The Last Vigilant is the first book in the epic fantasy series Kingdom of Oak and Steel, written by Mark A. Latham and published by Orbit Books. A small-scale mystery adventure that serves as the introduction to a richly built medieval world, a Holmes-Watson parallel relationship between our two main characters and the political tension that threatens to break the delicate stability of these lands.

Sergeant Hawley is a cursed soldier, not of the blood, a pariah for the rest of his company; they are sent to find a Vigilant, but the rest decide to take the opportunity to get rid of him. Surviving against all odds, he finds Old Nell in the woods; she's Enelda Drake, the last true Vigilant, revealing that more legends might be true, with Hawley taking an oath to protect her while they resolve the mystery behind the children disappearing that are happening in the kingdom.

Latham puts so much effort into fleshing Hawley and Enelda, the pair of main characters; one can't avoid drawing a parallel to Watson and Holmes. Enelda's abilities are much more related to knowledge and observation, with a supernatural touch that is woven into the story; she might be a bit biased due to her time outside of the civilized world, but it's still a powerful asset. In comparison, Hawley is the muscle of the pair; a past tinted by blood that is still persecuting him, his "bad luck" and origin making him not be accepted by the rest of the company. He tries to stick to his word as much as possible, and that means accompanying Enelda and protecting her while they resolve what happened to the children. The dynamic of mentor and grumpy disciple is also something to point.
While it shines less, the secondary cast is also worthy of mention; instead of being part of the background, they actually have a narrative weight, playing crucial roles in the delicate political equilibrium that is part of the fort where our main characters are investigating (and surroundings).

The worldbuilding is interesting, creating a setting based on medieval traditions but adding the magical and legendary touch, which acts as a sort of spice in our mix. The author scatter hints alongside the text, allowing the reader to make their own theories, while our characters are navigating the complex world they are part of.
The pacing is relatively slow, as the author introduces us to the world and its nuances, but it becomes more balanced from the half point to the end.

The Last Vigilant is a really enjoyable epic fantasy novel, perfect if you are looking for a blend that remembers to The Name of the Rose with a dash of The Witcher; a book that acts as the introduction to a bigger world that I hope to continue exploring in subsequent instalments.