But while the twins are deeply developed and fully realized, other significant characters come off as two-dimensional, like their unhinged father, who almost becomes a caricature. Additionally, love interests add another layer to the already rich emotional tapestry. Their intimate relationship fuels the narrative and makes many sequences emotionally intense. While Griffin’s worldbuilding isn’t exactly unique (pseudo-early-19th-century Europe), the power here comes from the dynamism between the two sisters. But when the twins begin to discover the real histories of their kingdom and their violent father, they vow to protect each other while they shape the future of Karkov in their own images. Jillian shows promise early as an elite fighter and future leader of Karkov, while the beautiful Natalia is groomed to marry a prince from a neighboring country for political gain. As the girls grow up, they are trained relentlessly to become warriors and are even forced to endure torture. But after the Old Lion conquered a nation to the north, impregnated the jarl’s daughter, and she gave birth to two daughters, the future of Karkov’s long-established, misogynistic culture is in jeopardy. The current king, known as the Old Lion, comes from a long line of “legendary conquerors” and rules “his nation of feared warriors absolutely.” For centuries, Karkov has always had a male heir. The ruler of the militant kingdom of Karkov has always been known as the Lion-he is invariably a product of sexual domination, conceived as a result of his father’s conquest of another nation. This debut novel offers a sweeping historical fantasy revolving largely around the twin daughters of a brutal king and their attempts to survive his political machinations.

The Last Lion of Karkov by Dale Griffin