The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where 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 kind 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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

WINNER! 5 out of 5 stars!!I loved this book! I wanted to read it as soon as I discovered it, and I was finally able!Kristen Ciccarelli's The Last Namsara reminded me of a cross Robin McKinley's Hero and the Crown and Kristen Cashore's Graceling, but it felt like a completely new concept. The Last Namsara creates a new world and new characters that I loved. I wanted to know all the history of these lands! It's the same feeling I got reading The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, and Graceling. The writing style is similar, too, so if you're a fan of those books, definitely check out The Last Namsara. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.One of my favorite parts about this book was the author's occasional interjections of the stories that are often referenced throughout the main plot. Of course, we learn about the history from our characters, but the more "official" histories really added some depth and realism to the book.I loved Asha's personal development throughout the story. After killing dragons her whole life, she needed some convincing to trust them and learn that they were not what she had always been told. I loved her relationship with Shadow, and then with Kozu.I don't want to give away any more from this book! Definitely read it! I will be returning to it time and again, and can't wait for the next book in the series!-Hawk-