Half a War Book 3 cover art

Half a War Book 3

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

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 . . .

 Action & Adventure Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Classics Royalty War Scary

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
All stars
Most relevant

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I fully understand it is a book aimed at young adults, but with the rather 'choice' language used Mr Abercrombie is setting the age appropriate bar rather high. I felt the story in the first two books justified this but here it seemed to run out of steam. I really enjoyed the fact that Father Yarvi had was not the main character, allowing him to go off and do his dark deeds but, sadly thought it ended with a whimper not a bang.

Would you be willing to try another book from Joe Abercrombie? Why or why not?

Yes! I have loved all his books bar this one.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Ben Elliot?

Steven Pacey, no brainer.....

Any additional comments?

The Hunger Games needed no swearing....

A tad disappointed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Something less predictable, please.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Again another good book by this author,clearly thought out,full of imperfect people,and strong characters

An other good book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
it was an ok read , but I'd recommend it mostly for 14 -16 year olds

quite childish

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Superb tale of poliotics and death

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews