As an avid reader, I hate to admit that I am still well outside the BookTok community. What is the BookTok community, fellow outsider might ask? It's a subsection of TikTok devoted to the discussion and readership of literature – most notably, the reading of 'romantasy' novels.

Romantasy, as the name suggests, is a hybrid genre that marries the steamy romance plot with a Lord of the Rings level fantasy backdrop. It's a genre that has spurred an uptick in book sales globally, and spat out a range of new genre classics like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing.

If you're a big fan of the latter, then you'd be remiss to not get your eyes across the publisher's next big release – Rachel Howzell Hall's The Last One. If you haven't heard of it yet, then let us walk you through everything we know so far about the novel, below...

What is The Last One about?

Awakening in a land ravaged by sickness and prowling with unnatural beasts, Kai finds herself in the woods, stripped of her identity and memories. Her sole mission: to reach the Sea of Devour before the nightmare deepens. The village blacksmith, a fighter of uncanny prowess, offers his assistance. Despite his irritating demeanor, Kai reluctantly agrees. His presence stirs a confusing mix of emotions, igniting her senses one moment, and cooling them the next.

As she searches for answers, Kai only finds more questions, especially about the enigmatic blacksmith whose secrets seem as perilous as the treacherous kingdom of Vinevridth itself. No one is what—or who—they appear to be. In a realm built on lies, where the blacksmith's help is as unsettling as it is essential, Kai must navigate deception and danger, seeking truth in a world shrouded in mystery and darkness.

When will The Last One be released?

The book is slated to be released later this year in December (just in time for a Christmas break read) via Amazon in Australia.