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Endling #1
La superviviente
El único e incomparable Iván robó nuestros corazones, La superviviente inspirará al héroe que todos llevamos dentro.
No queríamos creer que teníamos los días contados. Pero lo que sabíamos es que hacía tiempo éramos muchos y ahora somos muy pocos. Mis padres temían que yo fuera la primera en morir si nos encontrábamos en problemas y, como ellos sabían,
las dificultades nos amenazaban continuamente. Yo era pequeña. Y a veces los decepcionaba. Aunque sabía que también podía ser valiente. No me asustaba ser la primera en morir. Pero no quería ser la última en quedar con vida. No quería ser la superviviente.
No queríamos creer que teníamos los días contados. Pero lo que sabíamos es que hacía tiempo éramos muchos y ahora somos muy pocos. Mis padres temían que yo fuera la primera en morir si nos encontrábamos en problemas y, como ellos sabían,
las dificultades nos amenazaban continuamente. Yo era pequeña. Y a veces los decepcionaba. Aunque sabía que también podía ser valiente. No me asustaba ser la primera en morir. Pero no quería ser la última en quedar con vida. No quería ser la superviviente.
460 pages, Tapa blanda con solapas
First published May 1, 2018
1039 people are currently reading
10438 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Applegate
278 books6,332 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).
She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).
Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)
Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.
Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,001 reviews
December 27, 2017
my 12 year old son couldn't put this down. Carried it with him all around NYC yesterday, nose in the book, despite no mittens.
November 9, 2018
My thanks to Penguin Random House Children’s UK and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
This is the first of a fantasy adventure series, the Endling series, (I’m not sure how many books it has). Byx, our ‘heroine’ is a dairne, a dog-like creature who has opposable thumbs, can walk on two legs, and can speak. Their most valuable characteristic is their ability to tell when anyone (human or otherwise) is lying. Byx is the runt of her small pack, who themselves are the last few of the dairnes left in their land, hunted by humans and constantly needing to move about. One day, just before the pack has planned to move on, Byx sneaks off to take a last look at the sea, in which process she ends up rescuing and befriending a much smaller creature, Tobble the wobbyk. When she returns to her home, she finds her pack has been ruthlessly killed and she is the last of the dairnes left alive, an ‘Endling’. Now she must set off on a journey, accompanied by Tobble, and a young human girl Khara, who has actually captured them, to look for a home, or rather a place where according to legend other dairnes once lived. While this isn’t a very straightforward quest and their path is riddled with danger, Byx and her friends soon find that what they are looking for and what they are fighting is much bigger than any of them had realised when they started off, and there are very few along the way that they can trust.
This was a very enjoyable read for me. While it may be set in a fantasy world, many of the issues it deals with and throws up are things that are very much a part of (and relevant to) the world we live in. Most important among them is inequality, not only between the sexes, but also between different living beings—certain species being dubbed (and treated) inferior simply because they don’t do things like others do. Then there is the more important problem—of humans’ destructive nature. Their greed for money, power, control, to demonstrate their superiority has led them to destroy everything around them, and then hypocritically mourning their loss after the damage is done. It is a characteristic of the humans in this fantasy world, as it is in our real world. [The fact that the book opens with a quote from Silent Spring pretty much conveys the message the book is trying to deliver.]
But coming back to the fantasy element, I enjoyed the world the author has created—fraught with danger though it may be—there are several interesting beings and places, all of which I thought very imaginative (there is even some language that she’s created for the different species). I would have preferred a map of the world to help me picture it better, but one was not included in the ARC. The main characters themselves are from different species who find themselves thrown together by circumstances, and who must learn to overcome their mistrust and understand each other for who they are. As a result, they develop some unlikely but strong friendships which was nice to see. The characters themselves are all very likeable, though I particularly found Byx, Tobble, and Gambler the felivet endearing, and liked the relationship that develops between them. The illustration of Byx and Tobble on the cover is pretty perfect, and is really cute too.
I liked that the author wrapped up the adventure (unlike some books which stop somewhat abruptly) although it is clear that the main quest will continue with more adventures and dangers along the way. Though this is classed as a children’s book, I think adults too would enjoy this read. Looking forward to the next instalment.
The author Katherine Applegate has previously won a Newberry Medal in 203 for her book The One and Only Ivan.
This book, The Last released on 1st November 2018.
This is the first of a fantasy adventure series, the Endling series, (I’m not sure how many books it has). Byx, our ‘heroine’ is a dairne, a dog-like creature who has opposable thumbs, can walk on two legs, and can speak. Their most valuable characteristic is their ability to tell when anyone (human or otherwise) is lying. Byx is the runt of her small pack, who themselves are the last few of the dairnes left in their land, hunted by humans and constantly needing to move about. One day, just before the pack has planned to move on, Byx sneaks off to take a last look at the sea, in which process she ends up rescuing and befriending a much smaller creature, Tobble the wobbyk. When she returns to her home, she finds her pack has been ruthlessly killed and she is the last of the dairnes left alive, an ‘Endling’. Now she must set off on a journey, accompanied by Tobble, and a young human girl Khara, who has actually captured them, to look for a home, or rather a place where according to legend other dairnes once lived. While this isn’t a very straightforward quest and their path is riddled with danger, Byx and her friends soon find that what they are looking for and what they are fighting is much bigger than any of them had realised when they started off, and there are very few along the way that they can trust.
This was a very enjoyable read for me. While it may be set in a fantasy world, many of the issues it deals with and throws up are things that are very much a part of (and relevant to) the world we live in. Most important among them is inequality, not only between the sexes, but also between different living beings—certain species being dubbed (and treated) inferior simply because they don’t do things like others do. Then there is the more important problem—of humans’ destructive nature. Their greed for money, power, control, to demonstrate their superiority has led them to destroy everything around them, and then hypocritically mourning their loss after the damage is done. It is a characteristic of the humans in this fantasy world, as it is in our real world. [The fact that the book opens with a quote from Silent Spring pretty much conveys the message the book is trying to deliver.]
But coming back to the fantasy element, I enjoyed the world the author has created—fraught with danger though it may be—there are several interesting beings and places, all of which I thought very imaginative (there is even some language that she’s created for the different species). I would have preferred a map of the world to help me picture it better, but one was not included in the ARC. The main characters themselves are from different species who find themselves thrown together by circumstances, and who must learn to overcome their mistrust and understand each other for who they are. As a result, they develop some unlikely but strong friendships which was nice to see. The characters themselves are all very likeable, though I particularly found Byx, Tobble, and Gambler the felivet endearing, and liked the relationship that develops between them. The illustration of Byx and Tobble on the cover is pretty perfect, and is really cute too.
I liked that the author wrapped up the adventure (unlike some books which stop somewhat abruptly) although it is clear that the main quest will continue with more adventures and dangers along the way. Though this is classed as a children’s book, I think adults too would enjoy this read. Looking forward to the next instalment.
The author Katherine Applegate has previously won a Newberry Medal in 203 for her book The One and Only Ivan.
This book, The Last released on 1st November 2018.
July 11, 2018
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
What a book! I was a HUGE fan of the Animorphs book series, so when I saw this book on the shelf at OLA, I just knew I had to pick it up. I typically don’t review middle-grade books, but I might have to reconsider. Bear in mind that my review won’t be discussing how appropriate this story is to a younger audience, but focusing on the sheer brilliance of the plot and its characters.
I bet you can tell that I loved this book just from my previous sentence. When Byx’s family is killed, she fears that she is an 'endling', the last of the species of dairnes, which are doglike creatures that have human qualities, can speak, and can identify when others are lying to them. Armed with nothing but a map she drew based on stories she heard when she was just a little pup, Byx is joined by other misfits on her journey to find others like her. But it is quite possible that Byx is the endling, and that she will never find this mysterious land where other dairnes are said to have escaped.
Endling is set in a dynamic and unique world that Applegate has created. While we see some animals that we’re already familiar with—dogs, horses, and even humans—there are new species introduced, like the aforementioned dairnes, as well as wobbyks, felivets, and raptidons.
The world that Applegate has crafted is complex, yet she doesn’t spend pages and pages explaining the rules of this new world to the reader. She drops in hints and little tidbits of information as the plot progresses, which is a good style for readers of all ages, but especially since this is intended for a middle-grade audience.
The gang of misfits that Applegate has created has a character for everyone to relate to. They all have their quirks and flaws, but it’s their strengths that Applegate chooses to focus on. Tobble, the wobbyk, is freaking ADORABLE, tiny, and seemingly weak. But he is courageous and determined to protect his friend Byx, no matter the cost.
Applegate describes the setting in great depth, but not at the expense of keeping the plot plunging forward. A lot of the idiosyncrasies of the world mirror our own. For example, the raptidons, which are essentially the higher form of raptors that exhibit intelligence and cunning, treat crows the way that humans treat their dogs. They’re pets that they can use for specific purposes, in this case, as scouts. These little pieces come together to create a story that would otherwise be utterly implausible, but the writing and sheer amount of detail put into planning this world make it easy for readers to be immersed in a book about animal-like people going on a journey together.
I absolutely adored this book. It fed my desire for anthropomorphic storytelling. There are a wide range of species, from cute creatures, like the wobbyks, fascinating felines, like the felivets, and terrifying monsters, like the humans...
*I received a copy of this ARC from Harper Collins Children's Books.*
What a book! I was a HUGE fan of the Animorphs book series, so when I saw this book on the shelf at OLA, I just knew I had to pick it up. I typically don’t review middle-grade books, but I might have to reconsider. Bear in mind that my review won’t be discussing how appropriate this story is to a younger audience, but focusing on the sheer brilliance of the plot and its characters.
I bet you can tell that I loved this book just from my previous sentence. When Byx’s family is killed, she fears that she is an 'endling', the last of the species of dairnes, which are doglike creatures that have human qualities, can speak, and can identify when others are lying to them. Armed with nothing but a map she drew based on stories she heard when she was just a little pup, Byx is joined by other misfits on her journey to find others like her. But it is quite possible that Byx is the endling, and that she will never find this mysterious land where other dairnes are said to have escaped.
Endling is set in a dynamic and unique world that Applegate has created. While we see some animals that we’re already familiar with—dogs, horses, and even humans—there are new species introduced, like the aforementioned dairnes, as well as wobbyks, felivets, and raptidons.
The world that Applegate has crafted is complex, yet she doesn’t spend pages and pages explaining the rules of this new world to the reader. She drops in hints and little tidbits of information as the plot progresses, which is a good style for readers of all ages, but especially since this is intended for a middle-grade audience.
The gang of misfits that Applegate has created has a character for everyone to relate to. They all have their quirks and flaws, but it’s their strengths that Applegate chooses to focus on. Tobble, the wobbyk, is freaking ADORABLE, tiny, and seemingly weak. But he is courageous and determined to protect his friend Byx, no matter the cost.
Applegate describes the setting in great depth, but not at the expense of keeping the plot plunging forward. A lot of the idiosyncrasies of the world mirror our own. For example, the raptidons, which are essentially the higher form of raptors that exhibit intelligence and cunning, treat crows the way that humans treat their dogs. They’re pets that they can use for specific purposes, in this case, as scouts. These little pieces come together to create a story that would otherwise be utterly implausible, but the writing and sheer amount of detail put into planning this world make it easy for readers to be immersed in a book about animal-like people going on a journey together.
I absolutely adored this book. It fed my desire for anthropomorphic storytelling. There are a wide range of species, from cute creatures, like the wobbyks, fascinating felines, like the felivets, and terrifying monsters, like the humans...
*I received a copy of this ARC from Harper Collins Children's Books.*
August 17, 2019
I randomly picked this off the shelf today simply because the cover was intriguing; why is that dog standing on such a strange angle, and whatever the cute bunny thing is I wanted to know. What I found in the pages was a rich fantasy novel that was actually marketed to kids but I felt was more like YA in places. It had interesting characters, and some really epic world building. The characters are what makes this book; it has a surprising heart that I felt immediately drawn to. I think I will actually break my Kindle 'rule' and buy the next book even though it's above $10 currently, simply because I loved this one so much!
I would hate to see this series fall through the cracks as just a kids book, and it's the kind of book I want to jam in everyone's face until they read it. This one caught me by surprise and I hope it does the same to other readers! If you're on the fence then give it a try; it's quick, action packed and memorable. So glad I took the impulse to try it! Five stars.
I would hate to see this series fall through the cracks as just a kids book, and it's the kind of book I want to jam in everyone's face until they read it. This one caught me by surprise and I hope it does the same to other readers! If you're on the fence then give it a try; it's quick, action packed and memorable. So glad I took the impulse to try it! Five stars.
July 19, 2018
My Video Review:
https://youtu.be/lFWso13wdzU
https://youtu.be/lFWso13wdzU
December 3, 2024
Дуже цікаво, навіть мало хто дратував.
Вобик Тоббл найбільше сподобався.
Вобик Тоббл найбільше сподобався.
August 18, 2022
Ahhhh! This was soooo good!!💖🤩
Language: Clean
Violence: Clean, a few mentions of blood and people being burned, but nothing too gory.
Magic: It didn't really have magic, more like tricks. Someone can make fire follow people, someone else can find things by using light, and little things like that, but not really magic.
Eeee! This was soooo exciting!!! It was a really fun read!!!! I like how there was a lot of action and depth to the characters but there was enough humor to make it really fun as well! Byx was a great character! She was very believable in how she felt about everything going on, just the perfect amount of conflict not too much to where it will bored the middle grade audience but enough to make you feel what she's going through! Perfectly balanced character!!!💖 Side characters, I loved Tobble! So brave, nice, and funny! Eeee! I just loved how he was always there for Byx! Ah, everyone needs a Tobble! Such a true hearted little friend!💖🥰 I like Khara, didn't know if I would at first but she definitely grew on me! And her and Renzo together😂 oh, man, gold! Pure gold!😂😂 Renzo was sooo fun! I loved how he's a thief! (My current WIP is about a thief so ya know, I have a weak spot for thieves😉) he was such a great add on! He was just so funny and his dog, Dog!😂 hahah....Luca was a nice addition, I like the scholarly types always and he was very well developed!💖 And last but in no way least...Gambler! Ahhhh! He was my favorite! I loved him!! He's soo cool and the way he carries himself is just, ahhh! I love him, okay?💖💖🤩🤩
The story is soooo good! The characters work good together, the villains are interesting and I can't wait to see what happens in the other books!! The plotwists and action were on point! The character voices were strong and it was beautifully written!!! Awesome read! One of those books ya don't want to end!🤩💖
Recommended for ages 9+!
Language: Clean
Violence: Clean, a few mentions of blood and people being burned, but nothing too gory.
Magic: It didn't really have magic, more like tricks. Someone can make fire follow people, someone else can find things by using light, and little things like that, but not really magic.
Eeee! This was soooo exciting!!! It was a really fun read!!!! I like how there was a lot of action and depth to the characters but there was enough humor to make it really fun as well! Byx was a great character! She was very believable in how she felt about everything going on, just the perfect amount of conflict not too much to where it will bored the middle grade audience but enough to make you feel what she's going through! Perfectly balanced character!!!💖 Side characters, I loved Tobble! So brave, nice, and funny! Eeee! I just loved how he was always there for Byx! Ah, everyone needs a Tobble! Such a true hearted little friend!💖🥰 I like Khara, didn't know if I would at first but she definitely grew on me! And her and Renzo together😂 oh, man, gold! Pure gold!😂😂 Renzo was sooo fun! I loved how he's a thief! (My current WIP is about a thief so ya know, I have a weak spot for thieves😉) he was such a great add on! He was just so funny and his dog, Dog!😂 hahah....Luca was a nice addition, I like the scholarly types always and he was very well developed!💖 And last but in no way least...Gambler! Ahhhh! He was my favorite! I loved him!! He's soo cool and the way he carries himself is just, ahhh! I love him, okay?💖💖🤩🤩
The story is soooo good! The characters work good together, the villains are interesting and I can't wait to see what happens in the other books!! The plotwists and action were on point! The character voices were strong and it was beautifully written!!! Awesome read! One of those books ya don't want to end!🤩💖
Recommended for ages 9+!
July 18, 2022
Byx thinks she might be the last of her species. She’s a Dairne, a dog-like species that can tell when someone’s lying. That’s also the reason why they’ve been hunted and killed to the point of extinction. She goes on an adventure to a legendary place where Dairnes might have escaped to, in the hopes of finding others of her species. On her path, she has some hurdles to overcome and new friends to meet.
The concept, the writing, the world building and the characters are all really strong. The plot is decent, though I’m not particularly a fan of the ending. A pretty solid middle grade fantasy read.
The concept, the writing, the world building and the characters are all really strong. The plot is decent, though I’m not particularly a fan of the ending. A pretty solid middle grade fantasy read.
March 2, 2019
Wow.
Me ha gustado tantísimo el mundo que ha creado la autora, con criaturas fantásticas, y una historia llena de aventuras, de lucha, y con valores para parar un tren: la tolerancia, el respeto por los demás, y también hacia los animales. Estoy deseando continuar la saga.
Me ha gustado tantísimo el mundo que ha creado la autora, con criaturas fantásticas, y una historia llena de aventuras, de lucha, y con valores para parar un tren: la tolerancia, el respeto por los demás, y también hacia los animales. Estoy deseando continuar la saga.
March 25, 2021
In the beginning it started out quite slow and I was wondering if this was the right book for me, but the further I got the more I started to enjoy it. Defenitely want to go on with the series!
Oh and we all love a map right? There's one on the endpages! :D
Oh and we all love a map right? There's one on the endpages! :D
May 20, 2018
When I stop reading a book to find paper to copy a quote, I know a book has grabbed me. But rarely does that happen for me when reading fantasy. I'm not a fantasy fan, but I'm a fan of Katherine Applegate so reading her latest book was a no brainer. These quotes grabbed my heart and mind:
Byx's Mother: "It's never wrong to hope, Byx. Unless the truth says otherwise."
p. 167: ...I recalled my father's words: to rush is not necessarily to arrive."
p. 176: "It's humans who hate your kind," Gambler said. "They hate that you make it impossible for them to lie...They have purged the world of dairnes, but we won't be far behind....In the end, humans will attempt to destroy even the natites... never underestimate the human when it comes to duplicity and slaughter.
p. 174: "Why don't they believe you?" "The same reason they don't want to believe you exist, dairne. There are many scholars, but few seekers after truth. Humans believe the things that make them feel safe. They care little for difficult facts."
p. 219: "If you want to know the future, study the past. And the past tells us that there's one thing you can be certain of with humans: they always want more."
p. 248: "One thing is certain: the world grows emptier with each day. The causes are many--disease, famine, outright slaughter. But behind each cause there is a single perpetrator: the human who styles himself Murdano and his murderous young Seer. These humans do not understand the balance of life. The do not understand that their will to dominate and control, to use and abuse, is destructive to all."
p. 266: "It was the motto of our pack. It means 'In truth lies strength.'"
p. 271: "How could the human who controls that care about dairnes?" I asked. "He doesn't care about dairnes," Khara said. "He cares about power." "Is that all humans care about?" I asked. "Power?" Khara parted me on the back. "Not all humans, Byx. Just most of them."
Looking back on these quotes out of context looks gloomy, but that is not the message of the book, nor is it the foreshadowing of the rest of the trilogy. The main characters Byx, Tobble, Khara, Gambler, Renzo, Luca, are complex characters faced with decisions that do not have black and white answers. There is conflict and trail ahead, but there is also hope. After all, this quote appears more than once:
Byx's Mother: "It's never wrong to hope, Byx. Unless the truth says otherwise."
Byx's Mother: "It's never wrong to hope, Byx. Unless the truth says otherwise."
p. 167: ...I recalled my father's words: to rush is not necessarily to arrive."
p. 176: "It's humans who hate your kind," Gambler said. "They hate that you make it impossible for them to lie...They have purged the world of dairnes, but we won't be far behind....In the end, humans will attempt to destroy even the natites... never underestimate the human when it comes to duplicity and slaughter.
p. 174: "Why don't they believe you?" "The same reason they don't want to believe you exist, dairne. There are many scholars, but few seekers after truth. Humans believe the things that make them feel safe. They care little for difficult facts."
p. 219: "If you want to know the future, study the past. And the past tells us that there's one thing you can be certain of with humans: they always want more."
p. 248: "One thing is certain: the world grows emptier with each day. The causes are many--disease, famine, outright slaughter. But behind each cause there is a single perpetrator: the human who styles himself Murdano and his murderous young Seer. These humans do not understand the balance of life. The do not understand that their will to dominate and control, to use and abuse, is destructive to all."
p. 266: "It was the motto of our pack. It means 'In truth lies strength.'"
p. 271: "How could the human who controls that care about dairnes?" I asked. "He doesn't care about dairnes," Khara said. "He cares about power." "Is that all humans care about?" I asked. "Power?" Khara parted me on the back. "Not all humans, Byx. Just most of them."
Looking back on these quotes out of context looks gloomy, but that is not the message of the book, nor is it the foreshadowing of the rest of the trilogy. The main characters Byx, Tobble, Khara, Gambler, Renzo, Luca, are complex characters faced with decisions that do not have black and white answers. There is conflict and trail ahead, but there is also hope. After all, this quote appears more than once:
Byx's Mother: "It's never wrong to hope, Byx. Unless the truth says otherwise."
April 12, 2018
4.5 Stars
This is an engaging read. The Last, which is actually the first in the Endling series is a book targeted to middle-grade readers. It should appeal to children who have loved anthropomorphic fantasies along the lines of the Redwall series. Applegate gives us an appealing protagonist in Byx, member of a sentient species called the dairne, who have a dog-like appearance but walk upright like humans. Set in the world of Nedarra, war ravages Byx's world as humans try to conquer the other sentient races. A simple nighttime escapade leads Byx away from her family's camp and she later returns to find them slaughtered. Fearing she is the last of her kind, Byx sets out with her friend Tobble, a wobbyx, to find safety and hopefully other dairne. Along the way, Byx attracts a band of friends of different species, including some humans, finds intrigue, and a potential threat to Nedarra.
A charming and well-written book, Newbery Award-winning author Applegate gives her readers an epic fantasy with a heroine you root for and some deeper thoughts about extinction. One of the benefits of anthropomorphic fantasies is that they encourage children to view animals as sentient creatures, capable of emotions and higher thought, and thus a little bit more like us humans. That hopefully leads to deeper thoughts about humans and the way we impact our world.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from Edelweiss and Harper Collins, in exchange for an honest review.
This is an engaging read. The Last, which is actually the first in the Endling series is a book targeted to middle-grade readers. It should appeal to children who have loved anthropomorphic fantasies along the lines of the Redwall series. Applegate gives us an appealing protagonist in Byx, member of a sentient species called the dairne, who have a dog-like appearance but walk upright like humans. Set in the world of Nedarra, war ravages Byx's world as humans try to conquer the other sentient races. A simple nighttime escapade leads Byx away from her family's camp and she later returns to find them slaughtered. Fearing she is the last of her kind, Byx sets out with her friend Tobble, a wobbyx, to find safety and hopefully other dairne. Along the way, Byx attracts a band of friends of different species, including some humans, finds intrigue, and a potential threat to Nedarra.
A charming and well-written book, Newbery Award-winning author Applegate gives her readers an epic fantasy with a heroine you root for and some deeper thoughts about extinction. One of the benefits of anthropomorphic fantasies is that they encourage children to view animals as sentient creatures, capable of emotions and higher thought, and thus a little bit more like us humans. That hopefully leads to deeper thoughts about humans and the way we impact our world.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from Edelweiss and Harper Collins, in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2018
Most of Applegate's books leave me feeling warm and fuzzy, often in tears, so it was with great excitement that I pushed everything else on my "to read" list aside on the day this arrived at the house. But here we are way too many days later (a bad sign right off the bat) and I'm neither warm nor fuzzy. The Last just didn't grab me at all. About halfway through I pictured my review being "eh." By the end of the book I just wanted to be done with it. I have little patience for books where much of the "action" is the heroes running away from a villain and every time they stop to rest, they have to go again. Obviously, other things happen along the way, but not enough to keep me very interested. I think, however, it might sell very well to my die hard Warriors fans.
May 23, 2018
Applegate is a good writer and I thought this was good. I am giving 3 stars rather than 4 because, in the end, I am genuinely on the fence as to whether I will read the next book in the series when it comes out. For all its strengths, this struck me as a pretty conventional fantasy that I think fans of the genre will find fine, but I don't think the book transcends the genre.
May 9, 2018
Katherine Applegate is such a wonderful writer. Having loved Ivan and Wishtree, I was super excited to get my hands on The Last Endling. Such a beautiful story! I absolutely loved the characters! Non-stop action will make this popular with students. It will be torture to wait for the sequel.
September 30, 2019
Уявляєте, як це лишитись геть одній у своєму роді? Одній однесенькій на всенькій землі? Ні, і не зможете зрозуміти, бо ви людина - лицемірна, честолюбна раса, яка хоче всім володіти і все нищити на своєму шляху. Така доля спіткала й дейрнів, найчесніших істот на землі, і серед них залишилась найменшенька дівчинка Биш, яка тепер мусить виживати, не знає кому довіритись.
Але все ж знаходить тих СВОЇХ, хоч і таких різних, які показують їй, що поки у тебе є друзі, ти не самотній у цьому світі (вобик Тоббл - мій найулюбленіший).
Розповідь, яка постійно тримає в напрузі.
Є про що задуматись, особливо актуальне питання браконьєрства, яке призводить до вимирання видів.
Але все ж знаходить тих СВОЇХ, хоч і таких різних, які показують їй, що поки у тебе є друзі, ти не самотній у цьому світі (вобик Тоббл - мій найулюбленіший).
Розповідь, яка постійно тримає в напрузі.
Є про що задуматись, особливо актуальне питання браконьєрства, яке призводить до вимирання видів.
July 1, 2019
With rich world building and a fast paced narrative that will leave readers breathless, the first book in the Endling series will leave readers clamoring for more -- immediately! Similar to Lloyd Alexander in plot and characterization, Applegate has used the best literary devices of the heroes' quest to create a story that feels both new and familiar. A beautiful tale of honor, betrayal, friendship, self-sacrifice, and the reminder that family is important and that it comes in all forms and sizes.
June 9, 2018
Katherine Applegate wrote books that defined my childhood, books that rank among my favorite to this day. So, be warned that my opinion comes with a strong positive bias.
What I love about Applegate's writing is how she knows her audience, and she doesn't shy away from them. Her writing voice is simple and straight-forward; she uses simple words and short paragraphs that are easy to follow and comprehend. From my experience, she tends to focus on YA and MG books, with an audience targeting middle and high schoolers for the most part.
It is her themes that are for adults. It is the underlying starkness of the pain and evil of the real world that earns my respect.
Endling is, in part, what I expected of Applegate. Simple enough for a middle-school child, but with hopeful themes any adult can appreciate. She uses many "standard" fantasy templates- the exiled/deposed heir, a magical sword, a rogue with a heart of gold, magic and betrayal and long quests through a fantastical land- but she also brings new themes. It is a bit relaxing for a lover of fantasy to not have to see rehashed Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Wizards identical in all but name. She creates new races, with their own powers and realms and backstories that don't readily trace back to the fantasy tropes. There is magic, but it is used both by powerful wizards in towers and common men replacing their worn-out shoes.
And while the fantasy land is beautiful to look at, its characters so whimsical you sometimes expect them to rhyme, Applegate, in her usual style, doesn't hide the dark side. **Minor spoiler, but in the first few chapters, our hero, already part of a dying species, must see, in brutal, stark clarity, her whole family, her entire species as she knows it, killed without mercy or care. She sees the bodies, she smells the blood, and it deeply upsets her. When I read Applegate in middle school, this brutality hidden in plain sight with simple words is what I loved the most. She doesn't talk down, or hide, or belittle her audience. She trusts her readers, though young, are mature enough to handle what she offers.
Her characters are young as well- the oldest character with a given age being about 14, and the youngest being the equivalent of 8. And yet, in their own way, they are all strong, and brave, and courageous, and prove highly positive role models to live up to. The youngest, a little mouselike creature named Tobble, always being praised for his heroism and bravery, even though he is usually too small to fight, too weak to help, but he is always, always the first to offer.
Our heroine, Byx, I especially adored. Where we have her friend Khara as the woman-warrior, strong in battle and brave and honorable, Byx is small, and weak, and humble. Even though Byx is in several battles in the book, her instinct is not to harm. And she is not the meek hero who slowly becomes a strong warrior. Byx's strength is her honesty, which she uses time and again to save herself and her friends.
In truth lies strength.
Overall, it's a book I highly recommend to adults both young and middle-grade. And I am thrilled to see she has more books planned in the series, and she will not end this in a major cliffhanger like she ended EVERY OTHER SERIES I HAVE READ FROM HER.
What I love about Applegate's writing is how she knows her audience, and she doesn't shy away from them. Her writing voice is simple and straight-forward; she uses simple words and short paragraphs that are easy to follow and comprehend. From my experience, she tends to focus on YA and MG books, with an audience targeting middle and high schoolers for the most part.
It is her themes that are for adults. It is the underlying starkness of the pain and evil of the real world that earns my respect.
Endling is, in part, what I expected of Applegate. Simple enough for a middle-school child, but with hopeful themes any adult can appreciate. She uses many "standard" fantasy templates- the exiled/deposed heir, a magical sword, a rogue with a heart of gold, magic and betrayal and long quests through a fantastical land- but she also brings new themes. It is a bit relaxing for a lover of fantasy to not have to see rehashed Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Wizards identical in all but name. She creates new races, with their own powers and realms and backstories that don't readily trace back to the fantasy tropes. There is magic, but it is used both by powerful wizards in towers and common men replacing their worn-out shoes.
And while the fantasy land is beautiful to look at, its characters so whimsical you sometimes expect them to rhyme, Applegate, in her usual style, doesn't hide the dark side. **Minor spoiler, but in the first few chapters, our hero, already part of a dying species, must see, in brutal, stark clarity, her whole family, her entire species as she knows it, killed without mercy or care. She sees the bodies, she smells the blood, and it deeply upsets her. When I read Applegate in middle school, this brutality hidden in plain sight with simple words is what I loved the most. She doesn't talk down, or hide, or belittle her audience. She trusts her readers, though young, are mature enough to handle what she offers.
Her characters are young as well- the oldest character with a given age being about 14, and the youngest being the equivalent of 8. And yet, in their own way, they are all strong, and brave, and courageous, and prove highly positive role models to live up to. The youngest, a little mouselike creature named Tobble, always being praised for his heroism and bravery, even though he is usually too small to fight, too weak to help, but he is always, always the first to offer.
Our heroine, Byx, I especially adored. Where we have her friend Khara as the woman-warrior, strong in battle and brave and honorable, Byx is small, and weak, and humble. Even though Byx is in several battles in the book, her instinct is not to harm. And she is not the meek hero who slowly becomes a strong warrior. Byx's strength is her honesty, which she uses time and again to save herself and her friends.
In truth lies strength.
Overall, it's a book I highly recommend to adults both young and middle-grade. And I am thrilled to see she has more books planned in the series, and she will not end this in a major cliffhanger like she ended EVERY OTHER SERIES I HAVE READ FROM HER.
June 25, 2019
Admito que no me gustó mucho al inicio, tenía ese algo simplón en su narración que me aburrió. Además, los mensajes estaban siendo muy evidentes y la idea de que los humanos somos lo peor qué hay también (que es cierto, eso no lo niega nadie). Sin embargo, con el paso de las páginas comencé a encariñarme con los personajes, en especial Tobble y Gambler, amo a esos dos y me dolió que mi edición no tuviera ni una sola imagen de Gambler.
Es un mundo bastante interesante y con su grado de complejidad para ser una historia en apariencia middle-grade. Me gustó eso. Tiene mapas, criaturas propias, leyendas, historias, idiomas, etc.
Sobre personajes cae en el grupo heterogéneo que por distintos motivos terminan en una cruzada juntos. Quizá le juega en contra que narra Byx y era un poco agotador su continuo deseo de morir (entendible, pero agotador). Por lo menos era soportable, no era una protagonista odiosa, solo que con muy baja estima propia. Adoro el toque de humor que aporta Renzo y tengo ganas de leer el siguiente en gran parte por él.
Como dije, el inicio me chocó porque esperaba más, algo mejor narrado y construido. Con el paso de las páginas tuve lo segundo, y por suerte también le agarré cariño a sus personajes.
Es un mundo bastante interesante y con su grado de complejidad para ser una historia en apariencia middle-grade. Me gustó eso. Tiene mapas, criaturas propias, leyendas, historias, idiomas, etc.
Sobre personajes cae en el grupo heterogéneo que por distintos motivos terminan en una cruzada juntos. Quizá le juega en contra que narra Byx y era un poco agotador su continuo deseo de morir (entendible, pero agotador). Por lo menos era soportable, no era una protagonista odiosa, solo que con muy baja estima propia. Adoro el toque de humor que aporta Renzo y tengo ganas de leer el siguiente en gran parte por él.
Como dije, el inicio me chocó porque esperaba más, algo mejor narrado y construido. Con el paso de las páginas tuve lo segundo, y por suerte también le agarré cariño a sus personajes.
October 2, 2025
Byx may be the last member of her race, the Dairnes. They look like dogs, but walk upright: they can speak and think and become threatened by humans because of their innate ability to tell when someone is lying. Out wandering around one morning, Byx saves the life of a wobbyk (named Tobble) in a daring rescue, making the tiny Tobble indebted to her (to save Byx's life three times.) Shortly thereafter, a human girl (Khara), masquerading as a boy, captures Byx, saving her from the deadly fate of her pack. Khara too is more than she seems, and the three head off to see a leading Scholar to preserve Byx. Treachery threatens them, and Byx is hidden in a prison, where they find a fourth comrade: a large cat-like felivet, named Gambler. After a daring escape from the celebration (?) mourning the end of the Dairnes, the assembled group head off to find Dairneholme, a mythical sentient island, where there may still be Dairnes. It's quite an adventure, filled with camraderie and loyalty, with the classic good versus evil overlay.
May 14, 2020
This is the first book that someone recommended me to read on Goodreads and it was also my first fantasy book that I read in English, so although some parts were a bit difficult to understand, for me, it was very much worth it, because the way that Aplegatte presents us with this world that it has created as well as all its characters, each one more different than the other in appearance, but all young and brave in their own way.
Another book classified for children, but that anyone would enjoy regardless of their age.
Este es el primer libro que alguien me recomendó que leyera en Goodreads y también fue mi primer libro de fantasía que leí en inglés, así que aunque algunas partes fueron un poco difíciles de entender, para mi,Valio muchisimo la pena,debido a que la forma en que Aplegatte nos presenta este mundo que ha creado asi como a todos sus personajes,cada uno mas diferente que el otro en apariencia,pero todos jovenes y valientes a su manera.
Otro libro clasificado para niños,pero que cualquier persona disfrutaria sin importar su edad.
Another book classified for children, but that anyone would enjoy regardless of their age.
Este es el primer libro que alguien me recomendó que leyera en Goodreads y también fue mi primer libro de fantasía que leí en inglés, así que aunque algunas partes fueron un poco difíciles de entender, para mi,Valio muchisimo la pena,debido a que la forma en que Aplegatte nos presenta este mundo que ha creado asi como a todos sus personajes,cada uno mas diferente que el otro en apariencia,pero todos jovenes y valientes a su manera.
Otro libro clasificado para niños,pero que cualquier persona disfrutaria sin importar su edad.
October 14, 2018
I will read anything that Katherine Applegate writes! Her writing is so versatile and accessible for readers, young and old. This is the fourth book I've read by her, and it most certainly won't be the last.
The Last is the story of a young dairne (a dog-like anthropomorphic character) named Byx, who is thrust into an unplanned journey and a fight for survival. Along the way, she finds herself in the company of some unlikely creatures - a wobbyk, a felivet, and a young human - who join her in her quest to find others like her and to escape the evil plans of those who seek to harm and exploit her. This book is the first in the Endling series.
If you have a young reader in your life, or if you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, and solid storytelling, then I highly recommend this book.
The Last is the story of a young dairne (a dog-like anthropomorphic character) named Byx, who is thrust into an unplanned journey and a fight for survival. Along the way, she finds herself in the company of some unlikely creatures - a wobbyk, a felivet, and a young human - who join her in her quest to find others like her and to escape the evil plans of those who seek to harm and exploit her. This book is the first in the Endling series.
If you have a young reader in your life, or if you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, and solid storytelling, then I highly recommend this book.
March 28, 2019
I want to say that I heard the audiobook but kind of wished that I would have read the physical copy better. I think I would have enjoyed it better since I heard they include pictures in there. I picked this up because i loved the one and only Ivan and Crenshaw. I loved the characters in this book and i enjoyed the story. I will probably continue with this series but in physical form.
4☆☆☆☆
4☆☆☆☆
May 3, 2022
This book....I don't know what to say about it.....it was...it was.....I can't describe how much I enjoyed it!!!!!! It was....oh my goodness you guys it was incredible!!! Such a beautiful MG book everyone should read! A new favorite!!! If your looking for a good book this is one!
For concerned parties....there is a small, teeny, tiny bit of magic. But not weird magic, it's called theurgy and it's basically like magical tricks.
For concerned parties....there is a small, teeny, tiny bit of magic. But not weird magic, it's called theurgy and it's basically like magical tricks.
January 21, 2025
Un bon roman de fantasy pour la jeunesse avec de l'aventure, des personnages crédibles et attachants, et surtout... énormément de créatures inventées par l'autrice ! Ce premier tome fonctionne à merveille. Dès 10/11 ans.
May 25, 2018
Well constructed fantasy world that is different than most. Though I thought of Brandon Mull’s Five Kingdoms series with the islands at the end of the book. Believable fantasy characters. There is a dark undertone to the story but knowing that this is the first book gives the reader hope when the character’s situation seems hopeless. Looking forward to the next book.
October 7, 2018
Byx wanders just a little too far from her family's temporary den one morning in her desire to see the sea in the daylight. She ends rescuing a wobbyk from a boat and both of them are then captured by a girl, Khara, masquerading as a boy. While Byx was away from her den, her family was killed by the poachers Khara was traveling with. Dairnes are hunted for their soft fur, even though they are intelligent creatures capable of speech, valued for their ability to tell truth from lies, and one of the five great species in their world. Khara wants to take Byx to a scholar who may give her good money for a rare dairne. The rescued wobbyk, Tobble, tries to free Byx from Khara but they both just end up in worse trouble. The world is not a safe place for a dairne. Khara promises that the scholar will be the safest place for Byx, so they make their way to the island of scholars. But what they find on the island is not what any of them expected and soon the group realizes that for the good of the world they must figure out if there are any other dairnes left, or if Byx really is the Endling.
This book is different from Applegate's more recent writing. It feels like something halfway between The One and Only Ivan and her Animorphs series. There are clear themes of needing to curb human greed for the good of other species, much like Ivan. And there's an overarching, sometimes deadly serious, good and evil epic fantasy plot that's more like her Animorphs series than anything else she's written recently. The story was engaging, the characters are complex (you aren't sure who you can trust or not), and Applegate creates an interesting fantasy world. I felt like there were some tiny inconsistencies that bothered me but the target audience probably won't notice I also for some reason had a little hard time connecting with Byx. I can't exactly put my finger on why. I did however, love Tobble. He's such a faithful friend and he sounds so cute, but he has the heart of a lion. There are several good things to talk about in this book making it one to consider for book clubs. Hand this to middle grade readers who like epic fantasy quests, especially those that involve animal characters.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are multiple battles with numerous fatalities (some described a bit, by sharp instruments and fire) and injuries mentioned (blood described but nothing more).
This book is different from Applegate's more recent writing. It feels like something halfway between The One and Only Ivan and her Animorphs series. There are clear themes of needing to curb human greed for the good of other species, much like Ivan. And there's an overarching, sometimes deadly serious, good and evil epic fantasy plot that's more like her Animorphs series than anything else she's written recently. The story was engaging, the characters are complex (you aren't sure who you can trust or not), and Applegate creates an interesting fantasy world. I felt like there were some tiny inconsistencies that bothered me but the target audience probably won't notice I also for some reason had a little hard time connecting with Byx. I can't exactly put my finger on why. I did however, love Tobble. He's such a faithful friend and he sounds so cute, but he has the heart of a lion. There are several good things to talk about in this book making it one to consider for book clubs. Hand this to middle grade readers who like epic fantasy quests, especially those that involve animal characters.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are multiple battles with numerous fatalities (some described a bit, by sharp instruments and fire) and injuries mentioned (blood described but nothing more).
September 16, 2018
Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 5.0
What if you found out that you were absolutely the last of your kind on earth? Your family and tribe has just been taken and you are the last? How would you feel? This is exactly what happens to Byx, a dog-like creature called Dairne. When her family and tribe are murdered, Byx is the only Dairne left in existence, but she has heard rumors of others hidden away on a mystical island. Byx has no one else to live for so she decides to set off to search for more of her kind. Along the way she makes friends, both animal and humans, to help her on her mission. Little does Byx know that there is a reason her species has become extinct and other species are the next target. The land of Nedarra is being controlled by an evil ruler and little do Byx and her friends know that they are caught up in the middle of it. Will Byx, Tobble, Khara, Gambler, and Renzo survive with The Knight of the Fire after them? Will they be able to find this mysterious island where there are supposably more Dairne in hiding? Read this incredible story of fantasy, magic, family, and friendship.
This book is magnificent! Byx faces such heartache that you will be heartbroken with her and when her heart begins to mend and heal you have all the love for her new friends/family with her. This story is full of action and adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. My favorite theme from this whole story is that big things can come in little packages. Don't miss this amazing story!! And this is just book one... I cannot wait for book two to come out!!
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What if you found out that you were absolutely the last of your kind on earth? Your family and tribe has just been taken and you are the last? How would you feel? This is exactly what happens to Byx, a dog-like creature called Dairne. When her family and tribe are murdered, Byx is the only Dairne left in existence, but she has heard rumors of others hidden away on a mystical island. Byx has no one else to live for so she decides to set off to search for more of her kind. Along the way she makes friends, both animal and humans, to help her on her mission. Little does Byx know that there is a reason her species has become extinct and other species are the next target. The land of Nedarra is being controlled by an evil ruler and little do Byx and her friends know that they are caught up in the middle of it. Will Byx, Tobble, Khara, Gambler, and Renzo survive with The Knight of the Fire after them? Will they be able to find this mysterious island where there are supposably more Dairne in hiding? Read this incredible story of fantasy, magic, family, and friendship.
This book is magnificent! Byx faces such heartache that you will be heartbroken with her and when her heart begins to mend and heal you have all the love for her new friends/family with her. This story is full of action and adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. My favorite theme from this whole story is that big things can come in little packages. Don't miss this amazing story!! And this is just book one... I cannot wait for book two to come out!!
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
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Read
December 1, 2018Byx is the last of her kind, the dairnes have been hunted to near extinction and she barely managed to escape the humans' latest attempt with her life. Now she's alone, an endling, but she has a faint hope that there might be another group of dairnes to the north. So together with some unlikely friends - a human Khara and a tiny wobbyk Tobble - she starts the perilous journey to see if there are any of her kind left in the world.
I suspect fans of animal fantasy like Warriors, etc. will really be into this. It's set in a richly imagined fantasy world where there are all kinds of creatures, some of which can wield magic, and most of which are at some kind of odds with each other. For me, it was too much - too complicated a world and I couldn't really wrap my head around how everyone was supposed to interact. I did not particularly care for Byx - I found her whiny and naive and too dependent on the help of everyone else to be very compelling as a protagonist.
Katherine Applegate has spoken about why she wrote this book - to get child readers to think about animal species being driven to extinction and how humans could help but often don't. I find that parallel a little bit a stretch since the humans in this book are killing off other sentient species, species that they talk to and do business with. That's not to say there's not a parallel there somewhere, but I guess one of my issues with this book is that I had a hard time distinguishing between sentient species (many of which have animal characteristics) and actual animals. And sometimes they eat each other, but then also sometimes they become friends? Maybe that's the point?
Ahh, this book was too much for me.
I suspect fans of animal fantasy like Warriors, etc. will really be into this. It's set in a richly imagined fantasy world where there are all kinds of creatures, some of which can wield magic, and most of which are at some kind of odds with each other. For me, it was too much - too complicated a world and I couldn't really wrap my head around how everyone was supposed to interact. I did not particularly care for Byx - I found her whiny and naive and too dependent on the help of everyone else to be very compelling as a protagonist.
Katherine Applegate has spoken about why she wrote this book - to get child readers to think about animal species being driven to extinction and how humans could help but often don't. I find that parallel a little bit a stretch since the humans in this book are killing off other sentient species, species that they talk to and do business with. That's not to say there's not a parallel there somewhere, but I guess one of my issues with this book is that I had a hard time distinguishing between sentient species (many of which have animal characteristics) and actual animals. And sometimes they eat each other, but then also sometimes they become friends? Maybe that's the point?
Ahh, this book was too much for me.
September 8, 2021
This book was fantastic. I was drawn into this fantasy story of Byx, the dairnes who can be mistaken for a dog should the time arise. With remarkable, original characters, Katherine creates a world where humans are just part of the governing species in this novel. I, myself was cheering for the smaller creatures that make up this novel. There are some who want power and will go to great lengths to acquire it while others just want to survive.
It all began when Byx saves a wobbyk and they find themselves under fire. Byx tries to return home with Tobble but realizes that the home that she left this morning is gone. Everyone is dead. Scared and feeling alone, they don’t have the time to assess the situation before the two of them are captured. Byx and Tobble take quite a journey, as prisoners. Byx worries that she is now an endling and she’s not sure she wants to be the last of his species. Tobble has an obligation that he must perform and he tries hard to fulfill it.
I couldn’t get enough of this book as Byx and Tobble started to come to grips with their new lives. The world that Katherine created was entertaining and full of adventure. Now, I am left hanging until the next book in the series is released in 2019 and then, I am definitely reading it. I really enjoyed this novel and feel older elementary or middle school readers will too. I think it would make a good read aloud too.
(I made a cheat sheet as I read this book, listing the character’s names and their types since they were so unfamiliar to me. I feel this helped me a great deal and made the book more enjoyable.)
It all began when Byx saves a wobbyk and they find themselves under fire. Byx tries to return home with Tobble but realizes that the home that she left this morning is gone. Everyone is dead. Scared and feeling alone, they don’t have the time to assess the situation before the two of them are captured. Byx and Tobble take quite a journey, as prisoners. Byx worries that she is now an endling and she’s not sure she wants to be the last of his species. Tobble has an obligation that he must perform and he tries hard to fulfill it.
I couldn’t get enough of this book as Byx and Tobble started to come to grips with their new lives. The world that Katherine created was entertaining and full of adventure. Now, I am left hanging until the next book in the series is released in 2019 and then, I am definitely reading it. I really enjoyed this novel and feel older elementary or middle school readers will too. I think it would make a good read aloud too.
(I made a cheat sheet as I read this book, listing the character’s names and their types since they were so unfamiliar to me. I feel this helped me a great deal and made the book more enjoyable.)
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