Last Worst Hopes by Lee Hunt is an extraordinary epic tale with a phenomenal conflict, following a motley group of misfits in the struggle to defend what is left of their land against an invincible enemy. The strong defenses of Ancient Engevelen have been broken, thanks to Nehring Ardgour who summons Skoll from hell. While every hero has been vanquished and cities destroyed, the worst is yet to come as the Seer, Farrah Harbinger foretells. The One, True Devil, who intends to put everything into dust, is set for the final assault. No one is left to defend the world of Engevelen that once stood strong in its glory, except a group of misfits — Val is a wizard whose sense of self trumps his skills; Mike is a forgetful old man who can easily become a liability; Aveline is a cynic, a squire burdened with uncertainties; and Dav seems to have no foothold, a man who can easily get manipulated. But can they stand against what is headed towards them?

Lee Hunt mesmerizes readers with a tale that features believable characters, all genuinely flawed, facing a redoubtable enemy. These characters will inspire pathos and admiration in readers and they are vulnerable in a compelling kind of way, learning to discover their strengths while building trust in each other. It doesn’t take long for the readers to root for these characters and to want to see them succeed. The author’s unique sense of characterization is extraordinary and the characters Hunt creates have inimitable journeys and burdens. Readers quickly learn that even in magic there is always learning to do, a muscle to build, and a fear to conquer. Hope is presented as a fragile link between the present and the future we want to embrace, and moving towards that future entails facing fear and challenges head-on. Last Worst Hopes is deftly plotted, a novel with a fascinating setting and lovable characters. This is a tale of hope in the face of imminent annihilation, and while the characters experience despair, they are propelled — hopefully —toward a future they are determined to shape. It is a work of sheer brilliance — robust, deft, and balanced.