Rachel Howzell Hall, acclaimed for her gripping crime fiction like They All Fall Down and the Lou Norton series, ventures daringly into the romantasy genre with The Last One. This ambitious debut in the fantasy romance space weaves together elements of high fantasy, romance, and mystery while exploring themes of identity, power, and destiny.
Overview and Plot
In a realm plagued by disease and supernatural threats, our protagonist Kai awakens with no memories, possessing only a jeweled moth amulet and distinctive clothing. Her journey begins in the struggling village of Maford, where she encounters Jadon Ealdrehrt, a skilled blacksmith with secrets of his own. As Kai searches for her identity, she discovers she may be Kaivara Megidrail, the Lady of the Verdant Realm – a goddess tasked with saving the dying world of Vallendor.
The story follows Kai’s quest to recover her stolen amulet while battling otherworldly creatures and navigating complex political tensions between Emperor Wake’s expanding empire and the resistant kingdoms. Along the way, she must confront her growing feelings for Jadon while uncovering the truth about her divine nature and purpose.
Strengths
Worldbuilding and Atmosphere
Hall excels at crafting a richly detailed world teetering on the edge of destruction. The dying realm of Vallendor feels viscerally real, from its withering forests to its desperate villages. The author’s crime writing background shines through in the vivid sensory details that bring each scene to life – whether describing the stench of battaby dung or the crackling energy of Kai’s wind powers.
Complex Characters
The character development, particularly of Kai and Jadon, shows impressive depth. Kai’s journey of self-discovery feels authentic despite her divine nature, while Jadon’s conflicted loyalties and protective instincts make him a compelling love interest. Secondary characters like Veril the Renrian and even antagonists like Elyn are given distinctive personalities and motivations.
Unique Magic System
The magic system, while not fully explained, offers interesting variations on familiar tropes. Kai’s wind powers, the various otherworldly creatures, and the role of enchanted items like her amulet create a framework that feels both fresh and internally consistent. The different magical orders (Eserime, Mera) add depth to the world’s mythology.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The novel’s pacing occasionally stumbles, particularly in the middle sections. While the opening chapters grip readers with mystery and action, some later sequences – especially during travel portions – drag with repetitive conversations and internal monologues. The momentum picks up again for key confrontations but could benefit from tighter editing overall.
World Rules and Exposition
While the worldbuilding is rich, the rules governing magic and divine powers remain somewhat unclear. The exposition about Kai’s true nature and the political landscape sometimes feels rushed or confusing. More clarity about the relationship between gods, magical orders, and mortals would strengthen the narrative foundation.
Romance Development
The romantic tension between Kai and Jadon, while steamy at times, suffers from somewhat predictable obstacles and miscommunications. Their emotional push-pull, while engaging, occasionally relies too heavily on standard romance tropes without adding unique twists.
Writing Style and Tone
Hall’s prose strikes an effective balance between lyrical fantasy description and punchy modern dialogue. Her crime fiction background lends a grittiness to action scenes that sets this romantasy apart from fluffier entries in the genre. However, some readers may find the occasional modern phasing jarring in the fantasy setting.
Target Audience Appeal
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall will particularly resonate with readers who enjoy:
Fantasy romance with strong female protagonists
Stories featuring memory loss and identity discovery
Political intrigue mixed with supernatural elements
Slow-burn romance with tension and angst
Dark fantasy elements and creature encounters
Comparison to Similar Works
Fans of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series or Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash will find familiar elements here, but Hall brings her own unique voice and grittier tone to the genre. The political elements and world-ending stakes may appeal to readers of Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing.
Final Verdict
The Last One marks an ambitious genre transition for Rachel Howzell Hall, showcasing her strengths as a writer while revealing some growing pains in the fantasy romance space. Despite its flaws, the novel offers enough unique elements and compelling character work to make it worth reading for romantasy fans.
Pros:
Rich, atmospheric worldbuilding
Complex, well-developed characters
Unique blend of fantasy and romance elements
Strong action sequences
Fresh take on familiar tropes
Cons:
Uneven pacing
Some unclear worldbuilding elements
Occasionally predictable romance beats
Modern phrasing can break immersion
Recommendation
While not perfect, The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall offers enough fresh elements and compelling storytelling to warrant a read for fans of the romantasy genre. Hall’s crime fiction expertise adds welcome grit to the supernatural elements, and the central mystery of Kai’s identity maintains interest throughout. Readers willing to overlook some first-time fantasy author stumbles will find much to enjoy in this ambitious genre debut.
This book is best suited for mature young adult and adult readers who enjoy their fantasy with equal measures of romance and darkness. Those seeking pure romance or traditional high fantasy may want to look elsewhere, but readers who appreciate genre-blending narratives with strong character work will likely find this a satisfying read.