I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Keeper with prophetic sight and an Elven princess seeking to be a diplomat uncover an ancient evil they must confront to save their very existence in author J.V. Hilliard’s “The Last Keeper”, the first book in The Warminster Series.
The Synopsis
A young boy’s prophetic visions.
Blind at birth, Daemus Alaric is blessed with the gift of prophetic Sight. Now, as a Keeper of the Forbidden, he must use his powers of the Sight to foil the plans of a fallen Keeper, Graytorris the Mad.
An elven Princess with a horrifying secret.
Princess Addilyn Elspeth travels from Eldwal, the magically hidden home of the Vermilion elves, to begin her life as a diplomat to the human capital of Castleshire. During her journey, she stumbles upon a mystical creature foretelling ill tidings.
A terrifying force of evil.
Daemus’ recurring nightmare vision threatens to catapult him into a terrifying struggle that will leave the fate of the Keepers—and the realm—hanging in the balance. Daemus and Princess Addilyn must set out to face the menace that threatens their very existence.
Will the entire realm fall to its knees?
The Last Keeper is the first book in The Warminster Series. With gripping, epic action and heart-pounding adventure, you’ll love this new adventure series.
The Review
This was a fantastic fantasy read. The author did a great job of really delving into the high fantasy element of the narrative, with a beautifully fleshed-out world that feels alive and magical on every page. The writing does a brilliant job of making readers feel connected to the main narrative, and the style of writing was done in such a way that readers felt as if they were walking in the protagonist’s shoes the entire time. What stood out was how the writing made the world-building seamless and as if the world had existed long before this book was written, allowing the reader to feel invested in the narrative early on.
The action and mythos were highly elevated thanks to some personal and intimate character development. The way the author allowed each character’s personal journey to get the same amount of care and attention as the moments they came together to face this growing evil was phenomenal. The look at the politics and diplomacy between various kingdoms within this land was a great way to develop this world too, keeping the narrative grounded where it needed to be and making the more magical-driven elements feel more profound.
The Verdict
A stunning, gripping, and entertaining high fantasy read, author J.V. Hilliard’s “The Last Keeper” is a must-read novel. The rich storytelling and mythology the author developed, along with emotional character growth and complex relationships between the core cast of characters, made this story shine brightly and made for a fantastic opening book in a growing high fantasy series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
BORN OF STEEL, fire, and black wind, J.V. Hilliard was raised as a highlander in the foothills of a once-great mountain chain on the confluence of the three mighty rivers that forged his realm’s wealth and power for generations. His father, a peasant twerg, toiled away in industries of honest labor and instilled in him a work ethic that would shape his destiny. His mother, a local healer, cared for his elders and his warrior uncle, who helped to raise him during his formative years. His genius brother, whose wizardly prowess allowed him to master the art of the abacus and his own quill, trained with him for battles on fields of green and sheets of ice. Hilliard’s earliest education took place in his warrior uncle’s tower, where he learned his first words. HIs uncle helped him to learn the basics of life—and, most importantly, creative writing. Hilliard’s training and education readied him to lift a quill that would scribe the tale of the realm of Warminster, filled with brave knights, harrowing adventure and legendary struggles. He lives in the city of silver cups, hypocycloids and golden triangles with his wife, a ranger of the diamond. They built their castle not far into the countryside, guarded by his own two horsehounds, Thor and MacLeod, and resides there to this day.
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