The Last One

Last One, Book 1

By: Rachel Howzell Hall

Narrated by: Tamika Katon-Donegal

EXPLOSIVE AND ENTHRALLING ROMANTASY DEBUT FROM NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLING 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.

©2024 Rachel Howzell Hall (P)2024 Recorded Books

A Epic Fantasy that fights modern wars

I’m not sure if Romantacy is the right category for this book, but then again, I’m not sure what is. It’s hard to fit this one into a neat box, and honestly, I’m not sure it belongs in any. The world-building is absolutely stunning—rich, immersive, and undeniably real—but the romance? Well, it’s a bit underwhelming.

I recently attended a book signing where this novel was described as shattering the mold—and, without a doubt, it does. What I wasn’t prepared for, though, was how emotionally heavy it would be. The ride is powerful, but I kind of wish I’d been better prepared for the depth of the journey I was about to take with Kai. This story feels like it’s not hitting its target audience because it’s marketed in the wrong way. When I think Romantacy, I think books like A River of Golden Bones, Apples Dipped in Gold, or Fourth Wing—stories that center on love and passion, often laced with spice. This story, though? It could drop the romance entirely and still be just as compelling, if not more so.

At its core, this book belongs on the same shelf as Black Cake and Me Moth—and it holds its own there, fiercely. This isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a story about a woman of color navigating a world designed to break her down simply for existing. Kai is too much: too bold, too loud, too black. And yet, she’s expected to save the world without ever being thanked, to carry the weight of everyone’s expectations while still being vilified for doing so. This book is a mirror to the reality that black women, across America and the world, live every day—expected to shoulder the impossible, while being criticized for the strength it takes to do so.

I enjoyed this book, but I think everyone should read it with a bit of caution. It’s one of those stories that packs an emotional punch, and while it’s worth the ride, it’s not something you can rush through. (I may or may not have thrown my copy across the room in frustration!)

Rose: This book feels real. I could see my daughter in Kai. Stories like this are essential for girls like her.
Thorn: This doesn’t hit the romance sweet spot for me, and I wasn’t ready for the emotional labor it required. A trigger warning would have been helpful, and while I believe everyone should read this, it’s definitely one to approach when you’re in the right headspace.

Wanted to like it…didn’t really, but stuck with it.

Found myself wondering if reading it myself would have made the story better.
There were inconsistencies in the pronunciation of names. One glaring inconsistency was Elin, Elin, Elen, and Ellen. Those are four very different names, but when they’re read by the same person and character, it’s weird.

Cliff hanger

When I started this book, I thought am I gonna like it, well I enjoyed part of the story, but it’s just kind of drug on and on and a cliffhanger at the end is not my cup of tea, especially when the next book is not even remotely close to being out. Just my opinion for what it’s worth.

All is not what is seems.

I love how this book unfolded and the lessons learned. This book left me wanting more.

The amount of detail

I like the wittiness of the characters and the complexity of each character. I disliked the ending because it’s a cliffhanger

not worth my monthly credit

I've never listened to a book at 2.5 speed just to get it over with until this one.

Don't. Just don't

Fom the synopsis, the story line had potential. That's where it stopped. The writing was choppy, juvenile, and overall cringe.

Absolutely not

I'm a big Romantasy fan, however this story wasn't for me. The big breath before each word, the sounds of the dog, taking 3 days to read a sentence... Don't do it.

Excellent performance! New genre

This is a very well written and well performed piece. If you’re interested in fantasy combined with modern day characters, this is a great choice!

I need more

She’s got to bring out the next book 😱😱 I can’t wait much longer it’s such a great cliffhanger