Averil, once hunted across the land and sea by her uncle the king, is now the Queen Lys. But if she cannot defy and defeat her late uncle's sorcerous masters, she will never live to be crowned.

Kathleen Bryan's highly praised romantic fantasy trilogy concludes with The Last Paladin.

“The Serpent and the Rose is an assured and powerful novel of magic, politics, and two young people coming into their power in dangerous times. Bryan has a clear eye for nuance and a love for high fantasy that shines through the page.” —Kate Elliott, author of Spirit Gate

“In Kathleen Bryan's The Serpent and the Rose, Averil, magic-trained heir to the duchy of Quitaine, teams with powerful peasant Gereint to stop the evil King of Lys before he unleashes chaos. …Well-thought-through magic, convincing medieval details, and likable characters make for a pleasant adventure. For Fans of Elizabeth Haydon, Terry Goodkind.” —Entertainment Weekly