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A review by tylerbrown7844
The Last Ranger by J.D.L. Rosell
4.0
I won a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and give this unbiased review as a thank you to both Goodreads and the author!
I really found myself loving the world Rosell has built here. The map is extremely detailed, the interplay of colonies, Gasts, and ancestral lands mirrors historical events of earth which a fresh take, and the variety of fauna described is breathtaking.
I have, at times, issues with some of Leiyn’s thoughts and actions. It’s hard to empathize with her early in the book, she is clearly extremely prejudiced against the Gast, and isn’t afraid to show it. This is obviously commonplace for the world, but is rebuked by other characters as well. I understand what the author is going for - Leiyn’s feelings are not unrealistic, perhaps I’m just projecting my own real world feelings against prejudice. However, I think where one issue lies (or, where it could be made easier to accept) would be with how Gasts are portrayed initially.
From the beginning, it’s shown that a Gast shaman helped Leiyn survive birth at the explicit request of Leiyn’s mother. The mother knew it required her life, and willingly gave it. All this is shown. But then we see that the father didn’t realize this, and Leiyn was raised hating Gast, thinking the Gast killed the mother and cursed Leiyn. Perhaps had we only seen this perspective, later having it revealed to be otherwise, it would’ve been easier to see through Leiyn’s eyes.
I also sometimes think there’s pacing issues, there’s a lot going on and the plot is fast, at the expense of some character development. I definitely think more time showing Leiyn with Acalan and Zuma would’ve been a welcome thing.
Some spoiler bits I loved:
Leiyn being captured by the Odiosa just as she’s accepting her own magic is a very good plot point!
Rosell also does a very nice job setting up the sequel - throughout there are references to life beyond the Silvertusk Sierras, and the maps provide interesting details of the area. So to know that’s where the sequel goes certainly made me interested!
I really found myself loving the world Rosell has built here. The map is extremely detailed, the interplay of colonies, Gasts, and ancestral lands mirrors historical events of earth which a fresh take, and the variety of fauna described is breathtaking.
I have, at times, issues with some of Leiyn’s thoughts and actions. It’s hard to empathize with her early in the book, she is clearly extremely prejudiced against the Gast, and isn’t afraid to show it. This is obviously commonplace for the world, but is rebuked by other characters as well. I understand what the author is going for - Leiyn’s feelings are not unrealistic, perhaps I’m just projecting my own real world feelings against prejudice. However, I think where one issue lies (or, where it could be made easier to accept) would be with how Gasts are portrayed initially.
Spoiler
From the beginning, it’s shown that a Gast shaman helped Leiyn survive birth at the explicit request of Leiyn’s mother. The mother knew it required her life, and willingly gave it. All this is shown. But then we see that the father didn’t realize this, and Leiyn was raised hating Gast, thinking the Gast killed the mother and cursed Leiyn. Perhaps had we only seen this perspective, later having it revealed to be otherwise, it would’ve been easier to see through Leiyn’s eyes.
I also sometimes think there’s pacing issues, there’s a lot going on and the plot is fast, at the expense of some character development. I definitely think more time showing Leiyn with Acalan and Zuma would’ve been a welcome thing.
Some spoiler bits I loved:
Leiyn being captured by the Odiosa just as she’s accepting her own magic is a very good plot point!
Rosell also does a very nice job setting up the sequel - throughout there are references to life beyond the Silvertusk Sierras, and the maps provide interesting details of the area. So to know that’s where the sequel goes certainly made me interested!