A review by amiascah
The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

adventurous challenging inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Last Namsara is yet another book that I had placed on my TBR back in 2016 and I regret just getting to it now. The main character is Asha, daughter of the dragon king of Firgaard, scared survivor of a dragon attack, The Iskair, the dragon slayer and the secret teller of the Old stories. The Firgaard people used to live in harmony with the dragons and with stories but over the years not only have the dragons turned their back on the people but the stories have been forbidden for the tellers of the tales eventually got sick and died for speaking them. This book is so full of culture and history, the world building is wonderful, the way the old stories peppered the book, giving knowledge of past events and Asha's new take on her own life were woven in so seamlessly. Asha is a great FMC, she is strong and fierce, she stumbles, there's more than one part of the book that makes it seem like she's got it figured out and that she'll triumph and that'll be the end but she is foiled again, she's humble. A lot of novels these days try to portray strong female characters that don't rely on a man and they come across so haughty and man hating and I feel like its so far removed from what a real strong female would be. Asha strikes the perfect balance, she's independent and capable but she is able to work together with her brother Dax, or accept help from Torwin. I liked that she was living her life to the best of her ability and she didn't need to be the be all and end all, she doesn't orchestrate everything, Dax and Roa lead the rebellion, Torwin is the first dragon rider and trains others. Overall it is a great portrayal of a strong female lead, without overshadowing everything with spice and even though theres romance it doesn't take over the story.