Paperback
-
SHIP THIS ITEMAvailable for Pre-Order. This item will be available on August 13, 2024PICK UP IN STORE
Store Pickup available after publication date.
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
The ancient forest realm of Sunweald is bordered on two sides by far mightier nations – a precarious situation. At its centre, the Sunweald Palace is home to the Lord Regent and the heir to the throne, together with numerous precious and powerful artefacts. The Palace is protected by the realm's elite Shields, dedicated to guarding the royal line against all foes.
A group of vicious brigands called the Wildwood Reivers have been stealing arcane artefacts and smuggling them across the borders, out of Sunweald. And the objects they most desire are stored in the mystical Wyrm Vault, hidden away deep in the bones of the earth, within the walls of the Palace itself.
As political and religious tensions mount, Sunweald's druids prepare to enact rituals for the Summer Solstice – but the Wildwood Reivers and their treacherous allies have other plans. It falls to Briar, the commander of the Shields, to defend the ancient corridors and secret tunnels of the Palace. The odds may be against her, but she'll see every enemy head adorning a spike or she'll die trying…
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781915998033 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Watkins Media |
| Publication date: | 08/13/2024 |
| Pages: | 400 |
| Sales rank: | 252,155 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.12(w) x 7.75(h) x (d) |
About the Author
What People are Saying About This
"An action packed ride filled with clashing battles, unforeseen betrayals, inventive deaths, evil magic and one very badass Commander of Shields. Epic fun."
– Anna Stephens, author of Godblind and Songs of the Drowned
"Cameron Johnston writes with such wild abandonment that you can't help but be dragged along for the ride."
– RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships and Gods of the Wyrdwood
"At the heart of The Last Shield is one woman’s drive to never give up, to never accept defeat and to push through any hardship with everything you have and I loved that. Johnston delves you into a ruthless, gritty world, hits you with thrilling action and offers you characters you will either root for or hate right down to their core."
– Nils, The Fantasy Hive
"Johnston’s The Last Shield is gritty, action-packed, and ceaselessly clever, with a heroine who uses her considerable determination and wit to claw her way closer and closer to rescuing the people she loves. Briar is the underdog you can’t help but root for, and who you would always, always want to have on your side."
– Andrea Stewart, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Bone Shard War
"...one of those rare books that is utterly satisfying and, when finished, leaves a slight feeling of regret...packed with pace, humour, violence (lots of), treachery, sorcery, unrequited love and a feisty kickass female lead character."
– Christine Downie, British Fantasy Society
"Olympus Has Fallen meets medieval Scotland. A modern fantasy novel rooted in classic sword and sorcery."
– Fiona MacKenzie, @Scottish.Bookworm (TikTok)
"A book that takes you on a thrilling chase filled with dark underground passageways, countless moments of uncertain dangers, and some of the most wildly engaging storytelling, period. If you haven't read a Cameron Johnston book yet you are cheating yourself out of one of the most imaginative voices in the genre."
– Out of This World SFF
"Not only a fantasy-Die Hard, but also a tale about coming to terms with yourself. Briar is a magnificent heroine, and few people write villains as good as Cameron."
– Steve McHugh, author of the Hellequin Chronicles
"Vivid, heart pounding, thrill ride, The Last Shield is the adventure I didn’t know I needed. Briar, the last defender of the Wyrm Vault, had me cheering for her from the first moment she’s introduced. Expertly crafted and perfectly paced, I had trouble putting this book down - a Fantasy Die Hard indeed!"
– Mike Lasagna, Bookseller
"Not just a standalone, this book stands tall alone in this genre! A wonderfully written high-octane action packed fun read."
– Arun, FanFiAddict.com
"The Last Shield is an enthralling and cinematic read—I could not put it down. Johnston has expertly crafted a world full to the brim with action, heart, and incredible world building. A joy of a book."
– Bill, @billreads (TikTok)
"Action, bloodshed, secret tunnels, and a suicidal mission to save the kingdom from total ruin. It’s exhilarating"
– Queen's Book Asylum
"Johnston has done it again! I absolutely loved The Last Shield. Super fast, furiously paced, and so much fun. You'll want to devour this action-packed medieval thriller in one fell swoop."
– Dyrk Ashton, author of The Paternus Trilogy
"Ho Ho Ho, now I have a longsword! Brutal action, memorable characters, dark magic, and chock full of inventive slayings."
– Rob J. Hayes, author of The God Eater Saga
"Johnston crafts a breathtaking fantasy thrill ride where loyalty is tested, and the fate of a realm hangs by the edge of a sword."
– Friends Talking Fantasy Podcast
"An action-packed tale of revenge - centred on a fierce woman who refuses to give up - The Last Shield defies stereotypes while packing in plenty of backstabbing, skirmishes and humour. If you're after a gender-flipped take on fantasy furore, you'll love this tale and its tenacious heroine."
– Elyse John, author of Orphia and Eurydicius
"Cameron Johnston lets his darkly savage mind come out to play with this real tease of a novel – it just keeps building and building and then explodes into brutal action.”
– Dom, @dominish_books (YouTube)