What it’s about: Riley Oh has always wanted to have magic. Her sister, Hattie, does, just like everyone else in their community of Korean-American witch clans hidden out in the middle of LA. But Riley is nonmagical. And though her adoptive family is awesome—particularly Hattie, who's Riley's age and the best sister ever—the rest of the Gifted community definitely doesn't think she belongs.
Riley and Hattie are determined to perform a spell which would allow them to share Hattie’s magic between them—only it turns out the cost of the spell might be Hattie’s life. Riley’s last hope to save her sister is a bargain with an immortal who demands she brings her the Godrealm’s last fallen star, and fast. But as Riley begins to uncover secrets which were never intended to be revealed, she has to decide what it really means to belong—and what she's willing to give up to fit in.
Why we chose it: The Last Fallen Star blends myth with the modern day in a story full of action, adventure, and awesomeness. I loved Riley and Hattie’s relationship—the strength of the love between them is palpable throughout, and this combined with their interactions and humor makes them one of my favorite pairs of sisters in books. The world is complex and interestingly layered over our own, and the supporting characters are all unique, interesting and fun. Perhaps the most standout part of this book is the plot—every time I thought I knew just a little where it was going I was wrong, and a constant flow of action, surprises, and laughs made this book speed by until I couldn't believe I'd reached the end.