ISBN-13: 9781783447695
RRP: £8.99
Published: 1st November 2018
Length: 384 Pages
Endling – an individual animal that is the last in its species or subspecies
Byx is used to being the smallest and the youngest. But for all of her young life, she’s also been part of something bigger – part of a family, part of a pack. Until the day Byx finds herself alone, the last of the dairnes: an endling.
Byx is determined to see if the legends about other dairnes she’s heard over the years are true. She sets off on a quest to find others of her kind, travelling through the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. Along the way, she meets new allies who each have their own motivation for joining her: Tobble, the worthy wobbyk; Khara, the girl of many disguises; Renzo, the thief with honour; and Gambler, the principled felivet. Together they will uncover a secret that will threaten the existence of not just the dairnes, but every other creature in their world. . .
"Applegate effortlessly constructs her fantasy world, briskly moving readers through its imaginative details while creating winning, unique characters... A bracing, propulsive read that will be a challenge to keep on the shelf."Booklist (starred review)
"A sweeping fantasy epic for the middle grade set that will have readers clamouring for a follow-up"starred review - School Library Journal
"Readers will fall in love with Byx and race with her through Nedarra, breathless and eager, thinking deeply all the way"New York Times
"The gripping first instalment of Applegate’s new fantasy trilogy assembles a motley crew in a suspenseful, tautly drawn quest."Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Applegate skillfully builds a fully realized world of intrigue and wonder without ever letting up on the story’s quick pace. A savvy choice for readers of fantasy."Kirkus Reviews (starred review)