This trilogy consists of Prince of Fools, The Liar’s Key, and The Wheel of Osheim. When I started reading these books I hoped they would be told from the perspective of the Red Queen who appears briefly in Emperor of Thorns and is quite fascinating. However, instead, the main character is her grandson Jal. I disliked Jal from the outset and, unlike Jorg, he never really grew on me.
Jal is a habitual liar and a coward and although he gets a bit less cowardly towards the end he never stops lying to himself. The nature of lies and lying is explored deeply and perhaps this is Lawrence’s aim. The Liar’s Key (related to the Norse trickster God Loki) is interesting in itself. So are the angelic and demonic beings who possess Jal and his companion, Snorri, in turn.
I liked the Norseman, Snorri, whose character is summed up by the scene where he is captured and forced to fight in a betting ring. After defeating a bear he asks for a bigger bear. I also liked the Silent Sister and Jal’s uncle who is confined to his bed by his disabilities, yet still plays a leading role.
The best part of the trilogy was the final third where we find out more about the Builders and the nuclear disaster that nearly destroyed our world. However, as Jal really grated on me, it was a struggle to get to the end.