Review: Last Stand (Black Mage 4) by Rachel E. Carter

Last Stand (The Black Mage #4)
by Rachel E. Carter

He’s the Black Mage and she’s the traitor to the Crown.

Ryiah’s world was shattered the night she discovered King Blayne’s nefarious plans. Now, she has to betray the one she loves most in order to save the realm from war. Torn between love and duty, Ry finds herself on a perilous mission to help the rebels and convince the kingdom of Pythus not to honor its pact with the corrupt king of Jerar—all the while deceiving the most powerful mage in the realm, the very man sworn to protect the Crown and hunt the rebels at all costs: her husband.

She’s one step ahead, but sooner or later the curtain will fall.

Sooner or later, she’ll have to fight.

Once there was a girl traveling with her twin brother, on a journey that would ensure their fate as a mage and a healer.

Once there was a prince, a Non-Heir who was too happy to escape the clutches of his tyrant King and brother.

Once there was an Academy that trained young men and women to their utmost ability, to protect the kingdom of Jerar and be hailed warriors of the keep.

And once upon a time, this boy and girl met at the most awkward time, became foes and allies, became friends and enemies at the same time.

The girl clung to the boy so she could chase away her dark. He was light, and she was fading. She was drowning, and she just couldn’t stop.

And once upon a time, the mage and his wife dreamed of a happy married life, but the King and the Crowned Heir and the rebels never allowed their happy ever after to come about.

This is a story about love and loyalty, of brothers and sisters, of friends and enemies, of trust and betrayal, of magic and reality, of factions and alliances, of blood and power and death.

“I would have given you the world .” Darren’s back was still to me as he spoke. “And instead you took mine and destroyed it.”

“So tell me, love…” The mage king turned around and his garnet eyes flashed as he took me in. They were burning with hate. “Tell me, my wife,” he said, “why I shouldn’t destroy yours?”

This is by far the best fantasy series I have ever read and completed and loved. Rachel E. Carted rightfully deserved her new bestseller status as an author because she gave out so much love and passion and dedication to this book. There is that gravity to her writing that makes the reader stop and put their feet on the characters shoes and dive into a world of chaos, magic and romance. Over time, I’ve grown to love all the characters in the book, including the unexpectedly wise new-crowned queen. The perfect twist to a story full of surprises.

This is an absolutely marvelous book that everyone should read and this is my last stand.