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The Last Prince: A Celtic Fae Inspired Fantasy Novel (The Coming of Áed) Kindle Edition
In a hellish city, the fate of a young boy rests on the very thing he fears most…
Robbed of his childhood by tragedy and betrayal and forced onto the streets, only fury makes young Ninian feel whole - and in a world of gangs and fae, Ninian is more than willing to fight for his life.
But it doesn’t take much to topple a life which is already balanced on the edge of a knife. And by the time a desperate Ninian realizes he’s crossed the wrong person, it is much, much too late.
In his frantic struggle to right his collapsing world, Ninian’s furious, bloody efforts are dredging up history he’d rather forget - the past is tired of being held at bay, and even fighting cannot protect Ninian from himself.
So when he meets a crimson-eyed stranger, a boy so broken he refuses even to speak, Ninian does not believe he has the capacity to care.
He is wrong.
And that will change everything…
(A full-length prequel to The Hidden King)
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 6, 2020
- Reading age13 - 17 years
- File size4.2 MB
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First 3$12.47
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All 4$20.46
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This option includes 4 books.
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From the Publisher


Editorial Reviews
Review
"Radcliff impressively portrays how the boys' bond gains importance and writes with an immediacy that makes the setting feel relatable and contemporary. Readers of Radcliff's first novel, The Hidden King (2019) will appreciate this in-depth exploration of the series' principal characters. Yet the story also stands alone, a compelling tribute to the strength of empathy and uselessness of prejudice." -Booklist Magazine of the American Library Association
"The author writes with an immediacy that makes the Maze's dark setting feel relatable and contemporary. Her take on the genre is more subtle and human than many fantasies; in lieu of grizzled monsters, burnished knights and grand feats of magic, she opts for human connection and nuanced mysticism. [...] young adult fantasy fans will find this character-driven offering a refreshing approach to the genre." -Blue Ink Reviews
"★★★★★ Everything that I loved about The Hidden King is here but bigger, brighter, and better. [...] Radcliff has such a spectacular gift of being to able capture both humanity and emotion, taking it and sculpting vibrant, living characters. If you've already read The Hidden King, I don't doubt that you'll already be deeply invested in both Ninian and Áed. Prepare to be blown away at just how much more developed and nuanced they are here." -Bookendsandbagends.com book blog
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ON AMAZON & GOODREADS
★★★★★ 10 points of awesome
★★★★★ A masterfully crafted [pr]equel to The Hidden King
★★★★★ An immersive fantasy story of how two characters find safety and love
★★★★★ A wonderful prequel style novel
★★★★★ An engaging and hopeful fantasy
★★★★★ You won't be able to put this book down
★★★★★ A beautifully written and engaging follow-on to The Hidden King
★★★★★ Radcliff hits the mark with The Last Prince
★★★★★ Perfectly executed. A well-earned 5 star rating
★★★★★ I loved every line in this book!
★★★★ ...undoubtedly the most intriguing book I've ever read
★★★★★ Probably my favorite book I've read this year
About the Author
She is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in history. She is based in Chicagoland.
You can reach her by scrying bowl, carrier pigeon, or @egradcliff on social media.
WEBSITE: egradcliff.com.
Product details
- ASIN : B08BLR2JW8
- Publisher : Mythic Prairie Books; 1st edition (August 6, 2020)
- Publication date : August 6, 2020
- Language : English
- File size : 4.2 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Not Enabled
- Print length : 348 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,439,707 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #468 in Teen & Young Adult Mythical Creatures eBooks
- #2,035 in Mythology (Kindle Store)
- #16,610 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

SIGN UP TO MY READER COMMUNITY! tinyurl.com/EGReaders
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
www.twitter.com/egradcliff
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-----------------------------------
E.G. Radcliff is a part-time pooka and native of the Unseelie Court. She collects acorns, glass beads, and pretty rocks, and the crows outside her house know her as She Who Has Bread. Her fantasy novels are crafted in the dead of night after offering sacrifices of almonds and red wine to the writing-block deities.
She is the author of The Coming of Áed trilogy of books—The Hidden King, The Last Prince and The Wild Court. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in history and is based in Chicagoland.
You can reach her by scrying bowl, carrier pigeon, or @egradcliff on social media, or via her website.
-----------------------------------
VISIT www.egradcliff.com
-----------------------------------
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
Well-written, character-focused prequel that explores the endearing M/M romance mentioned in Book 1
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021This was amazing!
I wasn't expecting this book to be about Ninian. And I was so happy when I started the first chapters and realized it was about him. I loved him from the first book and really wanted to learn more about him and how his relationship with Aed began. And I have to say I wasn't disappointed. I loved every line in this book ❤️❤️❤️
His bad childhood taught him how to survive on his own on the streets and not to trust or let anyone touch him.
When he decides to stole from Mael Maedoc his life takes a sudden turn, ending with him joining a gang in order to pay his debt for what he stole.
So, after his first fight he goes to pay a part of his debt to Mael Maedoc but he changes the rules and instead of money he asks Ninian to take care of a damaged boy.
"Ninian stared in shock as the stranger met his gaze, noticing the way the color danced like the glow of embers over a coal. It was darkly brilliant around the edges, licking crimson in toward the center, and around the pupil glimmered a fine circle of bright copper flecks.
It was stunning."
He begins to come daily to check on Aed and help him heal and also to heal himself too. And a little more
" Ninian fidgeted with candle wax and tried not to be too overt in studying the freckles over Áed’s nose. There were a lot of them, and they crossed his cheekbones like little constellations."
“Áed,” he whispered, too softly to be heard. Just trying out the words. Just to hear them, maybe convince himself to swallow them again. “Please.” He swallowed; it was hard to say. “Please catch me.”
Áed opened his eyes.
Ninian’s breath choked him.
Áed looked otherworldly in the moonlight, and a slow, tiny smile crept over his face. “Okay.”
Ninian finds out about Aed's true origins and he really tries to tell him the truth but he's scared both for Aed and for him, as he doesn't want to lose him.
"I know there’s something you’re not telling me,” Áed said, and Ninian’s stomach flopped. “But I’m happy right now. If I’m happy not knowing, and you’re not ready to tell me, then is there really any harm in waiting?”
That sounded so simple. So appealing. “Is that really okay?” It shouldn’t be Ninian’s choice to decide whether or not he was ready for Áed to know his own secret."
So he decides to wait a little while longer, until the moment is right.
If you read The Hidden King you know what happens to them. And I know it too.
But even though I know I still read it with hope in my heart, hope for them to have a happy ending. I know it's not the case but they are such a beautiful couple and I love them so much that I secretly fantasized that it would turn out to be a SF book and Ninian will be brought to life through some kind of magic 🙏
- Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021I read book 1 of this series, THE HIDDEN KING, last year, and finally got around to reading the prequel this spring!
Brief summary of my thoughts, **no spoilers here**: THE LAST PRINCE is an intimate prequel, honing in on the endearing M/M romance briefly glimpsed in book 1. This story is smaller-scale in plot and setting, which is perfect for the relationship it explores. As proven in her debut, Radcliff proves that she excels with character-driven stories and can tap into the complex backstories of those characters.
Recommended for those looking for:
M/M romance of an innocent, slow-burn nature
Gang strife/life
Fantasy that relies heavily on time period (a Euro-medieval setting) rather than on genre tropes such as magic, dragons, etc.
Character driven
***Potential spoilers ahead, but I tried to keep them vague/brief:***
**Trigger warning** for the book: strong hints at childhood trauma, most likely incestual abuse. This is not a huge part of the plot, but it does affect the MC at times as he works through this trauma when interacting with older males in the story. The author handles it well in my opinion.
WHAT I LIKED: loved the M/M relationship. It develops naturally as a friendship given the boys' ages, which only increases the reader's growing attachment to both characters before the relationship evolves into romance as they age.
The characters were written beautifully. Ninian's protective nature, Aed's physical ailment and his distrust of others, the gang members, and Mael's misunderstood reputation were brilliant.
Also, loved the fact that this series is so diverse in its LGBTQ+ rep. Not only do we get a M/M romance, there is also a non-binary side-character with they/them pronouns that I felt was written well.
PERSONAL CRITIQUES:
It took me a while to get into the book, but that could be chalked up to the mood I was in when I started (had just come out of a cosmic horror read). Still, I want to encourage similar readers to stick it through the first couple chapters. The story is so worth it.
I need more Aed and Ninian! Which is a good thing, not a bad thing, but I do wish there were more books that occurred after this prequel and before book 1 so we could experience all the tiny moments of their relationship evolving from friendship to romance. Maybe someday Radcliff will bestow us such a gift.
My only other critique is the time jump at the end. I totally get why the author did this. TLP is a prequel, and the author wanted to connect it more smoothly timeline-wise to book 1, and subsequentially leaves the reader with some loose ends on what will occur next.
Lastly, I do want to note that although this is a fantasy, there isn't much magic in this book (that comes later in book 1 and presumably in the yet-to-be-released-as-of-now sequel). This book deals more with knives/swords skirmishes, survival in poverty, and life's traumas rather than with magic. But, the fae and magic are certainly hinted at as upcoming plot points that are explored in the next book. Nothing wrong with this, but leaving it here in the review all the same.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: I highly recommend this book to those who are wanting fantasy that focuses on the characters. It's well worth the investment, and the author excels at exploring the traumas, relationships, dynamics, strife, and growth of these characters. There's plenty of drama and conflict outside of that too, and this book does a good job of setting up Book 1 while giving us what readers of book 1 wanted: the backstory that lead to Aed and Ninian's relationship.
4.0 out of 5 starsI read book 1 of this series, THE HIDDEN KING, last year, and finally got around to reading the prequel this spring!Well-written, character-focused prequel that explores the endearing M/M romance mentioned in Book 1
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021
Brief summary of my thoughts, **no spoilers here**: THE LAST PRINCE is an intimate prequel, honing in on the endearing M/M romance briefly glimpsed in book 1. This story is smaller-scale in plot and setting, which is perfect for the relationship it explores. As proven in her debut, Radcliff proves that she excels with character-driven stories and can tap into the complex backstories of those characters.
Recommended for those looking for:
M/M romance of an innocent, slow-burn nature
Gang strife/life
Fantasy that relies heavily on time period (a Euro-medieval setting) rather than on genre tropes such as magic, dragons, etc.
Character driven
***Potential spoilers ahead, but I tried to keep them vague/brief:***
**Trigger warning** for the book: strong hints at childhood trauma, most likely incestual abuse. This is not a huge part of the plot, but it does affect the MC at times as he works through this trauma when interacting with older males in the story. The author handles it well in my opinion.
WHAT I LIKED: loved the M/M relationship. It develops naturally as a friendship given the boys' ages, which only increases the reader's growing attachment to both characters before the relationship evolves into romance as they age.
The characters were written beautifully. Ninian's protective nature, Aed's physical ailment and his distrust of others, the gang members, and Mael's misunderstood reputation were brilliant.
Also, loved the fact that this series is so diverse in its LGBTQ+ rep. Not only do we get a M/M romance, there is also a non-binary side-character with they/them pronouns that I felt was written well.
PERSONAL CRITIQUES:
It took me a while to get into the book, but that could be chalked up to the mood I was in when I started (had just come out of a cosmic horror read). Still, I want to encourage similar readers to stick it through the first couple chapters. The story is so worth it.
I need more Aed and Ninian! Which is a good thing, not a bad thing, but I do wish there were more books that occurred after this prequel and before book 1 so we could experience all the tiny moments of their relationship evolving from friendship to romance. Maybe someday Radcliff will bestow us such a gift.
My only other critique is the time jump at the end. I totally get why the author did this. TLP is a prequel, and the author wanted to connect it more smoothly timeline-wise to book 1, and subsequentially leaves the reader with some loose ends on what will occur next.
Lastly, I do want to note that although this is a fantasy, there isn't much magic in this book (that comes later in book 1 and presumably in the yet-to-be-released-as-of-now sequel). This book deals more with knives/swords skirmishes, survival in poverty, and life's traumas rather than with magic. But, the fae and magic are certainly hinted at as upcoming plot points that are explored in the next book. Nothing wrong with this, but leaving it here in the review all the same.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: I highly recommend this book to those who are wanting fantasy that focuses on the characters. It's well worth the investment, and the author excels at exploring the traumas, relationships, dynamics, strife, and growth of these characters. There's plenty of drama and conflict outside of that too, and this book does a good job of setting up Book 1 while giving us what readers of book 1 wanted: the backstory that lead to Aed and Ninian's relationship.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2021Brilliant.a story of another lifestyle where people live on their wits and courage.where emotions and care are rarely seem and violence rules to the strongest. Love and respect still win.
Top reviews from other countries
- KnightingaleReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure!
The second book in EG Radcliff’s ‘Coming of Aed’ trilogy is a story that both warms the cockles of your heart and breaks them at the same time!
SPOILER ALERT!!! DON’T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU’VE NOT READ THE HIDDEN KING! YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!!
While this is technically book 2 in the series, the story is a prequel to The Hidden King. And because of that the reading of it leaves me conflicted.
Would it have been better reading The Last Prince first?
This book crafts a beautifully written tale of two young boys, broken in very different ways. Aed and Ninian. Where The Hidden King was ostensibly Aed’s book, this one is very much Ninian’s. It gives real depth to him, fleshing out a backstory that rounds the character out into deeper clarity than was achieved in The Hidden King. Knowing the fate that befalls Ninian adds real weight to how The Last Prince FEELS to read. Every step Ninian takes toward healing as a person, and every step forward his relationship with Aed takes, brings an agonising pathos.
I loved The Hidden King, and while Ninian’s fate was saddening, my empathy was more with Aed and how he felt. How he grieved. The Last Prince changes that, and now I feel a real urge to go revisit The Hidden King again before moving on to book 3.
So I don’t honestly know whether I’d have rather read these in reverse order or not. Each book MASSIVELY informs the other and lends huge emotional weight to the storytelling which, by the way, is sublime.
As mentioned previously, this is a story about beauty, hope, and being kind to those less fortunate. At least that’s what I got from it. (This is a theme that runs through The Hidden King too!) Even though there’s trauma and loss, the story strikes a hopeful tone. There’s almost always someone willing to help when the characters need it.
From Ninian’s early efforts to share and help his fellow street urchins to Mael Maedoc taking in Ninian and Aed. The blossoming relationship between Aed and Ninian reinforces this.
More than that there’s also a theme of tolerance and acceptance. Of course when people are different (as Aed is) some people will shun them, or belittle them. But there’s also people who are kind hearted and will see beyond the surface and take someone for who they truly are. It’s a lovely message, subtly and wonderfully delivered.
I heartily recommend this book. It’s truly wonderful.
And after much deliberation… reading order: The Hidden King > The Last Prince > The Hidden King (again!) > The Wild Court
KnightingaleHeartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2022
SPOILER ALERT!!! DON’T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU’VE NOT READ THE HIDDEN KING! YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!!
While this is technically book 2 in the series, the story is a prequel to The Hidden King. And because of that the reading of it leaves me conflicted.
Would it have been better reading The Last Prince first?
This book crafts a beautifully written tale of two young boys, broken in very different ways. Aed and Ninian. Where The Hidden King was ostensibly Aed’s book, this one is very much Ninian’s. It gives real depth to him, fleshing out a backstory that rounds the character out into deeper clarity than was achieved in The Hidden King. Knowing the fate that befalls Ninian adds real weight to how The Last Prince FEELS to read. Every step Ninian takes toward healing as a person, and every step forward his relationship with Aed takes, brings an agonising pathos.
I loved The Hidden King, and while Ninian’s fate was saddening, my empathy was more with Aed and how he felt. How he grieved. The Last Prince changes that, and now I feel a real urge to go revisit The Hidden King again before moving on to book 3.
So I don’t honestly know whether I’d have rather read these in reverse order or not. Each book MASSIVELY informs the other and lends huge emotional weight to the storytelling which, by the way, is sublime.
As mentioned previously, this is a story about beauty, hope, and being kind to those less fortunate. At least that’s what I got from it. (This is a theme that runs through The Hidden King too!) Even though there’s trauma and loss, the story strikes a hopeful tone. There’s almost always someone willing to help when the characters need it.
From Ninian’s early efforts to share and help his fellow street urchins to Mael Maedoc taking in Ninian and Aed. The blossoming relationship between Aed and Ninian reinforces this.
More than that there’s also a theme of tolerance and acceptance. Of course when people are different (as Aed is) some people will shun them, or belittle them. But there’s also people who are kind hearted and will see beyond the surface and take someone for who they truly are. It’s a lovely message, subtly and wonderfully delivered.
I heartily recommend this book. It’s truly wonderful.
And after much deliberation… reading order: The Hidden King > The Last Prince > The Hidden King (again!) > The Wild Court
Images in this review
- Chrystele AndrieuReviewed in France on December 30, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing!
This series is just amazing! But I have to admit in the beginning I was not as much into it as I was with the first one. But once we got to be more into the story and the story line of Ninian and Áed I loved it. Not only have I come to LOVE Áed in the first, I fell in love with Ninian and their relationship. Just beautiful. It’s filling in the blanks and questions I had during the first book and it’s tying up knots I was wondering about and just it made so much sense. I cannot wait to read book three and I am happy I waited for it to be out before starting this series so I can binge read it!
- tasminReviewed in Australia on September 20, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Absolutely loved this book.
Ninian and Áed are great characters and I really enjoyed reading about how they met.
Ninian is my favourite character in this series so it was great to visit his world. To get more about him.
- charlie fReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars The Prequel to the Hidden King
This is the Story of how Aed and Ninnan met. How it came to be that Ninnian ended up fighting for the gangs and how their lives moved on. The story leads right up to the start of the first book, but I understand why it came second. There were questions after the first book which needed answering most importantly how Ninnian who seemed so strong and educated and put together, was living in a hovel with a mutilated boy and a rescued street urchin. But then as the story unfolds you realise that the two boys couldn't survive without each other, they are the calm to each others storm and they ultimately rescued each other. Their fates were sealed from the moment they met. The other characters who appear, the menacing shop keeper who truly has a heart of gold and certain members of the gang are shown to have reasons for ending up where they did. It was about the choices they made and the consequences of those choices and how ultimately you have to live with them. Is it a love story? yes and no, the love between the boys certainly but also the love for your fellow man, to help those less fortunate than yourself. They make the best of what they have, even when they haven't got much, Ninnian finds the charity within himself to right his wrongs in the only way he can, with the little he has to give. Further life lessons delivered in a most enchanting way. A page turning prequel that although you know the ending has plenty throughout to keep you up well into the night wanting to find your answers.
- NicoReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This was amazing!
I wasn't expecting this book to be about Ninian. And I was so happy when I started the first chapters and realized it was about him. I loved him from the first book and really wanted to learn more about him and how his relationship with Aed began. And I have to say I wasn't disappointed. I loved every line in this book ❤️❤️❤️
His bad childhood taught him how to survive on his own on the streets and not to trust or let anyone touch him.
When he decides to stole from Mael Maedoc his life takes a sudden turn, ending with him joining a gang in order to pay his debt for what he stole.
So, after his first fight he goes to pay a part of his debt to Mael Maedoc but he changes the rules and instead of money he asks Ninian to take care of a damaged boy.
"Ninian stared in shock as the stranger met his gaze, noticing the way the color danced like the glow of embers over a coal. It was darkly brilliant around the edges, licking crimson in toward the center, and around the pupil glimmered a fine circle of bright copper flecks.
It was stunning."
He begins to come daily to check on Aed and help him heal and also to heal himself too. And a little more
" Ninian fidgeted with candle wax and tried not to be too overt in studying the freckles over Áed’s nose. There were a lot of them, and they crossed his cheekbones like little constellations."
“Áed,” he whispered, too softly to be heard. Just trying out the words. Just to hear them, maybe convince himself to swallow them again. “Please.” He swallowed; it was hard to say. “Please catch me.”
Áed opened his eyes.
Ninian’s breath choked him.
Áed looked otherworldly in the moonlight, and a slow, tiny smile crept over his face. “Okay.”
Ninian finds out about Aed's true origins and he really tries to tell him the truth but he's scared both for Aed and for him, as he doesn't want to lose him.
"I know there’s something you’re not telling me,” Áed said, and Ninian’s stomach flopped. “But I’m happy right now. If I’m happy not knowing, and you’re not ready to tell me, then is there really any harm in waiting?”
That sounded so simple. So appealing. “Is that really okay?” It shouldn’t be Ninian’s choice to decide whether or not he was ready for Áed to know his own secret."
So he decides to wait a little while longer, until the moment is right.
If you read The Hidden King you know what happens to them. And I know it too.
But even though I know I still read it with hope in my heart, hope for them to have a happy ending. I know it's not the case but they are such a beautiful couple and I love them so much that I secretly fantasized that it would turn out to be a SF book and Ninian will be brought to life through some kind of magic 🙏
Thank you E.G. Radcliff for such an amazing book