Illusions and Infamy

Mishap's Heroes #4

by K.M. Merritt

Who said you can never go home again?Vola screwed up. Big time. Thanks to her mistakes during the coup, she's been stripped of her shield and labeled a black paladin, an oathbreaker. But who is she without her shield? Does she even know? Cut off from her goddess, Vola tries to distance herself from Sorrel, Lillie, and Talon, to protect them from her mistake one last time. But the only place she can think to retreat to is the last place she ever wanted to go. Home.Now she's got to find a job in her hometown with her loving and highly supportive parents breathing down her neck, while her party tracks her down and refuses to accept her resignation. The only thing that could make it all better is a chance to bag the bad guy who was responsible for her mistake during the coup. And that's just the opportunity that comes waltzing into her parents' cottage. But Vola's not a paladin anymore. Is she still worth anything without her goddess to back her up?

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2021

About the author

KM Merritt is the pen name for Kendra Merritt's adult work. Kendra is the author of the Mark of the Least series for young adults and the Mishap's Heroes series for adults.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest installment of Mishap’s Heroes has slimmed down and tightened up on chasing the bad guys we’ve been after all along. It has a faster pace and fewer subplots diverting attention from the chase.

Character development continues for some, but others have found themselves (for the time being). Those who have not been shaken take the lead in guiding us to remember that who we are is not necessarily to be found in what we do for a living and that not everyone is cut out for this adventuring business, but everyone can be helpful in their own way.

[Melissa Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

(This is an ARC review.) I’m still enjoying reading along with Vola and crew, especially this book’s highlight on Vola’s purpose and the why behind her actions. Some of the villains and external conflicts felt a little contrived, but the internal conflict carried the book along well. Pretty significant new cast of additional characters in this one, but they were introduced well enough and made for several enjoyable moments and scenes. Overall the series is well put together with larger arcs, and I’m looking forward to the last two books to wrap some of those up well.