Last Worst Hopes by Lee Hunt is an epic fantasy with a gripping dystopian setting and phenomenal conflict. Engevelen is fast falling under the invading forces of the wizard Nehring Ardgour who commands an army of humanoid wolves and demons Skoll and Heti. Methueyn is fast falling as the knights are being killed in their numbers. It is at this critical moment that the reputable Seer, Farrah Harbinger, Engevelen’s premier wizard, seeks the help of Lt. Davignon to interpret her ominous dreams. In different cities, unlikely heroes rise to take up arms, including Mick who lives in a rest home. As the One, True Devil prepares for the final assault, will the ragtag team of misfits —including a wizard who is unsure of himself, an old man susceptible to making more mistakes than hurting the enemy, a self-doubting squire, and others — stand any chance of saving Ancient Engevelen. Last Worst Hopes is a tale of heroes born from unusual circumstances and from necessity. The author writes the characters with unique care and when readers encounter these characters, they are just ordinary people who are overwhelmed by a sense of impending danger, and as the danger rises, so does their courage. As these characters fight to stay alive and defend their land from an invincible enemy, their inner strength and unique gifts begin to shine. They are like pearls polished through fire. The setting is a land in turmoil and the author does an impeccable job of capturing the disturbing imagery. The prose is gorgeous and the dialogues are cleverly crafted. While this is a character-driven tale, the author’s gift for writing strong conflicts enriches the already sparkling narration. Last Worst Hopes is a remarkable tale that explores the proverbial conflict of good vs evil, featuring characters that readers can’t abandon and a world they will want to explore.