Periander the Avenger

The Final Son of Atlantis

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
379 Pages
Reviewed on 04/16/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Periander the Avenger by Joseph Bringman is an epic tale of war, betrayal, and vengeance set in the final days of Atlantis. As one of the ten kings ruling the legendary civilization, Periander finds himself in opposition to the ruthless High King Critias, whose thirst for power threatens not just Atlantis but the entire world. After a failed assassination attempt forces him into exile, Periander must forge alliances and raise an army to reclaim his homeland. But with each battle, his thirst for revenge threatens to consume him. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and grand warfare, Periander the Avenger is a gripping historical fantasy that explores the cost of power and the fine line between justice and vengeance.

Author Joseph Bringman has a real knack for cinematic action sequences, and this descriptive skill offers readers a thrilling, action-packed saga that breathes new life into the legend of Atlantis right from the very first page. I loved the essence of ancient civilization and historical detail of Bringman’s imagined world, and this blending of history and fantasy makes for an unforgettable epic of war and honor where everything is connected to the bigger picture. This is also enhanced by the character development. The gritty plot is driven by intense character conflict where power, sacrifice, and the burdens of leadership are keenly felt. Not just in our hero Periander and his high-ranking allies and enemies but in the lives of the ordinary people that their every decision affects. Overall, Periander the Avenger is a brilliantly developed and powerfully told story that fans of mythological and historical fantasy are sure to adore, and I highly recommend it.

Divine Zape

Periander the Avenger: The Final Son of Atlantis by Joseph Bringman is a fascinating meld of lore, science fiction, and fantasy. In war-torn Atlantis, Periander, one of ten kings, is thrust into a deadly struggle against the tyrannical High King Critias, who seeks to amass ultimate power and crush any dissent. As corruption and cruelty increase, Periander stands firm for peace and preserving their federal constitution. However, when Critias's brutal assassination attempt makes Periander a fugitive, he escapes but loses his beloved wife to the High King’s merciless grip. Determined, Periander seeks foreign allies to reclaim his homeland and avenge his queen, leading an army against Critias’s forces. The words, “I will avenge Cornelia and free my people!” become a mantra that guides him. With vengeance fueling him, Periander must make heavy sacrifices, question the cost of justice, and protect his only child in a world teetering on the brink of annihilation.

Joseph Bringman’s tale is unique, offering an original exploration of Atlantis. I enjoyed how the author successfully captured Atlantis's vibrant yet faded glory, filled with advanced technologies and political intrigue. Through battles, supernatural elements, and personal growth, the plot demonstrates Periander's inner turmoil. The character development and conflict are two elements that caught my attention. Watching Periander transition from a peace-loving king to a fierce avenger is interesting. His steadfast resolve and moral compass draw readers in, as do the secondary characters who reflect the diverse factions of Atlantic society. The setting of Atlantis, with its once-magnificent architecture and innovative technologies, enhances the storyline, creating a historically resonant and strikingly fantastical backdrop. The writing is spectacular, and the author melds intriguing dialogues with streams of consciousness to expand on the conflict while exploring the characters' inner worlds. From the exquisite writing, dazzling imagery, and intense conflict to the unforgettable characters, Periander the Avenger packs a punch that resonates deeply with readers.

Paul Zietsman

Periander the Avenger: The Final Son of Atlantis by Joseph Bringman tells the tale of a deposed ruler caught up in the fall of a once-mighty empire. Periander, the last son of Atlantis, vows to return from exile and free his homeland, driven by the murder of his wife and the subjugation of his people. As he journeys across a fractured world, he gathers allies, encounters supernatural forces, and sets sights on the tyrants Critias and Eudoxia. The novel blends mythology, prophecy, and philosophical tension, tracing Periander’s path from vengeance to reluctant heroism. Each chapter adds weight to the growing struggle to reclaim a legacy and redefine it with vision, courage, and painful honesty.

Joseph Bringman’s Periander the Avenger is a bold and thoughtful epic. What stands out is not just the worldbuilding - rich with Atlantean lore and echoes of Plato and scripture - but the emotional honesty at the story’s heart. Periander is not a perfect hero, and Bringman doesn’t try to make him into one. Instead, we see a man trying to balance rage with wisdom, pain with purpose, and instinct with hard-earned restraint. The story never settles for easy triumphs. Loss has consequences, and revenge demands a cost. Bringman writes with the kind of insight and subtlety that trusts the reader to wrestle with the deeper questions. For readers who crave epic fiction that resonates on both mythic and emotional levels, Periander the Avenger: The FInal Son of Atlantis is an exceptional novel - gripping, intelligent, and deeply memorable.

Saifunnissa Hassam

Joseph Bringman’s novel Periander the Avenger: The Final Son of Atlantis is an intriguing and fantastic science fiction and fantasy story set in a futuristic Atlantis. Its kingdoms, beliefs, customs, and traditions reflect its roots in the ancient mythological world of Atlantis. The current Atlantis empire is smaller than in ancient times. Its technology is advanced, including computers, holograms, airships and hovercrafts, force fields, and laser-based weaponry. Atlantis is a federation of ten kingdoms, each with its own king. Traditionally, a High King heads the federation. The current High King, Critias, plans to turn the federation into a monarchy. One of the kings, Periander, rejects the tyrannical rule of Critias and flees into exile in Egypt. The action and tension pick up as Periander takes on the challenge of persuading the rulers of other lands to rise against Critias. The story has many twists and turns to the very end. 

Compelling and thought-provoking, Periander the Avenger is remarkable for its characters and world-building. I particularly liked Periander’s character development, from being a king to his exile and his determination to fight against the tyranny of Critias. I was curious about how Periander would fight this war and restore the rightful kings to their kingdoms. His character springs to life through anguishing personal loss, disappointments, deep anger, and the desire for revenge. The result is a personal transformative journey that is expressed in well-crafted action, battle scenes, imaginative settings, tense dialogues, emotions, and thoughts. The storyline vividly portrays the ancient classical world of Atlantis while at the same time showing a futuristic Atlantis with advanced technology. The story gained great depth through its secondary characters. Edgy and dramatic confrontations and battles create powerful and sharp contrasts between characters. The result is an action-packed novel driven by complex characters and intense emotions. The battle scenes reveal details of key characters with a focus on motives, emotions, loyalty, and betrayal. Joseph Bringman’s immersive and character-driven tale is one of war, conflict, loss, survival, love, and hope.

Pikasho Deka

Immerse yourself in an epic tale of rightful vengeance with Joseph Bringman's Periander the Avenger. After High King Critias decimates his house and murders his beloved wife, King Periander of Atlantis has no choice but to leave his kingdom and plot revenge against his tormentor. With a few of his loyal men, Periander sought the aid of Pharaoh Ozymandias of Egypt and eventually ended up marrying his daughter, Princess Psyche. Meanwhile, Critias sets his eyes upon Athens, where Prince Leonidas warns his father of the danger, but to no avail. Leading the armies of Egypt and Mohenjo-Daro, Periander launches his invasion of Atlantis. However, Critias is armed with superior weapons that can inflict much carnage. Will Periander be able to defeat him and get his revenge? What's next in store for Atlantis and its people?

Incorporating elements from sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction, Joseph Bringman has crafted a sprawling epic featuring fierce warriors, conniving sycophants, political intrigue, and action-packed battle sequences. Periander the Avenger follows a warrior's quest for justice and revenge. There is so much to love about this book. Bringman spins a captivating yarn that paints an alternate version of history, where ancient empires had retrofuturistic sci-fi tech and imperial empires of Europe had already reached the Americas. With a fast-paced plot, the narrative keeps surprising you at every turn. I honestly couldn't have predicted that ending. The characters are compelling and have their own agency. Periander's story arc was fascinating from start to finish. He had to sacrifice a lot to complete the task he set for himself. This is a must-read for readers of historical fiction and sci-fi.