66 pages • 2 hours read
The Last Cuentista
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
2021
Middle grade
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera follows 12-year-old Petra Peña, who embarks on a 380-year space journey to the planet Sagan with her family as Earth faces destruction from Halley's Comet. Awakening from stasis, Petra discovers that the Collective has taken over, erasing individuality and creativity. With her storytelling heritage, she resists their control and attempts to save her fellow Earthlings by fleeing to a new colony on Sagan. The novel addresses themes of individuality, memory, and cultural preservation.
Mysterious
Emotional
Adventurous
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
25,118 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Donna Barba Higuera’s The Last Cuentista captivates readers with its unique fusion of science fiction and Mexican folklore. Praised for its rich storytelling and emotional depth, the novel successfully balances adventure with poignant themes of memory and identity. Some critiques highlight occasional pacing issues, but overall, it’s a compelling read for both young adults and older audiences.
Who Should Read The Last Cuentista?
A reader who would enjoy The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera typically appreciates dystopian science fiction with strong cultural elements. Fans of Lois Lowry's The Giver and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time will find the novel's mix of imaginative world-building and deep human themes particularly engaging.
25,118 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lita
Lita
Lita is Petra’s grandmother and a cuentista who inspires Petra to become a storyteller. She passes on her imaginative and creative spirit to Petra, despite not joining the journey to the new planet.
Javier
Javier
Javier is Petra’s younger brother, marked by a birthmark on his thumb. He initially promises to be Petra’s eyes, as he lacks her vision issues. His journey is intertwined with Petra's efforts on the spaceship and the planet Sagan.
Chancellor Nyla
Chancellor Nyla
Nyla is the head of the Collective, characterized by her pale complexion and violet eyes. She is dedicated to the survival of the group, prioritizing collective security over individual lives, and sees humanity as a possible threat.
Voxy
Voxy
Voxy is a young member of the Collective, sharing quarters with Nyla. Drawn to Petra’s cuentos, he embodies traits such as compassion and curiosity, which are at odds with Collective values.
Ben
Ben
Ben is Petra and Javier’s Monitor on the spaceship. Sharing Petra’s love for literature, he secretly downloads cultural and literary programs into her memory, hoping to safeguard humanity’s knowledge.
320
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
2021
Middle grade
10-14 years
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