5 Books Like Prince of Thorns (By Mark Lawrence)

Are you a fan of fantasy books? If so, Prince of Thorns (2011) is perfect for you. Written by Mark Lawrence, this fantastic fantasy novel is the first book in the immersive series entitled The Broken Empire Trilogy.

Books Like Prince of Thorns (By Mark Lawrence)

Set in a fictional world that’s filled with magic, Prince of Thorns is a post-apocalyptic narrative located in Europe.

The narrative revolves around the protagonist Jorg Ancrath, who has experienced a traumatic life.

At a young age, Jorg witnessed his family being murdered. Motivated by vengeance, Jorg aims to ascend to take over the throne of the Broken Empire.

Jorg’s journey to the throne will be filled with treachery and pain.

The journey of this tragic character is coursed throughout the books in this series.

Prince of Thorns is followed by two other amazing books, namely King of Thorns (2012) and Emperor of Thorns (2013). So if you enjoyed Prince of Thorns, you can continue reading this breathtaking narrative.

If you are a fan of Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns, then you will utterly love books like Assassin’s Apprentice, The Warded Man, and The Blade Itself. Read here for five fantastic books to read after the Prince of Thorns.

Themes In Prince Of Thorns

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire Book 1)

As mentioned, Prince of Thorns covers themes such as feudalism, revenge, betrayal, trauma, and magic. So if you like the sound of these themes, then Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns is the perfect book for you!

As the book’s narrator, Jorg is fueled by revenge. Having witnessed the murder of his mother and brother, the book’s protagonist craves vengeance.

Jorg blames his father for failing to avenge his family. He forms a violent group of outlaws known as the Brotherhood as a way of fulfilling this desire.

Thanks to this dark backstory, Jorg becomes a figure of trauma. Throughout his life, he has experienced much trauma, which deeply impacts Jorg as a character.

Prince of Thorns also features royal intrigue and feudalism. Jorg wants to claim the Broken Empire’s royal throne.

The later books in the series continue this royal journey, as Jorg becomes king of this land.

As a fantasy book, Prince of Thorns also has some magical elements. So if you are looking for a grounded narrative, this may not be a suitable option for you.

Of course, the presence of magic is to be expected when it comes to fantasy novels.

Books Like Prince Of Thorns

Blood Song

Blood Song (A Raven's Shadow Novel, Book 1)

Anthony Ryan’s Blood Song is the original book in the bestselling fantasy series entitled A Raven’s Shadow. Ryan is a great fantasy storyteller. He creates a complex narrative that’s comparable to Prince of Thorns.

The superb series focuses on Vaelin Al Sorna, who was abandoned as a child by his father.

Left with the Sixth Order, Vaelin has become their latest recruit. Undergoing intense training, Vaelin is positioned to become a warrior serving the Faith. He must defend the Faith and the entire Realm.

Characterized by trauma, Vaelin is a protagonist that’s comparable to Jorg from Prince of Thorns.

The dark fantasy realm that Ryan crafts is similar to the world in this book series, meaning that fans of Prince of Thorns will likely enjoy this book.

Ideal for fantasy fanatics, you will enjoy Blood Song if you prefer darker narratives.

Pros

  • Ryan focuses on character development. Vaelin is a well-fleshed-out character. Even less significant characters, such as Nortah, are complex.
  • This high fantasy book is carefully crafted and the writing is exceptional (If you like high fantasy, check out books like Eragon and other books like it here).
  • The plot is unique and engaging.

Cons

  • Multiple editions of this book have been packed with spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.

Themes: Religion, Sacrifice, Warriors, Loyalty, Destiny.

Heroes Die

Heroes Die: The First of the Acts of Caine

Written by Matthew Stover, Heroes Die is a 1988 book that introduces readers to the dynamic and deadly Caine. Known throughout Ankhana, Caine is a famed assassin who has killed commoners and monarchs alike.

But on Earth, Caine is a celebrity named Hari Michaelson who is known for his amazing adventures on Ankhana.

His journey is watched by adoring fans across the globe. These fans ignore the fact that Caine has to kill real people for entertainment.

Things get worse for Caine when his wife is abducted, forcing him to go on a rescue mission to save her.

Heroes Die is a classic fantasy novel that has inspired many other brilliant books. Its focus on deadly vengeance missions means that Heroes Die is a great story to read once you’ve finished Prince of Thorns.

If you love adventure stories, Heroes Die is a superb suggestion. As a science fantasy book, Heroes Die is ideal for people who prefer fantasy books that are grounded by elements of reality.

Pros

  • The social commentary is well-handled. Stover makes a point about society’s greed and the human cost of entertainment without being too preachy.
  • Stover’s writing is engaging and action-packed.
  • This is a unique mix of science fiction with fantasy that works surprisingly well.

Cons

  • The plot occasionally feels too convoluted.

Themes: Heroes, Violence, Love, Adventure, Greed, Caste Society, Power.

The Blade Itself

The Blade Itself (The First Law: Book One)

Up next, The Blade Itself is a fantastic book about feuds and violence. It follows the enthralling lives of several fantasy characters.

As a result, author Joe Abercrombie can explore an expansive fantasy world from several different perspectives.

This includes Logen Ninefingers, a well-known and violent barbarian. After becoming involved in lots of different conflicts, Logen’s luck may have run out.

Another iconic character is Nobleman, a heroic officer who has a very different sense of morality from Logen.

The Blade Itself is a thrilling read that’s filled with memorable characters and lots of different narratives. It’s an excellent book to read following Prince of Thorns if you fancy a fantasy narrative a little more humorous.

We recommend reading The Blade Itself if you appreciate books with multiple character points of view, such as Game of Thrones.

Moreover, we recommend giving this book a try if you want a humor fantasy book that’s overflowing with action.

Pros

  • The book is incredibly character-focused. The characters feel realistic thanks to their numerous flaws.
  • The narrative is dark, but there is also plenty of humor.

Cons

  • The book feels like more of a prologue for the series than a full narrative.

Themes: Heroes, Villains, Magic, Violence, Conspiracies.

The Warded Man

The Warded Man: Book One of The Demon Cycle

In a terrifying fantasy world, supernaturally-empowered demons terrorize the night. Protected by dwindling magic, humanity finds itself in danger.

Thankfully, three survivors (Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer) are willing to fend off the darkness that threatens to consume humanity.

Peter V. Brett’s The Warded Man is a riveting tale of the battle between light and darkness. The dark fantasy vibe of the novel is ideal for Prince of Thrones enthusiasts.

This book is ideal for anyone seeking a narrative of rebellion. Brett creates a dynamic fantasy world, which is ideal for people who are easily gripped by fictional worlds.

The book is a mature read that covers some serious themes.

Pros

  • The world-building of The Warded Man is wonderful.
  • It’s easy to read. The book is a quick page-turner.

Cons

  • The quality of the writing between the three main characters is a little inconsistent.

Themes: Darkness, Rebellion, Tragedy, The Supernatural

Assassin’s Apprentice

Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)

Our final pick is Robin Hobb’s fantasy novel Assassin’s Apprentice. This 1995 novel launches The Farseer Trilogy, which is an epic fantasy series inspired by Arthurian legend.

Assassin’s Apprentice introduces FitzChivalry Farseer, the compelling star of this series, and his bewildering friend the Fool. As the illegitimate son of Prince Chivalry, Fitz was shunned from the royal court.

But Fitz is given another purpose. Instead, he is secretly trained to become an assassin. Eventually, Fitz is given his first deadly mission. Over the course of this book, readers will follow Fitz on this fantastic journey.

Pros

  • Fitz is a really fun and interesting narrator who has a good dynamic with the Fool.
  • The characters are flawed and relatable despite the fantasy setting.
  • Robb’s writing is of exceptional quality. She merges a modern style with prose that is associated with fantasy to create a unique writing style.

Cons

  • It can be hard for readers to keep up with all the small plot arcs that form this book.

Themes: Fate, Coming of Age, Magic, Royalty, Social Class, Significance of Names, Free Will.

Final Thoughts

If you were left emotionally distraught after reading Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns, the good news is that there are lots of different books for you to read!

The above suggestions are ideal if you’ve enjoyed this book and its predecessors. You’ll likely love these brilliant books if you enjoyed the plot and themes of Prince of Thorns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Book Comes After Prince of Thorns?

The first book in the series is followed by King of Thorns. This sensational sequel follows Jorg as he is haunted by his past actions.

Is Prince of Thorns Dark?

Yes, Prince of Thorns is a dark narrative. Its plot is serious and covers weighty themes that may not be suitable for all readers.

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Anna Davis