Review of The Last by Katherine Applegate

Read for: Middle Grade March/ New Purchase/ Audio Books

Synopsis: "Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra.

After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.

Along the way, she meets new allies—both animals and humans alike—who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family—one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world."

My Review: I really have loved all the Applegate books I have read in the past 2 years and have been seeing this one around. While I did enjoy it, I did find it to be more appropriate for the target audience, I wasn't able to get into this book as much as I had hoped. I did enjoy it just not to the extent I had expected. I did enjoy the characters personality and the classic fantasy feel of the ragtag group of characters on a quest with dangers along the path. I have always struggled with anthromorphism, I always feel like they just don't keep enough of their animal characteristics and instincts, this was particularly true of Byx for me, she seemed so human but was somehow able to pass as a dog for parts of it. Again this might be because I am an adult and am used to more complex characters and descriptions and details. I think the actual target audience will really enjoy it.

My Rating: While I did struggle to get into this book, it was a great classic fantasy style book for the Middle Grade audiences.  I listened to the audio book version and come to find out really missed out on some illustrations, that might have helped me grasp the characters more.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag, but like I said the target age will probably enjoy it more.