The journey continues in author Ryan Lanz’s third installment to his Red Kingdom series, Path of Strangers. If you are ready to find out where things are going for some of your favorite characters, then this is the time to discover it for yourself. Enemies are coming out of the woodwork, and alliances are being struck. But who can you really trust when almost everyone is in a quest for more power?
Path of Strangers draws the eye of readers with a cover that depicts a city looming up overhead in the background. The city is immense with arched gateways and spiraling towers dominating the skyline. Readers get the impression of an opulent city packed with grandness and potentially a place of opportunity for those looking for it. The city is set against a rust colored skyline with clouds brewing overhead.
Almost makes you think there might be a dragon lurking in those clouds. But there aren’t any…dragons, that is. In the foreground, a lone man walks towards the city. His hair in a top knot, a cloak billowing behind him, and his right hand alight with flame. In front of him, small white birds scatter towards the sky and the city as he walks with confidence towards his destiny.
Path of Strangers picks up where The Way of Stones (Check out the review here) left off. Rhael, Gobo, and Bendrish are making their way through the forest after a less-than-ideal encounter with Krimesh. Rhael’s quest to get back to Ihesi for counsel appears to be dead in the water. After a dangerous encounter with soldiers associated with The Order, it called for a change of tactics.
Now, author Lanz has Gobo leading Rhael and company back to his home, Collinsmallow. Things are definitely kicking off on an interesting note in Path of Strangers. Rhael’s desire to find answers as to what is happening to his hand is what is primarily driving him. He fears losing it forever as the frequency of its disappearance is increasing. The question of whether Uncle Hicksrit will be of any assistance is a legitimate one. Guess we’ll find out.
While Rhael is on a quest for answers at the beginning of Path of Strangers, author Lanz prepares a little surprise for readers. We’re closer than we know to Collinsmallow. Here in this place, we’ll get to learn more about Gobo and his people. Gobo is depicted as the outlier of the community. His “merchant” trade is, oddly enough, frowned upon. Curious as to why? Well, author Lanz takes time to explain this through Hicksrit.
Scattered throughout Path of Strangers are hidden secrets that will gradually come to light one at a time. In these first few chapters of this book, one such secret will be discovered. Uncle Hicksrit has been keeping secrets, and those secrets are about to come to light. But so is a new capability of Rhael’s. Prepare for eyebrows to be raised.
While Rhael and Gobo are off in Collinsmallow searching for answers to Rhael’s pressing questions, Path of Strangers picks up where Levas and Pascale left off. They are still in Abalreen where Levas should not be, because he’s been banished. Author Lanz paints Levas as highly realistic with his stubborn desire to answer. Unfortunately, his time…has just about run out. Why do we say this? Because trouble is knocking…literally.
Path of Strangers follows the rest of the Red Kingdom series by being told from the third-person POV. The story alternates between a wide variety of familiar characters from the series. Rhael and Phessipi continue to be the primary focus of the story on the ability user side, and Levas remains the focus on the side of The Order. Well, as close as he can be seeing as he’s been kicked out. However, there are plenty of other characters who add to the drama.
Characters who were introduced in A Way of Stones (check out the review here) are still very much around. Levas may think that he’s seen the last of his former travel companions, but one in particular has a bone to pick with Levas. Odriss is looking for ways to subdue the “Corrupted,” and he just might have found the one thing that can help him.
Path of Strangers moves at a mostly moderate pace. There are moments where the drama will pull you to the edge of your seat and have you page-turning to find out what happens next. Author Lanz has Rhael discovering an individual from his past. What happens when they talk…you will never see coming. Author Lanz will have your jaw on the floor.
The character in Path of Strangers who will have you scratching your head will be Levas. Despite the fact that he has been betrayed again and again by those who serve The Order…he clings to them. We readers can see the toxicity of The Order, but Levas is intent on doing whatever he feels he needs to rejoin them. It’s eyebrow-raising. So eyebrow raising, even Pascale does a double take a few times.
Of course, these character “anomalies” will push readers to dig deeper into this story. Rhael and Phessipi are on a quest to find safety for those who have abilities. If it means bringing down The Order in order to do so, then that is the mission that they will take on. But they should beware of one in their midst who is not who they seem.
Path of Strangers is an interesting story that carries a variety of dynamics. With each introduction of a new character, it creates a new layer to the story. We worry at times that a character will get lost in the wide cast, but it works. It’s like author Lanz is simply cutting a new facet into the jewel that is the Red Kingdom series.
When it comes to Path of Strangers, this book’s ending is less pressing than those that came before it. Instead, you get the sense that this series is gradually building to something big. Phessipi is moving her people forward. Levas has a “ticket” he thinks will do him good in the eyes of The Order. But it’s Odriss that we will need to keep the closest eye on. How will things shake out? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Readers who enjoy epic fantasy series will want to dig into Path of Strangers to discover the secrets hidden within. Rhael discovers an element of his past, Phessipi takes a step closer to war, and Levas strives to trying to reclaim what was once his. The drama continues to build with this series, and only time will tell where the fallout happens.
Path of Strangers is intriguing and showcases good storyline development. Readers will be drawn into the story and kept engaged in what unfolds. While the ending is soft and not as riveting as previous books, it will still draw readers to reach for the next book in this series.
Pros:
- Introduces a nice amount of new characters.
- Builds intrigue.
- Picks up where the previous book left off.
- Interesting storyline.
- Continues to bring the drama.
Cons:
- None of merit
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