The Last Shield - by Cameron Johnston (Paperback)

About the Book

"An Angry Robot paperback original, 2024"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

A gender-flipped Die Hard set in a mysterious castle, Cameron Johnston's The Last Shield is an engaging fantasy read, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Mark Lawrence.

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...

Review Quotes

"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

"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, 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."
- British Fantasy Society

About the Author

Cameron Johnston is the British Fantasy Award and Dragon Awards nominated author of dark fantasy novels The Traitor God and God of Broken Things. He is a swordsman, a gamer, and an enthusiast of archaeology, history and mythology. He loves exploring ancient sites and camping out under the stars by a roaring fire.