Jorg Ancrath is fourteen, leads a band of murderers, and plans to become emperor. He is not a good person. Lawrence dares you to root for the worst protagonist in fantasy — and somehow you do. The debut that kicked open grimdark's door and burned the doorframe.
Clean — violence, not romance.
Skip if you dislike:
Moods: Dark Violent Compelling Anti-Hero
Tropes: Child Anti-Hero Revenge Quest Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Road of Thorns
He does terrible things. Lawrence makes you understand why without excusing any of it.
Yes — The Broken Empire trilogy.
Yes — a fantasy world built on the ruins of our own civilization.