Amazon PL Stuart PL Stuart Category:  Fantasy Publisher: FriesenPress ISBN-10:  9781039136014 Type: Fiction Pages: 511 Copyright: April 1, 2022 Price: $5.99 (eBook) Book two in The Drowned Kingdom Saga A painted mage. A stolen throne. Three lords in disguise. An ancient flag. An unfaithful queen. Escaping Atalantyx’s destruction, Prince Othrun forges alliances with Eltnish kings: former enemy Hert, and Wely, who promises Othrun a kingdom of his own. Then Wely’s realm is stolen. The thieves are Wely’s wife, a powerful mage, and Wely’s brother, a feared warlord. Othrun hatches a daring plan to restore the rightful king. The bold scheme involves Othrun entering Lynchun in disguise, risking his life, and those with him, to topple the usurpers. While Othrun carries out his plot, he must entrust his Atalanteans into the uncertain hands of Hert, confronting his own political challenges to kingship, while tasked to protect Othrun’s followers. Meanwhile, Wely, captive where he should be king, gambles crown and head on Othrun’s survival. Othrun’s abilities, faith, and trust in his mysterious guardian spirit, are tested. For the mage Lysi continues to entangle herself in Othrun’s affairs, tempting him, challenging his beliefs, threatening to bring his plans to ruin. But Othrun, Lord of the Last of the Atalanteans, does not intend to fail. He will be a king. Or die trying. Othrun must go to battle, and triumph against the odds. If not, all will be consumed, and burned to ashes. So, the ancient war-banner of Atalantean Kings, will fly. One last time. A kingdom has fallen. A legend will rise.

Lucien Telford
Fantasy author P.L. Stuart graces the pages of the second installment of The Drowned Kingdom Saga with bloodshed, deception, and a hero’s search for affirmation in the The Last of the Atalanteans. Stuart deftly spins long allegories of lore and legend into blinding moments of conflict, both internal and physical, as we learn more of Othrun’s past while he journeys forward into battle facing new foes, and forging new alliances.
Full disclosure, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of the book, which in no way influenced my opinion or the contents of this review.
Beginning where the first book left us hanging from a cliff’s edge, we find ourselves immersed in Othrun’s false quest. As Stuart beautifully writes, “A game. A play. Theatre.” A band of liars set to infiltrate the ancient Goldhall and return the throne to King Wely, rightful King of Lynchun.
This is a story of mages and spirits and swordplay, told through the narrow but widening eyes of Othrun. Ost, as he is now known, comes from a bigoted and closed-minded family of rulers now long dead. And while Ost retains these traits, we see in him the ability to grow beyond the values he was saddled with since birth. Stuart tackles some difficult themes here; racism, bigotry, sexism, and shows how a mind can be changed over time as Ost softens to his new and only world. A world he desires to rule.
Parts of this book read like a raid in World of Warcraft. Frantic, visceral sword-fights amongst vast battle scenes where Stuart brilliantly focusses his lens to keep the reader not only engaged, but begging for more. I could read 500 pages of P.L. Stuart’s armed skirmishes, he is a master of medieval conflict. And so he should be. With a degree in English, specializing in Medieval literature, Stuart is well-versed on the subject.
The author treats us to some brilliant prosaic dialogue amongst his furious storytelling. Gems such as, “With the blush of dawn,” and “All good kings are killers, and all kings good killers.” These lines had me physically nodding not only in recognition of great writing, but in agreement with the characters. In these moments I had suspended all disbelief in the face of Stuart’s clear glass prose.
Although the book begins by enveloping the reader in Ost’s and Atalantean history, which as we know is only written by the victor, by the end of Part One, the creeping build up to action hooks the reader as the mammoth arrives in Part Two. From here forward the story continues to increase in momentum through well-written tension-building and violent conflict. By the end of the novel, (spoiler) we are grateful for a moment of calm, and yet left wanting more.
The Last of the Atalanteans is an illuminating insight into a man once bound by tradition and aging beliefs who has lost his history, wiped from the planet by a cruel stroke of nature, and who must adapt to a new culture in order to fulfill his destiny, to rule the sole Kingdom before him.

Sean Bell
The Last of the Atalanteans is the second installment of The Drowned Kingdom Saga by Canadian Fantasy Author, P.L. Stuart. The epic journey continues for the Second Prince of the lost kingdom of Atalantyx. Having led what is left of the Atalantean race across the Silver Sea to new alliances on the continent of Acremia, which included the kingdom of Carthlughe, the next chapter unfolds for the search of a new kingdom for the Atalanteans. Prince Othrun now prepares for the next step in his journey to forge a new empire. Known as the Silver king, Othrun must align himself with trusted advisors of his fallen Atalantyx, as well as new allies that can help further his cause across the continent of Acremia.

The plot and narrative of The Last of the Atlanteans primary centers around Othrun posing as a warrior of the Kingdom of Lynchun (Land of the Lion). A cunning and daring plan is hatched to sneak Wely into Lionhead, the capitol of Lynchun, to retake his throne by force from his violent brother Orlu.
If you recall, the events of the first installment (book#1) of A Drowned Kingdom led Othrun to Wely, the true King of Lynchun. Banished and hunted by his brother Orlu, rumours spread across the lands like wildfire of Welys death. In an attempt to take back what was rightfully his, Wely aligned himself with Othrun, who now had a formidable force that could threaten any kingdom of Acremia. Wely’s former wife and mage, Queen Syda, was now wife to his devious brother Orlu and was a formidable force that was not to be underestimated. Wely, accompanied by Othrun and elite Atleantean solders disguised as Lynchun warriors loyal to the Silver King, must now embark on a harrowing excursion to retake Lionhead by the inside.

Perhaps not making his true intentions known, Othrun knows allies will be a key component in rebuilding the Atleantean empire. Understanding that gaining a foothold on Acremia is only the first step, the path to this begins with restoring the rightful king of Lionhead to the throne. The goal for the time being is to win over the affections of Wely, The true King of the Kingdom of Lynchun.

However, the battle to re-take Lionhead is only another part of the puzzle. The beautiful, but dangerous now Queen of Nyrimia, Lysi, has a precarious hold over Lord Othrun. She has not forgotten the actions she undertook to help Othrun’s army escape certain doom from her father. She continually taunts and teases Othrun in the hopes of winning his heart to become her King.
Become her King and betray everything Othrun knows to be right to strengthen your alliances, or, stay true to your honour and defy this powerful queen and mage who has made her intentions clear. If you are not with her, you stand against her.

Author P.L. Stuart once again invites readers into a character driven fantasy world of love, lust, scheming and betrayal. Epic narratives give rise to fabulous plotlines, devious characters and incredible world-building that sets the scenes for fantastic battles. The incredible descriptions with such vivid details make you feel like you are right there in the heat of battle, planning attacks and strategies, as well as scheming with Othrun and his company to re-shape their Atalantean empire. I myself, personally love the fresh new take on the Trojan horse operation of bringing down a kingdom from the inside. The Last of the Atalanteans offers readers a build-up to an epic battle that we have been waiting for and it does not disappoint. The masterful foreshadowing of what is to come makes me anxiously await the next installment of The Drowned Kingdom Saga.

T.L. Coughlin
Well, he’s done it again. Many sequels rarely match the first, but P. L. Stuart surpasses his debut and then some, leaving you yearning for more. The Last of the Atalanteans picks up right where we left Prince Othrun on his quest to give his people a new home. With new alliances forged and enemies brewing, Othrun and his party infiltrate the borders of danger to right a usurping rule and achieve security and sanctuary.

P. L. Stuart masterfully weaves an epic of war, betrayal, magic, and ruin and ventures on a daring journey into the very heart of prejudice and the human condition. With many fantasy works, there is often an abundance of characters and as a reader it is difficult to create intimate connections; however, P. L. Stuart makes it look easy. The depth of both main and side characters stories has you cheering for their victories, sharing their desperations, and grieving their losses.

Take fair warning, your heart will be pulled in so many directions you’ll feel as if you’re there battling for the survival of your own culture and people right alongside the antihero that is Prince Othrun. There is indeed heaviness in Othrun’s prejudice, elitism, and ignorant, bigoted views, but there are speckled rays of hope and growth as we see the prince step out of his comfort zone to adapt and understand in this new world. It is a heartfelt journey that does not shy away from sensitive—and at times uncomfortable—topics, and P. L. is brave for taking this mantle on.

He is a master of battle scenes, and with humour, passion, and destruction throughout, the reader is swept on an adventure that has you delightfully nervous for the next page. I greatly look forward to the next of The Drowned Kingdom Saga to see where the Atalantean prince’s journey will lead. Drawn at your feet is a richly detailed world that sets a fantastical lens to our own flawed and intrepid society. Take the leap and see where it leads you, I assure you will be all the more better for it.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review (but will definitely be buying my own copy, I mean—look at that cover!)