The author of The Red Kingdom series, Ryan Lanz, is back with his latest installment – The Promise of Scars. If you’ve been keeping up with The Red Kingdom series, then you know that things have really been gearing up in the latest couple of installments. So, you should know that you’re not going to want to miss out on this latest addition to the series, The Promise of Scars!
Author Lanz captures readers’ attention with his cover for The Promise of Scars. The scene depicted on the cover teases an intense situation unfolding. The first thing that captures your attention will be the center of the cover. There is an individual appearing to be “swallowed up” by the very ground they are standing on. Hands lifted up into the air, with billowing robe sleeves hanging down their arms. Around them, a cobblestone square or street appears to be rippling outward in waves, with stones floating up into the air around them.
Behind them are wooden buildings and a sky roiling with dark storm clouds and lightning flashing ominously in the sky. In the foreground appears to be the main character, Rhael. It’s easy to deduce that this is him since there really isn’t anyone else who has a glowing red hand. His hand is outstretched toward the individual in the middle of the square. Behind Rhael appears to be a group of soldiers watching this battle playing out. It’s an intense scene that makes you wonder…what is happening here?!
The Promise of Scars, by author Ryan Lanz, picks up where Crossroads of Redemption (read the review here) left off. The city of Abalreen has been taken over by the ability users. They did it, but at a heavy price. The characters that we’ve become familiar with have been scattered more or less. Rhael is now the one currently running Abalreen. Odriss has been driven out, but he still lives. Phessipi is still missing, and her fate… unknown.
The way that The Promise of Scars begins is with the introduction of two characters. One you’ll recognize if you’re familiar with the series. The other…will be unknown…for now. If you’ve not read the series for a minute, you’ll be a tiny bit confused. But if you’re still in the dark by the time you reach the end of the book…go back and reread the prologue. We promise, everything will click into place, leaving you with an “Oh my gosh!” moment. Things are getting interesting to say the least.
When The Promise of Scars transitions back into the present day we are reunited with all the familiar faces we’ve come to know over the series. The hard-won fight is over. Now comes the rebuilding and establishing of themselves as the “holders” of Abalreen. Not any easy task ahead when you have a “rag-tag” group of people, but if you want to hold a city…it’s best to get organized and fast.
With Phessipi still MIA, the leadership role falls to Rhael. It’s not a role that he wants necessarily, but he sees the necessity in him taking up the mantle nonetheless. The expectation is that there will be dissenters among the ranks, right? Well, there is, but it’s not as widespread as one would have expected. The most vocal dissenter is Cullen. His loyalty is 100% to Phessipi, and he’s not taking her absence lightly. Surprisingly, he doesn’t push the envelope with Rhael too much but instead sets out to find her himself.
The focal point of The Promise of Scars is Abalreen. Which that’s no surprise there. The ability users and Rhael fought hard to gain the city, so it makes sense that author Lanz would focus the story there. Don’t think that this means that the story doesn’t pivot out to other places, though.
The Promise of Scars branches out to a tiny farm where an old farmer has found something in the woods. He brought it home out of the goodness of his heart to help. Will his good deed earn him thanks, or will it leave him dead in the dust? The story also branches out to familiar towns as well. We reconnect with Bunce in Utelstown. Bunce is working to strengthen Utelstown’s defenses. Is Utelstown in danger? Or is he just being paranoid? Or is there any such thing in The Promise of Scars?
The Promise of Scars is a maelstrom of characters coming together and creating just epic chaos. Honestly, it’s a slow start as you refamiliarize yourself with all the different characters and what roles they are playing in the series. It’s a bit easy to get confused initially with who is who until you get everyone sorted out, and then it’s smooth sailing. For a brief moment, we wished that author Lanz had given us a list of who’s who so that we could keep everyone straight. But if he had done that, then the prologue would be less impactful than it truly is.
Throughout The Red Kingdom series, the characters have shown so much growth and development. They have truly become so realistic. Through author Lanz’s expert writing of the characters, they have truly become the driving force for the storyline. The most pivotal character of the series is Rhael. The way that he has experienced so much and how it has shaped and molded him is truly monumental.
Rhael has really changed in The Promise of Scars. The ability users have been discriminated against all their lives and for as long as anyone can remember. They have simply wanted a place to be free to be themselves. Now, they have it. But at what cost? Rhael wants to change how things are done in Abalreen. But will it be for the better? Or is he on the path to creating a never-ending cycle of hate, hurt, and pain because of his short experience as an ability user?
The Promise of Scars is packed with drama. It comes in waves like a body of water lapping at the shore. You get a lull, but there is always something coming. Where the Order has been defeated, there is now a new problem that must be faced. The Shining Light that readers were introduced to in passing will now become more of a focal point.
In this installment to the series, we will be given more information about who these “street preachers” are. They’ve been around a while, but how are they really? Who leads them? Are they a potential threat to the city? Or is Rhael looking to poke at something to stir it up unnecessarily? These are questions where some will be answered…while others will be left for the next installment to the series.
If you’ve been reading The Red Kingdom series, then you will know that with each addition to the series, author Lanz has continued to hit his stride. Each addition is more engaging and draws you in so that you’re eagerly devouring each book with an unrelenting quest for answers. Safe to say that while The Red Kingdom series had a slow start, the series has settled in, found its stride, and become something truly epic.
Fans of epic fantasy novels and series will not want to miss out on The Promise of Scars, the fifth installment to The Red Kingdom series. Packed with riveting storyline and engaging characters, this book will draw you in and leave you eager for more as book six is currently in the works. We’re sure that you’re going to be just as eager to find out what author Lanz has in store for Rhael and company moving forward.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Unique and dynamic characters
- Realistic storytelling
- Twists and surprises
Cons:
- None of note
Scribble's Worth 
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