Rick Riordan Presents: The Last Fallen Star-A Gifted Clans Novel - Hardcover

Kim, Graci

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1368059635 ISBN 13: 9781368059633

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents, 2021

Synopsis

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Graci Kim's thrilling debut about an adopted Korean-American girl who discovers her heritage and her magic on a perilous journey to save her witch clan family.

"Graci Kim does such an amazing job of blending Korean mythology into the modern world, I am now wondering how I ever lived without knowing all this cool information."--New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan

Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated into the Gom clan, a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations. Her sister, Hattie, will earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision. Although Riley is desperate to follow in her sister's footsteps when she herself turns thirteen, she's a saram--a person without magic. Riley was adopted, and despite having memorized every healing spell she's ever heard, she often feels like the odd one out in her family and the gifted community.
Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie's magic? Their sleuthing reveals a promising incantation in the family's old spell book, and the sisters decide to perform it at Hattie's initiation ceremony. If it works, no one will ever treat Riley as an outsider again. It's a perfect plan!

Until it isn't. When the sisters attempt to violate the laws of the Godrealm, Hattie's life ends up hanging in the balance, and to save her Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it?

As Riley embarks on her search, she finds herself meeting fantastic creatures and collaborating with her worst enemies. And when she uncovers secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe, Riley must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+.

"A fun, new magical world that promises more adventures to come."--Kirkus Reviews

Complete your middle grade collection with these best-selling fan favorites :

• Rick Riordan Presents Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
• Rick Riordan Presents Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
• Rick Riordan Presents Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
• The Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan

About this title

About the Author

Graci Kim is a Korean-Kiwi diplomat turned author who writes about the magic she wants to see in the world. The Last Fallen Star is her middle grade debut. In a previous life she used to be a cooking show host, and she once ran a business that turned children's drawings into plushies. When she's not lost in her imagination, you'll find Graci drinking flat whites, eating ramyeon, and most likely hugging a dog (or ideally, many). She lives in New Zealand with her husband and daughter. Follow her on Twitter @gracikim and Instagram @gracikimwrites.

Reviews

Gr 4–8—This latest installment of "Rick Riordan Presents" features Korean-inspired mythology filled with goddesses, witch clans, ghosts, and fantastical creatures. Despite her family's attempts at inclusion, 12-year-old Riley Oh has always felt invisible, like an outsider. They are Gom, one of six secret clans of gifted witches. Riley's adopted and doesn't possess the magical healing powers they all do. Driven by her need to belong, she hatches a plan with her sister Hattie to cast a spell that would share Hattie's magic with Riley. When the spell backfires, Riley must step up to save Hattie and confront the truth of her heritage. During her quest, Riley learns to challenge her biases and that every story contains more than one perspective. The most important lesson, though, is one of self-acceptance as she finds strength and belonging with those who love her. While most tweens aren't tasked with impossible missions to save the world, many can relate to Riley's feelings of insecurity and need for validation. She is a heroine whose flaws make her relatable in this highly imaginative and original story. Many Korean terms and authentic cultural references enrich the action-packed plot, including crave-inducing food descriptions. VERDICT Full of humor and thrills, this bewitching fantasy blends Korean mythology into an empowering adventure.—Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL

Edition details

• Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1368059635
• ISBN 13: 9781368059633
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336