The Last: Endling #1

Katherine Applegate’s novel Endling: The Last is a fantasy novel that is set in the fictional country of Nedarra, which is ruled by a tyrant called the Murdano. The Murdano is human and considers himself to be the supreme ruler of Nedarra even though there are actually six governing species whom the Antic Scrolls of the First Coimari declare to be equal to one another. The scrolls ascribe a higher status to these six species—humans, raptidons, felivets, terramants, natites, and dairnes—due to their ability to speak, make tools, learn, and teach, as well as their capacity to use theurgy, or magic. The scrolls also declare that these six species must not harm one another.

Through the eyes of her young dairne protagonist, Byx, Applegate introduces the odd and unique creatures that populate her novel. Dairnes are dog-like creatures that walk upright, have a pouch, and are capable of gliding through the air rather like flying squirrels. When the Murdano kills Byx’s entire pack, Byx believes herself to be the last of her species. The Murdano’s actions are in direct defiance of the laws set down by the Antic Scrolls; for this reason, his actions are carried out in secrecy to prevent the general public from learning the truth. Byx is saved by a human whom she does not initially trust and befriends a wobbyk named Tobble. Wobbyks are small, three-tailed animals who are classified as mezzitti, or a lesser species, due to their inability to use theurgy. Because Byx saves Tobble’s life, he now believes that he must save her life three times. As Byx travels with her new companions, she meets several natites, fish-like creatures that rule the waters; terramants, insect-like creatures who rule the underground; and raptidons, massive bird-like creatures who rule the air. Byx also befriends Gambler, who is a felivet: a large cat-like creature whose kind is known to hunt and kill creatures of all species. This unusual group bands together to expose the Murdano’s crimes against the six governing species and to prove that Byx is not the last dairne.

Applegate has created a fantastical world filled with intelligent, talking animals who understand their own mortality and work to protect themselves and their larger political interests. These animals develop friendships and feel grief, pain, and anger. Applegate also introduces a version of magic called theurgy, which adds a unique twist to her storytelling. This aspect is most prominently demonstrated by the talents of the human thief, Renzo, who uses magic to find hidden treasures and to protect himself in moments of danger. While the land of Nedarra has a vaguely medieval quality, its colorful variety of inhabitants makes Applegate’s world building stand out in a genre that is already overrun with creative world building.