The Lost Heir's Redemption is Book Two of The Inheritance Ring Series by Chris Gourley and it is a well-imagined and wonderfully executed epic fantasy. I was drawn in by the exceptionally well-crafted world and the larger-than-life characters, but specifically by the author’s creative imagination. A young heroine is pitted against a brother for whom she had once been willing to lay down her life. After everything she has done to keep her brother safe, he now wants Alisutton dead. As Great-Uncle Malin specifies in his letter, there are dark forces about to take control of the world most dear to Alisutton and those she cares deeply about. She must walk a treacherous path to protect their kingdom while setting things right with her brother without killing him. Each moment that passes raises the stakes as a venomous power lurks on the horizon and dangerous alliances take shape.

The Lost Heir's Redemption moves at breakneck speed, an epic fantasy that brims with intrigue and features strong conflict. Right from the start, the reader is introduced to characters that operate in the shadows. Betrayal, intrigue, and the lust for power fuel the already clever plot, filling the story with unexpected twists and introducing characters that are unpredictable. The use of the epistolary style beefs up the plot and augments the intrigue. Chris Gourley creates a world that is unique and fills it with characters at once quirky and believable while putting these characters in situations that are trying and feel real to readers. There is a lot of fun in the names of places and characters, including the dreaded Whisperer, the Berat, Great-Uncle Malin, G'lid, and H'nor. The names show readers they are in a different world. Alisutton — known as Button in her early years — is a sophisticated heroine and a character that readers will find easy to root for. The deft plotting, the gorgeous prose, and the multifaceted heroine make this tale a must-read for fans of epic fantasy.

The Lost Heir's Redemption is the second novel in The Inheritance Ring Series by Chris Gourley. The story follows the journey of Alisutton, a.k.a. Button, a lost heir to the throne. Protecting and rescuing Ruric gave Button a purpose, but now things have changed. Button had to come back to her lands, while at the same time trying to stay one step ahead of her enemies. Sadly, for her, Ruric was one of them. Her brother wanted her dead, while Button wanted him to live. There was a high chance Button would become just like him, but not if she fought it. All she had to do was to protect her people, stay away from those who wanted to use her to their advantage, and stay alive. Easy, right?

Although I didn’t read the first novel in the series, I had no issues with catching up and falling in love with Button. She was smart, understood her issues, and knew how she could work around them. Button understood her limitations, which was why she didn’t shy away from asking for help from D’vid and valued his counsel. I loved the dynamic between them and how well they worked with each other. The glossary and the map helped me to understand what was happening. The narrative was strong, and the pace was fast. Button’s progress was sharp, valid, and very easily conveyed to readers. The action was intense and almost too engrossing at times. The character development was outstanding, and the overall feel of The Lost Heir's Redemption was perfect. I highly recommend this fascinating and entertaining series by Chris Gourley!