When I first started reading Son of the Poison Rose, I thought this one’s not for me. It didn’t take long for me to become completely gripped in this epic fantasy. Kagen Vale is a wanted man and on the run from a powerful enemy, his own brother, the Witch-king. This story is vast with battles, great characters, and a healthy dose of magic. There were twists that I didn’t see coming. The ending promised that more great action is to come.

Action-packed second installment of the Kagen the Damned saga. Darker magics plague Kagen on this more perilous leg of his quest to defeat the Witch-King. Even with all his allies, can he hope to bring destruction to the ruler of chaos?

We also get tantalizing glimpses into the long history of the world which lies tens of thousands of years in our future!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

Jonathan Maberry’s foray into epic dark fantasy with Son of the Poison Rose is a fantastic continuation of the series featuring Kagen Vale. He was the captain of the palace guard and protector of the royal children of the Silver Empire. One night when he is off-duty, the entire imperial family is killed and the Silver Empire is in ruins throughout all of its nation states. Kagen feels abandoned, heartbroken, and haunted. He plans to kill the Witch-king of Hakkia with help from his friends Filia and Tuke. However, he has to survive being the most wanted man in the world, build an army of fighters, and find magical weapons.

Kagen is a strong character with plenty of good qualities, but also many flaws. However, he initially isn’t very likeable. His petulance, guilt, and rage consume him. Can he find a way to regain his balance, regain his honor, fight for justice, and overcome magic and sorcery? The supporting and adversarial characters are well drawn and unforgettable.

Maberry’s writing is always great, but his world-building in this series is fantastic. There was a strong sense of time and place causing me to feel transported, as though living the events alongside the characters. There was a balance between cultural elements, historical events, and action that made the reading experience an immersive one.

While the epilogue helped, there are still a lot of unresolved threads for future books in the series. Themes include religious persecution, battles, heroes, how history can be altered or slanted by those recording it, treatment of the defeated and dead, magic, sorcery, grief, stress, betrayal, and much more. An extremely useful character list is included at the end of the book.

Overall, this was suspenseful and action packed with compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading the next one. If you are looking for a dark epic fantasy with twists, action, and a few surprises, then this series is one you may want to check out.

St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Jonathan Maberry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for January 10, 2023.

Seriously, how is it that Kagen can be so frustratingly annoying one moment and such a complete hero of a badass the next? Once again, Kagen the damned who mostly feels sorry for his lot in life yet determined to avenge the deaths of his family and the imperial family sets off on the next phase of this adventure with Tuke and Filia set off in search of Mother Frey to find out what she has planned.
The story picks up after his attempt on the life of the witch-king. The Witch-King, now joined by a new character known as the Prince of Games, someone not quite human who feels that his fate is tied to the Witch-Kings success in defeating Kagen.
Once again, story was just so freaking entertaining! I love the characters, the storyline is engaging and the world building is superb. If you loved Kagen the Damned you will NOT be disappointed in second book of this series. I cannot wait for the next book! Hopefully it comes as quickly as this book did!

Son of the Poison Rose: A Kagen the Damned Novel by Jonathan Maberry is a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue. Follow Kagen, a cursed immortal, as he navigates a world of danger and mystery. With a gripping plot and captivating characters, this novel is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Son of the Poison Rose is an epic historical fantasy, and the second in the Kagen the Damned Series, which I highly recommend you read in order.

We have a lot of characters sprawling across multiple lands, each with unique histories and magic and all sorts of dangerous (mis)adventure. This is the kind of book that risks losing me within the vast scope and splintering plot.

But that never happened. And not once did I get the urge to skim. I didn’t want to skip even a word.

The depth and complexities of the characters make them feel walk-off-the-page real.

The plot is intricate without being convoluted or overly complicated.

The twist was a literal jaw-dropping moment for me.

This series is described as “The Witcher meets Game of Thrones,” which is a perfect summation. Yet the story and characters also manage to be fully unique and original.

Son of the Poison Rose releases January 10. Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC! But please don’t tell me I have to wait an entire year for book 3!

I really enjoyed Kagen the dammed and was looking forward to book 2, however it fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the book enough to move forward and I enjoyed the last 15%, however I believe that this one was just missing something.

More the same way in the first book, the characters stay about the same, but they were well developed in book one so this book continues for the plot of the story rather than character development.

ARC provided by St Martins Press and Netgalley
**Spoilers for Kagen the Damned**

Kagen Vale: Disgraced warrior, knife fighter extraordinaire, hunted, on the run and searching for the means to end the Witch-king of Hakkia, who's only goal is to see Kagen dead. Son of the Poisoned Rose drops us right back into the fray as Kagen, Filia and Tuke try to outrun the forces of Argentium and get far away so they can rest and make a plan. The other players in the mix: Mother Frey, King Al-huk, Gavran & Foscor, Nespar, Kestral and Ravensmere are all plotting and scheming not only how to find Kagen, but also how to protect their own lives. With everyone working towards different ends, Kagen finally meets up with Mother Frey only to learn he has to return to the deadly jungles of Vespia to locate several magical texts that may help in defeating the Witch-king. There are furious sea battles, more cursed creatures and viscous beings that Kagen, Tuke and Filia all encounter in the quest locate the hidden books.
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first. I love the political machinations and maneuvers of the various parties as they work for any edge in the war they all know is coming. The feel and tension is a bit more slow burn as all the different POV's work thru their plotting but I was always engaged in the story and eager to see where everything was heading. There are several major new players that have come to the aid of the Witch-king and definitely up the creep factor. Kagen also finds some unexpected support in his efforts and I love how his nightbirds stick with him. The core of the story is still Kagen, Tuke and Filia and their dedication to each other and the ultimate goal is really the best part of the series. Tuke and his exclamations are still hilarious and he has become a favorite side character. Enjoyed the addition of Kagen's brothers, Faulker and Jekhlan to the mix as well. That twist at the end.....totally didn't see it coming. I think this sets up what should be a terrific conclusion to the series!!

In the second installment of the Kagen the Damned series, we follow Kagen and his companions’ journey to find support against the Witch-king. During this time, Kagen is faced with coming to terms with a pretty significant revelation exposed at the end of the first novel. Every step of the way increases our scope of the expansive world in which Kagen lives. From the cold north filled with glaciers and secrets to jungle kingdoms with lost knowledge to neighboring countries struggling to keep power - each adds a piece to the larger story that is the former Silver Empire. There is never a dull moment when the Witch-king is hunting you down (zombies, dark magic, cults, creatures from other dimensions…).

The second book in a series can sometimes be a difficult one, however in this case the world building was well done, unique and interesting in each aspect that was covered. We also learn that Kagen is a pretty exceptional character. Seeing how he views himself concurrently with his two companions is a fun contrast in personalities and perspectives. It is also a nice reprieve from the intensely serious and dark moments. I enjoyed the threads of story following the Witch-king and his staff, and those of the greater world outside the Kagen bubble too. This novel really sets you up for an expanding world and for more adventuring in book three. 5 stars.

Review based on an uncorrected digital galley provided by St. Martin’s Publishing Group and NetGalley. Thank you!

This is not going to be the book for everyone. It’s quite grim and gory. And it does lean from fantasy over into Lovecraftian horror, so you know nothing is going to go right for anyone good and decent…. However the 209 chapter book is fast paced and entertaining. If you like watching a dumb monster movie just to see who gets eaten next this series would be a good choice for you. You really should start with book one though. I am surprised how entertaining I found this two books. I usually prefer lighter, less horror filled stories but I’ll happily read the next book in this series.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: January 10, 2023
“Son of the Poison Rose” is the second installment in Jonathan Maberry’s Kagen the Damned series. In this story, Kagen Vale is on the run from the Witch-King, who is not only the most evil and powerful man in Hakkia, but he also happens to be Kagen’s brother. Along with his friends and members of the Unbladed, Kagen strives to raise his own army, while uncovering some magic weapons of his own, before the final conquest can begin. Enemies are everywhere and a Red Plague is sweeping the country, turning living beings into undead monsters, but Kagen knows the hardest battle of all will be facing his once beloved brother and fighting him to the death, in order to save the kingdom.
This novel was a rough one for me. First, it was long (or at least it felt that way) and I struggled to get through it more than once. If I had not been offered this novel as a review copy, I probably wouldn’t have finished it, to be honest. A large part of this could be, of course, that I have not read the first novel in the series so the characters and the settings were completely new. “Poison Rose” was not that difficult to follow, however, considering I knew nothing going in, but the writing structure was sloppy in places and that didn’t help the readability.
The story is told from the perspective of many, many characters (primarily Kagen of course), in third person. There are remnants of this novel that reminded me of “Game of Thrones” (especially the Undead army and the literal battle over the throne), with some pirate swashbuckling, robot-type soldiers, and poison swords thrown in for extra adventure.
Maberry is a new author for me, although he has several books under his belt (outside of this series). It takes a certain kind of author to pull me in, and there are few fantasy series that I actually outright enjoyed. Sadly, this series isn’t one of them and I won’t be exploring other “Kagen the Damned” novels, but Maberry does have writing talent and I can see this novel appealing to certain readers.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Jonathan Maberry and Netgalley.
It seems that I may be going against the grain on this book, but I just wasn't that "into it!"
Don't get me wrong, because it was good, but it definitely had that second or middle book feel to it.
Hey, I'm as surprised as anyone! Me? Not totally loving a Maberry book? Weird!
I just felt that there was a whole lot of traveling and talking and some fighting...but not much else getting done. Yes, I was impatient as hell and wanting stuff "more stuff" to happen!
Still...I did end up enjoying the book. Now I'm ready for more. Can't wait for more!

Kagen Vale is back and better than ever! He is on the run from the Witch King after the events of the first book. He and his companions are reeling after barely escaping with their lives, with the true identity of the Witch King rattling around in Kagen's mind. There is a huge bounty on his head as he attempts to put together some sort of plan to defeat the Witch King. Magic and mayhem ensue. Cannot wait for the third in this series. (Yes, there MUST be a third!)

*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this e-arc.*

As with his deservedly popular Joe Ledger series, Jonathan Maberry creates an intriguing and consistently interesting dark fantasy-horror hybrid with his Kagen the Damned books. I flat-out loved the first installment and this second offering, Son of the Poison Rose is almost as good.

Picking up hot on the heels of the Witch-King's thwarted coronation, Kagen and his small band of not-so-merry warriors and friends, Tuke and Filia, are on the run from an emergent empire that wants them dead and has placed an enormous bounty on their heads. With much of the first half of Son of the Poison Rose fixated on Kagen and company going into hiding and palace intrigue amongst the Witch-King and his brainwashed "children," it takes much longer for this entry to build up a good head of steam. Whereas Kagen the Damned quite literally hit the ground running, thrusting readers straight into a mad and violent sneak attack to topple an empire, this book carries the burden of being a (presumably) middle-entry in a (presumed) trilogy (but hell, I'll certainly take more if the story merits!). The plotting and pacing are much more measured and involved here, setting up several of the pieces to fall later on down the road.

While there are a fair bit of heroic theatrics for Kagen to get involved with, it also feels a bit more weighted down with Kagen and his companions resting at an inn, and eating, and traveling, and resting some more. Even then it's hard to stop turning the pages thanks to the sincere camaraderie binding our heroic triumvirate and the teasing of horrors that await them. It's not until they meet up with a member of the cabal opposing the Haakian overthrow of the Silver Empire that things draw into closer focus and Kagen is given an opportunity to go on the offensive rather than playing defense as he does for much of the book's first half. Dispatched to Vespia, a hidden city in the rainforest populated by cannibals and where even the fiercest warriors fear to read, Kagen must recover the Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan, which promise to end the Witch-King once and for all!

Oh, if only it were that simple, eh?

The biggest draw of the Kagen series for me is Maberry's incorporation of Lovecraftian lore. The Witch-King himself is a devotee of the Shepard god, Hastur, and in a nod to Robert W. Chambers's pre-Lovecraft weird fantasy is often referred to as The King in Yellow. Tuke and his fellow Therians are Dagon worshippers, while other folks follow and wait for the awakening of their sleeping god, Cthulhu. There's plenty of terrific world-building happening throughout this series, and Son of the Poison Rose offers some tantalizing clues about Kagen's place within Maberry's larger body of works (keen-eyed readers may recognize the name Nicodemus, for instance). We also get a spate of various horrors that follow magic's reintroduction to this world, including a brief foray into a haunted house.

And then there's the action... Goddamn, Maberry knows how to write some good action scenes! There's one moment of sheer brutality as Kagen seeks membership amongst the Unbladed that had me wincing, as you could practically feel each freaking hit that followed. The climax is a brilliant assault that finds Kagen and his warriors supremely outnumbered by about a thousand-to-one, and Maberry does an excellent job hammering home the unrelenting nature of war - its ferocity, its moments of heroism and loss, the shifting tides of balance, but most of all, its exhausting nature. Readers are ground down into the dirt every bit as much as Kagen and his compadres, and it's supremely tiring (in a good way, mind you!). By the time the battle was over, I was spent and weary and felt as if I'd just been on the frontlines myself.

But I was also ready for more. I'm not really big a fan of the fantasy genre (at least not in print; fantasy movies and video games are more my speed when it comes to this genre), but there's something about the heady blend of sword-and-sorcery and familiar horror tropes that Maberry has fused together here that just works exceedingly well for me. It also makes me want to explore titles similar to this, if only because I now anticipate quite a long wait for the next entry, which looks to be due out in 2024 or 2025 (gasp!). On the bright side, too, is that at least there's one or two more Joe Ledger books on the way before The Dragon in Winter drops to help tide me over.

A decent follow up to the first book with a lot of action, but, unlike the first in the series, there were too many storylines not fully fleshed out to make it feel like like it did a perfect job. Perhaps I expected there to be much more focus on plot after the character and setting development in the first book, but I feel like there was still a hesitancy or confidence in what had been built and this story felt rushed. I still really enjoyed it though and highly recommend this new series to readers of fantasy.

Excellent!! Jonathan Maberry just keeps getting better.
Son of the Poison Rose will.keep you up alk night and have you wanting more. I highly store commend it.

Action packed dark fantasy! Maberry does it again! A solid showing for the second in the series. I couldn't put it down and am already anxious for the next in the series to be released.

The second entry in the Poison Rose series flows much better than the first one. With that said, the enjoyment of the second book will definitely be higher if one has read the first book. In this second book, you see the opposition to the Usurper from the Yellow Kingdom starting to gather strength: Kagen is gathering scrolls, his brothers have traveled north, many countries are building armies, wealthy patrons are making things happen in their background, and the surviving children of the murdered Empress are developing powers and awareness. So there is a lot of action in book two but few plot points are fully resolved. We must wait for the resolutions in book three.

Kagen Vale failed at his sworn duty. The Empress of the Silver Empire and all her children (except two) were murdered. His god has turned his back on him. But, he must do what he can to repair the damage being done to the Empire by his brother, who claimed the throne for the yellow god, Hastur. Magic has returned to the world. Kagen travels with his band of cut-throats to an ice-encased world to retrieve sacred scrolls that might point the way to defeating the new emperor. Meanwhile, the sleeping gods are awakening. World-building at its best with some remarkable characters. Highly recommended