2023-2024 Tome Society It List
2023 University of Wisconsin Madison English Department Early Career Alumni Award

Ara . . . I made a mistake, we all did . . . go back to the beginning . . . it's not too late.

As the only female to survive the devastating virus, Ara hasn't seen another human in months-not since her father disappeared. The plague has swept away humanity, and Ara's world is desolate, haunted by the ghosts of her former life. Her mother. Her sister.

Kaden and his crew live by a code: stay alert, stay alive. When they catch Ara trying to steal from them, they are furious-and confused. She is the first girl they have seen in three years. And while Kaden knows taking her captive is wrong, he tells himself he's doing it to protect her. That the only place she'll be safe is with the clan, his new home. The world of men.

However, Ara is determined to follow through on her father's mission to go back to the beginning, and discover the truth about the plague-and nothing will stop her. As Kaden becomes mesmerized by Ara's will and beauty, he realizes that he will do anything to help her, even if it tears their worlds apart.

But going back to the beginning has consequences. Because the world of men isn't prepared for The Last She, and the odyssey to save themselves means Kayden and Ara have to leave behind everything they've come to know. To burn it down to the ground. In the ashes they can start again.