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Heir to the Crown #5

Fate of the Crown

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From lonely little girl… to the people's princess.

She is the last hope of a kingdom crushed under the heel of tyranny.

At first alone in the world, everything changed the day she met Gerald; once a forgotten old warrior, now the General of her army.

With the aid of those willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause of good, she prepares to wage war against her brother, a king more corrupt than even her dead father.

All her life has led up to this.

Now, they seek to unite the ancient races in a desperate race to win the crown before the Dark Queen enslaves them all.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2019

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About the author

Paul J. Bennett

48 books584 followers
Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.

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

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

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

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

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5 stars
221 (53%)
4 stars
154 (37%)
3 stars
28 (6%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
233 reviews3 followers
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May 21, 2019
A step into a medieval world with a princess gathering together a most unusual army led by an old forgotten warrior, now the General of her army, to wage war on her brother, a king more corrupt than her dead father. Those willing to sacrifice their lives must learn to work together to take over the kingdom of Merceria. A fast-paced story with lots of twists, turns, tragedies, magic and more.
634 reviews17 followers
May 22, 2019
Wow! Just wow! This is definitely my favourite new epic fantasy series, that’s for sure! I love the characters, I love the world, I love the writing style, I just love the story! I can’t wait to read the next one! This series just keeps getting better and better!

I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily writing an honest review.
376 reviews7 followers
May 22, 2019
I Enjoyed this book!!
The story is interesting and the plot kept me engaged
throughout the book!!
The good characters are likeable!!
I have read the series.
The author develops characters in each book.
In each book, the characters evolve as time passes.
Each time I read a book in the series,
I am reconnected to the characters.
This is a Great book!!
238 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2019
Murder, malevolence, mayhem
and....marriage plans !!??
Get settled in for a long session
because you won't want to put
this story down.
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.
360 reviews6 followers
May 22, 2019
The plot turns will keep you reading on. The characters are well developed and the ending is always a twisted surprise. Can't wait till the next book!
50 reviews
December 31, 2019
Fate of the Crown not yet fully Determined!

I will now take a break after five books plus one other. The trip of Princess Anna and General Gerald is getting along quite well. I have the next book but will delay reading for a while. I need a dose of Romance and a Western or two, then I'll return to Mr. Bennett's take of the Crown. This was a interesting book but I thought that there was to much material that did not belong. A lot of description of things that are or should be understood. I don't mind a book of many words when the words actually say something about the book. There were too many things that drifted off of the story line and extended a good book and made it drivel. I will read the next in line a see if there is a better performance from the authors. Next will be the story of Baron Fitzwilliam.
Profile Image for Annemarie .
1,020 reviews22 followers
March 7, 2021
This series just keeps getting better.
Gerald is proving himself to be quite the tactician and well deserving of his promotion to General.
Our two Life Mages are becoming more proficient and the different races in Princess Anna's army have developed a healthy respect for each other.
If you enjoy a good story with plenty of action, believable characters, elves, dwarves, trolls and elemental mages set in medieval times, then you will love the Heir to the Crown series.
Happy reading. Annemarie

I received an Advance Reader Copy of Fate of the Crown (Heir to the Crown #5) from the author and have chosen to leave a review.
437 reviews26 followers
August 17, 2024
Word has been spread that Princess Anna, Beverly Fitzwilliam, Gerald Matheson, and the others that supported Princess Anna has been executed for treason. Thus began the book that is the 5th in the Heir to the Crown series. It helps to read the books in order that since I didn't do this and I'm reading them out of order I recommend you read them in order. They are excellent books well-written and page turning book and even reading them out of order I'm enjoying them immensely I recommend that you read them...
65 reviews
July 19, 2019
Not Great, but still interesting

I found some of the early chapters were drawn out and moved slowly. Several times I called my kindle and went to watch Tv s shows. I also spent time playing bridge on line then I would return to the book and read Some more chapters. Until about 3/4 of the way through where I became entranced with the characters and the unfolding story.
Not the best effort by the author, but still a good book.



Profile Image for Matheus Macedo.
75 reviews
October 9, 2023
While I found the previous book better I do like this ending to the first phase of the heir to the crown series. It leaves some parts of the narrative open to interpretation but I feel like some questions will be answered soon.

Do I recommend this series now that I read through the entire first part of it? Yes! The characters and how they progressed are a really interesting part of the book for me. I have grown quite fond of some of them (Revi Bloom being my favorite).
1,913 reviews19 followers
August 11, 2024
Merceria is at war with itself. The King has attempted to slay his sister and her band of knights. But they picked on the wrong woman. She is no pushover and instead is extremely skilled at attracting and retaining followers.

This is a story of love for people and country. It also brings the love that we see grow between the protagonists. There is military strategy, building alliances and caring for those who make the country what it is.

Those who like battles and fighting will experience plenty. Also revealed are many forms of magic. This is a very good book in this series.
5 reviews
November 15, 2021
Fate of the Crown Worthwhile Read

Just finished Book 5 in the Heir to the Crown fantasy series. Good plot development, great story, with battles, strategies, good vs evil, love relationships, gallant personalities. Plot twists and magic have added an extra element to keep the story engaging.
2 reviews
November 21, 2023
Fate of the Crown by Paul Bennett is a great series. I really enjoy the books. I'm reading Book # 6 now and really look forward to reading the rest! I'm looking forward to finding out if Anna, and the rest of her friends, figure out what's really happening and can relax and enjoy all the good they've accomplished!
27 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2025
Another chapter in amazing saga.

While Paul Bennett isn't JRR Tolkien his saga is superior. It contains many of the races of Middle Earth and mages, it shows how harmony can develop when dealing with the forces of good and evil. I totally recommend these books from high schoolers and beyond.

62 reviews
March 28, 2026
Royals, Knights, Wizards, Soldiers, Elves, Orcs, Saurians, Trolls -- What a fantasy novel!!

"Fate of the Crown" is the fifth book in the series "Heir to the Crown" and it is GREAT!!! It has everything a good fantasy novel needs. A good plot with plenty of twists, defined characters, and it leaves you wanting to see what happens next.
46 reviews
November 7, 2023
Magical mages lead the commoners to their freedom!

Stirring fantasy with intense action! An evil queen eliminates several threats to the crown. Princess Anna enlists troops from outside the kingdom! Elves, Orcs, Trolls and magical creatures!
304 reviews
October 10, 2024
very interesting and exciting read. The storyline was amazing. Seems to me though, that the editing of this book was a lil bit off, as if the editor cut out just a bit too much. This made the book seemed rushed at points.
Profile Image for Jenny Clark.
156 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2025
Paul Bennett does it again!

I am loving this series. The plot twists, the battle scenes, the magic, and the characters that I worry and fret over. They live on in my head. I am glad I found this series a little later so I can head straight into the next book.
Profile Image for H.C TOWERS.
Author 3 books2 followers
April 19, 2025
Love the battle for the kingdom

The kingdom had so many view points at times it was crazy good seeing the different view points from the various points of the battle field loved the book and look forward to next volume
354 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2026
Continued Excellent Writing

The country has been retaken, but there hidden enemy survives. Continued great character development as the story continues. Some characters come into focus while others shift into the background.
407 reviews
May 26, 2019
Asking for more!

But, I have to wait for the next 2 books later this year. I am going to keep my fingers crossed until then. A fan!
8 reviews
August 27, 2019
Very Good Read

The storyline kept you turning pages to see what happened next. Characters very interesting. Cannot wait for next book to be published!
56 reviews
December 23, 2020
The forgotten Princess turned Princess of the people. Another engaging book with diverse characters and exciting plotlines. Keep them coming, Paul Bennett!
42 reviews
November 4, 2021
Another enjoyable book in this set,I love reading this set of books they are so engrossing,an excellent read
Profile Image for Mike Gutierrez.
10 reviews
December 1, 2023
another great read

Rifled through this book in a few days and it didn’t disappoint. I love how the story had evolved through each of the books.
Profile Image for Evelyn Goughnour .
1,190 reviews
February 1, 2025
An excellent book!

I love this series! I can’t wait to see what’s ahead I’m hooked on this world and these characters. The twist at the end I didn’t expect!
Profile Image for Todd.
524 reviews5 followers
June 1, 2025
This is an easy read.
5 reviews
July 17, 2025
I am enjoying this series immensely. I usually need a break when reading this many volumes of a series, but these characters are still real, compelling and fresh. Onward to six.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tammy.
150 reviews3 followers
November 26, 2022
This has been my favourite book of the series thus far. This is the book where sh#t got real. It opens with a jaw dropper and continues with a risky adventure for our princess and her retinue. I enjoyed the political plans, the military engagements and the encounters with the other races. Loved the book from beginning to end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews