The Last Knight

The Cursed Kingdom #5

by Hildie McQueen

He rules the darkest realm. She might be his only light.

Gunther Janssen, powerful ruler of the Dark Realm, is losing the war within. The darkness that fuels his powers is consuming him and soon he will be lost and become a legion of evil. His only hope lies in a woman from his home, the human realm. But how to convince the woman he has fallen in love with that he is worthy of redemption when he doesn’t believe it himself?

A dangerously seductive warrior from a nightmare realm asks Aubrey Maguire for help. He claims she’s the key to saving him. Admittedly, he’s drop dead gorgeous, but beneath the beautiful exterior, darkness looms. And yet, she can see that the undeniably human... and heartbroken man is still there inside him.


Somehow she has to rescue him before the darkness takes over and she has to keep from dying in the process.

Genres: Romance

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.

Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.

Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildieMcQueen
Instagram: @HildieWrites

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having killed Merliot, Gunther Janssen is now the ruler of the Dark Realm. It is not a position he wants. He does his best to hold the darkness at bay, but it is becoming more difficult each day. Aubrey Maguire is a Yoga instructor who possesses no magic. Gunther believes she is the key to his redemption, the defeat of the darkness and his escape from the alternate realm. Can she find the key to his release before the darkness overtakes him completely? Gunter and Aubrey’s story is the exciting conclusion to the Cursed Kingdom series. Their future is anything but certain. This engaging fantasy is filled with danger, betrayal, scary creatures, twists and turns, and riveting descriptions that make you shiver. The romance is shaky at first, but in the end, things come round as they should.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize there was going to be one more book in this series until the hints from the last book. While Gunther wasn’t really known until the later half, he was still a good character to read about. This had some nice conclusions to the curse, but it does still leave some questions about the characters who are from the other realm. While it ends well enough, it also leaves room for more stories about what happens with others. I can’t say there was anything that spectacularly stood out, I found all of it to be an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Story, Incredible Series
The Dark Realm where the handsome knight Gunther roams clashes with the charming and brave Aubrey,
These two characters took me on a fantastic romance journey that finishes a fantastic series
This authors descriptive writing made me feel like I was right there in the thick of the story.
The captivating inventive characters blew me away with her imagination and how she brings this complex mysterious realm into
the present-day world for a thrilling sweet heartfelt HEA, along with one last shock that brought out an
"Oh Yes" teary cheer to make this the best ending.
Adult Advisory:2/5

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great final book of this series. I really enjoyed Gunther and Aubrey’s story. The fact that everyone eventually came around and were very sweet, even if their hesitance at first was warranted yet annoying. I was glad Aubrey never gave up. Great story all around.

Having said all of that, while Im glad everything worked out happily and all, the fact that the darkness just floated away and was even briefly revisited left me wondering. After everything it felt unsatisfying to leave that thread hanging that way when there seems enough to pull from, to me, if the author wanted to revisit. I did think the overall story was great though so Im trying to not let this impact my rating.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had great time with the book. Reading it was easy and enjoyable. The characters were interesting as well as entertaining. It was easy for me to follow the story. The writing is clear and precise. The leading male character was introduced with great details adding to the reader’s imagination. The same can be said for the female character. I like how the different realms are described with great detail.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The curse doomed him for an eternity and his only hope is her. The last in this series that is just as magical and adventurous as the ones that came before.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed reading Gunther and Aubrey's redemption story of an dangerous lord who is losing the battle of good versus evil within himself. Could Aubrey the woman he loves be the key to his salvation, he just needs to convince her he is worthy of redemption.

[Tina Christ · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it

This book was a bit “deeper” than the previous but still a worthwhile read. And I have to say, of any book I have ever read (& I‘be read thousands) this one had THE perfect ending. All I can say after reading the entire series is Bravo!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story! Well written with creative characters of depth. Fully engaging and intense with just enough steam

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got better.

[Donna Nalbandian Woerner Homschek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, well written with strong characters. Gunther is a character that you fall for, Aubrey is giving and kind. An emotional heartwarming story that must be read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.