Believing in The Last Vigilant with Mark A. Latham
Author: Mark A. Latham
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
Genres: Fantasy
Representation: N/A
The Last Vigilant hooked me from the opening chapter and never let go. What Mark A. Latham has crafted here is an homage to the kind of high fantasy that remains my favorite subgenre, infused with just enough grimdark and military flavor to give the fantasy a sense of gritty tension.
Sargent Holt Hawley is the very definition of a flawed, tragic hero. It’s made clear from the start that he’s fallen from grace, that he’s looked down upon (and mistrusted) by his fellow soldiers as a pariah, but Latham does a masterful job of teasing out his backstory. The more you read, the more you come to like him, and the more you wonder and worry about what he’s done, because the it really begins to feel like the truth will hurt. As for Enelda Drake, the legendary Last Vigilant, she takes a while to warm up to, what with her need to keep secrets and deny the obvious, but there’s a charm to her that only grows as we begin to get glimpses of her vulnerability.
As for villains . . . well, take your pick. There are nobles, clergy, soldiers, and commoners alike who all play the role of antagonist (some with more scene-chewing glee than others), and even those who don’t give off big-bad vibes still get under your skin. Yes, I was annoyed and angered at multiple points of the story, but I was also surprised to find myself feeling defensive and protective, wanting to spare our heroes from being knocked down one more time.
I mentioned high, grimdark, and military, but this is also a mystery that fits very well into its fantasy trappings. That mystery element makes for what feels like a slow read, but it’s also a smart one . . . and a surprising one. Even when it seems like there’s not a lot happening, there’s a lot to be learned. Of course, the more answers we get, the more questions we have, but those questions just open the story wider, eventually returning it to its fantasy roots. There are some big reveals, some clever red herrings, and some great twists, and Latham crafts the story so well that you don’t even feel cheated or let down when you guess right.
Getting back to the fantasy angle, which is what opens and closes The Last Vigilant, the action, adventure, monsters, and mythology are entirely satisfying. It’s an underlined by the mystery, which creates much of the drama, but it all meshes beautifully together to create something familiar and yet fresh at the same time. The climax here is strong, offering answers to big questions and a resolution to the central mystery, and I think that satisfaction is part of what left me so eager for the next installment.
Rating: 
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
