Title: The Life & Times of the Traitor Killean Onryn

Author: A.R. Cunningham

Genre: Fantasy

 

Killean Onryn is on the run from encroaching fire and almost certain death. Killean is used to being pursued by those intent on killing him. When he meets his prospective killer, he sees that he is merely a young man and Killean decides to talk to the boy and find out his reasons for targeting Killean. The boy’s name is Ash and Killean allegedly killed Ash’s father. Killean is willing to let Ash have his vengeance but wants to make him work for it. Before Ash can strike Killean, the pair are pulled into a portal that transports them to a nation that isn’t friendly to Killean. Killean is asked to aid the rival kingdom and conduct a search-and-kill mission. Failure is not an option.

Author A.R. Cunningham has crafted a magical epic featuring warring kingdoms, shapeshifters, and a renowned warrior looking to atone for his past. The story begins on an incendiary note and continues in a similar action-infused way throughout the book. The narrative focuses on the revered and reviled Killean Onryn, a charismatic leader of men and women on the battlefield who is often as quick with his wit as he is with a weapon.

Loyalty emerges as one of the predominant themes of Killean’s story. Killean had dutifully served his Uncle Dadarro and had wreaked havoc on rival kingdoms. However, Killean’s allegiance to his uncle would be tested as casualties continued to mount and the futility of the war was apparent. Killean is devoted to his own group of soldiers, known as “The Accursed.” People like Sammia, Juri, and Bodai were misfits, but Killean valued them on the battlefield. The author deftly illustrates how not all wounds are physical as Killean bears the weight of the loss of his soldiers.

Trust is another distinct theme that figures into the trajectory of Killean’s saga. When reunited with his friend Sammia, the pair retains a healthy skepticism toward each other due to perceived betrayals in the past. The interactions between Killean and Sammia possess an underlying intensity that adds to the drama. On his way to fulfilling his mission, Killean must rely on aid from certain disreputable types who would just as soon stab him in the back while pretending to assist him. A.R. Cunningham plays up such interactions with equal parts humor and danger.

The possibility of redemption is often explored in Killean’s tale. Killean has served time for his crimes, yet was spared death. He believes his crimes merit a far worse fate, which is why he acquiesced to Ash’s challenge. As Killean continues his fateful journey, he reflects on a violent past full of betrayals and ultimately where he will end up. The author has rendered Killean an antihero with real depth and complexity.

Killean Onryn’s story is filled with insightful flashbacks which provide a healthy backstory to the character’s development. The interactions between Killean and his brother Kindean are significant, but the story would be buoyed by a few flashback scenes between the siblings.

The Life and Times of the Traitor Killean Onryn is a fun and impressive fantasy tale that will keep the reader thoroughly engaged. This is a book that will find an appreciative audience from Young Adult and upwards.

 

 

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