I've reviewed this series before. I'm on record as a fan. Indeed, in general, Joe Abercrombie has yet to let me down in any of his novels. This one is no exception, though if pressed, I would say that this is the least of this particular series. 

It's the third in the series and concludes the story of the Shattered Sea and the many rises and falls of the royals trying to stay alive in the ever changing war for the united kingdoms. Each of the novels in the series have focused on a young person finding their way in the cruel world presented. This time one of the fun bits of the book is trying to figure out who was going to survive long enough to actually grow into something interesting. Indeed all of the previous protagonists make their way into the pages of this story and in true Abercrombie fashion i winced at every appearance knowing that no one was safe. Indeed, the deaths that do happen cut deep and though often happening "off screen" they are truly felt for the long time fans.

I found the middle of the book to stretch into abstraction, and one of the big reveals of the series falls a little flat as I found it hard to reconcile with the work that's come before it. That said it's made up for in the conclusion, which is certainly one of the most satisfying of anything Abercrombie has given us before. Indeed I fully expected the planet to explode with all the characters getting their comeuppance or proper reward. I found myself considering it for several days afterward.

Half a War receives three stars out of five.