I've read my fair share of fantasy. Joe Abercrombie is quietly writing his way into a great fantasy world of independent stories. To be fair this is no Game of Thrones, this is better. 
 Along The Shattered Sea, is a collection of kingdoms dominated by The High King who is old and not entirely popular. He has asked that all of the smaller kingdoms not wage war until he has finished his Temple to the One God. This request is ignored and war in sues. During a raid party, a king is killed along with his son; therefore, the second in line must be installed. This feeble young man, Prince Yarvi, is studying to be a political minister not a king for battle. He is too small to wear armor. Too weak to carry a shield, born with only one good hand, and too dumb to know that his loving Uncle wants the crown. After a failed raid against their enemies is taken prisoner, sold into slavery and begins to plan his revenge. With the help of his oarmates, and some dumb luck, he gains his freedom and begins the long journey home. 
 The book is a great look into a broken world full political distrust, slave trading, sea merchants, and kings bent on glory not leadership. What is not here is the epic battles on open fields with orcs and sorcery. No this is a story about living in a harsh world full of greed and anger. I looking forward to the next one in the series. 
 I received an ARC from NetGalley.