Strong worlds clash over a last grip for power as magic, friendship, and the fight to survive keep this a fast-paced read.

Zahara is a mage, and although she's only been training a short time, proves to be talented beyond her years. Her best friend, Mahzun, isn't any different when it comes to his swordsmanship. When the Usurper brings his army to their kingdom's doorstep and destroys the leader, taking over everything, all seems lost. But Mahzun accidentally receives the magic and power Zahara was supposed to get from their ruler (not that she knew she was supposed to get it, by the way), and this throws everything on its head.

This is a rich, fantasy novel with tension, battle scenes, danger, quests, magic and so much more. There are unexpected twists, moments where everything seems lost, and victories to make the reader cheer. For fantasy fans, this is a read to pick up and get immersed in. And it is an exciting read...it'd be wrong if I didn't say that.

I really enjoyed the first chapters as we get to see Zahara and Mahzun before the battles begin, training, playing, and causing a bit of mischief. The descriptions bring the city and the forest to life, letting the imagination take root and the world build. It's not over-burdened with descriptions or info dumps, and that makes it pretty smooth reading. While the fear and emotions are well based, and the danger comes while packing fear, as the tale goes on, the missing history and background starts to leave holes. These aren't huge and don't really disrupt the action enough to ruin the read, but the world doesn't become as rich as it could have. Still, it is a fun read.

The characters are well placed and have a lot on their plates. Zahara is talented but not arrogant, and the same goes for Mahzun. Mahzun, obviously, is out of his element, and it's easy to understand him as he does the best he can with something he has no idea really how to handle. The author keeps these two at a friendship level, which was refreshing and fits them very well.

The Usurper is the one, though, that caught my attention. The author spends time fleshing him out by giving him chapters from his perspective, which gives great insight and makes him so much more than the 'evil' guy. The problem was that I liked him (to a certain degree) and wasn't sure why he was seen as evil, outside of the fact that he was trying to destroy the existing ruler. The Usurper and the rest of the world claims they are being suppressed. Since the world background is missing, there really isn't much reason to know if they are wrong or right. But since millions of civilians turned into soldiers, giving up everything for this cause, even their lives, it's hard not to assume they have a good reason to act this way. As for Zahara and Mahzun's ruler, he comes across very nice (and I assumed he is 'good'), but there's no way to know what he did or why his rule is the better of the two. So, this let the book begin with a strange balance, which left me undecided the entire way through. Although I did root for Zahara and Mahzun.

There is a lot going on in this read, and even with the uncertainty of the things I mentioned, it is a exciting tale with surprises and tons to enjoy. I'm going to assume that this is the first in a series and am excited to see how the author handles it from here.

Personally, I don't like books that start in medias res. I can never figure out why I'm supposed to be cheering for the person fighting as I've formed no bond with that character yet.

Unfortunately, I found that lack of a bond carried with me throughout the book. Early on, we are introduced to Mahzun, the Usurper. The villain according to everyone. So when we spend time in Mahzun's POV, because I hadn't really connected to Zahara and Ekarath, I didn't know if I was supposed to connect with Mahzun. Feel sorry for him? Side with him? And that didn't get better. We learn that Mahzun wants to free people from oppression. Isn't that supposed to be a good thing? There is more along this line that made me wonder if the author thinks religion is system of oppression, and worse, thinks it is correct to be so. Because the gospel I believe in came to break oppression.

I really felt that the world needed more fleshing out, more explanation to as to why I should think that Ekarath and Zahara were actually the good guys and in the right. I'm more on the side of those who work towards equality and freedom. Towards those who keep the "wealthy aristocrats" from running the city instead of the other way around. More world history might have helped. And understanding of what Mahzun had done to people. How he was actually oppressing people and only believed in his own mind he was freeing them. I just didn't get that, though.

This is obviously going to be part of a series. Maybe the next book will clear up that confusion. Or maybe I'll find out I was actually supposed to side with Mahzun and got it right. Because I'd hate to think I'd just sided with the villian for an entire book for no good reason.

First, thank you for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm gonna be honest here, I didn't know what to think of this book to begin with. The synopsis sounded to simple, it honestly seemed like a quick, simplistic read.

Now this book was a quick read, however, I was hooked almost instantly. This book was so much better than I anticipated. It had both character growth as well as plot, and surprisingly no romance.

The plot of this story was simple, however, the main twist through my brain around and made me wonder where the book would go next. There were also a few spots where I wasn't sure we would get the ending this book deserved. This book is a prime example of "oh my, and the plot thickens."

The characters in here were fleshed out perfectly. I had no issue deciphering whose POV I was reading from. They are both strong on their own, but brilliant when together. This story battled with an unexpected burden placed on someone, and them learning to handle it.

There was absolutely no romance. While there was tension of attraction I was glad to see the author not attempt a romance. The best part was, you do kinda want one because the MCs are made for each other. However, it is rare to have a fantasy novel without said romance.

Overall I have this book a 4.5 star rating. I thoroughly enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I will be keeping an eye out for more novels in this world, as well as just more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
I honestly really enjoyed this one. I was a fan of the authors writing style and I like the way that the story progresses throughout the novel.
Overall a good read and I will recommend

This book has a compelling premise and thorough world-building. I liked the distinction between Ekarath and Zahara as characters, and reading from Mahzun's perspective as well was an intriguing contrast. However, all the other characters fell a little flat and did not seem fully fleshed out. The plot for the first 2/3 was engrossing, but the last third felt meandering and dragged a little. At times, I found myself becoming frustrated with Ekarath and had a hard time identifying with the reluctant hero trope. The writing style was also inconsistent--sometimes it flowed well and other times it seemed that the author was trying to force a romance into a perfectly strong platonic relationship. The ending of the first book does leave some big questions for the next one to answer, and I am interested in finding out how everything resolves.

Review of eBook

In a world caught up in a decade of war, Mahzun, the Savior of Man, fights to free the people from the rein of the Heirs and their millennia of oppression. To those who oppose him, Mahzun is the Usurper, the Destroyer of Worlds.

A young girl with the skills of a powerful mage stands destined to stop Mahzun. But Zahara’s friend, an elite soldier named Ekarath, somehow receives the power of the Heirs when Mahzun’s slaughter of Lord Dimitri triggers the passing of the Power of Creation.

Ekarath has no magic skills, no ability to cast even the simplest of spells. He has, no ability to weave the strands of the draod that affected every living thing.

As Mahzun stands on the verge of total victory, can Zahara and Ekarath find a way to stop the Usurper? Or is Mahzun truly the Savior of Man, destined to emerge victorious?

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Teens and young adults are the targeted audience for this science fiction fantasy filled with non-stop action and populated with young heroes and heroines.

The strong friendship between Zahara and Ekarath is one of the strengths in the telling of this tale. Ekarath’s struggle to accept the inevitability that seems thrust upon him by accident is certain to resonate with teens struggling to define their own places in their world.

Although the reasons for his behavior remain unclear, the ruthlessness displayed by Mahzun identifies him as particularly evil and ensures that readers will vote for his final victory to remain unclaimed.

Readers should be aware that, although the story brings a satisfactory close to the question of the Heir of Segova, Mahzun has escaped and the possibility of the story continuing in another book certainly exists.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from The Book Whisperer and NetGalley
#TheFinalHeir #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

After ten years of warfare, the Usurper or the Destroyer of Worlds as know by his enemies, murders the last of the Heirs - powerful beings who are the only ones with the ability to thwart him. Upon his death, the Heir’s extensive powers are passed onto his expected successor - a young mage talented beyond her years. Or so she thought. Instead it is passed onto her best friend, an elite soldier skilled with a sword but has never cast a spell in his life. The two friends are the last thing standing between the Usurper and complete victory.

This book was extremely fast paced that was well suited to the narrative. The magic system whereby the mages source their power was unique and interesting. My biggest critique lies with the antagonist of the novel.

I wasn’t as frightened of the villain, the supposed “pure evil” as I would have liked to be. I was told repeatedly that I should fear the Usurper, but I didn’t feel it. Giving him a number of chapter POVs was an attempt to understand his character, but I still felt as if I didn’t understand his motivations. It was alluded to at the start but was not then expanded on for the rest of the novel, leaving me with an antagonists that I neither feared or felt compelled to empathise with.

Nevertheless it was a read that I was able to finish in pretty much one sitting and the ending nicely set up for following books.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This was fantastic and magical ride. Ekarath and Zahara's friendship was so touching to observe, especially when I'm glad that this book chose to put the emphasis on their connection as friend instead of focusing on romance. Friendship connection between main characters can just as deep and touching, so I'm glad for the author's decision. I loved experiencing their adventure and Ekarath's struggle to accept a destiny that wasn't supposed to be his in the first place and a responsibility that turned out to be even greater than what he was preparing to shoulder as a mage instead of a soldier. Definitely recommend the book.