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The Heir
“Anwyl’s child. Eideann’s bane.”
Finockt wrestles with two very difficult passively remain at Pennarn Cottage or risk everything yet again to secure the aid Thorlóthlon so desperately needs, even if that means going against her grandfather’s wishes.
Ever loyal to her father’s quest, Finockt sets out for the Highlands and gets significantly more than she bargained for, including a new perspective on life and Deverell.
But for every decision there are consequences, and Finockt must now face hers. Her forbidden journey has jeopardized the very lives of everyone closest to her.
Tirell’s forces descend on Pennarn, and Finockt’s plan to save them all fails. She and Gwri are captured, and her greatest fear materializes—she can no longer protect the cross from Tirell.
All hope seems Valínthia’s throne in danger of falling to the enemy. An epic battle ensues, leaving Finockt and Gwri fighting for more than love. Who will survive to claim the cross?
And yet through it all, one burning question will Valínthia ever be able to seat Thorlóthlon’s true heir on the throne?
Find out now in the second installment of the YA medieval Christian fantasy series, In the Shadow of Emerald The Heir!
Finockt wrestles with two very difficult passively remain at Pennarn Cottage or risk everything yet again to secure the aid Thorlóthlon so desperately needs, even if that means going against her grandfather’s wishes.
Ever loyal to her father’s quest, Finockt sets out for the Highlands and gets significantly more than she bargained for, including a new perspective on life and Deverell.
But for every decision there are consequences, and Finockt must now face hers. Her forbidden journey has jeopardized the very lives of everyone closest to her.
Tirell’s forces descend on Pennarn, and Finockt’s plan to save them all fails. She and Gwri are captured, and her greatest fear materializes—she can no longer protect the cross from Tirell.
All hope seems Valínthia’s throne in danger of falling to the enemy. An epic battle ensues, leaving Finockt and Gwri fighting for more than love. Who will survive to claim the cross?
And yet through it all, one burning question will Valínthia ever be able to seat Thorlóthlon’s true heir on the throne?
Find out now in the second installment of the YA medieval Christian fantasy series, In the Shadow of Emerald The Heir!
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 7, 2025
The Heir Content Guide & Review
Content Warnings:
🤐 Language- none; the word “hellish” is used once to describe a battle scene
💋 Romance- as this is a mediaeval-ish book there are hand kisses, a couple nondescript forehead kisses, a couple nondescript embraces (appropriate for 11+)
⚔️ Violence- nondescript moderate: about 70% of the book contains war, battle scenes, blood, and death. These are gore free, and written in an age appropriate way (appropriate for 14+ for sensitive teens; and 12+ for teens that are comfortable reading the aforementioned scenes)
⭐️ Other Considerations: mentions of pipes, mentions of wine
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Age Rating- 13/14+
A Quick Review:
Oh, my heart! This story is so immersive! I absolutely love all of the characters, they truly feel like friends. (except for Coinneach. Sorry. But he gets on my nerves. ) I am absolutely ADDICTED to this series. The part where Malise is talking to Finockt about God’s love, OH! Talk about a tear jerker! The descriptions as well were absolutely breathtaking! If you have a teen who enjoys, clean/wholesome romance, sword fights, and mystery: I would definitely suggest this series to them! Well done A. D. German! Can’t wait for book 3. (I will 100% be signing up for the ARC)
Examples of writing style (NO spoilers… You’re welcome):
1.
He smirked. “Now your end has come.”
“Only God determines a man’s end,” ******** said. He shot his hand over the flat of ********’s blade, casting it aside, and sent the dagger hanging in his opposite hand into********’s thick neck. Stunned, the Dúnarian stood motionless. Then the last blow was delivered with the captain’s own sword, pulled from his own hand. His black heart severed, death darkened his face, and ********collapsed to his knees, a defeated, sorry look in his eyes. He toppled over with a heavy thud and stirred no more.******** stood before him, weary and exhausted.
“And so God determines your fate, old friend,” he said with no ounce of pleasure.
2.
With one last glance over her shoulder, she wended her way between the saplings and entered the forest itself. Within a few minutes, she found herself at the serpentine wall dividing the outer woods from the king’s cottage grounds. The night air was damp and chilly after the summer storm, and her breath hung in faint silver trails that rose and vanished faster than pipe smoke. She wrapped her cloak more tightly around herself and restlessly scanned the wood for any sign of her visitor. But he had not yet come. Kneading her hands together once or twice, she glanced back over her shoulder to the cottage. Torchlight twinkled and winked between the trees, and the soft scrape of metal or jostle of mail drifted across the garden now and again, as the soldiers made their continuous rounds. But the wood itself remained breathless and still, aside from rainwater dripping lightly from the branches and thick foliage overhead.
Content Warnings:
🤐 Language- none; the word “hellish” is used once to describe a battle scene
💋 Romance- as this is a mediaeval-ish book there are hand kisses, a couple nondescript forehead kisses, a couple nondescript embraces (appropriate for 11+)
⚔️ Violence- nondescript moderate: about 70% of the book contains war, battle scenes, blood, and death. These are gore free, and written in an age appropriate way (appropriate for 14+ for sensitive teens; and 12+ for teens that are comfortable reading the aforementioned scenes)
⭐️ Other Considerations: mentions of pipes, mentions of wine
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Age Rating- 13/14+
A Quick Review:
Oh, my heart! This story is so immersive! I absolutely love all of the characters, they truly feel like friends. (except for Coinneach. Sorry. But he gets on my nerves. ) I am absolutely ADDICTED to this series. The part where Malise is talking to Finockt about God’s love, OH! Talk about a tear jerker! The descriptions as well were absolutely breathtaking! If you have a teen who enjoys, clean/wholesome romance, sword fights, and mystery: I would definitely suggest this series to them! Well done A. D. German! Can’t wait for book 3. (I will 100% be signing up for the ARC)
Examples of writing style (NO spoilers… You’re welcome):
1.
He smirked. “Now your end has come.”
“Only God determines a man’s end,” ******** said. He shot his hand over the flat of ********’s blade, casting it aside, and sent the dagger hanging in his opposite hand into********’s thick neck. Stunned, the Dúnarian stood motionless. Then the last blow was delivered with the captain’s own sword, pulled from his own hand. His black heart severed, death darkened his face, and ********collapsed to his knees, a defeated, sorry look in his eyes. He toppled over with a heavy thud and stirred no more.******** stood before him, weary and exhausted.
“And so God determines your fate, old friend,” he said with no ounce of pleasure.
2.
With one last glance over her shoulder, she wended her way between the saplings and entered the forest itself. Within a few minutes, she found herself at the serpentine wall dividing the outer woods from the king’s cottage grounds. The night air was damp and chilly after the summer storm, and her breath hung in faint silver trails that rose and vanished faster than pipe smoke. She wrapped her cloak more tightly around herself and restlessly scanned the wood for any sign of her visitor. But he had not yet come. Kneading her hands together once or twice, she glanced back over her shoulder to the cottage. Torchlight twinkled and winked between the trees, and the soft scrape of metal or jostle of mail drifted across the garden now and again, as the soldiers made their continuous rounds. But the wood itself remained breathless and still, aside from rainwater dripping lightly from the branches and thick foliage overhead.
June 30, 2024
DISCLAIMER: * I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own. *
After reading the first novel in this series by A.D. German, I was very much looking forward to the second installment! I have enjoyed getting to know the complex cast of characters that she has created within this unique storyline.
PLOT:
There is not much I can say for fear of spoilers, but I will say that the story kept me on my toes and left me wanting to know how things continued each time a POV was switched. I would read a few chapters that focused on Finockt, and I would be wanting to know what was happening with Deverall. This continued throughout with other characters as well.
CHARACTERS:
Let's just say.....I have my favorites! haha...
I was impressed with the depth of Finockt's character, and was really glad to see her in a humanizing fashion, which included her sometimes rash decisions. One scene in particular showcased a fit of temper that I could absolutely relate to. I was glad that the author didn't try to create excuses for her, simply because she was the heroine of the story. We, as the readers, get to see many of these characters good and bad sides. There is no shying away from hard questions and situations in the story. No one is entirely "good" or "noble" here.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I loved the descriptive parts of the outdoors! I can always appreciate a good nature element in any book. I also liked feeling as if I could actually be there in different scenes. The mark of a good writer!
The romance was very well handled. No silly phrases in use such as "he stroked her pale brow" or "She looked at him through fluttery eyelashes". Just simple and understated. In today's market of everything being tainted by overt sexuality, I commend German for the Less is More tactic.
Overall, a wonderful continuation to the first novel.
5/5
After reading the first novel in this series by A.D. German, I was very much looking forward to the second installment! I have enjoyed getting to know the complex cast of characters that she has created within this unique storyline.
PLOT:
There is not much I can say for fear of spoilers, but I will say that the story kept me on my toes and left me wanting to know how things continued each time a POV was switched. I would read a few chapters that focused on Finockt, and I would be wanting to know what was happening with Deverall. This continued throughout with other characters as well.
CHARACTERS:
Let's just say.....I have my favorites! haha...
I was impressed with the depth of Finockt's character, and was really glad to see her in a humanizing fashion, which included her sometimes rash decisions. One scene in particular showcased a fit of temper that I could absolutely relate to. I was glad that the author didn't try to create excuses for her, simply because she was the heroine of the story. We, as the readers, get to see many of these characters good and bad sides. There is no shying away from hard questions and situations in the story. No one is entirely "good" or "noble" here.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I loved the descriptive parts of the outdoors! I can always appreciate a good nature element in any book. I also liked feeling as if I could actually be there in different scenes. The mark of a good writer!
The romance was very well handled. No silly phrases in use such as "he stroked her pale brow" or "She looked at him through fluttery eyelashes". Just simple and understated. In today's market of everything being tainted by overt sexuality, I commend German for the Less is More tactic.
Overall, a wonderful continuation to the first novel.
5/5
September 6, 2025
This book was soooooooo full of twists and turns. I loved the sweet hints of romance and the characters and the mystery of the box. I am deeply attached to two of the male characters and can't decide which one I like more. I Finockt! She's such a great main character. I desperetly need book 3. I need to know what happens! I'm looking forward to so much more by this author!
October 8, 2024
Amazing 🤩
I loved literally everything!!!
I cannot wait for the third book!
I loved literally everything!!!
I cannot wait for the third book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews