Half a King

As a rule, I don't usually read YA because I hate all the common tropes. But apparently I am reading anything Joe Abercrombie ever wrote, and I have no regrets. Half A King was absolutely fantastic.

Prince Yarvi was born a cripple, with only one hand, and in his viking-like kingdom, everyone treats him like a cripple, especially his father the king, and his brother, the heir. However, due to treachery King and heir are killed, and instead of becoming a scholar, Yarvi inherits the throne. But he also experiences treachery, and ends up having his throne stolen from him, working as a galley slave. Yet he's sworn an oath to avenge himself, and it turns out this cripple of a boy has great strength of will.

I loved Yarvi, I loved his intrepid crew of companions. I shipped him with Sumael, and I applauded the end. It's pretty dark for YA, and unlike the First Law books, there's none of the deeply dark humour. It's just a dark and cold story of a very likeable boy.