Graci Kim's "The Last Fallen Star" is a captivating debut that beautifully intertwines themes of family, identity, and the magic of Korean folklore. The story centers around Riley Oh, a young girl who feels like an outsider in her own family due to her lack of magical abilities. Set in a vibrant world filled with mystical beings, Riley’s journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable.

Kim’s prose is lush and vivid, transporting readers to a world where gods, goddesses, and magic coexist with the everyday challenges of growing up. The exploration of cultural heritage is skillfully woven into the narrative, providing a rich backdrop that enhances Riley’s quest. The friendships Riley forges and the challenges she faces are portrayed with authenticity, making her struggles and triumphs resonate deeply.

The pacing is brisk, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The blend of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments makes it suitable for middle-grade readers while also appealing to older audiences. Kim’s ability to balance light-heartedness with deeper emotional themes is commendable, allowing for a multi-layered reading experience.

Overall, "The Last Fallen Star" is a delightful read that celebrates the power of love, courage, and finding one’s place in the world. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Rick Riordan Presents for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review!

Perfect world building, great storyline that really captures a child's attention to what is going on. The author gives you the ability to feel like you are one with the story.

Riley lives in a magical world but doesn't have any magic herself. When she and her sister devise a plan to share her sister's magic, everything goes haywire. Her sister is in trouble and it is up to Riley to fix everything.
Opinion
This is a great magical adventure for young adolescents. It has all of the elements of a great story: identity crisis, someone in peril, mysterious stranger, cute sidekick and adorable animal friend. The journey is captivating and will keep young children interested and guessing what is coming next. What I love most is that the book is left open with the possibility of more books to come.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing me with an ARC of this book (and many apologies for taking so long to read and review it.)

I loved getting to explore a new magical system through Graci Kim's addition to the Rick Riordan imprint! The characters were well-drawn and the plot page-turning; young readers looking for new fantasy to read will eat this one up.

I am loving the Asian fantasy moment! I really enjoyed Wicked Fox, and this was a great, middle-great K-fantasy. The Rick Riordan presents books have done a good job of maintaining that Percy Jackson vibe while telling new stories. Characters were fun and vibrant, dialogue was snappy, action was well-paced, and word building was spot on!

THE LAST FALLEN STAR folds Korean culture as well as Korean diaspora feelings into a magical adventure. The way that Graci Kim takes Korean traditions and lore and incorporates it into an exciting contemporary fantasy setting makes my heart soar as a Korean reader. This fantastical story is filled with heart and humor! Readers who love magical adventures, complex family relationships, sisterhood (and food!) should pick up THE LAST FALLEN STAR immediately!

“The Last Fallen Star” by Graci Kim is a captivating and enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure through Korean mythology and magic. The story follows Riley, a young girl from a magical family who longs to prove herself despite not possessing any magical abilities.

Graci Kim skillfully weaves together themes of family, friendship, identity, and the power of self-belief in this heartwarming tale. As Riley ventures into the dangerous underworld to retrieve a lost spell, she encounters a host of intriguing characters and faces challenges that test her courage and determination.

The book effortlessly introduces readers to Korean folklore, allowing them to explore a rich and vibrant world filled with mystical creatures and enchanting settings. Graci Kim’s writing style is engaging, making it a perfect read for both young and older audiences alike.

“The Last Fallen Star” is a celebration of Korean culture and a reminder of the importance of embracing one’s heritage. With its relatable protagonist, compelling plot, and cultural authenticity, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and mythology. Graci Kim’s debut novel is a delightful addition to the genre, leaving readers eagerly anticipating future adventures in this magical world.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Fantastic! This is my favorite Rick Riordan Presents series. Graci Kim has a way of drawing the reader in and making them want to stay there with her.

Oh my gosh I LOVED this book! I was not at all familiar with Korean mythology when I started this book but as I have adored the other books in the Rick Riordan presents series I just had to give it a shot and I am SO glad I did. From the temple entrance being in an H-Mart (I can totally see that! That store is HUGE!) to the wonderful descriptions of both Korean life and the realms I couldn't put this book down and now I'm addicted to learning more! Graci Kim is a very talented writer and I look forward to many more reads from her in the future! (PS. My teen daughters loved this as well and since it's their genre that makes it a double win for me!)

Thanks NetGalley for the free advance reader copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Un des meilleur livre de la collection Rick Riordan Presents !
L'univers est original et l'histoire est très intéressante !
Je recommande fortement !

I love “Rick Riordan presents” series teaching about so many other cultures. This Korean mythology was so interesting and entertaining at the same time! Can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for providing a copy of this eARC for review.

I thought this novel was fantastic. The main character went through an incredible amount of growth and character development. The adventure she went on was interesting and all potential new concepts were well explained. I absolutely loved the attitudes of the characters. Everyone had a unique personality and the characters were very likeable. The main character has worries and fears consistent with preteens and teens (according to my students), and she feels so much remorse and uncertainty. The fact that her adventure is prompted by her own error in judgement is a lot more relatable than most stories where a random young person is chosen to be a hero.

I look forward to the next book in this series.

The Last Fallen Star is an urban fantasy that focuses on Korean mythology. Even though it has a contemporary setting, the novel discusses Korean history, customs, and issues. I really like it how it discussed the Korean diaspora. Thus, it was very interesting to learn about a different culture that was new to me. It opened my eyes to the issues of a Korean American. Despite these heavy issues, this novel is filled with adventure, action, and magic! The story is very fast-paced and is a mesmerizing page Turner! The Last Fallen Star is a novel that will be sure to linger with the reader long after they have finished the last page. I am excited to read the sequel! I recommend this for fans of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, The Dragon Warrior, and Peasprout Chen!

Anytime you receive a #Disney novel it's a gift. # The Last Fallen Star by # Grace Kim is listed for ages 8-12.Oh blah!! Many of us enjoy #YA and we are over..... 💜🐾🐾
This is about a Korean-American girl who discovers her heritage and magic. Her family has belonged to a powerful Korean lineage of witches for generations. Riley embarks .... 💜🐾🐾
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, # Grace Kim, and #Disney Publishing Worldwide 🌟

Honestly, if I was still in middle school this is something I would have really enjoyed. The humor, the pacing, the plot. Now, as an adult, I found it to be a bit lacking and too similar to RR books which is a critique I had for the last RRP book I read. It really just read as someone ghost writing an RR book which sucks.

Middle grade fantasy never disappoints. This was such a great read. As the Gom adopted daughter, Riley Oh is an outcast in her community. She wants nothing more than to be a "real" member of the gifted clan, but as a saram (non magical person), there will always be something separating her from her family and friends. That's why her sister comes up with a plan. If they can perform a magical spell, Riley will gain powers and the community will have no choice but to accept her. It turns out though that that plan isn't as easy as it seems. Soon Riley has to rely on her best friend, legendary creatures and a banished clan for help in not only saving her sister, but the world as they know it.

Once I jumped into the story, this turned out to be a pretty quick read. I'm so mad I didn't get to it sooner. Riley runs through the emotions of a typical pre-teen/teenager. She just wants acceptance. What I loved about this story is that Riley learns that sometimes all you need to do is accept who you are and take control of your own fate. I'll be honest: I thought I had the twist all figured out, but it turns out I was wrong! Trust me, that doesn't happen often. I really enjoyed watching Riley go through her journey of discovering who she is and what family really means. I can't wait to dive into the next book of the series!

Riley Oh is a part of a family of witches. Her family belong to the Gom clan, who are healers, and her sister Hattie is about to have her initiation ceremony. Riley is happy for her, of course, but wants more than anything to be like her too. You see, Riley is adopted, and has no magic of her own, no matter how desperately she wishes and hopes for it. It looks hopeless,, until, that is, her sister Hattie comes up with a plan.

In setting this plan into action, however, something goes terribly wrong and Riley must set off to make things right, no matter the personal cost. Along the way she discovers many secrets about herself and her family, and learns the importance of trusting and believing in yourself.

Based on Korean mythology and set in the modern world, The Last Fallen Star is another incredible addition to the Rick Riordan presents series. Drawing the reader into a great adventure filled with pop culture references, yummy sounding food and interesting creatures, this book will keep readers of all ages captivated until the end. Gracie Kim has done an amazing job of introducing Korean mythology to those of us whom were previously unfamiliar, and has left me wondering which member of BTS is not a part of the Gumiho clan.

This fast paced adventure will appeal to anyone who has felt the need to redefine themselves, or is trying to figure out just who they are. Can't wait for the second book!

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

THE LAST FALLEN STAR is such a beautiful adventure! The themes of magic, family, empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-trust will definitely resonated with middle-grade readers but I also found that I really related to Riley and her journey. This is a captivating read with strongly developed characters, strong dialogue, and the perfect MG book to help kids see their own capacity and worth. I loved this and can’t wait to share it with the young readers in my life!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy.