From the publisher that brought you Game of Thrones... Prince of Thorns is the first volume in a powerful new epic fantasy trilogy; original; absorbing and challenging. Before the thorns taught me their sharp lessons and bled weakness from me I had but one brother; and I loved him well. But those days are gone and what is left of them lies in my mother's tomb. Now I have many brothers; quick with knife and sword; and as evil as you please. We ride this broken empire and loot its corpse. They say these are violent times; the end of days when the dead roam and monsters haunt the night. All that's true enough; but there's something worse out there; in the dark. Much worse. From being a privileged royal child; raised by a loving mother; Jorg Ancrath has become the Prince of Thorns; a charming; immoral boy leading a grim band of outlaws in a series of raids and atrocities. The world is in chaos: violence is rife; nightmares everywhere. Jorg has the ability to master the living and the dead; but there is still one thing that puts a chill in him. Returning to his father's castle Jorg must confront horrors from his childhood and carve himself a future with all hands turned against him. Mark Lawrence's debut novel tells a tale of blood and treachery; magic and brotherhood and paints a compelling and brutal; and sometimes beautiful; picture of an exceptional boy on his journey toward manhood and the throne.