Am I the only one obsessed with map making? Maybe. But if you love maps, sea adventures, and exploring then you have to read The Last Mapmaker. It brought me back to treasure hunting and sea voyages. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, twelve-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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Left with few options, Sai follows her heart and the only opportunity she has to escape this cycle of poverty to the ocean. Her story is not only full of a thirst for adventure, but also the knowledge that she cannot rely on her father. That she’s stuck in a system based on family lineage or wealth and she must escape. My heart already broke for Sai before she even got on the boat. And then when she embarks, I found myself thrilled alongside her.
The Last Mapmaker reaches new heights on the open ocean. There she finds out that no one is how they seem. That betrayal on sea can be even more deadly than on shore. The Last Mapmaker takes off as the journey continues and becomes action packed. Classic middle grade fans will enjoy storms at sea and naval captains. The sense of adventure as well as Sai’s character were my favorite elements of this book. For fans of sea monster myths and hidden continents, The Last Mapmaker is for you. I can imagine it being captivating for middle grade readers.
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