Son of the Poison Rose

Kagen the Damned, Book 2

By: Jonathan Maberry

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 25 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

"Ray Porter is the perfect book narrator. He submerges so completely into each character that they come alive as individuals. He allows the story to speak rather than making it his. He’s also fun to work with—and we have done a ton of projects together. It’s to the point that I hear his voice in my head when I’m writing. And even though he’s reading my work, his performance is so nuanced and entertaining that it allows me to listen to my own audiobooks as if they are brand new. It’s a fantastic working partnership."—Jonathan Maberry

Son of the Poison Rose marks the second installment of New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry's epic, swashbuckling Kagen the Damned series.

The Silver Empire is in ruins. War is in the wind. Kagen and his allies are on the run from the Witch-king. Wild magic is running rampant everywhere. Spies and secret cabals plot from the shadows of golden thrones.

Kagen Vale is the most wanted man in the world, with a death sentence on his head and a reward for him—dead or alive—that would tempt a saint.

The Witch-king has new allies who bring a terrible weapon—a cursed disease that drives people into a murderous rage. If the disease is allowed to spread, the whole of the West will tear itself apart.

In order to build an army of resistance fighters and unearth magical weapons of his own, Kagen and his friends have to survive attacks and storms at sea, brave the haunted wastelands of the snowy north, fight their way across the deadly Cathedral Mountains, and rediscover a lost city filled with cannibal warriors, old ghosts, and monsters from other worlds. Along with his reckless adventurer brothers, Kagen races against time to save more than the old empire… if he fails the world will be drenched in a tsunami of bloodshed and horror.

Son of the Poison Rose weaves politics and espionage, sorcery and swordplay, treachery and heroism as the damned outcast Kagen fights against the forces of ultimate darkness.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Jonathan Maberry (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

25+ hours went by too fast!

To say that I devoured this audiobook would be a very large understatement. I got the newsletter email from Mr Maberry that stated he had published this book early and I immediately purchased it and began listening. I listened every chance I got and I listened to it in 2 days. I almost wish I had stretched it out longer because now I have an excruciatingly long wait until the next installment.

I like how this series ties a lot of Mr Mayberry's other series all together (can't say more or I might spoil something). And, what can I say about Mr Porter's narration that hasn't already been said?? He doesn't merely narrate; he brings the story and characters to life! It's almost as if there are notes in the book, like on a script, that direct him on how to act when reading specific parts. It's awe-inspiring to listen to.

In case you can't tell from this review, I really liked this book. I lack the ability to adequately put into words just how much though. I feel like a caveman while trying to write this review after listening to Mr Mayberry's work: Me like book. Me like talker. You should buy. (If you haven't read anything by him, you probably won't understand.)

Great story

Love the series from Johnathan Mayberry and Ray Porters the best narrator. I recommend this book

Amazing!

Amazing! This was some of Jonathan Maberry best works. Ray Porters performance was outstanding. Can’t wait for the next book in the series

Maberry + Porter = Magic

Huge fan of Maberry’s other series (Joe Ledger, Rot and Ruin) and loved this second installment of a new world. (Third including the short story) Gripping epic fantasy, great characters, a VERY huge twist I didn’t see coming, and as always flawless narration by Porter. Very much looking forward to book 3 in the next year or so!

Delicious Fun!

By the ink stained balls of the god of storytellers, Mayberry and Porter deliver an Epic of entertainment.

everything I wanted from the series

This book is everything I wanted from the series, monsters, magic, intrigue. The first book did not five that to me as much, but it did set this one up to be amazing. It is a modern tale similar to Conan. Tho it is long, being an epic and all, it was paced very well. There was not a moment I lost interest. There are also some great surprises that like to other of Maberrys work. Ray Porters performance is absolutely award winning, he has the voice of a God (literally). I do hope to see this tale on screen at some point, which is not hard to imagine. 10/10

Mr. Mayberry does again me

fast pace no filler masterpiece

an Artist who does it again, golf claps All around

a great listen.

An epic universe, awesome characters, great story

Woowee what a fun adventure this was. 25 hours of stellar narration and awesome adventuring. The universe being built is incredibly interesting to learn about and the characters within are both lovable and hatable.

This story builds expertly on the story started in the first book. It brings us to far reaches of the world, giving us perspective to the many places within the silver empire only mentioned before.

I can tell there is a big buildup happening. I’m wondering if book three will be the end, I think with another novel of this length that would be possible and fitting.

The ending wasn’t as grand as the first book’s ending, but I feel this one sets a better strange moving to the next book. Perhaps book 1 was written without knowing for sure whether the series would continue. Nonetheless, by the bloody balls of the zombie god, I cannot wait for more.

Maberry does it again - Awesome book!

Yet another epic adventure with Kagen and crew. Love Ray Porter as Narrator. He gives the characters life while Jonathan gives them substance! Keep them coming. Thank you.

Step down from the first book in the series

I absolutely loved “Kagen the damned” listened to it 3 times already. Son of the poison rose however is a bit of a step down in story and character development and a bit of a disappointment for me. I’m still looking forward to book 3 to release but not as wholeheartedly as I did for book 2