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A review by nclcaitlin
The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston
4.0
Imagine Die Hard taking place in a castle with loyal bodyguards, epic battles, and touching moments of honour, duty, and an older done-with-everyone’s-crap female protagonist!
Briar, Commander of the Shields, has managed to keep Lord Regent Alaric Summerson and his nephew, the king-in-waiting, alive despite many assassination attempts.
However, the Summer Solstice celebrations turns quickly into bloodshed when a brigand called the Wildwood Reivers attack and secretly infiltrate themselves deep within the Palace’s catacombs.
Briar is not to be underestimated. She is clever, shrewd, extremely witty, and will fight tooth and nail to protect those she loves.
“Despite what the bards and boasters tell you, not every battle sees you covered in glory - mostly, you just end up covered in blood and shit and tears. The best you can hope for is that it all belongs to some other poor bastard.”
Early on, Briar suffers an injury which makes her question her entire purpose and ability. Pushing past this, recovering physically and mentally, was written deftly with great care and exceeding insight to Briar’s character.
I cannot comment on the accuracy and research Johnston took in writing a disabled character, however he highlighted the differences of Briar’s mindset and experiences at just living and moving around after this injury. Whilst I am not a sensitivity reader, I felt great consideration was taken in writing about this.
They couldn't see the fiery pain inside her, and that was the way she wanted it. The pain she could deal with, mostly, but the disability gnawed at her entire sense of self as a warrior.
Now you might not expect a love story from this, but Briar and Alaric definitely had be some tension and longing between them, but both put duty above any feelings or action. I wasn’t expecting this book to tug on my heart strings! It is very subtle, but just added more tenderness to two characters who seem stone-cold and married to their responsibilities.
This was just amazing! I flew through it! Briar has a strong and funny voice, and Johnston keeps it interesting despite it being a one-woman job.
Plus, there’s a farting, loyal dog. What more could you ask for?
Thank you to Angry Robot for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review!!
Briar, Commander of the Shields, has managed to keep Lord Regent Alaric Summerson and his nephew, the king-in-waiting, alive despite many assassination attempts.
However, the Summer Solstice celebrations turns quickly into bloodshed when a brigand called the Wildwood Reivers attack and secretly infiltrate themselves deep within the Palace’s catacombs.
Briar is not to be underestimated. She is clever, shrewd, extremely witty, and will fight tooth and nail to protect those she loves.
“Despite what the bards and boasters tell you, not every battle sees you covered in glory - mostly, you just end up covered in blood and shit and tears. The best you can hope for is that it all belongs to some other poor bastard.”
Early on, Briar suffers an injury which makes her question her entire purpose and ability. Pushing past this, recovering physically and mentally, was written deftly with great care and exceeding insight to Briar’s character.
I cannot comment on the accuracy and research Johnston took in writing a disabled character, however he highlighted the differences of Briar’s mindset and experiences at just living and moving around after this injury. Whilst I am not a sensitivity reader, I felt great consideration was taken in writing about this.
They couldn't see the fiery pain inside her, and that was the way she wanted it. The pain she could deal with, mostly, but the disability gnawed at her entire sense of self as a warrior.
Now you might not expect a love story from this, but Briar and Alaric definitely had be some tension and longing between them, but both put duty above any feelings or action. I wasn’t expecting this book to tug on my heart strings! It is very subtle, but just added more tenderness to two characters who seem stone-cold and married to their responsibilities.
This was just amazing! I flew through it! Briar has a strong and funny voice, and Johnston keeps it interesting despite it being a one-woman job.
Plus, there’s a farting, loyal dog. What more could you ask for?
Thank you to Angry Robot for sending me a physical arc in exchange for a review!!