An Unlikely Knight: The Cursed Kingdom, Book 4

The Cursed Kingdom #4

by Hildie McQueen, Summer Roberts (Narrator)

He's trapped in a fantastical realm. She's the only one who can save him—if she believes he's real.

Padriag Clarre is imprisoned in a treacherous realm where ice storms slash like blades, deadly creatures exist, and an evil warlock's curse promises his death. Bound by dark magic and running out of time, his last hope lies with a woman who doesn't even believe he exists.

Erin Maguire is trying to move on. The vivid illusion of a magical world, a dashing knight, and a daring rescue feel like nothing more than her overactive imagination—until another woman, with the same memories informs her it is Erin's fate to rescue the knight.

Summoned to help by reliving an experience she's trying to forget, Erin must face the shocking reality that it was never a dream. The other realm is real. Padriag is real. And she is the only one who can save him.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Romance

Audible Audio

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.

Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.

Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildieMcQueen
Instagram: @HildieWrites

Reviews

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

While each of the audiobooks in the Cursed Kingdom series featured one romance/rescue, the overall series arc and spoilers have me recommending that you listen to them in the order of their release.

Padriag is running out of time. He is trapped in a dangerous realm by an evil warlock, and the woman who could free him believes him a dream. Erin Maguire was thrust into the realm that holds Padraig, but has convinced herself it was merely a nightmare.

Padriag is the final knight trapped, and his friends refuse to give up on him. The story brought danger, closed series threads and forged unlikely allies. McQueen brings the danger to this side of the realm as well, and everyone will need to work together to save Padraig.

I loved seeing everyone work together and watching the relationship build between Padriag and Erin. We see plenty of danger and magic as Meliot becomes more desperate to hold on to Padriag. The ending battle was resolved quickly, much to my disappointment. However, the series arc and couples along the way more than made up for it. I still have questions and hope to see those answered in the final audiobook.

I had assumed this was the final audiobook, and while it ends the original curse, we find another story awaits us in The Last Knight. After the events in An Unlikely Knight, I am excited.

Summer Roberts narrates and did a wonderful job of giving voice to Erin, Padraig, and the other characters. Her narration enhanced my overall enjoyment, and I recommend grabbing your earbuds for this series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed Realms and Courageous Hearts
Cursed by an evil warlock and trapped in a dangerous magical realm, Padriag has nearly lost hope of escape. His friends refuse to give up on him, especially the one woman who might hold the key to his freedom. Erin was pulled into Padriag’s world in the previous book, though she believes it was only a vivid nightmare. How can an ordinary woman be expected to save a man who may not even be real? Despite her doubts, she may not have to face the task alone.
This book blends romance, magic, and action into a satisfying series finale. While each couple’s story is resolved in earlier installments, this final installment ties the threads together and leaves a hint of more to come. Starting from the beginning of the series is recommended, as it enhances the emotional payoff and deepens the connection to the characters.
Fans of romance with magical stakes and heroic journeys may find this a rewarding read.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightmares, Fantasy Galore, Romance and Enchanting Spells
What an excellent conclusion to this fantastic series of trapped knights and how they escape the evil wizard to return to the present world.
The characters are deeply connected in this final story that end with much rejoicing as they all found the love of their lives to make this a happy ending with a hint of more fantasy stories from this amazing author.
I enjoyed this fourth book the best. I loved Padrig's character and all the intense escapes along with the unique creatures.
I do recommend reading them in order.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read and I liked how Padriag and Erin’s story was told, and how everyone else came together helping along the way. The knights were already family and that family has only grown as each knight’s curse has been lifted. Overall, I did enjoy this as much as the other books, but I ultimately felt like the end of the final battle was over too quickly and I would have liked a little more about Meliot. I guess I expected a bit more is all, but these are short books so maybe the author simply wanted to focus on the rest of the story. Still a great read overall and Im trying not let this little issue impact my rating.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Padraig is the last warrior left in the dark lord’s realm. He is nearing the 300-year mark of being held in the realm – once the 300-year mark is hit, he will become human and start to age. He has accepted this as his fate and doesn’t want his friends risking their lives and happiness rescuing him. Erin, his rescuer, has been having dreams and finally realizes she has to step up to rescue Padraig – whether he wants her to or not! Lucky for Padraig, one of Meliot’s warriors turns on him and helps Padraig when he is badly injured. This was quite an ending of the last of Tristan’s warriors breaking free!

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I had assumed this was going to be the last book in the series, but it ended in a way that could have other stories. It did finish out the original curse, and I enjoyed some of the way it brought some things to a full circle. There are still a lot of questions that I think may be explained in future stories. It did seem a little abrupt at times, but when you factor in the entire series, there was definitely a long journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really hurts me to be critical of this author or this series, but I have to say that I read romance because I like the male/female dynamic. I do not want to read about two men kissing. I know these relationships exist but once I read of Liam and John's relationship, it ruined everything. I want to get warm fuzzies from a heterosexual relationship not suffer from the icks. There is a complete genre dedicated to M/M, etc., if that is your jam, fine. I've really enjoyed this series but I guess I'll have to skip the rest of the series and that makes me sad.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of the knights that was cursed 300 hundred years ago was giving up on being freed when she came along and both found there was much to live for. Engaging read with magical beings and spells, a ton of action filled scenes and a hint of what’s more to come!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sewanee Kracalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just WOW! I loved this edition of THE CURSED KINGDOM Series. Padraig and Erin’s interaction was almost perfection. Plus it’s filled with none stop magic, steam and danger, right up to the very end. It also leaves hints of more adventures to come.I cannot wait! I grabbed this great read on BookSprout and I’m gladly volunteering this review.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five knights have been trapped in an alter world by an evil wizard for over three hundred years. Each has an enchantress who can free them from the curse. Padraig Clarre is the fifth knight, and the last one left in the other realm. Erin Maguire seems to be the key to Padraig’s escape, but she and the other gifted people are having a devil of a time figuring out the enchantment that will free him. In the meantime, Meliot is getting desperate and unleashes everything he’s got to prevent Padraig from leaving. This one is difficult, but with a little surprising help from the other realm, this unlikely knight might be freed, and he and Erin can find their happy ending. It looks like the knights are all free, so what’s up with Erin’s cousin Aubrey and Gunther, the Dutch knight from the other realm?
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not stop reading this book. I HAVE TO HAVE the rest of the series. Erin and Padriag, together with their friends, try to find a spell to break the one keeping Padriag in the other world. Everyone's powers seem to increase when Erin and Padriag acknowledge that they are meant to be together. Drawing from each other's strengths, they will fight to the end for release.

[heartsandthrillers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! I couldn’t put this down and finished within a few hours! If you haven’t started this series, I recommend you do so asap!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this wonderful addition to a fabulous series. Has Padriag Clarre met his match in Erin Maguire, does she hold the key to helping him and his friends break the curse that ties him to a dark and evil realm before the new moon takes away their immortality and seals their fates forever.

[Beth Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful, intriguing unique story

The characters were so real and their stories kept me spellbound for each book. The ending leaves you needing more. These stories are a great source of entertainment.

[Tina Christ · Rating 5 out of 5]

best of the series

This book was extremely well written & enjoyable! The plot line continued, similar to the other books but was different enough to be a stand alone story. I very much enjoyed & would highly recommend!

[Crystal Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story

Each story gets better and better. This was padriag’s story and how he was able to leave the alter world. The description of the alter-world is extraordinary.

[Jean H. Kromeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an exciting, intriguing story for the 4th book in this series I love all Hildie McQueens books and can't wait for the next one she writes.

[Marci Marin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I didn't read the first 3 books, I was able to follow their love stories. I can't wait for the final book.