Review: Kagen the Damned by Jonathan Maberry – a superb and sprawling Fantasy Epic narrated by Ray Porter
New York Times Best-Selling author of Joe Ledger and other blockbuster thrillers Jonathan Maberry brings us Kagen the Damned, the first highly anticipated book in a new and exciting series of dark fantasy novels featuring unlikely heroes, remarkable characters, a sprawling world, dark magic, war, and exotic locations.
I loved it from the first chapter and wasn’t able to stop listening until late into the night. I picked it up again early in the morning and just now finished listening. The writing is excellent, the plot moves fast, the action is furious, bloody, gory, visceral, and extremely entertaining. I like the world, the characters are colorful and flawed, the setting feels original and the story is intriguing.
If you’re curious to find out more about the story and the world, you can read the Publisher’s Summary, but I highly recommend that you just dive right into this new instant classic! This is an epic and spellbinding adventure that in the years to come will stand shoulder to shoulder with other Giants in the fantasy genre, such as The Wheel of Time or A Song of Ice and Fire!
Award-winning voice-over actor and narrator Ray Porter perfectly captures the feel and atmosphere of this universe and gives life with talent and passion to Kagen and other secondary characters. He reads with enthusiasm and talent, he acts and he makes this wonderful epic adventure even more enjoyable for the listener.
He manages to deliver the perfect performance and at the same time elevates the audio production to the highest level of immersion possible.
It seems that Ray can perform anything flawlessly! From funny science fiction to thrillers, to sweeping crime sagas such as The Cartel Trilogy by Don Winslow, to mysteries and now even to dark fantasy, Ray Porter is a force of nature, he shouts in all the right moments. He is sad, funny, scary or neutral as the plot dictates it.
If you like dark fantasy, you will definitely appreciate the way Mr. Maberry writes. I highly recommend that you just purchase this audiobook and enjoy it while we all wait for Winds of Winter to be released. I guess that it is a real possibility to get more books from Jonathan Maberry in this series before that even happens.
If you like this article, please consider sharing it with your friends on Social Media. Thank you!
I also post reviews or articles at the author, narrator, or publisher’s request, so, if you are in need of assistance in finding the perfect narrator for your book or just want to have a review on my blog, do get in touch.
Victor Dima
Latest posts by Victor Dima (see all)
- Review: Toxic Minds, written and performed by Anthony Lee - July 7, 2025
- Review: Shadow of the Dragon, written by Amy Daniels, narrated by Phillip Nathaniel Freeman and a full cast - July 4, 2025
- Review: My Friends by Fredrik Backman, performed by Marin Ireland – Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Entertainment - July 3, 2025