**4.5-stars**
It's hard to believe this one is over. There are still so many ways this story could go but I am quite pleased with the ending. It's bittersweet to say goodbye to characters I enjoy so much.
I loved this so much! It starts off with our main three literally in a fight for their lives. Rescued by a cast of new characters they board a starship from Earth, where they begin to learn all things Earthling. It is at this time that they are made aware of the fact that the fate of planet Earth is on the line and they are amongst the only people who can do something about it.
Now on a quest against time, with the future of the universe on the line, Franny, Court and Mykal have to push past their limits and fight against all odds until the ultimate finale. As with the first book, this second is highly unique and wonderfully written. It again kept me engaged from start to finish and I seriously did not want it to be over. It hurts my heart.
There were some intense scifi twists at the end that at first had me scratching my head. Were they brilliant or were they there out of convenience? Overall, I don't really care. The story ended great. Was it perfect? No. The pacing was a little off for me in this one. The middle dragged a wee bit and the end seemed a tad rushed but in its entirety, this is a great story.
This duology will continue to hold a special place in my heart and I recommend it to YA SciFi and Fomance fans. If you weren't aware, there is quite a bit of romance in these books, mainly between Mykal and Court.
The romance elements were quite well done, in my opinion. Both Krista and Becca are experienced romance writers so that makes perfect sense. This being said, although there is romance, it definitely does not over shade the scifi elements.
At its core this is a scifi story that I feel is accessible to all levels of science-fiction readers. So, whether you are new to the genre, or an old hat like myself, I think everyone can enjoy this!
I hope the authors produce more in this genre as I really think they did an excellent job with this duology. They should be very proud of their efforts. Now that the completed pair is on the shelves, this is the perfect time to head to your local bookseller, or favorite online retailer and pick them both up for a binge session!
Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, and to NetGalley, for providing me with an early copy to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!

Book two in duology series. As the authors had left us with that kind of cliffhanger after book 1 I was so excited to read this book.
Franny, Mykal, and Court are having their own closure in this book. And it's totally not what I expected after book one. Nothing is what it seems in the end. There will be another addition to the squad along the way. Who is that person, what are his connections to the others?
Join our crew on this journey! It will make you cry, scream, love, feel all kind of emotions!

Fantastic sequel! So much adventure and so many twist and turns that we're unexpected. I really enjoyed the conclusion to the series and finally being able to see all of the characters experience the happiness they deserved.

I wanted to love this book and sadly, it fell a bit short. The story was hard to follow at times and not engaging in others. I didn't dislike it but I didn't love it either. The best part was definitely Mykal and Court's love story. Overall, I'm not sure this something I'd recommend and therefore I won't be sharing on my blog.

The Raging Ones (the first book in this series) ended with a major cliffhanger that left me reeling. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Franny, Court, and Mykal, so their less-than-stellar circumstances had me worried for their safety and sanity. The Last Hope was everything I wanted it to be and more. It was a sequel I was eagerly anticipating, and I'm happy to say it exceeded my expectations.

Initially, I was worried I'd feel lost. The authors have created something futuristic and entirely new, with different planets and galaxies that have their own customs and languages. In the first book, I felt like there were a few cracks in the story that didn't always add up, but that wasn't the case with this one. All of my questions were answered, and the intricacies of the story were explained in a way that was both believable and authentic.

The characters! The characters are my favorite aspect of these books. Court is stoic and the rock of their group, and his relationship with Mykal made my heart swell with happiness. Mykal's dialect is a little different from theirs, but it suited him perfectly. When he started calling someone "baby brother" without a second thought, I thought my feelings would explode. He's physically the strongest of their group, but is capable of being unbelievably gentle. He and Court balanced each other out beautifully. Franny is equally happy for their coupling, and encouraged them to be together even if she had to avert her attention through the bond. They're all so willing to make sacrifices for each other, and their friendship was sincere and something to be aspired to. Franny is the one that desires answers about their link and their pasts, and the boys are willing to risk their lives for her questions. Seriously, these characters... so amazing.

Outside of the group, the secondary characters from the first book play a smaller role, but we're introduced to Stork in The Last Hope. I wasn't sure about him at first, but he quickly found a place in my heart with the others. He's hurting, like soul-deep wounds, and feels torn in two directions. He can either respect the dying wish of the people he loved, or share their secrets with the people he feels deserve those answers. He struggled to maintain a balance between the two, and it broke my heart to see him suffering to do the right and honorable thing. Stork was a very complex character, and he added another layer to their group dynamics. I enjoyed seeing him and Franny slowly learn to trust one another, and how he slowly became a significant part of their lives.

Zimmer, Kinden, Padgett, and Gem are still around, and their presence only improved the overall story. They have a history with Court, Franny, and Mykal, and it was nice seeing them grow together as a group. They've all been through so much, and they genuinely care for each other. Zimmer might be my favorite of those four, and I enjoyed his easy friendship with Franny. They understood what it was like to be Fast Trackers, and found comfort in each other's company (purely platonic).

Even with everything going on, the authors manage to further develop their already complex and complicated characters, and still move the story forward. There are a few small time skips (a few weeks here, a few days there) that helped with how long the book felt, which isn't long at all, and I never felt lost or confused within the story.

There are some darker aspects to this one... there's cruelty and violence, some bloodshed and fighting, and very clear divisions between the wealthy and the poor. Influentials are willing to pay Fast Trackers for their bodies, knowing they likely need the money to survive. It's a setting that is both foreign and familiar, and is was interesting to see how the characters navigated their ever-changing surroundings.

The Last Hope is a book I would've willingly sacrificed sleep for. The characters were lovely and fantastic, the story was unique and remarkable, and I am so glad I took a chance on this series. I know these characters will always have a place in my heart, and I look forward to reading more books by this author duo.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on August 6, 2019.

OMG !! This book almost killed me !! I felt every stab of emotion and pain. But it had a great ending. If it were ever possible, I would like to see a spin off to this duology. I just needed a bit more from the authors.

The Raging Ones was my first ever Sci-Fi novel and that blew me away. And now this sequel has just brought it to the next level.

The Last Hope integrated even more characters and complex problems which kept me very invested in the story. It was fast paced and exciting, with a very good character development.

My favorite part of this book was the family bond that grew continuously stronger as the characters faced every challenges together. The level of sacrifice and love and friendship was admirable.

I really enjoyed the ending but I felt that there could have been more to it. A spin off would probably be appropriate to give a glimpse into what happened next.

I would definitely recommend this series to everyone. This book has a great concept and it paints humanity in a beautiful light. Can’t wait to read more from these authors.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for having me join the blog tour for The Last Hope and providing me a review copy through NetGalley. This was given to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Science fiction has never been a genre I was fond of. I'm more of a fantasy and romance reader, but Krista and Becca Ritchie have made me a fan!

The Last Hope is a fantastic conclusion to The Raging Ones duology. I devoured every page of this story, unable to read the words fast enough. Krista and Becca Ritchie imbued the perfect amounts of adventure, suspense, and romance into The Last Hope.

As long as the Ritchie sisters keep writing science fiction, I will keep reading it!

I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Hope was an excellent conclusion the The Raging Ones duology. I felt like the characters really developed throughout and the world expanded well. This series is definitely a mix of sci-fi and romance. The romance were well written and believable.

One complaint I have is that towards the end of the book a new element is introduced and I would have liked to know more about. Also, I felt the last 20% were a little too fast and seemed a little chaotic.

I will definitely recommend this to romance readers and people who enjoy light sci-fi.

The Last Hope picks up thirty-one days after the events of The Raging Ones. Frannie, Mykal, and Court are being held captive on the Romulus. Resigned to dying, they are surprised when Stork rescues them. Stork in an enigma. He is a Saltarian working with the humans, something that hasn’t been heard of before. Once the trio is brought to the human ship, they learn why they were freed. They also learned the heavy price that the humans paid for their freedom. Buy, they also learn of a myth. An infant with the powers to cloak and teleport planets has been born. It is up to Frannie, Mykal and Court to find the baby, retrieve her and save Earth. If they can’t, then it will be destroyed. Can they do it?

After the cliffhanger that ended The Raging Ones, I was waiting for The Last Hope to come out. I needed to read this book. I was curious to see where the authors were going to take Frannie, Mykal, and Court. I wanted to explore more of their bond. I am happy to report that the authors explained everything and more in The Last Hope.

I loved how the author showed how Franny, Court, and Mykal’s bond worked. While they did somewhat show it in The Raging Ones, it was on full display here. I loved it. Franny did get the short end of the stick when it came to the bond. She felt everything, including Court and Mykal’s intimate moments. That scene where she was sleeping in Stork’s bed with Zimmer highlighted it perfectly. I also liked when the tables were turned on Court and Mykal when she kissed Stork. I laughed through the whole scene.

I did feel bad for Stork, but at the same time, I was annoyed with him. He knew so much about Mykal, Franny, and Court’s past. I understood that he had a promise to keep, but still. I liked that I couldn’t read him either. Usually, I wouldn’t say that. But I loved it. I liked not knowing what he was thinking. It made him even more mysterious.

I loved that the authors brought Zimmer, Kinden, Padgett, and Gem into the story. Along with Mykal, Franny, and Court, I had thought they were banished. So, when they showed up at the Lucretzia, I was surprised. Even surprised that they cared enough about the Mykal, Franny, and Court to find them and attempt to rescue them. I was even more amazed when Stork allowed them to stay aboard the Lucretzia.

I was worried about the romance between Court and Mykal for 90% of the book. I figured that since they weren’t on Saltare-3 and once they were rescued by Stork that they could be together. Instead, they were forced to uncouple and act like they didn’t have feelings for each other. My heart was broken. Of course, things do get rectified but still. Uggh.

I was worried about the romance between Court and Mykal for 90% of the book. I figured that since they weren’t on Saltare-3 and once they were rescued by Stork that they could be together. Instead, they were forced to uncouple and act like they didn’t have feelings for each other. My heart was broken. Of course, things do get rectified but still. Uggh.

The storyline involving finding the baby was interesting. I liked that they had to search four different orphanages to find her. Then there was the twist to that plotline. Talk about taking me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting what was revealed to be revealed.

The end of The Last Hope fell a little short for me. I was mad that a specific character ended up dying. OMG, I was so angry. I was hoping that the character’s death date was later than sooner. I did like that everyone got their HEA. Even though this is a duology, I am hoping that certain characters get their books. I would love to see a book with Kinden in it!!!

This is a hard review to write because it's one of those books that made me feel so much, and how do you accurately put that into words, especially without spoilers??? I don't know, but I'm gonna keep this spoiler-free and do my best.

This book was even better than the first. I was already invested in the characters and their relationships, so I loved that the authors wasted no time and were able to jump right into things. And then with some new info and a new situation and a new character thrown into the mix, there was so much angst and tension and longing and confusion and pain but also moments of sweetness and comfort and joy.

I can't go into detail, but I can say that I wasn't expecting this book to make me so emotional. I actually shed a few tears---a rare thing for me---and kind of just felt like bursting into tears throughout the whole ending. Were they sad tears or happy tears, you ask? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out! There was also just a lot of tension and emotion throughout the book.

There were so many great characters that made me feel for them and care about them. Court, so closed-off and constantly struggling with conflicting feelings of the coldness inside him vs his inability to stop caring. Mykal, with all his roughness and cheer and emotion, always whittling and sewing and doing things the Grenpale way. Franny, with her big heart and her feistiness. Kinden, pompous and arrogant but a good person. Stork, always an outsider, struggling with responsibility and grief and a drinking problem. Zimmer, with his laidback attitude, just wanting to have some adventures before his death day.

There were so many great relationship dynamics among them all too. So much angst and longing in Court and Mykal's relationship, but also so much tenderness and sweetness that made me say <i>awwwwww.</i> Kinden's fierce loyalty to Court. The brotherly care between Mykal and Stork. The tension and chemistry between Franny and Stork. The friendship between Franny and Zimmer, two Fast Trackers who understood each other. The protective and easy friendship between Franny and Mykal. The growing understanding and care between Franny and Court.

Of course I also loved the emotional/sensory link between the three main characters again. It added so much emotion and gave the characters a unique dynamic since they couldn't hide things from each other. Sometimes it was a blessing, sometimes a curse, but it was always interesting to read about.

I was also just gripped and read this a lot quicker than I planned to because I got sucked in.

My one real complaint is that, once again, there were a lot of things that pushed my suspension of disbelief. If not for this, I would've rated the book even higher. But I was able to rant in my head for moment, take a deep breath, and accept them. Because yes, some things made no sense, some things were forced in there for plot reasons, but the things I liked about this book outweighed that issue. Any book that can make me feel so much that I shed actual tears is a great book to me.

Overall, this was a great book with lovable characters I cared about, complex bonds and relationships between them, and all the feels, and it was a great ending to this YA sci-fi duology!

don't know what to say, other than I wish it had never ended.

It’s been a few weeks now, since I finished The Last Hope, and I still haven’t reconciled that it's really over. Krista and Becca Ritchie gave me more than I could have ever asked for, more than I could have even imagined, in the conclusion to Court, Mykal, and Franny’s story. I’m getting weepy again, just thinking about saying a final good-bye to them, and the rest of the crew.

I’ve been waiting on The Last Hope since I closed the final page of The Raging Ones last year- it’s been my most anticipated book of 2019. And K & B did not let me down. There were twists I wasn’t expecting, turns I wasn’t prepared for, and tears I couldn’t contain. From the moment I started The Raging Ones, until I read the last word in The Last Hope, the world that these ladies created held me captive. I wish I could have transported myself, to be with Franny, Mykal, and Court, as they went on this incredible journey.

The Last Hope was such a wonderful story, I loved everything about it...except the fact that it had to end. It was such an intriguing and entertaining story, really heartfelt and oh so compelling.
I loved seeing Mykal and Court’s relationship deepen, even with the obstacles they faced. Ugh, I just adore them. I really enjoyed seeing a different side to Franny in this story, there was a lot she had to come to terms with and I liked being right there along side her. I love the connection that these three share. It was interesting to see how they learned to handle such an important part of themselves- how they were able to accept it and use it, and how to distance themselves from it as well. I loved the new character who was introduced, and the old friends we got to see again.

This is such a special duet. It’s one I know I’ll be revisiting again and again, because it’s just so hard to say good-bye.

Ok, firsts things first since this is book two in the series, possible spoilers obviously.
Now with that out of the way!
With that crazy cliffhanger in The Raging Ones, I could not wait to dive back into this world with Court, Mykal, and Franny! The story starts out with our dynamic trio, prisoners on an enemy starcraft. Things are looking pretty grim for them until a mysterious stranger comes to free them from their prison. Promising answers to all their questions, the three decide to go with the man, despite their distrust for him.
"The three of us— we stand stronger."
They are taken to another starcraft, full of humans, just like them. When the purpose of their release is announced, the three can't help but worry that the reason for their freedom is for some crazy mission. They have to go retrieve a baby from another planet to save Earth. And not just any baby. A baby with the power to cloak and teleport planets?! I mean, I would doubt it too. Failure means never knowing the truth of how they came to be how they are, or worse, death.
“Retrieve a baby. Hide Earth,” he muses. “Sounds more impossible than entering StarDust and flying to space.”
The world building in this is insane! I get completely wrapped up in everything that is happening in this and the changing POV is done so smoothly. I've read multiple POV books where I'm like whaaaaat is going on who is this? But none of that here! Each character is so distinct and easy to distinguish.
“I think we feel this way because finally, we’re both living for today. At the exact same time .”
The Last Hope really had it all! Action, conflicts, romance, twists and turns, crazy sci-fi stuff! I loved ever minute of this! I felt it wrapped up the duology quite nicely! Definitely a bit unexpected ending but I did enjoy it! I give this 5 out 5 stars🙌😍

Content warning for dismemberment and alcoholism.

The Raging Ones duology comes to a thrilling conclusion with The Last Hope. Our linked trio of Court, Mykal, and Franny find themselves trapped for thirty days only to be saved by a mysterious stranger named Stork. The book twists and turns, bringing in mythology, and a trip to Earth that kept me on the edge of my seat.

One of the things that I worried about as the story progressed was that Franny, Court, and Mykal's POVs would become too similar as they all had similar concerns about the way the link affects. I was pleasantly surprise. They each keep their unique voice, and I just want to protect Franny at all costs.

The science in this tale is a bit shaky at best, especially as it goes into the differences between Earthlings and Saltarians. But the characters and their personal stakes are so compelling that you can kind of gloss over it as set-dressing. That being said, the cultural differences between Earth and the Saltare planets were such a wonderful bit of detail-work that added another layer to this spacey tale. For example, the subtle differences in vocabulary made for some funny moments, but also added tension when the trio went to [redacted].

For those of you who love soul-bonding and character work that drives a fast-paced space story, check out this duology.

Title: The Last Hope
Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie
Genre: YA, sci-fi
Rating: 4 out of 5

Franny, Court, and Mykal have been imprisoned for weeks on an enemy ship. Through their link, they feel everything the others are going through. As if being on the verge of death isn’t enough, they are also reeling from the knowledge that they are human. When a mysterious stranger shows up and offers them a way out, they are skeptical—but eager to survive. They agree to help but keep their link secret.

Stork won’t tell them much, just that there’s one way to save planet earth and the remnants of humanity. He offers tantalizing hints at the answers to all Franny’s questions, and she’s eager to find out the truth. But the truth behind their mission—to find a baby girl, the first of her kind, who can cloak and teleport planets—is far more than the linked trio can begin to comprehend.

So…I didn’t read The Raging Ones. (Not sure how I managed to end up reading the second book without reading the first, as that’s something I wouldn’t normally do.) I struggled a bit at the beginning, trying to catch up to the worldbuilding and what happened in the first book, but the story was compelling enough that I pushed through. The dynamics are interesting between the trio, and Stork is an excellent foil for the three of them. There’s lot of action and adventure here, making this a quick, exciting read.

Krista and Becca Ritchie are twins and bestselling authors. The Last Hope is their newest novel, the second book in The Raging Ones duology.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Follow Court, Mykal and Franny across the galaxies as they search for answers about their bond and what it means, putting their trust in a mysterious stranger with all the answers who may be more closely connected to them than they realize. Their desire for survival and to save their people just may come at too high a cost.

The world building in this series is so phenomenal and in THE LAST HOPE we get to see more of what's outside the planet where they grew up. We meet new characters and travel to distant planets. The connection Court, Mykal and Franny have is so intricate and beautiful and the romances in this story leave you swooning. There is NOT a love triangle, however. If you want to know more about the link these three share, you'll have to read this series!

THE LAST HOPE is such a stunning conclusion and I'm sad to see the end. I would gladly read more if Krista and Becca ever decided to write more about these beautiful characters!

After reading and very much enjoying The Raging Ones, I couldn't wait to jump into this second installment. Especially with that cliffy still fresh in my mind ;)

As I have said before...sci-fi is not really my thing but these two amazing authors have managed to pull me in from the very first page of the very first book. It was also a bit refreshing, reading something completely different. Just make sure you read the first book, before starting this one ;)

Court, Mykal and Franny's are in some predicament, but their bond is still as strong as ever, and help is about to come from somewhere (or I should say "someone") unexpected.. Stork is about to rescue the three...but nothing is for free. They will need to help him out with a new mission....a mission to save earth.

What I enjoyed most of the first book was that I got to read all three POV's and therefore their thoughts. This way I didn't feel like anyone was excluded...since not all three of them are romantically involved. In this second installment, we also get a fourth POV, Stork's.

I myself really enjoyed the introduction of Stork, and I think Franny did as well... they were pretty cute ;) 

Court and Mykal managed to even deepen their feelings for one another and it was lovely to be a part of that. 

If you are into sci-fi or you are willing to try something new, you should definitely give this series a go.

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Gosh, darn this book and its gosh darn addictiveness! I read it in one sitting! I don't know what this series does to me. I couldn't stop reading it. I was so invested in these characters it's not even funny.

Last year I read The Raging Ones and while I didn't absolutely love it, I was kind of slightly obsessed with it while reading. I was hooked with the characters and their strange and wonderful connection to each other. I was 100% there for this trio in book one. And I was just as into them when from the moment picked up book two.

This book picks up after book one leaves off. With some dangerous revelations and a world to fight for, our trio must join forces with a mysterious new character to find a magic baby and essentially save the world. 

And yes, I am aware that this sounds a bit ridiculous at the end there, but bear with me, I'll address that in a moment.

The characters are what really make this story. It's not so much the adventure as it is the characters that are having the adventures. I loved Court and Mykal and Franny already, and I instantly loved the new character, Stork. They were so distinct from one another. So in sync and yet so unique. They were so full of life and personality and I could just read about them forever, just going about and living their crazy lives.

The concept of the story is also really interesting. I love the idea of having a set amount of time to live and seeing all the consequences of that be present in the story. I love the idea that the Saltarians are winning the war because they can't be killed before their deathday, and obviously they are going to send soldiers with far off deathdays. It's all so creative and interesting and cool.

And yet, this book wasn't perfect.

I had some issues with book one. Issues that I let slide because I was heavily invested in the characters. Some of the issues revolved around the fact that most of what actually happens in the book and most of the things that the plot hinges on are actually kind of ridiculous. This is where we bring back that magic prophesized baby. That threw me off for a minute. There were also a couple of things that seemed a little too far fetched. A little too convenient. 

And yet, I read it in one day in spite of it all.

In the end, I think this is definitely a fun series that y'all should definitely give a chance to. It's interesting and fun and entertaining and utterly addicting. I also think it makes a perfect duology. I am so glad the authors didn't feel the need to drag it along and instead gave us a clean and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, I totally recommend this series if you want a quick, fun read with really compelling characters.

This was a solid follow-up to The Raging Ones. I honestly didn’t even realize what book this was sitting in my Netgalley queue until I looked it up in Goodreads again #whoops. It picks up right after book one with Franny, Court and Mykal incarcerated and realizing they are humans. Finally, they are set to a task that could potentially change the universe. There is a lot thrown in this series; “linked” emotions, time travel and everything that comes with space-faring species. I did enjoy the interactions between the main characters and I’m glad that Franny got in the action, so to speak. Some of the “twists” were a little much for me, but overall I enjoyed the story and was happy with the ending. Read if you enjoyed the first book and/or like romantic sci-fi books that are lighter on the sci-fi.

This is the second book and the completion of this duology. Books must be read in reading order.

What I loved the most about this book specifically, was the bond the 3 main characters share. Their link was tested viciously throughout this story but they remained steadfastly loyal to one another.

I particularly enjoyed the back story and the explanation of lingering questions. Almost all questions were answered in a very satisfying way.
The addition of new characters was a welcome change, as it progressed the story forward in a new way. I enjoyed seeing the core three grow not only into their shared link but into their true selves.

The writing was excellent, as with all KBR's books. The words flowed effortlessly and you were engrossed in the story right from the beginning. The twists and turns made this book even more enjoyable as the story was quite unpredictable. The epilogue was most beautiful in its perfect simplicity.

Overall, this was a fantastic conclusion to this epic journey. This duology is a must read for any YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy lover. The world building that KBR created is enchanting and addictive.

The Last Hope picks up right where The Raging Ones left off. After fleeing the disaster that was on Saltare-3 aboard a stolen aircraft, Court, Mykal, and Franny have been imprisoned on an enemy starcraft since they technically can’t be trusted. After their prisoners testing their blood, the trio finally get the answers to why they all dodged their death days, but neither of them is ready to die after everything they’ve been through. With the aid of a mysterious Saltarian with an ulterior motive, they are finally able to escape their confinement.

In the Last Hope we get a few new characters, reemergence of some of the older ones, and a new high stakes mission. Additionally, Franny FINALLY gets some answers to the million questions that she has. One aspect of this story that I really enjoyed was Franny’s arc. In The Raging Ones, it was very clear that Franny was third wheel to Court and Mykal’s relationship. It’s hard not to be disappointed when she can literally feel both of their emotions at all times (also…awkward). Honestly, it’s about time that Franny has something…or someone for herself.

I really don’t want to give anything away with this one because I loved being thrown back into the crazy space adventures that Krista and Becca concoct. If you’re looking for your next sci-fi read, be sure to pick up this awesome series!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.