The Last Heir

by Summer Sullivan

The fate of the world runs through her veins

War lingers on the horizon for the former allies Orinth and Auntica. To the north stands the Shadow Wall; the unwavering border between the human realm and the realm of darkness. Nothing can open it, except the death of a single person…

Princess Alida Goulding has only known life inside a palace. When an outside threat arises, she’s forced to abandon it all and flee to far shores. With the help of a rebellious smuggler and the son of a crime lord, Alida embarks on a journey that changes everything she thought she knew.

Sawny Lois has spent the last four years crippled by the unsolved murder of her parents. Deprived of the answers she seeks; she spends her time helping others find their own. When she is hired by a man from her enemy country to find his brother’s killer, Sawny is launched into a treacherous world of danger and deceit. With threats at every corner, Sawny battles to stay alive, investigating the murder while searching for who she really is.

Genres: Fantasy

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Summer Sullivan is a college student who grew up in rural Northern Michigan and attended a small high school. She enjoys biking, golfing, writing, and spending time with friends and family. Currently, Summer spends her time between her hometown and Northern Florida, working and writing as much as she can.

Reviews

[Summer Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being confident in myself has always been a struggle for me, sort of like being confident is a struggle for Sawny in the book. Believing in myself has also been hard, just like Alida fights to believe in herself. Having hope for the future is something that all the characters in my book struggle to have and it doesn't take a genius to guess who also fights to have hope for the future...yours truly. I'm giving my book five stars because I want to be confident. I want to believe in myself. I want to have hope for the future. I put a lot into this book, a lot of vulnerable pieces of myself I have attempted to bury far beneath the surface and now? Now they are printed in ink, on paper, for anyone to see. Although it might seem contrary, I am wishing that countless people will open up those pages and see those vulnerabilities and maybe, just maybe, find solace in knowing they are not alone. Maybe I'll never be confident or believe in myself or have hope or be anything my characters and I aspire to be. But you can bet I'm going to try and I hope you do too.

[Jammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! Hard to believe it is her first book! Great characters and the story hit the ground running.

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for a honest review.

The plot was fine and I liked (most of) the characters, but the sentence structure, grammar and punctuation were just too sloppy. This made it really hard for me to keep reading, so I have to admit I scanned through most of the chapters.

Don't get me wrong, I do think the book has potential and I will probably enjoy it if it gets edited, but it's just not there yet. 2.5 stars (for the plot)

UPDATE: it turned out I read an older copy instead of the reprint, so keep in mind that this review is solely based on the first edition.

[Kaitlyn High · Rating 3 out of 5]

War between the kingdoms of Orinth and Auntica is on the horizon. King Grafph of Orinth wants to destroy the Shadow Wall and release the darkness into the human realm. As the Last Heir, Princess Alida’s death is the key to destroying the wall.  Alida knows to save herself and her kingdom, she must leave. She is forced to leave her home and family to try to keep everyone safe.  Throughout her journey, she really begins to discover who she is when she isn’t tied down to the title and responsibility of being a princess.  

The story also introduces Sawney, a young woman who had to learn to take care of herself at an early age.  Although the journeys of the two main characters are separate, it is fun to think about how their paths may cross in the future.

The chapters move back and forth between the two main characters and their stories, but it is easy to keep up with it.  I really enjoyed the world building and the map in the book really helped put things into perspective. The descriptions of each character and setting are very detailed and well done.

You are left with a couple of cliff hangers so it will be interesting to see where the story will go from here in this series!

Thank you to the author, Summer Sullivan, for a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. It’s always an honor to read an author’s work but especially the debut novel of a young author.

[Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★.5/★★★★★

I was asked by the author if I could read and review this book for her, and I’m so glad I did. I haven’t read a fantasy book that I really enjoyed as much as this in a while. Once I started this book I knew I was completely invested. The story, especially the Shadow Wall, really interests me, and the world building makes me feel like I’m actually there. Sawny’s character inspired me a lot with her confidence, and I have to say she might be one of my new favorite female characters. One of my favorite parts of the book is the friendship between Princess Alida and Rider. I love when there is a relationship that isn’t romantic, and this one was really well done. I did notice there are quite a few missing commas in the writing, but besides that I’m very impressed. This is an excellent debut book, it’s hard to believe this is the authors first. I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!

[Lisa Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer is a superb author, whose characters in this book are easy to relate to. I couldn't wait to pick up the book every chance I got to see what happens next. Looking forward to the next book in the series! She has a bright future in writing!

[Cathy Laube · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original

This is a wonderful original story with well developed characters you come to love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... I don't really know what to say. I got this book back in September while at an event at our local library. I bought it directly from Summer as she was there. I only got to read a couple pages at first because life and it's ups and downs got in the way. Today I finally had a chance to start reading it. I was so drawn in to the story that I finished it in one sitting. The world, the characters, just everything about this book is amazing. Definitely a page turner! I absolutely can't wait for the next book.

[Alenabooknook]

I don’t even know where to begin for this review! Wow! Summer is a writing wizard! From the way the story began, to character development, the timeline, and action- everything intertwined perfectly. The map helped keep the kingdoms separated and understand where the plot took place. The kingdoms and locations were separated and made it easy to keep track of where everything was taking place. It was written beautifully! Can’t wait for book 2!

[A Hippie's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author Summer Sullivan has created an amazing world filled with magic, dark secrets, deception, mystery and adventure.

The Wilds, The Darklands, Orinth, Auntica, Nageye, Tinir and a Forest Dembe where the witch Matahali lives, all meld together building a fantasy world that takes the reader on a mystical adventure.

The king of Auntica wants the princess of Orinth dead. After King Teiran of Orinth executes an Auntica for reasonable crimes, war is inevitable between the two. But King Grafph of Auntica knows something else that is more powerful than gold or politics. The princess Alida holds the key. Grafph has dark desires to open and free what rests in the shadows. King Teiran knows his daughter’s life is on the line but his pain of losing his child is only one aspect of the danger. The world depends on her staying alive as The Last Heir, to keep what is intact beyond the Shadow Wall.

Alida is thought to be the last heir to Orinth and as long as she is alive, the shadow wall stays in place protecting their world from the shadow realm. Between the two lead females, Alida is softer being raised as royalty and catered to. She shows incredible bravery to leave home in an effort to hide herself from King Grafph and to prevent the Shadow Wall from being destroyed. All of her experiences from that point forward shows great strength and growth. Alida gets into and out of some close calls and proves she is NOT so soft. Along the way she meets Sahar and Roman forming new bonds only to be brutally betrayed.

Sawny on the other hand does not have to prove she is strong, it is just her nature. She was a young teen when her parents were brutally murdered. Before her mother died she was able to tell Sawny that her father was Orinth. Her life was pretty much the polar opposite to the life of a princess. Shooting a bow and taking care of herself are just part of who she is.

Sawny from Auntica and Alida Orinth are not directly connected nor do they know each other. They both are on separate adventures and the book goes back and forth from Sawny to Alida and where their journeys are taking them. From sailing on a ship under the night sky filled with stars to a dark forest and the shadows. Every character met along the way shines with vivid personalities absolutely adding to the over all storyline.

I loved reading The Last Heir and getting to know all the different characters of this story. The main characters of course stand out but there were also minor characters that gave the story so much feeling and emotion. I thought the first chapter was one of the best introductions I’ve read. It was very exciting and made me anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The Last Heir absolutely reads as an opener. I am so looking forward to book two so I can know where this incredible story continues. In fact I’m going a little crazy with all these cliff hangers.

I easily connected with Sawny and Adriel but can not help to think there is more about Rider and Alida. Their relationship absolutely is more like close family, Rider being a big brother type of best friend. But, they seem really drawn to one another.

The deception from Sahar and Roman was a shock. I don’t think they really meant harm to Alida. Maybe the crush that gets going between Roman and Alida will have a chance to go further in the next book.

[Ashley]

Alida is believed to be the last beneficiary of Orinth and as long as she is alive, the shadow divider stays set up shielding their reality from the shadow domain.

This is an incredible exertion from a gifted youthful creator. It tends you from this world and sends you on an astonishing experience brimming with exciting bends in the road.

War waits not too far off for the previous partners Orinth and Auntica. Nothing can open it, aside from the passing of a solitary individual. Princess Alida Goulding has just known life inside a royal residence. With the assistance of a defiant runner and the child of a wrongdoing master, Alida leaves on a journey that changes all that she thought she knew. With dangers at each corner, Sawny fights to remain alive, exploring the homicide while looking for who she truly is.

The Wilds, The Darklands, Orinth, Auntica, Nageye, Tinir and a Timberland Dembe where the witch Matahali resides, all merge together structure a dreamland that takes the peruser on a supernatural experience.

The ruler of Auntica needs the princess of Orinth dead. Subsequent to Lord Teiran of Orinth executes an Auntica for sensible wrongdoings, war is unavoidable between the two. Yet, Lord Grafph of Auntica knows something different that is more impressive than gold or legislative issues.

The princess Alida holds the key. Lord Teiran realizes his girl`s life is on the line yet his agony of losing his kid is just a single part of the risk. The world relies upon her remaining alive as The Last Beneficiary, to keep what is flawless past the Shadow Divider.

She shows mind blowing grit to venture out from home with an end goal to conceal herself from Lord Grafph and to forestall the Shadow Divider from being obliterated. Alida gets into and out of some near disasters and demonstrates she isn`t really delicate.

In route she meets Sahar and Roman framing new bonds just to be ruthlessly double-crossed. Before her mom kicked the bucket she had the option to let Sawny know that her dad was Orinth.

Sawny from Auntica and Alida Orinth are not straightforwardly associated nor do they know one another.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review!

I’m falling somewhere between 2-3 stars. I really think Summer has great potential as an author! This story felt like a cross between the Grishaverse and Throne of Glass. I enjoyed the two main female characters that we follow, although I tended to prefer Sawny’s story. I didn’t feel like this book ended in a good place. I understand wanting to end on cliffhangers, however the way it was done just made the book feel unfinished. I think the book needed to be a bit longer so that we could explore the main plot in a more satisfying way. There are really good story bones here! But it felt underdeveloped, almost as if it ended at the halfway point of the novel.

I think the biggest criticism that will immediately be obvious to most readers is the grammar and formatting issues. I would love to see Summer’s future works be more cleanly edited with some extra attention to writing good sentence structure.

Even under these criticisms, this book has fun and intriguing moments! I was invested in the characters and wanted to know more.

[Jessie Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Read this book if you like: Quick reads, fascinating worlds, strong female leads

War lingers on the horizon for the former allies Orinth and Auntica. Princess Alida Goulding has only known life inside a palace. When an outside threat arises, she’s forced to abandon it all and flee to far shores. Sawny Lois has spent the last four years crippled by the unsolved murder of her parents. Deprived of the answers she seeks; she spends her time helping others find their own. She is hired by a man from her enemy country to find his brother’s killer and finds herself in a world of danger.

The story itself was very good. The premise took a lot of imagination, for sure. I met Summer at an event earlier this year and knew I had to buy her books. She wrote these books as a teenager. I'm baffled at that. This is a great debut. The world building was well laid out. Honestly the flow wasn't best. Lots of "and". Almost every single sentence was long. That caught me a bit off guard. Putting the editing aside the story was good. The characters were well developed. I love Alida. She is a strong badass woman. This is a gpod short fast read. I recommend this book!

[Niket Setia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and the book cover are the only things that reader see first, and they are also the most important since they help readers decide which book to read. In this case title and book cover are both relevant and go hand in hand with the story.

Story was smoothly narrated with brilliant chracter development. War lingers on the horizon for the former allies Orinth and Auntica. Nothing can open it, except the death of a single person. This is very engaging book that the author completed it in 257 pages, that anyone can complete it in just maximum of 2-3 sittings. Sawny spent the last few years crippled by the murder of her parents. Although she helped other in finding their questions. The language used in this book is very easy to understand.

I personally like the writing skill and the narration is very smooth and flawless. The plot is very well designed and crafted by the author.

I would definitely recommend this book wheather you are reader or not, you must try this one. Overall, its a valueable read.

[Jess | dapper.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book did not disappoint! Once the plot line was established, it was smooth sailing into a story that’ll suck you in and leave you wanting more!

This story is told through multiple points of view (love that!). We find ourselves following a princess, a royal adviser, a private investigator, a group of smugglers, a man from the wilds and others we meet along the way as they process being in two countries on the brink of war over some gold. But is that really what the war is about? There are those that believe that isn’t all there is to it. Some are fearful that one of the Kings has found a way to break down the shadow wall - which holds the shadows out of their lands. No one knows exactly what lurks behind that wall, but they all feel it would be unwise to release it. So why is the king so determined to do it?

We don’t get all the answers - but of course we don’t! This is just the beginning! We have a solid cliffhanger ending for each of our characters and I’m excited to see what happens next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Helaina Chiofolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy novel told in third person omniscient, multi POV. This story was told from three main perspectives, Rider (the kings advisor with a mysterious past), Alida (the kings daughter who is wanted by his enemies) and Swany Lois (an investigator with a sad past and ambition for the future).

With incredible detailed world building, Summer Sullivan created two countries about to go to war. In my opinion, the fine art of fantasy is creating the world, give at life through details then let the story take over. Characters come and go, but I have a feeling of foreshadowing; i think they will resurface in Book two. I hope so!

Usually in multi POV stories, the characters cross paths eventually, which is always what i look for. That doesn’t happen in this story, however I’m not knocking a star off for it! Just making me look forward to book two. Damn. These indie authors know how to keep you hooked!!

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When you're happy, I'm happy."

Picked this up at Ocala Comic-Con, the first time I've ever gotten a book from one of the author booths at a con. And I'm not disappointed.

Really cool world. A little reminiscent of Shadow and Bone with the Shadow Wall kind of reminding me of the Fold. But enough differences that it doesn't feel at all like a rehash. There's a lot of political intrigue going on and few different story line going on in different places, which will all, I assume, eventually overlap.

Also, I know this isn't related at all because the book came out way before, but every time I see "the Auntican-Orinthian Border" all I can hear is "Oratrice Mecanique D'analyse Cardinale" with the beat drop. Lol.

[Sophia Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t mind the book. There were definitely times where it moved a little slower, but I believe that is just because I didn’t like one of the characters in the book, so I didn’t really enjoy reading the parts they were in. They had a lot of cheesy one liners that just didn’t really draw me in. However I did really like one of the other characters, and really enjoyed reading the parts they were in, so I continued the book to complete their part of the story. Overall the book was good, and I would say I recommend it as long as you are okay with a few cheesy lines, and the only problems I had with it were personal opinions. I really enjoyed the plot, it was something I personally haven’t seen in books, however I don’t typically read books like this so that could be part of why I have never seen it. Overall this is definitely a book I believe a lot of people would enjoy.

[The Book Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Heir is not the typical genre I read but I was intrigued by the description and gave it a go. I’m so happy I did, I really enjoyed this book!

What a beautiful story. Yeah, it’s got some gruesome battle scenes but it was so beautifully written. I was surprised to learn that this was the first book by the author. It was well paced, everything flowed together well and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I loved the character development the most. Each main character we are introduced to has to step out of the realm they are used to and live. There are some sparks flying too, which I loved!

I need to know what happens next so if the author reads this…..HURRY! I need to know how my 2 couples fare out!

[Michelle The Outgoing Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut the author did a fantastic job with the world building in this book. Sucked me in from the first page.

The kingdoms of Orinth and Auntica are at war and the Wall between them and the Shadow World is close to being destroyed in a power struggle. A young woman may hold the key to this but she’s not the only one.

Uniquely told in multiple POVs, the book’s primary focus centers on two young women - Princess Alida and Sawny - whose stories run parallel but they have never met. Both are strong and resilient as they journey to different kingdoms in bids to find answers.

The book was more fantasy with just tiny bit of romance that I hope will blossom in the next book. Dual cliffhangers left me wanting the second book ASAP.

[Hettie Brazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! It’s a fantasy action/adventure with a side of political drama and romance (honestly my favorite combination of genres!) The characters are very well developed and each have their own complicated history, which I highly appreciate because I cannot wait to see how their arcs play out over the rest of the trilogy! There were a few twists that I loved and some downright adorable scenes. I have so many questions after the end of this book and I’m on the edge of my seat to know what happens next! The start was a little slow, but I feel like that is a common thread in all fantasy, having to build and describe an entire world/society to ensure your readers aren’t lost is very tough. Definitely go read this book and support @summerksullivan! She’s the best!

[Sarah Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 First of all there’s a map & I love books with maps. Definitely different than what I typically read but decided to give it a go. As Summer’s first book I think she did an amazing job! The plot was very creative. The two main characters were interesting and easy to keep up with. Like many of the other reviews there was some editing issues but considering this being a first book the author did a great job!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

This book was really great! It took me a while to get into, I felt like it was a little slow in the beginning. It was definitely worth it though! Around Chapter 10 is when it really picks up the pace and I was invested in what happened to these characters. The ending was amazing and I can't wait to read the second book 😊

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about kingdoms, war, mystery, and a splash of romance. Once the plot was established, I couldn't put it down. I loved the variety of characters and how easy they were to relate to. If you are looking for a page turning fantasy adventure, check out Summer's debut novel. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Seci Scheffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

review!

I love how developed the world was in this book so much and the detail to the characters. You can tell the author really put time and effort creating this book and really thought about the logic and development of the story!!

[Neci Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Though there were several errors that could use a good editor, the story was engaging and did what any good story does. It took me on an adventure into a new world, and the end had me looking for book 2.

[Rem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book can't wait for the other ones, love rider.

[Carol Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

great first book!

I can’t wait to get started on the second one. I’m a speech pathologist so I did find some grammar errors but I can ignore those for a great story!

[Kat]

Got this at ComicCon and was signed by the author. DNF’d because I just couldn’t get through it.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought directly from the author at a festival. Loved it! Great world, alternating POV, captivating characters and story.