Title: The Last OneAuthor: Rachel Howzell Hall
Series: Vallendor #1
Pages: 512
Publication Date: Dec. 3, 2024
Publisher: Red Tower Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
Explosive and enthralling romantasy debut from New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall…
Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse. But when she sees the village blacksmith fight invaders with unspeakable skill, she decides to accept his offer of help.
Too bad he’s as skilled at annoying her as he is at fighting.
As she searches for answers, Kai only finds more questions, especially regarding the blacksmith who can ignite her body like a flame, then douse it with ice in the next breath.
And no one is what—or who—they appear to be in the kingdom of Vinevridth, including the man whose secrets might be as deadly as the land itself.
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Rachel Howzell Hall’s The Last One is an immersive fantasy that follows Kai in the dangerous and unpredictable world of Vinevridth, where survival is a never-ending battle and secrets are more abundant than the truth. From the first scene, the story pulled me into Kai’s struggle to uncover who she is and how she ended up in a desolate land filled with disease, suspicion, and cruelty. Despite the dangers and uncertainty, Kai’s strength and determination shine through. She refuses to give up her quest for answers, even when facing potentially painful truths about her past and deadly supernatural creatures threatening her and those she cares for.
I love a broody, mysterious MMC, so Jadon, the blacksmith who offers to help Kai, quickly became a favorite of mine. A complex and dynamically developed character, he’s strong and loyal, but he’s also got this mysterious and guarded side that kept me guessing. There was definitely more to this leader and warrior than met the eye. Amd the romance between Kai and Jadon is one of the highlights of the book. They had such great chemistry! Their banter alternates between fiery and tender, creating a pretty swoon-worthy romance even though it was a bit insta-lovey. The push-and-pull dynamic between them, combined with moments of vulnerability and some amazing scenes when they fight together, made me root for the pair as individuals and as a couple.
The entire cast of characters is diverse and morally complex, with nearly everyone hiding secrets or grappling with difficult choices. One of my favorites is Jadon’s sister, who brings another layer of intrigue to the story. Feisty and opinionated, she often speaks her mind without hesitation, even when it’s not in her best interest. Her interactions with Jadon, Kai, and others sometimes add levity and other times tons of tension, but she always kept me guessing.
I also thought the world-building and lore were pretty vivid and immersive, with a unique land filled with magic, supernatural monsters, and a society bound by history and religious beliefs. Each place Kai and her friends travel is vivid and easy to visualize. The creatures they encounter are equal parts intriguing and terrifying, but if I had to battle any of them, I’d definitely want to do it with Kai and Jadon by my side because they are FIERCE in battle.
Overall, The Last One delivers an intriguing mix of action, romance, and mystery. The pacing slows a bit in the middle of the story and feels a little rushed at the end. Also, the mix of modern and fantasy language is an interesting choice, but it sometimes took me out of the story to question the time period. And while not all elements completely resonated with me, the strong characters and their relationships kept me engaged. I would suggest checking out the content warnings before starting because the book doesn’t shy away from some heavier themes. Special thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The characters.
The romance.
The intrigue.
- found family
- memory loss FMC
- morally grey characters
RACHEL HOWZELL HALL l is the critically acclaimed author and Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist for And Now She’s Gone, which was also nominated for the Lefty-, Barry-, Shamus- and Anthony Awards and the Audible Originals bestseller How It Ends. A New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister with James Patterson, Rachel is an Anthony-, International Thriller Writers- and Lefty Award nominee and the author of They All Fall Down, Land of Shadows, Skies of Ash, Trail of Echoes and City of Saviors in the Detective Elouise Norton series. Her next thriller, These Toxic Things, out in September 2021, recently received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, calling the novel ‘cleverly-plotted’ and ‘a refreshing take on the serial killer theme.’
Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and has been a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers Programs. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. For more information, visit www.rachelhowzell.com
Her next novel And Now She’s Gone will be published in September 2020. You can find her at www.rachelhowzell.com and on Twitter @RachelHowzell.
I see you liked this way more than I did (I had to Dnf it), which I’m glad about! I felt kind of the opposite regarding most of the elements touched upon in your review haha. 🫣 One thing I couldn’t figure out…is this a stand-alone or part of a series?
I think it’s part of a series or at least a duology. I was debating between a 3.5 and a 4, but can see why others might not like it. There were parts that I didn’t love but overall I enjoyed it. 🙂