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kennyleigh1999's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really wanted to enjoy this, but I think it was just a tad bit lackluster. Had this been re-written for a slightly older audience, I think it would have been perfect.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Ableism, Body horror, and Grief
klra's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really thought this was going to be about a Latina storyteller, so imagine my surprise when it was Science Fiction. I loved that it was cursory on the "why" they're going to space and really focused on the mission itself. The main character has macular degeneration, and she is on the ship illegally since the idea behind the chosen is that they're the best humanity has to offer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Child death, Xenophobia, Genocide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism and Death
fluidmarainehayden's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Ableism
immovabletype's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
i really respected what this book was trying to do. it did occasionally come close, but ultimately its reach was beyond its grasp. i think the downfall for me was the tone, which seemed to want to be darker than it was allowed to be. one of the biggest strengths of middle grade is its use of metaphor and sparsity of language to address heavy topics for a young audience. but there wasn't much in the way of metaphor here. it was all clearly laid out for the reader, nothing to really read between the lines — a problem not just because it makes for a less immersive story, but because in this case it tended to create more questions than answers. and yet, so very, very predictable. there were no revelations save one that i didn't see coming. i may have a leg up as a more experienced reader than its intended audience, but i also believe a truly good novel for children can be just as wonderous for grown ups. i found myself wishing it weren't middle grade so the author could delve a little deeper into the effects of its themes on the characters. but that's not really the right wish, because it can still be done. ultimately there was some lovely stuff that hinted at what this book could have been, but the rest wasn't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Confinement, and Murder
Minor: Ableism
gabydoesgrowth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was my first middle-grade story as an adult and at first I felt a little silly reading it, but I really enjoyed it. The cover drew me in and I had to get it. It’s short and moves pretty fast so it kept me interested.
Some of the sci-fi aspects are familiar, but it still felt fresh and original.
The writing was really well done and I loved learning about Petra and her family and how her heritage was such a central part of herself.
I wish the story continued after its end.
Some of the sci-fi aspects are familiar, but it still felt fresh and original.
The writing was really well done and I loved learning about Petra and her family and how her heritage was such a central part of herself.
I wish the story continued after its end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Murder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Classism, and Colonisation
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really liked this, but it was definitely more action packed and heavy than I had expected from a middle grade book.
This is a story about Petra, a 12-year-old girl who has to leave earth with her family when a comet is on the trajectory to hit and destroy the planet. Only a small percentage of earth's population can be rescued on one of the 3 generational ships that will be travelling for over 300 years to their destination, a new livable planet. Petra's parents are scientists that will help build a new home for humanity. Petra's family as well as the other scientists and their families on the ship will spend the voyage in a long sleep and wake up with all the knowledge to rebuild society. But when Petra wakes up, nothing is as it was supposed to be.
I love the fact that there is a sci-fi middle grade story centered around a female Latinx protagonist with a disability. I also like the themes discussed in the book like the strength in diversity, the importance of one's past, of storytelling (be it oral or in books). The difference between equality and sameness. But also topics like grief, finding one's place and value in the world.
I just have to say parts of the plot were quite disturbing, and I don't know how I would have felt reading these scenes as a kid. A lot of death and destruction and life-threatening situations. And it was tense! I was very stressed throughout the whole second half of the book.
This is a story about Petra, a 12-year-old girl who has to leave earth with her family when a comet is on the trajectory to hit and destroy the planet. Only a small percentage of earth's population can be rescued on one of the 3 generational ships that will be travelling for over 300 years to their destination, a new livable planet. Petra's parents are scientists that will help build a new home for humanity. Petra's family as well as the other scientists and their families on the ship will spend the voyage in a long sleep and wake up with all the knowledge to rebuild society. But when Petra wakes up, nothing is as it was supposed to be.
I love the fact that there is a sci-fi middle grade story centered around a female Latinx protagonist with a disability. I also like the themes discussed in the book like the strength in diversity, the importance of one's past, of storytelling (be it oral or in books). The difference between equality and sameness. But also topics like grief, finding one's place and value in the world.
I just have to say parts of the plot were quite disturbing, and I don't know how I would have felt reading these scenes as a kid. A lot of death and destruction and life-threatening situations. And it was tense! I was very stressed throughout the whole second half of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, and Murder
albernikolauras's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such an excellent middle grade science fiction novel following Petra as she and a few others leave Earth to continue the human race. Within it, she must fight for maintaining the stories of the Earth's past.
This book was surprisingly darker and deeper than I was expecting, but such a loving and cathartic read. It truly tackled the rewriting of history and the privilege of surviving in such a careful and kind way. Petra was an excellent character to follow through this series. I loved her strength, her kindness, and her resilience throughout the story.
Highly recommend for any reader looking for a book to speed through.
This book was surprisingly darker and deeper than I was expecting, but such a loving and cathartic read. It truly tackled the rewriting of history and the privilege of surviving in such a careful and kind way. Petra was an excellent character to follow through this series. I loved her strength, her kindness, and her resilience throughout the story.
Highly recommend for any reader looking for a book to speed through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Confinement
toriliz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism, Slavery, Genocide, and Colonisation
taliahsbookshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you’re anything like me, you probably have some sort of collection. It could be small, it could be big, it could be made of anything. Books, DVD’s, potato chip cans, I don’t know. But I want you to think about that collection. This stuff that means a lot to you, even if it isn’t worth a lot. Then I want you to think of the hidden gem in that collection. The thing you might not think of first when asked about your collection, that you might not think of as the most important one in your collection, that doesn’t necessarily stand out from your collection at first glance. But it’s the one that hidden deep beneath, is secretly your favorite. It’s the one you default to when you’re a little sad, or when you have to remind yourself why you started this collection in the first place.
That’s what reading this book felt like. That little kernel of pure, unbridled joy that feels childlike and limitless. With a plot that packs a punch and characters ready to stand up to it all, The Last Cuentista now sits in its rightful place of honor on my bookshelf.
When I first picked up this book at my local bookstore, it was the cover that drew me in. The bright colors, the whimsical nature tied in with some sci-fi elements. Then I read the summary, and was intrigued by the Latinx culture as seen in a sci-fi genre, with spaceships and aliens. But when I was reading it, it was the story that kept me captivated. The last storyteller, our main character, Petra, was simultaneously a badass and a beautiful, relatable character. She might only be thirteen, but she feels so real that you forget she isn’t standing right next to you.
This book gave off the vibes of the movie Passengers, the book series Percy Jackson, and strangely, somehow, the city of Chicago. I can’t really explain that last one, just like I can’t really explain the way this book was perfection in a beautiful casing.
Read it. Now. I promise you that you will get lost in the story and stay invested until the very last word.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Animal death, Ableism, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping