The Last Vigilant had the potential to be great. A kidnapping/murder mystery set in a fantasy world, Mark A. Latham’s novel presents a story unlike most any I have read. I loved Enelda. I liked Hawley, but the novel didn’t keep my attention as much as I hoped it would. I took the novel little by little rather than consuming it like my life depended on it, and maybe that contributed to my…acceptance of The Last Vigilant rather than any form of excitement. The book has action. It has stakes. It has lore. It has everything that makes a fantasy novel enticing, but for some reason or another, it didn’t capture me.

Firstly, I had to continuously remind myself: This is a fantasy realm, spelling doesn’t matter. I cringed every time I saw “SARGENT” Hawley. It should be “sergeant.” That drove me absolutely batty the entire novel. The military has blamed Hawley for a tragic past event, and it’s heavy on his shoulders. Mostly to get him out of the way, he’s tasked with finding the Vigilant to help solve the dilemma of children going missing. He locates her, and she’s nothing like he expects.

Mysteries surround mysteries—one question answered reveals several others. They confront politicians, librarians, priests, and more in their search for answers, the search for the truth. Enelda is a “Sherlock Holmes” type character, with Hawley as her sidekick/Doctor Watson. She points, he goes, though sometimes not without much grumbling. He has his own ideas for what occurred, and they’re dismissed. But magic swirls, the stakes rise, and things become far more complex than either of them anticipated.

The book is…fine. It’s entertaining, to a certain extent, and I didn’t DISlike it, but I also didn’t like it enough to move the second book to the top of my TBR pile.

4.25/5

If 'Between Two Fires' and 'The Justice of Kings' had a baby and they added an old version of Morraine Sedai it would look like this.

This book is the definition of "I expected nothing and it gave me everything". I didn't know the author nor heard of the book. I saw the ARC on netgalley and decided to try. Hooked from chapter one.

An old wizard who's less about flashy magic and more about knowledge and her bodyguard who's a monster with a sword and has the entire army he was part of against him because he's not from the Old Blood (simple nepotism, if you're father and his father and so forth weren't soldiers, you're not "one of us").

While I ate this up and can't wait for book 2, there's something that bothered me. The first 10% of the book promises monsters and a fight against the dark powers, and the rest of the book is about the mystery of who's trying to get us there, to that dark power. Which I didn't hate, but we have to wait quite a bit to solve that mystery.

So far this is top3 best surprises of all year.

I found this book to be interesting. I love a good scary or spooky story and that’s the interpretation that I perceived from some parts of the book. Then there were other moments where I thought that I was reading a murder mystery. Hawley have been sent across the lands on behalf of the King to investigate the disappearance of the young children. Along the way he cross paths with this Vigilante, who just so happens to be a woman. Hawley continues his journey with Eldena only to step into another world that they did not anticipate. The story had its surprising moments. Thrilling moments and it’s good humor moments.I like the book for adventure and fantasy stories. Until next time my fellow readers this is your love to read them/ review the gal. Read on!

Thank you to Netgalley, Mark Latham, and Orbit for the eARC copy of this book.

The Last Vigilant is posed as a pretty perfect setup for a nice small-scale adventure about the mystery surrounding children gone missing. One of the several strengths it possessed is keeping the scope adequately attuned to the plot's needs and maintaining a perspective that doesn't try to blow it up into epic territory that so many other fantasies do when it doesn't need to. Another strength this possessed is having a richly realized world and history that invites interest and intrigue that doesn't bog down the plot and current events

With these elements in mind, the actual execution of the plot, character interactions, and dialogue just didn't quite click for me. Details that didn't seem important or were obvious were told more often than not or details that should've been were absent again and again. Much of my reading experience consisted of me trying to understand why things were happening despite liking the events themselves. I think mystery and fantasy is a brilliant combination and the setup and premise are really solid here. That being said, it wasn't enough for me to fully invest because of the above tactics employed.

The Last Vigilant was compared to The Tainted Cup, which I haven't read, but I knew was a mystery in a fantasy setting. I enjoy mysteries and fantasies and I've read some good ones. The Last Vigilant just failed to hold my attention. I felt like I had to power through 20% of it to get to the meat of the story. By 28% I was glad I had pushed through, but couldn't make myself pick it up again. By 29% I'm bored again and I'm going to call this one a DNF. It's not grabbing me. I don't care about the characters. I find Hawley's name irritating. The world building doesn't make much sense and I don't understand the whole vigilant thing or political background.

I just don't like this book so far and I don't want to spend any more time with it.

I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher, Orbit, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Vigilant was a satisfying read for those that like your traditional fantasy world with a large dose of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Not a masterpiece by any means, but an enjoyable novel overall. For a reader of mostly fantasy, it didn’t bring anything new to the genre or do anything that made me have that WOW moment.

Here we have a mystery where children are disappearing all over the kingdom. And now that a prominent child has disappeared, this kingdom is on the brink of war. Sargent Holt Hawley with a group of soldiers under him search for the one individual that can solve this mystery, a true Vigilant. Hawley knows his soldiers are tiring of this quest, and their disrespect and their disgust for him is growing. Hawley is not respected by command and his soldiers and knows he was placed on this quest to fail. On this quest, he meets a slight, old woman, who goes by Nell, in a decaying tower. While not what Hawley was expecting for a Vigilant that is described as godlike, after future events, Nell and Hawley are reunited and Nell will reveal herself as Enelda Drake, the last true Vigilant. So begins their adventure.

The court intrigue and the mystery of the missing children kept me entertained. While the characters were developed and had nice banter, especially Enelda and Hawley, I couldn’t get fully invested in the characters. Also, while there are some good battle scenes in the novel, especially late, the spiritual warfare lacked originality. This is a good novel, but at 560 pages, it didn’t feel like the time invested for me to read the novel was worth it.

To be honest, there was disappointment from the cover and even the blurb that I was expecting the start of a grand quest. Instead, this is mostly a Sherlockian-mystery novel told in a fantasy world that I feel like I have visited many times before.

This book doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. Full of classist jerks, cruel leaders, and zealots, as well as a sexist king that stripped women of the right to lead. Holt Hawley is a hot blooded, yet clever lead and Vigilant Drake is a force to be reckoned with. The old order of Vigilants had to be astounding. Lots of heart wrenching moments and I love the mythos of the Majestics and deities and all of that. Such a good read, I can hardly pull my thoughts together!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up

A great start to a new series, which I feel will improve as we go alone. While the book does have fantasy elements, it was more of a murder mystery than a straight fantasy. The book started out strong and then kind of had its ups and downs with some parts dragging, but we did get what we needed to know with the plot development. The characters were interesting, with Hawley and Enqlda working well together. I do wish there was a little more action throughout as we get a long lull of talk and no show, but the action scenes that were described were pretty gruesome and entertaining. I also wish there was more world building as it was pretty basic, but the political intrigue was done well throughout the book. The ending leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger, but leaves you interested enough to want to pick up the second in the series, which I will definitely do.

A nostalgic journey back into classic fantasy. While it lacked a certain “it factor,” it was still highly enjoyable and worth following for the rest of the series.

A rather good doorstop of a fantasy! Unusual to have an elderly woman as a lead character along with a bitter soldier as a bodyguard . I liked it well enough I’ll try The Lazarus Gate by him since mysteries, either cozy or with a touch of the paranormal, are my second favorite genre. I hope to not have too long a wait for a sequel to this book!

The Last Vigilant delivers a gripping blend of fantasy and mystery that starts with a burst of energy and settles into a slower, more deliberate pace. Though set in a world of forgotten magic, ancient orders, and looming war, this story leans heavily into the structure of a murder investigation, offering something refreshing for fans of genre crossovers.

What Hawley doesn’t expect is to find Enelda Drake, an elderly woman living alone in a crumbling forest tower with only a raven for company. Claiming to be the last Vigilant, she joins Hawley on an investigation that leads them to a castle full of secrets, vanishing children, and rising tensions.

Much of the book takes place within the castle, which serves almost like a locked-room mystery setting. Magic exists, but plays a quiet role until later in the book. Political schemes, religious factions, and corrupt soldiers instead drive the story. It is more mystery than traditional epic fantasy, and readers should adjust expectations accordingly.

The characters are where the novel shines. Sergeant Holt Hawley is a weary, sharp-edged man who his unit has cast aside. Enelda, gruff and mysterious, keeps her cards close, frustrating Hawley and the reader alike. Their dynamic is tense, but gradually grows into one of mutual respect. They’re joined by a few standout side characters, including Iveta, a bold and clever girl caught in the power plays of the nobility.

Though some readers may find the pacing uneven — with moments of momentum followed by long stretches of dialogue or introspection — the well-plotted mystery and scattered twists reward patience. The fantasy world itself feels rich, even if its full scope is only hinted at, and many reviewers noted the potential for deeper exploration in future books.

Latham's prose is both accessible and immersive, striking a balance between intrigue and emotion. There are moments of gore and action, but the focus is more cerebral, emphasising secrets, deception, and justice. The cover may mislead readers into expecting a high-octane fantasy adventure, but at its heart, this is a character-driven mystery steeped in forgotten lore and moral ambiguity.

The Last Vigilant is a strong series opener that can stand alone, but clearly sets the stage for future developments. With a twist-filled ending and compelling characters, it will appeal to fans of The Witcher or The Tainted Cup, especially those who enjoy their fantasy grounded in investigative drama.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC 🤍

This is a pretty decent start for this series. It had me engaged for the first 25% and then from 25% until 60% it felt like it just dragged on with a bunch of information. From 60% until the end it had grabbed my attention back. The only thing that kept this book from being a higher rating is the character development. I’m realllllyyy hoping book 2 has a redemption and gives the characters more depth. 🤞🏽

To keep this spoiler free: this book I can see being a hit for those that are fans of Lies of Locke Lamora and The Tainted Cup.

“I am the seeker after truth.
I am the voice of the meek.
I am the sword of justice.
I am the healer of the cursed.
I am the watcher against the darkness.
I am everywhere and nowhere.
I am everyone and no one.
The gods made me, the gods protect me,
and the gods will one day take me.”

The Last Vigilant is a richly woven epic that sets the stage for a promising fantasy series brimming with atmosphere, ancient secrets, and the burdens of destiny. This engrossing tale deftly blends classic quest elements with fresh intrigue. Sargent Holt Hawley is a compellingly flawed protagonist, his despair and determination pulling the reader through a world rife with hidden agendas and gathering darkness. Enelda Drake’s emergence as the faded legend is both poignant and thrilling, though at times her character could have used more depth to fully match the story’s grand ambitions. The town of Scarfell is vividly realized, a place where corruption and looming war feel palpably close. Fans of character-driven fantasy will find much to admire here, and I’m eager to see where this saga goes next.

The Last Vigilant was solid. It’s one of those fantasy books that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—and that’s both its strength and its weakness. If you’ve read a lot of fantasy, you’ll recognize the familiar beats: ancient orders, looming evil, chosen warriors, etc. It follows a pretty traditional arc, and while it doesn’t push the genre in any bold new direction, it does what it sets out to do quite well.

The writing is engaging, the world-building is detailed enough to pull you in, and the pacing keeps things moving. I enjoyed the main character’s journey, even if it didn’t surprise me much. There’s a sense of comfort in the predictability—sometimes you just want a straightforward fantasy that checks the right boxes, and this one does.

So no, it’s not groundbreaking. But it’s well-executed, enjoyable, and worth a read if you’re in the mood for something classic in tone. Think of it as the fantasy equivalent of comfort food—you’ve had it before, but it still hits the spot.

A good read but not something that kept me absolutely captivated where I wanted to actively continue.

When a child goes missing it is up to an outcast soldier, Holt, to find a Vigilant whose magic could be the key to finding the missing child. Enelda claims to be the last vigilant but her abilities are a far cry from the powerful heroes of old. Despite this, Holt and Enelda go forward with the bit of magic ability she does have to rescue the child, but nothing is as it seems as there are those who do not want them to succeed.

The cover art of this book is absolutely stunning that gave a promise of a fast paced epic fantasy with magic and dragons, but it was more of a slow mystery set in a lush fantasy world. You can clearly tell the author has left a lot open to expand upon the story and take into a full series, and I will be waiting for those to hopefully get more information on a few loose threads that weren't fully wrapped up in this book. It is a slower pace, and be sure to keep close attention to everything to get the full experience of the book.

A super solid well done debut! (side note: Enelda is SO COOL. I love her)

big ty to netgalley for an ARC of this book for an honest review!

I want to thank Mr. Mark Latham, the author, Net Galley, and Orbit the publisher, for E-ARC of The Last Vigilant

I believe this is the first book written by Mr. Latham.

No spoilers in this review.

I would consider The Last Vigilant to be fantasy and a murder mystery mashup.

What initially drew my attention to this book was the cover. It was a reminder of the cover of the Eye of the World.

After reading the Last Vigilant, it is clear that this book is not at all similar to Eye of the World.

The Last Vigilant is about a vigilant who is the last of her kind and her relationship with a soldier who is a loner and did not get along with other soldiers. They become a team to try resolve why several children have been abducted under very mysterious circumstances.

The two main characters are well-rounded, but the secondary and tertiary characters are somewhat flat and two dimensional..

The world building is not unique, but serves the story.

The story's pace is steady, but with only a couple of slow spots.

For a first published book written by Mr. Latham, it is a solid read.

I rate The Last Vigilant 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars).

I would like to thank Mr. Mark Latham, Netalley, and Orbit for the E-ARC.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The dynamic between Hawley and Enelda is interesting and kept me engaged. The story has a lot of character depth and I really enjoyed the originality of the story. The one critique I have is with pacing. There were times when the pacing felt like it was drudging on. However, it wasnt so much that it took away from the story. If you enjoy darker fantasy, I highly recommend The Last Vigilant.

This book took me a little while to get in to but by the end I really enjoyed it. Overall, The Last Vigilant is an enjoyable mystery/fantasy, which is one of my favourite combinations in a book. The fantasy starts off fairly light but does pick up more toward the end of the book. I think the characters are well done and I enjoyed learning more about them as the story progressed.

The book follows Holt Hawley and his companions as he investigates cases of missing children, and the politics surrounding the events. Throughout the book you find more about his backstory, how he got where he is today, and how that impacts his current situation which helps better understand why he does what he does. I didn’t particularly like Hawley or Enelda at first but I came to really like both characters by the end of the book.

The book is fairly slow paced but there was always enough going on to keep me invested, and I am interested to see where things will go from here.

Thanks to netgalley for the eARC

I think this was a decent book but it really wasn't for me. Got halfway through and felt Like I was forcing myself to keep on reading while not truly enjoying what I was reading.