He has not only the ability to see what could happen, what might happen, but also the ability to sometimes reach out for his desired outcome, however unlikely, however remote the chance of that outcome occurring... as long as there is a chance.
Christopher Ruocchio continues The Sun Eater series with Kingdoms of Death, the fourth installment in the series. We rejoin Lord Hadrian Marlowe and his friend and lover, Valka Onderra, in what is tantamount to exile on the planet Nessus. Before being sent to Nessus, with his cunning and leadership, Marlowe had won many battles against the gruesomely alien Cielcin, who look and fight like horned demons, scavenging their way across the universe. This has led to the legend of Hadrian Marlowe becoming even larger than the fantastic truth. Sadly, this attracts more attention to Hadrian than he would like. The Chantry want to kill him, as do the Cielcin, of course, while the people at large call him the half-mortal and don't know what to make of him. Even the Emperor of the Sollan Empire fears that he might make a play for the throne... and that he would have the support of the people, should he choose to. So, the Emperor had him stationed out of the way on Nessus, where he wouldn't attract so much attention. Poor Hadrian only wants to serve his emperor, defeat the Cielcin, if he can't make peace with them, and to enjoy a somewhat normal life with Valka, his lover.
After being stuck on a backwater planet for sixty-eight years, Hadrian finally gets to leave when the emperor goes out of his way to visit and charge him with the task of securing allies of the Lothrian Commonwealth, to aid in the fight against the Cielcin. However, the Lothrian welcome is less than hospitable and it seems the Lothrian Commonwealth has already chosen a side in the war... and not the one that Hadrian had hoped.
The Lothrian's treachery leads Hadrian to a period of captivity and torture while he's taken back to the Cielcin's home world to be ritualistically killed. Within Kingdoms of Death, Hadrian's tribulations and torture is described in great detail. I felt like the book was wrapping up way too early as I read this part, because I had a lot of the book left and I kept thinking the very next part was going to be his end.
Although a lot of this story is quite grim, as we observe Hadrian being abused to his wits' end, Hadrian does manage to find some unexpected closure and solace before the end of the book. Also, he gains a better understanding of the Cielcin - their history, motivation and goals: knowledge that might aid the Sollan Empire in ultimately winning the war.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, mostly because I was anxious to have another installment to continue the series. However, although the book does get quite dark for a while there, it was entertaining to watch as Hadrian matured and was changed by his trials. I find myself, again, anxious for the next book in the series.
If you haven't read the previous books in the series, start at the beginning. This book is not a good starting point. However, if you've been following the series, then come on in, the reading's fine.
