Last

This is a book about big ideas and big characters. About life and pain and regret and hope and dreams and love and hate and disappointments and limits and the unlimited. It's one of the best books you'll read this year, so don't wait to start. There was once a writer named Ray Bradbury who created stories about the big, complicated questions of life using simple, poetic language you couldn't put down. James Matlack Raney is that kind of writer. Five stars isn't enough for Last. Win is raised by parents and friends on an isolated farm in the days after the Dwindling, after the World Wide Web and newspapers are gone, after the robots took over and the human population dwindled for reasons we learn later. When Win, a Fixer, is forced to find his way in the world, he gains the unlikely allies Pup and Signpost and makes his way to the robot city, looking for the rest of humanity.

This well-written story has a plot that unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world the author has created. The characters have depth and are relatable to each other, and each contributes uniquely to their part in the story. While I thought I knew where the story was going, I was often surprised by more than one plot twist. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Though it got off to a slower start, I still really enjoyed this book. The author has a great vocabulary and engaging voice so once the plot picks up, you'll love it!