The Last Great Heir

Gr 6 Up–A lush and intricately woven tale of legacy, power, and self-discovery. Rue Famine and Merriment Feast are two young heirs born to rival families destined to duel for guardianship of their magical realm, Fauret. Both protagonists, burdened by family expectations and personal insecurities, grapple with their roles in a world where their fates—and their souls—are at stake. Finn, a seasoned writer making her novel debut, crafts a world brimming with evocative imagery, drawing stark contrasts between Rue’s shadowed upbringing and Merri’s dazzling yet restrictive life. The dual perspectives provide insight into both girls’ struggles, though their voices occasionally blur, making it difficult to fully distinguish their personalities. Supporting characters, while intriguing, feel lightly sketched, leaving some relationships under-explored. While the novel’s race-neutral descriptions allow for open interpretation, they may unintentionally default to white-coded assumptions. Finn’s mesmerizing worldbuilding hinting at a deep, layered history that extends beyond the immediate plot is undeniably the novel’s standout feature. The vividly realized world of Fauret is rich, dynamic, and immersive. Readers who appreciate lush settings, intricate magic systems, and atmosphere (à la Leigh Bardugo’s “Grishaverse” or Holly Black’s “Elfhame”) will likely be enchanted by Finn’s intricate world.