It connects directly to Karadra’s Shipwreck and indirectly to several other books. I’ve read all of them except one, though I’ll need to revisit a few, since the amount of information is vast and no single mind can contain it all, except perhaps Kyprianos’, who somehow seems to remember everything. He’s been developing this universe his entire life, and it shows in the details, the progression, and the ease with which he speaks and writes about it. His thoughts constantly return to the forests of his world, to the seas, the islands, and the underground passages that lead to the lairs of creatures, sometimes friendly, but most often not.
I awaited this particular book eagerly, as it’s the first one I’ve bought and read upon release. For a reader who follows an author’s work, that moment carries a special significance: it marks a living connection between the work and its audience. You feel as though you grow alongside the creator, that time moves in parallel, and the experience isn’t something from the past you are only now discovering. That doesn’t make older works less meaningful, of course, but reading a book in its own time is a unique experience no matter how you look at it.
The Stone Kraken is written in a pulp style, fast-paced, vividly descriptive where needed, constantly shifting scenes as the heroes move from one challenge to the next. It maintains a distinct tone, somewhere between adventure and brief moments of horror, before returning to a balanced, gritty rhythm, especially during the dialogue between characters.
Two scenes stood out to me. Both are pauses in the flow, moments where the pace slows and new facets of the world unfold: one involving a mysterious creature of the sea, and another a dialogue between two former rivals now forced to work together on the same mission.
I would love a dozen such books each year, to have them at hand whenever I need something that relaxes me, entertains me effortlessly, and pulls me in with its atmosphere and natural storytelling. But as mentioned, the author is involved in many creative pursuits, so there’s little room for full-time dedication to writing alone. Still, as a reader, I must emphasize how much I’d love to see more, especially within The Trident Saga. Yet wherever his muse leads him, may it do so freely; may we continue to enjoy both his existing works and those yet to come.
Having read almost his entire body of work, I’d summarize my impression of him as an author deeply devoted to action. He seeks it out, he thrives in it, yet he manages to find the perfect balance where his heroes aren’t just fighting machines or clever troublemakers. They are alive, with distinct voices of their own, a quality that only comes with deep experience. His long years as a dungeon master, narrating his stories of Vitallia to live audiences, surely contribute to this. He has tested his worlds in real time, observed what works, and refined his craft through direct interaction, an approach that can only lead to strong storytelling.
I look forward to your next book, Mr. Vardos, whether it continues the tale of the Stone Kraken or ventures somewhere new. I’ll be there at the shelf, ready to pick it up, supporting your work and your contribution to the world of fantasy literature.
Until next time — be well, and keep reading.
It’s important!
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