Sequels of books published by independent creators have proved to yield mixed results. While some have built on the world, characters, and story of their predecessor, many have failed to live up to the expectations, or even barebones precedent set by the prior entry. I greatly enjoyed The Wizard Slayer by Franklin Roberts, a book I reviewed here previously. Though I had some issues with the pacing and dialogue, the first entry in the Wizard Slayer saga had a fun setting, a great protagonist, and a throwback plot. It was right up my alley. Now, albeit in late fashion, I have finally read its sequel, The Undying Oracle, and this is my official review. Did it live up to the first Wizard Slayer? Did it build on all the things that made the initial book great? Or did it suffer the fate of most follow up stories? Read below to find out. NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD.
Without further delay, I must say that I enjoyed The Undying Oracle even more than The Wizard Slayer. Franklin Roberts took everything I loved about the first book and improved upon it, while mostly fixing the issues I had before. I believe this book was better than his first effort in almost every way. Firstly, the characters. While there is one specific character that still did not resonate with me, almost every other character in this book is a highlight. We learn more about Krael’s backstory, and though I had my doubts about this development before I began to read, I found myself enjoying all the flashbacks and insights into how the Wizard Slayer became the legendary figure he is at the time of the current narrative. Similarly, the development of King Eledrith felt natural, inevitable, and masterfully done. His descent into nihilism, his sapping of his own will to live through the use of magick, his disdain for existence itself, was quite easy to believe. Through both the writing itself and the plot, Eledrith’s tragic fall felt earned and not forced in the slightest, which was a concern I held before. The main antagonist, the Witch Lord of Tyrithel, was a suitable “act two” villain for the Wizard Slayer, a magick user stronger than Krael who felt like both a great threat yet also a placeholder before Krael and Eledrith’s final standoff. Lorienne remains a fun returning character, but the surprise standouts were two new additions: Hazir and Zakkran. Both had unique stories of their own, yet intertwined with each other in the end. But their relationships with the returning characters were what elevated them both. Hazir proved a welcome foil to Krael’s harsh, brutish nature, and Zakkran filled the role of a sleazy, yet good-hearted host to Darreth and Lorienne.
The setting was once again an easy positive about The Undying Oracle, just as it was for The Wizard Slayer. Of course, Franklin Roberts adds depth to his world, but the greatest improvement was merely through the addition of more locations. While the first novel took place almost solely in the city of Saidal and the surrounding outlaw kingdoms, this book spanned to different continents and times, making the world feel much larger and much more lived-in. Also, finally receiving a glimpse of Mog Muhtar was a plus.
Also on a grander scale as compared to its predecessor, the plot of the second entry in the Wizard Slayer saga was an improvement. This book contained three main storylines: Krael and Hazir vs. the Witch Lord, Eledrith’s quest for meaning and finding the Undying Oracle, and Darreth and Lorienne’s attempt to save Krael. If I were to rank the three plotlines, they would be in that very same order: Krael, Eledrith, Darreth/Lorienne. Something about the dynamic between Krael and Hazir, as well as their impossible task of toppling the Witch Lord, made for a digestible and exciting plot. The two remaining stories were both great in their own right, though. Overall, the entire narrative weaved together well. Even the flashbacks felt like natural inclusions into the story. Sometimes, flashbacks feel as though they are wrenching the reader away from the focus of the narrative to touch on something unneeded, but in this instance, I felt they enriched and enhanced the story.
All that being said, though, I still have some criticisms for The Undying Oracle. Firstly, though not most importantly, I was a bit let down by the payoff of the Hazir-Zakkran plot point. Once I found out that the captive alongside Krael was the same member of the Serpent’s Hand who had killed the parents of the unassuming pirate providing aid to Darreth and Lorienne, I knew that near the end of the story, they would once again encounter each other. Throughout the whole story I anticipated this meeting, but when it finally occurred, it just fell a little flat. I enjoyed the development that Hazir had committed the act with Zakkran’s best interests in mind, but their initial meeting just did not feel like it was executed to its fullest extent.
The other main aspect of The Undying Oracle I found to be negative was the character Darreth as a whole. I just did not connect with him at all. I understand if others who read or have read this book feel differently, but that is just my feeling. Darreth’s dialogue felt too out of place for the world. He felt too casual and modern to fit into the plot (and yes, I am aware that this is a fantasy setting with some sci-fi technology, but when I say modern, I mean slang and way of speaking). What’s more, I just couldn’t empathize with him throughout the story. I reacted strongly to his death because of how it affected Krael, not because I cared for him. For whatever reason, I could not become invested in the Wizard Slayer’s longtime companion.
So, I am quite pleased to say, The Undying Oracle is not only a worthy, but an improved sequel to The Wizard Slayer from the mind of Franklin Roberts. While it was not without its flaws, it built on all the positive aspects of the first entry and added new characters, locations, and themes that made it well worth the read. I am highly anticipating the third entry into this series. Without a doubt, I recommend The Undying Oracle.
Russell A. Wells 