Keith Mack
Joe Abercrombie's 'Half a King' is the first book in the Shattered Sea trilogy, set in a Viking-like fantasy world. The story follows the coming of age of Yarvi, a prince born with a crippled hand, deemed a weakling by his father. In this world, God either shattered into 409 pieces or has many facets, and magic exists through connections to the Other Side. With only one good hand, Yarvi must sharpen his mind instead of his axe, and with a fellowship of outcasts, he embarks on a journey to reclaim his throne. While 'Half a King' is set in a different universe to Abercrombie's First Law books, it shares a similar depth and grittiness, with excellent character work and a strong cast of distinct personalities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Joe Abercrombie |
| Book Number | First in the Shattered Sea trilogy |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic Scandinavia in the far future |
| Main Character | Prince Yarvi, second son of King Uthrik of Gettland |
| Main Character's Traits | Born with a crippled hand, unable to be a warrior, has a sharp mind |
| Plot | Prince Yarvi's journey to reclaim his throne after being betrayed by his family |
| Target Audience | Younger audience |
| Related Works | Half the World, Half a War, First Law series |
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What You'll Learn
The story's coming-of-age theme
"Half a King", the first book of the Shattered Sea trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, is a coming-of-age story about the adventures of Yarvi, a 15-year-old prince with a crippled hand.
Born with a crippled hand, Yarvi is unable to fulfil the traditional male role in his warrior society. Instead, he pursues an academic and advisory career with the Ministry. After his father and elder brother are killed, Yarvi is thrust into a leadership role and leads a retaliatory raid against Grom-gil-Gorm, only to be betrayed by his uncle and his mother's Chosen Shield, Hurik.
Using his wits and Ministry training, Yarvi exposes the dishonest steward Ankram and plots an escape with fellow slave and ships-navigator, Sumael. Their ship sinks, and the survivors—Yarvi, Sumael, Ankram, Jaud, Rulf, and a mysterious slave named Nothing—set off on foot for Gettland. They are pursued by Shadikshirram and eventually forced to turn and fight, winning the battle but losing Ankram.
Yarvi and his companions are captured by Grom-gil-Gorm, but Yarvi reveals his true identity and makes a deal with their captors. He becomes Father Yarvi, chief advisor to the King of Gettland.
The story explores themes of power, betrayal, revenge, endurance, loyalty, and family, as Yarvi navigates a world where he must rely on his intellect rather than physical strength to survive and thrive.
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Yarvi's physical disability
Yarvi, the protagonist of Half a King in the First Law world, has a congenital disability in his left hand. This disability has severe social consequences in his Viking-inspired culture, as it means he cannot hold a shield in a shield wall.
The inability to hold a shield in a shield wall is a significant disadvantage for Yarvi, as the shield wall is a crucial formation in Viking warfare. It requires each warrior to hold their shield, creating an interlocking wall of protection for the group. Yarvi's disability likely affects his ability to fight effectively and may impact his standing among his peers.
The social consequences of Yarvi's disability extend beyond the battlefield. In a society that values physical ability and strength, Yarvi's impairment may be seen as a sign of weakness or inferiority. He may face discrimination, ostracism, or be viewed as less capable or worthy due to his disability.
Despite the challenges posed by his disability, Yarvi's character demonstrates resilience and adaptability. He must find alternative ways to contribute and prove his worth beyond physical strength. This could involve developing other skills or abilities that are valued in his society, such as leadership, intelligence, or strategic thinking.
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The post-apocalyptic setting
The novel Half a King is set in a post-apocalyptic Scandinavia in the distant future. The world has regressed to a medieval state following a cataclysmic event. The remnants of modern-day buildings and technology are attributed by most people to "the Elves" (who are actually present-day humans). The map of the Shattered Sea closely resembles that of the Baltic Sea, with the main kingdoms of Gettland, Vansterland, Throvenland, and Skekenhouse making up what is now Sweden and Denmark.
The story follows Prince Yarvi, the second son of King Uthrik of Gettland, who was born with a crippled hand. In this warrior society, Yarvi is seen as a weakling and is unable to fulfil the traditional male role. Instead, he pursues an academic and advisory career with the Ministry. However, when his father and elder brother are killed, Yarvi finds himself thrust into a leadership role, leading a retaliatory raid against the neighbouring king, Grom-Gil-Gorm of Vansterland.
The world of Half a King is separate from the First Law universe created by Joe Abercrombie. While it shares some similarities, such as a Viking-inspired setting, it is aimed at a younger audience and has a more simplified plot. The First Law series is set in an epic fantasy world on the brink of an industrial revolution, where magic still exists, and demons once inhabited the world alongside humans.
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The Viking-like world
The world of 'Half a King' is a Viking-like epic fantasy realm, with a Scandinavian/Anglo-Saxon/Dark Age feel. It is set in a completely separate universe to Joe Abercrombie's more well-known First Law books and is aimed at a younger audience.
The story is set in a world at war, on the verge of an Industrial Revolution. Long ago, the world was inhabited by both Demons and Humans. Then, hundreds or thousands of years ago, Euz, a half-Demon, half-Human with magical powers, banished the Demons. However, magic still exists, relying on connections to the Other Side, where the Demons live.
The specific setting of 'Half a King' is a post-apocalyptic Scandinavia in the far future. After a cataclysm, society has regressed to a medieval state. Present-day buildings and technology are believed to have been created by "the Elves" (actually present-day humans). The map of the Shattered Sea is similar to that of the Baltic Sea, with the main kingdoms of Gettland, Vansterland, Throvenland, and Skekenhouse making up what is now Sweden and Denmark.
The world of 'Half a King' is populated by a host of distinct and well-realized characters, including the protagonist, Prince Yarvi, a reluctant heir to the throne of Gettland, who has a crippled hand. Yarvi's progression and character growth throughout the story are captivating and believable, as he navigates a brutal world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule.
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Yarvi's quest for vengeance
Yarvi's desire for vengeance fuels his determination to regain the throne he never wanted. He survives cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea, all while navigating his disability. With his sharp mind as his deadliest weapon, Yarvi gathers a fellowship of outcasts and the lost, who help him become the man he needs to be.
In his quest for vengeance, Yarvi becomes Father Yarvi, chief advisor to the King of Gettland. He uncovers the betrayal of his mentor, Mother Gundring, who conspired against his father on orders from the High King and Grandmother Wexen. Mother Gundring meets her end, and Yarvi's vengeance takes him on a diplomatic mission to the High King's capital, Skekenhouse. Accompanied by Thorn, a legendary warrior, Yarvi's journey is filled with political intrigue and the forging of new alliances.
As Yarvi's vengeance unfolds, he offers Brand, a young warrior struggling with the act of killing, a place as helmsman on his ship. However, Brand confronts Yarvi about his morally questionable actions, including poisoning the King, an act of high treason. Despite the challenges and confrontations, Yarvi persists in his quest for vengeance, navigating a world of blood and deceit to reclaim his rightful place.
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Frequently asked questions
'Half a King' is the first book in the Shattered Sea trilogy, written by Joe Abercrombie. It follows the story of Prince Yarvi, a prince of Gettland with a crippled hand, who has been betrayed by his family and vows to reclaim his throne.
No, 'Half a King' is set in a completely separate universe to the First Law books. However, it is still a fantasy world, with a Viking-like setting that is slowly revealed to be a post-apocalyptic Scandinavia in the far future.
'Half a King' has received generally positive reviews, with praise for its characters, dialogue, and plot. Some readers have found it to be a simpler story compared to Abercrombie's other works, but still worth reading or listening to.
