The Last Fallen Star: Blown my Mind!

When I started reading The Last Fallen Star I was totally ready for some new powers Riley will have and then suddenly something will happen to Hattie after sharing their magic. But from the revelation I've got, my mind had totally blown away finding out the situation and plot Graci made.

Yes, I am talking about The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim which was published under the 'Rick Riordan Presents' imprint. This book is filled with Korean mythology in modern world. I like the way Graci plotted the whole thing as Rick says- "Graci Kim does such an amazing job of blending Korean mythology into the modern world, I am now wondering how I ever lived without knowing all this cool information."

So, anyway, in this article I tried to mend some of my 'horrible' mistakes in the last article based on this book. I won't tell you which of my predictions are right and wrong, but there were a bit of mistakes in the last article. I will also give a short review and analyze the book. Hope you enjoy it and understand it (and forgive me for the 'unintentional' mistakes in the last article!).

I will also be talking about an Easter Egg, give some predictions for the next book! And before that let me remind you again that this article is a review article which you wouldn't be able to guess from the title. So, let's start. But, before that, a short tag to get things sort up:

WARNING: This article contains some spoilers from The Last Fallen Star. I abstained from major spoilers because there are some readers who still haven't read the book. There is also a small spoiler from Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez.

Part 1: Definitely Emmett

Emmett is the companion in Hatties quest. And we all know that from the articles from 'Read Riordan'. In the last article, I made a silly mistake to take Emmett as a girl or not particularly sure that the boy in the cover is Emmett. I was thoroughly confused because of The Last Fallen Star: Meet Boris article where Boris-type "dragon-on-wheels" are said to be used by Miru clan members as "training wheels" from young time.

But after reading the introduction by Rick Riordan in The Last Fallen Star I became sure that Emmett is a boy. And after reading the third chapter of the book (which wasn't in the sneak-peek by Read Riordan but in the sneak-peek by 'Buzz Books'), I became sure that the boy in the cover is Emmett.

So, one of my biggest predictions failed! And that's why I don't do predictions! Fortunately, I do predictions to have sum fun and see if I am correct, but when I am not correct I feel elated and very excited for the next readings in the book; and that makes the book unpredictable. And for this reason, The Last Fallen Star and its plot is so unpredictable that it will make you wish for more!

I am not telling that there won't be any Miru involvement in the quest, but I am saying that it won't be such a major thing to put on the cover. So, I think you can guess what I wanted to say - maybe right or maybe wrong.

Part 2: Riley & Hattie

The awesome relationship between Riley Oh and Hattie Oh is so beautiful, and works as a big tool to satisfy the plot that The Last Fallen Star offers us. Though they're half-siblings based on their biological relation with 'eomma' (mom in Korean) and 'appa' (dad in Korean), they've quite a nice relationship that defies every barriers even magic at the very end of the book.

Hattie Oh is ready to go in any danger to help her sister out, while Riley is ready to save Hattie in any cost. To save Hattie from being deceased due to the spell they try to function, Riley goes to a quest offered by the Cave Bear Goddess. She even doesn't listen to the quest and what'd she need to do, when she accepts it. In the next chapters, many twists and turns occurs which proves the quest harder and almost impossible - but Hattie didn't give up.

The last part of the book is one of the best I've ever read in the last couple of months. The ending was emotional and I was in awe of how strong the bond was between Hattie and Riley that'd make every emotional man cry. I won't give up too much in these words, but I will say that it was fantastic!

Part 3: Eomma & Appa

These two people, Eomma and Appa, are one of the most important character to shape the plot at the first chapters and at the last chapters. They've quite a relationship with their daughters that is very rare. Though Riley is adopted, but the Ohs accepts her as one of their daughters. And when it comes to choose punishment even stripping off magic, they chose to stay with their daughter. And you'll be more fascinated and surprised what Eomma decided when she goes in a dream to deal the important object.

In some words, these Oh parents are quite children-lovers. Their affection for both their daughters regardless of their biological bond, is truly rare. I am very happy that Graci made a place for all the adopted who thinks they can't find a place in a family. And from all these relationships, one thing was clear: family cares for each other.

Part 4: Turning of Tables

I am not talking about any games like Musical Chair or maybe Pillow, whatever, I am talking about the plot. The Last Fallen Star plot will make you wonder how much you can intensify a mystery and how much surprises a Korean mythology-based book can be packed with. Even a master predictor can't predict this kind of game-change in the story.

There is of course a villain in this story. But the most important thing is how the villain changes continuously and makes you surprised, and wonder who is truly the antagonist. You will be very surprised with the new revelations and lessons Riley learns in her quest about the clans and the real situation that is going on at the present.

I think you all will understand how awesome the plot is from the last talks about the changes. And whether it is the changing of the antagonists or not, there were many changes that fascinated me when I was reading.

Part 5: Behind the Cover

I am not going to explain the cover which would be nicely explained if you read The Last Fallen Star. This 'cover' means the activities of a character we see at first. From the third chapter we've known about Jennie who seem to "bully" especially Riley saying her a "fake witch". But if you explore the next chapters you may know the cover or defense mechanism a desperate kid may use when they try to hide something. You'll not only know behind the cover of Jennie, you'll also know about the friends they go with.

This kind of approach by Graci Kim is very important for many kids who're maybe termed as 'bullies', but has a past or incident that causes them to do such kind of things. You're maybe reminded of 'Yasmany' from Sal and Gabi series by Carlos Hernandez, also from RRP imprint. This similar way of explaining the 'behind the cover' stories of some people who're thought to be mean is a big awareness in our society.

Part 6: Decision Making

This part is important though it will criticize the plot a bit. At the first portion of the plot, Riley's decision making was faster. I would've liked to get much more of her thoughts regarding the decision she'd make of, but there wasn't many to find out. I can bring the example of Riley's quick change of decision about accepting half of Hattie's magic when there would be a grave danger ahead. I can also give the example of how Riley tries to help Hattie in her mission to share her magic.

On the other hand, at the middle portion, the decision making for Riley was much more conserved. Riley's thoughts were much more clearer than before about making the decisions. It is important for the readers to know how she thinks this decision is perfect rather than the other option. This part will satisfy it will the addition of more thoughts than descriptions and dialogues.

The last portion is the mixture of the first and middle, meaning, the decision making was little faster but better than that of the first portion. There were thoughts but they were less than the middle portion. But based on the intensity and tension of the plot, Riley couldn't have been thinking much at that time.

Maybe it was important to shape the plot like this or maybe it makes The Last Fallen Star different, either way, the decision making issue is important for the reading. I think an expert plot maker and writer like Graci Kim had given much thought on it earlier and had decided to give this issue this kind of thing. Anyway, The Last Fallen Star still comes up as a top-of-the-rack book now!

Part 7: Easter Egg?

Is this Easter Egg or coincidental in The Last Fallen Star book? I am not actually sure, but you may like to know about it. I will mention about it as this one doesn't play a big role in the plot. So here it goes:

I take a good sniff, and I’m pretty sure it’s the nectar Eomma gets from her Tokki supplier in New York. The infuser supposedly sources it from some old Greek dudes who work out of the Empire State Building, and the stuff really works.

Something rings inside your head? Well, if you're a Rick Riordan fan and have read all of his books, you might actually understand what I am trying to say. Words like Greek, New York and of course Empire State Building can be quite an Easter Egg to Rick Riordan verse.

Part 8: Mind Blowing

Can you imagine the surprised and flattered expression I expressed when I discovered that most of my thought about the direction of the way The Last Fallen Star will go, was DEFINITELY WRONG?! I wasn't sad about that, instead it made me happy that I am reading something different than the normal mysteries we see around. Because as a reader, I want to be surprised, and I want to be wrong about the direction of the plot.

The whole plot is totally a RRP level plot, which means your predictions about the plot will be at least more than fifty percent wrong. The way I thought the story would lead wasn't what happened and the way I thought Riley will deal with the problems wasn't what occurred. If you've read my article THE LAST FALLEN STAR: Predictions (link in the 'acknowledgement' section), you may know how many of my predictions failed. Though some worked, most of them are partially correct.

I can guess now what you're thinking about The Last Fallen Star. You maybe thinking about how awesome this book is. Well, for me at least it was fantastic to read like other books of 'Rick Riordan Presents' and it presented with a creative plot that you can expect from Graci Kim.

Part 9: Waiting Impatiently

I am waiting 'impatiently' for The Last Fallen Star book's sequel. The Gifted Clans series was announced to be trilogy and the next book of this series is The Last Fallen Moon. I will give a nice prediction for this near to the releasing of this book, but here are some small predictions which I think can quite play in the next book.

The next book will be mentioned from the POV of a spirit. If not, Riley may journey to the Spiritrealm which is one of the safest place 'Haetae' could find.
Like the first point, Spiritrealm will play a role in the next book.
Areum will accompany Riley as well as her best friends.
A new important character may come whose importance can be judged with the power that Riley has.

Maybe I've said too much. But from the names and words I hope you can guess what I am trying to say. I've more predictions packed, but I don't want to say as it will reveal some part of the plot. Still I am feeling guilty as I am not sure if it was the right thing.

From the names and words, I am pretty sure that I am teasing you. You cannot know the plot, but at least you can know something that will raise your eagerness for the book. Happy reading!

Part 10: Conclusion

I will conclude this article by thanking Graci Kim for such a gift that revolved the Gifted Clans community and her skillful writing that can wrap us with magic and reality perfectly. And I will finally end with a small quote from Hattie as I've done in my first article for this book:

You’re the best sister I could ever have dreamed of, too.

Hattie to Riley

I didn't intend to put this line and the one which I intended might reveal some of the plot. So, those who've read the book, find this line in The Last Fallen Star and the second sentence before this one above is the one I've intended to put and that is the sentence I mostly like as well as the one above. Anyway, it proves: family cares for each other and of course how strong a sibling can love another sibling. It is magical... or more than magic (you know what I mean by 'more than magic' 😉)!

And before opening the article please compliment your Phone-sin, or it might start to buffer!

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Note: This article was written in as much covered as possible without leaving much of the plot. Thanks to all the readers who liked this article. I am very much pleased from your reactions in the Instagram feed, which reminds me that to make thing much more easier, I also have a Twitter feed account with the same username @imanawakens.

Thanks to Graci Kim for her book and reactions too. Thanks to the Half-Blood Report for their reactions and of course for their work to enrich the Riordan literary world. Thanks to all Riordan fans.

Disclaimer: Riley Oh, The Last Fallen Star cover and the shooting star in the image is copyright owned by © Read Riordan ║ Background image in the article image is copyright owned by © Aldebaran from Unsplash ║ The article image was illustrated by Md. Iman Anwar including the texts ║ The Last Fallen Star, Gifted Clans and related works are copyright owned by © Graci Kim ║ Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, Sal and Gabi and related works are copyright owned by © Carlos Hernandez ║ Rick Riordan related works are copyright owned by © Rick Riordan

Meet Graci Kim: Website ║ Instagram ║ Twitter

Related Articles from 'Iman Notes': THE LAST FALLEN STAR: Book Analyze ║ THE LAST FALLEN STAR: Predictions ║ THE LAST FALLEN STAR: Blown My Mind ║ The Baddies from Rick Riordan Presents

Know Me: Twitter ║ Instagram ║ LinkedIn ║ Iman Notes ║ Imancipation ║ About Me

Upcoming!: New article for 'Iman Notes' is coming discussing the importance and use of imagination with the intertwining of books, movies & more.... Updates in the social media feeds.

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