#Review - The Fallen Usurper by Jon Monson #Fantasy

Series: The Final Heir # 2
Format: Kindle, 335 pages
Release Date: November 13, 2023
Publisher: Castle Peak Publishing, LLC
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Epic Fantasy

A usurper without a throne. A soldier turned emperor. A mage struggling with purpose.

Mere weeks have passed since the Usurper’s defeat at the hands of the Final Heir. With Mahzun’s whereabouts unknown, his empire—forged in blood by the Eternal Blade—fractures at a furious pace.

Severely weakened, Mahzun flees back to the Northern Wilds. In the land that cradled him during his youth, he seeks rest and revenge. Unfortunately, all he has are vague and mysterious instructions from the ghostly apparition of his oldest enemy.

Ekarath transitions from resistance fighter to emperor, discovering that defeating the Usurper was only the beginning. New perils are coming to challenge his rule. With them will come unexpected allies.

Zahara struggles with her purpose as nobles plot and the other Heirdoms descend into rebellion. Friends plan her future as Ekarath’s wife, while the world feels far too chaotic for romance. Fortunately, an ancient power beyond her comprehension has its own plans for her.

Jon Monson's The Fallen Usurper is the second installment in the authors The Final Heir trilogy. This book picks up a few weeks after the ending of The Final Heir. This book revolves around three key characters: Ekarath, Zahara, and Mahzun, aka the Usurper.  

Severely weakened, Mahzun flees back to the Northern Wilds. In the land that cradled him during his youth, he seeks rest and revenge. Mahzun sees his victims and begins following the instructions of a voice. Although not knowing the source of the voice, he feels that the voice is a holy calling that he must follow. Unfortunately, all he has are vague and mysterious instructions from the ghostly apparition of his oldest enemy who is allegedly killed during the battle of Segova. Or is he?

Ekarath, now the Heir of Creation and Segova, transitions from resistance fighter to emperor, discovering that defeating the Usurper was only the beginning. New perils are coming to challenge his rule. With them will come unexpected allies. He can see the threads of destruction, and restoration, but when Shajarat, the timeless tree that represents the magic in the land, shows signs of damage from Mahzun's war on the realms, he must rely on people who he both trusts, and out of necessity to ensure it doesn't die.

Zahara, who for a brief time in her life, war the named Heir of the realm, now struggles with her purpose as nobles plot and the other Heirdoms descend into rebellion. Friends plan her future as Ekarath’s wife, while the world feels far too chaotic for romance. Fortunately, an ancient power beyond her comprehension has its own plans for her. An ancient power that sends Zahara to a far off land where she will encounter the Usurper himself, while also finding a bit of her own magical prowess in order to save herself, and others. She has visions and learns more about the history of the lands and the magic they hold. Her quest results in an unexpected bond with Mahzun and new insight on the war against the heirs.

*Thoughts* 2023 was the year of exploration new authors and attempting to finish older series for me. I was happy when the author contacted me and told me that the long awaited finale to the series would be soon releasing. I am happy that I take notes so I remember what took place in the first installment and why these characters matter. I see huge character growth coming for Ekarath, as well as Mahzun. Zahara may become the most powerful mage in all realms as it seems that magic, and the ability to create powerful artifacts that enhance making is above anyone else. I don't want to gamble on taking a guess on what is going to happen in the finale. I will just say that this series doesn't get the love and respect it needs from book nerds around the world. 

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