The Last Fallen Star

Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated into the Gom clan—a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations. Her sister, Hattie, will earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision.

Although Riley is desperate to follow in her sister's footsteps when she herself turns thirteen, she's a saram—a person without magic. Riley was adopted, and despite having memorized every healing spell she’s ever heard, she often feels like the odd one out in her family and the gifted community.

Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie’s magic? Their sleuthing reveals a promising incantation in the family's old spellbook, and the sisters decide to perform it at Hattie’s initiation ceremony. If it works, no one will ever treat Riley as an outsider again. It's a perfect plan!

Until it isn't. When the sisters attempt to violate the laws of the Godrealm, Hattie's life ends up hanging in the balance, and to save her Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it?

As Riley embarks on her search, she finds herself meeting fantastic creatures, and collaborating with her worst enemies.

And when she uncovers secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe, Riley must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

“The Last Fallen Star folds Korean culture as well as diaspora feelings into a magical adventure. The way Graci Kim takes traditions and lore and incorporates them into an exciting contemporary fantasy setting makes my heart soar as a Korean reader. This fantastical story is filled with heart and humor. Readers who love magical adventures, complex family relationships, and sisterhood—not to mention food!—should pick up THE LAST FALLEN STAR immediately!”

— Kat Cho, internationally best-selling author of Vicious Spirits

“Reading The Last Fallen Star is like taking a course in Korean mythology taught by your favorite teacher ever—while riding a gigantic roller coaster beneath a sky filled with shooting stars! I loved following Riley's thrilling adventures, and pass the bulgogi tacos, please.”

— Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist for A Single Shard

“Korean mythology gets a modern twist in this rollicking adventure by debut author Graci Kim. From entering a secret temple by way of the fried chicken counter at H-Mart to summoning a goddess at the Santa Monica Pier, every chapter of this novel delights and surprises. At times laugh-out-loud hilarious, at times heartwarming and poignant, The Last Fallen Star will capture the imaginations of readers for years to come!”

— Axie Oh, author of Rebel Seoul and Rogue Heart

“Like a true magician, Graci Kim intertwines Korean mythology with an all-too-relatable sister story in her heart-stopping adventure that's sure to capture the heart of anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. You can't help but root for plucky Riley Oh as she engages on a quest to find belonging and acceptance.”

— Jessica Kim, author of Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

“The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim absolutely shines. Riley Oh's positive voice is infectious and will have readers wanting to follow her adventures long after the last page is turned.”

— Zoraida Córdova, awardwinning author of the Brooklyn Brujas series

“I wish I could go back in time and hand this book to young Ellen. I would have loved it so much, because this was what I was missing in my life. Thank you, Graci, for writing it!"

— Ellen Oh, author of The Dragon Egg Princess and the Spirit Hunters series

“The elaborate magical community, riddled with tensions, is a lot of fun, and the urgency of saving Hattie drives the pace and Riley’s growth into her true self. Best of all is the way the mythology and folklore mix with the modern world and Korean/Korean-American pop culture. This is a welcome addition to recent middle-grade books inspired by Korean myth.”

— Review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (BCCB)

“[Riley] is a heroine whose flaws make her relatable in this highly imaginative and original story. Full of humor and thrills, this bewitching fantasy blends Korean mythology into an empowering adventure.”

— Review from School Library Journal

“[A] fast-paced adventure, unique clan identities are cleverly imagined, and Riley’s emotional arc and journey to self-acceptance shine through.”

— Review from Publishers Weekly

“Kim has crafted her adventure from Korean myths, and the Riordan imprint’s winning formula informs its construction. [A] warm, well-plotted fantasy.”

— Review from The Horn Book

“Exploring familial bonds, belonging, and community, this is a fast-paced urban fantasy drawing on Korean mythology. A fun, new magical world that promises more adventures to come.”

— Review from Kirkus

Registration Details

May 2 @ 3pm EST
With Linda Sue Park
Books of Wonder
New York, NY

May 4 @ 5pm CT
With Rick Riordan
Blue Willow Bookshop
Houston, TX

May 5 @ 6pm CT
with Robert Beatty
Anderson’s Bookshop
Naperville, IL

May 6 @ 5pm ET
Little Shop of Stories
Decatur, GA

May 11 @ 7pm ET
With Melissa de la Cruz
An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Cafe
Plainville, MA