Matt and Jenny were joined again by author Jonathan Maberry to discuss his January 10th, 2023 release of his 2nd book in the Kagen the Damned Trilogy - Son of the Poison Rose. Watch/Listen to our interview and get an inside look at the continuation of the story, characters and future conclusion of the series.

Join the conversation in the comments and on social media.

For a recap of our previous coverage of Kagen the Damned, visit our AG Book Club post of the first book in the series: BOOK REVIEW + INTERVIEW / Kagen The Damned By Jonathan Maberry

For audio, please check out the Atomic Geekdom Podcast to listen in.

Son of the Poison Rose by Jonathan Maberry

Release Date: 01/10/2023

Published by St.Martin’s Press/ Macmillan

By Jenny Robinson

** POTIENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD FOR BOOK 1: KAGEN THE DAMNED **

In the world of geek culture, sometimes the second act out ranks the first. It can be argued that Star Wars: Empire Strikes back is better than New Hope, or that LOTR: Two Towers is superior to Fellowship of the Ring, etc. Would the second book in the Kagen Trilogy live up to those examples? I am here to tell you simply, YES.

The first book, Kagen the Damned was released in May of 2022. We were left with a cliff hanger after Kagen discovers that the nefarious Witch-King was none other than his beloved brother Herepath. We learn that Miri is gone, Ryssa is alone, sorcery is at play, and some of the Gods are awake and ready. I recall being very curious of how some of the characters would continue as the story expanded into this second book. More importantly, I became both concerned and excited that magic was back.

Unlike its predecessor, this story took some time at the start to consider the emotional toll each character now carries and where they may go in order to find either solace or vengeance. Kagen is no longer the wallowing drunk we met after the fall of the Empire. He’s becoming more calculated, and determined. His oath is reinstated when he realizes the Princess’s children, Alleyn and Desalyn by some miracle are alive. With his renewed commitment, he must save them despite their odd unexplainable alter egos with the Witch-King. With Tuke and Filia at his side, Kagen devises a plan. Even Tuke (one of my personal favorites), is less rambunctious in his support of Kagen’s goal to kill the Witch-King. He proves to be a more level-headed and confident co-advisor with Filia.

My best-loved contrivance in Maberry’s writing is how the characters come off the page and are relatable. His heroes have dark flaws and the villains have captivating nobility. This rings true to most all, but one. The Prince of Games, or as Joe Ledger fans call him - Nicodemus. His introduction in the Kagen saga is such a gift to the readers, including surprising mention of him also being called “Flagg” (for those King fans). I knew before starting that trickster would make an appearance but honestly, I was startled by how large of a roll he played in this tale. The Witch-King expected and welcomed his counsel within many of the chapters. True to his nature, he added dreadful manipulations not only for Kagen’s journey, but for the Witch-King as well.

This book is rooted in love. It poses the same question to all it’s characters. What would they do for love? Kagen has the most branches rooting from that question. He spends this book plotting his revenge for the death of his beloved family, seeking retribution for the betrayal of his once loved brother, all while also embracing his infatuation with the faerie, Lady Maralina (whom we met in the first book at the Tower of Sarsis). Tuke and Filia form a deeper and inestimable bond throughout the book, making the stakes of this journey with Kagen more uncompromising. As we follow Ryssa through the chapters, we are embraced by her grief of loosing Miri. Her heartbreak transforming her each chapter as she becomes “The Widow”. The biggest revelation of the heart I found was with Herepath. Throughout, we learn mostly about him from Kagen’s dreams and memories. We puzzle over the events of what could drive a man to this extent. This book dives into that tragedy and suggests that love may have been what changed Herepath from the man Kagen once admired to the man he now strains to kill.

Son of the Poison Rose has an incredible climax in the last chapters. A lot of the conundrums I carried over from from the first book begin to come together in a scenery of violence and epic sorcery. I want to leave the rest vague as to avoid any spoilers but Razor Knights, the Undead, The Bloody Bastards, and so much more make the last 100 pages fly by. I am left with even more anticipation for the next installment than I had after the first. This is no longer a simple revenge tale. Kagen the Damned has layers that are yet to be exposed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JONATHAN MABERRY is a New York Times best-seller, five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, anthology editor, comic book writer, executive producer, magazine feature writer, playwright, and writing teacher/lecturer. He is the editor of Weird Tales Magazine and president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. He is the recipient of the Inkpot Award, three Scribe Awards, and was named one of the Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than thirty countries. He writes in several genres including thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and mystery; and he writes for adults, middle grade, and young adult.