66 pages • 2 hours read
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320
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
2021
Middle grade
10-14 years
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
25,118 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
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
320
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
2021
Middle grade
10-14 years
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