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popthebutterfly 's review for:

The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
5.0
adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Disclaimer: I received this finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Last Fallen Star

Author: Graci Kim

Book Series: Gifted Clans book 1

Diversity: Adopted mc, Korean mc and family

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: mg readers, fantasy, mythology

Genre: MG Fantasy

Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Pages: 312

Recommended Age: 9+ (Death, Gore, Violence, and Possession)


Synopsis: Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated into the Gom clan, a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations. Her sister, Hattie, will earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision. Although Riley is desperate to follow in her sister's footsteps when she herself turns thirteen, she's a saram--a person without magic. Riley was adopted, and despite having memorized every healing spell she's ever heard, she often feels like the odd one out in her family and the gifted community.

Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie's magic? Their sleuthing reveals a promising incantation in the family's old spell book, and the sisters decide to perform it at Hattie's initiation ceremony. If it works, no one will ever treat Riley as an outsider again. It's a perfect plan!

Until it isn't. When the sisters attempt to violate the laws of the Godrealm, Hattie's life ends up hanging in the balance, and to save her Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it?

As Riley embarks on her search, she finds herself meeting fantastic creatures and collaborating with her worst enemies. And when she uncovers secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe, Riley must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

Review: Oh my goodness I absolutely loved this book! The author did so well to intermingle mythology with this story and I enjoyed every last drop of it. I loved the characters, especially Riley, and I loved the world building. The book had a strong plot and I was hooked from beginning to end.

The only criticism I have for the book is that it was a bit too fast paced I think. I think it could have been slowed down and extended another 30-50 pages. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Verdict: Highly recommend!