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The Kobalos Trilogy #3
Dark King of the North
Kron Darkbow and Randall Tendbones have finally made their way through the Prison Lands into Kobalos, the nation of Randall's birth and the home to the evil Lord Verkain. Joined by master wizard Maslin Markwood, the trio enters the capital city for Randall to confront his father in hopes of ending the attempts on Randall's life and those he loves.
- GenresFantasy
Nook
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Ty Johnston
136 books44 followersA former newspaper journalist, Ty Johnston was born and raised in central Kentucky. Now living in North Carolina and focused upon fiction writing, mainly fantasy, he spends his time writing, reading and recalling memories of his late wife.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 26, 2015
Probably worth 2 1/2 stars, so this averages out with my rating for the second part of the trilogy :)
First the good things. The editing/proof-reading problems have mostly been resolved. The story comes to a end, although Kron's adventures do continue in the next trilogy, which I suppose is a bit of a spoiler, but pretty much unavoidable for those who bought the 6 volume set, like me.
The bad - Johnston writes the characters into situations that require increasingly unlikely occurrences or interventions for them to survive, particularly our "hero", who never seems to learn from his mistakes. He continually rushes headlong into danger without pausing for a moment's thoughts, and invariably gets either himself or one of his companions into trouble.
As I mentioned in my reviews of the first two books of the trilogy, this is pretty generic fantasy. The background is very much western Europe-style; there is a prophecy; there is a mad sorcerer-king, who is opposed by his son; the characters are pretty two-dimensional, with most of the character growth occurring in the villains. A lot of it reads like a write-up of a D&D (or similar) campaign.
However, as I bought the entire 6 ebook set for 99 cents, I have to consider this as worth the money, even though it is unlikely I will ever read the second trilogy.
First the good things. The editing/proof-reading problems have mostly been resolved. The story comes to a end, although Kron's adventures do continue in the next trilogy, which I suppose is a bit of a spoiler, but pretty much unavoidable for those who bought the 6 volume set, like me.
The bad - Johnston writes the characters into situations that require increasingly unlikely occurrences or interventions for them to survive, particularly our "hero", who never seems to learn from his mistakes. He continually rushes headlong into danger without pausing for a moment's thoughts, and invariably gets either himself or one of his companions into trouble.
As I mentioned in my reviews of the first two books of the trilogy, this is pretty generic fantasy. The background is very much western Europe-style; there is a prophecy; there is a mad sorcerer-king, who is opposed by his son; the characters are pretty two-dimensional, with most of the character growth occurring in the villains. A lot of it reads like a write-up of a D&D (or similar) campaign.
However, as I bought the entire 6 ebook set for 99 cents, I have to consider this as worth the money, even though it is unlikely I will ever read the second trilogy.
July 29, 2010
This was the last book of the Kobalos Trilogy, so I was looking for everything to wrap up nicely. I think the author did this well. Most of the things I was hoping for at the end actually happened, so I was pleased with that as well. Good job, Ty.
I don't like to include spoilers in my reviews, so I'll be kind of vague here, but there was one character that was supposed to be sort of a bad guy, yet I never felt real animosity toward him. Ty did a great job painting one picture of the character, but also making the reader feel as if there was a little more to the guy; that he wasn't quite what he seemed. And the ending showed that my feelings all along had been true.
This book was as good as the other two in the trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ty Johnston is a great writer, and I'm glad I found him!
I don't like to include spoilers in my reviews, so I'll be kind of vague here, but there was one character that was supposed to be sort of a bad guy, yet I never felt real animosity toward him. Ty did a great job painting one picture of the character, but also making the reader feel as if there was a little more to the guy; that he wasn't quite what he seemed. And the ending showed that my feelings all along had been true.
This book was as good as the other two in the trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ty Johnston is a great writer, and I'm glad I found him!
February 25, 2016
I read The Kobalos Trilogy for a book talk assignment for my eighth grade reading class, it is written by Ty Johnson, and is a heroic fantasy series. *This Contains Spoilers*
The setting throughout the trilogy starts as a fantasy world, and remains a fantasy world. While this world seems like it could be a past version of earth it is not, because wizards are a major part of the upper part of the social classes. In the first book is mainly in the city of Bond, and takes place in 1,994 A.A (After Ashal). Bond is a port city, that is run by a crime lord named Belgad. To show this Johnson writes "'That pope they got in the East has lowered the tariffs on all goods, ' Stilip said, then added a shrug 'but the dock foremen, they don't want to pay no extra.' 'How much have the tariffs dropped?' 'Three percent.' Belgad's hard eyes focused on his employee. 'More gold is falling into their laps, but they don't want to pay extra for their protection when it means there is more to protect.'" (Johnson Loc 193). In the second book Kron, Randall, and Adara have fled Bond and are going to the land Kabalos, in attempt to kill the evil king there. The king also happens to be Randall's father. The setting varies because of this. The author explains this when writing "'There's a lesser road that heads north, eventually to Caballerus, but we'll bypass it and turn northeast and head towards the Lands,' Kron said"(Johnson Loc 5386). Lastly the setting in the third book is the land of Kobalos. Kron and Randall have made it to the doorstep of King Verkain's kingdom. Kobalos is a horrible place that next to nothing grows in. This is mentioned when the author writes "Markwoods eyes scanned the dismal ground around them 'Seems hardly worth fighting for'" (Johnson Loc 9195). As one can see the setting drastically changes throughout the trilogy.
The main character throughout the trilogy is Kron Darkbow. Kron is powerful, intelligent and vengeful. Firstly, Kron is powerful. Kron is well build, agile, and tall. The author explains this by writing "'What happened to you?' 'Kron Darkbow happened to me.'... 'He's fast and strong, and he's pretty big' (Johnson Loc 1869). Also, Kron is intelligent. Kron is a teacher, to be a teacher you must be more knowledgeable then your student, his student is Adaria (Johnson Loc 4794), who has been mentored by many prior to him. This proves he is smarter than the average bear. Lastly, Kron is vengeful. The entire story starts because of Korn's desire for revenge. Kron will halt the progress of his entire group for the sake of revenge. He does this when he attempts to kill Belgad, even though it is not necessary, and risks the lives of him and his friends (Johnson Loc 5045). The main character, Kron Darkbow, is powerful intelligent and vengeful.
The trilogy begins with the border warden (basically a prison guard, but for the worst people in the world) Lucius coming back home to the city of Bond for the first time since his family was slaughtered by an evil wizard. Around the same time as his arrival a mysterious character, Kron Darkbow, shows up. Kron challenges the local crime lord because Belgad killed his family. Darkbow huants Belgad, embaresses him constantly, however he never shows his face once. Eventually, Belgad puts two and two together and realizes that Lucius is Kron. Once this happens Kron becomes a fugitive. Thus, meaning he will have to flee Bond. He decides to help to local healer, Randall, who also happens to be a Kobalian prince with a father who wants him dead, confront his father. He also enlists the help of a young swordswomen, Adaria, who ends up becoming his student. They travel to Kobalos, the kingdom of Randall's father. They face many different perils along the way, yet Kron uses these moments of peril to teach Adaria. Eventually they reach the home of a cannibalistic family. Kron being the vengeful justice bringer he is slays the whole family to the astonishment of Randall and Adaria. Adaria once she sees this leaves Kron and Randall. Kron and Randall continue on as a duo for a few days until Randall's friend Maslin Markwood, the one of the most powerful wizards in the world, decides to accompany them on their journey. Shortly after Randall abandons the group in an attempt to save their lives. Randall i then captured by his father. It is a race against the clock for Kron and Maslin, will they reach Randall before he is publicly slain? Read to find out.
Kron Darkbow and I are both in need of change. Kron is a vengeful person, and eventually it will end up killing him. As the chinese philosopher Confucius once said "Who seeks revenge should start by digging two graves". This means that a path of revenge will harm you just as much as it harms the other. Korn lost his one true love when he slayed the whole family, she left him and never came back. I am in need of change mentally. I always expect to much of myself and I am beginning to overuse my brain. I work so hard that I am barely able to keep myself awake. If I continue to do this then I should consider digging myself a grave as well.
The Kobalos Trilogy was amazing! The action is well written, Johnson does a great job at expanding these moments. The entire trilogy was suspenseful, I was always wondering what would happen next. The books contained a good vocabulary. The one thing I wish was improved was the development of the characters relationships. Overall I would rate The Kobalos Trilogy a 9 out of 10.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Once Kron and Maslin reach the capital of Kobalos they watch Adaria and Randall both die, they soon follow their footsteps and die themselves. They learn that Randall is the reincarnated form of Ashal (Ashal being a god of good), and his father is the other god, one of evil. Randall brings Adaria, Kron and himself back to the living. The climax of the story occurs when Randall, Belgad, and Kron (Maslin having been killed) face off against King Verkain, Randall had made a deal with Belgad with was not revealed to turn Belgad to Randall and Kron's side. Upon fighting with King Verkain, Kron has to choose to seek revenge or to love and forgive. He chooses to love, and because of this choice Randall is able to expel his father from the mortal world. Then Randall, being the next in line for the throne, becomes king, however Randall hands over the throne to Belgad. Kron and Randall head back to Bond while Belgad and Adaria stay behind to rebuild the kingdom of Kobalos.
The main theme throughout the trilogy is revenge only leads down the path to death and despair. Firstly, Kron loses a good friend of his because of the fued he starts with Belgad. To prove this the author writes "It was as if a chunk of roof was thrown down from the heavens into Wyck's forehead, denting it and immediately killing him" (Johnson Loc 4847). Also, Kron's need for revenge made him lose his only love. Once Kron slayed the cannibalistic family Adara left him because she realized that he would do anything possible to exact revenge. She only said this before she left, "'They've won. The demons outside have created demons inside, making you one of them'" (Johnson Loc 8803). In conclusion, The main theme in the trilogy is revenge only lead down the path to death and despair.
The setting throughout the trilogy starts as a fantasy world, and remains a fantasy world. While this world seems like it could be a past version of earth it is not, because wizards are a major part of the upper part of the social classes. In the first book is mainly in the city of Bond, and takes place in 1,994 A.A (After Ashal). Bond is a port city, that is run by a crime lord named Belgad. To show this Johnson writes "'That pope they got in the East has lowered the tariffs on all goods, ' Stilip said, then added a shrug 'but the dock foremen, they don't want to pay no extra.' 'How much have the tariffs dropped?' 'Three percent.' Belgad's hard eyes focused on his employee. 'More gold is falling into their laps, but they don't want to pay extra for their protection when it means there is more to protect.'" (Johnson Loc 193). In the second book Kron, Randall, and Adara have fled Bond and are going to the land Kabalos, in attempt to kill the evil king there. The king also happens to be Randall's father. The setting varies because of this. The author explains this when writing "'There's a lesser road that heads north, eventually to Caballerus, but we'll bypass it and turn northeast and head towards the Lands,' Kron said"(Johnson Loc 5386). Lastly the setting in the third book is the land of Kobalos. Kron and Randall have made it to the doorstep of King Verkain's kingdom. Kobalos is a horrible place that next to nothing grows in. This is mentioned when the author writes "Markwoods eyes scanned the dismal ground around them 'Seems hardly worth fighting for'" (Johnson Loc 9195). As one can see the setting drastically changes throughout the trilogy.
The main character throughout the trilogy is Kron Darkbow. Kron is powerful, intelligent and vengeful. Firstly, Kron is powerful. Kron is well build, agile, and tall. The author explains this by writing "'What happened to you?' 'Kron Darkbow happened to me.'... 'He's fast and strong, and he's pretty big' (Johnson Loc 1869). Also, Kron is intelligent. Kron is a teacher, to be a teacher you must be more knowledgeable then your student, his student is Adaria (Johnson Loc 4794), who has been mentored by many prior to him. This proves he is smarter than the average bear. Lastly, Kron is vengeful. The entire story starts because of Korn's desire for revenge. Kron will halt the progress of his entire group for the sake of revenge. He does this when he attempts to kill Belgad, even though it is not necessary, and risks the lives of him and his friends (Johnson Loc 5045). The main character, Kron Darkbow, is powerful intelligent and vengeful.
The trilogy begins with the border warden (basically a prison guard, but for the worst people in the world) Lucius coming back home to the city of Bond for the first time since his family was slaughtered by an evil wizard. Around the same time as his arrival a mysterious character, Kron Darkbow, shows up. Kron challenges the local crime lord because Belgad killed his family. Darkbow huants Belgad, embaresses him constantly, however he never shows his face once. Eventually, Belgad puts two and two together and realizes that Lucius is Kron. Once this happens Kron becomes a fugitive. Thus, meaning he will have to flee Bond. He decides to help to local healer, Randall, who also happens to be a Kobalian prince with a father who wants him dead, confront his father. He also enlists the help of a young swordswomen, Adaria, who ends up becoming his student. They travel to Kobalos, the kingdom of Randall's father. They face many different perils along the way, yet Kron uses these moments of peril to teach Adaria. Eventually they reach the home of a cannibalistic family. Kron being the vengeful justice bringer he is slays the whole family to the astonishment of Randall and Adaria. Adaria once she sees this leaves Kron and Randall. Kron and Randall continue on as a duo for a few days until Randall's friend Maslin Markwood, the one of the most powerful wizards in the world, decides to accompany them on their journey. Shortly after Randall abandons the group in an attempt to save their lives. Randall i then captured by his father. It is a race against the clock for Kron and Maslin, will they reach Randall before he is publicly slain? Read to find out.
Kron Darkbow and I are both in need of change. Kron is a vengeful person, and eventually it will end up killing him. As the chinese philosopher Confucius once said "Who seeks revenge should start by digging two graves". This means that a path of revenge will harm you just as much as it harms the other. Korn lost his one true love when he slayed the whole family, she left him and never came back. I am in need of change mentally. I always expect to much of myself and I am beginning to overuse my brain. I work so hard that I am barely able to keep myself awake. If I continue to do this then I should consider digging myself a grave as well.
The Kobalos Trilogy was amazing! The action is well written, Johnson does a great job at expanding these moments. The entire trilogy was suspenseful, I was always wondering what would happen next. The books contained a good vocabulary. The one thing I wish was improved was the development of the characters relationships. Overall I would rate The Kobalos Trilogy a 9 out of 10.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Once Kron and Maslin reach the capital of Kobalos they watch Adaria and Randall both die, they soon follow their footsteps and die themselves. They learn that Randall is the reincarnated form of Ashal (Ashal being a god of good), and his father is the other god, one of evil. Randall brings Adaria, Kron and himself back to the living. The climax of the story occurs when Randall, Belgad, and Kron (Maslin having been killed) face off against King Verkain, Randall had made a deal with Belgad with was not revealed to turn Belgad to Randall and Kron's side. Upon fighting with King Verkain, Kron has to choose to seek revenge or to love and forgive. He chooses to love, and because of this choice Randall is able to expel his father from the mortal world. Then Randall, being the next in line for the throne, becomes king, however Randall hands over the throne to Belgad. Kron and Randall head back to Bond while Belgad and Adaria stay behind to rebuild the kingdom of Kobalos.
The main theme throughout the trilogy is revenge only leads down the path to death and despair. Firstly, Kron loses a good friend of his because of the fued he starts with Belgad. To prove this the author writes "It was as if a chunk of roof was thrown down from the heavens into Wyck's forehead, denting it and immediately killing him" (Johnson Loc 4847). Also, Kron's need for revenge made him lose his only love. Once Kron slayed the cannibalistic family Adara left him because she realized that he would do anything possible to exact revenge. She only said this before she left, "'They've won. The demons outside have created demons inside, making you one of them'" (Johnson Loc 8803). In conclusion, The main theme in the trilogy is revenge only lead down the path to death and despair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2017
Although other reviews made me doubt wanting to read this, I found that this was the best in the trilogy, there were less dips to the extremely mundane, the characters still developed and it all came to an end.
Although there is still the potential to continue on with Kron and Belgad, the current storyline was ended in a fashion that I believe is enough to be an end.
Although there is still the potential to continue on with Kron and Belgad, the current storyline was ended in a fashion that I believe is enough to be an end.
March 11, 2024
The Best of the series.
January 26, 2016
A satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. Somewhat violent for my taste - it would definitely earn an R rating as a movie - but the torture scenes, though hard to take, do have resolution. The world-building borrows heavily from the epic fantasy tales we're all familiar with, but the prophecy element is different enough for this not to be a cookie-cutter quest adventure. The presumed hero, Kron, actually takes a bit of a back seat in this novel, which is okay as his constant dark attitude starts to wear thin after awhile.
Overall, though, Johnston's writing is solid and the novel delivers. The 3-part tale starts strong with book one, drags a bit in book two, but picks up nicely in this third book. If you enjoy epic, heroic fantasy with a medieval religious bent in the vein of David Eddings or even Robert E. Howard, this trilogy is recommended for mature audiences.
Overall, though, Johnston's writing is solid and the novel delivers. The 3-part tale starts strong with book one, drags a bit in book two, but picks up nicely in this third book. If you enjoy epic, heroic fantasy with a medieval religious bent in the vein of David Eddings or even Robert E. Howard, this trilogy is recommended for mature audiences.
April 28, 2011
I would give this one 2.5 stars.
This is suppose to be a trilogy (Book III of the Kobalos TRILOGY) so I expect closure. There was very little closure at the end of this book. I was not looking for a HEA. This was not that kind of book but still, I did not need more questions. You are basically left hanging. It seems this really isn't a trilogy but a series and it may continue in the author's other books.
This book was also slow for me. Usually when I am near the end of a book and its building, I will diasappear and won't stop reading until it is done. I really had to push myself to finish this one.
I thought the first book was the best out of the three. It was sad to have this trilogy go downhill as it had promise in the first book.
This is suppose to be a trilogy (Book III of the Kobalos TRILOGY) so I expect closure. There was very little closure at the end of this book. I was not looking for a HEA. This was not that kind of book but still, I did not need more questions. You are basically left hanging. It seems this really isn't a trilogy but a series and it may continue in the author's other books.
This book was also slow for me. Usually when I am near the end of a book and its building, I will diasappear and won't stop reading until it is done. I really had to push myself to finish this one.
I thought the first book was the best out of the three. It was sad to have this trilogy go downhill as it had promise in the first book.
February 23, 2011
It took me a while to read this book which says a lot.In comparison to the first two books this one has just not captivated me. I am really tried to finish but i found myself reading other books leaving this one for later.I only completely it because I had invested my time.
The way i see it is that you have to read it because you want to see how the series end. It was really just ok.
The way i see it is that you have to read it because you want to see how the series end. It was really just ok.
May 23, 2015
Kron as a character was very impressive he has such a lot of bad karma but I still loved him at the end!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews