Kagen the Damned

A Novel

By: Jonathan Maberry

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Kagen the Damned marks the first installment of an exciting new series of dark epic fantasy novels from bestselling author Jonathan Maberry.

Sworn by Oath

Kagen Vale is the trusted and feared captain of the palace guard, charged with protection of the royal children of the Silver Empire. But one night, Kagen is drugged and the entire imperial family is killed, leaving the empire in ruins.

Abandoned by the Gods

Haunted and broken, Kagen is abandoned by his gods and damned forever. He becomes a wanderer, trying to take down as many of his enemies as possible while plotting to assassinate the usurper, the deadly Witch-king of Hakkia. While all around him magic—long banished from the world—returns in strange and terrifying ways.

Fueled by Rage

To exact his vengeance, Kagen must venture into strange lands, battle bizarre and terrifying creatures, and gather allies for a suicide mission into the heart of the Witch-king’s empire.

Kings and gods will fear him.

Kagen the Damned

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

©2022 Jonathan Maberry (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Great New Fantasy

I pre-ordered this and forgot I did. I glad I got to finish this over the weekend while doing spring yard work and the like. Full disclosure, the Joe Ledger stuff from Mayberry is some of my favorite so I was hoping this would be more of the same.

it wasn't. I did not quite get the connection to the main character as with Ledger but there was still a connection. This world is easy to adapt to and adopt as it based on ours (obviously midevil times) with multiple gods. It includes a conquering army early in the book and all things that go along with it. Our main character, Kagen doesn't stand for this and protects and prevents these acts when possible.

Yes, it's a bit dark. A group of nations were taken by force by a nation that does not have good intentions. Due to this, the tone seemed right. If you are looking for fluffy bunnies, this is not for you. if you are looking for what perhaps would be fairly accurate depiction of war during midevil times with magic reawakening, then this is for you.

Overall, I'll be looking forward to the next book. Good job Mayberry.

Damned Good!

An excellent start to a new series. A new character that is destined to take his place among the greats of fantasy. Kagen is a well developed hero, and his supporting cast has great promise. I am looking forward to the next installment.
And of course a wonderful story is made all the better with the always amazing Ray Porter. January cannot come soon enough.

Wow

KAGEN THE DAM ED by Jonathan Maberry is phenomenal. Imaginative, gripping, with both heart pumping action and beautifully nuanced characters. No cardboard cutout good vs bad here. Cinematic in describing this world far in the future, the author draws you further in with each chapter and leaves you wondering a lirrle who to root for in book two.

Fantastic!

Lovely to pick up a Fantasy after so many years. Exceptional that it was a masterpiece by Maberry and Porter. My curiosity makes me continue reading the “tale”.

Jonathan Maberry does it again!

Joe Ledger, but fantasy? Yes, please. I hope this goes on just as long as that. Ray Porter is superb as always.

Not my usual genre

I am a big fan of both the author and narrator so I’d listen to anything the two of them collaborate on. It took a second to hook me because I just finished the Joe Ledger series but once it did I couldn’t stop listening. Worth the credit and stick it out.

True Grit

This audiobook was truly gritty and action packed with a good story. the narrator did a excellent job and I was definitely entertained I recommend this book series to all fantasy fiction lovers.

Better than expected

I haven’t heard anybody talking about this book, but it blew me away. Can’t wait to read the next one the protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters were all amazing.

Rapidly moving heroic adventure

Well written good character development. Character dialogue moves the story forward. Leans pretty heavily into a reimagined Lovecraftian universe.

Excellent fantasy!

Jonathan Mayberry is one of my favorite authors and this book definitely shows why. The world and characters are well developed, and noone is perfect or perfectly evil, except maybe the king who would become a god and open the gates of the underworld.

I love how he makes you think. Use your reason and logic instead of just, "this is what I was taught." Yes, try thinking for yourself.

This may be my favorite Ray Porter narrative yet.