Endling: The Last (1)
Author: Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan)
Published May 1, 2018
Page Count: 400
An Endling is defined as: (1) the last being of an entire race/species (2) to go on a quest that will likely not end well.
The world of Nederra is inhabited by six sentient “governing” species which includes humans, Dairne (a dog-like race that stands on two legs), and four other species. The hero of our story, Byx, is the Endling Dairne, and while each species has its own gifts and talents, Dairne can tell if someone is lying or not. The fact that she is the Endling makes Byx’s life very important, but also her gift could turn her into a weapon in the wrong hands. Byx sets out an an adventure where she meets friends, foes, and discovers plot most foul to rid the world of her kind. This is book one of the Endling Trilogy.
Reading Audience: I am guessing this book is aimed at middle school aged readers, however adults will enjoy it just as much if not more. I’ll cover fighting, death, and other things to be aware of in the next section, but it does have some very intense parts that may scare some readers.
Stuff to be aware of:
There is no cursing or sexual content in this story. Many animals and even sentient species are killed throughout the book. There are families and “governing species” that get burned inside their homes and tortured. The story tells you these things happen, but mostly doesn’t give a lot of detail most of the time. However, there are a number of intense things that the author does mention: a person being roasted alive and his head removed, blood stains on a shirt after fighting, animals are killed, humans are killed (also stabbed and bitten), towns are burned down, someone is tied to a steak to be burned alive, evidence of people being tortured, and a brief scene of someone being impaled. Suicide is briefly mentioned in one or two sentences and one character says that they would rather start a fight and be killed then stay locked up. Most of this I believe most middle schoolers could handle especially if they read Harry Potter or watch Star Wars.
Overall:
I could not put this one down. There are a few books that are on my “favorites of all-time” list and I think this one is going on there. Applegate has created a new fantasy world that is easy to get swept up in and the story she tells within it is one with magic, mystery, thievery, betrayal, and everything else you could want from a bestselling page turner. As of this writing I have all ready started listening to the second book.
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