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Horseclans #11
Champion of the Last Battle
science fiction horseclans series
201 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1983
9 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Robert Adams
74 books68 followersFranklin Robert Adams (August 31, 1933 - January 4, 1990) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, formerly a career soldier. He is best known for his "Horseclans" books. He wrote as Robert Adams, an abbreviated form of his full name.
Adams was an early pioneer of the post-holocaust novel. His Horseclans novels are precursors to many of today's attempts at this type of story, many of which do not exhibit his painstakingly detailed world view or extraordinary plot follow-through (many of his Horseclans books are so interlinked that they make sense only when read in order; he did not create many "stand alone" books in the series).
Hallmarks of Adams' style include a focus on violent, non-stop action, meticulous detail in matters historical and military, strong description, and digressions expounding on various subjects from a conservative and libertarian viewpoint.
Adams was an early pioneer of the post-holocaust novel. His Horseclans novels are precursors to many of today's attempts at this type of story, many of which do not exhibit his painstakingly detailed world view or extraordinary plot follow-through (many of his Horseclans books are so interlinked that they make sense only when read in order; he did not create many "stand alone" books in the series).
Hallmarks of Adams' style include a focus on violent, non-stop action, meticulous detail in matters historical and military, strong description, and digressions expounding on various subjects from a conservative and libertarian viewpoint.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 16, 2025
Robert Adams' Horseclans novels are notorious for their non-chronological sequencing and convoluted storylines. Chock full of extended flashbacks and secondary characters who suddenly reappear after lengthy absences. That being said, the series' first eleven volumes eventually settle upon something that approaches a single core plot thread - that of Bili the Axe's "Western Campaigns". It's a series of interrelated military actions that began all the way back in Revenge of the Horseclans (Book 3), and which finally comes to their end in Champion of the Last Battle. That makes Champion of the Last Battle one of the few Horseclans novels with a clear, unambiguous ending. Yet beyond that fact, it reads very much like its predecessors, and is only likely to provide cathartic release for readers who already have a high opinion of the series. A better than average Horseclans volume that nonetheless suffers from many of the same shortcomings as all Robert Adams novels.
As suggested by its title, Champion of the Last Battle focuses upon the last of Duke Bili's wars in the mountains west of the Confederation. Bili and his allies have recently arrived in New Kuhmbuhluhn, with Bili having pledged his forces to help the Kuhmbuhluhners defeat the invading Skohshuns. Our heroes soon found themselves besieged within the kingdom's capital, staving off Skohshun assaults while attempting to kill a terrifying, werewolf-like monster within the city walls. Meanwhile, Jay Corbett is leading an expedition of the technologically-advanced "Witchmen" to recover stranded scientist Erica Arenstein, who has allied herself with the Skohsuns and is aiding in the siege of New Kuhmbuhluhn. All of this culminates in a final showdown involving both Bili's forces and the Witchmen. As with the last several Horseclans novels, Champion of the Last Battle is framed as the dying recollections of an elderly Bili, though that framing is only evidence in the prologue and the epilogue.
Despite being underwhelmed by a number of Horseclans novels, I had relatively high expectations for Champion of the Last Battle. Bili has always been the most compelling hero in the series, whereas Jay Corbett has developed into my favorite side character, and I was excited at the prospect of their two storylines finally coming together. Unfortunately, that never really happens. Bili's and Corbett's campaigns are discrete entities for most of the novel, and then the the entire Witchmen storyline was resolved so quickly that I felt cheated. It's almost an insult to the importance of Corbett and company, seeing their involvement in the "last battle" reduced to a deus-ex-machina-esque plot device. Here's hoping that Adams returns to the Witchmen (and Corbett in particular) in future volumes…
On the flip side, the Bili-centric scenes in Champion of the Last Battle are amongst the best in the series. The contrast between siege tactics and Werewolf hunting is an interesting one, even if the resolution of the Werewolf story is very predictable. Robert Adams also continues to improve in his description of massive, medieval-style battles: it makes me wonder how much better the entire Horseclans series could've been if Adams' had cut back on the exposition and adopted a pulpier approach. My only complaint about the resolution of Bili's story is how Rahksahnah's long-foreshadowed death occurs almost as an afterthought. Another extremely unusual, pacing-related decision that suggests a massive shortening of Adams' original manuscripts. In any case, I'll admit to being moved by Bili's reunion with his wife (and warhorse!) during the book's extended epilogue.
Champion of the Last Battle is a flawed yet mostly entertaining novel that lands near the top end of the 3-star range. Very similar in overall quality to most of the Horseclans where Bili appears as the central character. Lovers of early Horseclans novels should find a lot to like here, whereas naysayers are bound to be as perturbed as ever.
As suggested by its title, Champion of the Last Battle focuses upon the last of Duke Bili's wars in the mountains west of the Confederation. Bili and his allies have recently arrived in New Kuhmbuhluhn, with Bili having pledged his forces to help the Kuhmbuhluhners defeat the invading Skohshuns. Our heroes soon found themselves besieged within the kingdom's capital, staving off Skohshun assaults while attempting to kill a terrifying, werewolf-like monster within the city walls. Meanwhile, Jay Corbett is leading an expedition of the technologically-advanced "Witchmen" to recover stranded scientist Erica Arenstein, who has allied herself with the Skohsuns and is aiding in the siege of New Kuhmbuhluhn. All of this culminates in a final showdown involving both Bili's forces and the Witchmen. As with the last several Horseclans novels, Champion of the Last Battle is framed as the dying recollections of an elderly Bili, though that framing is only evidence in the prologue and the epilogue.
Despite being underwhelmed by a number of Horseclans novels, I had relatively high expectations for Champion of the Last Battle. Bili has always been the most compelling hero in the series, whereas Jay Corbett has developed into my favorite side character, and I was excited at the prospect of their two storylines finally coming together. Unfortunately, that never really happens. Bili's and Corbett's campaigns are discrete entities for most of the novel, and then the the entire Witchmen storyline was resolved so quickly that I felt cheated. It's almost an insult to the importance of Corbett and company, seeing their involvement in the "last battle" reduced to a deus-ex-machina-esque plot device. Here's hoping that Adams returns to the Witchmen (and Corbett in particular) in future volumes…
On the flip side, the Bili-centric scenes in Champion of the Last Battle are amongst the best in the series. The contrast between siege tactics and Werewolf hunting is an interesting one, even if the resolution of the Werewolf story is very predictable. Robert Adams also continues to improve in his description of massive, medieval-style battles: it makes me wonder how much better the entire Horseclans series could've been if Adams' had cut back on the exposition and adopted a pulpier approach. My only complaint about the resolution of Bili's story is how Rahksahnah's long-foreshadowed death occurs almost as an afterthought. Another extremely unusual, pacing-related decision that suggests a massive shortening of Adams' original manuscripts. In any case, I'll admit to being moved by Bili's reunion with his wife (and warhorse!) during the book's extended epilogue.
Champion of the Last Battle is a flawed yet mostly entertaining novel that lands near the top end of the 3-star range. Very similar in overall quality to most of the Horseclans where Bili appears as the central character. Lovers of early Horseclans novels should find a lot to like here, whereas naysayers are bound to be as perturbed as ever.
April 18, 2019
Bill is breathing his last and it's only fitting we hear him reminisce in his mind back to the "last battle" for the defence of New Khumbuhluhn.
In a siege situation with the Skoshans although the city is well defended and it's just a matter of waiting it out a deadly and sinister complication is stalking inside the walls.
A creature of nightmares that is killing the innocent yet no one can catch means that there is an air of desperation to bring this war to an end and find and kill whatever is stealthily murdering the city's inhabitants.
Outrageously exciting and filled with more fantasy elements and battles than you can shake a stick at every one I read I keep thinking this is my favourite and yet the stories keep getting better.
In a siege situation with the Skoshans although the city is well defended and it's just a matter of waiting it out a deadly and sinister complication is stalking inside the walls.
A creature of nightmares that is killing the innocent yet no one can catch means that there is an air of desperation to bring this war to an end and find and kill whatever is stealthily murdering the city's inhabitants.
Outrageously exciting and filled with more fantasy elements and battles than you can shake a stick at every one I read I keep thinking this is my favourite and yet the stories keep getting better.
January 22, 2016
The Horseclans series is probably the best blend of fantasy and SiFi I have ever read. Pretty much something for everyone in these books. Great characters, epic storyline, fantastic writings. My highest recommendation
July 26, 2010
Another extremely good entry in the Horseclans saga. The books in this area of the series, 10 through about 13/14, were the absolute best.
October 30, 2008
Just ok.
December 27, 2021
Interesting twist, though a bit contrived. Not one of the best in the series, but still a good time.
September 13, 2014
excelent
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August 22, 2008Champion of the Last Battle (Horseclans, Book 11) by Robert Adams (1983)
March 25, 2017
A good finish to arch
So ends the Billie the Axe arch to the Horseclans series . While not as good a the previous novels in the series , it is still worth reading.
So ends the Billie the Axe arch to the Horseclans series . While not as good a the previous novels in the series , it is still worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews