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A review by kevinscorner
A Drowned Kingdom by P.L. Stuart
4.0
A Drowned Kingdom is a high fantasy series opener by P.L. Stuart. What makes this so different is that it is an Atlantean fantasy (the first I’ve read) and is very reminiscent of Arthurian fantasies, except it’s about Atlantis. Told in the first person from the exiled prince Othrun’s perspective, it follows his journey as second prince to rebel to the savior of the survivors of his drowned kingdom.
It is apparent that P.L. Stewart has a vision, and he has written a detailed and well-thought-out world in A Drowned Kingdom. The first part starts off a bit exposition-heavy and relies a bit too much on Othrun narrating most of the events. But once the the cataclysm happens, the book really ramps up on the action and character interactions. Not only that, it also adds a whole new layer of angels and gods into the initially straightforward narrative—making the book feel more like a fantasy than a historical (as much as an story about Atlantis can be). I am intentionally being vague to avoid spoilers.
Throughout the book, I really questioned whether Othrun is a hero or villain because there is just a quality to him that feels both earnest and somewhat sinister. What is it that makes a hero or a villain anyway? The story really makes you think about his worldview and how he conveys himself in it. By the end, I got a better grasp of who he is.
Overall, A Drowned Kingdom is a long but engaging first installment with a compellingly conflicting lead that promises of more to come.
*I received an ebook copy of this book as part of a book tour in exchange for a review/post.
It is apparent that P.L. Stewart has a vision, and he has written a detailed and well-thought-out world in A Drowned Kingdom. The first part starts off a bit exposition-heavy and relies a bit too much on Othrun narrating most of the events. But once the the cataclysm happens, the book really ramps up on the action and character interactions. Not only that, it also adds a whole new layer of angels and gods into the initially straightforward narrative—making the book feel more like a fantasy than a historical (as much as an story about Atlantis can be). I am intentionally being vague to avoid spoilers.
Throughout the book, I really questioned whether Othrun is a hero or villain because there is just a quality to him that feels both earnest and somewhat sinister. What is it that makes a hero or a villain anyway? The story really makes you think about his worldview and how he conveys himself in it. By the end, I got a better grasp of who he is.
Overall, A Drowned Kingdom is a long but engaging first installment with a compellingly conflicting lead that promises of more to come.
*I received an ebook copy of this book as part of a book tour in exchange for a review/post.