I mean, let's face it, if there is a kingdom and a king-ling and a Lord Regent, you can be damn sure there are some funky artifacts hidden somewhere that some grubby hands want to get their mitts on. This is essentially the story - a band of ambitious ingrates ambushing a castle. What could be better than a contained stand-off? Oh, the betrayals and painful lessons and terrible injuries and unbearable losses. Johnston doesn't beat around the bush, he dials the tension up high from page one in this tale that is as fantasy as fantasy gets. A few druids and all. A sect and a vault that have very cool names. 

Is it a story that will attempt to bring something unique to the table? Well, no. The focus of the story is on the stand-off, and more so even on Briar, our powerhouse of a female character, the commander of the Shields. Frankly, The Last Shield felt less of an action flick, although, yes, there is a good romp through the tunnels and within the walls. It felt more like a look at Briar's character and what she's like when she has been delivered a blow, and how she behaves and what she feels when faced with adversity. And in that sense, The Last Shield is an ode to her, she's tough as nails and loyal to boot. She's like a rusty railroad nail that you will never be able to pry out. 

I absolutely loved her relationship to Lord Regent. It's clear off the page, from the very first interaction in between them, that these two are just head over heels for each other. But these two - they're so bound to their duty that you ain't ever seen two characters more steadfast than Briar and Alaric. Plus, they're older in age than your just out of teenage years characters and thus infinitely a lot more enjoyable to read about. 

So, political and religious intrigue it may have, but the whole story stands on its two feet because of the absolute stubbornness of Briar the Shield. Her unshakable resolve and bravery. There is no such thing as unfavorable odds when you know the fighting grounds like the back of your hand. 

So, for hard-ass fantasy fans. Will you get fighting action? Yes. Will you receive cunning and grit? Absolutely. Any weird lulls in the story? Nope, none. Mystical and otherworldly stuff? Some, yes. Is there a love story? Also, yes, but not in an annoying, eye-rolling way. I think Johnston does it well in The Last Shield. No sneaky shenanigans, no blabbery pining over raw, open, weeping wound in the heart. Simply the acknowledgement of love, right there, a strong undercurrent. A fresh breath of air in that sense. 

Thus, with strong characters and a thrilling, twist-delivering stand-off within castle walls, the action is non-stop. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the storytelling is so strong in this one that I would have loved a tad more dialogue, because the dialogue I did get was full of sass and energy, and I enjoyed it a lot. 

Did The Last Shield knock the breath out of me with its absolute awesomeness? Well, no. It was okay, solid. But, I do think Johnston is one I will keep my eye on from now on. As I said, the dialogue in The Last Shield got me most excited, it showed a level of skill that could deliver some greatness. You know, like some people are really good at choosing appropriate gifs for every occasion? Yeah, Johnston did that dialogue really well and I most certainly want me some more of that!