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The Last Kids on Earth #8
The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
The highly-anticipated eighth book in the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling series, with over 10 million copies in print!
Picking up after Quint and Dirk's Hero Quest, the Last Kids are happily reunited--but quickly faced with a monstrous new mission. Inside an other-dimensional fortress, the evil Thrull, alongside a vile new villain, is carrying out a sinister plan. Jack, Quint, June and Dirk must make their own plans to infiltrate the stronghold before Thrull gets any closer to completing the mysterious Tower, a structure that could ultimately spell doom for this dimension.
Picking up after Quint and Dirk's Hero Quest, the Last Kids are happily reunited--but quickly faced with a monstrous new mission. Inside an other-dimensional fortress, the evil Thrull, alongside a vile new villain, is carrying out a sinister plan. Jack, Quint, June and Dirk must make their own plans to infiltrate the stronghold before Thrull gets any closer to completing the mysterious Tower, a structure that could ultimately spell doom for this dimension.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2022
137 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Max Brallier
93 books682 followersMax Brallier is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His books and series include The Last Kids on Earth, Eerie Elementary, Mister Shivers, Galactic Hot Dogs, and Can YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse? He is a writer and producer for Netflix's Emmy-award-winning adaptation of The Last Kids on Earth. Max lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. Visit him at MaxBrallier.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 3, 2022
Ah, I’m so confused!! I thought this was supposed to be the last book in the series? Apparently not…but I’m so excited it’s not, too!
This is the eighth book in the series. (Check out Netflix for the animated version of the first couple books!)
I really don’t want to want to give anything away in this book because there are so many great surprises! It might be the best book yet!
This is the eighth book in the series. (Check out Netflix for the animated version of the first couple books!)
I really don’t want to want to give anything away in this book because there are so many great surprises! It might be the best book yet!
October 9, 2024
Jack and June saw their friends sucked into a portal.
Just realized this story worked for portal square as well.
Now Roover is going to be reunited with Jack. The big bad is in the fortress. The fortress wasn't as empty as they thought. Monsters were there. Now they have to find out what the big bad Thrull is in the fortress as well.
The story is simple. The big bad wants to extract information from the dying rat monster. Now Jack comic hand is doing stuff that is weird but helpful to the team.
Jack fears that he is going to turn into a monster himself. Would he accept that being partially monster is useful in the monsters filled world?
Good story. 4.5 stars. Reading for terror in small town square.
Just realized this story worked for portal square as well.
Now Roover is going to be reunited with Jack. The big bad is in the fortress. The fortress wasn't as empty as they thought. Monsters were there. Now they have to find out what the big bad Thrull is in the fortress as well.
The story is simple. The big bad wants to extract information from the dying rat monster. Now Jack comic hand is doing stuff that is weird but helpful to the team.
Jack fears that he is going to turn into a monster himself. Would he accept that being partially monster is useful in the monsters filled world?
Good story. 4.5 stars. Reading for terror in small town square.
November 13, 2025
4.5⭐️
Ich han offiziell kein Plan meh was passiert oder wo das herefüehrt aber wenigstens isch de Rover wider zrugg (basically s hunde-monster-huustier), darum alles guet. Oder? Ellie? ODER?
Ich han offiziell kein Plan meh was passiert oder wo das herefüehrt aber wenigstens isch de Rover wider zrugg (basically s hunde-monster-huustier), darum alles guet. Oder? Ellie? ODER?
February 1, 2023
This was my least favorite of all the book in the series so far just because of how icky it was. Most of the book takes place in a kiddie body horror monster sort of setting and I found it really off-putting. Regardless, my littles were very delighted with the ending scenes of the book. Loved all the references to movies and books.
October 30, 2022
For some reason this one was harder to follow and stay engaged in.... the number of characters has really grown through the series
November 5, 2025
das isch lowkey (highkey) verstöhrend chat
October 29, 2023
"Tää paikka on kuin maatuskanukke: aina paljastuu uusi iljettävä kerros." (s. 158)
Huh! Tämä taisi olla sarjan paksuin osa ja kätki sisuksiinsa ehdottomasti kaikkein kammottavimmat ja vauhdikkaimmat seikkailut. Onnistuuko Jackin ystävineen estää maailmaloppu?
"Pahuus on kuin kesäloma: se etenee aina nopeammin kuin toivoisi." (s. 79)
Jack pelkää olevansa muuttumassa hirviöksi. Hänen toismaailmallista ainesta sisältävä kätensä on viime aikoina käyttäytynyt oudosti, aivan kuin sillä olisi oma tahto. Ja se leviää kuin jokin tulehdus.
"Ihan kuin kävelisi kummitustalossa: sitä tietää, että joka nurkan takana odottaa jotain karmivaa, muttei tiedä mitä." (s. 140)
Jos et ole vielä tutustunut Maailman viimeisiin tyyppeihin, suosittelen lämpimästi!
Huh! Tämä taisi olla sarjan paksuin osa ja kätki sisuksiinsa ehdottomasti kaikkein kammottavimmat ja vauhdikkaimmat seikkailut. Onnistuuko Jackin ystävineen estää maailmaloppu?
"Pahuus on kuin kesäloma: se etenee aina nopeammin kuin toivoisi." (s. 79)
Jack pelkää olevansa muuttumassa hirviöksi. Hänen toismaailmallista ainesta sisältävä kätensä on viime aikoina käyttäytynyt oudosti, aivan kuin sillä olisi oma tahto. Ja se leviää kuin jokin tulehdus.
"Ihan kuin kävelisi kummitustalossa: sitä tietää, että joka nurkan takana odottaa jotain karmivaa, muttei tiedä mitä." (s. 140)
Jos et ole vielä tutustunut Maailman viimeisiin tyyppeihin, suosittelen lämpimästi!
April 17, 2024
There’s some good personal growth here.
March 7, 2025
This series gets so freaking dark all of a sudden. Also ghast dies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2022
It was probably the best book in awhile it was hilarious, scary, adventurous, confusing! I really like it!
February 12, 2023
This book had a lot of gross parts but that made it better! I thought this was the last book but I’m glad they are making more of them! I hope the tv show starts making more seasons! I love last kids on earth!
January 27, 2023
The book was the best book of the sires because they brought so many characters in to the book and it got me into the book.
September 28, 2023
Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk are back together and they've got to move fast to stop Thrull from extracting the plans for the Tower from Ghatz's brain and completing the portal to the other dimension. That would be exceptionally bad. But to stop Thrull they have to get into the beginnings of the Tower to stop it from being completed and that's pretty much impossible. Impossible hasn't stopped them before, though, so they get started on a horrible plan but the best they've got.
Knowing the title of the next book in the series, I had an inkling of how this book was going to turn out. It may not be what many expect because This is probably one of the most serious books in the series so far. Doom is near and the heroes all feel it. Jack's arm attachment thing is also doing weird things and possibly starting to take over his body, so he's a bit extra freaked out on top of the impending doom from portal to a monster dimension opening. There are moments of hope and levity, though. And some characters we haven't seen for a while are back . Now to see what happens next.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are several battles and a doctor doing gross experiments on monsters (giving them metal appendages and such), and a brain surgery. Most of the grossest parts are implied but not stated outright or shown in illustrations. The gross factor is definitely there, though. There's one death on page (not as emotional as you might think due to circumstances), as well as minor monsters vanquished.
Knowing the title of the next book in the series, I had an inkling of how this book was going to turn out. It may not be what many expect because This is probably one of the most serious books in the series so far. Doom is near and the heroes all feel it. Jack's arm attachment thing is also doing weird things and possibly starting to take over his body, so he's a bit extra freaked out on top of the impending doom from portal to a monster dimension opening. There are moments of hope and levity, though. And some characters we haven't seen for a while are back . Now to see what happens next.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are several battles and a doctor doing gross experiments on monsters (giving them metal appendages and such), and a brain surgery. Most of the grossest parts are implied but not stated outright or shown in illustrations. The gross factor is definitely there, though. There's one death on page (not as emotional as you might think due to circumstances), as well as minor monsters vanquished.
September 21, 2022
This continues to be a fun, non-political, book just about anyone could enjoy. I'm not saying it's a work of art or stunningly brilliant, but I can still read it and get away from the real world for 15 minutes.
It falls short simply because our characters have nothing to do . . . They in no way affect the outcome of the story, and really don't need to be here. When they have an opportunity to do something, they simply don't do it and end up missing their chance anyway.
Very little to nothing is explained, Jack's internal conflict is pretty weak. He started this series worried he would lose his friends (as a boy in the foster care system who had been moved around a lot, it was a legitimate concern) now he is concerned that while saving June's life he gave her a minor scratch on her face. One she didn't even notice or worry about.
The thing is plodding. I'm sure they are milking this series for all it is worth, but it would be nice for us to return to some stakes and some resolutions. We've gone nowhere fast.
Still, not woke, fun, enjoyable, mindless, and silly. Worth the couple of hours it takes to read and something I would have very little concern giving my kids to read.
It falls short simply because our characters have nothing to do . . . They in no way affect the outcome of the story, and really don't need to be here. When they have an opportunity to do something, they simply don't do it and end up missing their chance anyway.
Very little to nothing is explained, Jack's internal conflict is pretty weak. He started this series worried he would lose his friends (as a boy in the foster care system who had been moved around a lot, it was a legitimate concern) now he is concerned that while saving June's life he gave her a minor scratch on her face. One she didn't even notice or worry about.
The thing is plodding. I'm sure they are milking this series for all it is worth, but it would be nice for us to return to some stakes and some resolutions. We've gone nowhere fast.
Still, not woke, fun, enjoyable, mindless, and silly. Worth the couple of hours it takes to read and something I would have very little concern giving my kids to read.
September 14, 2022
In the explosive and gnarly eighth entry of the Last Kids saga, Quint and Dirk return from their heroic journey but with no time to rest. The next monstrous mission awaits inside an other-dimensional stronghold where a diabolical scheme unfolds. Realizing this may be their last chance to save the world from ending, again; the kids form a plan to infiltrate the foreboding fortress to put a stop to it. Should they fail? Oh, well nothing too bad, just the arrival of an ancient and cosmic destructor, Rezzoch, who will descend and decimate our reality. So, no pressure, they've got this, right...?
Oh boy, this book was a heart-pounding and adrenaline-rushing suicide mission where the stakes are higher than ever. The story and illustrations are still top-notch and it feels impossible to put down. The action is nonstop and crawls to an epic conclusion that has your jaw hanging. I loved the setting of Wracksaw's fortress and how it looks like something out of a David Cronenberg film. It was absolutely grotesque and awesome. There was one character I was sad to see go (I won't say who), but they had a sendoff that was deemed fitting. From here on out though, we're stepping into endgame territory and I cannot wait. The battle for the Tower draws near...
One of my new favorites of the entire series, cannot recommend it enough 5/5.
Oh boy, this book was a heart-pounding and adrenaline-rushing suicide mission where the stakes are higher than ever. The story and illustrations are still top-notch and it feels impossible to put down. The action is nonstop and crawls to an epic conclusion that has your jaw hanging. I loved the setting of Wracksaw's fortress and how it looks like something out of a David Cronenberg film. It was absolutely grotesque and awesome. There was one character I was sad to see go (I won't say who), but they had a sendoff that was deemed fitting. From here on out though, we're stepping into endgame territory and I cannot wait. The battle for the Tower draws near...
One of my new favorites of the entire series, cannot recommend it enough 5/5.
November 27, 2022
The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress wasn’t written for me. I made sure to put myself into the mindset of an 11-year-old boy (mother of three boys here so it was easier than you think) while reading it and the 11-year-old boy me loved it.
The story was exciting and the kids were getting things done without parents getting in the way. There was lots of slime and things got blown up! I totally recommend it for all the kids from second to eighth grade!
Read the full review here at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/book-...
The story was exciting and the kids were getting things done without parents getting in the way. There was lots of slime and things got blown up! I totally recommend it for all the kids from second to eighth grade!
Read the full review here at: https://www.thecosmiccircus.com/book-...
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October 31, 2022The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress is a science fiction book. I was happy that the last kids all came back together. I'm not really into science fiction that much but when I read this book my thoughts changed. My thoughts on this book are that it's a cool book one thing I enjoyed the most about this book is all the mystery stuff they do to fight the villain and I liked how they all come up with plans to help each other how to fight the villain. This book is a WOW book because of the villains and the story and I like stories that are involved with action/ fighting.
November 24, 2024
The most amazing book I’ve ever read
I read the series from the start. I love this series. It is packed with adventure and I couldn’t stop reading until I understand what’s going on. Just amazing story I love it. The characters that I love are Bardle, Rover, Skaelka. Onto the next book!
I read the series from the start. I love this series. It is packed with adventure and I couldn’t stop reading until I understand what’s going on. Just amazing story I love it. The characters that I love are Bardle, Rover, Skaelka. Onto the next book!
May 7, 2025
I loved this book. It has a lot of action and cool new characters. It has a lot of parts where you don't know what will happen next. I highly recommend this book to others. The setting is great, and I can't wait for the next book in the series . Congratulations, Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate, on this significant book .
December 26, 2022
These episodic adventures are quite entertaining, but with each successive installment it feels less and less like the ball is being moved forward. That being said, my kids are enjoying reading them and understanding more of the references with each passing year.
December 27, 2022
I was really surprised by this one! Honestly, it felt a lot more dark and sinister than previous books, and the wording and imagery was definitely less kidlike and goofy than previous books. A good story overall, and I'm excited to see what the next book brings!
January 1, 2023
This book has my full attention from beginning to end, and maybe even for a while after. The ending is so suspenseful and climactic; it’s a lot to take in. I absolutely cannot wait until book nine in 2023!!
January 10, 2023
I am a young adult and I LOVE READING YOUR BOOKS!!!
I love the characters, specially Jack and his problems
I am thoroughly been enjoying your books…I like how it’s kinda a comic book but also a normal book!
Keep writing those books! Good luck with the tv show!
I love the characters, specially Jack and his problems
I am thoroughly been enjoying your books…I like how it’s kinda a comic book but also a normal book!
Keep writing those books! Good luck with the tv show!
March 24, 2023
It was really good !! My favorite charcter is Jack Suvillan because I can relate to him and he has special cool powers !! The book has a lot of action !! And ends in Cliffhanger !! I highly recmmend this book !!
October 25, 2024
The characters are Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk. It's about these four kids that are the last kids on earth fighting to stay alive so they can see their family again. They got stuck in an alternative world where there's monsters and aliens roaming the earth.
November 9, 2022
Love it!
Oh, I've always loved these books. No matter what anyone tells me, I'm the book nerd!
Oh yeah, sounds crummy, well too bad. Can't prevent me from ever loving it!
Oh, I've always loved these books. No matter what anyone tells me, I'm the book nerd!
Oh yeah, sounds crummy, well too bad. Can't prevent me from ever loving it!
December 9, 2022
Entertaining 8th part to a fun series continues the camaraderie and teamwork of group to defeat interstellar evil.
December 30, 2022
To be honest, I only read this book because my son and I read it together. But I'm a firm believer in letting kids (and adults) read what they want to read.
January 19, 2023
This was a great book! It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so the next installment is eagerly awaited.
February 20, 2023
Another great book in this excellent book series I enjoy with my 10 year old son. I can’t wait for the next title to be released later this year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews