Book Review: The Last Scion

Reviewed by Lisa Parker Hayreh, PhD

A fantasy adventure that will leave you hanging in suspense

Once a successful commander in her kingdom, Aay’ika opens this novel living an ideal life with her partner Boran. But then she wakes up with no memory of the past few months; her guards have been mysteriously slaughtered, and she is being accused of numerous war crimes and treason. Soon, she is apprehended and confined with Boran to Patox prison. 

Few survive the unrelenting torture and harsh conditions of this desolate prison. To escape, Aay’ika and Boran must brave perils and forge alliances with captors and fellow prisoners. Through it all, Aay’ika experiences terrifying nightmares and waking visions that torment her. Are these images clues to the truth of her imprisonment? Who are the individuals responsible for framing her? Aay’ika must determine her path forward while distinguishing friend from foe. 

The mission for Aay’ika and Boran is to evade corrupt officials from the High Council and to reconnect with their former comrades, all while trying to clear the charges against Aay’ika. Exciting political challenges ensue between those who try to kidnap Aay’ika and those who wish to join her in fighting the corruption of the High Council. 

The intrigue deepens within Aay’ika’s relationships as the story progresses, revealing both loyalties and betrayals. Mysterious murders plague their kingdom as well, with slaughtered bodies strewn across areas regardless of allegiances and feuds. As Aay’ika works to gather with those loyal to her and determine the parties responsible for the atrocities in her kingdom, she must also solve the mystery of her origins. Are the rumors true that there is a Scion, a true heir for their kingdom? And what is her role to play in it all?

The Last Scion weaves a tantalizing tapestry of fantasy, suspense, political corruption, adventure, and love. Aay’ika is an admirable soldier with a mysterious past. We watch her struggle to protect her partner and her people while also puzzling over her amnesia and her way forward. Dizzying twists and turns occur in an imaginative fantasy landscape. A political arena with constantly shifting alliances and rifts keeps the reader guessing as to who Aay’ika truly is and who remains loyal to her. Plotlines tangle and progress over the course of the book, leading to plenty of suspense. Setting descriptions are economized and allow dialogue and action scenes to move the reader quickly through a multitude of events. Wonderfully creative plot events and character progression also challenge traditional fantasy tropes, offering delightful surprises.

Some plot elements and character development can be conveyed simplistically at times, especially with the style’s emphasis on telling information rather than demonstrating progression through scene description and dialogue. 

This novel provides a breathtaking series of thrills and provides nonstop action in its tale about a compelling heroine fighting to save her friends and her kingdom.

---

Thank you for reading Lisa Parker Hayreh’s book review of The Last Scion by Ryan Czajkowski! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.