Prince of Vengeance | an Epic Character Interrogation + My Review!

This is one of my favorite group character interviews I’ve ever done.

Prince of Vengeance, a YA Christian fantasy co-authored by Kaytlin, Marisa, and Jaiden Phillips, just released, and I have the honor of sharing a review and a character interview…and a sneak peek!!!!

Onward!

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The Character Interview!

Welcome to the blog, Kahtan, Gaven, Sage, and Wixley! *bows* I’m so excited to interview you boys! I’ll start off with Kahtan. 😁 In Prince of Vengeance, how did you feel yourself grow from where you were at in Unfortunate Events? 

*Kahtan rubs toe of boot against the floor* Well, um… I don’t really feel as if I grew. *authors glare at him* But, I mean, maybe I did in some areas, I just don’t know what areas that would be. *stares at the floor* *authors shake heads*

What’s something a character told you in Prince of Vengeance that’s been living rent free in your head ever since?

Well, this kind of stuck with me…in a haunting sort of way. 

…if there is a way out…a way to get away from the coming war…take it. This is not your fight, and I’d rather have you safe at home than dead on a battlefield for a cause you don’t even believe in.  

What’s your first choice of weapon?

Throwing knives *shrugs* Seems to be the only thing I’m good with…

*Wixley chuckles* That and plates *this comment from Wixley*

*Kahtan looks down and rubs the toe of his boot against the floor*

Diggleblop—forgive me, Gaven, what about you? Which weapon would be your first choice?

*clears throat* Sword.

 Who did you become closest to in this story, Gaven?

Hmm, Sage and I definitely became closer, but I would say the whole team drew together more, until…well, Kahtan is kind of distant at times. But I can be distant as well, so there is that.

What do you say to all the people who accuse you of being rather mysterious? 😏 

It is none of their business who I am or where I am from or even what my intentions are. I am my own person and they can mind their own business and stay out of mine. *crosses arms and lifts chin defiantly*

I have a question for you, now, Sage! How do you feel about people stealing your brogue? 😜

Tis a shame when somewan stoops so low, donae ye think? Tae steal a wee lads brogue…*shakes head* Tis mighty sad indeed. *winks and grins*

*Gaven yells* Oh, stop being dramatic.

*Sage shakes his head* Ey, I can be as dramatic as I wants tae be, ye daft limmer.

*Gaven raises eyebrows* Did you call me a crazy…woman?

*Sage merely laughs*

What would you say is your “dark side”—or a flaw of yours?

Me dark side ye say? Well, thon isnae very bonnie, rather morbid donae ye think? Ye see *Sage puts on a thoughtful air* *Authors slap foreheads* I like tae always look tae the bright side of things, if ye ken me meanin’. I’ll nae abide nay dark sides here.

*authors* She meant a flaw Sage, she said that, something you do that you shouldn’t…

*Sage looks more thoughtful* I donae think I has want of those.

*authors slap foreheads* *Gaven laughs*

Dae ye?

Can you describe (in vague terms, if needed) a defining moment in your life? 

Aye, thon’s an easy wan. The day I met Gavie was it, ye see, he kinda, sort of, saved me life, so’s tae speak.

*authors wave for him to go on* *Sage ignores them and wanders toward the smell of food*

Wixley, your turn! How would you describe each of the boys gathered here today for this interview?

*Sage* Why’d he get all the fun questions?

Oh, be quiet, Sage. *Wixley glowers in Sage’s direction before turning back to Saraina*

Sage is annoying, yet somehow lovable.

Oi, somehow lovable, whit does thon even mean? *Sage looks perplexed*

*Wixley slaps his forehead* Snapdragon, leave me be, Sage.

*Sage falls silent and crosses arms*

Gaven is also annoying on a different level, but I’d follow him to the end of the world if need be.

*Gaven* Ouch, that stings a little

*Wixley shakes his head and continues*

Kahtan is…He’s lost, lonely, confused, and kind of like a little brother. I’d do anything for him. Anything. *Wixley grips the handle of his sword*

*Kahtan sighs* And there it is again, I’m the useless member of this team that’s just here.

*Everyone glances at him and blinks*

What’s your role in the ‘gang’? 😉 (E.g. leader, protector, jokester, voice of wisdom, etc.)

Hmmm, I’d say I’m more of a protector. The one who’s silently here if they need me. But I’m also not afraid to give a blunt opinion either.

What’s your deepest dream?

Oh man, he gets all the fun questions. *Sage deflates*

Sage, leave Wixley, be. *Gaven drags Sage to the other side of the room*

*Wixley stammers, turns a few different shades of red and hangs his head without every saying anything intelligible*

Alright, that’s a wrap for now, boys! Thank y’all so much for sitting down to answer these questions! I’m already looking forward to the next interrogation! 😉

Do I get to be in the next one? Because no one even mentioned me…I wasn’t even invited. *Nark looks around for an answer*

*Everyone freezes*

*Nark continues* I mean seriously guys, you didn’t even ask if I wanted to come.

*Crickets*

Kahtan was supposed tae invite ye. *Sage offered*

*Nark raises an eyebrow* Well, we know that was never happening…he hates me for no reason and—

*Kahtan jumps in* That is not true, a lie if I ever heard one which is totally something you would do—

See! *Nark points* This is what I’m talkin’ about, hate, he hates me.

He does not hate you. *Gaven smiles tightly at Saraina*

Guys, you’re taking up all the time. Let’s go. *Wixley ushers the boys toward the door*

*Authors smile tightly* We’re sorry about that, we’ll deal with this in the car *arguing and name calling echoing from outside* Yeah, we better go.

Whit’s a car? *Sage glances around*

*authors giggle* Bye now! *Dash out the door shoving the boys in front of them* Thank you for having us!

NARK MY BOY! You will be in the next one, I promise!!!!

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My Review of Prince of Vengeance

An epic, stirring installment to the Dragon Prince Chronicles! All that I loved in Unfortunate Events was only doubled and enhanced in this book. The brother-like bantering, the life-or-death battles and narrow escapes, the nuanced character dynamics, that fresh, captivating fantasy world…it’s all here!

CHARACTERS

My boy Kahtan has been through SO MUCH. He struggled with even more doubts and fears in this book. He feels like he’s useless, like he doesn’t provide anything to the group. Though he didn’t experience much of a character arc (in fact, conflict and tension only heightened), you can feel it building up to his moment of breaking and healing. Can feel the forward momentum. The slow character growth may come across as stagnant to some readers, and sometimes Kahtan’s melancholy and continued belief in those lies gets tiring, but for me, it also increases my impatience for Book 3!

Sage is as darlingly mischievous and just Sage-y as ever. I love him so much. Wixley went through huge changes in this book – an old subplot was brought back up with him. Gaven became a huge favorite of mine in this installment, personality-wise. His regal, authoritative air combined with his dry wit and endearing sense of humor…it just won me over. I’m a big fan. XD

And Nark. Despite what Tahn may think of the fellow, I like him. Quite a lot. He’s just a bundle of optimism and good spirits! I canna wait to see more of him! 😉

Maisley added so much fire and spark to the story. She’s so spunky and tease-able. Lady Silena’s a sweet, graceful yet capable girl with a sense of humor. Bless her heart. And Abbiana. *secret grin* She’s beautiful, empathetic, and most intriguing. I need to know more about her! (But for what it’s worth, I’m shipping her with you know who.)

Master Finnick is a dear old fellow, for sure and certain. The story really needs his leadership and wisdom! He’s the one who brings up the Great Creator and gets those kind of thoughts stirred about in Kahtan’s head.

The villain was appropriately dreadful and he gave us all the more reason to hate him. That’s all I’ll say about that.

PLOT

There was a lot of danger. And heartbreak. And even more edge-of-your-seat tension. Much of the story was driven by the conflict between characters in the ‘gang,’ as I’ll call them, which made for plenty of arguments and bickering that I honestly loved. (As a writer, anyway. XD) It was just written so well! And when…certain old… shall we say, acquaintances, came onto the scene, that only added to the plot twists.

There was some violence, as it’s a YA medieval fantasy with sword fights, evil villains, and fire. I definitely winced several times, but nothing’s graphic.

WRITING

The writing fit the story well, clear and consistent with some moments of beautiful description. I find it so cool that it was co-authored by three sisters!

The accents were beautifully written – enough to flavor the words, but not so much that it overpowered the dialogue and became incoherent.

I loved the world-building! It didn’t steal the show, yet I couldn’t help but appreciate the unique twist the authors put on their world – from the red lightning to the street boys’ names of the city layers of Jujious. All the little details create a solid-feeling atmosphere that just feels believable, in its own fantasy way. So good.

THEMES

Though, like I mentioned earlier, Kahtan still is deep in his conflict and his arc isn’t complete, there were still overarching themes in Prince of Vengeance, most notably that of loyalty and the bond of friends. How you can’t go through life alone.

The spiritual threads of this story are still subtle but are growing. The Great Creator hears our cries for help. He is real. Kahtan still struggles to believe this, but it’s there. I actually appreciate how Kahtan struggles so much with believing that the Creator is real and hears him. In most Christian stories, the characters are converted over the course of one book. But since it’s a series and the authors have the freedom to take their time with Kahtan’s arc, it works. It feels incredibly realistic.

OVERALL

This series is just getting better and better! I had an amazing time reading Prince of Vengeance and recommend it to anyone who loves clean YA fantasy with a deep spiritual thread, brother-like friendships and all the teasing and bickering that comes with that, and suspense-filled adventure. ⚔️

A FAVORITE QUOTE

“The Great Creator hears yer calls for help. He hears the pleas of ya heart, lads. There ain’t nothin’ He don’t hear.”

Disclosure: I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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About Prince of Vengeance

Loyalties are shattered, hope dwindles, and vengeance stalks every step like a shadow of death.

As the leaves turn gold, Kahtan has settled into the idea of his life at Larkspur Manor. But storms are brewing on the horizon as the Shadowed One’s dark presence spreads across the shattering land.

With no news of the precious heir, the army of Mazleah has lost all hope. When fire consumes the peaceful life Kahtan has settled into, it’s up to him and his team to get Mazleah’s only heir to the throne.

With traitors among them, danger around every turn, and the Dragon Prince seeking Prince Merickson’s demise for his wicked vengeance, will Kahtan and his team be able to get Merickson to the capitol before the crushing darkness collapses upon them all? Or will the Dragon Prince seize the vengeance his twisted soul so desperately craves?

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About Unfortunate Events (Book One)

But when secrets about his teammates are revealed, secrets that could shake Mazleah to its core, Kahtan must decide whether to stand with his team or with his country. Although nothing in Mazleah is ever that simple.

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Book Info

Release Date: July 21st, 2023

Genre: Young Adult Christian Fantasy/Action/Adventure

Authors: Kaytlin, Marisa, & Jaiden Phillips

Cover Art: Jaiden Phillips

Find the Book!

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About the Authors

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Author Links

Kaytlin

Marisa

Jaiden

Group

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Sneak Peek!

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What did you love most about the character interview? What is your role in your friend group? (Really, I think it’s a quite interesting question! 😆) If you could learn to be proficient in the use of any weapon, which would be your first choice?