I gave this book a 4.5/5. First of all, huge thank you to Entangled for this book! This book was phenomenal. The story telling was done very well, and I tend to think I am good at guessing book patterns and how things will turn out, but there were many twists that shocked me in this book. Kai is such a strong female character, and I rooted for her the whole way through and was definitely distressed when she was. She has such great character development and the kind of personality that really pulls you in. This book is not spicy; it does have a love interest with plenty of super funny lines about such spicy thoughts but that is the extent. The only thing I wish was that the end was spread out a little bit more throughout the book because the my brain exploded with all the information dumping all of the sudden. It was still done okay with it all at the end but I think it would've been nice to have just a little bit of it spread out. The ending is such a cliff hanger, so I will be very curious to see what Kai does next!

So happy to receive this arc thank you entangled insiders! I love fantasy but this book took it up a notch. The author I felt did a great job in pulling you into her story. When the mfc wakes up with no memories and confusion you feel for her and the struggle to find herself. I like how the world was modern because it was easier to follow along. At the end everything does come together and more pieces of the puzzle click together. Overall a great read

While the idea of this book really intrigued me, it fell a tad short. However, this is most likely due to the fact that I don’t enjoy memory loss or miscommunication!

I did enjoy the banter between the two main characters and loved getting to see the various monsters throughout the book.

I want to first say, I’ve been sick since reading this. I want to say my lack of enthusiasm for this book is because I haven’t been well. That being said I didn’t vibe very well with this one. I wanted to love it so much because I did find the premise so interesting.

Starting out the MFC had me all kinds of confused, which I took as the point of the book because she has no memory of who, when, where and why. But as we got further into the story I was still lost. There were several parts I did enjoy like the kindness she was displaying to both the people and creatures. But her rage and mood in general were not consistent and a little triggering if I’m going to be honest. I’m giving this a 3.5 round it to 4 because I did enjoy some of the book but not all of it. Which is a bummer because it had such high potential for me. But like I said, I’ve been sick. I’d definitely consider continuing the series.

I did enjoy the angst, the twist and turns within this story. The magic system was nicely executed, greatly enjoyed the way the author was able unfold that aspect. It didn’t read like a typical fantasy book, the author definitely took a different approach with this. It was interesting to see.

I struggled with the character interaction. I didn’t feel like they flowed organically together. There was a lot of information thrown at us towards the end, it took time for me to try to understand it all. Lots of back and forth.

Love love loved! Red tower Never misses with their fantasy romances! I think everyone will absolutely adore this one as much as I did!!!!

A big shout out and thank you to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for giving me the chance to read The Last One by gifting me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!

My journey reading The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall might just be one of the more harder experiences to describe/review in comparison to any of my other reads.

Oftentimes, how you feel about a book comes through with a clear understanding at a certain point of the book—this awareness moment is unique to each book. Sometimes from the very beginning you’re aware where this book stands in your rating and enjoyment meter; sometimes it’s closer to the end. But I do think for the first time I wavered multiple times over how I connected to this book.

I don’t know if this is a singular experience or every book reader goes through this, but essentially while I read, I form a sort of bond with the story, which strengthens with each chapter. Through this bond is how the book connects to me, communicates with me. (I swear I have a purpose to this metaphor.)

Imagine it as a telephone line. The clearer the line the better the experience, the smoother the communication and faster the understanding.

My personal experience with The Last One was like a phone call with disrupted connection. Moments of clarity and connection, that are often disrupted by static and breaks that (for me) took away from the experience of reading this book.

There was a lot for me that worked greatly! The first, about twenty-thirty percent, the tension, the set-up was exciting and kept me with the book. However soon, there was a fairly repetitive pattern of events—such as sudden attacks—that seemed more props to create tension and a high stakes set-up than actually anything that took the story forward as such. The actual plot itself had a very strong theme/meaning to it, but I personally felt all the continuous, rather disconnected action sequences took away from them. Additionally, I wasn’t sure if the overall spiritual learning that was revealed was purposely ignored in the end or if it was intentional.

Given the nature of the set-up is that the story begins and is based on the heroine’s missing memory, the world building had fantastic potential to develop with the heroine’s memory/understanding of her world. But with the many breaks, the things the heroine keeps to herself sometimes and the back and forth between the protagonists’ feelings for one another, I do feel the world building loses its grip on the readers.

I think with the protagonists’ relationship, there were many elements that were lovely and some that pulled apart its merits. The banter and flirting was rather sweet; but sometimes the timing of those scenes, or … just the back of forth to their relationship that shows growth at times but backtracks on it many times, strung a discordant tune to me. The first few times were charming, after that I personally struggled to place it to the situations that were unravelling around them and between them.

The characters were both aplenty and at the same time focused on the protagonist and her immediate circle. I think I went through a range of emotions for all the characters, from warmth to frustration. But, there was one character that I immediately liked who, it’s possible, all readers will take to immediately.

In a book that has so many unknowns there’s often something that’s very rooted that keeps the readers’ feet on the ground while everything else unravels around them. Depending on the nature of the story it could be the characters, the plot or a swift pace. But personally for me, I couldn’t find a firm footing to hold on to while I read, which I is something I struggle with personally.

The pace of the book for me was closely linked to how connected I felt to it at the moment. In good connection moments it felt smooth and comfortable, in disconnected moments I would find myself feeling a bit lost or exhausted. Perhaps this was a very personal experience to me and not a common one, so definitely do check out the blurb once for yourself and consider reading the book based on what you feel about it.

Check trigger warnings as always, as there is content in this book that can be difficult for some. Happy reading!

Overall the writing and storyline is wonderful . The beginning was a bit slow as there was a lot of background and world building and it was midway before I really felt committed to the story and its characters. The latter half really picked up the pace and the ending was unpredictable. Overall a great read and can’t wait for the story to continue.

When I started this one I thought it was going to be another DNF for me. But luckily I stuck with it and it ended up being really good. I will say that if you pick this one up. Give it a few chapters for you to really get the feel of the writing because I thought it was kind of on the choppy side to start with. But once I got the hand of it it was great!!

So this one has romance elements but they are not really at the forefront of the story. This one is all fantasy. I loved the memory loss troupe it was something fresh. The world building is about the same as most fantasy books but that wasn't a bad thing. This book was overrun with morally grey characters that I was all here for. I would have liked a little more character development but I think this one is going to be a series with that ending so there is still time for that.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and hope to see what else this author can do.

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall is the story of Kai, a woman who wakes up in a grassy field with no memories, as someone is robbing her. Determined to get back what the thief stole, she follows them into a small town where disease is killing off the villagers and Kai faces one harrowing obstacle after another. She is left to team up with people who say they want to help her, but how can she trust anyone when she doesn’t even know who she is?

This story took me a little longer to read than I thought it would because, while I did enjoy it over all, I had a difficult time getting through the middle of the story. I loved the beginning of the book and was hooked from page one, but the middle almost seemed like she kept getting into the same kind of situations over and over. The characters were well written and the twists and turns throughout the story were stellar! I wasn’t sure how the ending would be written because I was almost through the book and major things were still happening, but the ending came and I am happy with how it worked out. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book just wasn’t for me. I really really wanted to love it. The premise is dynamite. It just didn’t hit the mark for me. There was just so much dialogue that it kind of took away from the story. The writing was just not my style. The main characters were very juvenile and this was definitely more YA. I do like YA books, but this one just wasn’t for me. Huge thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I really wanted to love this book, but I hated the relationship between Kai and Jadon. The plot is amazing. 5 stars. Kai is great, but I HATED Jadon. It wasn't until the end of the book that I realized that I think I'm supposed to hate him and that if that was her goal, the author succeeded with flying colors! I hated him to the point that I had a difficult time reading their relationship, but the ending was worth the wait. Stick it out. The truth is worth the wait.

‘The Last One’ captured my attention from the opening sentence… I couldn’t put this book down and was angry when I had to due to sleep or my work schedule. I devoured this book to find out who Kai was (in hopes her memory would return), who she could trust, is everyone in her life really looking out for her best interests? There were so many twists and turns, lots of adventure, and an unexpected ending that had me scratching my head a little bit… but I’m hopeful that there will be more books in the series. Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, I am SO sad because I thought I was going to LOVE this book. I didn’t love it, it was okay in my opinion. Very blah, a bit confusing in some parts. It really has a lot of promise though! We follow a woman who straight from the beginning wakes up being attacked by a thief, but she can’t remember who she is, where she is, why she’s there to begin with. Eventually, bits and pieces of her memory begin coming back. Overall, I don’t think it was the pacing, or the plot. I just wish there was more cohesiveness. We were thrown straight Into the action, but I did not feel attached to the FMC at all. I’m usually a fan of the amnesia trope as well, but this was not doing it for me. I’m not sure if it was being dragged out, or if it’s just a me (reader) issue as well. Overall, I think I’d read the next book and give it another chance! There is promise.

This book is so good! I devoured it. I was hooked from the beginning and just couldn't put it down. The world is very fascinating. And I am really digging all of the lore. Kai and Jaden are great characters. They're both uniquely complex. I love their banter in this book. And the mysterious journey had me on the edge of my seat with all of the twists and turns. I'm definitely looking forward to seing what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

You’re going to want to run full tilt to get this book if you like unbelievably delicious slow burn tension, quippy lines, forbidden love, strangers to lovers, otherworldly creatures and mysteries you have to unravel.

There are few places I haven’t reviewed this book. I’ve reviewed it to the stranger at Indigo Books after needing to buy the pretty sprayed edged shelf trophy version after Ereading this. I reviewed it to my sister, my husband, ANOTHER stranger at my doctors office who asked what I was reading so I suppose the last place is right here to all of you.

The pace of this kicks off immediately from the first sentence and it was easy to keep track of the different creatures and things going on.

Some fair warning, maybe don’t try to read this at a doctors office with other people listening to you try to cover up your laughter. Because not only is our FMC Kai missing basically all of her memories, but she is full of some of the funniest lines, especially around the MMC Jadon.

I am such a sucker for a good romantasy! The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall has it all!


-Action
-Adventure

-Memory loss

-Slow burn

-Forbidden Romance

-Tension and banter

-Strangers to friends to lovers to enemies? It’s complicated but so worth it! 



This book was amazing, the cover drew me in and the synopsis had me intrigued I just had to have it! Also have you seen the sprayed edges on the first print run?! You don’t want to miss out on it. 



The story opens with our MFC Kai; dazed and confused she wakes up in an unknown woods, not knowing who she is and oh yeah she’s currently being robbed. After tracking the thief to a near by village she’s caught fighting for her belongings. She is missing her amulet, she knows she needs it but doesn’t understand why. Her fight causes a scene and a whole lot of trouble Kai starts a chain reaction of events which takes her on an rollercoaster of an adventure. 



And then there is Jadon, our MMC. Brother to the thief who stole Kai’s belongings, he says he is just a simple blacksmith but what could he really be hiding? I just love the development between Kai and Jadon, the romance was minimal to the action of this story but it was there. 



Overall I really enjoyed this book, I could not stop once I started and I am super excited for book 2!

Book Review of The Last One (The Last One #1) by Rachel Howzell Hall

Cover Story: Like A Moth
BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Talky Talk: Missing Pieces
Bonus Factor: Gods and Goddesses
Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: Needs Work

Cover Story: Like A Moth
This cover gives me witchy vibes, which aren’t exactly accurate for the story within. But the moth is really pretty, and the moon motifs and mushrooms go well with it, creating a cohesive image. There’s something a little “unfinished” about it, though? Maybe the background could have had a bit more color and/or texture, to really drive home the woodsy feel.

The Deal:
Kai doesn’t remember who she is or where she comes from. When she wakes up in the forest outside the city of Maford, with a thief having stolen her clothes and a moth amulet she wears around her neck, she knows that she needs to get them back. But following the thief into the closest town gets her nearly thrown in jail, and she’s tasked with earning money to pay off some “fines.” She chafes at the tasks, but she’s also very curious about Jadon Ealdrehrt, the local blacksmith.

The more Kai starts to remember, the more she’s confused about who she is, what she is, and why she woke up outside of Maford. Some answers might be better left unearthed, however.

BFF Charm: Natalie Imbruglia
Kai is powerful, both mentally and physically. She’s uniquely stunning and obviously something more than just a normal human being. She can be kind and caring, but she can also be violent and ruthless, sometimes switching between the two at a moment’s notice. I’d love to be her friend, but I’d also constantly be worried that something I did or said would set her off. Which, obvs, would make for not so great of a friendship …

Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Kai is immediately taken by Jadon, both because of his kindness and his hotness. There’s a charge between the two of them that neither of them can deny. But they both have secrets, and a lot is going in their lives that keeps them apart. Will they get together in the end? I wouldn’t be surprised, but there will be a lot of obstacles to overcome before they get there.

Talky Talk: Missing Pieces
I’m not sure if it was because of Kai’s amnesia, but I was pretty confused for a lot of the book. The world-building was interesting and got even more so as bits and pieces of the truth were revealed, but it remained a muddied story overall. Were this because solely of Kai’s amnesia, I would have been more understanding—and more impressed with Howzell’s innovation. But some situations were solved in mere pages, while others took a whole lot longer or remained unsorted by the end of the book. (Which, to my surprise, is the first in a series.) Characters swung wildly from mood to mood, and their motivations changed unexpectedly, although some are clearly telegraphed. Overall, the plot is solid, but could definitely use some tightening up.

Bonus Factor: Gods and Goddesses
As Kai begins to remember bits about herself and her past, gods of the realm come into play in the story. I’d love to know more about the mythos of this world, which is rich with unique individuals and stories. Hopefully we’ll learn more in future books.

Factor: Series Starter
Although it wasn’t clear to me until I got to the very open-ended end (and the author’s note that said there’s more to come), this is the first book in a series. I’ve already said that a few times in this review, but it’s definitely something I would have liked to know before diving in.

Relationship Status: Needs Work
We had an interesting time together, Book, but I would have loved to be less confused overall. I’m feeling a bit like Kai, not knowing exactly what’s going on, and that’s a discomfiting place to be as a reader.

This was great! I admit that this book first hit my radar because of the gorgeous first edition (and I can’t wait to get my hands on the copy I ordered!). Once I read the synopsis, I knew I needed to read this book! The story was just as good as I had hoped and I found it so hard to put down that I read most of the book in a single day. Kai was very likable, and I wanted to see things work out for her.

As the story opens Kai is being robbed of her clothes and her amulet somewhere in the woods. She doesn’t know where she is and can’t remember who she is. As she tries to get her items back from the thief, she gets in a little trouble in town and must pay a debt before she can move on. I was curious about Kai’s past and loved the clues each ability or memory gave. The story had a lot of action and it quickly became obvious that Kai knew how to handle herself.

In a quest to find answers, Kai travels with the local blacksmith, Jadon, who is also a skilled fighter, his sister, Olivia, and Philia. They face one obstacle after the next during their journey. I loved that there was a lot of action to keep the story moving at a steady pace. The story kept me guessing throughout, and there were plenty of surprises along the way. The romantic elements kept me on my toes as well.

I would recommend this book to others. It did so many things well. The world-building was top-notch, and the characters were incredibly likable. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment!

I received a review copy from Red Tower Books.

A sinfully sweet slow burn romantasy sprinkled with a dash of spice, lots of suspense, world building with plenty of twists and turns leaves you gasping as you turn the last page.

At times the pacing is a bit slow but the need to uncover the secrets, deception, and lies kept me going. Add in morally grey characters and a slow burn and I was excited to flip the last page. Readers, this is a series so be warned…there is more to come!

What would you do if you woke up in the woods, half dressed, and had no memory? It's a battle of survival as Kai uncovers her identity and purpose. Who can be trusted? Will our heroine uncover her identity before it’s too late?

This is the authors debut into the romantasy genre and I'm looking forward to the next book with that ending?!?!