What do you think?
Rate this book
Last Among Equals
Sometimes, it's the outsiders who have the most to offer.
And the most to lose.
As monstrous hordes of Trell carve bloody swathes across the southern nation of Ollaj, northern Kardalan quietly revels in its neighbor's downfall. Until the Trell appear at their own borders.
The fate of both countries now rests upon the shoulders of two unlikely heroes...
Erik Hødegaal, a disgraced Kardelian nobleman and warrior, unjustly branded a traitor and shunned for his father's sins.
And youthful Prej, the last of Ollaj's mages, an inexperienced apprentice who hides a secret calling she feels ill-prepared to fulfill.
To thwart the Trell scourge, these traditional enemies must forge an alliance, rallying a ragtag band of soldiers and sorcerers to face an enemy razing everything in their path.
In a world where old grudges run deep and new horrors emerge, Erik and Prej must learn to trust each other—or else bear witness to the destruction of both their homelands.
For fans of John Gwynne, Leigh Bardugo, Robert Jordan, and Jennifer Fallon.
And the most to lose.
As monstrous hordes of Trell carve bloody swathes across the southern nation of Ollaj, northern Kardalan quietly revels in its neighbor's downfall. Until the Trell appear at their own borders.
The fate of both countries now rests upon the shoulders of two unlikely heroes...
Erik Hødegaal, a disgraced Kardelian nobleman and warrior, unjustly branded a traitor and shunned for his father's sins.
And youthful Prej, the last of Ollaj's mages, an inexperienced apprentice who hides a secret calling she feels ill-prepared to fulfill.
To thwart the Trell scourge, these traditional enemies must forge an alliance, rallying a ragtag band of soldiers and sorcerers to face an enemy razing everything in their path.
In a world where old grudges run deep and new horrors emerge, Erik and Prej must learn to trust each other—or else bear witness to the destruction of both their homelands.
For fans of John Gwynne, Leigh Bardugo, Robert Jordan, and Jennifer Fallon.
- GenresFantasy
422 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 2, 2025
The bloody Trell onslaught arrives. To avoid annihilation, a fragile alliance of rivals will journey to dangers heart.
To terror beyond imagination.
Loaded with menace, action & fantastic characters. Great banter, humour, tension & heart.
And mostly just a whole lot of fun.
Abundant magic, mystery and fearsome creatures. This hodgepodge of characters all have their heartwarming and unique personalities. It’s quite humorous seeing the lot attempt to coexist. A fresh spin on old school adventure.
Much thanks to the author for this ARC!
To terror beyond imagination.
Loaded with menace, action & fantastic characters. Great banter, humour, tension & heart.
And mostly just a whole lot of fun.
Abundant magic, mystery and fearsome creatures. This hodgepodge of characters all have their heartwarming and unique personalities. It’s quite humorous seeing the lot attempt to coexist. A fresh spin on old school adventure.
Much thanks to the author for this ARC!
June 25, 2025
4.5 stars
This is one of those books that just creeps up and surprises you. I went in with no expectations, having not read the author before, and had a really good time with it. There’s a nice, light writing style, whether it’s an action scene or some slower description, that makes this such an easy read. The story is engaging, and the worldbuilding has some interesting elements to it that just beg for further exploration.
The characters were a good mix – the three main point-of-view characters were all likeable people who you can easily root for, and the side characters do a really good job of helping to support the weight that those three carry. I really liked how they all interacted, and think the different cultures, and in particular the language barrier between those from different countries, was handled really well.
I think this is a very slick book, with the relatively low pagecount (for a fantasy) pointing to an efficiency of writing, rather than a light story. There is more to explore in this story, and I would definitely like to find out what happens next with a few little threads left teasingly loose for a follow-up adventure.
This is one of those books that just creeps up and surprises you. I went in with no expectations, having not read the author before, and had a really good time with it. There’s a nice, light writing style, whether it’s an action scene or some slower description, that makes this such an easy read. The story is engaging, and the worldbuilding has some interesting elements to it that just beg for further exploration.
The characters were a good mix – the three main point-of-view characters were all likeable people who you can easily root for, and the side characters do a really good job of helping to support the weight that those three carry. I really liked how they all interacted, and think the different cultures, and in particular the language barrier between those from different countries, was handled really well.
I think this is a very slick book, with the relatively low pagecount (for a fantasy) pointing to an efficiency of writing, rather than a light story. There is more to explore in this story, and I would definitely like to find out what happens next with a few little threads left teasingly loose for a follow-up adventure.
August 6, 2025
I was fortunate enough to be sent a copy of Last Among Equals from the author themselves - Peter J Aldin. This was a book that I knew from cover alone, and what a brilliant cover it is. I had no expectations going in to this story and now have high expectations for book two, should we get that.
I particularly enjoyed Aldin's writing style. It was free-flowing, easy to read but also descriptive and vivid. I read the book in only a few days and part of this was due to how easy it was to understand and enjoy. The plot itself was something that started off slower but by the end of the book I was turning the pages so fast to try and work out what was going to happen. This was a testament to how drawn into the book Aldin made me.
The world-building was interesting. We meet several characters, three POVs, and different areas of the world are given to us through their experiences and thoughts. This was a great way of showing how unique each of these characters are in the way they see the world and their actions. These characters, when they met up, had a brilliant dynamic.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and hope to see more.
I particularly enjoyed Aldin's writing style. It was free-flowing, easy to read but also descriptive and vivid. I read the book in only a few days and part of this was due to how easy it was to understand and enjoy. The plot itself was something that started off slower but by the end of the book I was turning the pages so fast to try and work out what was going to happen. This was a testament to how drawn into the book Aldin made me.
The world-building was interesting. We meet several characters, three POVs, and different areas of the world are given to us through their experiences and thoughts. This was a great way of showing how unique each of these characters are in the way they see the world and their actions. These characters, when they met up, had a brilliant dynamic.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and hope to see more.
February 17, 2025
Last Among Equals hits the ground running, and thrusts the reader straight into a war of beasts, gods and men. Enmity runs deep between the kingdoms of Ollaj and Kardalan, and yet, a group of warriors from across the divide must unite if their world is to survive. The world is richly described, battles action packed, and characters believable. The end left me satisfied, and yet eager for another novel in the world of Ollaj and Kardalan. I hope there’s a sequel to come!
April 16, 2025
Last Among Equals ARC Review
Last Among Equals is a dark and dirty world, where the Trell are all over the place. Hunting down the magic, humans, and everything in their path with the gods on their side.
For the first time forever, the humans and abaati are going to war with each other instead of against to stop this treat that is destroying their world.
This is the 1st book in Pete's newest series, and i loved it so much. It's starts off with an awesome and exciting prolouge, and from after that, i could never get enough from the world. And was quickly to ask him how much we will get out of this series.
You follow three main characters: a healer apprentice with a quest bigger than herself, a thief domed to be hanged, and an ex nobleman on a mission to restore his house and family name. But can these 3 trust each other?
Insted of having each chapter they jump a bit between each other in the chapters after the scene break parts and it think Pete did a great job with it, without making it feel messy or confusing since they are mostly together trough the book.
This is a dark world filled with magic, beasts, monsters, and gods with their own motives. Filled with action, believable characters, and banter between them that makes you crave every page.
The only thing I miss was to hate one character, just one. I tried to dislike one but ended up liking him too. Because all the characters here are great! And can't wait for the next installment in this world.
Last Among Equals is a dark and dirty world, where the Trell are all over the place. Hunting down the magic, humans, and everything in their path with the gods on their side.
For the first time forever, the humans and abaati are going to war with each other instead of against to stop this treat that is destroying their world.
This is the 1st book in Pete's newest series, and i loved it so much. It's starts off with an awesome and exciting prolouge, and from after that, i could never get enough from the world. And was quickly to ask him how much we will get out of this series.
You follow three main characters: a healer apprentice with a quest bigger than herself, a thief domed to be hanged, and an ex nobleman on a mission to restore his house and family name. But can these 3 trust each other?
Insted of having each chapter they jump a bit between each other in the chapters after the scene break parts and it think Pete did a great job with it, without making it feel messy or confusing since they are mostly together trough the book.
This is a dark world filled with magic, beasts, monsters, and gods with their own motives. Filled with action, believable characters, and banter between them that makes you crave every page.
The only thing I miss was to hate one character, just one. I tried to dislike one but ended up liking him too. Because all the characters here are great! And can't wait for the next installment in this world.
August 16, 2025
What a great read. If I could give 5 and a half out of 5 I would.
For a reasonably long book, it was a very quick read. Hoping there's more to come but also satisfied with just this story.
For a reasonably long book, it was a very quick read. Hoping there's more to come but also satisfied with just this story.
July 27, 2025
I admit that I picked up this little gem because I was intrigued by the high rating and I am enriched by it.
It's not just because of the good writing, I liked the world building and the blending of the past and the present in it, subtly mirroring our own if you accept that advanced technology could be equated with magic. It skillfully made me ponder on the way modern societies react to not only a war after decades of peace, but to the suffering of others, the deepening divide of prejudice and cruelty based on wealth, health, power … you name it, anything entitled in a democracy supposed to make people equal. Everybody judges anybody, but it is action or inaction towards the workings of evil in a society or in a country which makes people heroes and countries great. And depending on the number of good people taking a stand, a society becomes a kingdom and a country becomes history. Will history always repeat itself, do we learn its lessons?
I also liked the choice of building the characters by what they say or do more than just descriptions or the other characters' opinion. I found the dialogues relevant and honest, despite the complexity of their motivation and goals. It makes clear who is a hero, who is a villain and who is just a flawed human like most. The action is fast-paced, the descriptions vivid and the plot imaginative.
I prefer stand-alone books and I thought this was one, but the truth is it ends in a cliffhanger, even if it is soft - there are things unresolved and lives unfolding. Despite this, I decided for the higher rating because I liked it so much and I will decidedly pick up the sequel - I just hope it will be soon.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's not just because of the good writing, I liked the world building and the blending of the past and the present in it, subtly mirroring our own if you accept that advanced technology could be equated with magic. It skillfully made me ponder on the way modern societies react to not only a war after decades of peace, but to the suffering of others, the deepening divide of prejudice and cruelty based on wealth, health, power … you name it, anything entitled in a democracy supposed to make people equal. Everybody judges anybody, but it is action or inaction towards the workings of evil in a society or in a country which makes people heroes and countries great. And depending on the number of good people taking a stand, a society becomes a kingdom and a country becomes history. Will history always repeat itself, do we learn its lessons?
I also liked the choice of building the characters by what they say or do more than just descriptions or the other characters' opinion. I found the dialogues relevant and honest, despite the complexity of their motivation and goals. It makes clear who is a hero, who is a villain and who is just a flawed human like most. The action is fast-paced, the descriptions vivid and the plot imaginative.
I prefer stand-alone books and I thought this was one, but the truth is it ends in a cliffhanger, even if it is soft - there are things unresolved and lives unfolding. Despite this, I decided for the higher rating because I liked it so much and I will decidedly pick up the sequel - I just hope it will be soon.
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2025
Last Among Equals is great fantasy writing. It’s got great world building and wonderful characters. So much so that I’d love to see a fantasy RPG version of it, or see it as a campaign setting for Draw Steel. At minimum I’ll probably end up making the party as Draw Steel characters.
The book flows well and the tone is interesting. It’s as hard hitting and visceral as some of the best Joe Abercrombie stories, but it isn’t as dark and I came away with a very welcome hopeful feeling after reading it.
Here’s hoping for more stories with these characters and in this setting.
The book flows well and the tone is interesting. It’s as hard hitting and visceral as some of the best Joe Abercrombie stories, but it isn’t as dark and I came away with a very welcome hopeful feeling after reading it.
Here’s hoping for more stories with these characters and in this setting.
July 23, 2025
Thanks to Peter J. Aldin for the opportunity to read this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who appreciate Heroic Fantasy.
I love lots of different genres, but Heroic fantasy is a particular favourite, so this story fell squarely into my wheelhouse. The book was faithful to the genre and delivered all the elements I could have wished for. The writing was descriptive, so I was able to fully engage and immerse myself in the world until it felt like I was there. The action and fight sequences were gripping but were not overdone and did not dip into horror. I sometimes found descriptive word choices to be a bit unusual, but it was not enough to detract from the overwhelmingly positive read.
I liked that some elements of the story were predictable in a good way, but many were not. I found myself wondering what would happen next (what could possibly be at the end of the peninsula?) and I was not disappointed with the creativity of the author.
I warmed to the characters and found myself thinking 'what are you up to now, Erik?' as I picked up the book to keep reading. Even the less likeable characters were whole people and clearly represented as more than one dimensional, with whatever redeeming qualities they might have given airtime too. I particularly liked that the women in the story were real characters, and although there were some stereotypical nuances, like Prej as a healer, those aspects did not confine the character development or diminish their value to the story.
****Spoilers****
I would like to have had more of Prej, and while I understood the character arcs the author was following, I think the move towards Freya (sexy thief), possibly at the cost of Prej (reserved maiden - and cook?), was mildly disappointing to me. It may be because it was Prej that was introduced in the teaser, and was then more powerfully introduced in the prologue, only to take a back seat for most of the story - I keep waiting for her to step forward and be more involved, to move further forward from the demure apprentice.
I particularly liked Freya's perspective of the skirmish in the forest at the beginning of Chapter 22. The fear, confusion, readiness, and tension in the scene was palpable through the peripheral experience. Expertly done. The minimal blow by blow detail across that action sequence beautifully illustrated the chaos that led to the separation of the group and set up the concluding climax of the book.
A big thanks to the author for the ending. I loved that at the climax of the story, it was Erik, Prej and Freya who saved the day (albeit with unintended consequences). Allowing the women to be the real actors in the unfolding conclusion, the risk takers and decision makers, was a welcome feature in the overall narrative. Very nice.
I love lots of different genres, but Heroic fantasy is a particular favourite, so this story fell squarely into my wheelhouse. The book was faithful to the genre and delivered all the elements I could have wished for. The writing was descriptive, so I was able to fully engage and immerse myself in the world until it felt like I was there. The action and fight sequences were gripping but were not overdone and did not dip into horror. I sometimes found descriptive word choices to be a bit unusual, but it was not enough to detract from the overwhelmingly positive read.
I liked that some elements of the story were predictable in a good way, but many were not. I found myself wondering what would happen next (what could possibly be at the end of the peninsula?) and I was not disappointed with the creativity of the author.
I warmed to the characters and found myself thinking 'what are you up to now, Erik?' as I picked up the book to keep reading. Even the less likeable characters were whole people and clearly represented as more than one dimensional, with whatever redeeming qualities they might have given airtime too. I particularly liked that the women in the story were real characters, and although there were some stereotypical nuances, like Prej as a healer, those aspects did not confine the character development or diminish their value to the story.
****Spoilers****
I would like to have had more of Prej, and while I understood the character arcs the author was following, I think the move towards Freya (sexy thief), possibly at the cost of Prej (reserved maiden - and cook?), was mildly disappointing to me. It may be because it was Prej that was introduced in the teaser, and was then more powerfully introduced in the prologue, only to take a back seat for most of the story - I keep waiting for her to step forward and be more involved, to move further forward from the demure apprentice.
I particularly liked Freya's perspective of the skirmish in the forest at the beginning of Chapter 22. The fear, confusion, readiness, and tension in the scene was palpable through the peripheral experience. Expertly done. The minimal blow by blow detail across that action sequence beautifully illustrated the chaos that led to the separation of the group and set up the concluding climax of the book.
A big thanks to the author for the ending. I loved that at the climax of the story, it was Erik, Prej and Freya who saved the day (albeit with unintended consequences). Allowing the women to be the real actors in the unfolding conclusion, the risk takers and decision makers, was a welcome feature in the overall narrative. Very nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2025
Myth and Magic.
What an interesting epic story. In a world where many kingdoms are under control of different groups of people that don’t get along, of course there should be a threat to all of them. I particularly liked all of the key characters -Erik. Prej, Freya, Hammer, Zhaab, Ditetich and even Uli. Each is very interesting with their own underdog, sort of backstory. With Ranulf, a (perhaps) questionable ruler directing actions, it brings another level of suspense to the story. I really enjoyed the use of myth, magic, and all of the every day, humor between characters as the story progressed. While the story reaches a point where things are resolved for now, I am really looking forward to see if there is a resurgence of the threat in subsequent novels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What an interesting epic story. In a world where many kingdoms are under control of different groups of people that don’t get along, of course there should be a threat to all of them. I particularly liked all of the key characters -Erik. Prej, Freya, Hammer, Zhaab, Ditetich and even Uli. Each is very interesting with their own underdog, sort of backstory. With Ranulf, a (perhaps) questionable ruler directing actions, it brings another level of suspense to the story. I really enjoyed the use of myth, magic, and all of the every day, humor between characters as the story progressed. While the story reaches a point where things are resolved for now, I am really looking forward to see if there is a resurgence of the threat in subsequent novels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 25, 2025
Review of the ARC supplied by the writer, for an honest review
This is one of those books that proves you don’t have to have 700 pages plus to be able to tell a good story, you also do not need complex prose to keep a story interesting
What you need is a good interesting story and this book has it in spades
Set in a dark world, with several different magic systems, we follow 3 main characters and a whole cast of side characters as they cross the country trying to avert an invasion by the hordes of Trell, inhuman necromancers
We follow the them through a series of adventures, with the storytelling keeping you engrossed all the way through, it’s one of the most satisfying books I have read this year, and I am really interested to follow up on the threads that are left open at the end of this book
All I can sum it up with is to tell you to read this book, you will not be disappointed
This is one of those books that proves you don’t have to have 700 pages plus to be able to tell a good story, you also do not need complex prose to keep a story interesting
What you need is a good interesting story and this book has it in spades
Set in a dark world, with several different magic systems, we follow 3 main characters and a whole cast of side characters as they cross the country trying to avert an invasion by the hordes of Trell, inhuman necromancers
We follow the them through a series of adventures, with the storytelling keeping you engrossed all the way through, it’s one of the most satisfying books I have read this year, and I am really interested to follow up on the threads that are left open at the end of this book
All I can sum it up with is to tell you to read this book, you will not be disappointed
May 28, 2025
Amazing book that any fantasy lover will enjoy! All the characters are so interesting and well crafted that they feel alive. Also Prej is amazing and can't wait to see more of her. So grateful to have been part of the Kickstarter campaign, already looking forward to the next one.
March 31, 2025
There’s something about fantasy books—the way a reader gets transported to a different realm and the way that world operates as a whole. I recently finished Last Among Equals by Pete Aldin, and I still haven’t recovered from everything I read in this book and the immersive experience it provided. With its majestic world-building, I found myself living through the story, becoming familiar with the systems, houses, and dynamics between the people of Kardilan and Ollaj. It’s not a direct comparison, but I mean it as a compliment when I say that I loved the writing and storytelling of this book even more because it evoked the familiar feelings I experienced while watching Game of Thrones.
The main storyline revolves around Prej—the healer, her master Zhaab, who has powerful abilities to fight an army on his own, and Erik—a fierce soldier on a mission to restore his house’s name for the sake of his dignity and to meet her demands. The consistent attacks by the Trells across their countries bring all the characters together in an effort to uncover the Trells’ purpose and stop them once and for all. Accompanied by Freya—a morally grey thief, Uli—Erik’s annoying yet loyal commanding comrade, and a handpicked team of soldiers, they embark on a perilous journey. But is that enough? No spoilers, but Prej has some secrets up her sleeve that make her the most powerful when possessed, while Erik's determination and persistence in restoring his house's name drive him relentlessly. He stops at nothing and fights everything that stands in his way.
What appealed to me the most was the dynamic and complex, multi-layered characterization. Every character brings their own uniqueness and backstory. Whether it’s Freya, who can’t be trusted with her words or actions due to the pain she has suffered at the hands of Renulf the King, or Prej, an apprentice healer who couldn’t complete her training but still manages to obtain powers that make her nearly undefeatable. The dynamic and chemistry between Uli and Erik sometimes feel comical, yet on the battlefield, they emerge as a force no one should dare mess with.
The intricate plot is supported by episodic, fast-paced writing, making the reading experience feel like watching a TV show and offering a grand cinematic experience in my mind's eye. I truly appreciate the author’s writing style, which makes the book engaging and entertaining. With every chapter, I eagerly anticipated how the characters would develop and how the story would unfold.
And the climax!!! I didn’t see it coming or even guess it. It was unpredictable and pulse-pounding. The final "boss" literally had me worried for all the characters and the consequences they could face. It got intense and kept me on edge. What I loved most about this book was the author's ability to intentionally leave some loose ends, hinting at the characters’ potential return in the sequel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer and highly recommend Last Among Equals to fans of Game of Thrones and Avatar: The Last Airbender for its masterful storytelling and world-building.
The main storyline revolves around Prej—the healer, her master Zhaab, who has powerful abilities to fight an army on his own, and Erik—a fierce soldier on a mission to restore his house’s name for the sake of his dignity and to meet her demands. The consistent attacks by the Trells across their countries bring all the characters together in an effort to uncover the Trells’ purpose and stop them once and for all. Accompanied by Freya—a morally grey thief, Uli—Erik’s annoying yet loyal commanding comrade, and a handpicked team of soldiers, they embark on a perilous journey. But is that enough? No spoilers, but Prej has some secrets up her sleeve that make her the most powerful when possessed, while Erik's determination and persistence in restoring his house's name drive him relentlessly. He stops at nothing and fights everything that stands in his way.
What appealed to me the most was the dynamic and complex, multi-layered characterization. Every character brings their own uniqueness and backstory. Whether it’s Freya, who can’t be trusted with her words or actions due to the pain she has suffered at the hands of Renulf the King, or Prej, an apprentice healer who couldn’t complete her training but still manages to obtain powers that make her nearly undefeatable. The dynamic and chemistry between Uli and Erik sometimes feel comical, yet on the battlefield, they emerge as a force no one should dare mess with.
The intricate plot is supported by episodic, fast-paced writing, making the reading experience feel like watching a TV show and offering a grand cinematic experience in my mind's eye. I truly appreciate the author’s writing style, which makes the book engaging and entertaining. With every chapter, I eagerly anticipated how the characters would develop and how the story would unfold.
And the climax!!! I didn’t see it coming or even guess it. It was unpredictable and pulse-pounding. The final "boss" literally had me worried for all the characters and the consequences they could face. It got intense and kept me on edge. What I loved most about this book was the author's ability to intentionally leave some loose ends, hinting at the characters’ potential return in the sequel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer and highly recommend Last Among Equals to fans of Game of Thrones and Avatar: The Last Airbender for its masterful storytelling and world-building.
November 11, 2025
First and foremost, this is a damn good read. It flows really well, with great pace and the perfect prose for the style of book.
It a classic epic fantasy in themes and style with modern writing and skilled development.
Peter presents us with a really good and varied array of Main Characters, Erik (our righteous Fighter type from a disgraced, Noble House), Freya (The charming rogue lady with an iffy moral compass) and Prej (an apprentice healer from a nation on the brink of annihilation). And all of them are incredibly compelling on their own right.
You'd be able to make the book work even if you focused solely on each of them. That speaks volumes of Peter's skills in character depiction and development. They all grow and evolve as the book progresses.
Besides the Main Characters, the auxiliary characters are really interesting and they hold their end of the bargain by proving to be great catalysts for the main characters stories, and paths.
It's a ragtag cast of characters that has you rooting for them (some of them at least... others you just want to see skewered...)
Beyond his great skills at characterization, we have a prose that keeps you engaged, concentrated and immersed in the compelling world he crafted. The different nations feel vibrant, well worked and interesting. Their cultures, rituals and customs feel unique but well grounded. Which means you don't have to go on wild imaginative adventures, distracting your from the action to picture what is going on.
The story, the plot is very classic (there's something that is putting the known continent in peril and someone has to find out what's going on) , which is a plus for me, I like these stories. He makes it a point of veering away from the commercially preponderant Grim and Dark modern novels that rely on blood and grimy details to keep the audience captive. Instead, Peter works his magic in making the story about the characters and what keeps them together (or not).
My only quibble with the book is that the last arc feels slightly rushed. I would have liked more of that *redacted* and the oppressiveness and fear it radiated and seeped into the characters' bones.
Beyond that? A total success. 4.5⭐️ (rounded up to 5⭐️)
It a classic epic fantasy in themes and style with modern writing and skilled development.
Peter presents us with a really good and varied array of Main Characters, Erik (our righteous Fighter type from a disgraced, Noble House), Freya (The charming rogue lady with an iffy moral compass) and Prej (an apprentice healer from a nation on the brink of annihilation). And all of them are incredibly compelling on their own right.
You'd be able to make the book work even if you focused solely on each of them. That speaks volumes of Peter's skills in character depiction and development. They all grow and evolve as the book progresses.
Besides the Main Characters, the auxiliary characters are really interesting and they hold their end of the bargain by proving to be great catalysts for the main characters stories, and paths.
It's a ragtag cast of characters that has you rooting for them (some of them at least... others you just want to see skewered...)
Beyond his great skills at characterization, we have a prose that keeps you engaged, concentrated and immersed in the compelling world he crafted. The different nations feel vibrant, well worked and interesting. Their cultures, rituals and customs feel unique but well grounded. Which means you don't have to go on wild imaginative adventures, distracting your from the action to picture what is going on.
The story, the plot is very classic (there's something that is putting the known continent in peril and someone has to find out what's going on) , which is a plus for me, I like these stories. He makes it a point of veering away from the commercially preponderant Grim and Dark modern novels that rely on blood and grimy details to keep the audience captive. Instead, Peter works his magic in making the story about the characters and what keeps them together (or not).
My only quibble with the book is that the last arc feels slightly rushed. I would have liked more of that *redacted* and the oppressiveness and fear it radiated and seeped into the characters' bones.
Beyond that? A total success. 4.5⭐️ (rounded up to 5⭐️)
August 4, 2025
Many thanks for the ARC provided by the author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Last Among Equals completely exceeded my expectations. This is a compact epic fantasy—just under 400 pages—but it manages to pack in sharp worldbuilding, a layered magic system, clear stakes, and a cast of distinct, memorable characters.
The world is split between Kardalan (North) and Ollaj (South)—two regions that don’t just dislike each other, they’re shaped by entirely different cultures, religions, and magical traditions. When an ancient threat resurfaces in the form of the Trell, monstrous beings pushing their way north, a thrown-together group must band together to uncover what caused their return—and what can be done to stop it.
I really appreciated how tight and well-paced the story was. No dragging sections. The dialogue is crisp and full of character, the writing style is clear and confident, and the world never felt confusing or bloated. It struck that rare balance of being easy to read but still rich with detail.
Characters were a major highlight for me—especially Prej, Erik, Uli, and Freya (who reminded me so much of Lift from The Stormlight Archive in the best way). They each brought something unique to the group dynamic and felt fully realized, even early on.
And the ending? Satisfying on its own, but clearly laying a foundation for the next installment. I’ll absolutely be continuing the series.
If you’re a fan of epic fantasy but want something tightly written, character-driven, and immersive without the 800-page commitment, Last Among Equals is definitely worth checking out!
Last Among Equals completely exceeded my expectations. This is a compact epic fantasy—just under 400 pages—but it manages to pack in sharp worldbuilding, a layered magic system, clear stakes, and a cast of distinct, memorable characters.
The world is split between Kardalan (North) and Ollaj (South)—two regions that don’t just dislike each other, they’re shaped by entirely different cultures, religions, and magical traditions. When an ancient threat resurfaces in the form of the Trell, monstrous beings pushing their way north, a thrown-together group must band together to uncover what caused their return—and what can be done to stop it.
I really appreciated how tight and well-paced the story was. No dragging sections. The dialogue is crisp and full of character, the writing style is clear and confident, and the world never felt confusing or bloated. It struck that rare balance of being easy to read but still rich with detail.
Characters were a major highlight for me—especially Prej, Erik, Uli, and Freya (who reminded me so much of Lift from The Stormlight Archive in the best way). They each brought something unique to the group dynamic and felt fully realized, even early on.
And the ending? Satisfying on its own, but clearly laying a foundation for the next installment. I’ll absolutely be continuing the series.
If you’re a fan of epic fantasy but want something tightly written, character-driven, and immersive without the 800-page commitment, Last Among Equals is definitely worth checking out!
August 2, 2025
*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*
"He thought about the fickle ways that invisible gods and spirits determined the legacies that fathers left their sons."
There is nothing fickle about the fully enriched world building and battle fueled scenes in Last Among Equals, by talented prolific author, Peter J. Aldin. With dynamic characters full of clever banter the storytelling leads to a fantasy world filled with magic, mystical creatures, and a monstrous legacy.
As two warring countries face battle with the evil monster Trells their survival rests with two unlikely citizens ill prepared for battle.
Erik is a disgraced nobleman and soldier, wrongly named a traitor and cast out for his father's sins.
Prej, a new mage apprentice, the last of her line, is hiding a secret calling she feels ill equipped to conquer .
Erik and Prej are born enemies but they must now work together to save their lands. But long running feuds are hard to overcome, even in the face of annihilation.
This fantasy book was such a fun read. Yes there are monsters, bloody battles and tense moments but the writing flows like a smooth running river. The pace is just right, the descriptive prose easy to follow and imagine and there's a map! Love a book with a map!
If you enjoy fantasy, unsung heroes,
and a motley crew of sorcerers, warriors and just a feel good novel, this is the book for you.
Last Among Equals is my first time reading this writer but it won't be my last. I do hope we get more Erik and Prej. I believe there is much more to their story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All my opinions are my own.
"He thought about the fickle ways that invisible gods and spirits determined the legacies that fathers left their sons."
There is nothing fickle about the fully enriched world building and battle fueled scenes in Last Among Equals, by talented prolific author, Peter J. Aldin. With dynamic characters full of clever banter the storytelling leads to a fantasy world filled with magic, mystical creatures, and a monstrous legacy.
As two warring countries face battle with the evil monster Trells their survival rests with two unlikely citizens ill prepared for battle.
Erik is a disgraced nobleman and soldier, wrongly named a traitor and cast out for his father's sins.
Prej, a new mage apprentice, the last of her line, is hiding a secret calling she feels ill equipped to conquer .
Erik and Prej are born enemies but they must now work together to save their lands. But long running feuds are hard to overcome, even in the face of annihilation.
This fantasy book was such a fun read. Yes there are monsters, bloody battles and tense moments but the writing flows like a smooth running river. The pace is just right, the descriptive prose easy to follow and imagine and there's a map! Love a book with a map!
If you enjoy fantasy, unsung heroes,
and a motley crew of sorcerers, warriors and just a feel good novel, this is the book for you.
Last Among Equals is my first time reading this writer but it won't be my last. I do hope we get more Erik and Prej. I believe there is much more to their story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All my opinions are my own.
August 21, 2025
What a great fantasy!
In this story, we have so many disparate characters. There is also a war going on. We have a thief, an apprentice healer and a warrior. These are the three main characters in this story. The world building in this story is so wonderfully done, I can picture Demons’ Cape as if I were there. I was immediately pulled into this story with the action starting from the very beginning. The writing style just fits the plot and the action so well. Even though he wasn’t a main character, I still love Hammer! Thank you, Peter J. Aldin, for writing such a wonderful tale!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this story, we have so many disparate characters. There is also a war going on. We have a thief, an apprentice healer and a warrior. These are the three main characters in this story. The world building in this story is so wonderfully done, I can picture Demons’ Cape as if I were there. I was immediately pulled into this story with the action starting from the very beginning. The writing style just fits the plot and the action so well. Even though he wasn’t a main character, I still love Hammer! Thank you, Peter J. Aldin, for writing such a wonderful tale!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2025
4.25 stars
I backed this book on Kickstarter earlier this year and I'm glad I did! It had its hooks in me early and while it did start to get a tad slow in the middle, and I think the end kinda ended a tad abruptly, I very much recommend this book and look forward to continuing the series as the books come out!
I backed this book on Kickstarter earlier this year and I'm glad I did! It had its hooks in me early and while it did start to get a tad slow in the middle, and I think the end kinda ended a tad abruptly, I very much recommend this book and look forward to continuing the series as the books come out!
July 23, 2025
This was a fast paced, rollicking adventure fantasy story. The title seems to come from the three characters whose perspectives as used to tell the story. One is an apprentice healer, who has nearly completed her training when an invading force coming from a desert thought to be uncrossable leaves almost nothing but scorched earth on their way through her country. The second is a military officer who was once the heir to one of the great aristocratic families of his land, that saw his house erased by royal decree after what was viewed as a treasonous act by his father. The third is a thief facing the death penalty for stealing from the royal family. The three are brought together after the invading force forces the apprentice out of her country into the country of the military officer, while it continues its efforts to seemingly raze everything in its path, but the reason for this destructive onslaught is unknown.
The action comes from these three and the supporting characters trying to stay alive while trying to stop the invaders. There are some social elements in the story as to why they struggle to work together. It is firmly in the sword and sorcery genre. The world was well imagined. While reading, at times it felt as if I was listening in on a group playing Dungeons and Dragons.
This was fun while I was reading. But I felt I needed to write this review very quickly after finishing, because it feels like it may slip quickly from my memory. Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The action comes from these three and the supporting characters trying to stay alive while trying to stop the invaders. There are some social elements in the story as to why they struggle to work together. It is firmly in the sword and sorcery genre. The world was well imagined. While reading, at times it felt as if I was listening in on a group playing Dungeons and Dragons.
This was fun while I was reading. But I felt I needed to write this review very quickly after finishing, because it feels like it may slip quickly from my memory. Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's good to read a fantasy novel that stands alone, although there's plenty of room for sequels and prequels here. I enjoyed the characters, who grew as the plot unfolded. The plot itself is gripping with, to my mind, the right combination of magic and human skills. The world-building is great, but I would have liked some sort of glossary to have a better understanding of the fantastical beasts we encounter throughout. My thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read it.
October 12, 2025
DNF at 50%. This one just bored me. it all fell flat for me
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews