// Content warning: PTSD, murder, blood, death, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, slavery, insinuations of sexual assault //
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
// Quick Review //
The Last Namsara is a magical novel that leads the reader on an adventure of discovery through the eyes of a badass main character. Think How to Train Your Dragon but more adult and even better.
// Other Information //
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 421 pages
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Series: Iskari #1
Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Fantasy, High fantasy, Dragons, Adventure, Magic, Enemies to lovers
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.
// Characters //
Everything about Ciccarelli’s characters are perfection. I loved loved loved the main character, Asha’s, badassery and her attitude of taking no shits. And Torwin? A totally adorable and perfect fictional crush.
I think we should just admire Asha and Torwin’s enemies to lovers arc. Literally, can you ask for anything better???
I should also mention the dragons, who for some reason, appeared in my mind like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. I immediately loved the introduction of dragons into the story, they’re not only super important in the world of the Iskari series, but they’re also essentially dogs.
Big, fiery, dangerous dogs. But adorable nonetheless.
I’d probably name mine something jazzy. Maybe Nerezza or Persephone.
Someone get me a dragon so I can name it.
// Writing and Setting //
Ciccarelli’s writing style is straight up art. I mean that literally. Reading The Last Namsara was an experience that I won’t ever forget.
The story takes place in the anti-dragon kingdom of Firgaard in which Asha is rejected by those around her for a mistake she made as a young child in telling stories to dragons. The mythology and background is heavily focused on in this novel, which can be off-putting at first but sets the rest of the series up for a mythical adventure. The world-building in the novel is realistic and heavy, perfect for high fantasy lovers.
// Plot //
The adventure that Asha embarks upon to prevent her marriage to king of the assholes is not only filled with pain, struggle, and courage but also love. The twists and turns in this novel are a promising start to the series.
By the end of the novel, I was staring at my wall trying to comprehend how I became so easily sucked into the world of betrayal, magic, and adventure that I had read about.
// Overall Review //
I’m so excited to read the next two novels in the Iskari trilogy. The Last Namsara is a solid start to a high fantasy series that will leave readers intrigued but also satisfied, I’m sure.
If you had a dragon, what would you name it?
Visit Kristen Ciccarelli’s website.
Add The Last Namsara to your Goodreads shelf.
Maya's Reviews 
I’m so happy you loved this book!! I recommend the whole series, the third one was the best!! 😊
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