied, Master Hunnan orders her to fight three men at once. Thorn accidentally kills one, and Hunnan names her a murderer. To save her from execution, Brand courageously tells Yarvi the truth of what happened. Seeing Thorn's potential, Yarvi takes her under his wing and, along with Brand, assembles a crew of cutthroats and desperados to make the long, harrowing trip south. They'll be joined by Skifr, a deadly woman fighter who steals forbidden elf-relics for a living. Skifr will train Thorn to be the most lethal combatant in the entire crewbut Thorn, Brand, Yarvi and the rest will need all their formidable talents merely to survive. Again, well-handled for the most partthe thrillingly implausible action, nearly all sword, very little sorcery, is a given, with the intriguingly delicate scheming woven into the backdrop. More predictable are the romantic complications. Superior in nearly all respects, just lacking that authentic spark of true originality. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

This stand-alone sequel to the author's popular Half a King (2014) features a new protagonist: 16-year-old Thorn, who finds herself pressed into service to Father Yarvi, the cunning minister to King Uthil of Gettland and his queen, Laithlin. Thorn will accompany Yarvi on a voyage designed to turn enemies into friends and allies as Gettland faces the possibility of war with the High King. Along the way, she will be trained in fighting by a woman named Skifr, whom some call a witch, and find her feelings for a boy named Brand changing after many a twist and turn from bilious to (sigh) . . . tender. Though the story gets off to a slow start, the action quickly picks up and proceeds, buckety-buckety, apace. Though never subtle and often portentous and occasionally pretentious the tale is nevertheless awash in high deeds and redolent of romance, while Thorn is a strong female protagonist to be reckoned with. Though not terribly original, the novel will nevertheless resonate with fantasy fans, who will look forward to a promised third in the series.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2015 Booklist