It was a long time ago. A tribe's greed turned to lust and all the children of the Thunder god were killed. In retaliation, the Thunderer sent the clan, all bands, into "the mist" to live a half existence, neither alive, nor dead. But once a generation, each tribal band chooses a boy to become their champion. This boy must show kindness to an enemy in order to break the spell.

There is only one tribe left imprisoned in the mist. In 1892, at 12-years-of-age, Black Lion was chosen to represent this last band, the Black Fire band.

Many years have passed and Black Lion has grown into a man. Meanwhile, the Thunderer's thirst for revenge has become even greater. He awaits the right time and place to work his evil magic. And the story continues...

Black Lion's friend, Two Bears, is not well and asks a great favor of him. Two Bears wants Black Lion to take his place and travel for one full journey of the sun with the long-haired showman in his Wild West Show. Black Lion accepts, but first seeks out the Great Spirit for guidance before journeying across the great waters to London where the show will be performing. It's on this vision quest that Black Lion hears a soft voice speaking to him. "You must seek a song, and the singer of it...It is a white man's song, it is true, but its heart is Indian, and will always be so... You must sing it with a brave heart, and not one word must be missing from its verse. If you do this, you will pierce the Thunderer's heart. The melody will heal his anger as well as his need for revenge, and he will cease to be your enemy..." Black Lion is confused but knows he's made the right decision to free his people.

In London, opera singer Suzette Joselyn has accompanied her grandmother, Irena, to the Wild West Show, where she finds a rather crude display of American culture. Because of her unconventional upbringing, Suzette considers herself very lucky to be engaged to an earl and looks forward to the respect of British society. But it is not meant to be. Her fiancé's mother finds Suzette lacking and forces him to cancel their wedding.

Four months later, the Wild West Show has moved to Denver. Suzette is searching for her grandmother, who's joined the show as their star singer. It's in Denver that Suzette and Black Lion meet. It's an awakening of spirit to spirit, being to being. Enchanted, Suzette feels she's caught up in a fairy tale, a feeling she's never experienced before. Black Lion must NOT become distracted from his journey, but this beautiful, brave, spirited woman is slowly becoming as important to him has his own people and she sings like an angel. Could she be "the one" he is searching for? Does she have knowledge of "the song" he seeks to save his people? Is their a future for them? Are they each others destiny?

Karen Kay has gifted us with a beautiful conclusion to an enchanting series. We've learned about love, honor, kindness and the power of forgiveness through the many journeys we've been on with the Native American Indian bands. THE LAST WARRIOR shows us, once again, the sensitivity and compassion and magic of the American Indian through a remarkable storyteller. Ms. Kay's attention to detail, history and appreciation of nature and its beauty, embeds itself deep in our hearts. Every Karen Kay novel leaves me wanting more and THE LAST WARRIOR is no exception. Take this journey of the heart. You'll be glad you did.