The Last Warrior (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2011 | Series: Hqn

As a decorated soldier, the young General Tao knows only one kind of honor—to his people. But when his own king betrays him, he discovers that his sacrifices, his successes, may not have been for the good of the country at all.

Fate—and his enemies—throw him together with Elsabeth, a red-haired beauty who has served as the royal tutor. Her loyalties, though, remain with her father's people, the rebellious Kurel, who worship the old ways, even harboring the forbidden arks that brought the Kurel to this planet ages ago. When a threat greater than their peoples' war looms, intent on destroying the world they both know, the fierce warrior and the sensitive scholar must unite. Together, they must fight for their planet, for their world and for their love.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

New York Times Bestselling author SUSAN GRANT is back with a passionate love story for the eons...

As a decorated soldier, the young General Tao knows only one kind of honor -- to his people. But when his own king betrays him, he discovers that his sacrifices, his successes, may not have been for the good of the country at all.

Fate -- and his enemies -- throw him together with Elsabeth, a red-haired beauty who has served as the royal tutor, though her loyalties remain with her father's people, the rebellious Kurel, who worship the old ways, even harboring the forbidden arks that brought their people to this planet ages ago. When a threat greater than their peoples' wars looms, intent on destroying the world they both know, the fierce warrior and the sensitive scholar must unite. Together, they must fight for their planet, for their world, and for their love.

About the Author

RITA winner and NYT best-seller Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: flying, adventure and the often unpredictable interaction between the sexes! A former USAF jet pilot, Susan flies 747s to China, Australia, Europe, and many other exotic destinations where she finds plenty of material for her novels. Her innovative, award-winning books for HQN blends science fiction with hot romance! Visit Susan at www.susangrant.com

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (April 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373775423
• ISBN-13: 978-0373775422
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Warrior is a Sweet Story, May 3, 2011

By 

Monique Atgood (Winter Haven, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Warrior (Hqn) (Mass Market Paperback)

It has the classic Grant elements of
1) action
2) romance with characters you just know need to be together
3) some really great creative story telling, and
4) burn the midnight oil keep the pages turning drawability that entices the reader into tossing aside all normal chores and concerns and simply devouring another delicious Grant novel.

The expansive story takes place on a colonized planet in the far future. There were complications when a group of blood thirsty werewolf like aliens the "Gorr" landed their colony `arks' and fought the original human colonists until they pretty much slaughtered each other in war, and pushed both races backwards technologically speaking into approximately a medieval times level.

Synopsis: The yummy ultra honorable superman like General Tao returns from defeating the Gorr. He is betrayed by his paranoid King, and forced to hide among the despised and feared scholastically prone `Kurel' with the beautiful Elsabeth who has personally sworn to take down the king for revenge. Romance, adventure, the race to save the human race and their families make an absorbing read.

The Kurel were set apart in a ghetto and treated with fear and loathing, yet their skills were highly coveted by the Tassagonian who imprisoned them. Remind you of anyone? I felt the author was drawing parallels about how our culture and countries treat each other in modern times. This was a charming romance story, but it also strove to reach a deeper meaning and convey how fear, distrust, misunderstandings and personal hatred can destroy.

I've read every Susan Grant book, even hunting down the one she wrote for Silhouette. "Sure Blood" and "The Star King series" stand out as her premier works, but "The Last Warrior" is awesome and this sweet page turner should not be missed.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh, well-developed, otherwordly love story, May 10, 2011

By 

Jen "Red Hot Books" (Southeast United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Last Warrior (Hqn) (Mass Market Paperback)

General Tao is a champion of his people, returning home from defeating the Gorr, a beastlike species of fighters. But while his people welcome him with open arms, his brother-in-law, King Xim, does not. The king thinks Tao wants to usurp the crown and in his paranoia, throws Tao in the dungeon to face treason charges. Tao's good friend Markam is a palace guard and part of a rebel movement that sees Xim as unfit for the throne. He helps devise an escape for Tao and sets him up to hide in the neighboring ghettos of the Kurel people.

Elsabeth is a Kurel who is also dedicated to taking down Xim. But her reasons are personal; he was behind the raid that killed her parents. Now, she's hiding Tao because she believes he is humanity's best hope to be the new king.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a romance, but so much more. The world building was fascinating. The author has set up a futuristic otherworld where the human factions are as clearly defined as the mongrel Gorr. It's captivating to watch Tao and Elsabeth overcome their misconceptions about each other and fall in love. But the action and the intrigue was every bit as interesting. There were also great secondary characters, like Markam and Queen Aza.

There is a little bit of sex, but the book is more about the emotional connection of the characters, and even though I generally like smut, I didn't feel cheated.
I really enjoyed this one, in part because it was unique and refreshing, but also because it was just plain good. 4 1/2 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Start to New Series, May 2, 2011

By 

J. Jones (Bella Vista, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Warrior (Hqn) (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan Grant's last few books have been a mix of hit and miss for me. It was almost like she was trying write like someone else. The Last Warrior[Image] is Susan back on track and writing with her own voice.

The Last Warrior is set in an entirely new world. Humans and the Gorr arrived to colonize the same planet. The Gorr tried to exterminate the humans and all contract with Earth (Uhrth in The Last Warrior) was cut off. Humans divided into three groups who do not get along but with the Gorr a common enemy. General Tao has just come home after a great victory against the Gorr. He does not find the welcome he expects. He is forced to find refuge from his own people and is thrown together with Elsabeth. Together they must work to heal the wounds among the humans or see all humans on the planet wiped out by the Gorr.

The Last Warrior is a fast paced, action filled adventure where the romance does not overpower but is part of the story. The characters are well drawn and several of the secondary characters could be the main characters in future books. Susan has crafted a world filled with possibilities and I look forward to see future book in this setting.