Prince Yarvi is on the verge of renouncing his royal title to join the ministry, a type of priesthood that serves as physicians and advisors. Suddenly, a brutal murder throws him into onto the throne and embroils him in a world of political intrigue, treason and betrayal.

“Strange, how quickly a king could become an animal.”

Yarvi faces a world of blood and chains using wit and wisdom and slowly discovers the depth of human loyalty and treachery.

Why is this on our bookshelf?

Swords, wisdom, kingdoms at war— this is an entrancing fantasy world complete with blood feuds, solemn oaths, complex characters and murky motives.

Rating (4 stars)

I couldn’t stop turning pages. I couldn’t stop turning pages.

There were so many characters with moral ambiguity, I almost wished for plain and  simple good vs. evil. Suffering and strife and the motivating power of revenge played heavily on the plot of this book. Filled with plot twists, the revelations kept on coming right past the climatic end.

Yarvi’s story, and that of his companions was a fascinating one and although I cared for them right up until the end, I’m left unsure about my own feelings regarding Yarvi himself.

Part of that is what makes Half a King so thought-provoking. However, for me, I was slightly unsatisfied— I suppose I was looking for an end with more redemption for characters than I found.