The Last Prince was a read full of potential. There’s a good premise with interesting characters that capture your interest. You root for them from the start, their vulnerabilities making you want them to get through their hardships.

But although the book engaged me, I didn’t submerse myself fully in it. There was a sense of distance throughout I can’t quite put my finger on.

I’d have liked the book to be more evenly spaced between the main characters as children and adults. A lot happened when they were very young. The decisions and attitudes they had were understandable given what they’d been through, but also kept making me think they were older. Once they were introduced as older characters, only their relationship seemed to have developed rather than the individuals.

Our protagonist – Ninian – has very strong views, even as a boy. He sees one thing, makes assumptions and never stops to ask why. Even when his own reactions are just as extreme. One example is fleeing from a place of safety due to seeing something he didn’t understand – and never questioning what’s really happening. It felt like plot devices rather than character development.

It’s an interesting world full of danger, where inhabitants have to carve a life out of violence and uncertainty. The writing did draw you into this setting, even if not the full way.

An intriguing read that held my attention. One I’d recommend if you want something enjoyable rather than a fantasy to take too seriously.

Oh this is so good! I do enjoy a sequel that it's not completely necessary to read the first one. Tho it is suggested.

The world is so beautiful!
And the lore!!

I really enjoyed the overall plot of this story even though I did not read the previous book in the series. I would love to read more from this author in the future.

I think this is the second book in a series, and I didn't read the first one, so it's hard to say how it compares.
It is a solid, strong and interesting story, with compelling characters and was a great read. I'd recommend it to my young adult daughter.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good book, but I felt the pacing was a bit off. I still really enjoyed it though.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

Sadly this just doesn't seem to be my cup of tea. I read the first 10% trying to decide if I wanted to continue but just didn't really feel a connection to it. I can see that this would really appeal to others though, just not myself I am afraid.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at 32% - more than a hundred pages in and I just couldn't bring myself to care about anything that was happening. Maybe it's because I haven't read The Hidden King (the first part of the series that takes place after this novel), but I still think that a book should be able to pique my interest regardless of if I've had an emotional connection to the characters or not.
Other than that, this is a solid work. I'm actually sorry I didn't like it.

I stupidly didn't realise this was part of a series until around halfway through. Thought it was all a bit confusing 🤦🏻‍♀️however, I did enjoy this book as it was. Would recommend.

Although this was a quick read, I felt that the story truly took me away. Even though I believe this should be marked a prequel than a sequel or a stand-alone because that order truly threw me off once I realized where this book stands. I loved the relationship between Niniam and Aed. I felt soooo emotional about these two characters, I would cheer them on endless. The world-building was great and I love the character development; however, I did feel there was not really a moment that had me gasping at the big plot point/plot twists.

I loved this book and would highly recommend reading it. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

The Last Prince (Book 2 in The Coming of Aed Series) – E.G. Redcliff

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in order to provide and honest review.

Is an American author who writes YA Fantasy stories. “The Last Prince” is the second book in her “The Coming of Aed Series”, the first book in the series being “The Hidden King”. Though I have not read “The Hidden King” the author assures me that this wont affect anything and that I can read the books in any order.


Ninian is a young boy fighting to survive the rough streets of the Maze, separated from the faded splendour of the fabled White City, a place Ninian could only dream about. Soft clean beds and contented bellies full of warm food, safe and without fear. Such a stark difference from the reality that Ninian faced. Stealing food and sometimes going days without, hiding out in abandoned dwellings barely fit for inhabiting – but there was little else for him.

Having lost both his parents at an early age, Ninian had to learn how to survive on his own. One day the hunger and temptation of good grew too much for him. Ninian had discovered the biggest store of food he could ever imagine hidden in the winding and towering shelves of a trading shop. Before Ninian was able to stop himself, he had gorged himself on the food.

Yet Ninian was caught, the trader shop owner Mael, instead of having Ninian beaten or killed, insisted Ninian pay back what he ate. At a loss as to how Ninian was going to pay back such a large debt, through a series of unfortunate circumstances Ninian finds himself a member of a gang, forced to fight and kill for money. But as with all gangs, once you are in, you are never out.

So, with his first purse full of coin, Ninian dutifully heads back to Mael to pay part of his debt, yet what he finds back at the trading shop is something he never could have imagined. A young boy like himself yet left brutally tortured and mutilated, too afraid to speak. Mael refuses the coin and instead insists Ninian help Mael care for the boy. Yet the boy has a dark secret even he does not know of. But as Ninian and the boy grow closer, Ninian struggles to accept the truth that is there before his very eyes.


“The Last Prince” is an exciting YA Fantasy tale of magic, mystery and hardship. It was emotional to read young Ninian go through some of the ordeals that he had to face, which is attributable to the writing ability of the author. I feel that this book can definitely been read as a stand alone and hasn’t affected the story line – though I will have to read book one in the series to confirm this. Though I do hope in the next book that Aed’s secret comes out. It may just be me, but I feel that Ninian not revealing the truth to Aed is a betrayal to him, one he may live to regret.

this was a great sequel, the characters are well written and I enjoyed the story. I loved how simple the cover was and it really pulls you in.

I had a little trouble following this book since I had not read the first book but despite that I enjoyed this book. From the first page I became invested in the characters and the world. I think I would've enjoyed this more if I had read the first book.

ARC from NetGalley

2.5 stars

I had no idea reading this that it was the second in a series. There was no reference to the previous book (which I hadn't read). I knew going into it that it was #2, but it was nice not to be sort of scrambling trying to figure out what was going on.

This book was depressing and ended on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. Like, the audacity! It was the cliffhanger to hang all cliffs. There was nothing subtle about it, and because of it... what did this book actually give me? Many, many chapters of really grim and depressing, dark shit, and a few chapters of things are mostly pretty nice, and then CLIFFHANGER.

I feel ripped off, but I still kind of want to know what happens going forward. Not enough though, unfortunately. It just didn't bring enough to the table to invite it for dinner next time, you know?

~ ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~

Hmm, let's see, did I liked this book? 🤔
First, some facts. I've asked an ARC without knowing this is not the first book in the series (again! 🤦‍♀️What is wrong with me?😂). From the few reviews I've skimmed through, I've learned that is actually a prequel of book 1, so I've started reading it right away.
At the end, I just one-clicked on book 1, I loved it THAT much!

5 stars

I didn't actually realize this was the second book, though it looks like it's a prequel and I didn't feel I was missing something. I enjoyed the world building, it was quite interesting. The characters were fantastic, I loved Ninian and my heart really went out to him and the struggles he went through.

I enjoyed this quick easy read and I'm going to go back and read the first book.

This book was such a quick read and it had me from the first few pages. Since I was really drawn to the story and loved every character, there are not many things that made me unhappy while reading. The author has a great hoice of words and it's really fluent to read and the story was good, a bit slow paced, I would say but it was so nice! The characters began to develop a bit late, I would say and because of that seemed a bit flat in the beginning, but still, it was a great read!

New to this series and author, I found this to be an overall pleasant read. While I wasn’t exactly blown away by anything in particular – I would, however, regret not pointing out the apparent care that Radcliff takes to building her world and the characters that survive inside it.

The writing is smart and rich in its details. I could feel as though I was watching the film of it in my mind as I went along, missing none of the scenery and enjoying all of the action. Granted some parts ebbed and flowed better than others. And other things left a little underdeveloped. Yet on a whole, this book is recommendable for mild-fantasy readers as the fantasy aspects with the fae are not as exposed here as they would be in the first book, The Hidden King. (I’m assuming). Give or take a minor character or two.

With that said, this book is set in an earlier timeline of the series and believably can be (and most provenly so) read without knowledge of the first book. As the ending of this one lends itself to the beginnings of its predecessor. So, as many others have mentioned in their reviews, this absolutely does feel more like a prequel to an intended stand alone.

Either way, I’m interested and nearly invested in these characters and plot to see what I originally missed out on.

This book is very exciting, the plot is interesting, but I think this is a little bad compared to the first book.

I received the arc from Netgalley and couldn't believe my luck, I absolutely loved The hidden king and couldn't wait to read Ninian's story.

I wouldn't call it a second book in the series more like prequel but that just details.

Loved absolutely everything about this book, it's gripping, unexpected and everything that you would want from a good book.

Highly recommend.