The Last Best Quest Ever

Gr 7 Up–A witty fantasy adventure that deconstructs heroic legend while celebrating found family and queer romance. Ellinore, a brown-haired adventurer who defaults white, has just retired from the persona of “Ellinore the Brave,” a reputation built on exaggerated tales. But when her impulsive twin brother Zig bets his heart (literally) that ­Ellinore can retrieve the mythical Elder Beast’s horn, she’s forced into one last quest. She is joined by Princet Aven, a nonbinary royal rival with pale skin, black hair, and blue eyes, whose cool competence sparks a slow-burn romance; chatty scholar ­Farrah; exuberant bard Rylan, who has brown skin; and Dave, a dry-witted dragon whose humor belies his formidable strength. The novel’s humor is consistently sharp, but the emotional core remains earnest. Ellinore’s impostor syndrome gives the comedy ballast, and the found-family dynamic grows in ways that feel warm without becoming ­saccharine. The banter crackles with energy, particularly between Ellinore and Aven, whose romance blossoms organically, and between Ellinore and Zig, whose sibling dynamic balances delightful snark with underlying warmth. ­Secondary characters are well-developed, and set pieces involving courtly intrigue, fraudulent mages, a chaotic Hydra encounter, and the Elder Beast’s negotiation maintain brisk pacing. The worldbuilding blends familiarity with enough specificity to feel lived in. The affirming nonbinary representation further enriches the story’s appeal, and the romance between Ellinore and Aven unfolds with ­organic charm and mutual respect.