Errol Stone has had a rough time, and it hasn’t gotten much better. Though he does have some good happening now, things are about to get a lot worse for him. The Hero’s Lot is the second book in The Staff and the Sword series. It picks up where A Cast of Stones left off.

Errol is still involved in the church as an omne and an honorary captain of the watch. He gets called before the conclave to answer charges of consorting with spirits. Though a faction within the conclave wants him charged with a greater charge, the first one wins out. His punishment is to go kill Valon, and he is placed under a compulsion to make sure he goes.

Meanwhile, Luis and Martin are sent back to Callowford to find out why Liam and Errol are equally important to the kingdom. They discover Errol’s true past, and then must risk their lives to find Errol before it is too late.

Errol finds out more about who he was, but also, and more importantly, who he is now. Faced with protecting the kingdom, his life and the lives of friends, he begins the biggest challenge yet.

I had been waiting to read The Hero’s Lot since I finished A Cast of Stones, and I wasn’t disappointed. Patrick W. Carr did a fine job of keeping the story going, and keeping the different segments flowing together. It is a story that is easy to get lost in.

Not only is it entertaining to read, it can be used to introduce the gospel to people who might be hesitant about listening, but enjoy this type of story. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for reading it and giving it an honest review.