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    Christina Soontornvat’s Last Mapmaker is fantastic MG adventure

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    By Jessica on June 21, 2022 ages 8-12, Middle Grade
    THE LAST MAPMAKER, by Christina Soontornvat, Candlewick, April 12, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)

    A young girl sets out to map the world and make a name for herself in Christina Soontornvat’s high-seas adventure, The Last Mapmaker.

    As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, 12-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman — and in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her.

     Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands — a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining — she must weigh the cost of her dreams. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press

    The Last Mapmaker has been sitting in my to-read pile for way too long. In fact, if I had known how good it was, it would have jumped to the top of my pile.

    Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, The Last Mapmaker entices all the senses. Author Christina Soontornvat’s prose is warm and inviting. There’s an authenticity to her writing that lets you know she has explored Sai’s world time and time again.

    And what a world to explore. Soontornvat’s world-building is fantastic. You can feel the boat rocking, hear the waves crash, taste the saltwater on your lips, smell the brackish water and see Sai’s maps come to life.

    This tale is as much of a personal journey as it is a physical one. Sai’s story begins with her hiding who she really is. Her goal is to gain a footing in society, but as things progress, her focus changes. And when she embraces herself for who she is, she shines.

    The Last Mapmaker is a fast-moving, thought-provoking adventure. It offers the perfect summer getaway without leaving the comfort of home. It’s one of my Top 10 middle-grade reads this year.

     

    Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.

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    Jessica
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    Jessica Harrison is the main reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. Prior to creating Cracking the Cover, Jessica worked as the in-house book critic for the Deseret News, a daily newspaper in Salt Lake City. Jessica also worked as a copy editor and general features writer for the paper. Following that, Jessica spent two years with an international company as a social media specialist. She is currently a freelance writer/editor. She is passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices.

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