BLURB
Once Second Prince of the mightiest kingdom in the known world, Othrun now leads the last survivors of his exiled people into an uncertain future far across the Shimmering Sea from their ancestral home, now lost beneath the waves. With his Single God binding his knights to chivalric oaths, intent on wiping out idolatry and pagan worship, they will have to carve out a new kingdom on this mysterious continent―a continent that has for centuries been ravaged by warlords competing for supremacy and mages channeling the mystic powers of the elements―and unite the continent under godly rule.
With a troubled past, a cursed sword, and a mysterious spirit guiding him, Othrun means to be that ruler, and conquer all. But with kingdoms fated on the edge of spears, alliances and pagan magic, betrayal, doubt, and dangers await him at every turn. Othrun will be forced to confront the truths of all he believes in on his journey to become a king, and a legend.
When one kingdom drowns, a new one must rise in its place. So begins the saga of that kingdom, and the man who would rule it all.
AUTHOR: P.L.Stuart
PUBLISHED ON: 2nd February 2021
GENRE: Epic Fantasy
RATING: 4 Stars
BOOK 1 OF THE DROWNED KINGDOM SAGA
CONVINCING YOU TO READ THIS IN 6 WORDS:
Epic adventure, Exploring various topics, Internal struggles as a person, betrayals, unexpected friendships, prophecies and twists.
SUMMARY:
Prince Othrun, the second prince knows exactly what to do. He knows his place as a second prince. He is aware that his father prefers his elder brother over him. He is conscious that his brother and he will never be the brother’s dream team but he also knows his duties. He knows that there is only One God and every other story about Pagan is nothing but a hoax. He knows that as a prince he has his duties and he can marry some Princess. And luckily he falls in love with the said princess. He recognises all that is expected from him but that isn’t enough.
With his father’s dream to have the mightiest kingdom, Prince Othrun along with his brother, the First Prince sail out. But when they return home, it is with much more than some information about the enemy territory and ammunition. It is with a bride for the First Prince. Not just a bride but a Pagan Bride. Pagans whom they were taught to deteste. To loathe. Much to Othrun’s conflicting thoughts, his father, the King accepted the princess and the First Prince was wed. And thus the slow destruction of the mighty kingdom took its speed.
With constant unjust and injustice, Prince Othrun was unknowingly the face of the rebellion against his brother and now, the king and thus the ever rule-following Prince became the outlaw for his people. And in return, he was banished. What followed the banishment was their mighty kingdom becoming nothing with ruins in water and the last of Atlanteans were sailing on their way to find a new home.
The search for a new home, a new kingdom isn’t easy but with the help of his friends, cousins and family – Othrun decides on a new place. While they make their way towards their new home. Othrun can’t help but feel that he is betraying everything. A new home, a new kingdom among the Pagans? Among the people who don’t believe in their Single God? And worship Goddesses?
Despite the promised kingdom, their way towards the kingdom isn’t easy and he constantly has to face a King after another to make his way, to leave his mark. But with each day in a strange place, he is learning to question everything he knows. A new Kingdom, a new Home but at what price?
MY THOUGHTS
I came across A Drowned Kingdom by P.L.Stuart on Twitter and I added the book to my TBR. But when I saw The Escapist Tour was Touring this book, I jumped at the opportunity. And so, a big thank you to the Escapist Tour and P.L.Stuart for this chance. And now, coming to my thoughts for the Escapist Tours. This book wasn’t a continuous and fun ride. It was a challenge to read this book. And for no other reason but the fact that this book is First-person POV and it has been a while since I read First person POV. And what was even more challenging was that this was the start of an epic series, a total blank world and just from one set of eyes. So, yes, it took me a while to get used to being in Prince Othrun’s brains. But but but, my friends, once you get into that brain, it is definitely an adventure worth the patience.
A Drowned Kingdom bluntly deals with some major issues. Othrun straightaway is against meeting Black people because he thinks they are savages. But as he moves forward and people all around appreciate him, he decides to know more and try to find up what is true. He is convinced that women are nothing but damsels in distress but that he meets someone and he knows that that woman is no damsel. He doesn’t believe that people should worship anyone other than his Single God but then he meets people who worship 6. And not God, but 6 Goddesses and he is again struck. He just doesn’t know what is true or what to believe. And I really enjoyed this. This slow process of unlearning is something that I want to witness.
The plot of the story was simply amazing. I honestly cannot imagine how much re-writes and drafts would be spent in planning and plotting all the small-small details, the names, the kingdoms. Truly commendable work. What is even more impressive is that there is just so much layering. With each character, with each plot, a new part can be woven. Maybe that is why we witness First Person POV.
Two small problems that I faced were. First of all, info dump. Everything was good. But Chapter +* (Mentioned below because of a spoiler) I switched to doing so many things between that one chapter. A small walk, a bit of cleaning my room, playing some games on my phone, and reading fanfictions. I think there was one more such chapter but I think this was the one part that stuck with me. And the second issue is because it is First POV, so many things are directly said. We don’t see lots of things happening around and are directly informed because Othrun tells us or someone else tells him?
But again, as I said before this is a small issue and the chapters ahead definitely make up for it and that glorious ending. Ah. I realised once again why I enjoy reading Epic fantasies and the fact that I did not directly start with Book 2 will haunt me. (What happened to binge series, Krina, what happened there?)
So, I would suggest anyone and everyone who enjoy Fantasy and an epic adventure pick this series. I have no doubt that P.L.Stuart is an excellent writer and his craft is proof of his hard work. I can’t wait to go back and see what tricks Othrun has in his sleeves.
If you enjoy my review, you can support me here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
P.L. Stuart was born in Toronto, Canada. He holds a university degree in English, specializing in Medieval Literature. P.L. is an assistant editor with Before We Go Blog blogging Team, headed by the awesome Beth Tabler. https://beforewegoblog.com/
The best-selling “A Drowned Kingdom”, chronicles flawed and bigoted Prince Othrun’s journey towards change, and his rise to power in a new world after the downfall of his homeland, which is based on Plato’s lost realm of Atlantis. “A Drowned Kingdom” is mentioned in the esteemed Kirkus Magazine’s 2021 Indie Issue among “Four Great Examples of the Genre” of fantasy. P.L.’s next novel, “The Last of the Atalanteans”, Book Two in the “The Drowned Kingdom Saga”, will surface in Spring 2022.
P.L. is an avid supporter of fellow creatives and proud member of the greater writing community, which includes readers, writers, bloggers, editors, literary agents, and more. P.L. currently lives in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. P.L. is married, and he and his lovely wife Debbie have seven children, and one precocious grandchild between them. When not writing, or engaging in author-associated activities, P.L. is a voracious reader, and loves to read and review books, spends time with family, tries to get some exercise time, and watches Netflix.
You can find P.L.Stuart: linktr.ee/p.l.stuart
You can enter the Giveaway for A Drowned Kingdom here.
You can buy this book here: Amazon
You can read the review for The Blood of Outcasts here.
You can read the review for A Touch of Light here.
