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The Last Atlantean
"Watch, ye sons of the sea, your doom is at hand. With soundless storm rises the fate of Atlantis."As a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Hattie has always been able to handle anything the Atlantic throws at her. But when a stranger washes ashore in a storm, she finds herself unraveling a mystery that will change her life.Caught up in a high-stakes game of intrigue and hidden loyalties, Hattie watches legends take shape before her eyes. But as kings and pawns prepare for a showdown that will determine the fate of an ancient world, she wonders whether she has thrown in her lot with the hero or the villain.
276 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2020
23 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Emily Hayse
13 books148 followersEMILY HAYSE is a lover of log cabins, strong coffee, NASCAR, and the smell of old books. Her writing is fueled by good characters and a lifelong passion for storytelling. When she is not busy turning words into worlds, she can often be found baking, singing, or caring for one of the many dogs and horses in her life. A native of Michigan, she currently resides in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 28, 2020
So good!! Definitely my favorite so far by this author. Lyrical prose, in depth characters, compelling plots and amazing worldbuilding! Atlantis is so gorgeous and REAL!
Ahh! I just loved everything about this, kept turning pages and definitely kept me stressed. lol! Loved Hattie and Isurus, and 10/10 would die for Mokarran. Part political intrigue, part character driven story, and all epic.
I'm not putting together a very coherent review, but it's fabulous and reminds me of the stories that I loved growing up, historical fiction/fantasy, brotherhoods, noble characters, warriors, determined women who are going to fight for what they believe/who they love. Just amazing. Read it!
Ahh! I just loved everything about this, kept turning pages and definitely kept me stressed. lol! Loved Hattie and Isurus, and 10/10 would die for Mokarran. Part political intrigue, part character driven story, and all epic.
I'm not putting together a very coherent review, but it's fabulous and reminds me of the stories that I loved growing up, historical fiction/fantasy, brotherhoods, noble characters, warriors, determined women who are going to fight for what they believe/who they love. Just amazing. Read it!
November 14, 2020
Emily Hayse really knows how to weave words together in a lyrical way, creating a flow of story that has the same moody and mesmerizing quality of a cold sea and dark, endless waves. I was left with a definite Rosemary Sutcliff feeling as I read through the pages of The Last Atlantean!
Hayse captured the regal and honor-filled Atlantean culture with its larger-than-life mythic quality well—and its juxtaposition to the homey, close-knit American community makes for an intriguing contrast.
A slow and thoughtful read with an unusual perspective. I, personally, preferred to have the story more focused on the “thick of things.” I loved the “alien on Earth” quality of the first few chapters and would have preferred that aspect to be longer, with a little more action woven throughout. Hattie stands very much on the edge of the events, making the narrative a little removed. Not to say that it was badly written: the exploration of how court intrigue is experienced by those on the outskirts, while not my personal preference, was a deliberate stylistic choice on the part of the author, and an interesting one!
My last quibble is that I would have also preferred a little more clarification on the faith aspect of the book. The Atlanteans, including Isurus, believe in false Gods and have a certain worshipful perspective towards animals. While Hattie very briefly mentions faith in the one true God, she never seems to disagree with her husband’s beliefs nor does she challenge them – leaving me with a kind of “all gods are the same” vibe. I could have missed something, but that was how it struck me, personally.
That being said, this was an intriguing read full of noble characters, mystical settings, and a dash of sweet romance.
Emily Hayse is one of my top five “authors to watch” and I can’t wait to read her next work!
** I received an ARC of The Last Atlantean in exchange for an honest review. **
Hayse captured the regal and honor-filled Atlantean culture with its larger-than-life mythic quality well—and its juxtaposition to the homey, close-knit American community makes for an intriguing contrast.
A slow and thoughtful read with an unusual perspective. I, personally, preferred to have the story more focused on the “thick of things.” I loved the “alien on Earth” quality of the first few chapters and would have preferred that aspect to be longer, with a little more action woven throughout. Hattie stands very much on the edge of the events, making the narrative a little removed. Not to say that it was badly written: the exploration of how court intrigue is experienced by those on the outskirts, while not my personal preference, was a deliberate stylistic choice on the part of the author, and an interesting one!
My last quibble is that I would have also preferred a little more clarification on the faith aspect of the book. The Atlanteans, including Isurus, believe in false Gods and have a certain worshipful perspective towards animals. While Hattie very briefly mentions faith in the one true God, she never seems to disagree with her husband’s beliefs nor does she challenge them – leaving me with a kind of “all gods are the same” vibe. I could have missed something, but that was how it struck me, personally.
That being said, this was an intriguing read full of noble characters, mystical settings, and a dash of sweet romance.
Emily Hayse is one of my top five “authors to watch” and I can’t wait to read her next work!
** I received an ARC of The Last Atlantean in exchange for an honest review. **
February 4, 2023
The strongest point of this book is the writing. Emily Hayse is AMAZING at setting the tone of a novel. I couldn’t get over how good it felt while reading this. The writing is so smooth and well-crafted. So much so that sometimes I was enjoying the writing so much that I forgot to concentrate on the story.
That’s an accomplishment.
I was invested in the plot. Mostly for the characters, because I loved them so much, but in the end I was just rooting for all the good people.
This was very well done.
That’s an accomplishment.
I was invested in the plot. Mostly for the characters, because I loved them so much, but in the end I was just rooting for all the good people.
This was very well done.
April 27, 2022
Beautiful prose, unique and vivid settings, political intrigue, lovely and loyal characters…yep, it’s an Emily Hayse novel. ❤
October 27, 2021
So, *cracks knuckles*, let's get to it, shall we?
I bought this book as a summer read. It's a habit for me to buy books about the sea, the ocean, mermaids and such when summer comes, idk why but I do it. So this book ended up on my tbr and soon it was in my hands. Was it anything like I expected? Absolutely not. Was that a bad thing? Not at all.
Emily Hayse has a style I've never seen before. She is most certainly a 21st century author but her style and content feels like reading a book written in the 1800s or 1900s and I think that's absolutely lovely.
I was expecting Aquaman-style action and romance but instead I got a heartfelt story of grief, family, trust and honour. Something I never knew I needed. The romance wasn't the focus of this story and I liked that— I fell that if we read too much romance we forget that life's not all about that and we easily become unable to read anything else. This book straightened things for me and it brought me to a new perspective about books, but also about very real things like grief and suffering. It brought me to tears and few books do that effectively.
In short, I absolutely loved this book by Emily Hayse and I hope to get her other books soon!
Content Warning
Absolutely, squeaky-clean book. There was one chaste kiss and that's it. Thank you Emily!
I bought this book as a summer read. It's a habit for me to buy books about the sea, the ocean, mermaids and such when summer comes, idk why but I do it. So this book ended up on my tbr and soon it was in my hands. Was it anything like I expected? Absolutely not. Was that a bad thing? Not at all.
Emily Hayse has a style I've never seen before. She is most certainly a 21st century author but her style and content feels like reading a book written in the 1800s or 1900s and I think that's absolutely lovely.
I was expecting Aquaman-style action and romance but instead I got a heartfelt story of grief, family, trust and honour. Something I never knew I needed. The romance wasn't the focus of this story and I liked that— I fell that if we read too much romance we forget that life's not all about that and we easily become unable to read anything else. This book straightened things for me and it brought me to a new perspective about books, but also about very real things like grief and suffering. It brought me to tears and few books do that effectively.
In short, I absolutely loved this book by Emily Hayse and I hope to get her other books soon!
Content Warning
Absolutely, squeaky-clean book. There was one chaste kiss and that's it. Thank you Emily!
Read
February 5, 2021At 50% I was not invested in the plot or characters so I skipped ahead to the last few chapters and didn't feel like I had missed much.
I bought the book because I previewed the opening and loved the atmosphere of it. And for the most part, that atmosphere remains through much of the book.
What I struggled with was the lack of tension. Isurus is a paragon character who we learn early on is the exiled king of Atlantis who intends to go back and reclaim his throne. Hattie is a simple Maine girl who doesn't want anything and doesn't seem to have any real faults. The only real tension in the book is
I bought the book because I previewed the opening and loved the atmosphere of it. And for the most part, that atmosphere remains through much of the book.
What I struggled with was the lack of tension. Isurus is a paragon character who we learn early on is the exiled king of Atlantis who intends to go back and reclaim his throne. Hattie is a simple Maine girl who doesn't want anything and doesn't seem to have any real faults. The only real tension in the book is
June 7, 2025
Review From July 2021:
This book was TRULY a masterpiece! The author has such a way with words and her writing that you can't help but be captivated from beginning to end. This story was very much like the sea, gentle and calm in the first portion, then slowly builds into a fierce storm, and then calms again as it takes you on an incredible adventure from mystery and legends to danger and intrigue.
I simply adore the characters! I can't help but admire Hattie's gentle stregnth as she grows to not only love Isurus, but is willing to stands beside him and face both beauty and danger of Atlantis, even when the odds are against her. And ISURUS! I love his heart and courage and willingness to fight for what he lost, even when he doubts himself. You can't help but root for him like many of the characters who are loyal to him! And the romance between them! It was so gentle and sweet and beautiful that left me smiling! A breath of fresh air!
But the secondary characters truly stand out as well! Mokkran, Galelio, Zyeana, Taurus, and Tryeana! Even the antagonists nearly moved me to pity. Nearly.
As much as I admire the close-knit community of Maine, I was truly in awe of the world of Atlantis! From its honor-bound and loyal but very superstitious people to its incredible buildings to its mysterious underwater tunnels!
This was truly a masterpiece that left me holding my breath (literally!) until the very end, where I released a big sigh of relief! It was truly beautiful and unique, worth reading again and again!
This book was TRULY a masterpiece! The author has such a way with words and her writing that you can't help but be captivated from beginning to end. This story was very much like the sea, gentle and calm in the first portion, then slowly builds into a fierce storm, and then calms again as it takes you on an incredible adventure from mystery and legends to danger and intrigue.
I simply adore the characters! I can't help but admire Hattie's gentle stregnth as she grows to not only love Isurus, but is willing to stands beside him and face both beauty and danger of Atlantis, even when the odds are against her. And ISURUS! I love his heart and courage and willingness to fight for what he lost, even when he doubts himself. You can't help but root for him like many of the characters who are loyal to him! And the romance between them! It was so gentle and sweet and beautiful that left me smiling! A breath of fresh air!
But the secondary characters truly stand out as well! Mokkran, Galelio, Zyeana, Taurus, and Tryeana! Even the antagonists nearly moved me to pity. Nearly.
As much as I admire the close-knit community of Maine, I was truly in awe of the world of Atlantis! From its honor-bound and loyal but very superstitious people to its incredible buildings to its mysterious underwater tunnels!
This was truly a masterpiece that left me holding my breath (literally!) until the very end, where I released a big sigh of relief! It was truly beautiful and unique, worth reading again and again!
January 8, 2021
A moody atmospheric start to this read had me instantly hooked. With stormy seas, a lighthouse care takers earnest daughter and a mysterious man pulled from the sea I was settling in for what promised to be a decent read. And look the first 30% was promising but ultimately I found myself plodding along through the book waiting for Hattie, our MC to actually do something, anything.
Hattie just felt like such a passenger. Although we have political manoeuvring when we get to Atlantis she really contributes very little. Sure she stands her ground in some scenes but mostly she just follows directions or simply offers support and empathy.
It’s not all bad though. The writing itself and the world building of the sleepy fishing village and later Atlantis is well done. The contrast of cultures between the hardworking mainlanders against the warrior and religious Atlanteans was interesting. But ultimately the characters and their plight didn’t keep me engaged.
Give it a go if you’re mad about Atlantis but otherwise it’s a meh from me.
Hattie just felt like such a passenger. Although we have political manoeuvring when we get to Atlantis she really contributes very little. Sure she stands her ground in some scenes but mostly she just follows directions or simply offers support and empathy.
It’s not all bad though. The writing itself and the world building of the sleepy fishing village and later Atlantis is well done. The contrast of cultures between the hardworking mainlanders against the warrior and religious Atlanteans was interesting. But ultimately the characters and their plight didn’t keep me engaged.
Give it a go if you’re mad about Atlantis but otherwise it’s a meh from me.
August 25, 2023
Emily Hayse's books have a kind of direct, inevitable heroism that I find enthralling. Her prose suits other and older worlds, filled with larger-than-life heroes and heroines, villains and villainesses. This whole book felt like a movie made in the 1950s but set a few decades earlier. There are underwater pathways and shark battles and other exciting and dramatic things, plus a sweet and clean love story. Just enough worldbuilding to make Atlantis a convincingly otherworldly realm, but not so much that I got bored (this is often a problem for me with fantasy books). I found this book a healthy dose of bracing and heartening fiction, which I definitely needed.
Long live the shark king!
Long live the shark king!
April 25, 2020
I am completely blown away by this book. The phrasing of the words, the world-building, the relationships—all of these are so beautiful and I found myself in tears many times reading, especially at the end. The world-building, the whole sea fantasy intrigued me, having always been partial to it, and it did not disappoint. And the characters, oh the characters! Isurus stole my heart and I love how he and Hattie compliment each other so well right from the opening. I regret I can't say more because spoilers, but I absolutely love this book to pieces!
February 5, 2021
My favorite read of 2020, all other favorites go home.
I don't even know where to start with The Last Atlantean. I'd like my review to do the book justice, but I don't think it can; I've never been one for long reviews and there's so much to talk about. Not to mention, I'm struggling between the two potential routes of keyboard smash fangirling and intense literary analysis.
It's just... some books do something to you. They touch you in a deep way, one you can't articulate or even define. I don't know why TLA is that book to me. I don't know what it did. I don't know why I feel this quivering almost-ache in my chest when I think of it, why there's this sense of yearning and also completeness, why I want to cry and yet feel so alive.
Perhaps that's where I should start.
Because this book holds so much aliveness. That's it's essence. It's a book of the sea, a raw, stinging, pulsing book full of all the little moments that make you realize how good, and how fragile, it is to be alive.
The sensory details and the cadence of the prose are out of this world. The book yanked me in from the dedication onward, and I wanted to savor every word... and binge the whole thing. Two incompatibles. As for the characters—! They live, too. They live and are not ashamed of living. They are messy and broken and contradictory and beautiful in the way of humanity. I want to see and touch them just to prove their real-ness.
That's why we who are authors write, isn't it? There are so many reasons, but one of the greatest is that we want to capture life. To set it down, to hold it a little longer than it lasts. The grief, the soft moments, the delirious joy, the laughter and the tears. The Last Atlantean does that on every page, and I can't help but come away feeling bittersweetly, wildly alive.
Okay, that was enough existential crisis for one review. Go read about some sturdy Maine towns and gentle secretive strangers and sunlight on the waves and shark kings and life.
I don't even know where to start with The Last Atlantean. I'd like my review to do the book justice, but I don't think it can; I've never been one for long reviews and there's so much to talk about. Not to mention, I'm struggling between the two potential routes of keyboard smash fangirling and intense literary analysis.
It's just... some books do something to you. They touch you in a deep way, one you can't articulate or even define. I don't know why TLA is that book to me. I don't know what it did. I don't know why I feel this quivering almost-ache in my chest when I think of it, why there's this sense of yearning and also completeness, why I want to cry and yet feel so alive.
Perhaps that's where I should start.
Because this book holds so much aliveness. That's it's essence. It's a book of the sea, a raw, stinging, pulsing book full of all the little moments that make you realize how good, and how fragile, it is to be alive.
The sensory details and the cadence of the prose are out of this world. The book yanked me in from the dedication onward, and I wanted to savor every word... and binge the whole thing. Two incompatibles. As for the characters—! They live, too. They live and are not ashamed of living. They are messy and broken and contradictory and beautiful in the way of humanity. I want to see and touch them just to prove their real-ness.
That's why we who are authors write, isn't it? There are so many reasons, but one of the greatest is that we want to capture life. To set it down, to hold it a little longer than it lasts. The grief, the soft moments, the delirious joy, the laughter and the tears. The Last Atlantean does that on every page, and I can't help but come away feeling bittersweetly, wildly alive.
Okay, that was enough existential crisis for one review. Go read about some sturdy Maine towns and gentle secretive strangers and sunlight on the waves and shark kings and life.
did-not-finish
April 4, 2022After reading some reviews on here that echo my thoughts I am DNFing this book at 62%. I just don’t have the motivation to finish it. There is some lovely writing here and the first part of this book, which tells a sweet and quiet story set in Maine, captured my attention and heart quickly. But sadly, once the story shifts to the strange world of Atlantis, ironically, I became less interested. The distant third person POV with the combination of a lack of action drew me further and further out of the story. Once in Atlantis, there is a lot of meeting new characters and talking with them and getting some vague ideas about the world, but nothing that reveals anything particularly helpful for the reader. I might try another book by Emily Hayse but I’m letting this one go.
February 14, 2021
Shrouded in myth and mystery, this story is a tale for the hero loving heart! The Last Atlantean is a mesmerizing ride alongside the strong, yet gentle Hattie as she journeys from the cozy coast of Maine, and through the dazzling, frightful sea to the opulent and regal Kingdom of Atlantis.
January 31, 2021
I don't know if I have words.
I was calmly reading it, until around the last 70 pages and then...
It was amazing. And tense. I almost couldn't read it for excitement.
I was calmly reading it, until around the last 70 pages and then...
It was amazing. And tense. I almost couldn't read it for excitement.
May 25, 2024
Okay, I'll start off by saying I expected an excellent novel because of the cover and back. I was not disappointed AT ALL. Some might complain that it feels a bit like Aquaman in the beginning, but it isn't. Not at all. The only similarity is the Atlantis setting, but it makes its own name beyond that. The plot is so well done and the world-building is exquisite! Emily Hayse is SO nice and I talked to her for a good thirty minutes about publishing and writing. I highly recommend this to my friends, especially given the fact that I blazed through it in excitement and still managed to comprehend everything---it took a lot of self-control not to start squealing in the hotel room. I'm so glad I spent the money on this book because it was worth it. It's going on my bookshelf and I'm DEFINITELY going to be re-reading it.
EDIT: I was reading through the reviews, and I realized a lot of people had the same complaint about this book that I did notice.
Hattie doesn't contribute a lot as a main character to the action part of the story--but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this could be thought of as a book that is a retelling of a legend.
It seems especially in the book that many Atlanteans see Hatte as weak and an outsider, which makes sense in the book if it were a retelling of the legend. If you see someone as weak and only serving the purpose of support for the usurper, you're going to present them as weak.
The end specifically makes me sure that this is more what it is, though I think it would have been pretty interesting if she had let the reader read through the entire book and then closed with an Atlantean reading to their child the retelling.
Amazing book.
EDIT: I was reading through the reviews, and I realized a lot of people had the same complaint about this book that I did notice.
Hattie doesn't contribute a lot as a main character to the action part of the story--but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this could be thought of as a book that is a retelling of a legend.
It seems especially in the book that many Atlanteans see Hatte as weak and an outsider, which makes sense in the book if it were a retelling of the legend. If you see someone as weak and only serving the purpose of support for the usurper, you're going to present them as weak.
The end specifically makes me sure that this is more what it is, though I think it would have been pretty interesting if she had let the reader read through the entire book and then closed with an Atlantean reading to their child the retelling.
Amazing book.
July 27, 2021
This book is basically if Aquaman was re-written as a slow historical fiction with only the slightest hints of fantasy around the edges. In a lot of ways I really loved it. The characters are great, and Hattie is so far from the tropes I hate that she *almost* reverses them and goes too far the other way, but in general I love that she's practical and levelheaded, and knows the difference between times to ask questions and times to be quiet and wait.
There was something about either the slow pace or the writing style that wasn't *quite* working for me, and that kept me from loving it, but it general I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes a slow paced, historical feel, slow burn romance kind of story.
Content is mostly limited to death (off screen), grief, and injury/illness/poisonings, as well as the emotional aspects of betrayal and danger. There is some brief kissing and reference to pregnancy, but nothing even approaching 'adult' content. I think a lot of younger readers who can handle adventure and danger could enjoy this one.
There was something about either the slow pace or the writing style that wasn't *quite* working for me, and that kept me from loving it, but it general I'd recommend this one for anyone who likes a slow paced, historical feel, slow burn romance kind of story.
Content is mostly limited to death (off screen), grief, and injury/illness/poisonings, as well as the emotional aspects of betrayal and danger. There is some brief kissing and reference to pregnancy, but nothing even approaching 'adult' content. I think a lot of younger readers who can handle adventure and danger could enjoy this one.
April 26, 2021
I honestly didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I have to admit, I was first attracted to this book by the cover.
~
That aside, the characters are well formed. The intrigue and suspicions flow well. It's a nice cozy read, for when you need a break from all those high stakes and tension. Because that is this book's greatest weakness.
~
I won't knock it for this, though, because I'm beginning to realize why people read before the events of radio and television. People read for more than just escape back then. They didn't want to just be swept up on a high stakes adventure. They read to learn, or to feel, maybe. I'm not quite sure yet. But I do know there's a reason why classics seem "boring" to most of us now. I'll have to give it a little more thought.
~
But back to the point, I think Emily Hayse may one day have a place among the modern classics, if she hones her storytelling skills. I'm sure I'll be reading more of hers.
~
That aside, the characters are well formed. The intrigue and suspicions flow well. It's a nice cozy read, for when you need a break from all those high stakes and tension. Because that is this book's greatest weakness.
~
I won't knock it for this, though, because I'm beginning to realize why people read before the events of radio and television. People read for more than just escape back then. They didn't want to just be swept up on a high stakes adventure. They read to learn, or to feel, maybe. I'm not quite sure yet. But I do know there's a reason why classics seem "boring" to most of us now. I'll have to give it a little more thought.
~
But back to the point, I think Emily Hayse may one day have a place among the modern classics, if she hones her storytelling skills. I'm sure I'll be reading more of hers.
June 21, 2025
This book! <3
Emily Hayse is the queen of sympathetic villains. I loved every last character in this book! I didn’t necessarily side with the antagonists, but you can’t help but understand where they’re coming from, and care about them anyway.
There is an epicness to this story, a richness to the world, and absolute beauty in every line. I wish there were more stars to give this book; I’m longing for a reread already!
2nd read: The fatalistic strains in this hit me more this time, like a classic Greek tragedy. The beautiful awfulness of men striving against fate herself. And what men they are! Strong, but not harsh; soft, but not cowardly. What a poetic culture! And Hattie in the midst of them, with her rough New England edges, able to stand firm in the strongest storm.
Emily Hayse is the queen of sympathetic villains. I loved every last character in this book! I didn’t necessarily side with the antagonists, but you can’t help but understand where they’re coming from, and care about them anyway.
There is an epicness to this story, a richness to the world, and absolute beauty in every line. I wish there were more stars to give this book; I’m longing for a reread already!
2nd read: The fatalistic strains in this hit me more this time, like a classic Greek tragedy. The beautiful awfulness of men striving against fate herself. And what men they are! Strong, but not harsh; soft, but not cowardly. What a poetic culture! And Hattie in the midst of them, with her rough New England edges, able to stand firm in the strongest storm.
May 18, 2020
A slow-burn plot in a highly-immersive world. With both beautiful and harsh traditions, the culture of Atlantis drew me in even as Hattie entered it. The characters are complex, each with different beliefs and agendas. They felt very real, like their actions and words were spurred by pasts that the reader didn't necessarily know, and like I could sit down with any one of them and continue to get to know them beyond the world of the book. Masterfully done!
June 13, 2020
My favorite of Emily's books so far! The world building is brilliant and the prose beautiful. I love Hattie's moxie and Isurus' devotion to both her and his people. Also Mokaran is the best friend ever .
September 16, 2020
Read this book, guys. It made me cry.
November 27, 2021
This one might be my favorite Hayse book thus far! I'm not sure yet. I'll have to process it for a bit.
May 4, 2020
The more historical fantasy I read, the more I fall in love with it, and The Last Atlantean has definitely earned a place among my favorites of the genre.
The story begins with Hattie Scrow and her close-knit community by the seaside. Emily Hayse conveys the atmosphere of the story so well, and the comparisons between Maine and Atlantis were perfect. Each setting has its own unique feel, and both are immersive and rich with just the right amount of detail.
The story moves quickly, taking Hattie from the familiar world of her family and childhood home to her new home in Atlantis with Isurus and his quest to reclaim the throne that was taken from him. Atlantis is a world of danger, betrayal, and intricate political moves, with prophecies and warring interpretations of what those prophecies could mean. Is Isurus the Doom that will destroy Atlantis? Is his unexpected survival a sign that he is truly meant to be king?
“Some men’s fault is to run from death…his is to stand between death and his people.”
All of this sets up for a high-stakes attempt to reclaim the throne, woven with betrayals and loyalties and deadly attempts to gain the upper hand. Things don’t always take the turn one might expect, and this makes The Last Atlantean the sort of book that you want to read in one sitting. I was drawn in from the very first page and always had a difficult time leaving the story when I had to set it aside! (And really, I think the only downside of the story is that I wish it might have been a little longer, just to spend more time in the world and with the characters!)
Aside from the atmosphere, another favorite aspect was the characters. I loved how Hattie was ready to fight for and alongside Isurus, even when the odds were against them, and how she remains true to herself even when others would prefer to see her doubt her place in Atlantis. I particularly loved this Hattie moment:
“I want to do right. I don’t have any expectations of changing the whole world, but I want to do well what I’ve been given to do and make a difference to the people I love.”
Also: Taurus. Taurus. TAURUS. I loved him from the first moment he stepped into the story and he easily claimed the role of “favorite character,” and you can still find me fangirl-squealing over him, honestly.
The Last Atlantean is a unique take on the Atlantis lore and beautifully written. If you’re a fan of legends and historical fantasy, you should definitely check it out!
** I received an ARC of The Last Atlantean in exchange for an honest review. **
The story begins with Hattie Scrow and her close-knit community by the seaside. Emily Hayse conveys the atmosphere of the story so well, and the comparisons between Maine and Atlantis were perfect. Each setting has its own unique feel, and both are immersive and rich with just the right amount of detail.
The story moves quickly, taking Hattie from the familiar world of her family and childhood home to her new home in Atlantis with Isurus and his quest to reclaim the throne that was taken from him. Atlantis is a world of danger, betrayal, and intricate political moves, with prophecies and warring interpretations of what those prophecies could mean. Is Isurus the Doom that will destroy Atlantis? Is his unexpected survival a sign that he is truly meant to be king?
“Some men’s fault is to run from death…his is to stand between death and his people.”
All of this sets up for a high-stakes attempt to reclaim the throne, woven with betrayals and loyalties and deadly attempts to gain the upper hand. Things don’t always take the turn one might expect, and this makes The Last Atlantean the sort of book that you want to read in one sitting. I was drawn in from the very first page and always had a difficult time leaving the story when I had to set it aside! (And really, I think the only downside of the story is that I wish it might have been a little longer, just to spend more time in the world and with the characters!)
Aside from the atmosphere, another favorite aspect was the characters. I loved how Hattie was ready to fight for and alongside Isurus, even when the odds were against them, and how she remains true to herself even when others would prefer to see her doubt her place in Atlantis. I particularly loved this Hattie moment:
“I want to do right. I don’t have any expectations of changing the whole world, but I want to do well what I’ve been given to do and make a difference to the people I love.”
Also: Taurus. Taurus. TAURUS. I loved him from the first moment he stepped into the story and he easily claimed the role of “favorite character,” and you can still find me fangirl-squealing over him, honestly.
The Last Atlantean is a unique take on the Atlantis lore and beautifully written. If you’re a fan of legends and historical fantasy, you should definitely check it out!
** I received an ARC of The Last Atlantean in exchange for an honest review. **
May 20, 2021
One of my most anticipated reads of the year! I’ve followed the author on Instagram for a while now, and while I always enjoy her posts, I’ve never read any of her books. And I am so glad I did.
The Last Altantean is a beautiful book in every sense of the word. There were several times I had to put it down just so that I can stare at a wall for a moment and savor a superbly well-crafted sentence. There were scenes where the writing actually gave me chills.
If I could describe the settings in a word, it would be immersive. Hayse does a brilliant job not just of painting her characters into their world, but also of drawing the reader right in alongside them. I thought this was especially well done in part one, set in stormy coastal Maine.
The beautiful descriptive writing, coupled with a plot full of intrigue and suspense, populated by complex characters, and peppered throughout with thought-provoking questions, made for an all-around wonderful reading experience.
I won’t say too much about the story itself, but I did want to mention two of my other favorite aspects: the love story, and the main character.
The romance was a soft and understated subplot, which made it feel very intimate and tangible. There were no fireworks, no cringey tropes. As a married person, I often have very little patience with how love is portrayed in novels. Honestly, Hattie and Isurus’s love story was probably the most realistic relationship progression I’ve read in a long time. Maybe that’s why it endeared itself to me so quickly.
And speaking of endearing, let’s talk about Hattie. Wow. It is so rare and beautiful to find a “strong female protagonist” whose strength is intrinsically feminine, and whose power comes not from being the loud and up-front fighter, but rather standing solidly in support of those she loves. Hattie is resilient, nurturing, caring, and most of all, unshakable. She is without a doubt one of the very few protagonists I admire to the point of respect, and would point to as an example of well-written femininity in fiction.
There were one or two worldbuilding aspects I thought could’ve used more fleshing out, and I was left with a few unanswered questions about how certain story threads resolved, but these were minor quibbles. All in all, I loved this book and I’m sad it’s over. I will most likely revisit it someday, and will definitely be seeking out more books from the author.
Long Live the Shark King!
The Last Altantean is a beautiful book in every sense of the word. There were several times I had to put it down just so that I can stare at a wall for a moment and savor a superbly well-crafted sentence. There were scenes where the writing actually gave me chills.
If I could describe the settings in a word, it would be immersive. Hayse does a brilliant job not just of painting her characters into their world, but also of drawing the reader right in alongside them. I thought this was especially well done in part one, set in stormy coastal Maine.
The beautiful descriptive writing, coupled with a plot full of intrigue and suspense, populated by complex characters, and peppered throughout with thought-provoking questions, made for an all-around wonderful reading experience.
I won’t say too much about the story itself, but I did want to mention two of my other favorite aspects: the love story, and the main character.
The romance was a soft and understated subplot, which made it feel very intimate and tangible. There were no fireworks, no cringey tropes. As a married person, I often have very little patience with how love is portrayed in novels. Honestly, Hattie and Isurus’s love story was probably the most realistic relationship progression I’ve read in a long time. Maybe that’s why it endeared itself to me so quickly.
And speaking of endearing, let’s talk about Hattie. Wow. It is so rare and beautiful to find a “strong female protagonist” whose strength is intrinsically feminine, and whose power comes not from being the loud and up-front fighter, but rather standing solidly in support of those she loves. Hattie is resilient, nurturing, caring, and most of all, unshakable. She is without a doubt one of the very few protagonists I admire to the point of respect, and would point to as an example of well-written femininity in fiction.
There were one or two worldbuilding aspects I thought could’ve used more fleshing out, and I was left with a few unanswered questions about how certain story threads resolved, but these were minor quibbles. All in all, I loved this book and I’m sad it’s over. I will most likely revisit it someday, and will definitely be seeking out more books from the author.
Long Live the Shark King!
July 19, 2021
An enjoyable story about Hattie, a light keeper’s daughter, and how her life changes when a man washes up on her shore. It’s no spoiler to say that this mysterious stranger is the Atlantian from the title and he’s a very interesting character.
Now some spoilers:
Hayse builds a neat culture and customs to go with her recreation of the lost city of Atlantis, however I was surprised that we spent the majority of the novel in Atlantis itself. Based on the description on the back of the book I thought the story would mostly follow Hattie uncovering the mystery of who this “shipwrecked” stranger is and falling in love with him. When really this happens in the first third of the novel. I personally would have like to have spent a longer time getting to know Hattie and Isurus. But I’m just a romantic. They do have a very sweet story but just would have liked to see more.
The pace of the novel clipped along easily and Hayse’s style is fairly easy to read (though the Atlantians’ speech patterns is a little more difficult as they sound older, more historical).
My biggest beef and take-away is the same. Hattie is a character of quiet strength which I like because it’s refreshing to have a heroine who can save the day without swashbuckling showy fights (which doesn’t fit the time period or her upbringing) and can use her strength of faith in her husband and in justice to prevail in different ways than you’d expect. So I like that but it wasn’t quite done well but I think that this is one of Hayse’s first books so she gets a bit of a pass. Hattie has agency in the beginning of the book, showing strength of character in saving the man and helping her father with the lighthouse, and she has some agency in the end when it’s time to save the day (I won’t spoil it because I still think you should read it!), but for the whole middle portion of the novel she kinda gets dragged from plot point to plot point because we’re following the Atlantians and their politics. This is one of the few times I would have been okay with POV changes, rather than just seeing Atlantis from Hattie’s POV.
Overall, I liked the story and the characters and the world. I would totally read it again. Glad I bought it!
Now some spoilers:
Hayse builds a neat culture and customs to go with her recreation of the lost city of Atlantis, however I was surprised that we spent the majority of the novel in Atlantis itself. Based on the description on the back of the book I thought the story would mostly follow Hattie uncovering the mystery of who this “shipwrecked” stranger is and falling in love with him. When really this happens in the first third of the novel. I personally would have like to have spent a longer time getting to know Hattie and Isurus. But I’m just a romantic. They do have a very sweet story but just would have liked to see more.
The pace of the novel clipped along easily and Hayse’s style is fairly easy to read (though the Atlantians’ speech patterns is a little more difficult as they sound older, more historical).
My biggest beef and take-away is the same. Hattie is a character of quiet strength which I like because it’s refreshing to have a heroine who can save the day without swashbuckling showy fights (which doesn’t fit the time period or her upbringing) and can use her strength of faith in her husband and in justice to prevail in different ways than you’d expect. So I like that but it wasn’t quite done well but I think that this is one of Hayse’s first books so she gets a bit of a pass. Hattie has agency in the beginning of the book, showing strength of character in saving the man and helping her father with the lighthouse, and she has some agency in the end when it’s time to save the day (I won’t spoil it because I still think you should read it!), but for the whole middle portion of the novel she kinda gets dragged from plot point to plot point because we’re following the Atlantians and their politics. This is one of the few times I would have been okay with POV changes, rather than just seeing Atlantis from Hattie’s POV.
Overall, I liked the story and the characters and the world. I would totally read it again. Glad I bought it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2021
Guys, this book is amazing.
I fell in love with Emily Hayse’s style when I read Seventh City, and this one doesn’t disappoint—in fact, I think it’s better. The whole story has a very distinctive tone that I can’t quite describe—the writing captures the small moments in a way that feels magical and dreamy and raw and *real.* The characters are complex and finely drawn, jumping off the page as if they are real and the author is merely recording their works.
The moment he appeared, I absolutely fell in love with Isurus. He’s a little broody, mysterious, quiet, and yet at his core he’s a truly good man, with a bit of a dry sense of humor that only comes out around those he’s close to. Hattie is a boots-on-the-ground small-town ocean girl with a hint of the dreamer about her, and although it took me a few chapters to get a sense of her personality, I really loved her by the end of the book.
The worldbuilding is fantastic—Atlantis feels truly unique, with the feel of ancient Greece of Rome but with a flair and plenty of details that make it its own land. There’s very little magic—I’d call it “low fantasy” or something like. But despite this, the overall tone is that of an epic fantasy novel.
And I think that’s because at its core, this book feels heroic. Characters are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, and there’s so many little moments of heroism that made my soul sing and brought tears to my eyes. The writing style captures an almost larger-than-life, legendary feeling while still making the characters and setting feel real and grounded.
Seriously, read this book. It’s awesome.
I fell in love with Emily Hayse’s style when I read Seventh City, and this one doesn’t disappoint—in fact, I think it’s better. The whole story has a very distinctive tone that I can’t quite describe—the writing captures the small moments in a way that feels magical and dreamy and raw and *real.* The characters are complex and finely drawn, jumping off the page as if they are real and the author is merely recording their works.
The moment he appeared, I absolutely fell in love with Isurus. He’s a little broody, mysterious, quiet, and yet at his core he’s a truly good man, with a bit of a dry sense of humor that only comes out around those he’s close to. Hattie is a boots-on-the-ground small-town ocean girl with a hint of the dreamer about her, and although it took me a few chapters to get a sense of her personality, I really loved her by the end of the book.
The worldbuilding is fantastic—Atlantis feels truly unique, with the feel of ancient Greece of Rome but with a flair and plenty of details that make it its own land. There’s very little magic—I’d call it “low fantasy” or something like. But despite this, the overall tone is that of an epic fantasy novel.
And I think that’s because at its core, this book feels heroic. Characters are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, and there’s so many little moments of heroism that made my soul sing and brought tears to my eyes. The writing style captures an almost larger-than-life, legendary feeling while still making the characters and setting feel real and grounded.
Seriously, read this book. It’s awesome.
August 13, 2022
Isn't that cover eye-grabbingly gorgeous?! It's what made me first want to read the book. And partly due to the cover, I was expecting a different kind of story. I expected the city of Atlantis to be under the sea, and the people to be a kind of merfolk or other similar creature that live in the sea, which is something I've always loved and gravitated toward.
So I was a bit disappointed when Atlantis is just situated near the water. Also, Hattie had much less agency (doing things herself) than I expected. She was a strong person and character, but in most of the book she supports someone else. I realize that this is an important role to play, but I like the main characters in books, no matter whether they're married, single, female, male, child, grandparent, goblin or dragon, to take action and do things.
Unfortunately, Hattie didn't do much in the last half of the book. In fact, not much actually happens in the latter half of the story except scheming, conversing, and waiting for things to happen. I grew a bit bored and perplexed with the slow pacing. There was also an event near the climax--the one event that Hattie took initiative on--that wasn't fully resolved or explained well, so that was a bit disappointing.
But I'm still glad I read The Last Atlantean. The prose is beautifully lyrical, the characters dynamic and complex, and the descriptions drip elegance. I'm sure I'll find other books by Hayse that are better suited to my reading tastes.
If you love lyrical storytelling, steady and strong characters who support others, and don't mind calmer, less twisting plots, you'll adore The Last Atlantean.
So I was a bit disappointed when Atlantis is just situated near the water. Also, Hattie had much less agency (doing things herself) than I expected. She was a strong person and character, but in most of the book she supports someone else. I realize that this is an important role to play, but I like the main characters in books, no matter whether they're married, single, female, male, child, grandparent, goblin or dragon, to take action and do things.
Unfortunately, Hattie didn't do much in the last half of the book. In fact, not much actually happens in the latter half of the story except scheming, conversing, and waiting for things to happen. I grew a bit bored and perplexed with the slow pacing. There was also an event near the climax--the one event that Hattie took initiative on--that wasn't fully resolved or explained well, so that was a bit disappointing.
But I'm still glad I read The Last Atlantean. The prose is beautifully lyrical, the characters dynamic and complex, and the descriptions drip elegance. I'm sure I'll find other books by Hayse that are better suited to my reading tastes.
If you love lyrical storytelling, steady and strong characters who support others, and don't mind calmer, less twisting plots, you'll adore The Last Atlantean.
September 4, 2025
What I Liked:
-Emily has a fresh take on Atlantis. Now, I haven't read many books with Atlantis as a setting, but Emily's felt very unique, and it was clear that she had done a ton of worldbuilding, even if it wasn't all shown in the pages. Honestly, I kind of want to read more books set in Atlantis so I can explore it more.
-The story has a very lore/legend-esq feeling to it, which was neat.
-As always, I really like Emily's writing style. It's different than what you find in most books, and it's refreshing to read.
-All of the characters were unique and different from each other.
What I Struggled With:
-The scenes felt a little bit like snapshots, mainly towards the beginning. But it makes sense since Emily had to cover a decent chunk of time in not a lot of chapters.
-I never really got super sucked into the plot or really invested in the characters. Now, this could be my fault since I was juggling a couple of other reads while I was reading The Last Atlantean. The plot also is slower-paced. It doesn't drag, but that could have also contributed to the fact that I was never gripped by the story. All of that said though, I was still able to enjoy the book.
Final Thoughts:
While not my favorite of her books (that title belongs to The Knights of Tin and Lead series), The Last Atlantean is another solid novel from Emily Hayse.
Cautions: several kisses; light romance; brief, non-graphic violence
-Emily has a fresh take on Atlantis. Now, I haven't read many books with Atlantis as a setting, but Emily's felt very unique, and it was clear that she had done a ton of worldbuilding, even if it wasn't all shown in the pages. Honestly, I kind of want to read more books set in Atlantis so I can explore it more.
-The story has a very lore/legend-esq feeling to it, which was neat.
-As always, I really like Emily's writing style. It's different than what you find in most books, and it's refreshing to read.
-All of the characters were unique and different from each other.
What I Struggled With:
-The scenes felt a little bit like snapshots, mainly towards the beginning. But it makes sense since Emily had to cover a decent chunk of time in not a lot of chapters.
-I never really got super sucked into the plot or really invested in the characters. Now, this could be my fault since I was juggling a couple of other reads while I was reading The Last Atlantean. The plot also is slower-paced. It doesn't drag, but that could have also contributed to the fact that I was never gripped by the story. All of that said though, I was still able to enjoy the book.
Final Thoughts:
While not my favorite of her books (that title belongs to The Knights of Tin and Lead series), The Last Atlantean is another solid novel from Emily Hayse.
Cautions: several kisses; light romance; brief, non-graphic violence
May 22, 2022
Ok please just hang in there with me, my brain is muddled and I hope I have the right words for this.
I loved this book.
I picked it up on a whim, wanting to reading one of Emily Hayse’s books for awhile, and I was not disappointed.
The atmosphere that was created, I felt like I was near the ocean. I could just picture every single moment, even though I’ve only seen Maine in pictures (for now…). The story, oh the story. It was good. I absolutely loved how it came to life around me. The characters were wonderful, and I just fell in love with the pacing and the whole entire plot as it came.
I wish I had better ways to describe it, but trust me…this book is well worth your time. I’ve been craving a book like this for awhile and I didn’t fully realize it until I started it the other day.
Wonderful read. Cannot wait to read more of her work.
I loved this book.
I picked it up on a whim, wanting to reading one of Emily Hayse’s books for awhile, and I was not disappointed.
The atmosphere that was created, I felt like I was near the ocean. I could just picture every single moment, even though I’ve only seen Maine in pictures (for now…). The story, oh the story. It was good. I absolutely loved how it came to life around me. The characters were wonderful, and I just fell in love with the pacing and the whole entire plot as it came.
I wish I had better ways to describe it, but trust me…this book is well worth your time. I’ve been craving a book like this for awhile and I didn’t fully realize it until I started it the other day.
Wonderful read. Cannot wait to read more of her work.
January 3, 2021
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Hayse, and it certainly won't be the last. The Last Atlantean is a beautiful story about love and courage, and the determination of one woman to support her husband no matter what it may cost her.
The writing is wonderful, and the story moves along at a nice clip without feeling rushed. Hattie and Isurus are terrific main characters, and I adored the supporting characters every bit as much, especially Taurus.
I loved the world building. It was immersive without being overwhelming. And I have to mention the cover - it truly is gorgeous!
This was a worthwhile story to add to my home library.
The writing is wonderful, and the story moves along at a nice clip without feeling rushed. Hattie and Isurus are terrific main characters, and I adored the supporting characters every bit as much, especially Taurus.
I loved the world building. It was immersive without being overwhelming. And I have to mention the cover - it truly is gorgeous!
This was a worthwhile story to add to my home library.
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