Fans of dark fantasy, forbidden romance, action, and mystery, get ready to add a new gem to your bookshelf! The Last One marks the romantasy debut of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall – a tale that will leave you spellbound.
The story begins with Kai, our protagonist, awakening in the woods with no memory of her past or how she got there. All she knows is that a strange girl is on top of her, stealing her belongings. Stripped of her clothes and her cherished moth amulet, Kai sets out on a desperate search to reclaim what was taken from her. Her journey leads her to a haggard, disease-ridden town, where the locals recoil in fear and shock at Kai’s unusual appearance – blue hair and piercing orange eyes that mark her as anything but ordinary. When Kai finds the thief and tries to get her belongings back, she gets into a bit of trouble with the townsfolk and must pay a debt before she can leave. Surprisingly, it’s the remorseful thief and her brother who step forward to help Kai earn the money she needs, setting the stage for an uneasy alliance and unexpected bonds.
In this novel, we follow Kai on her journey to uncover her past, understand who she truly is, and discover why she possesses abilities unlike anyone else’s – particularly her innate talent for fighting. This fast-paced, action-packed novel keeps the momentum high, with Kai facing one battle after another, never getting a moment to rest. The author does a phenomenal job of gradually revealing the truths of Kai’s past, with each snippet of her memory returning as the story unfolds, keeping the reader hooked.
It felt like everyone in this novel harbored secrets, and the male romantic lead, Jadon, was a mystery from the start. He never fully revealed himself, leaving much to uncover, and I’m confident his character will be explored more in the upcoming novel or novels. Despite the book being marketed as a romantasy, the connection between Kai and Jadon didn’t quite hit the mark. While there were sparks of chemistry between them, their relationship lacked the true depth readers might hope for.
Overall, this was an impressive step into the fantasy genre by Rachel Howzell Hall, showcasing her skill for rich, detailed worldbuilding and complex magical systems. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Kai’s story goes, especially since the book ended in a gripping cliffhanger.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Red Tower Books, for review.
