Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

This sci-fi, middle grade drama has so much going on and it is marvelous. With witches, gods, myths, legends, powerful magic, family drama, and a struggle for identity, there is never a dull moment. I loved learning about Korean culture and folklore and seeing it all play out in the masterful storytelling. As with many Own Voices novels, the author, Gracie Kim, set out to write the book she wanted to read as a kid with characters that looked like her and that she could relate to. This novel is fast-paced, intricate, and satisfying. This is a great choice for any sci-fi or magic lover.

[ 3.5 stars ]

Content warnings: death of a parent, abandonment, violence (battle context)

ADOPTION
A significant reason why I was drawn to The Last Fallen Star was that Riley Oh is adopted. I truly have not read many books where there is an adopted main character, especially an East Asian adoptee (the only one I can think of is The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand, but that had a white MC). When reading The Last Fallen Star I really appreciated how Riley being adopted is no secret. Readers see how being adopted affects how Riley sees her family; how she moves through live; and how others within the Gifted Clans view her. I was glad to see that conversations/thoughts around Riley being adopted was so outright and not mentioned in the summary of the book as a selling point just to be dropped in the story itself.

KOREAN MYTHOLOGY & THE 21ST CENTURY
The idea of "Gifted Clans" and witches also drew me to the story. It was neat to see how this magic system worked. I also found it interesting that non-magical people are called "saram," which actually means "person" in Korean. I loved the weaving of Korean (American) culture, as well, since the story is set in LA. The Korean food descriptions!! Oh my goodness, some of this food I needed yesterday.

And, of course, I loved how Graci Kim weaved the modern 21st world with Korean mythology. This is a point that stood out to me the most, I'd say. The creativity and the technology that she incorporates into Riley's journey meshing with traditional mythology and traditions was so cool!
Because of the quest structure, the plot moves along quickly. I never felt bored because something new was basically happening with every turn of the page (but in a natural way). Riley truly is on a rapid ride to figure out how to save her sister, Hattie. New mysteries arise and previously held beliefs are challenged.

RILEY'S VULNERABILITY AS THE MC
Another thing that struck me was how vulnerable of a character Riley is. Something that particularly stood out was when she would cry. There is a certain moment when Riley says something along the lines of "I do what I do best. I cry." If I lost my sister, my parents to a certain degree, had to embark on an impossible task, and battle my insecurities over my lack of magic and my outsider status within the community I grew up in...well, then, yeah, I would cry too! There's so much pressure on Riley (and also what she puts on herself), and she went through a lot of trauma within a few hours. Riley is a raw character that you might not always anticipate when reading an action-packed story such as The Last Fallen Star because the mythology and the adventure dominates. Riley so wants to "belong," and she never hides this desperate desire.

Some miscellaneous things! I liked the friendships in The Last Fallen Star, mainly Riley and her best friend Emmett. I love his baking, and his "allergy" to emotions lol. She also finds many friends during her journey, some very unexpected.
Semi-unrelated, but this story made me crave boba.
And I can't forget the golden puns!! Graci's humor is so my humor, so I laughed a lot while reading!

Unfortunately, there were a few things that impacted my reading experience, which is why I ended up giving The Last Fallen Star 3.5 stars. Most of the things I mention are completely "me" things that ended up affecting how I read this book!

1. Sometimes Riley's voice just didn't hit my ear right. It didn't always capture my attention, and some of the things she would say/think felt like an adult driving a point through her. I guess what I'm saying is sometimes things felt a bit preachy.
2. There were also a few moments where I noticed inconsistencies in the actions. Going into more detail would be major spoilers, but this inconsistency confused me.
3. Also, I noticed that the story tended to do a lot of explaining/telling versus showing. I realize that this is a middle grade novel, but there were moments that were basically spelled out on the page, and this left little for the reader to grasp themselves. Since I have read a fair amount of MG recently, I couldn't help but notice this.
4. One thing that happened a little too often that it eventually began to rub me the wrong way while reading was the amount of deep breaths these characters were written to have taken. It's such a small thing, but once I noticed it, I couldn't unthink about it, so these moments jumped out at me even more.

I would recommend The Last Fallen Star!

There were some things that, as a reader, I couldn't really get past, especially once I noticed them. However the Korean mythology and the creativity of the story is definitely something that isn't seen too much, particularly in the middle grade landscape. I enjoyed reading The Last Fallen Star, and I look forward to reading The Last Fallen Moon next year!

Graci Kim weaves a world of magic hidden amongst the every day in The Last Fallen Star. Unlike other middle grade magic-oriented books where the protagonists and action tends to be set in a school, Riley Oh and her friends get up to mischief in every day locations. Kim hides entrances to Very Important Places in laundromats, karaoke clubs, and in grocery stores, imparting the possibility that anywhere can be fantastical. It’s the type of thing that easily snags the imagination and can send young readers off in happy story-weaving of their own.

The characters are pretty basic, but Kim puts a spin on them which makes them feel refreshing. The sisters (Riley and Hattie) genuinely care for each other in an “I will do anything for you” way that petty squabbles don’t interfere with. Emmett is a character that rides the Goth line, but his propensity for baking delicious treats is a fun flair and his story thread ties up in a sad-yet-happy way. Taeyo was just adorable. He’s an unapologetic nerd, but one that loves and does kindness without asking for anything in return. And, yes, he makes bowties look cool.

There’s enough twists and turns in The Last Fallen Star to keep younger readers on their toes, but this might not be a book that gets very much mileage with older readers–or certified bookworms. The beats stand out as a little too predictable at times, and the life lessons a little too heavy-handed. The writing is smooth and competent enough, but it lacked the magic (pun not intended) that it needed to have life breathed into the tale.

Of the (admittedly few, but working on that!) Rick Riordan Presents line that this reader has had the joy of experiencing, The Last Fallen Star failed to thrill in the same way that the others had. Some stories have an ageless appeal and some are very age-specific. The latter seems to be the case for The Last Fallen Star. So for young readers who want a taste of magic and a dabble of danger as the characters race against the clock, it may be the perfect fit.

This book is a great read. It was funny, it was exciting, and it captures the imagination. The storiy is like a Rick Riordan. If you like his style, you’ll love this book. It was also an interesting look at Korean culture, and if you are interested in Asian and Korean cultures, this is a great choice. Do you get a sense of what Korean culture is like. Since we actually shop at an H-Mart, it was hysterical that it ended up being a part of the book! 😁

Highly recommend!

Thanks to Disney and NetGalley for the gifted digital copy of The Last Fallen Star.

The writing grabs you from the start. The story is a joy to read.

The story is magical and wonderful.

Riley Oh has always felt like the outsider wherever she goes. She is adopted so she feels like she's really not a part of her family despite what her parents and sister's effort to convince her of her place in the family. She also feels like an outsider in her community at large as they all have powers that she doesn't. I think this is a story that many can relate too as we have all felt like an outsider at one time or another. This story also does a wonderful job of introducing Korean mythology into its identity story. Join Riley Oh, her family, friends, old and new as she looks to find her place in the world. The journey is like nothing I have ever read or seen before.

So glad I got my hands on this great book by @gracikimwrites ! I love the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and The Last Fallen Star fits right in.

Riley and her friends are your average Korean-American teens. They love k-pop, having k-drama marathons and eating at the best restaurant in town, Seoulful Tacos. They're all also members of a super secret magical society. Riley, who was adopted, is saram (non-magical) but she knows that she could perform her family's healing spells if only she had the magic to do it. Her sister, Hattie, agrees and so they set out to get Riley the magic. To do so, they must break not only their family's rules but also the rules of the 6 gifted witch clans, sparking a chain of events that bring the Mortalrealm and the Godrealm crashing together.

Set in LA and generously laden with Korean language, food and folklore, The Last Fallen Star is at once a mirror for American-Korean teens, a window for those of us who are not and door to an adventure for all.

I highly recommend this book for Gr 5-7.

This book was so fun! While it follows along the same makeup and themes as most Rick Riordan Presents novels (and most middle grade books in general), the mythology in the story sets it apart from being the “same old story.” I love, love, love so many aspects of this book. The sister relationships, the mythology, the food, the dragon on wheels, the themes and messages, Emmett, the adventure, the big twists and reveals, and more.

This book was such a fun and exciting adventure. There were so many great moments, and I love how things tie together for such empowering and inspiring reveals.

In his introduction to the book, Rick Riordan says, “Why didn’t somebody tell me about this stuff sooner?” and I wholeheartedly agree. That’s what I love about the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. It makes a way for the stories that we never hear about to have a voice. I love learning about the ins and outs of other mythologies. It’s so cool that kids get to have the opportunity to experience other cultures and lifestyles through books like The Last Fallen Star.

Riley Oh just wants to fit in and be accepted. She has patiently watched her sister, Hattie, practice to become a full witch, knowing that she will never get the chance as a saram, or a person without magic. Hattie will do whatever she can to help Riley understand what it feels like to have magic - until it all goes wrong. The Last Fallen Star is truly an adventure to dives deeply into Korean mythology and focuses on the power of friends and family to overcome incredible obstacles. For middle grade readers, this book provides an important look at identity as well.

I really enjoyed Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and this is a promising start to a series. Kim does a fantastic job with detail and built great relationships throughout the book. This would be a great book for many of my students, but especially reluctant readers.

The Last Fallen Star
5/5⭐️ to The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim ! Thank you so much to Disney Books and Rick Riordan Presents for an egalley to review!
Aaaah! This was such an amazing new middle grade inspired by Korean-American culture & mythology. We follow Riley, who feels bittersweet about her sister initiating into and becoming a full member of her family’s clan. She is super excited for her sister, but she is also sad because as someone without any magic, she is not allowed to officially join. She and a friend find a way for Riley to maybe get magic and also initiate and become an official member of her family. This is especially important as Riley is adopted: even though she has the most loving parents she could ask for, she still sometimes feels like “other”. Naturally when Riley and her friend try the spell, everything goes wrong. I loved how tight knit Riley’s community is, and how the other kids in her community are willing to help Riley save the person in danger, and save the day. There are also some great themes about reconciliation, forgiveness, and not letting the past define what you can do now. And as in many fantasy books, we got a very interesting magic system and some very good mythical creatures! I was definitely enthralled by this world, and it kept me glued to the pages. Also, I liked how we didn’t necessarily know who the “bad guys” were for sure, adding intrigue to the story as well as further developing the commentary around reconciliation & healing from the past. Finally, the action throughout the story will definitely keep young readers eager for each chapter, I know it did for me! Definitely check out this book yourself or for a young reader you know when it releases on May 4th!

I learned so much about Korean mythology from this fascinating novel! I'm so glad Rick Riordan is sharing his fame with #ownvoices authors so that we can all learn more about this fascinating world we live in.

"Now, I realize that tears are nothing to be ashamed of... they are a part of who I am- a part of who we all are. The come because we care."

The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim is one of the most heartwarming fantasy novels I have read. Rich with family ties, food and friends, this book manages to make every character clear, distinct, and often lovable. Based on Korean Mythology and Mudang, this book brings a fresh re-imagining to a stories that the reader will want to know more about.

Hattie is turning thirteen in a few days and will be initiated into her clan, she will receive her Gi bracelet and will than be able to cast spells on her own. But Hattie is determined to have her adopted sister Riley follow in her path despite her lack of magic. This story is what happens next.

I wanted to leave this without any spoilers, but this action packed, suspense filled book with lots of Korean lore is hard not to tell everything about it to book talk this and get everyone interested in reading this book. I have loved everything Rick Riordan Presents has put out and this is no exception. I hope you give this book a try I don't think you will be disappointing.

This review will appear on my blog on May 4th.

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Publishing Worldwide through NetGalley.
Kim creates a world where Korean mythology intertwines with reality. Readers meet Riley Oh, an adopted daughter of the healers in the Gom clan. She has been told that she is saram (not gifted with magic) and feels like an outsider. Her sister Hattie has figured out a way to share her magic and it is at Hattie's initiation ceremony that the adventures begin. Everyone learns that Riley is actually a Horangi, a clan that has been banned for a decade. Together with their friend Emmett, Riley and Hattie set out to fix everything. Unfortunately, the goddess they make a deal with takes Hattie and challenges Riley to save her life in exchange for the last fallen star. Emmett and Riley do their best and seek help along the way from a variety of friends and supposed enemies. Riley makes an incredible sacrifice to save her sister's life and the final confrontation with the goddess reveals who Riley really is. The epilogue sets up the next book in this series.
Kim's writing style pulls in middle grade readers and lets them feel they are traveling along with Riley and Emmett. Her attention to detail reveals her love for her subject. She honors Korean mythology and her details let readers honor it too.
The glossary at the end provides further information on the various portions of the story.
Looking forward to book two.

Another entertaining addition to the middle grade mythology/adventure list (and a nice twist on the chosen one narrative), this is a little light on characterization but full of plenty of deeply felt familial relationships. I really enjoyed the way the story so seamlessly integrates magic into the modern world and has a nicely specific feeling of Korean-American identity. The plot zigzags a bit, throwing side quests and red herrings into the mix, but keeps a nice pace throughout, and the finale has real stakes and opens things nicely for delving into the fallout in further books.

5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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I actually had to take a moment to just sit in shock at the end of this book. I had such a hard time formulating this review because I couldn’t quite articulate my excitement and joy that I got from it. What are words?
To put it bluntly: The Last Fallen Star was a rollercoaster from start to finish. The only things I didn’t particularly love were the kids’ decisions (they were trying to handle these big, illegal spells on their own! That’s so scary!) and the slang (it was few and far between—for instance, do kids still say “smol”? And will it date the book to have a couple “lowkey”s in there? Very minor things like that). Even those nitpicks aside, I adored Riley and the gang’s adventures. There were so many unique ideas in this book, and the plot twists just kept coming! I could easily catch on to a few of them, but others hit me like a truck. And that ending was fire! (... too much?) It was a story of love and loyalty, of knowledge and sacrifice, and most of all, it was a story of family and belonging. Full disclosure: this was my first RR Presents novel, so I’m not sure if the RR Presents imprint intends for this to happen in their collection, but I think that the author did an amazing job at capturing a tone that Rick Riordan fans will adore, and I loved the couple of references that were sprinkled in throughout—they were very cute nods back to the Percy Jackson series without taking away from Riley’s own cleverly-crafted story. Overall, it was a super entertaining read and I’m already highly anticipating the second book in 2022!

Rick Riordan Presents has a new offering in their very successful platform. This time we are jumping into the world of Korean mythology. Riley is a non-magical person adopted by a family filled with magical healing witches. She and her sister use a forbidden spell to share magic between them and of course something goes horribly wrong (as it always does). This sets Riley on a quest to save her sister from the spirit world and right the wrongs. I love the Korean mythology, new foods to explore and how the story speaks to adopted kids to find their unique place in their family and special magic of their own. We have the same elements that resonate with Rick Riordan's many fans - humor, a fascinating mythology to discover, monsters, friendship, loyalty, a hopeless quest and danger. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Riley Oh loves her family, even if they aren't necessarily related to her by blood. Unfortunately, this means that Riley will have to watch as her sister, Hattie, gets initiated as a Korean healing witch while Riley watches on the sidelines. As much as she wants to be just like her sister, Riley has no magical blood pumping through her veins. Hattie, a fierce advocate for her sister, discovers a spell that can make Riley share her magical powers. But when things go incredibly wrong, Riley will have to complete seemingly impossible tasks to save her sister and the planet.

Graci Kim has a writing style that grabs readers and doesn't let them go. The Last Fallen Star is entertaining and the characters are fun. The relationship between sisters Hattie and Riley is deep and very refreshing to see in a middle grade. And the ending leaves a cliffhanger that will have readers scrambling to get their hands on the next book.

On the other hand, the characters, especially Riley, felt a little underdeveloped. Even the most difficult of difficult tasks that Riley has to complete are solved snappy quick, and I didn't notice Riley experiencing much personal growth, even though she says she does. The plot lined up a little too serendipitously at some points too. Where's the road blocks that make the readers sweat a little? Unfortunately, there aren't any. And the witch clans were hard to get my head around, especially since they were introduced in pieces throughout the book rather than all at once first.

Still, this book is lots of fun, and I'm sure that many middle graders will eat it up. I'm looking forward to Graci Kim's next book.

I received an E-ARC from Netgalley.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to review.

Graci Kim takes her readers on an amazing adventure filled with Korean mythology, magic, friendship, and self-discovery for 12-year-old Riley Oh. Riley was adopted as a baby and has always felt like an outsider in her family’s gifted clan of Korean witches with healing powers. Riley’s sister, Hattie offers Riley the chance to share her magic, which sets Riley on an unexpected journey during which she learns nothing is as simple as black and white. The unbreakable bond of family leads Riley to learn just how strong and capable she is, gifted or not.

Fans of Rick Riordan’s books, the other titles in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and Tracey Baptiste’s “The Jumbies” will love “The Last Fallen Star” by Graci Kim. I can’t wait to get this book into kids’ hands.

Riley Oh is the adopted daughter of the literally magic (healing magic) Oh clan. Her sister Hattie is a gifted healer. When the girls find a spell that will allow them to share Hattie's magic it sets Riley on a curse to discover her biological family, find her own powers and attract the interest of the gods. This is a wonderful introduction to Korean mythology that is also wrapped up in a family story as well as an intriguing mystery. Riley is a character that is engaging, sweet a great friend and sister that loves her family a great deal. I especially love the family dynamic because Riley is adopted and wants to know who she is and where she comes from.