After the previous book ended with a bang, I was anticipating the next one with certain trepidation. A controversial character he might be, but having made the journey with Othrun over the course of five books, I’ve grown to care about his fate. Someone might say that he deserves everything that has happened to him, and I wouldn’t argue with that. Yet, in my view, Othrun’s flaws and transgressions are inseparable from his background, and I can’t judge him based solely on them. Who he is, how he thinks, and which decisions he makes are the consequences of being born royalty. Had he been tolerant, self-deprecating, and always ready to sacrifice the interests of his kingdom for the sake of decency, he wouldn’t have been such a realistic character. And if that had been the case, I’d have had zero interest in him.
In the previous book, “A Pack of Wolves,’ Othrun receives a blow, which, although not harming him physically, threatens to maim him worse than any of the many wounds he’d received in his many battles. And I won’t lie, I was a little frustrated when I discovered that the sixth book opened with a story of some unfamiliar characters. Moreover, those characters were such that I couldn’t place where they might belong in a bigger picture. Frustration isn’t something that can deter me from reading the book, at least not when the book in question is a part of the series that I’ve been totally invested in so far. My patience and curiosity were rewarded. And rewarded they were tenfold. One of the greatest mysteries of the saga was revealed, and that felt extremely satisfactory.
The author treats us to the intelligent exploration of power, its implications, advantages, and the effects it has on different people. With his trademark attention to detail, P.L. Stuart shows how the insanity brought on by power isn’t in rash decisions, acceptance of risks, and arrogance displayed during meetings with other kings and queens. While one can accuse Othrun of all these things, he can hardly be considered unsuitable for his role as a ruler. In “A Black Dragon on Red,” we see someone truly unfit for the throne, whose actions bring dire consequences for the whole kingdom.
In book six of the Drowned Kingdom saga, we finally get to meet Nightsoul, the most terror-inspiring king in all Eltnia. His name sends chills down the spines of even the renowned warlords. And Othrun isn’t an exception. He had seen firsthand what Nightsoul is capable of. Having witnessed the most awful things on the battlefield, it is the Nightsoul’s committed atrocities that still haunt Othrun’s dreams. At Nightsoul’s will, whole kingdoms seem to be mercilessly obliterated in a flash, with even their soil made infertile.
To my surprise, and I believe that I might not be the only one who felt that way, Nightsoul turns out not to be pure evil. Once I learnt the story of the person who held in fear the whole continent, it was impossible to deny the logic behind the despicable deeds. Moreover, even the cruellest people love someone. But love is beautiful, even when it lives in the darkest of souls. Alas, my sympathy lasted only until the moment when an innocent and most likable character fell victim to Nightsoul’s vengeance. Although I understood why Borenia’s ruler did this and also that pain can make even non-violent people do terrible things, my empathy can be stretched only that far.
When we meet Othrun in book six at last, it is to find him in a pitiable state. It is believed that people react to loss in two ways. Some seek the meaning, stepping on a spiritual path. While others focus on self-destruction. It wasn’t a surprise that Othrun chose the second way. Drowning his grief in a bottle, he pushed away everyone who wanted to help him. His victories brought out the best in him. Grief has brought out the worst. His accomplishments in the political arena and happiness in family life gradually smoothed out the rough edges of bigotry and prejudice. Before our eyes, Othrun has grown more patient, benevolent, and forgiving towards others. Sadly, the events of book five, “A Pack of Wolves,” overthrew this newly-found harmony, and Othrun descended into self-destructive gloom. As I said at the beginning of this review, some might say that he deserved no less. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel moved by his suffering. He had gone such a long way to be where he is, and so many people benefitted from his exploits that I simply can’t look at him through a one-sided, narrow lens.
Staying true to his style, the author doesn’t spare the gruesome details. Expect there to be gore and blood and soldiers losing limbs in battle. Every time, after reading a battle scene, too realistically portrayed to simply push aside, saying ‘It’s just fiction,’ I pause to reflect if it is worth it. If something so brutal, that brings so much devastation and pain, is worth the gain. If any victory, no matter how grand, justifies lives lost, bodies maimed, and young minds stripped of innocence.
“A Black Dragon on Red” by P.L. Stuart takes us closer to the finale of the Drowned Kingdom saga, which, I have no doubts, will be truly epic. The author masterfully knits together the threads that seemed to be left hanging loosely throughout the first books. The complex canvas of interconnected stories and characters comes together neatly as we approach the end of Othrun’s journey.
Dark, uncompromising, and full of violence, “A Black Dragon on Red” is the book that makes a lasting impression on the readers. There are fewer characters whom one can love than those who are easy to hate. Still, it adds to the appeal of this book and the series in general. Sinister it might be, but irresistible nevertheless.
P.S. The book isn’t yet published, but once it is available for purchase, I’ll make a separate post about it. In the meantime, please read my reviews of the previous instalments of the series.
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Eve's Book Diary 
I agree with your assessment of Nightsoul. Evil is never simple, is it.
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I agree with your assessment of Nightsoul. Evil is never simple, is it.
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It is indeed almost always complex.
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