The Wounded King has to be one of the most intensely gripping novels that I have read in such a long time, with its words seeping into my very soul never to be forgotten. From the moment you read the first sentence you find yourself becoming lost within such an engrossing story that is truly original, idiosyncratic and unique. Jonathan Winn is an author with obdurate creative ideas that blow you away, leaving you sat breathless as you try to take it all in. The electric tension, drama and suspense had me sat on the very edge of my seat throughout as I read the entire novel in only a few hours, lost within the compelling and dramatic story. The short, direct sentences add to the apprehension, alongside beautiful description that brings each individual character to life.
Within the city of Uruk people pray to the Gods, offering up blood sacrifices in the hope that they may be saved from the darkness that lingers in the shadows. A controlled Goddess takes the blade and cuts away the flesh of those offerings to the dark God's, with their blood spilt on the stones containing bones that whisper and their flesh being burned in fire. An inspired idea that is gruesome and yet exceptional in its construction, by an accomplished and incredible writer. The almost King's father is dead and as his brother (the current king) also lies on his deathbed, being given poison to drink, the startling truth is revealed in all its sickening and horrific glory. Lies, Gods, Demons and darkness this is just the start of an epic tale about the war between the light and the dark. One quote that I particularly loved and found distinctive was "...like they swallowed the sun" which sums up perfectly the deadliest foe. As more characters begin to pass beyond the veil into death, the realization of his desperate situation is exposed. "The most powerful of men...utterly powerless to change what must be changed." The priests and the Elder are powerful but more so is the terrifying growing darkness that was present before the time of Dark Gods, ancient Gods or God's that swallowed the sun. Sadly his mother fed the darkness on her flesh and the flesh of others, with her insanity believing that she would have life everlasting and be thus able to sit beside the God's herself; being both delusional and gullible to lies. As the great mission begins to rectify the horrendous situation and the future that will ultimately lead to his fate (chapter 12), the haunting screams begin as one begins to burn from within. The twist in the story (where the unexpected happens) and the sensational, tense cliffhanger ending, leaves you wanting to read on and find out more.
I was so impressed by this book that was gory, bloodthirsty, full of intensity and spine chilling moments that really take your breath away. Once you begin to read on and really understand what the author is trying to express to the reader and convey within the writing, then you start to loose yourself within such a fascinating and interesting tale that is so clever and deeply planned. The world that the author creates is so remarkable and astonishing, with all the elements and detail that bring everything so realistically to life (i.e. when picturing the King with his bleeding scars and crusted eyelids, cracked lips and a swollen tongue). I just loved it and cannot wait to read more, including The Elder: the martuk series.
