The Last: Endling #1

Katherine Applegate
57 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 2018

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Book Brief

Katherine Applegate

The Last

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

383

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Children`s Literature

•

Fantasy

•

Action & Adventure
Setting

Earth • Fantastical World

Theme
Self Discovery

•

Coming of Age

•

Friendship
Topic
Animals
First Publication Year

2018

Publisher

Storytide

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

690L

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Super Short Summary

In Katherine Applegate's Endling: The Last, Byx, a young dairne—an intelligent, dog-like creature—embarks on a perilous journey after her pack is killed by the Murdano's soldiers. Rescued by Khara, a girl posing as a boy to work as a poacher, and accompanied by new friends including Tobble the wobbyk, Byx seeks to uncover the truth about her species' survival amidst threats and dangers. Themes of loss and violence against animals.

Adventurous

Emotional

Inspirational

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.3

8,697 ratings

84%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Last by Katherine Applegate captivates readers with its imaginative world-building and strong, relatable characters. Positive feedback praises its emotional depth and engaging plot. However, some critique the pacing as uneven and the ending as slightly rushed. Overall, it is a compelling read for middle-grade audiences, blending adventure with meaningful themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Last?

Readers who relish adventurous, heartwarming animal tales like Kathryn Lasky's Guardians of Ga'Hoole or Erin Hunter's Warriors series will find themselves captivated by Katherine Applegate's The Last. Ideal for middle-grade readers who appreciate themes of friendship, bravery, and survival in richly imagined worlds.

4.3

8,697 ratings

84%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

A young dairne, a dog-like creature with opposable thumbs, who embarks on a journey after her family is killed, displaying innate bravery and truth discernment as she seeks others of her kind.

A skilled poacher's guide who disguises herself as a boy and becomes the leader of a group of companions on a mission, showcasing her expert tracking, hunting, and leadership skills.

A small, round wobbyk with big ears, known for his loyalty and friendship to Byx, who evolves from comic relief to a brave and vital member of the group.

A formidable felivet with formidable senses and a predatory reputation, who offers wisdom and protection to Byx and her friends while demonstrating strong loyalty.

A charming and charismatic thief who is candid about his profession, joining forces with the group and developing a potential romance with Khara, while revealing his knowledge of the art of theurgy.

Book Details
Pages

383

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Children`s Literature

•

Fantasy

•

Action & Adventure
Setting

Earth • Fantastical World

Theme
Self Discovery

•

Coming of Age

•

Friendship
Topic
Animals
First Publication Year

2018

Publisher

Storytide

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

690L

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