Prince of Thorns was an ideal palate cleanser for me. My last book had a perfectly cheesy happy ending that I found quite unsatisfactory in its realism. This one was altogether different - and all the better for it. 
 I have to confess to thoroughly enjoying the casual brutality and complete lack of empathy displayed by Jorg and his merry band of murderers, looters and rapists. What a delightful change from the 'must save the world' fantasy hero. These guys want to conquer the world and, if they fail, they'll burn it instead. As I said, delightful! 
 The world-building is intriguing. At the start I believed it to be a typical fantasy environment with its castles, kings and magic, but as the book progresses, the author begins to drop hints that all is not what you assumed. Kudos to Mark Lawrence for the way he weaves this element of the story into his writing. It's subtle at the start, and I may even have missed a clue or two, but it builds until your mind is feverishly speculating. I always enjoy having my perceptions upended and this was a good 'un! 
 The end of the book was deliciously bloody and I'm looking forward to discovering the next stage of Jorg's dysfunctional journey.