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The Last Pendragon Saga #1
The Last Pendragon
Rhiann knows that demons walk the night. She has been taught to fear them. But from the moment Cade is dragged before her father's throne, beaten and having lost all of his men to her father's treachery, he stirs something inside her that she has never felt before. When Cade is revealed to be not only Arthur's heir but touched by the sidhe, Rhiann must choose between the life she left behind and the one before her--and how much she is willing to risk to follow her heart.
The Last Pendragon is the first novella (30,000 words) in The Last Pendragon Saga. (The Last Pendragon Saga was originally published as two volumes: The Last Pendragon and The Pendragon's Quest.)
The Last Pendragon is the first novella (30,000 words) in The Last Pendragon Saga. (The Last Pendragon Saga was originally published as two volumes: The Last Pendragon and The Pendragon's Quest.)
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2016
1170 people are currently reading
1707 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Woodbury
165 books749 followersWith over a million books sold to date, Sarah Woodbury is the author of more than forty novels, all set in medieval Wales. Although an anthropologist by training, and then a full-time homeschooling mom for twenty years, she began writing fiction when the stories in her head overflowed and demanded that she let them out. While her ancestry is Welsh, she only visited Wales for the first time at university. She has been in love with the country, language, and people ever since. She even convinced her husband to give all four of their children Welsh names.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
Sarah is a member of the Historical Authors Fiction Cooperative (HFAC), the Historical Novel Society, and Novelists, Inc. (NINC).
She makes her home in Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 5, 2017
Not a complete book just FYI. It ends randomly. It probably shouldn't be called a book nor a novella- maybe more of an excerpt? I think there are 5 or 6 other books in this series so this seems like it's just 1/5th of a book. Anyway, she's a good writer so I gave it 2 stars, but this wasn't really long enough to get me hooked into buying the others in the series.
June 24, 2019
Sarah Woodbury’s The Last Pendragon( Last Pendragon Saga #1) introduces new characters to me, some very fascinating, but some of the names are very familiar to me. Thus, I wondered if these characters are any relation to the ones who were with King Arthur. Beyond that personal query, the tale Ms. Woodbury tells the reader concerns Dark Age Wales. Of the British Isles even though I am an Anglophile, I must confess that I know the least about Wales, Welsh legends and myths, and the Welsh language. I definitely thank the author for placing in the beginning of this book, a glossary of the characters and places used in this story using phonetics to assist the reader in correct pronunciation. Personally, I still did not ‘pronounce’ all correctly, but I did try. The story concerns the last Pendragon heir and how he eventually claims the kingship, but what he , his love, and his friends must face to achieve this goal is anything but straightforward. I enjoyed this book, and I have #2 in a close bookcase. The author has been putting segments about medieval times in Britain and info on Wales on You Tube which are extremely helpful. Good author! Good story! 4 stars!
December 1, 2016
Great writer, Sarah Woodbury! I loved one of her historical medieval mystery. Unfortunately I didn't notice this was a paranormal historical novella. Not my kind of reading, but... Woodbury great as usual.
not-for-me
April 14, 2017Not enough safety info. I don't trust this author.
July 15, 2019
2.75
I really liked the beginning but about halfway, I started to lose interest. It also just sort of ended, and I had bought a boxed set, but the next book was not the continuation.
I really liked the beginning but about halfway, I started to lose interest. It also just sort of ended, and I had bought a boxed set, but the next book was not the continuation.
February 1, 2019
This is classified a novella, but the story just stops and I'm not sure if I'm interested enough in continuing the series to see what happens next. I liked that this was a fantasy/vampire novel, but the romance happened a little too quickly for my liking.
August 30, 2021
Rhiann bor på nåder hos sin styvfar, som tagit makten från den rättmätiga arvtagaren till tronen. Och när så Cade - arvtagaren och den siste i ätten Pendragon - blir tillfångatagen hjälper hon honom att fly, mot att hon får följa med. Cade, som brottas med en inre demon efter att ha mött en sidhe, tillåter det även om han är tveksam. De lyckas hitta hans män och planer görs för att återta tronen.
***
Det här är en första, relativt kort, bok i en serie om Cade, Arthurs ättling. Det är fantasy, viss romantik och blodiga slag. Och jag är nyfiken på vad som händer sen, så kanske fortsätter jag läsa serien. 🤗
***
Det här är en första, relativt kort, bok i en serie om Cade, Arthurs ättling. Det är fantasy, viss romantik och blodiga slag. Och jag är nyfiken på vad som händer sen, så kanske fortsätter jag läsa serien. 🤗
June 27, 2025
An Arthurian-inspired tale told in the voice of Cade and Rhiann. Rhiann is running to avoid an arranged marriage and Cade is running to avoid execution by his father. Cade is the heir to Arthur and of course has already carped the eye of Rhiann while they are on the run. There is a bit of a twist with the demons that are ever present and may be among us at any time. This is the first Novella in The Last Pendragon saga.
This was really an interesting approach to tackling Arthurian lore. I say that not by the storytelling because it felt very “Avalon”-esque but more about the fact that this author is delving into a very rich world one novella at a time. I did not hate this approach but I did not love it either. There is a lot that requires attention to set up Arthurian type literature and being dropped into this story in the middle, though I like hitting the ground running, I felt like there were components that were missing. After completing this first story I was left feeling like I missed a bit of overall story building that I really would have enjoyed.
As Cade and Rhiann make their escape we travel through the kingdom learning breadcrumbs about who they are and how they ended up where we currently see them. This approach did not allow me to connect with who each character is but kept me intrigued to continue reading to find out more. I still do not have a good grasp on either character but I do want to know what they are planning next. So again, job is done well enough to make me come back for book two but did not leave me overall liking either character or wanting to cheer for them.
Sarah Woodbury’s writing felt very similar in style to others that have written Arthurian tales. But this does not compare to such works as such as Marion Zimmer Bradley. Overall, I did not love nor hate this story and will continue because I have many questions. However, I am not ready to read any other Arthurian novella style tales because I am still debating if this approach works for me or if I will be left with too many questions and become apathetic toward the main characters.
This was really an interesting approach to tackling Arthurian lore. I say that not by the storytelling because it felt very “Avalon”-esque but more about the fact that this author is delving into a very rich world one novella at a time. I did not hate this approach but I did not love it either. There is a lot that requires attention to set up Arthurian type literature and being dropped into this story in the middle, though I like hitting the ground running, I felt like there were components that were missing. After completing this first story I was left feeling like I missed a bit of overall story building that I really would have enjoyed.
As Cade and Rhiann make their escape we travel through the kingdom learning breadcrumbs about who they are and how they ended up where we currently see them. This approach did not allow me to connect with who each character is but kept me intrigued to continue reading to find out more. I still do not have a good grasp on either character but I do want to know what they are planning next. So again, job is done well enough to make me come back for book two but did not leave me overall liking either character or wanting to cheer for them.
Sarah Woodbury’s writing felt very similar in style to others that have written Arthurian tales. But this does not compare to such works as such as Marion Zimmer Bradley. Overall, I did not love nor hate this story and will continue because I have many questions. However, I am not ready to read any other Arthurian novella style tales because I am still debating if this approach works for me or if I will be left with too many questions and become apathetic toward the main characters.
January 11, 2020
In The Last Pendragon, Sarah Woodbury writes a compelling tale about a prophesied legendary ruler, the next King Arthur if you will, with a dash of deities and demons mythology.
The Last Pendragon is one of those freebies used to entice you to the rest of the series. In that sense, it is an effective novella that does its job and gives readers a marvellous introduction to the world of Medieval Wales created by Sarah Woodbury. I went through the majority of this novella feeling enticed and real good about it. Alas, I was utterly disappointed to find out that this novella isn’t even a complete book because there was no clear plot at all – a huge peeve for me. There was no specific complication to solve, no climax, much less a satisfying conclusion. I have nothing against a free first title in series, but this is just different.
Notwithstanding that, the development of the story was efficient. Readers get thrown into a minimally built world and they get to know the backstory as it gets told.
Read full review on Bookmarks & Blue Light
The Last Pendragon is one of those freebies used to entice you to the rest of the series. In that sense, it is an effective novella that does its job and gives readers a marvellous introduction to the world of Medieval Wales created by Sarah Woodbury. I went through the majority of this novella feeling enticed and real good about it. Alas, I was utterly disappointed to find out that this novella isn’t even a complete book because there was no clear plot at all – a huge peeve for me. There was no specific complication to solve, no climax, much less a satisfying conclusion. I have nothing against a free first title in series, but this is just different.
Notwithstanding that, the development of the story was efficient. Readers get thrown into a minimally built world and they get to know the backstory as it gets told.
Read full review on Bookmarks & Blue Light
August 15, 2025
I was enticed by a Chirp sales special on the first four books of this series. It does appear that the series goes on forever- or for at least through book eight. My other enticement was my Welsh heritage (Williams is a very common Welsh surname). I thought that I may learn some about the culture and mythology of Wales.
Unfortunately, this style of writing and the story line didn’t quite capture my interest, attention, or imagination. I severely struggled with the middle English and Welsh names (especially as an audio book) and locations. If had a printed book there probably would’ve been a map in the frontispiece or in the appendix of the book. The first episode, a novella, introduced the characters and gave a hint of the conflict of the story arc —— then it came to an ABRUPT end.
With a that I moved with trepidation on to the second in the series.
My appreciation for the narrator knows no bounds!
The pronunciation of the Old Welsh names and locations was both educational and amazing! Tom Mumford does a great job of keeping the story alive and moving. He provides a character and voice for each of the cast members even if they appear only for a short time in the story.
Unfortunately, this style of writing and the story line didn’t quite capture my interest, attention, or imagination. I severely struggled with the middle English and Welsh names (especially as an audio book) and locations. If had a printed book there probably would’ve been a map in the frontispiece or in the appendix of the book. The first episode, a novella, introduced the characters and gave a hint of the conflict of the story arc —— then it came to an ABRUPT end.
With a that I moved with trepidation on to the second in the series.
My appreciation for the narrator knows no bounds!
The pronunciation of the Old Welsh names and locations was both educational and amazing! Tom Mumford does a great job of keeping the story alive and moving. He provides a character and voice for each of the cast members even if they appear only for a short time in the story.
July 13, 2024
Cade/ Lord Cadwaladr has been kissed into something, not human. Rhiann, the illegitimate daughter of his enemy, thinks Cade is human+. Regardless, these two are chemistry at first sight.
Cade's mother sent him away after his father was killed in battle because Cade is the last Pendragon. She was forced to marry the conquering lout. I can't even imagine her pain. Losing so much and gaining that as a life.
So when did Rhiann's father ask Cade to meet to form a partnership? I don't quite understand what Cade and his group thought was going to happen. But it didn't go well. Cade's mother helps he and Rhiann escape.
A lot goes on after that, some of it to strengthen the bond between Cade and Rhiann.
They go back to the home where Cade grew up with the news that the lord had died, and now his son, Rhun, who is Cade's foster brother, is now lord of Bryn y Castell.
The book ends on what feels like a chapter end. Was this a kindlevella? On to the next story!
Cade's mother sent him away after his father was killed in battle because Cade is the last Pendragon. She was forced to marry the conquering lout. I can't even imagine her pain. Losing so much and gaining that as a life.
So when did Rhiann's father ask Cade to meet to form a partnership? I don't quite understand what Cade and his group thought was going to happen. But it didn't go well. Cade's mother helps he and Rhiann escape.
A lot goes on after that, some of it to strengthen the bond between Cade and Rhiann.
They go back to the home where Cade grew up with the news that the lord had died, and now his son, Rhun, who is Cade's foster brother, is now lord of Bryn y Castell.
The book ends on what feels like a chapter end. Was this a kindlevella? On to the next story!
February 19, 2025
It is Sarah Woodbury's bad luck that I followed the Mists of Avalon with this as I'm sure that makes me judge it harshly. There are lots of good things - some Arthurian references, I like that Rhiannon isn't an amazing warrior despite the fact that would make no sense for the vaguely medieval setting, the plot is concise and logical - but none of that gets around the simplistic nature of the prose nor that this seems to be set dressing for Arthurian themed romantasy. I'm not against romantasy, but I do like it to have more substance than this showed. There are lots of people I would recommend this to, as I say, there's nothing wrong with it per say, but I am very much not the intended audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
Don't like how harsh and violent the book is
The last pendragon. Prologue is disconnected from rest of book the events in the prologue do not match with the rest. The saxons are invading britian and the daughter of a leader is treated as a slave and sold of to the highest bidder and when she doesn't want to marry she troes to run away anf then they hunt her. “Why would he? You are a woman, and your value is found in what he can sell you for, even at twenty and long past the point at which you should have married. You are his to do with as he pleases.” Alcfrith turned her back on Rhiann, her head bowed. “Just as I am.”
The last pendragon. Prologue is disconnected from rest of book the events in the prologue do not match with the rest. The saxons are invading britian and the daughter of a leader is treated as a slave and sold of to the highest bidder and when she doesn't want to marry she troes to run away anf then they hunt her. “Why would he? You are a woman, and your value is found in what he can sell you for, even at twenty and long past the point at which you should have married. You are his to do with as he pleases.” Alcfrith turned her back on Rhiann, her head bowed. “Just as I am.”
August 22, 2025
Generally, Fantasy is not a good read for me, but this book was well written and entertaining. I am resolved that I have read enough of this series. Callawader (misspelled) had his name changed by the author to 'Cade.' I can say Cade just fine! Thank you, dear author.
Cade is not human. He looks, speaks and acts human, his home is the underworld. Through his love for Rhiann, he begins to have feelings like a human being. Rhianna has become involved in Cade 's other life and accepts him as he is.
The saga goes on through more books, but I am not ready to read more right now.
Thank you, Ms. Woodbury, for a good read.
Cade is not human. He looks, speaks and acts human, his home is the underworld. Through his love for Rhiann, he begins to have feelings like a human being. Rhianna has become involved in Cade 's other life and accepts him as he is.
The saga goes on through more books, but I am not ready to read more right now.
Thank you, Ms. Woodbury, for a good read.
August 25, 2017
I could be wrong, but this is one book cut into three. It's certainly not a novella, with a beginning, middle and end.
And it doesn't end. It just... stops.
The visions are confusing. I didn't even realise they were visions; just sudden shifts into first person that jolted me out of the story. Also there's somehow too little description and too much - there's lyrical paragraphs describing the surroundings, but very little insight into the characters. I don't feel as if I got to know Rhiann or Cade at all.
In short, the premise is brilliant. The execution is less so.
And it doesn't end. It just... stops.
The visions are confusing. I didn't even realise they were visions; just sudden shifts into first person that jolted me out of the story. Also there's somehow too little description and too much - there's lyrical paragraphs describing the surroundings, but very little insight into the characters. I don't feel as if I got to know Rhiann or Cade at all.
In short, the premise is brilliant. The execution is less so.
March 10, 2019
A wonderful tale of myth and magic of demons and sidhe, not just another Arthur retelling. Full of action, intrigue, and a bit of romance.
Cade - the last of the Pendragon line, trying to take hold of his destiny.
Rhiann - the bastard daughter of Cadfael, who killed Cade's father and married his mother and now wants to kill Cade.
There is so much going on in this story, dark problems afoot, battles against demons - Welsh gods and magic - new twist on an old story.
Now reading next book in series - The Pendragon's Blade.
Cade - the last of the Pendragon line, trying to take hold of his destiny.
Rhiann - the bastard daughter of Cadfael, who killed Cade's father and married his mother and now wants to kill Cade.
There is so much going on in this story, dark problems afoot, battles against demons - Welsh gods and magic - new twist on an old story.
Now reading next book in series - The Pendragon's Blade.
September 29, 2021
I’m totally hooked on Woodbury. She is a gifted weaver of stories. Some have said it’s not a complete book, what it isn’t is a completed story. This series, and her Lion Of Whales series play out very much like a gripping tv drama. Each book is more like an episode. And I will say, based off of the richness of each one, they are so worth it IMO. It did take me a few chapters to get used to the style of the author, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy a movie like Dragon Heart, then there is a very good chance you will enjoy these.
August 7, 2022
I’ve been meaning to read Sarah Woodbury’s books for quite some time. I finally read this first book in the Last Pendragon series and I’m completely hooked. I’m happy about this as I had kind of lost my interest in fantasy books in the past year but this has my interest stirred once again. I also find the relationship that has begun to build between Cade and Rhiannon interesting and endearing and I Want to see what becomes of it.
I read this one on my Kindle as well as listening to the audiobook which is very well done.
I read this one on my Kindle as well as listening to the audiobook which is very well done.
January 17, 2024
I really disliked it.
There were so many awkward names used so often I found that I was skimming them because they were difficult to pronounce and keep straight. Not just that they were really long, that's fairly common in fantasy, but when I tried to say them out loud they made my mouth feel like I was trying to spit. Also, many of them had the same starting letters and it wasn't just the characters, it was the places too.
There will be a lot of people that like this kind of book, this kind of story and these names it will be great for them, but I didn't enjoy it.
There were so many awkward names used so often I found that I was skimming them because they were difficult to pronounce and keep straight. Not just that they were really long, that's fairly common in fantasy, but when I tried to say them out loud they made my mouth feel like I was trying to spit. Also, many of them had the same starting letters and it wasn't just the characters, it was the places too.
There will be a lot of people that like this kind of book, this kind of story and these names it will be great for them, but I didn't enjoy it.
July 13, 2019
Interesting...
Not as well written as some of books. Interesting take on the myths of the period. I am suspending judgement until I finish the first three books in the series...just because I always need to Know what's next and always attempt to finish every book I read unless it simply is not worth it! This may be worth it...the bulk of the reviews I have read suggest that it is!
Not as well written as some of books. Interesting take on the myths of the period. I am suspending judgement until I finish the first three books in the series...just because I always need to Know what's next and always attempt to finish every book I read unless it simply is not worth it! This may be worth it...the bulk of the reviews I have read suggest that it is!
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September 11, 2020UHHH this book could have easily been a 3.75, except it was so short and therefore very rushed; the ending felt like the end of the opening chapters (smack in the middle of it all, after just introducing everything); and THE SECOND BOOK PENDRAGON'S BLADE ISN'T AVAILABLE ON GOOGLE BOOKS?!? So I just read through a rushed teaser novel with no ability for closure. I even went to the website, but it offers Apple books and Kobo which I don't have. :/ I feel cheated of a good story.
December 10, 2020
I have to admit I'm a sucker for any story involving Pendragon and Taliesin.
This story didn't fail to live up to my expectations. As soon as it finished I went looking for the next book 😍
I like the way the plot is slowly revealed and unfolds in a smooth pace.
The protagonists are well made characters who have caught my interest from the start of the story. My only problem was I had to sleep at some point and had to stop reading for the night.
I truly look forward to the next book
This story didn't fail to live up to my expectations. As soon as it finished I went looking for the next book 😍
I like the way the plot is slowly revealed and unfolds in a smooth pace.
The protagonists are well made characters who have caught my interest from the start of the story. My only problem was I had to sleep at some point and had to stop reading for the night.
I truly look forward to the next book
July 17, 2024
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible Membership)
He had been whisked away as a baby to prevent the lord, that had killed his father, to have any access to him.
Years later, he had been conned into a trap, which he was but one of three survivors on his side.
Escape was made from an unlikely source, but there was a great distance to go before the tale would fully be told.
He had been whisked away as a baby to prevent the lord, that had killed his father, to have any access to him.
Years later, he had been conned into a trap, which he was but one of three survivors on his side.
Escape was made from an unlikely source, but there was a great distance to go before the tale would fully be told.
October 23, 2025
I was disturbed like others before me by the abruptness of the end of this book. yes, it's clear that this is part of a book, not a full one.
I didn't get to form any bond with the main characters, which usually makes me stop reading a series. However, the world-building is quite good.
So I'll try to listen to the second book, to see if it gets better. But it's just because I have the whole series on audiobook, I would not have given money for the second book...
I didn't get to form any bond with the main characters, which usually makes me stop reading a series. However, the world-building is quite good.
So I'll try to listen to the second book, to see if it gets better. But it's just because I have the whole series on audiobook, I would not have given money for the second book...
August 18, 2018
Great characters
This story had me hooked right from the start. I have read a lot of fantasy books but I've never come across a character that lives but doesn't have a heartbeat and isn't a vampire. Even the fighting scenes were good. I just wished it went on a bit further into the story.
This story had me hooked right from the start. I have read a lot of fantasy books but I've never come across a character that lives but doesn't have a heartbeat and isn't a vampire. Even the fighting scenes were good. I just wished it went on a bit further into the story.
May 11, 2023
Quite a short tale (just 9 chapters), this was set about 500 years before the time of the Gareth and Gwen series and concerns Cadwaladr who is supposed to be the heir of King Arthur. All the stories of King Arthur that I have read have him as a king in England, not Wales, but I suppose you can do anything with a legend. The thing I didn't like was the sidhe part - no spoilers!
July 24, 2023
This is an enticing start of a tale, but it sadly is not a complete story. This is the beginning of a story that rather than conclude ust abruptly stops. The use of Wales is interesting, and both Rhiann and Cade appear to be good characters, but the rest of the cast is forgettable at best, but the largest issue is that it's not a complete story.
September 9, 2023
A Different Take
The tone of this book touches briefly on the Pendragon legacy, but then quickly centers on the relationship of Cade and Rhiann. There are many battles, both the physical kind and the mental as well. The situation Cade has been placed in as sidhe will focus the rest of the story.
The tone of this book touches briefly on the Pendragon legacy, but then quickly centers on the relationship of Cade and Rhiann. There are many battles, both the physical kind and the mental as well. The situation Cade has been placed in as sidhe will focus the rest of the story.
October 10, 2023
I found the story interesting enough however, the reasons why I gave this a two star are; I thought the characters were one dimensional, there was zero world building and there was no conclusion or any real ending. I see this is just a set up for the other 7 books but I'm not sure this did enough to get me to read them. We'll see.
November 25, 2024
Not what I expected
I was really expecting a medieval tale of a struggle to regain a throne from a somewhat historic slant. The fact that Cade is not completely human still has me wondering if I will pursue the remaining books in the saga. I guess I am not a big fan of this kind of fantasy.
I was really expecting a medieval tale of a struggle to regain a throne from a somewhat historic slant. The fact that Cade is not completely human still has me wondering if I will pursue the remaining books in the saga. I guess I am not a big fan of this kind of fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews