You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.
I really loved the fact that this is inspired by Korean mythology.
The worldbuilding in this book was amazing! Not only do we get an insight into the world, the powers and who rules, we also get the history behind certain characters and the world. I would have liked more info on the dead zones and remades as o felt like they did contribute a bit to the plot and development. All the characters were well written.
Some of the sentences were very confusing (especially with the timeline of shadow and her awakening a year ago), we also would jump a few locations with no explanation.
The plot was really fleshed out and I didn’t feel like there was much filler as it was fast paced.
The romance between the two fmc’s was so well done, both of their personalities went together so well and I really loved the precious moments they had.
There was some character development mainly with the side characters, I would have liked some sort of development from both fmc’s as Scarlet never really changed and Shadow only really changed from regaining some memories.
I loved the vague open ending as it leaves readers to decide on what happens next, whilst also potentially allowing a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the arc of this book.
The Last Soldier of Nava started off strong. However, I felt that it lost its way in the middle and end and became muddled.
Perhaps the issue was trying to do much in one book (as opposed to a duology). It's an ambitious story with a twisty plot and interesting concepts. However, I desperately wanted more development of the characters and their objectives/motivations, especially the villains; the book's themes and messages; and the mythology. My overall takeaway from the book was that it was confusing. I'm sure the author knew why everyone was doing what they were doing, but I didn't. (And not in an intriguing let's-solve-this-mystery way.)
I do want to stress that the beginning of this book is fantastic. It's clear that the author can produce amazing writing; I thought I was settling into a 4.5-5 star read. The descriptions, tension, atmosphere, setting up of stakes, initial introductions to the characters: I was hooked.
But, I would not consider the beginning to be representative of the entire book (so bear that in mind if you're checking out an ebook free sample).
Anyway, this book fell flat for me, but since reading is subjective:
You might like this book if you enjoy:
Stylised/mystical fight scenes, fantasy set outside of Europe, intriguing fantasy/mythological creatures, protagonists living a double life/hiding who they are, romance that's technically enemies-to-lovers but feels more like school-rivals-to-friends-to-lovers. (While the love interest annoyed me in her mean-girl stage, it ended up being a very sweet YA romance.)
I would avoid this book if any of the following is a deal-breaker:
Endings that don't resolve everything, undeveloped antagonists, confusing messages, confusing plots, or unclear magic systems/mythology.
The Last Soldier of Nava started off strong. However, I felt that it lost its way in the middle and end and became muddled.
Perhaps the issue was trying to do much in one book (as opposed to a duology). It's an ambitious story with a twisty plot and interesting concepts. However, I desperately wanted more development of the characters and their objectives/motivations, especially the villains; the book's themes and messages; and the mythology. My overall takeaway from the book was that it was confusing. I'm sure the author knew why everyone was doing what they were doing, but I didn't. (And not in an intriguing let's-solve-this-mystery way.)
I do want to stress that the beginning of this book is fantastic. It's clear that the author can produce amazing writing; I thought I was settling into a 4.5-5 star read. The descriptions, tension, atmosphere, setting up of stakes, initial introductions to the characters: I was hooked.
But, I would not consider the beginning to be representative of the entire book (so bear that in mind if you're checking out an ebook free sample).
Anyway, this book fell flat for me, but since reading is subjective:
You might like this book if you enjoy:
Stylised/mystical fight scenes, fantasy set outside of Europe, intriguing fantasy/mythological creatures, protagonists living a double life/hiding who they are, romance that's technically enemies-to-lovers but feels more like school-rivals-to-friends-to-lovers. (While the love interest annoyed me in her mean-girl stage, it ended up being a very sweet YA romance.)
I would avoid this book if any of the following is a deal-breaker:
Endings that don't resolve everything, undeveloped antagonists, confusing messages, confusing plots, or unclear magic systems/mythology.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
I picked up The Last Soldier of Nava with excitement, drawn in by its promise of Korean mythology and dark magic. However, my experience turned out to be a bit of a rollercoaster that left me conflicted. From the very beginning, I couldn’t quite vibe with the writing style. It felt off, and I wasn’t sure if the prose genuinely improved as the story progressed or if I eventually just got used to it. That rocky start made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the tale.
The magic system, too, was something I struggled with. The author definitaly takes a soft approach to it. Magic flows without clear boundaries, rules, or consequences. For someone who loves a hard magic system where every spell exacts a true cost, this freewheeling magic left me feeling like the stakes were a bit too low. It never seemed to demand anything from its wielders, which made the world feel less grounded and, frankly, less engaging to me.
Then there are the characters. I really wanted to connect with Shadow, the main character who, in theory, should carry the weight of the narrative. Unfortunately, she drifted through the story without a clear purpose, as if she were simply being swept along by events triggered by others. It wasn’t until nearly the end that there was a hint of her “why,” and by then, my investment had already waned. In contrast, Scarlet immediately resonated with me. Her goals were clear, and her determination felt tangible, making her a character I could truly root for amid the chaos.
I also found some of the plot twists to be disorienting. They often arrived without sufficient buildup, leaving me puzzled about where they were coming from rather than fully surprising me. It sometimes felt like I was jumping from one twist to another without a solid emotional foundation to hold onto.
Overall, while The Last Soldier of Nava brims with ambitious ideas and a unique blend of myth and magic, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, especially when it came to connecting with its central characters and their journeys. The book left me with a bittersweet sense of curiosity: I appreciated its raw themes and potential within the politics of the world, yet I couldn’t fully let go because it never quite wrapped itself around me.
This book might definitely be intriguing for those who enjoy the losse flow of magic, but for me it sadly didn't hit the spot.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing me with a review copy via NetGalley
The magic system, too, was something I struggled with. The author definitaly takes a soft approach to it. Magic flows without clear boundaries, rules, or consequences. For someone who loves a hard magic system where every spell exacts a true cost, this freewheeling magic left me feeling like the stakes were a bit too low. It never seemed to demand anything from its wielders, which made the world feel less grounded and, frankly, less engaging to me.
Then there are the characters. I really wanted to connect with Shadow, the main character who, in theory, should carry the weight of the narrative. Unfortunately, she drifted through the story without a clear purpose, as if she were simply being swept along by events triggered by others. It wasn’t until nearly the end that there was a hint of her “why,” and by then, my investment had already waned. In contrast, Scarlet immediately resonated with me. Her goals were clear, and her determination felt tangible, making her a character I could truly root for amid the chaos.
I also found some of the plot twists to be disorienting. They often arrived without sufficient buildup, leaving me puzzled about where they were coming from rather than fully surprising me. It sometimes felt like I was jumping from one twist to another without a solid emotional foundation to hold onto.
Overall, while The Last Soldier of Nava brims with ambitious ideas and a unique blend of myth and magic, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, especially when it came to connecting with its central characters and their journeys. The book left me with a bittersweet sense of curiosity: I appreciated its raw themes and potential within the politics of the world, yet I couldn’t fully let go because it never quite wrapped itself around me.
This book might definitely be intriguing for those who enjoy the losse flow of magic, but for me it sadly didn't hit the spot.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing me with a review copy via NetGalley
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you think this is going to be your average fantasy book, you’d be dead wrong.
The Last Soldier of Nava, to my surprise and delight, surpassed all my expectations. And this is me coming off — somewhat recently — the Mistborn trilogy, so that should tell you how impressed I am. But let’s not fall into comparisons here. The Last Soldier of Nava is very much telling its own story.
We are introduced to the world through the legend of Nava and the dragons, and our main character (MC) is a girl who was the Soldier said to have drowned the world in darkness. When she wakes up years later, she finds that she’s killed a Saint, and flees into hiding. I do love an MC with memory issues, and in this case, Shadow, our MC, is just as clueless as we are, which also serves to help us learn about the world we’ve been dropped into. As the Soldier, she may have carried out many horrible acts, but I never felt for a moment that she was unsympathetic, and in fact, it was the opposite.
It’s largely the same for the rest of the cast. Our other leading lady sharing the spotlight is Scarlet, the sister of the saint that the Soldier killed. Under the shell of her sharp and composed exterior hides a shining diamond with many facets and secrets to be discovered. Honestly, I would go so far as to say I like her character even more than Shadow. There’s something about how utterly driven she is, and the grief that haunts her every decision. The complexity of their characters also provides a solid foundation for their interactions and relationship. I enjoyed the way their relationship developed over time, despite all the circumstances surrounding it. The way they match each other so well, in both power and personality, is just *chefs kiss*. If you’re still not convinced by this point, the well-written wlw should be enough to seal the deal! Not only that but as I mentioned earlier, the spotlight is very much on the women and their relationship. The men, two in particular, are given room to develop and are shown to have depth, but they never hog the attention or push too much into the story.
Something else I appreciate is how intricately woven the character moments are with the plot. Neither could exist without the other, and each one informs the other, like two dragons twisting in the air, driving one another onwards. Yejin Suh buries her plot hooks like grenades into the ground, just waiting to be stepped on. Each explosion is strangely gentle, a quiet punch to the gut. There’s a moment in the Stronghold where Shadow is shown a secret and urgh my gut TWISTED at that reveal.
The world of this book spans wide in a way reminiscent of epic fantasy, with a scale that matches it, or as much as a (currently) standalone novel can achieve. The Deadzones especially are so interesting to me!!! I have so many parts of this novel bookmarked simply because of how much there is to dive into: the implications of certain reveals, the parallels I keep finding throughout the book, the foreshadowing for later events, and the parts that were recontextualised upon my reread. The only issue for me is that the ending didn’t really wrap up the plot and with the number of questions I had about what would happen in the world going forward, it felt like there was going to be a sequel. Still, I enjoyed the writing of the last chapter, and especially the last paragraph. The book is bursting with themes and subtext and layers and I’m desperately holding myself back from saying too much for fear of spoiling too much so all I can say is READ IT!!!!
If you’re a fan of Shadow and Bone or the Mistborn trilogy, or just looking for a fantasy book you can happily fall in love with, then pick up a copy of The Last Soldier of Nava when it comes out in June. The preorder is currently available as well!
(Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.)
The Last Soldier of Nava, to my surprise and delight, surpassed all my expectations. And this is me coming off — somewhat recently — the Mistborn trilogy, so that should tell you how impressed I am. But let’s not fall into comparisons here. The Last Soldier of Nava is very much telling its own story.
We are introduced to the world through the legend of Nava and the dragons, and our main character (MC) is a girl who was the Soldier said to have drowned the world in darkness. When she wakes up years later, she finds that she’s killed a Saint, and flees into hiding. I do love an MC with memory issues, and in this case, Shadow, our MC, is just as clueless as we are, which also serves to help us learn about the world we’ve been dropped into. As the Soldier, she may have carried out many horrible acts, but I never felt for a moment that she was unsympathetic, and in fact, it was the opposite.
It’s largely the same for the rest of the cast. Our other leading lady sharing the spotlight is Scarlet, the sister of the saint that the Soldier killed. Under the shell of her sharp and composed exterior hides a shining diamond with many facets and secrets to be discovered. Honestly, I would go so far as to say I like her character even more than Shadow. There’s something about how utterly driven she is, and the grief that haunts her every decision. The complexity of their characters also provides a solid foundation for their interactions and relationship. I enjoyed the way their relationship developed over time, despite all the circumstances surrounding it. The way they match each other so well, in both power and personality, is just *chefs kiss*. If you’re still not convinced by this point, the well-written wlw should be enough to seal the deal! Not only that but as I mentioned earlier, the spotlight is very much on the women and their relationship. The men, two in particular, are given room to develop and are shown to have depth, but they never hog the attention or push too much into the story.
Something else I appreciate is how intricately woven the character moments are with the plot. Neither could exist without the other, and each one informs the other, like two dragons twisting in the air, driving one another onwards. Yejin Suh buries her plot hooks like grenades into the ground, just waiting to be stepped on. Each explosion is strangely gentle, a quiet punch to the gut. There’s a moment in the Stronghold where Shadow is shown a secret and urgh my gut TWISTED at that reveal.
The world of this book spans wide in a way reminiscent of epic fantasy, with a scale that matches it, or as much as a (currently) standalone novel can achieve. The Deadzones especially are so interesting to me!!! I have so many parts of this novel bookmarked simply because of how much there is to dive into: the implications of certain reveals, the parallels I keep finding throughout the book, the foreshadowing for later events, and the parts that were recontextualised upon my reread. The only issue for me is that the ending didn’t really wrap up the plot and with the number of questions I had about what would happen in the world going forward, it felt like there was going to be a sequel. Still, I enjoyed the writing of the last chapter, and especially the last paragraph. The book is bursting with themes and subtext and layers and I’m desperately holding myself back from saying too much for fear of spoiling too much so all I can say is READ IT!!!!
If you’re a fan of Shadow and Bone or the Mistborn trilogy, or just looking for a fantasy book you can happily fall in love with, then pick up a copy of The Last Soldier of Nava when it comes out in June. The preorder is currently available as well!
(Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.)
The Last Soldier of Nava is such a beautifully written story. Suh has painted such a vivid tale that picturing the book’s setting felt effortless. I wasn’t previously knowledgeable about Korean mythology, so I genuinely loved the opportunity to become more familiar with it.
The way the story unfolds requires us to slowly unravel the mystery, which I mostly enjoyed - though at times, I felt a little lost within the plot. The twists and turns remained shocking throughout, and I found the slow-burn romance between our two FMCs hauntingly beautiful.
I’m excited to see where this story goes!
Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.
The way the story unfolds requires us to slowly unravel the mystery, which I mostly enjoyed - though at times, I felt a little lost within the plot. The twists and turns remained shocking throughout, and I found the slow-burn romance between our two FMCs hauntingly beautiful.
I’m excited to see where this story goes!
Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.