Saviour of the Crown

Heir to the Crown #14

by Paul J. Bennett

Merceria is barely hanging on.
The Marshal of Merceria faces an impossible decision. While one of his Dwarven allies is freed from invasion, the other remains under siege, and a massive enemy fleet still lies off the southern coast. Who does he help first?

The Petty Kingdoms burn as the Halvarian Empire continues its pursuit of total conquest. Before them sits a weakened enemy, the Duchy of Erlingen. Can Halvaria annihilate them before allies come to their assistance?

The stranded Mercerians seek an audience with the Northern Alliance, but the call for help falls on deaf ears. Will Beverly secure aid before the empire's legions destroy what little resistance remains?

The entire Continent faces extinction as the Heir to the Crown series continues in Book 14, Saviour of the Crown.

Sharpen your sword and prepare for the fight of your life in Saviour of the Crown.

Genres: Fantasy

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.

Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.

In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.

The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.

Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saviour of the Crown - Paul J Bennett

Will Halvaria win? How rotten do you have to be for even goblins to join allies against you? With multiple points of strategy, scattered over great distances it will take tactics of master level, carried out effectively to save the entire Continent. It is interesting to finally see all the players from multiple series coming together, another great read!

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul J. Bennett always delivers. Saviour of the Crown is epic. Almost all of his main characters from his various series have come together to fight the Halvarian Empire. Only a few remain to join in the fun in the final book of the Heir to the Crown Series. Epic military fantasy at its finest!

[Ramona Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savior of the Crown by Paul J Bennett

Beverly and Aldwin Fitzwilliam, Aubrey Brandon, and Krazuhk, an Ork, Master of the Air, Sky Singers, are still lost in the Petty Kingdoms. They are in touch with Merceria by Aubrey. They are currently trying to get help from the Northern Alliance for Erlingen. Gerald Matheson Marshall of the Army has worked out a plan to hopefully be the Empire of Halvaria. This plan uses both the military might of Merceria, the Dwarves, the Elves, the Trolls, and the Orcs. In the might of the Petty Kingdoms. All of this hinges on all of the armies having Ork Shamans to communicate instantly with each other. The legions of the Halvari-ans are attacking the dwarves, the trolls, and Merceria. On their other side they are attacking Erlingen though they've lost the battle led by Beverly Fitzwilliam. Mr. Bennett has written another excellent book which had me reading late into the night trying to finish it. If you haven't read The Heir to the Crown se-ries you need to read these books in order to get the full taste of what he is writing. This is the 14th book and there's only one book left and I'm waiting with baited breath for him to write it and finish it...

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battles in the Petty Kingdoms, treachery and mayhem in the Halvarian capitol and a plethora of vital alliances abound in this latest saga. This is the next to last book of the series and is the best so far! Full of intrigue, betrayals, confrontations and more, this is a page-turner for sure. The emphasis is on the many battles involving the allied forces: humans, dwarves, elves, ORCs, goblins and Trolls against the invaders and their cohorts. Then, all the plotting and back-stabbing within the Halvarian realm – with several players attempting to overthrow and replace the emperor. Makes for a fantastic story! If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, you won’t be disappointed in this one. If you’re new to it, start at the beginning with Servant of the Crown and read each in succession so you won’t miss any of the action. Bennett has created a masterful storyline, and it keeps getting better.

[Shirley Blackham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its wonderful to see characters from Mr Bennetts other series coming together in this book to help the Petty Kingdoms in their fight against the Halvarian army and the Empire. So the stage is set for an epic battle between two forces of roughly the same number of fighters/warriors. But overall General Beverley Fitzwilliam has battle experience on her side and a keen military mind. Plus the use of Shamans and Earth Mages. We have Orcs, Dwarves, Elves, Trolls, Humans and Therengians including Athgar, the High Thane of Therengia and a Fire Mage, bondmate to Natalia Stormwind, Battle Mage, Warmaster, Water Mage and bondmate to Athgar. Both Battle experienced (from The Frozen Flame series, an excellent series) all fighting for a common cause...to rid the Petty Kingdoms of the Halavians and liberate places the Halvarians has subjugated under their rule.
What will be the outcome of this final battle ??
Read the book and find out, you wont be disappointed.

[Manie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many reasons an empire can get formed, though most would be complex and involve quite often a plethora personal traits in the higher hierarchies. Author Paul J Bennett succeeds very well in illustrating a number of these in the Halvarian government's invasion of the Petty Kingdoms.
What I found even more amazing is the gathering of every single kind of fantasy, intelligent creatures, or otherwise, ever highlighted in a single book. Elves, dwarves, gnomes, orcs, goblins, etc. forms an integral part of a plot where the war by Halvarian involves all of these creatures. And involving even some more and very new ones. Impressive.
As is the magic. And so much more and spread over many pages in this expansive and quite immersive tome. The reader is in for quite a treat for many hours
Oh boy!
Enjoy.

[Irfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Saviour of the Crown" felt like too much, yet not nearly enough. Lots of pieces are starting to come together. The empire is crumbling. The families are coming undone by their plotting and counter-plotting. More characters are thrown into the mix, creating various perspectives. Some familiar faces are returning from the other series, while others get cut off with very limited screen time. I guess that's expected, given the scope of the events.

One of the biggest downsides for me, though, is the final battle. Somehow, it felt short—at least when compared to many of the previous ones. It's just one massive block of armies facing off against one another. There's no grand strategy to it, I think, despite the various mentions of it. While that's understandable given the plot situation, I was hoping for something far more complex in terms of action—the kind of unexpected turns that have always been prevalent in this series. Still, it's a strong setup for the finale. Story-wise, Saviour of the Crown is as good as its predecessors.

[Shawn William · Rating 5 out of 5]

After discovering the Heir to the Crown series, I was thrilled to realize how many books I had left to read. As I came to the end of book 13, I first experienced having to wait for the next book in the series. I picked up Saviour of the Crown, and struggled to put it down. I was immediately drawn back into the world of Merceria and the incredible characters that I have grown to love. You feel like you know them personally, which makes it even harder to stop at the end of any given chapter...you must know what happens next! Book 14 did not disappoint. Even though there were very few chapters featuring Merceria's beloved Queen, or her Marshal, the characters and new lands kept me interested and invested. I can't wait for the series finale.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author seamlessly blends the characters of three different, albeit intermingling series, in Saviour of the Crown.
Right from the start of this book there was so much happening. It saddened me to read of the death of a well-loved Vard. I really liked this character. His love for, and pride of, his people was unquestionable. Although he betrayed a serious persona, he also had a wicked sense of humour. I will miss him.
Will the Petty Kingdoms and Merceria prevail, or will Halvaria realise its ambition to rule over all? Only time will tell.

I received a free Advance Reader Copy through BookFunnel and have chosen to leave a review.

[Barbara Raue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Halvarian Empire is out to take over all of the Petty Kingdoms, and indeed, the whole continent. The Marshal of Merceria has a plan, but it requires many to bring it about. War is coming to Erlingen and Halvaria seeks to annihilate them before allies can assist them. Beverly Fitzwilliam has a huge job ahead to direct the armies around Erlingen. A page-turner from beginning to end. Lots of planning, lots of action.

[Jill Gauger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as usual. Paul is a mastermind when it comes to storytelling and strategy. The groups that come together from all over and the coordination of strategies make this an epic battle allowing us all a thrilling experience for all readers.
Anxiously awaiting the next book to witness the implosion of Halvaria.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final battle is almost upon them. The enemy is gearing up for the final strike.
Alliances, friendships old and new, battle strategies and final plans are all being
organised for the final show - down.
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.

[Richard Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another great read I've read all his books and this one id highly recommend
He brings characters from other series into this one in this and his characters are brilliant another great read can't wait for next book

[Mike Brannick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from a great story teller. Fantastic, well developed characters you'll grow to care about. Or, if you've read the earlier books in the series, you already do. I STRONGLY recommend you read all four of the series that come together in this book. You won't be sorry!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing the detail makes you feel like you are there .
The story is coming to a head .
Can’t wait for the next one.

[Lavonne Wingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Onto the next novel. This one sets up the finale nicely. I hope the ending is worth all this great reading that I have done so far.