THE LAST ONE by Rachel Howell Hall

Review by Tracey Devlyn

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Howzell Hall ventures into a bold new literary realm with her stunning adult fantasy debut, THE LAST ONE.

Kai awakens in a strange land, surrounded by strange, sickly people. One of them, Olivia, steals her clothing and a precious necklace. Although she can’t recall her own name, Kai feels an irresistible need to recover the beautiful gold and ruby pendant.

Her chase leads her to Maford, a village drained of color and vitality, where an amber glow envelops its wary residents. Their jaundiced eyes and suspicious glances focus on Kai’s tall stature and multicolored hair, and soon, she faces imprisonment for a perceived wrong.

Enter Jadon—handsome, brawny, and seemingly immune to the village’s oppressive miasma. In a surprising twist, Kai finds herself going home with Jadon and Olivia, with a promise to repay her so-called debt.

As Kai moves through the village, her presence seems to carry a restorative power, as does her amulet. Before she can uncover the source of this phenomenon, soldiers and bizarre beasts descend upon Maford, forcing Kai, Jadon, and Olivia to flee. Their escape launches them into an epic journey across Vinevridth.

Rachel Howzell Hall’s debut romantasy offers everything fans of the subgenre crave: monsters, gripping sword fights, tantalizing mysteries, palpable tension, and heartfelt romance in a richly imagined medieval-style setting. THE LAST ONE is brimming with unique creatures (hello, cursufly!), morally gray characters, and fierce loyalty. With this explosive entry, Hall cements her place in the romantasy world.

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USA Today bestselling author Tracey Devlyn once dreamed of becoming the next Dian Fossey and exploring the wilds of Africa—until she met chemistry and calculus. With an enthusiasm for research that fuels the creative (and occasionally disturbing) plot twists her characters must navigate, it’s no surprise that her suspense-laden stories thrill readers and reveal the nefarious nature hiding behind her smile. Despite the emotional rollercoaster she delivers on the page, Tracey enjoys a laid-back, fleece-and-boots lifestyle with her husband and rescue dog in the mountains of North Carolina. Visit Tracey at TraceyDevlyn.com, @AuthorTraceyDevlyn on Facebook, @traceydevlyn on Bluesky, @traceydevlyn on Instagram, @traceydevlyn on Threads, and @traceydevlyn on X.