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The Last Harbinger
A princess and her entrusted protector must save a world on the brink of revolution in a thrilling historical fantasy by
Wall Street Journal
bestselling author Jeff Wheeler.
Hastings Creigh is a rake, gambler, and spendthrift. He’s also the best dragoon in the Muirwood military, and with mounting tensions between kingdoms, he’s appointed as bodyguard to a princess on an off-world journey.
Princess Maia Fitzempress’s duty has always been to her people and maintaining peace between the worlds. Now, she must venture to Kingfountain, where her aunt reigns as queen and her cursed cousins have fallen ill. If Maia can reestablish the royal line, she can secure its longevity.
Yet in the devastating aftermath of war between two empires and with rebellion forces on the rise, Kingfountain holds danger for a princess and a bodyguard on a mission. Hastings and Maia must forge ahead on a quest to save themselves and a kingdom at the brink of civil war before cunning magical entities determine their destinies—even as an ancient force threatens to destroy both worlds.
Hastings Creigh is a rake, gambler, and spendthrift. He’s also the best dragoon in the Muirwood military, and with mounting tensions between kingdoms, he’s appointed as bodyguard to a princess on an off-world journey.
Princess Maia Fitzempress’s duty has always been to her people and maintaining peace between the worlds. Now, she must venture to Kingfountain, where her aunt reigns as queen and her cursed cousins have fallen ill. If Maia can reestablish the royal line, she can secure its longevity.
Yet in the devastating aftermath of war between two empires and with rebellion forces on the rise, Kingfountain holds danger for a princess and a bodyguard on a mission. Hastings and Maia must forge ahead on a quest to save themselves and a kingdom at the brink of civil war before cunning magical entities determine their destinies—even as an ancient force threatens to destroy both worlds.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Jeff Wheeler
146 books5,388 followersWall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains.
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
Learn about Jeff’s many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his online writing classes through Writer’s Block (www.writersblock.biz).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jeff Wheeler... we need to have a conversation.
First of all, you had me completely hooked from page one. Secondly... HOW DARE YOU END IT LIKE THAT?!
As someone who's read every one of Jeff Wheeler's books, watching characters and worlds from multiple series finally collide in The Last Harbinger was the fantasy version of the Avengers assembling. (Marvel fans, you know what I mean.) My family probably thinks I've completely lost it because every few chapters I'd yell, "WAIT... I KNOW THEM!" or "WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE!"
I'm deliberately not mentioning any character names or specific connections because discovering them for yourself is half the magic. For those of us who've been reading Jeff Wheeler's books from the very beginning, every reveal deserves to be experienced exactly as he intended. Trust me, you're going to want those moments unspoiled.
What I absolutely loved was that these weren't just little Easter eggs thrown in for fun. This felt like a love letter to readers who have followed Jeff Wheeler's stories from the beginning. Watching characters, worlds, magic systems, and histories from multiple series weave together into one incredible story was honestly so satisfying. It made his entire universe feel alive, interconnected, and incredibly well planned. If you've been with Jeff from the beginning, you'll know exactly what I mean.
The story itself was impossible to put down. Every chapter had another twist, another reveal that had me going, "OMG... OMG... OMG... WHAT?!" Jeff Wheeler clearly has some sort of magical ability to end every chapter in a way that makes it physically impossible to stop reading. Sleep? Never heard of her. Responsibilities? They'll still be there tomorrow.
And then came the ending...
Excuse me, Mr Wheeler. I'd like to file a formal complaint.
That ending has left me convinced there should be a support group for Jeff Wheeler readers. Step one: admit we're not okay. Step two: collectively count down the days until the next book. I don't know how I'm supposed to function after that cliffhanger, but here we are.
If you've read every one of Jeff Wheeler's books, The Last Harbinger is one of the most rewarding novels he's ever written. It feels like the moment years of stories finally begin converging, and I loved every second of it. Five stars without hesitation... but I'm also sending Jeff Wheeler my therapy bill after that ending
First of all, you had me completely hooked from page one. Secondly... HOW DARE YOU END IT LIKE THAT?!
As someone who's read every one of Jeff Wheeler's books, watching characters and worlds from multiple series finally collide in The Last Harbinger was the fantasy version of the Avengers assembling. (Marvel fans, you know what I mean.) My family probably thinks I've completely lost it because every few chapters I'd yell, "WAIT... I KNOW THEM!" or "WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE!"
I'm deliberately not mentioning any character names or specific connections because discovering them for yourself is half the magic. For those of us who've been reading Jeff Wheeler's books from the very beginning, every reveal deserves to be experienced exactly as he intended. Trust me, you're going to want those moments unspoiled.
What I absolutely loved was that these weren't just little Easter eggs thrown in for fun. This felt like a love letter to readers who have followed Jeff Wheeler's stories from the beginning. Watching characters, worlds, magic systems, and histories from multiple series weave together into one incredible story was honestly so satisfying. It made his entire universe feel alive, interconnected, and incredibly well planned. If you've been with Jeff from the beginning, you'll know exactly what I mean.
The story itself was impossible to put down. Every chapter had another twist, another reveal that had me going, "OMG... OMG... OMG... WHAT?!" Jeff Wheeler clearly has some sort of magical ability to end every chapter in a way that makes it physically impossible to stop reading. Sleep? Never heard of her. Responsibilities? They'll still be there tomorrow.
And then came the ending...
Excuse me, Mr Wheeler. I'd like to file a formal complaint.
That ending has left me convinced there should be a support group for Jeff Wheeler readers. Step one: admit we're not okay. Step two: collectively count down the days until the next book. I don't know how I'm supposed to function after that cliffhanger, but here we are.
If you've read every one of Jeff Wheeler's books, The Last Harbinger is one of the most rewarding novels he's ever written. It feels like the moment years of stories finally begin converging, and I loved every second of it. Five stars without hesitation... but I'm also sending Jeff Wheeler my therapy bill after that ending
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having never read Jeff Wheeler before, I was initially concerned by reviews suggesting this book connects to his broader universe. However, I found the storyline completely accessible and easy to follow. I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read his other series before moving on to book two.
September 1, 2026
This book brings together several of Jeff Wheeler’s worlds together through inter-dimensional travel. I have not read that many of Wheeler’s books yet, but I did recognize elements from all the ones I have read. The book is written such that it is not necessary to read any of Wheeler’s books so far. I did find the book easy to follow despite my general ignorance. I could tell that there was a lot of deep history behind all the places and people, though. I think readers who have read the previous series will get more out of it, especially being more familiar with the world-building and magic systems.
Wheeler gets his inspiration not only from folklore, mythology, and religion, but also from history. This story features a Robespierre-type character who does a lot of damage to one world in particular. Meanwhile we have what appears to be a slow-burn romance starting.
As always, the pacing is impeccable, and I came to really care about the characters while despising the villains. I listened to the whole thing in one day while sick in bed. I was surprised when the book just ended—quite a cliffhanger there. I was confused on a couple of characters’ names, mostly because I was unable to see their spelling.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: some vague hints; mentions of impropriety
Violence/Gore: magical attacks; gun violence, medieval weaponry; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
Wheeler gets his inspiration not only from folklore, mythology, and religion, but also from history. This story features a Robespierre-type character who does a lot of damage to one world in particular. Meanwhile we have what appears to be a slow-burn romance starting.
As always, the pacing is impeccable, and I came to really care about the characters while despising the villains. I listened to the whole thing in one day while sick in bed. I was surprised when the book just ended—quite a cliffhanger there. I was confused on a couple of characters’ names, mostly because I was unable to see their spelling.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: some vague hints; mentions of impropriety
Violence/Gore: magical attacks; gun violence, medieval weaponry; not graphic
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
August 17, 2026
True Disappointment
I would not recommend this book to anyone. Poor character and plot development. I could not even maintain enough interest to finish the book after getting over 60% through it. My rating of 1 was generous.
I would not recommend this book to anyone. Poor character and plot development. I could not even maintain enough interest to finish the book after getting over 60% through it. My rating of 1 was generous.
August 28, 2026
I really liked the idea behind The Last Harbinger, especially the mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me.
There was so much world-building and so many different magic systems, and a lot of them were described as though I should already know what they were. I often felt like I’d missed something or should have read the author’s previous books first, which made parts of the story confusing and difficult to follow.
I did enjoy Hastings and Maia and their developing relationship, and the ending finally had me invested—only to hit me with a cliffhanger! There are some really interesting ideas here, but overall I spent too much of the book trying to work out what was happening.
There was so much world-building and so many different magic systems, and a lot of them were described as though I should already know what they were. I often felt like I’d missed something or should have read the author’s previous books first, which made parts of the story confusing and difficult to follow.
I did enjoy Hastings and Maia and their developing relationship, and the ending finally had me invested—only to hit me with a cliffhanger! There are some really interesting ideas here, but overall I spent too much of the book trying to work out what was happening.
October 5, 2026
A well written fantasy full of intrigue. Looking at other reviews, apparently these characters have appeared in other books despite this being listed as #1 in the series. I'm not familiar with the characters and that probably affected my enjoyment of it
September 16, 2026
Overview:
Language 🤐: none
Romance ❤️🔥: LV 1 blending in flirting
Violence ⚔️: PG 14 on page death, fantasy violence
⚠️Death, mentions of promiscuous living (no details) suicidal thoughts, child accidents that leads to paralyzation mentioned briefly, gambling, alcohol consumption⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- 3 POV Mainly 2 but a few chapters in the 3rd
- Political turmoil
- Multi-world
- Epic Quest
- Bodyguard
- Slow burn
- Opposite attract
- Fish out of water
- Redemption
My Thoughts:
OH MY GOODNESS!! I am already SO SO INVESTED!! Coming fresh off the Harbinger series was the perfect way to come into this book! It was so great to have the background of the political situation and the worlds involved in this story.
I have not read all of Jeff’s books but there are definitely Easter eggs from all his other books in this book. I feel like having recently read the Invisible College series has already added depth to this story. You can enter here without other knowledge but I think you will have a lot more enjoyment and understanding if you read some of Jeff’s other books at the very least The Harbinger Series which takes place before this one would add a depth and understanding to your reading.
I love Maia! She reminds me so much of her mother Sera but more soft natured in a way but fierce as well. She handles the situation she is placed in with grace. There were times I was so frustrated for her but I love how she didn’t just fold under pressure! She did make mistakes and it’s just nice to see characters that are confident but have flaws and see how she works through those.
Hastings is such an interesting character! He’s so different form his parents who’s story I read in the previous series, but not totally different either. I really loved the journey he has in this story as he learns to not be so cynical and comes back to his beliefs through out the story. He is very skilled and protective. It was fun watching him soften and be so often suprised by Maia’s treatment of him.
There is so much happening and so much coming apart at the seams at the end of this book. I know this is going to be another epic story from Jeff Wheeler as many of his worlds collide in this story I cannot wait to see what happens next!
I got to listen to the audiobook version of the story and it is well done!
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the ebook and audiobook version of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Language 🤐: none
Romance ❤️🔥: LV 1 blending in flirting
Violence ⚔️: PG 14 on page death, fantasy violence
⚠️Death, mentions of promiscuous living (no details) suicidal thoughts, child accidents that leads to paralyzation mentioned briefly, gambling, alcohol consumption⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- 3 POV Mainly 2 but a few chapters in the 3rd
- Political turmoil
- Multi-world
- Epic Quest
- Bodyguard
- Slow burn
- Opposite attract
- Fish out of water
- Redemption
My Thoughts:
OH MY GOODNESS!! I am already SO SO INVESTED!! Coming fresh off the Harbinger series was the perfect way to come into this book! It was so great to have the background of the political situation and the worlds involved in this story.
I have not read all of Jeff’s books but there are definitely Easter eggs from all his other books in this book. I feel like having recently read the Invisible College series has already added depth to this story. You can enter here without other knowledge but I think you will have a lot more enjoyment and understanding if you read some of Jeff’s other books at the very least The Harbinger Series which takes place before this one would add a depth and understanding to your reading.
I love Maia! She reminds me so much of her mother Sera but more soft natured in a way but fierce as well. She handles the situation she is placed in with grace. There were times I was so frustrated for her but I love how she didn’t just fold under pressure! She did make mistakes and it’s just nice to see characters that are confident but have flaws and see how she works through those.
Hastings is such an interesting character! He’s so different form his parents who’s story I read in the previous series, but not totally different either. I really loved the journey he has in this story as he learns to not be so cynical and comes back to his beliefs through out the story. He is very skilled and protective. It was fun watching him soften and be so often suprised by Maia’s treatment of him.
There is so much happening and so much coming apart at the seams at the end of this book. I know this is going to be another epic story from Jeff Wheeler as many of his worlds collide in this story I cannot wait to see what happens next!
I got to listen to the audiobook version of the story and it is well done!
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the ebook and audiobook version of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2026
As a long-time fan, I absolutely loved seeing how beautifully this book ties together so many of his different series. The way the various characters, histories, and magic systems converge into one interconnected universe is incredibly rewarding and gives the lore the expansive resolution it deserves.
We are also treated to some fascinating real-world historical connections. Kingfountain is my favorite of Wheeler’s worlds, and they way he intertwines history into his fantasy always leaves me satisfied. The dynamic between the Queen and the Strannik introduces a brilliant parallel to Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin, adding a deeply compelling layer of manipulation and dark political intrigue to the Kingfountain setting.
Between the vivid worldbuilding and the massive crossover of storylines, this book successfully delivers exactly what fans have been waiting for, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We are also treated to some fascinating real-world historical connections. Kingfountain is my favorite of Wheeler’s worlds, and they way he intertwines history into his fantasy always leaves me satisfied. The dynamic between the Queen and the Strannik introduces a brilliant parallel to Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin, adding a deeply compelling layer of manipulation and dark political intrigue to the Kingfountain setting.
Between the vivid worldbuilding and the massive crossover of storylines, this book successfully delivers exactly what fans have been waiting for, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked this book a lot. The historical-feeling setting mixed with political intrigue and a hint of romance was right up my alley.
I’ve only read two other series by Jeff Wheeler—The Invisible College and Angel Sworn—so I was worried that this book would have too many connections from other series I haven’t read that I wouldn’t be able to understand what was going on. But I’m happy to report that this was not the case! I noticed many references to Wheeler’s other series and worlds (just based on knowing what all the book titles are) so I think there will be many Easter eggs for longtime fans to discover, but new readers could also start here as this story stands on its own.
I really enjoyed reading about Maia and Hastings. Maia is described as a Cassandra character, a term I hadn’t heard before starting this book, but it means that she can sense events to come but is not believed by anybody when she tries to warn them. And Hastings is described as a Byronic hero, a cynical man with a tortured past but who is capable of great affection. I liked seeing how these character archetypes played out in the novel, and I feel like knowing this part of their characterization beforehand helped me to connect with them better. I’m looking forward to seeing the romance develop between them in later books.
Overall I think this is one of the better books by Jeff Wheeler that I’ve read, although I still have dozens more to read before I’m caught up on his backlist. I do plan on reading some of the older series referenced in this book so when the sequel comes out I will be able to notice more connections between worlds, which I think will provide a richer reading experience.
I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
I’ve only read two other series by Jeff Wheeler—The Invisible College and Angel Sworn—so I was worried that this book would have too many connections from other series I haven’t read that I wouldn’t be able to understand what was going on. But I’m happy to report that this was not the case! I noticed many references to Wheeler’s other series and worlds (just based on knowing what all the book titles are) so I think there will be many Easter eggs for longtime fans to discover, but new readers could also start here as this story stands on its own.
I really enjoyed reading about Maia and Hastings. Maia is described as a Cassandra character, a term I hadn’t heard before starting this book, but it means that she can sense events to come but is not believed by anybody when she tries to warn them. And Hastings is described as a Byronic hero, a cynical man with a tortured past but who is capable of great affection. I liked seeing how these character archetypes played out in the novel, and I feel like knowing this part of their characterization beforehand helped me to connect with them better. I’m looking forward to seeing the romance develop between them in later books.
Overall I think this is one of the better books by Jeff Wheeler that I’ve read, although I still have dozens more to read before I’m caught up on his backlist. I do plan on reading some of the older series referenced in this book so when the sequel comes out I will be able to notice more connections between worlds, which I think will provide a richer reading experience.
I received a copy of this book for review from the author.
November 4, 2026
I have purchased several Jeff Wheeler books in the past but haven't read any of them because I just wasn't in the mood to dive into a big interconnected universe. Which is precisely what some readers are looking for and I get that. However, I am in my standalone era. When I saw this, the marketing made it seem like a standalone. I thought it would be a great way to dip my toes into the water, so to speak, without diving into the deep end. You know where this is going. The Last Harbinger might technically be an entry point into Wheeler's worlds but only if the reader is willing to swim in the unknown. It is obvious there are characters and references from other books. It isn't subtle enough to go unnoticed but not explanatory enough to let new readers feel confident in their footing. And then it ends on a cliffhanger. Why? I pick up a book like I eat a meal. Will I get hungry again? Yes. But I want to be satisfied with the meal I just ate. A book should have a satisfying conclusion, even if it is part of a series. Cliffhangers feel manipulative to me and I tend not to continue any series which uses them. No, I will not be continuing this series and will probably avoid all Wheeler books in the future. Yes, I do feel that strongly about it. If the story, plot, and setting are compelling enough, readers will return without resorting to a gimmick. The way I return to my favorite Thai place for crispy orange chicken every Friday.
If you are already deeply immersed in Wheeler's books, then I bet you will love this one. It feels very much like the continuation of an ongoing conversation. If you love series which interweave stories, you might really enjoy Wheeler's universe. Just because this isn't for me, does not mean it isn't for everyone. Thank you to everyone involved in the audiobook production, including Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley, for the audioARC.
If you are already deeply immersed in Wheeler's books, then I bet you will love this one. It feels very much like the continuation of an ongoing conversation. If you love series which interweave stories, you might really enjoy Wheeler's universe. Just because this isn't for me, does not mean it isn't for everyone. Thank you to everyone involved in the audiobook production, including Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley, for the audioARC.
October 21, 2026
💬 “Being a good listener meant curbing the desire to speak.”
👑 Princess & Bodyguard • 🗡️ Forced Proximity • 🌍 Multiple Worlds • 🔮 Magic & Prophecies • ⚔️ Political Intrigue • ❤️ Slow-Burn Romance • 🏰 Epic Fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75/5
📖 The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler | The Last Harbinger #1
🎧 Narrator: Kate Rudd
⏰ Runtime: 9h 14m listened x1.25 speed
📖 Multi-POV
🌶️ Closed-Door Romance
I really enjoyed the overall cozy story, but unfortunately, the audiobook didn't pull me in quite like I'd hoped. 😓
The worldbuilding, political intrigue, magic, and connections between worlds were all interesting, but I couldn't help feeling like I was missing pieces of the bigger picture.
I think this is one of those books where having read the author's previous series would have made ALL the difference! I'm pretty confident I would have loved it so much more if I'd already been familiar with the characters, history, and worlds.
Kate Rudd's narration was good, but I just wasn't as invested as I wanted to be. And we all know narration can make or break a book for me! 🤣
Overall, a good fantasy with lots of potential! I definitely understand why longtime Jeff Wheeler fans are loving all those connections. Maybe this is my sign to go back and start from the beginning! 🖤
⚠️ As always, check trigger warnings.
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley, Jeff Wheeler & Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!
👑 Princess & Bodyguard • 🗡️ Forced Proximity • 🌍 Multiple Worlds • 🔮 Magic & Prophecies • ⚔️ Political Intrigue • ❤️ Slow-Burn Romance • 🏰 Epic Fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.75/5
📖 The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler | The Last Harbinger #1
🎧 Narrator: Kate Rudd
⏰ Runtime: 9h 14m listened x1.25 speed
📖 Multi-POV
🌶️ Closed-Door Romance
I really enjoyed the overall cozy story, but unfortunately, the audiobook didn't pull me in quite like I'd hoped. 😓
The worldbuilding, political intrigue, magic, and connections between worlds were all interesting, but I couldn't help feeling like I was missing pieces of the bigger picture.
I think this is one of those books where having read the author's previous series would have made ALL the difference! I'm pretty confident I would have loved it so much more if I'd already been familiar with the characters, history, and worlds.
Kate Rudd's narration was good, but I just wasn't as invested as I wanted to be. And we all know narration can make or break a book for me! 🤣
Overall, a good fantasy with lots of potential! I definitely understand why longtime Jeff Wheeler fans are loving all those connections. Maybe this is my sign to go back and start from the beginning! 🖤
⚠️ As always, check trigger warnings.
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley, Jeff Wheeler & Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!
September 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Last Harbinger is a planned trilogy that blends many of Jeff’s worlds but was written to be a great starting point for first-time readers. As someone who has read nearly all of Jeff’s series, I don’t think any first-time readers will have any issues understanding The Last Harbinger. However, I LOVED having the background of the other series I’ve read and knowing some familiar names mentioned throughout. I love all Jeff’s books, and he is the one who got me back into reading after quite a few years of hiatus. The world building is phenomenal and immersive where you can just disappear into the pages and feel like you are experiencing firsthand. The magic system is unique and creative and so detailed. The characters are complex and relatable. I loved experiencing their growth and seeing where their decisions brought them and the consequences. This is such a great start to the series, and I am so excited for more!
If you love portal fantasy/multiverse, Gaslamp setting, a Cassandra who can heal, Byronic hero, Rasputin villain, and political intrigue & revolution then this is for you!
The Last Harbinger is a planned trilogy that blends many of Jeff’s worlds but was written to be a great starting point for first-time readers. As someone who has read nearly all of Jeff’s series, I don’t think any first-time readers will have any issues understanding The Last Harbinger. However, I LOVED having the background of the other series I’ve read and knowing some familiar names mentioned throughout. I love all Jeff’s books, and he is the one who got me back into reading after quite a few years of hiatus. The world building is phenomenal and immersive where you can just disappear into the pages and feel like you are experiencing firsthand. The magic system is unique and creative and so detailed. The characters are complex and relatable. I loved experiencing their growth and seeing where their decisions brought them and the consequences. This is such a great start to the series, and I am so excited for more!
If you love portal fantasy/multiverse, Gaslamp setting, a Cassandra who can heal, Byronic hero, Rasputin villain, and political intrigue & revolution then this is for you!
October 5, 2026
his was a really solid fantasy read. I loved the mix of political tension, magic, and the feeling that the entire world was sitting right on the edge of something much bigger.
Hastings and Maia were both interesting characters, and I especially liked their dynamic as the story developed. Hastings has that reckless, slightly questionable energy that makes him fun to follow, while Maia carries so much responsibility that their personalities balance each other really well.
There is a lot happening here, with different kingdoms, political conflict, rebellion, curses, and connections to a much larger world. At times it did feel dense, especially because this story pulls together pieces from Jeff Wheeler’s other worlds, but I was still able to enjoy it without having all of that background.
The second half was definitely the strongest for me. Once everything started coming together, the story became much harder to put down.
Overall, a strong start to a new fantasy series with an expansive world, political intrigue, and plenty left open for what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the digital review copy.
Hastings and Maia were both interesting characters, and I especially liked their dynamic as the story developed. Hastings has that reckless, slightly questionable energy that makes him fun to follow, while Maia carries so much responsibility that their personalities balance each other really well.
There is a lot happening here, with different kingdoms, political conflict, rebellion, curses, and connections to a much larger world. At times it did feel dense, especially because this story pulls together pieces from Jeff Wheeler’s other worlds, but I was still able to enjoy it without having all of that background.
The second half was definitely the strongest for me. Once everything started coming together, the story became much harder to put down.
Overall, a strong start to a new fantasy series with an expansive world, political intrigue, and plenty left open for what comes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the digital review copy.
September 22, 2026
I am huge lover of Sci Fi, fantasy, epic quests, and unlikely allies - this book's description was right up my ally!
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the historical elements that added some layers; I especially enjoyed Hasting's mother as as character and her interesting magic. There are some strong female roles here, however, the FMC does not seem to be one of them.
Ultimately, the story was not for me and I DNF at 50%.
I love giving a story the chance to develop, knowing that big riveals and character complexities (and heartbreak/danger) are on their way. For the Last Harbinger, I kept waiting for developments, for layering of complexities and danger and it did not come.
I wished the main characters showed more emotions and insights, that the dialogue and descriptions were more lush, and that the plot had a stronger focus.
I enjoyed the narration by Kate Rudd, and the audioquality was excellent.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to read and review this ALC; all opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the historical elements that added some layers; I especially enjoyed Hasting's mother as as character and her interesting magic. There are some strong female roles here, however, the FMC does not seem to be one of them.
Ultimately, the story was not for me and I DNF at 50%.
I love giving a story the chance to develop, knowing that big riveals and character complexities (and heartbreak/danger) are on their way. For the Last Harbinger, I kept waiting for developments, for layering of complexities and danger and it did not come.
I wished the main characters showed more emotions and insights, that the dialogue and descriptions were more lush, and that the plot had a stronger focus.
I enjoyed the narration by Kate Rudd, and the audioquality was excellent.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to read and review this ALC; all opinions are my own.
September 24, 2026
Another good read by Jeff Wheeler. I haven’t read all his books so one of the worlds I didn’t know anything about (the one Cettie visits before the college one) but you don’t need to have, to understand the story.
August 13, 2026
Montly Amazon prime release pick. This sounded like it was a new series so I was confused by some of the magic terms which weren’t really explained. It felt like the author had expected knowledge of previous stories?? But that’s on me.
I also didn’t realize that this was not a standalone book so the open ending was a disappointment. Parts of it were slow, but it kept my attention throughout.
I also didn’t realize that this was not a standalone book so the open ending was a disappointment. Parts of it were slow, but it kept my attention throughout.
October 5, 2026
This had a very abrupt ending, and it felt like the book ended mid-storyline.
September 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I have enjoyed all of the Kingfountain series; although, the early books in the series are my favorites. Wheeler has written some great fantasy books and deserves more recognition.
I have enjoyed all of the Kingfountain series; although, the early books in the series are my favorites. Wheeler has written some great fantasy books and deserves more recognition.
October 13, 2026
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Historical, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Last Harbinger, by Jeff Wheeler, is the first installment in the author's The Last Harbinger series. Set roughly twenty years after the conclusion of the original Harbinger series, it follows dragoon Hastings Creigh—a skilled but dissolute rake, gambler, and spendthrift who is nevertheless the best in the Muirwood military—as he is assigned to protect Princess Maia Fitzempress on a dangerous off-world mission to Kingfountain.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Historical, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
The Last Harbinger, by Jeff Wheeler, is the first installment in the author's The Last Harbinger series. Set roughly twenty years after the conclusion of the original Harbinger series, it follows dragoon Hastings Creigh—a skilled but dissolute rake, gambler, and spendthrift who is nevertheless the best in the Muirwood military—as he is assigned to protect Princess Maia Fitzempress on a dangerous off-world mission to Kingfountain.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
September 13, 2026
𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝟺𝟽𝙽𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗. his book was marked as Read Now on NetGalley and I'm so glad that I was able to read this book at the correct time. This whole review is a compilation of running notes. Some points maybe out of order as to how the story progresses.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is a historical fantasy book where a princess and her bodyguard must save a world on the brink of a revolution.
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𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜?:
- Game of Thrones X LOTR but make it extended version.
- Reader will feel lots of emotions in this book but disgust will top them all.
- Conspiring, conspiring, conspiring left right and centre.
- An FMC with strong familial bonds, a child-like innocence in a woman's body.
- Duty over anything.
- A grumpy MMC x sunshine FMC.
- An MMC who is smooth with his words and uses his looks to get what he wants.
- A fictional royal family that is similar to the Russian Tsar who was overthrown prior to the Russian revolution and an advisor who was similar to Rasputin.
- a romance not built on lust but on a friendship, understanding that eventually develops into something deeper.
- An intense amount of lore and world building that will feel like an extended edition of The Russian Revolution. The lore never seems to end at all.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍:
- So much world building and characters. Every now and then a new characters keeps popping out.
- Very immersive writing and written in second person POV.
- The story was slow and I had a feeling it might be because the author was waiting for us readers to let all the information sink in before the action started.
- Political intrigue and fictional worlds that are governed by some sort of magic.
- Each POV is divided by a couple of chapters and there are quotes by Cettie Fitzroy Creigh and Gregor Skoye.
- I could feel the slyness and cold calculation from Gregor Skoye and the queen (Princess Maia's aunt from the other world.) Each word she said and each action of hers made me question what she was going to do next.
-
- Maia's personality was something that I enjoyed reading about. She is 18 and she is quite talkative and likes to question about everything. Her desire to be the best in the eyes of her parents is something I could relate to. She was naive, youthful and someone who everyone would love.
- The story has unconventional characters whose decisions are very profound and something you won't expect in normal stories in this genre. The way the story was presented was very different.
- i think one of the reasons why the length and style of this book works in some way is that the author wanted us to be a part of multi-book interconnected world. At the 68% mark, I have understood so much more just because of the way it was explained.
- I loved loved the way Maia took control and authority of situations
- I loved the way how the MMC was smooth and flirtatious whenever he wanted things to get done. He knew his strengths and used them to get what he needed.
𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚗𝚞𝚜𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
- First and foremost— the reading order of the books should have been put first. I say this because not everyone is well versed with Jeff Wheeler's books and their reading order. If I knew this standalone book was connected to other books in a series, i would have read them first and then come back to read it.
- Too many names were popping out when reading the book. I think that could be because I hadn't read other books by the author? I had a hard time reading that.
-
────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is a historical fantasy book where a princess and her bodyguard must save a world on the brink of a revolution.
────────────────────────────────────────────────
𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜?:
- Game of Thrones X LOTR but make it extended version.
- Reader will feel lots of emotions in this book but disgust will top them all.
- Conspiring, conspiring, conspiring left right and centre.
- An FMC with strong familial bonds, a child-like innocence in a woman's body.
- Duty over anything.
- A grumpy MMC x sunshine FMC.
- An MMC who is smooth with his words and uses his looks to get what he wants.
- A fictional royal family that is similar to the Russian Tsar who was overthrown prior to the Russian revolution and an advisor who was similar to Rasputin.
- a romance not built on lust but on a friendship, understanding that eventually develops into something deeper.
- An intense amount of lore and world building that will feel like an extended edition of The Russian Revolution. The lore never seems to end at all.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍:
- So much world building and characters. Every now and then a new characters keeps popping out.
- Very immersive writing and written in second person POV.
- The story was slow and I had a feeling it might be because the author was waiting for us readers to let all the information sink in before the action started.
- Political intrigue and fictional worlds that are governed by some sort of magic.
- Each POV is divided by a couple of chapters and there are quotes by Cettie Fitzroy Creigh and Gregor Skoye.
- I could feel the slyness and cold calculation from Gregor Skoye and the queen (Princess Maia's aunt from the other world.) Each word she said and each action of hers made me question what she was going to do next.
-
- Maia's personality was something that I enjoyed reading about. She is 18 and she is quite talkative and likes to question about everything. Her desire to be the best in the eyes of her parents is something I could relate to. She was naive, youthful and someone who everyone would love.
- The story has unconventional characters whose decisions are very profound and something you won't expect in normal stories in this genre. The way the story was presented was very different.
- i think one of the reasons why the length and style of this book works in some way is that the author wanted us to be a part of multi-book interconnected world. At the 68% mark, I have understood so much more just because of the way it was explained.
- I loved loved the way Maia took control and authority of situations
- I loved the way how the MMC was smooth and flirtatious whenever he wanted things to get done. He knew his strengths and used them to get what he needed.
𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚗𝚞𝚜𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
- First and foremost— the reading order of the books should have been put first. I say this because not everyone is well versed with Jeff Wheeler's books and their reading order. If I knew this standalone book was connected to other books in a series, i would have read them first and then come back to read it.
- Too many names were popping out when reading the book. I think that could be because I hadn't read other books by the author? I had a hard time reading that.
-
Review of advance copy
Read as a First Reads pick for August 2026. This book is 1. part of a much larger fantasy world that provides the setting for numerous other books and series by this author and 2. The first book in a duology (or maybe a trilogy?). As such, be aware that there are references to families, magical elements, historical events, and religious beliefs/philosophies that are likely introduced in other books - and the ending is a bit abrupt with deliberate lack of resolution. However, this was the first book by this author that I read, and I found the magic and world history very accessible without having read even a single word of the other books. The cast of characters is relatively small for a fantasy world, the names are simple, and the magic system is non-technical and not particularly strict. Where there are rules involved, they're clearly spelled out in the course of the story.
I liked that this was a very rare first-reads fantasy novel that is not romantasy or fantasy romance. Although there is very overt cis-het attraction that we expect will lead to a romance, and the MMC is a bit of a player/scoundrel, the romance wasn't in this book and wasn't the main point of the story - and of that I was very glad.
It wasn't until I read the author's afterword that I clued into the fact that this was sort of a fantasy Rasputin retelling - in hindsight it was pretty obvious, and I don't know why I didn't draw the connection earlier. Maybe because I just wasn't looking for connections to history or other stories. In a way it made me appreciate the story more after having read it.
The first 75% of the book is not particularly exciting. Not dry, exactly, but it felt forgettable. We're introduced to our main characters, who are each given a sort of (in my opinion) flimsy reason for being sent through a portal to another realm, where they are to... do something. It's not clear exactly what they're supposed to do. All we know is that there's something "up" over there, politically, and it's our heroine's job to act as diplomatic representative / hostage exchange to go sort it out. (The MMC is one member of her security detail.) After initially traveling to the other realm, and all the requisite character introductions, our two main characters spend the next ~50% of the book just kind of wandering around the palace, occasionally venturing outside the grounds, discovering (as we of course already knew) that things are definitely rotten in Denmark. Finally, in the last quarter of the book things start to happen. Our two main characters each get thrust into tense and seemingly dire situations as the entire conflict comes to a head... and then as they're taking a brief pause to patch themselves up and survey the damage, the book ends. The title felt a bit misleading, as there wasn't really much about the Harbinger character at all. Presumably she gets more of a story in the second book.
Overall, as noted, I appreciated that the romance didn't drive the story, and that there was definitely some political intrigue and cloak-and-dagger, especially at the end, that grabs one's attention. However, for being plunged into a world that has already been described in many, many books, I thought it was surprisingly easy to catch up, and it left me feeling that the world, magic system, politics, etc were a bit formulaic - just dressed up a bit with different names to look different. While I enjoyed the book, I'm not waiting on tenterhooks for the sequel, and I don't know that I'm curious enough to go read more of this author's works.
I liked that this was a very rare first-reads fantasy novel that is not romantasy or fantasy romance. Although there is very overt cis-het attraction that we expect will lead to a romance, and the MMC is a bit of a player/scoundrel, the romance wasn't in this book and wasn't the main point of the story - and of that I was very glad.
It wasn't until I read the author's afterword that I clued into the fact that this was sort of a fantasy Rasputin retelling - in hindsight it was pretty obvious, and I don't know why I didn't draw the connection earlier. Maybe because I just wasn't looking for connections to history or other stories. In a way it made me appreciate the story more after having read it.
The first 75% of the book is not particularly exciting. Not dry, exactly, but it felt forgettable. We're introduced to our main characters, who are each given a sort of (in my opinion) flimsy reason for being sent through a portal to another realm, where they are to... do something. It's not clear exactly what they're supposed to do. All we know is that there's something "up" over there, politically, and it's our heroine's job to act as diplomatic representative / hostage exchange to go sort it out. (The MMC is one member of her security detail.) After initially traveling to the other realm, and all the requisite character introductions, our two main characters spend the next ~50% of the book just kind of wandering around the palace, occasionally venturing outside the grounds, discovering (as we of course already knew) that things are definitely rotten in Denmark. Finally, in the last quarter of the book things start to happen. Our two main characters each get thrust into tense and seemingly dire situations as the entire conflict comes to a head... and then as they're taking a brief pause to patch themselves up and survey the damage, the book ends. The title felt a bit misleading, as there wasn't really much about the Harbinger character at all. Presumably she gets more of a story in the second book.
Overall, as noted, I appreciated that the romance didn't drive the story, and that there was definitely some political intrigue and cloak-and-dagger, especially at the end, that grabs one's attention. However, for being plunged into a world that has already been described in many, many books, I thought it was surprisingly easy to catch up, and it left me feeling that the world, magic system, politics, etc were a bit formulaic - just dressed up a bit with different names to look different. While I enjoyed the book, I'm not waiting on tenterhooks for the sequel, and I don't know that I'm curious enough to go read more of this author's works.
August 6, 2026
The Last Harbinger is a masterful first novel in Jeff Wheeler’s newest series, and it delivers everything longtime fans and new readers hope for: deeply drawn characters, vivid worldbuilding, and a powerful convergence of human and supernatural forces. Wheeler once again proves his ability to craft an epic journey through his uniquely interconnected fantasy worlds.
I often think of great stories as tapestries—works of art woven thread by thread until the final image reveals its strength, nuance, and beauty. Wheeler is one of the few writers whose novels consistently evoke that feeling for me. His stories linger long after the last page, becoming part of the imaginative landscape I carry with me. The Last Harbinger is one of those rare books.
In this tapestry, Wheeler is the weaver. The loom is his narrative framework—his worldview of justice, destiny, agency, and the recurring themes of loyalty, integrity, and trust. The warp provides the structural tension: plot, setting, character roles, and central conflict. Around these, he weaves the weft—the emotional texture, complexity, and individuality that define his storytelling. As always, his characters confront the timeless struggles between right and wrong, belief and doubt, humility and ego, and the consequences of greed, desire, and pure evil. Familiar patterns emerge: guardians, prophetic nudges, and the subtle spiritual forces that guide or challenge the protagonists.
The story begins roughly twenty years after the conclusion of the Harbinger series. Wheeler builds on identity magic, spiritual laws that govern the world, and a looming threat of destruction. At the center are Maia and Hastings, two richly developed protagonists. Maia—a young, somewhat naïve woman—travels to a different world with only a small cadre of bodyguards to save Kingfountain. Hastings—a dashing, moody young man with questionable morals—acts rashly yet reveals a deep sense of loyalty. Their journeys unfold against familiar threads of societal hierarchy, political tension, and supernatural conflict.
The weft of this tapestry is where Wheeler truly shines. Through introspection, regrets, painful memories, and playful banter, he gives Maia and Hastings emotional depth. We witness their doubts, motivations, and evolving self-understanding. We see them learn to trust others and higher powers, discern truth from deception, and navigate a budding romance—all while bearing the weight of saving Kingfountain. Wheeler’s sensory descriptions are so vivid you can smell the salt air, hear the bustle of daily life, and feel the enemy’s grip tightening around your throat. Twists abound, keeping readers engaged and guessing. And, as with many first installments, the story leaves us on a precipice—eager, anxious, and fully invested in what comes next. Wheeler finally begins revealing the connections between his many worlds. Faithful readers will find confirmation of long held theories about how these realms interact, where they exist, and what the portals truly are.
The Last Harbinger is a beautifully crafted tapestry and an unforgettable beginning to a new series. It is, without question, a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to thank Jeff Wheeler, 47North, and Brilliance Audio through NetGalley for this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of The Last Harbinger.
What if you were sent by your mother, the Empress, to a different land to try and save your father’s people there? Would the dangers keep you silent, or would you risk your own death to try and make the truth known? The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is a new series, but set in the same world as his “Harbinger” series. It’s many years later and we are now following the story of their children, Hastings Creigh and Princess Maia Fitzempress. They are brought together and sent to Kingfountain, the home of Maia’s father, to try and help cure the mysterious illness that has befallen her cousins. However, when they arrive, they find out that things are not what they were portrayed to be. Will they be able to convince her aunt and uncle that there is a rebellion going on? Will they be able to survive all of the subterfuge in the process?
Kate Rudd did a fantastic job as always! She also narrated the “Harbinger” series that is the prequel to this new series. She does a wonderful job at pacing, emotions, and pulling the reader fully into the story!
Wow, just wow. Wheeler did another fantastic job at writing a story that brings in action, romance, espionage, humor, intricate plotlines, and so much more! While I am still on my journey to read all of his books, I was still able to see some of the tie-ins and easter eggs that were placed in the story! It truly is a masterpiece. In saying that, while it is not required for you to enjoy the story, I do think there is so much more meaning behind the characters and their actions if you read the previous series first!
Hastings has allowed distance to come between him and his parents while living a life of espionage. Maia has been the dutiful daughter and learned everything she can about Muirwood and Kingfountain. When they are both given their task, they embrace it with determination. We get to see them grow in their trust of each other and also learn who is safe and who is dangerous. Some of the betrayals did not surprise me, however, there were many things that I was completely caught off guard by!
While this story doesn’t have a lot of worldbuilding since that’s been done in the previous series, we do still get to see a good bit of the different areas and re-explore some from the past and see how they’ve changed. Even in that, it was still very easy to picture what was going on throughout the story!
As this is a sequel series, there isn’t much more to say as I wouldn’t want to spoil the series that came before. However, I will say The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is well worth the time reading! I have loved getting to know these new characters, and some from before as well! I am excited to continue this story and also to continue reading about all of the other worlds that connect! This is classified as a Historical Fantasy. There is no cursing and very minimal romance. There is some violence however and some topics that would make it more appropriate for the upper young adult age range and above. I highly recommend giving his books a chance! I haven’t been disappointed yet!
What if you were sent by your mother, the Empress, to a different land to try and save your father’s people there? Would the dangers keep you silent, or would you risk your own death to try and make the truth known? The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is a new series, but set in the same world as his “Harbinger” series. It’s many years later and we are now following the story of their children, Hastings Creigh and Princess Maia Fitzempress. They are brought together and sent to Kingfountain, the home of Maia’s father, to try and help cure the mysterious illness that has befallen her cousins. However, when they arrive, they find out that things are not what they were portrayed to be. Will they be able to convince her aunt and uncle that there is a rebellion going on? Will they be able to survive all of the subterfuge in the process?
Kate Rudd did a fantastic job as always! She also narrated the “Harbinger” series that is the prequel to this new series. She does a wonderful job at pacing, emotions, and pulling the reader fully into the story!
Wow, just wow. Wheeler did another fantastic job at writing a story that brings in action, romance, espionage, humor, intricate plotlines, and so much more! While I am still on my journey to read all of his books, I was still able to see some of the tie-ins and easter eggs that were placed in the story! It truly is a masterpiece. In saying that, while it is not required for you to enjoy the story, I do think there is so much more meaning behind the characters and their actions if you read the previous series first!
Hastings has allowed distance to come between him and his parents while living a life of espionage. Maia has been the dutiful daughter and learned everything she can about Muirwood and Kingfountain. When they are both given their task, they embrace it with determination. We get to see them grow in their trust of each other and also learn who is safe and who is dangerous. Some of the betrayals did not surprise me, however, there were many things that I was completely caught off guard by!
While this story doesn’t have a lot of worldbuilding since that’s been done in the previous series, we do still get to see a good bit of the different areas and re-explore some from the past and see how they’ve changed. Even in that, it was still very easy to picture what was going on throughout the story!
As this is a sequel series, there isn’t much more to say as I wouldn’t want to spoil the series that came before. However, I will say The Last Harbinger by Jeff Wheeler is well worth the time reading! I have loved getting to know these new characters, and some from before as well! I am excited to continue this story and also to continue reading about all of the other worlds that connect! This is classified as a Historical Fantasy. There is no cursing and very minimal romance. There is some violence however and some topics that would make it more appropriate for the upper young adult age range and above. I highly recommend giving his books a chance! I haven’t been disappointed yet!
Review of advance copy
It was okay.
There were a lot of other worldly names and elements that weren't explained well. They were just kind of dropped into the story and you were expected to pick up on what they were pretty fast. It was kind of confusing and almost felt like I was missing something. Like that there was another book before this one I was supposed to have read so that I would have that previous knowledge. Well... it turns out that there are other series by this author and that this world has some character cross over from the other books, so I would definitely recommend looking into reading those first.
There should have been more romance!! Especially after establishing the forced proximity rule. I mean, come on! There was one good scene and that's it!
There were a lot of cool ideas that didn't seem executed well. Maybe they were just references to his other books, but I feel like he would drop a cool idea and then not do anything with it.
Just got to say, the Knowing is super convenient to the plot. They can just have a particular feeling about something or the urge to show up somewhere random with no explanation but that the Knowing prompted them. If you hate those kinds of plot conveniences, ye be warned.
And, of course, the story doesn't wrap up, so just fyi, it is a duology... yep, there's another book you have to wait for if you want an ending!
Okay, this last thing is random, but I love fairytales/children's stories, so I just have to include this random quote I thought was fun (it has absolutely nothing to do with the plot):
"In the little village where I grew up, there was a tale to frighten children, the story of Kosch the Deathless, who hid his soul in a needle, inside an egg, inside a duck, in a rabbit, locked in a chest, and buried under a green oak on an island in another world."
(Amazon First Reads)
There were a lot of other worldly names and elements that weren't explained well. They were just kind of dropped into the story and you were expected to pick up on what they were pretty fast. It was kind of confusing and almost felt like I was missing something. Like that there was another book before this one I was supposed to have read so that I would have that previous knowledge. Well... it turns out that there are other series by this author and that this world has some character cross over from the other books, so I would definitely recommend looking into reading those first.
There should have been more romance!! Especially after establishing the forced proximity rule. I mean, come on! There was one good scene and that's it!
There were a lot of cool ideas that didn't seem executed well. Maybe they were just references to his other books, but I feel like he would drop a cool idea and then not do anything with it.
Just got to say, the Knowing is super convenient to the plot. They can just have a particular feeling about something or the urge to show up somewhere random with no explanation but that the Knowing prompted them. If you hate those kinds of plot conveniences, ye be warned.
And, of course, the story doesn't wrap up, so just fyi, it is a duology... yep, there's another book you have to wait for if you want an ending!
Okay, this last thing is random, but I love fairytales/children's stories, so I just have to include this random quote I thought was fun (it has absolutely nothing to do with the plot):
"In the little village where I grew up, there was a tale to frighten children, the story of Kosch the Deathless, who hid his soul in a needle, inside an egg, inside a duck, in a rabbit, locked in a chest, and buried under a green oak on an island in another world."
(Amazon First Reads)
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Last Harbinger was such a great read! I genuinely could not put this one down and ended up staying up way too late because I kept telling myself, “just one more chapter.” The story completely captivated me from beginning to end.
This was actually my very first Jeff Wheeler book, and it definitely will not be my last. I was completely engrossed in the atmosphere, worldbuilding, and overall feel of the story, and it made me excited to go back and explore more of his books.
I really loved both of the main characters. Hastings comes across as broody, guarded, and protective. Because of his looks and the attention he gets from women, he has a bit of a reputation as a womanizer—but there is so much more to him than what people assume. I loved slowly getting to see past the walls he keeps up.
Maia, on the other hand, is soft, caring, and compassionate. I especially loved that, despite being a princess, she genuinely wants to know and understand her people. Through that pursuit, she begins getting to know her bodyguard (Hastings) on a deeper level, slowly breaking through his defenses along the way. Their chemistry was so much fun to watch develop, especially because this is a super slow-burn romance—which I loved!
Beyond the romance, there is so much adventure and intrigue happening in the background. There are deep secrets that are only beginning to come to light by the end, and I have a feeling we still don’t know the half of it. There was almost an air of mystery woven throughout the story, which made it even harder to put down.
I also got the sense that there were a few pieces of history or backstory that longtime Jeff Wheeler readers may recognize or understand on a deeper level from his other series. That said, I was still able to follow and enjoy this completely without having read any of his previous books. If anything, those little connections just made me more curious to go back and read his earlier stories!
🌸 Content: Romance is non-explicit. There are mentions of drinking and gambling, as well as women wearing revealing clothing. There is also discussion surrounding a male character’s reputation for sleeping around/taking advantage of women and spreading rumors about women. And talk of another marital affair and pregnancy rumor (none actually happened). No language that I noticed.
Overall, this was such a captivating fantasy filled with adventure, mystery, secrets, immersive worldbuilding, and a slow-burn romance that kept me turning pages far past my bedtime. I absolutely flew through it and can’t wait to see where the story goes next!
Thank you so much again for the gifted ARC copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was actually my very first Jeff Wheeler book, and it definitely will not be my last. I was completely engrossed in the atmosphere, worldbuilding, and overall feel of the story, and it made me excited to go back and explore more of his books.
I really loved both of the main characters. Hastings comes across as broody, guarded, and protective. Because of his looks and the attention he gets from women, he has a bit of a reputation as a womanizer—but there is so much more to him than what people assume. I loved slowly getting to see past the walls he keeps up.
Maia, on the other hand, is soft, caring, and compassionate. I especially loved that, despite being a princess, she genuinely wants to know and understand her people. Through that pursuit, she begins getting to know her bodyguard (Hastings) on a deeper level, slowly breaking through his defenses along the way. Their chemistry was so much fun to watch develop, especially because this is a super slow-burn romance—which I loved!
Beyond the romance, there is so much adventure and intrigue happening in the background. There are deep secrets that are only beginning to come to light by the end, and I have a feeling we still don’t know the half of it. There was almost an air of mystery woven throughout the story, which made it even harder to put down.
I also got the sense that there were a few pieces of history or backstory that longtime Jeff Wheeler readers may recognize or understand on a deeper level from his other series. That said, I was still able to follow and enjoy this completely without having read any of his previous books. If anything, those little connections just made me more curious to go back and read his earlier stories!
🌸 Content: Romance is non-explicit. There are mentions of drinking and gambling, as well as women wearing revealing clothing. There is also discussion surrounding a male character’s reputation for sleeping around/taking advantage of women and spreading rumors about women. And talk of another marital affair and pregnancy rumor (none actually happened). No language that I noticed.
Overall, this was such a captivating fantasy filled with adventure, mystery, secrets, immersive worldbuilding, and a slow-burn romance that kept me turning pages far past my bedtime. I absolutely flew through it and can’t wait to see where the story goes next!
Thank you so much again for the gifted ARC copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 3, 2026
I really enjoyed The Last Harbinger. One of my favourite things about Jeff Wheeler's books is the way he keeps finding clever ways to connect his different worlds, and this time he really went for it! There are crossovers and historical references woven throughout, with elements from almost all of his worlds making an appearance. The story also loosely follows the Russian Revolution, which gave the political and social upheaval a fascinating historical framework.
But I think what I love most about Wheeler's writing is his clear sense of morality. Good is good and evil is evil, but that doesn't mean his characters have to be perfect. They're allowed to be human. They can make questionable choices, get things wrong, be selfish, frightened or even foolish without immediately being labelled as "evil." Instead, their character arcs show us what those choices ultimately make of them. Some grow, some redeem themselves, and some gradually shrivel into the people they choose to become. I really like that distinction.
There are also some interesting undercurrents of faith and belief in divine power throughout the story, alongside all the political and religious turbulence. It gives the whole thing another layer that I found particularly enjoyable.
Hastings and Maya make excellent protagonists. Maya's strength and courage were probably what I enjoyed most about her, while Hastings is exactly the sort of rogue I can't resist—a deeply flawed character with a redemption arc that makes you want to see where he'll end up.
And then there are the little treats for readers who have been following Wheeler's other books. I particularly enjoyed seeing characters like Cettie again and getting to see them as mature adults. There's something strangely satisfying about encountering characters you've known for years and discovering what became of them.
Overall, The Last Harbinger was a lot of fun to read. The crossovers, historical influences, political and religious themes, and strong character arcs all came together into a story that felt like both its own adventure and a love letter to the larger universe Wheeler has been building. And honestly, I will never complain about getting a little more time with characters I've already grown attached to.
But I think what I love most about Wheeler's writing is his clear sense of morality. Good is good and evil is evil, but that doesn't mean his characters have to be perfect. They're allowed to be human. They can make questionable choices, get things wrong, be selfish, frightened or even foolish without immediately being labelled as "evil." Instead, their character arcs show us what those choices ultimately make of them. Some grow, some redeem themselves, and some gradually shrivel into the people they choose to become. I really like that distinction.
There are also some interesting undercurrents of faith and belief in divine power throughout the story, alongside all the political and religious turbulence. It gives the whole thing another layer that I found particularly enjoyable.
Hastings and Maya make excellent protagonists. Maya's strength and courage were probably what I enjoyed most about her, while Hastings is exactly the sort of rogue I can't resist—a deeply flawed character with a redemption arc that makes you want to see where he'll end up.
And then there are the little treats for readers who have been following Wheeler's other books. I particularly enjoyed seeing characters like Cettie again and getting to see them as mature adults. There's something strangely satisfying about encountering characters you've known for years and discovering what became of them.
Overall, The Last Harbinger was a lot of fun to read. The crossovers, historical influences, political and religious themes, and strong character arcs all came together into a story that felt like both its own adventure and a love letter to the larger universe Wheeler has been building. And honestly, I will never complain about getting a little more time with characters I've already grown attached to.
September 11, 2026
2 stars — ALC review
After reading this, I would like to gently question the author's assertion that The Last Harbinger serves as an entry point into the universe he’s created through multiple interconnected fantasy series. While I’m sure most seasoned fantasy readers don’t need everything spelled out for them in huge infodumps, I do think a certain amount of exposition is helpful when introducing new readers to a well-established fictional world with its own unique political and magical systems. I love a good bit of political intrigue in my fantasy stories, but because of the lack of context given it was impossible to get invested in the political conflicts because I didn’t know who I was rooting for and why.
Despite its apparent impenetrability, the court politics also came across as overly simplistic:
I find that the best fantasy authors directly address the why of their carefully constructed worlds; each fictional fantasy setting needs to have a fundamental logic laid as the groundwork to understanding the characters and their motivations. While Wheeler may have done this adequately in his extensive back catalogue of works set in the same world (I don’t know; I haven’t read them), he doesn’t bother to reiterate any of that worldbuilding in this one. It makes for a very frustrating reading experience.
I did enjoy the two main characters and the idea of their princess/knight dynamic; however, I was ultimately not entirely convinced by their romance. If these two were transposed into a different fantasy setting, perhaps with a different plot and more developed worldbuilding, I think I would have enjoyed their slow-burn romance a lot more.
I did enjoy listening to the audiobook narrator, and the straightforward writing style made it easy to follow the plot while doing other tasks around the house. If I hadn’t been granted an ALC and only had the ebook copy at my disposal, I think I may have DNF’d the book fairly swiftly, so I am still happy that I was approved for this! Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ALC.
After reading this, I would like to gently question the author's assertion that The Last Harbinger serves as an entry point into the universe he’s created through multiple interconnected fantasy series. While I’m sure most seasoned fantasy readers don’t need everything spelled out for them in huge infodumps, I do think a certain amount of exposition is helpful when introducing new readers to a well-established fictional world with its own unique political and magical systems. I love a good bit of political intrigue in my fantasy stories, but because of the lack of context given it was impossible to get invested in the political conflicts because I didn’t know who I was rooting for and why.
Despite its apparent impenetrability, the court politics also came across as overly simplistic:
I find that the best fantasy authors directly address the why of their carefully constructed worlds; each fictional fantasy setting needs to have a fundamental logic laid as the groundwork to understanding the characters and their motivations. While Wheeler may have done this adequately in his extensive back catalogue of works set in the same world (I don’t know; I haven’t read them), he doesn’t bother to reiterate any of that worldbuilding in this one. It makes for a very frustrating reading experience.
I did enjoy the two main characters and the idea of their princess/knight dynamic; however, I was ultimately not entirely convinced by their romance. If these two were transposed into a different fantasy setting, perhaps with a different plot and more developed worldbuilding, I think I would have enjoyed their slow-burn romance a lot more.
I did enjoy listening to the audiobook narrator, and the straightforward writing style made it easy to follow the plot while doing other tasks around the house. If I hadn’t been granted an ALC and only had the ebook copy at my disposal, I think I may have DNF’d the book fairly swiftly, so I am still happy that I was approved for this! Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ALC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2026
Accidentally started a whole universe book!
Let me preface this review by saying I had no idea going into this that this book was part of a huge universe, so my rating may well change!
The story focuses on Hastings and Maia, how their paths cross and the journey they begin together.
I found this an easy fantasy to get into. It wasn't overly complicated, and I liked that it was set in what felt like a more modern-world setting rather than the typical fantasy world.
The pacing and story development from the beginning up until around the last 60–100 pages were done really well. We got enough time to understand the characters, the plot continued to move forward, and it kept me reading.
The dynamic between Hastings and Maia was really intriguing, and I found myself rooting for them both. I also loved how confident and strong a female character Maia was.
This is a multiple POV story, which I love, and I didn't find the different perspectives confusing. We also jump between what is happening from one chapter to another, often in completely different locations, but again, I found this easy to follow.
Until the last 60–100 pages...
This is where things changed for me. I felt that the ending was rushed once we reached the climax. So much was happening, with the story jumping between different locations and characters, but it happened so quickly that it felt like there were gaps that needed filling.
I wanted more detail about how certain characters got into or out of particular situations because, at times, it felt like we jumped from one moment to another without seeing how we got there.
Having now found out that this is part of a much larger book universe, I would say that this didn't impact my understanding of what was happening. It actually read more like a standalone or the first book in a series.
That may also have played a part in how I felt about the ending. Perhaps it wouldn't have felt as rushed if I'd known the wider universe and had read the other books first.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I'd definitely recommend it, and at some point I'd like to go back and start the wider universe in the correct reading order!
Let me preface this review by saying I had no idea going into this that this book was part of a huge universe, so my rating may well change!
The story focuses on Hastings and Maia, how their paths cross and the journey they begin together.
I found this an easy fantasy to get into. It wasn't overly complicated, and I liked that it was set in what felt like a more modern-world setting rather than the typical fantasy world.
The pacing and story development from the beginning up until around the last 60–100 pages were done really well. We got enough time to understand the characters, the plot continued to move forward, and it kept me reading.
The dynamic between Hastings and Maia was really intriguing, and I found myself rooting for them both. I also loved how confident and strong a female character Maia was.
This is a multiple POV story, which I love, and I didn't find the different perspectives confusing. We also jump between what is happening from one chapter to another, often in completely different locations, but again, I found this easy to follow.
Until the last 60–100 pages...
This is where things changed for me. I felt that the ending was rushed once we reached the climax. So much was happening, with the story jumping between different locations and characters, but it happened so quickly that it felt like there were gaps that needed filling.
I wanted more detail about how certain characters got into or out of particular situations because, at times, it felt like we jumped from one moment to another without seeing how we got there.
Having now found out that this is part of a much larger book universe, I would say that this didn't impact my understanding of what was happening. It actually read more like a standalone or the first book in a series.
That may also have played a part in how I felt about the ending. Perhaps it wouldn't have felt as rushed if I'd known the wider universe and had read the other books first.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I'd definitely recommend it, and at some point I'd like to go back and start the wider universe in the correct reading order!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Last Harbinger by @muirwoodwheeler
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️: None
This was my first foray into Jeff Wheeler’s fantasy/sci-fi worlds, and it was such a fun ride! The Last Harbinger is connected to some of Wheeler’s previous books, revisiting familiar characters and locations, but I never felt lost as a newcomer.
The story follows Hastings Creigh, a skilled bodyguard and mercenary tasked with protecting Princess Maia, a compassionate royal devoted to serving her people. When Maia is sent to the distant world of Kingfountain to investigate the mysterious illness afflicting her cousins, Hastings accompanies her. What begins as a diplomatic mission soon unravels into conspiracies, political unrest, and the awakening of an ancient evil that threatens everything.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Different kingdoms exist on separate worlds, connected by zephyrs, portal gates, and mysterious magical technology. Maia and certain other characters also possess a unique connection to a higher power that grants intuition, glimpses of the future, and the ability to strengthen or amplify the abilities of those around them.
As Hastings and Maia navigate a kingdom on the brink of revolution, they must contend with a manipulative royal advisor, hidden agendas, and growing danger. The story explores themes of loyalty, corruption, faith, sacrifice, and love. I especially enjoyed the slow-building relationship between Hastings and Maia, and I’m eager to see where it goes after that cliffhanger ending.
This is a very clean fantasy that I’d recommend for readers around 14+ who enjoy fantasy with a touch of sci-fi, light steampunk vibes, political intrigue, conspiracies, and magic.
My sincere thanks to Jeff Wheeler for providing me a complimentary review copy. 🥰
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️: None
This was my first foray into Jeff Wheeler’s fantasy/sci-fi worlds, and it was such a fun ride! The Last Harbinger is connected to some of Wheeler’s previous books, revisiting familiar characters and locations, but I never felt lost as a newcomer.
The story follows Hastings Creigh, a skilled bodyguard and mercenary tasked with protecting Princess Maia, a compassionate royal devoted to serving her people. When Maia is sent to the distant world of Kingfountain to investigate the mysterious illness afflicting her cousins, Hastings accompanies her. What begins as a diplomatic mission soon unravels into conspiracies, political unrest, and the awakening of an ancient evil that threatens everything.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was its blend of fantasy and science fiction. Different kingdoms exist on separate worlds, connected by zephyrs, portal gates, and mysterious magical technology. Maia and certain other characters also possess a unique connection to a higher power that grants intuition, glimpses of the future, and the ability to strengthen or amplify the abilities of those around them.
As Hastings and Maia navigate a kingdom on the brink of revolution, they must contend with a manipulative royal advisor, hidden agendas, and growing danger. The story explores themes of loyalty, corruption, faith, sacrifice, and love. I especially enjoyed the slow-building relationship between Hastings and Maia, and I’m eager to see where it goes after that cliffhanger ending.
This is a very clean fantasy that I’d recommend for readers around 14+ who enjoy fantasy with a touch of sci-fi, light steampunk vibes, political intrigue, conspiracies, and magic.
My sincere thanks to Jeff Wheeler for providing me a complimentary review copy. 🥰
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I'm a huge fan of Jeff Wheeler and this book was so fun to read and see all the connections to his other worlds! Other readers have said that they could understand the book and keep up even though they hadn't read his other books. For me, it was like visiting beloved places.
Maia is a trustworthy, smart girl, a princess who is being called to her father's homeland, in another world called Kingfountain, to save the royal line. Her mother, Queen Sera, sends along a scholar, a vicar, and four bodyguards for the Grey Legion to keep her safe. One of those bodyguards is Hastings. He is told to get his affairs in order, because he may never return to their world, Muirwood. Hastings is a charming, handsome man, who spends too much money and has a gambling problem. He's also been estranged from his parents, Cettie and Adam. Adam is a doctor and Cettie is a Harbinger, someone who is given visions from The Knowing to see the future. She's seen Maia and Hastings together in Kingfountain and told her friend, Queen Sera about it, and so the adventure begins.
Jeff likes to blend religion, fantasy, and history in his stories. This one is based on the Romanovs and Rasputin. The Rasputin character is called the Strannik in this story, and is instantly recognizable as the villain from the Invisible College series. I just love how he wove so many pieces of his stories together in this novel. He even mentioned Lady Sinia, who I've been on the lookout for since the Kingfountain series concluded.
Give this book a try, you won't be disappointed. I'm off to start reading some of the other books again so I can be ready for the next book in this series.
Maia is a trustworthy, smart girl, a princess who is being called to her father's homeland, in another world called Kingfountain, to save the royal line. Her mother, Queen Sera, sends along a scholar, a vicar, and four bodyguards for the Grey Legion to keep her safe. One of those bodyguards is Hastings. He is told to get his affairs in order, because he may never return to their world, Muirwood. Hastings is a charming, handsome man, who spends too much money and has a gambling problem. He's also been estranged from his parents, Cettie and Adam. Adam is a doctor and Cettie is a Harbinger, someone who is given visions from The Knowing to see the future. She's seen Maia and Hastings together in Kingfountain and told her friend, Queen Sera about it, and so the adventure begins.
Jeff likes to blend religion, fantasy, and history in his stories. This one is based on the Romanovs and Rasputin. The Rasputin character is called the Strannik in this story, and is instantly recognizable as the villain from the Invisible College series. I just love how he wove so many pieces of his stories together in this novel. He even mentioned Lady Sinia, who I've been on the lookout for since the Kingfountain series concluded.
Give this book a try, you won't be disappointed. I'm off to start reading some of the other books again so I can be ready for the next book in this series.
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