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The Last Mapmaker
A high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world.
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.
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.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2022
About the author
Christina Soontornvat
34 books620 followersChristina Soontornvat grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). Christina is the author of the fantasy middle grade series, The Changelings, and the early chapter book series, Diary of an Ice Princess. Her forthcoming books include the middle grade fantasy, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen, a nonfiction account of the Thai Cave Rescue.
In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math), and loves learning new things. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two young children, and one old cat.
In addition to being an author, Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science. She is passionate about STEM (science, technology engineering, and math), and loves learning new things. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two young children, and one old cat.
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March 27, 2022
In a world where ancestors determine social status, Sai is desperate to escape her past of aiding her father’s cons and climb the ranks of society. She jumps at the chance to journey across the sea and aid a master mapmaker in order to obtain a reward that will help her achieve everything she wants to. But the adventure she embarks on is much more than a simple expedition of discovery, and she uncovers dark secrets about her country’s past.
At its heart, The Last Mapmaker is a story about a girl trying to figure out who she will be in a world that has dictated who she can’t be. But it’s also a story about colonialism, the cost of ambition, family, and the responsibility to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not forgotten, and do not carry on into the future.
Sai’s eagerness to learn and determination to achieve her goals makes her a compelling character to follow. She makes mistakes—she is so ashamed of what she had to do to survive that she is desperate to do anything she can to forget it. But she is willing to grow, and she is kind, and it is moving to watch her discover how to right wrongs and become her own person.
Throughout the book, Sai questions how she can bury her past, how she can make a new life for herself without ever acknowledging her old one. But she cannot outrun where she came from, or what she did, or who she was; it is a part of her, as much as she doesn’t want to admit it. By the end, Sai realizes that she can’t follow old ways, especially when they were always meant to be repressive, and she learns how to forge her own path—a lesson particularly significant for Soontornvat’s young readers but relevant to people of any age.
The relationships that Sai builds with other characters are equally as touching as her individual arc. Weaved in all of her relationships is the idea of second chances—Master Paiyoon extends mentorship to her without knowing her true background, and she befriends a boy named Bo who attempts to steal from her. Though Master Paiyoon is far from perfect, I loved watching Sai take in his guidance and learn things on her own. And the banter between Sai and Bo gives the book a more lighthearted feeling, with their friendship turning from reluctant to heartwarmingly sweet!
One of the things I loved most about this book was seeing Sai form her own chosen family. She has a complicated relationship with her father, and there were honestly some heartbreaking scenes that showed how much he loved her yet wasn’t able to provide for her properly because of their lower social status. But though things might not have been the best with her biological family, she was able to find support in mentors and friends, an especially meaningful feat in a society so focused on ancestry and heritage.
Of course, Soontornvat thoroughly discusses multiple social issues, keeping in mind her audience of younger readers. This book introduces the power-hungriness of individuals and nations, and leads to an in-depth exploration of colonialism and expansionism with a portrayal of their effects on both humans and the environment. Where many books with seafaring adventures shy away from the truths behind “discovering new land,” this story actively challenges them. It questions how innocent a thirst for knowledge can truly be, and how destructive greed can become.
This story emphasizes the past and the mistakes of the past, but it also shows the everlasting opportunity to change for the better. The Last Mapmaker serves as a great way to start a conversation with kids on how to start the process of decolonization, and a reminder that though history may be riddled with pain and sorrow, we have the chance to recognize and correct those wrongs—and it is our responsibility to ensure they never take place again.
At its heart, The Last Mapmaker is a story about a girl trying to figure out who she will be in a world that has dictated who she can’t be. But it’s also a story about colonialism, the cost of ambition, family, and the responsibility to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not forgotten, and do not carry on into the future.
The Tail Is the Teeth. I had heard those words all my life. They meant that no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t escape who you were or where you came from. But they couldn’t be true. I wouldn’t let them be true.
Sai’s eagerness to learn and determination to achieve her goals makes her a compelling character to follow. She makes mistakes—she is so ashamed of what she had to do to survive that she is desperate to do anything she can to forget it. But she is willing to grow, and she is kind, and it is moving to watch her discover how to right wrongs and become her own person.
Throughout the book, Sai questions how she can bury her past, how she can make a new life for herself without ever acknowledging her old one. But she cannot outrun where she came from, or what she did, or who she was; it is a part of her, as much as she doesn’t want to admit it. By the end, Sai realizes that she can’t follow old ways, especially when they were always meant to be repressive, and she learns how to forge her own path—a lesson particularly significant for Soontornvat’s young readers but relevant to people of any age.
“The Tail Is the Teeth,” he said quietly. “I have never believed that, have you? That the path behind and the path ahead are one and the same? I cannot change the path behind me, Sai. But I can chart a new course ahead.”
The relationships that Sai builds with other characters are equally as touching as her individual arc. Weaved in all of her relationships is the idea of second chances—Master Paiyoon extends mentorship to her without knowing her true background, and she befriends a boy named Bo who attempts to steal from her. Though Master Paiyoon is far from perfect, I loved watching Sai take in his guidance and learn things on her own. And the banter between Sai and Bo gives the book a more lighthearted feeling, with their friendship turning from reluctant to heartwarmingly sweet!
One of the things I loved most about this book was seeing Sai form her own chosen family. She has a complicated relationship with her father, and there were honestly some heartbreaking scenes that showed how much he loved her yet wasn’t able to provide for her properly because of their lower social status. But though things might not have been the best with her biological family, she was able to find support in mentors and friends, an especially meaningful feat in a society so focused on ancestry and heritage.
I had been trying so hard to run from my past. But the past was like mottlefish ink. Even if it fades, it’s still there, and not even the ocean can wash it out. I couldn’t change what had come before. But I could change what I did next.
Of course, Soontornvat thoroughly discusses multiple social issues, keeping in mind her audience of younger readers. This book introduces the power-hungriness of individuals and nations, and leads to an in-depth exploration of colonialism and expansionism with a portrayal of their effects on both humans and the environment. Where many books with seafaring adventures shy away from the truths behind “discovering new land,” this story actively challenges them. It questions how innocent a thirst for knowledge can truly be, and how destructive greed can become.
This story emphasizes the past and the mistakes of the past, but it also shows the everlasting opportunity to change for the better. The Last Mapmaker serves as a great way to start a conversation with kids on how to start the process of decolonization, and a reminder that though history may be riddled with pain and sorrow, we have the chance to recognize and correct those wrongs—and it is our responsibility to ensure they never take place again.
Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion in any way.
All quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in final publication.
May 20, 2022
I am often grateful that people have come up with terms and phrases that so perfectly describe literary tropes and ideas that would otherwise be difficult to define. Take the term “world building”. I don’t have a dictionary in front of me right now, but if I were to hazard a guess as to what it means, I’d probably say it was the way in which an author fully immerses their reader in worlds of their own making. Fantasy novels in particular utilize a lot of world building. And worlds, as we all know, are rather large. It would stand to reason that an author would want to use as many words as humanly possible to describe the new ideas, sights, sounds, smells, and rules of their creations. I picture some scrappy author out there pouring their heart and soul into some 1,000 page tome, only to have a mean old editor tell them that their book would be impossible to publish at that size. Children’s authors are not immune to this. Harry Potter has much to answer for, and though it’s slightly less common these days, you still sometimes get 500+ page works of fantasy. This is precisely the kind of thing that makes you grateful for folks like Christina Soontornvat. Now here you find yourself in the presence of a master. How is it that she is capable of completely realistic world building, character development, and descriptive (not to mention beautiful) writing -all within the span of a mere 359 pages? The Last Mapmaker offers readers proof positive that you can write succinctly, sacrificing nothing, while showing your readers absolutely everything.
Escape. It’s the hope that drives Sai. In some ways, she’s a master of it. The daughter of a con-man, already Sai has managed to escape her own upbringing and become the Assistant to Paiyoon Wongyai, the nation’s greatest mapmaker. She’s saving up now, in hopes of gaining passage out of her country and into a future where she can make something of herself. Sooner than she expects that plan comes to a kind of fruition when Paiyoon is offered passage on a ship bound for the southern seas. He is to map the lands they find, and Sai is coming along too. Trouble is, this is a voyage filled to the brim with secrets and everyone, including her, seems to have one.
See, the thing about novels for kids is that too few people spend an adequate amount of time peering at the writing of the book itself. I don’t mean the plotting or how well you do or do not fall in love with the characters. I mean the actual choice and order in which the writer lays down words. With Christina Soontornvat, that’s what you’re coming to the table for. Writing sentences that are a joy to read? That’s her bag. Just flip to the beginning of this book and take your pick to find your favorites. Here’s one that I particularly liked. It comes when Sai, who has not eaten breakfast, enters a café. “It took real effort not to stick out my tongue and lick the air.” That’s a rather perfect example of what Soontornvat is particularly good at; wry humor coupled with delicious descriptions.
Yet great writing is more than just how well you can sling an adjective into a sea of nouns. The intricacy of Soontonrvat’s kingdom and the way in which it works is perfect. Here she has created a nation of colonizers. When the book begins, Sai is 100% on board with her kingdom’s methodology and justifications. It’s only as she travels and sees and learns from people like Master Paiyoon that she comes to understand that there are consequences to the “exploring” and mapping she holds so dear. All this is coupled beautifully with the kingdom’s motto, both visual and written: “The Tail is in the Teeth.” This is accompanied by a perfectly circular dragon, clamping its own tail in its jaws. Soontornvat writes, “It meant that the end was connected to the beginning. It meant that where you ended up depended on where you started...” Sai thinks the motto is a trap. As the book progresses, she realizes that it might have even more sinister implications.
As an adult reading this book, I sort of felt like I was reading it on two levels at once. On the one hand I was reading it the same way a kid might. I was hanging on to every word of the text, curious about where the plot might go. And honestly, aside from figuring out who the villain was, Soontornvat had me guessing at every turn. On another level, I was reading this like an adult reviewer. Because the author telegraphs early on the fact that Mud, Sai’s father, is criminal but not at all evil, I was very curious to see in what way Sai would have a change of heart about him. I mean, he’s pretty much missing for the bulk of the book right after the start. Her solution to this was unexpected but utterly believable. I had no problem with that. Heck, I admired her moxy!
I had slightly more of a problem with the last chapter of the book. Now I’ve mentioned before that this book manages to consolidate its plotting and world-building to an admirable degree. Soontornvat should teach a masterclass on cutting out the superfluous. And the action! There’s no time to get bored with this novel. The characters are forever jumping into and out of deadly situations, and you’re right there with them every step of the way. It’s thrilling! Unfortunately, there’s a downside to this succinctness, and that comes at the conclusion. I can’t blame the author. Surely she knew that if she wanted to maintain the book’s energy and end on a high note, that meant sacrifices. In this case, sacrificing a lot of the big moments near the end. They get explained in just a paragraph or two, zip zip zip! All of it off-screen. All of it enormously quickly. And I get it. I get why the author and editor made this decision. Still, in spite of the speed at which this book moves, the last chapter is the only point at which I felt a little rushed. But could I have come up with a better solution? In all honesty, probably not.
Fantasy novels for kids in America have historically been disproportionately built on European flights of fancy. The Last Mapmaker, in contrast, owes its influences to Thai mythology. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Of course, the book itself is monumental for a wide variety of reasons above and beyond its influences. Reading it, it doesn’t feel like any other book out there. It grips you from the first page. You believe in these characters, in their wants and dreams and fears. You never doubt for a second their motivations, even when they surprise you with their choices. This may even be the kind of book that kids that usually eschew fantasy would actually like quite a lot. Though fantastical elements exist, there’s a strange reality to them. Consider this the kind of book that kids and their adult gatekeepers will love equally. In other words? Rare rare treasure.
Escape. It’s the hope that drives Sai. In some ways, she’s a master of it. The daughter of a con-man, already Sai has managed to escape her own upbringing and become the Assistant to Paiyoon Wongyai, the nation’s greatest mapmaker. She’s saving up now, in hopes of gaining passage out of her country and into a future where she can make something of herself. Sooner than she expects that plan comes to a kind of fruition when Paiyoon is offered passage on a ship bound for the southern seas. He is to map the lands they find, and Sai is coming along too. Trouble is, this is a voyage filled to the brim with secrets and everyone, including her, seems to have one.
See, the thing about novels for kids is that too few people spend an adequate amount of time peering at the writing of the book itself. I don’t mean the plotting or how well you do or do not fall in love with the characters. I mean the actual choice and order in which the writer lays down words. With Christina Soontornvat, that’s what you’re coming to the table for. Writing sentences that are a joy to read? That’s her bag. Just flip to the beginning of this book and take your pick to find your favorites. Here’s one that I particularly liked. It comes when Sai, who has not eaten breakfast, enters a café. “It took real effort not to stick out my tongue and lick the air.” That’s a rather perfect example of what Soontornvat is particularly good at; wry humor coupled with delicious descriptions.
Yet great writing is more than just how well you can sling an adjective into a sea of nouns. The intricacy of Soontonrvat’s kingdom and the way in which it works is perfect. Here she has created a nation of colonizers. When the book begins, Sai is 100% on board with her kingdom’s methodology and justifications. It’s only as she travels and sees and learns from people like Master Paiyoon that she comes to understand that there are consequences to the “exploring” and mapping she holds so dear. All this is coupled beautifully with the kingdom’s motto, both visual and written: “The Tail is in the Teeth.” This is accompanied by a perfectly circular dragon, clamping its own tail in its jaws. Soontornvat writes, “It meant that the end was connected to the beginning. It meant that where you ended up depended on where you started...” Sai thinks the motto is a trap. As the book progresses, she realizes that it might have even more sinister implications.
As an adult reading this book, I sort of felt like I was reading it on two levels at once. On the one hand I was reading it the same way a kid might. I was hanging on to every word of the text, curious about where the plot might go. And honestly, aside from figuring out who the villain was, Soontornvat had me guessing at every turn. On another level, I was reading this like an adult reviewer. Because the author telegraphs early on the fact that Mud, Sai’s father, is criminal but not at all evil, I was very curious to see in what way Sai would have a change of heart about him. I mean, he’s pretty much missing for the bulk of the book right after the start. Her solution to this was unexpected but utterly believable. I had no problem with that. Heck, I admired her moxy!
I had slightly more of a problem with the last chapter of the book. Now I’ve mentioned before that this book manages to consolidate its plotting and world-building to an admirable degree. Soontornvat should teach a masterclass on cutting out the superfluous. And the action! There’s no time to get bored with this novel. The characters are forever jumping into and out of deadly situations, and you’re right there with them every step of the way. It’s thrilling! Unfortunately, there’s a downside to this succinctness, and that comes at the conclusion. I can’t blame the author. Surely she knew that if she wanted to maintain the book’s energy and end on a high note, that meant sacrifices. In this case, sacrificing a lot of the big moments near the end. They get explained in just a paragraph or two, zip zip zip! All of it off-screen. All of it enormously quickly. And I get it. I get why the author and editor made this decision. Still, in spite of the speed at which this book moves, the last chapter is the only point at which I felt a little rushed. But could I have come up with a better solution? In all honesty, probably not.
Fantasy novels for kids in America have historically been disproportionately built on European flights of fancy. The Last Mapmaker, in contrast, owes its influences to Thai mythology. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Of course, the book itself is monumental for a wide variety of reasons above and beyond its influences. Reading it, it doesn’t feel like any other book out there. It grips you from the first page. You believe in these characters, in their wants and dreams and fears. You never doubt for a second their motivations, even when they surprise you with their choices. This may even be the kind of book that kids that usually eschew fantasy would actually like quite a lot. Though fantastical elements exist, there’s a strange reality to them. Consider this the kind of book that kids and their adult gatekeepers will love equally. In other words? Rare rare treasure.
April 7, 2022
In a Nutshell: An interesting story of adventure and coming of age with some magical elements and dark themes thrown in for good measure.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 Sea adventures are so uncommon nowadays in middle-grade fiction so this one worked as a wonderful change of topic. It does complete justice to its tag of adventure.
😍 Sai’s character is carved very well. Unlike most MG leads, Sai isn’t a goody-goody girl. She has her dark and selfish side. So to see her make mistakes and grow towards personal betterment is a nice experience. Master Paiyoon’s character and a couple of other characters are also quite interesting.
😍 The story moves along nicely and quickly, with enough elements of suspense and fun to keep its young readers happy. There are some convenient coincidences but that is expected in this genre.
😍 Though a children’s book, it covers many dark themes and serious issues.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😑 The blurb says that this is based on a Thai-inspired fantasy world. I wish I knew Thai mythology better to correlate this story with. I tried searching online for some reference point but couldn’t find anything to substantiate the content of this book. I enjoy retellings better if I understand what elements it has taken from the original, even if I don’t know the original tale completely. That didn’t happen with this work.
😑 Except for a mention of some Thai foods and the names of the characters and some exotic-sounding locations, the story doesn’t feel “Thai” at all. The dialogues of the child characters have a lot of UK slang.
😑 I expected more magical elements. It touches upon the fantastical bits but doesn’t go deep into it.
😑 I couldn’t figure out the relevance of the title. Who was the “last mapmaker”?
⚠ Trigger warning (No spoilers): There is a traumatic whale hunting scene. If your child is sensitive about animal violence, this scene will be too much on their emotions. Even I felt uncomfortable reading it.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook clocks at 7 hrs 20 min and is narrated excellently by Sura Siu. I loved her performance and would certainly recommend the audio version.
All in all, this is a very interesting MG adventure and except for the hunting scene mentioned above, delivers to a great extent. It was my first book by this author and I am certainly interested in trying more.
4 stars.
My thanks to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Last Mapmaker”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
12 year old Sai, the daughter of a conman, pretends to be from a well-bred family to ensure a better future in her job as the assistant to Master Paiyoon, the best mapmaker in the kingdom of Mangkon. An upcoming expedition is to the fabled Sunderlands which many have heard of but no one has entered. Paiyoon grabs at the opportunity to be part of this trip, and Sai doesn’t hesitate at her chance to escape from her miserable life because the residents of Mangkon judge everyone based on lineage or valorous achievements. But the trip turns out to be far more than they bargained for. Will Sai get what she dreams of – a better life?
The book comes to us in the first person perspective of Sai.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 Sea adventures are so uncommon nowadays in middle-grade fiction so this one worked as a wonderful change of topic. It does complete justice to its tag of adventure.
😍 Sai’s character is carved very well. Unlike most MG leads, Sai isn’t a goody-goody girl. She has her dark and selfish side. So to see her make mistakes and grow towards personal betterment is a nice experience. Master Paiyoon’s character and a couple of other characters are also quite interesting.
😍 The story moves along nicely and quickly, with enough elements of suspense and fun to keep its young readers happy. There are some convenient coincidences but that is expected in this genre.
😍 Though a children’s book, it covers many dark themes and serious issues.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😑 The blurb says that this is based on a Thai-inspired fantasy world. I wish I knew Thai mythology better to correlate this story with. I tried searching online for some reference point but couldn’t find anything to substantiate the content of this book. I enjoy retellings better if I understand what elements it has taken from the original, even if I don’t know the original tale completely. That didn’t happen with this work.
😑 Except for a mention of some Thai foods and the names of the characters and some exotic-sounding locations, the story doesn’t feel “Thai” at all. The dialogues of the child characters have a lot of UK slang.
😑 I expected more magical elements. It touches upon the fantastical bits but doesn’t go deep into it.
😑 I couldn’t figure out the relevance of the title. Who was the “last mapmaker”?
⚠ Trigger warning (No spoilers): There is a traumatic whale hunting scene. If your child is sensitive about animal violence, this scene will be too much on their emotions. Even I felt uncomfortable reading it.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook clocks at 7 hrs 20 min and is narrated excellently by Sura Siu. I loved her performance and would certainly recommend the audio version.
All in all, this is a very interesting MG adventure and except for the hunting scene mentioned above, delivers to a great extent. It was my first book by this author and I am certainly interested in trying more.
4 stars.
My thanks to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Last Mapmaker”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
March 31, 2022
Sai, 12 years old girl who lives in a land where ancestors are a way to have a place in society. Sai lives with her poor father and learned forgery to help him with other not proper ways of getting money. When finding an assistant job with a famous mapmaker, she has no choice except to hide her family.
Sai find an opportunity to journey to find a Sunderland, where dragons are there and the Queen will give prise for every ship who could discover this unexistent land. Now, Sai is determined to find this land and reach a high level of society by herself, changing her destiny.
This was a short and fast story about Sai, a kind young girl, a hard worker, a fighter, who does not give up easily and for these, I liked her.
But, yes there are a few "but" that make this book 4 stars, even 3 cross my mind:
-Sai wasn't grateful for the things she had, although there were not too many, I think she should be more faithful to people who care for her.
-What is the first thing that comes to my mind about Sai in the whole book (except for the last two or three chapters maybe), Selfish. She was young and didn't know much about the way of the world and people (this could be an excuse) and she helps a young boy like herself, but still, I find her selfish.
-The last thing is about the whales, on the ship they killed them for oil, this isn't a good subject in a book that is for young readers. Even now I don't like to read such things.
Maybe I get too old for reading such books, learned that we could escape from who we are and where we came from! This not going to happen, I think this can't feel good, if run and forget who you are, your past, people who love you and build a better home for yourself somewhere better, can it?
Many thanks to OrangeSky Audio via NetGalley for giving me the chance of listening to The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat, with great narration by Sura Siu, I have given my honest review.
Duration: 7 Hours, 21 Minutes.
Publican date: 12 April 2022
Sai find an opportunity to journey to find a Sunderland, where dragons are there and the Queen will give prise for every ship who could discover this unexistent land. Now, Sai is determined to find this land and reach a high level of society by herself, changing her destiny.
This was a short and fast story about Sai, a kind young girl, a hard worker, a fighter, who does not give up easily and for these, I liked her.
But, yes there are a few "but" that make this book 4 stars, even 3 cross my mind:
-Sai wasn't grateful for the things she had, although there were not too many, I think she should be more faithful to people who care for her.
-What is the first thing that comes to my mind about Sai in the whole book (except for the last two or three chapters maybe), Selfish. She was young and didn't know much about the way of the world and people (this could be an excuse) and she helps a young boy like herself, but still, I find her selfish.
-The last thing is about the whales, on the ship they killed them for oil, this isn't a good subject in a book that is for young readers. Even now I don't like to read such things.
Maybe I get too old for reading such books, learned that we could escape from who we are and where we came from! This not going to happen, I think this can't feel good, if run and forget who you are, your past, people who love you and build a better home for yourself somewhere better, can it?
Many thanks to OrangeSky Audio via NetGalley for giving me the chance of listening to The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat, with great narration by Sura Siu, I have given my honest review.
Duration: 7 Hours, 21 Minutes.
Publican date: 12 April 2022
Want to read
June 13, 2021well, i completely trust christina soontornvat, so [puts sunglasses on] WHEN THE HELL IS THIS GOING TO PUBLISH
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
January 13, 2024
It started off really strong and then just kinda fizzled out by the end.
I loved the world-building (omg the world-building is so good) and the mapmaking and the ships. But the plot? It was just okay. I did enjoy that this touches on the impacts of empire and colonialism, and how discoveries are calculated (i.e., by the people of Empire, not the people who actually live there).
I loved the world-building (omg the world-building is so good) and the mapmaking and the ships. But the plot? It was just okay. I did enjoy that this touches on the impacts of empire and colonialism, and how discoveries are calculated (i.e., by the people of Empire, not the people who actually live there).
August 27, 2022
Fun, exciting, tense.
Compelled to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
Loved the fantasy, it was just enough while still keeping the feeling quasi-historical and high-seas adventure.
Wish we'd gotten more of some characters, particularly her mentor and her father. I know it's exciting and high stakes to have this kid on her own, but I really loved the complexity of her guardians.
content warnings: classism, colourism, death, drowning, brief mentions of colonization/war.
Compelled to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
Loved the fantasy, it was just enough while still keeping the feeling quasi-historical and high-seas adventure.
Wish we'd gotten more of some characters, particularly her mentor and her father. I know it's exciting and high stakes to have this kid on her own, but I really loved the complexity of her guardians.
content warnings: classism, colourism, death, drowning, brief mentions of colonization/war.
May 11, 2022
Christina Soontornvat's other two books are really good. This was a disappointment to me, Sai was a good, but not great protagonist. She is a twelve-year-old, living in poverty, struggling without a mother and a con artist father, who associates with criminals. Sai lucks into a job as an apprentice for a leading mapmaker in the country of Mangkon. She is saving all of her money to escape her hard life, and is thrilled to join the mapmaker on a voyage to chart unexplored land with a famous warship captain. Riches will be provided to the ship which can claim the Sunderlands for the queen. Sai has to avoid discovery of her own humble background, hide a stowaway, deal with treachery and double dealing, as legendary creatures seek to punish the unworthy and reward the deserving. Sadly, the magic of her other books (one fiction, one non-fiction) was not present in this one.
July 3, 2023
Down with the snobs!
I make a habit of reading the Newbery Medalist and the Newbery Honor books every year. The Last Mapmaker, by Christina Soontornvat is a 2023 Newbery Honor book, and I quite enjoyed it. In her Biography, Soontornvat tells us that she "grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town", and that "She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members". It is therefore no surprise that the publisher's blurb describes The Last Mapmaker as "a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world".
I was a little disappointed that the Thai inspiration is nowhere explained in the book. I had hoped for an Author's Note on this subject, but there is none. Indeed, if you search the kindle book for "Thai" and "Thailand" you find nothing. The announcement video on Soontornvat's web site says not a word about Thai inspiration. The Last Mapmaker is indeed a fantasy. It takes place in a fantasy world that is not anywhere on Earth, although the map visibly resembles the Gulf of Thailand. There is no magic in The Last Mapmaker, but, as the publishers tell us, there are dragons. As usual for Asian dragons, these are not flying, fire-breathing dragons -- they are giant water creatures.
Our hero, Sai, lives in the city of An Lung in the island nation Mangkon. Mangkon is, as Britain once was, the center of an empire of conquered lands across the seas. But the Queen, according to legend, is descended from a dragon's egg. (This, I'm pretty sure, is a claim no English monarch has ever made.) So, this is a nation where who you are is who your ancestors were. The important adults in An Lung carry a necklace called a lineal which has a link for every noble ancestor.
So, yeah, they're a bunch of insufferable snobs. Twelve-year-old Sai is the daughter of a petty criminal (this is all in the publisher's blurb, so no spoilers yet). Passing as a well-bred young lady, she has wangled a position as an assistant to Mangkon's chief mapmaker Paiyoon Wongyai. She managed this through merit -- she is, in fact, an able mapmaker.
The real story starts when Paiyoon is tapped for a voyage of discovery. Paiyoon, fearing that he won't be able to handle his duties alone, invites Sai to come along as his assistant. And thus the adventure begins!
If you enjoy seafaring adventures (like Treasure Island, or The Sea Wolf, the the Horatio Hornblower series), then you are likely to enjoy The Last Mapmaker. I did!
Blog review.
I make a habit of reading the Newbery Medalist and the Newbery Honor books every year. The Last Mapmaker, by Christina Soontornvat is a 2023 Newbery Honor book, and I quite enjoyed it. In her Biography, Soontornvat tells us that she "grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town", and that "She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members". It is therefore no surprise that the publisher's blurb describes The Last Mapmaker as "a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world".
I was a little disappointed that the Thai inspiration is nowhere explained in the book. I had hoped for an Author's Note on this subject, but there is none. Indeed, if you search the kindle book for "Thai" and "Thailand" you find nothing. The announcement video on Soontornvat's web site says not a word about Thai inspiration. The Last Mapmaker is indeed a fantasy. It takes place in a fantasy world that is not anywhere on Earth, although the map visibly resembles the Gulf of Thailand. There is no magic in The Last Mapmaker, but, as the publishers tell us, there are dragons. As usual for Asian dragons, these are not flying, fire-breathing dragons -- they are giant water creatures.
Our hero, Sai, lives in the city of An Lung in the island nation Mangkon. Mangkon is, as Britain once was, the center of an empire of conquered lands across the seas. But the Queen, according to legend, is descended from a dragon's egg. (This, I'm pretty sure, is a claim no English monarch has ever made.) So, this is a nation where who you are is who your ancestors were. The important adults in An Lung carry a necklace called a lineal which has a link for every noble ancestor.
So, yeah, they're a bunch of insufferable snobs. Twelve-year-old Sai is the daughter of a petty criminal (this is all in the publisher's blurb, so no spoilers yet). Passing as a well-bred young lady, she has wangled a position as an assistant to Mangkon's chief mapmaker Paiyoon Wongyai. She managed this through merit -- she is, in fact, an able mapmaker.
The real story starts when Paiyoon is tapped for a voyage of discovery. Paiyoon, fearing that he won't be able to handle his duties alone, invites Sai to come along as his assistant. And thus the adventure begins!
If you enjoy seafaring adventures (like Treasure Island, or The Sea Wolf, the the Horatio Hornblower series), then you are likely to enjoy The Last Mapmaker. I did!
Blog review.
November 1, 2023
TW: abandonment, alcoholism, animal cruelty, animal death, child abuse, classism, colonization, death, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, medical content, violence, war, whaling.
Want to read
June 12, 2021[SCREAMS] another christina soontornvat book with SUCH A FANTASTIC PREMISE ALREADY??? 2022 WE ARE GETTING
FED
FELLAS
May 16, 2022
Sai is the daugher of a con-man, someone who dreams of more. Although only twelve, she is a talented mapmaker and is able to play the part of a well-bred young lady. She is apprenticed as an assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, Master Paiyoon, and joins an expedition to chart the southern seas. Her secret could ruin her if it gets out, but she is not the only one on board with something to hide. 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.
The Last Mapmaker is a story about following your dreams despite the odds and restrictions against you. It is also a story of classism, family, values, greed and ambition. Sai is a character who has a lot against her, but is willing to work hard, to learn what she needs to achieve her goal. She is kind, smart, and undergoes change in this story. I enjoyed seeing her develop relationships with the various secondary characters, Master Paiyoon and Bo - the stowaway who tries to steal from her. This relationship is one that adds some humor to the story and Bo has his own secret that is eventually revealed. I really liked the theme of family in this book. Sai and her father have a tumultuous relationship, but it is because her father is unable to provide for her as he would like to. It seems like he doesn't care about her, but as the book reveals that is not true. Sai chooses others to be part of her found family such as mentors (Master Paiyoon) and even Bo the street urchin. This is a MG story with some serious themes written in a way that is relatable to the age, as well as honest and at times dangerous. I recommend this story to those who enjoy fantasy, adventure and history. The audiobook was narrated by Sura Siu and she does a great job with this story.
The Last Mapmaker is a story about following your dreams despite the odds and restrictions against you. It is also a story of classism, family, values, greed and ambition. Sai is a character who has a lot against her, but is willing to work hard, to learn what she needs to achieve her goal. She is kind, smart, and undergoes change in this story. I enjoyed seeing her develop relationships with the various secondary characters, Master Paiyoon and Bo - the stowaway who tries to steal from her. This relationship is one that adds some humor to the story and Bo has his own secret that is eventually revealed. I really liked the theme of family in this book. Sai and her father have a tumultuous relationship, but it is because her father is unable to provide for her as he would like to. It seems like he doesn't care about her, but as the book reveals that is not true. Sai chooses others to be part of her found family such as mentors (Master Paiyoon) and even Bo the street urchin. This is a MG story with some serious themes written in a way that is relatable to the age, as well as honest and at times dangerous. I recommend this story to those who enjoy fantasy, adventure and history. The audiobook was narrated by Sura Siu and she does a great job with this story.
May 27, 2022
3.5 stars
A little coming of age, a little social commentary, a lot of adventure & risk taking with a dash of dragons. I liked this but it didn't pack the same emotional punch as Soontornvat's other books. Sai was fun to root for & I liked the supporting cast. I felt like the end wrapped up really quickly & I wish there had been more time spent there and less in the muddy middle.
A little coming of age, a little social commentary, a lot of adventure & risk taking with a dash of dragons. I liked this but it didn't pack the same emotional punch as Soontornvat's other books. Sai was fun to root for & I liked the supporting cast. I felt like the end wrapped up really quickly & I wish there had been more time spent there and less in the muddy middle.
February 20, 2022
ALL THE STARS!!
January 3, 2024
Probably a 3.5, if I could give half points. I liked a lot about this book: strong female characters, action-packed story, engaging topic (navigation & map-making in the ancient world has always blown my mind!). But there was something discombobulating about the book that prevented me from totally giving myself over to it. The characters talked in a very modern way with no regional dialect or inflection. It made it hard for me to visualize the setting as I read. I liked the book but didn’t love it.
April 9, 2023
This book was a great adventure that allowed Sai to change her life. I really enjoyed that so much of the story was grounded in real life, but then it is possible for dragons to exist. Suddenly, anything seems possible at that point. There was great action and a plot twist that I appreciated, as I did not see it coming.
This book is especially great for anyone that likes stories that take place at sea.
This book is especially great for anyone that likes stories that take place at sea.
August 23, 2022
The visionary and versatile author of two 2021 Newbery Honor Books gives us a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world.
December 21, 2022
OOh yes this was a really fun nautical adventure yet also a commentary on colonialism! Really appreciated it for being thought-provoking but without such clear-cut answers as some other books might have provided. Would be great for class discussions or talking about at bedtime.
March 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this story about a young girl who desperately wants to defy her lineage and become a mapmaker. In a world where your place in society depends so heavily on your genes and lineage, Sai wants to separate herself from her father's reputation. She works as the assistant for the mapmaker, Master Paiyoon, and when he has the opportunity to go on an expedition to map the southern oceans, she finds a way to escape her father and join him on the ship. She discovers that the ship is headed for the land of dragons and dangers, the Sunderlands, and she chooses to risk everything to follow her dreams of being a mapmaker and making her own destiny outside of her lineage. Soontornvat creates three dimensional characters that develop throughout the story. This book would be great for a 5th-8th grade book club book. In fifth grade, I would use this book more to discuss fantasy characteristics, story elements, and character traits throughout the story. In eighth grade, this book could be used to discuss the colonialism themes along with the fantasy characteristics and story elements.
June 4, 2022
I came for adventure, and I was not disappointed. This book is basically a cross between The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and A Natural History of Dragons (if you haven't read those, your should drop everything and read both, then decide if their love child interests you). That alone would be enough for me to love it.
What I did not expect was the hefty dose of anticolonial sentiment. And girl, I am here for it! It was just a rollicking pleasure of a time - high seas adventure on old school wooden ships, defying societal oppression to define your own worth, building pride through mastering a craft, colorful swear words, escaping childhood trauma, realizing you can't escape childhood trauma, lying to con rich people - all enhanced by solid writing. If this sounds like your thing, check it out. You will be richly rewarded.
What I did not expect was the hefty dose of anticolonial sentiment. And girl, I am here for it! It was just a rollicking pleasure of a time - high seas adventure on old school wooden ships, defying societal oppression to define your own worth, building pride through mastering a craft, colorful swear words, escaping childhood trauma, realizing you can't escape childhood trauma, lying to con rich people - all enhanced by solid writing. If this sounds like your thing, check it out. You will be richly rewarded.
April 28, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up.
This was one of the more unique books I’ve read. It’s about a world where your social status is determined by your family history, evidenced by your “lineal,” a chain with a varying amount of links depending on how many generations you can confirm in your family. The MC’s only family is her con man father, and she’s been pretending to be an upper class girl who will receive a large lineal when she turns 13, but her time of pretending is almost up. Then her mapmaking mentor asks her to come on a trip with him to chart the uncharted seas below the Dragon Line. There are great environmental messages and really interesting points about how mapmaking can actually be harmful. I don’t want to say much more for fear of spoilers but what a beautiful book.
This was one of the more unique books I’ve read. It’s about a world where your social status is determined by your family history, evidenced by your “lineal,” a chain with a varying amount of links depending on how many generations you can confirm in your family. The MC’s only family is her con man father, and she’s been pretending to be an upper class girl who will receive a large lineal when she turns 13, but her time of pretending is almost up. Then her mapmaking mentor asks her to come on a trip with him to chart the uncharted seas below the Dragon Line. There are great environmental messages and really interesting points about how mapmaking can actually be harmful. I don’t want to say much more for fear of spoilers but what a beautiful book.
April 29, 2023
I don’t normally read plot-driven adventure tales, but Soontornvat is such a darn good writer that I inhaled this book! Sai is a compelling character who is trying to overcome her country’s barriers to social mobility. When she accompanies her mentor on a voyage to map uncharted lands, she learns that people aren’t always who they seem to be. She is both pleasantly surprised and betrayed by her shipmates. I always read for characters, and Soontornvat delivers on that count.
As the crew travels the southern seas, Sai learns that “discovery” often disrupts the lives of people who already lived in “new” lands. Her mentor, Paiyoon the mapmaker, regrets that his work has been used as a tool of exploitation. And with that we get insight into the price of colonialism, wrapped up in a high-seas adventure for kids 10 and up. Chef’s kiss.
As the crew travels the southern seas, Sai learns that “discovery” often disrupts the lives of people who already lived in “new” lands. Her mentor, Paiyoon the mapmaker, regrets that his work has been used as a tool of exploitation. And with that we get insight into the price of colonialism, wrapped up in a high-seas adventure for kids 10 and up. Chef’s kiss.
October 15, 2022
I read this book for a school book club and I am nervous that I don’t like YA books? But I will update this once I have the conversation with the group. Gut reaction - story was mildly interesting but also not that deep. The end wrapped up very quickly, leaving a few pages to wrap up the story (although it was wrapped up nicely?) after we spent many pages whirling through the seas. I wasn’t in love with the main character and Paiyoon was too good and didn’t deserve everything thrown his way!
August 21, 2022
Christina Soontornvat keeps knocking it out of the ball park. The Last Mapmaker is an engaging, adventurous tour de force. A very strong 2023 Newbery award contender.
January 9, 2023
In The Last Mapmaker, Christina Soontornvat delivers a thought-provoking fantasy adventure with so much heart.
As her thirteenth birthday approaches, Sai knows that she will not receive the traditional gift that denotes the occasion – small golden rings that proclaim a family’s lineage and secure one’s future. After all, she is the daughter of a conman. Hoping for a fresh start, she jumps at the opportunity to join an expedition to the mystical Sunderlands, a fabled land of dragons, danger and great riches. In her role as the assistant to Paiyoon, a master mapmaker, she can conceal her true status, if she can avoid the crew member who might recognize her. On board, she finds an ally in Rian, a sophisticated friend of the much decorated Captain Sangra, and Sai is inspired by Rian’s rags-to-riches story.
When Rian shows Sai the mysterious half of a weather-worn map that might lead them to the Sunderlands, Sai hopes they can enlist Paiyoon’s aide to convince the Captain that this map will set them on the right course. But the Captain is quarantined in her room with a mysterious illness and Paiyoon is inexplicably unwilling to cooperate.
As the expedition heads ever closer to their destination and the deadly slake that inhabits its surrounding waters, Sai begins to question the ethics of the expedition, as well as long-held beliefs. After her journey, both geographical and internal, Sai finds herself in a world she could not have imagined, with a greater understanding of herself and others; ready to chart her own course.
Sai is smart and humble, ambitious and honest; curious and kind. Readers will easily identify with her feelings of being an outsider, her wanting more for herself, her confusion in the face of contradicting evidence. They may be inspired by her compassion towards a stowaway who once tried to rob her.
The other characters, who are diverse and include many strong, powerful women, are complex, representing, and often misrepresenting, the many players in inherently flawed systems: The Mapmaker, whose secretive behavior is suspect as he acts to preserve the spirit of his profession, the feared crew member who turns out to be an ally for Sai, and Rian, who fools everyone with her “loyal friend” act. The characters’ hidden agendas heighten the suspense and propel the story forward. Even Sai’s ex-convict father is more than he seems; although his imprisonment kept him away from Sai, his crime was born out of compassion.
Soontornvat deftly interweaves the issues of social inequity and colonization with her descriptions of Sai’s home – the orderly streets of the Paper District in the Kingdom of Mangkon that mimics its caste system; and Pitaya Island, one of the ship’s stops whose natural resources have been ravaged by Mangkon. Paiyooh’s reluctance to direct the ship toward The Sunderlands is rooted in his disapproval of the expedition’s intentions; he wants to save The Sunderlands from the plundering suffered by Pitaya Island. With the magic eyeglass that he gives Sai, she, too is able to see the ugly truth behind the expedition, and appreciate The Sunderlands for the magical place it is.
With its fast-paced plot, a fantastical island, a lurking monster, the promise of rewards and riches, and a plucky mapmaker’s apprentice with a strong moral compass, it’s an easy recommendation.
August 2, 2024
A thrilling fantasy/sea adventure for middle grade readers, about an apprentice to a mapmaker in the Thai-inspired kingdom of Mangkon. Sodsai Mudawan (Sai), the daughter of a petty criminal, longs for higher status in her kingdom because of the better opportunities it would bring. When the mapmaker, Paiyoon, decides to travel on a voyage to map the southern seas, Sai goes with him, hoping to find the Sunderlands but still hiding her true identity from everyone onboard.
It's an imaginative story about life on a ship and the dangers that one encounters on the high seas, but it's also a look at colonialism, class status, and how far people might be willing to go to accumulate power and prestige. This passage, from Paiyoon to Sai, was particularly illuminating in this regard:
"Our queen is sending ships out in every direction to 'discover' new places. I'll put money on it that every place our ships land was already discovered long ago--just not by us. That won't stop us from planting our flags there, of course. A growing kingdom needs lumber, materials, food. Why pay for it when you can claim it and call it your own?" (200).
And he says later in the story, "Mangkon has grown into a bloated beast, devouring all her neighbors. And how does she find her next meal? She uses my maps" (232).
Young readers will love the thrill of adventure - think of Treasure Island or other seafaring classics - but the book might also make them think a little bit about the endless expansion of colonial powers and the environmental and social problems that causes. In Sai's character, too, they will learn about taking personal responsibility, the importance of family (including found family), and what is truly of value in a world driven by greed and ambition. But the dragons, missing maps, stowaways, and shipwrecks will ultimately be the most memorable part of this absorbing novel. If you listen to the audiobook, narrated by Sura Siu, you will find that the narration is expertly performed and very engaging .
It's an imaginative story about life on a ship and the dangers that one encounters on the high seas, but it's also a look at colonialism, class status, and how far people might be willing to go to accumulate power and prestige. This passage, from Paiyoon to Sai, was particularly illuminating in this regard:
"Our queen is sending ships out in every direction to 'discover' new places. I'll put money on it that every place our ships land was already discovered long ago--just not by us. That won't stop us from planting our flags there, of course. A growing kingdom needs lumber, materials, food. Why pay for it when you can claim it and call it your own?" (200).
And he says later in the story, "Mangkon has grown into a bloated beast, devouring all her neighbors. And how does she find her next meal? She uses my maps" (232).
Young readers will love the thrill of adventure - think of Treasure Island or other seafaring classics - but the book might also make them think a little bit about the endless expansion of colonial powers and the environmental and social problems that causes. In Sai's character, too, they will learn about taking personal responsibility, the importance of family (including found family), and what is truly of value in a world driven by greed and ambition. But the dragons, missing maps, stowaways, and shipwrecks will ultimately be the most memorable part of this absorbing novel. If you listen to the audiobook, narrated by Sura Siu, you will find that the narration is expertly performed and very engaging .
March 7, 2024
3.5 stars.
Masquerading as a well-bred girl from a good family,12-year-old Sai apprentices to the best Mapmaker in Mangkon. She is eager to get away from her thieving past, though her father and uncle want her help with a job, asking her to forge a letter for them. Sai has an uncanny ability to copy script or drawings faithfully, so she grudgingly does so, all the time worried that they'll all be caught for her action.
When her master asks her to join him on an expedition to chart the land's southern ocean, and possibly head to the Sunderlands, a place of myths, dragons and wealth, she soon finds she's not the only liar aboard.
A well-paced adventure story with an interesting protagonist, who is a thief and liar, but who's trying to make a different life for herself, by lying and using her forgery talents. That doesn't sound great, but Sai is a bit messy, and has her moments of selfishness, but also kindness and selflessness, making her feel real.
There is some interesting commentary on class, and how this can be used to exclude many from whether basic services or opportunities.
And I think the ending felt a wee bit rushed and implausible -- it looks like a centuries-long system of economic class exclusion based on having a fancy bracelet, the "lineal", was starting to be questioned because of one person.
Masquerading as a well-bred girl from a good family,12-year-old Sai apprentices to the best Mapmaker in Mangkon. She is eager to get away from her thieving past, though her father and uncle want her help with a job, asking her to forge a letter for them. Sai has an uncanny ability to copy script or drawings faithfully, so she grudgingly does so, all the time worried that they'll all be caught for her action.
When her master asks her to join him on an expedition to chart the land's southern ocean, and possibly head to the Sunderlands, a place of myths, dragons and wealth, she soon finds she's not the only liar aboard.
A well-paced adventure story with an interesting protagonist, who is a thief and liar, but who's trying to make a different life for herself, by lying and using her forgery talents. That doesn't sound great, but Sai is a bit messy, and has her moments of selfishness, but also kindness and selflessness, making her feel real.
There is some interesting commentary on class, and how this can be used to exclude many from whether basic services or opportunities.
And I think the ending felt a wee bit rushed and implausible -- it looks like a centuries-long system of economic class exclusion based on having a fancy bracelet, the "lineal", was starting to be questioned because of one person.
January 27, 2023
“I’ll put money on it that every place our ships land was already discovered long ago—just not by us.”
🗺️
Sai is an assistant to a world-renowned mapmaker, a position she had to fake her way to get because instead of being a well-bred young lady from good social standing she is, in fact, very poor and the child of a con man. When her mentor, Paiyoon, invited Sai on a perilous journey she jumps at the opportunity to start a new life, away from her father, but the trip isn’t just fraught with high seas dangers. There is mutiny, secrets and lies aboard the ship as well. As they chart a course for the infamous Sunderlands in hopes of discovering a new territory, theories of dragons, riches and dangers lie ahead.
🐉
What a beautiful MG story by @csoontornvat that I am so happy made it onto the Bluebonnet list for 23-24. This is my last book from the list to read and I’m glad it ended on this high note. This book is for fans of adventure, mystery, dragons, character growth, trust and mentorship. Highly recommend it!
CW: poisoning, death, parental death, war, violence, murder, drowning, sickness, vomit, theft, animal violence & death (whale)
🗺️
Sai is an assistant to a world-renowned mapmaker, a position she had to fake her way to get because instead of being a well-bred young lady from good social standing she is, in fact, very poor and the child of a con man. When her mentor, Paiyoon, invited Sai on a perilous journey she jumps at the opportunity to start a new life, away from her father, but the trip isn’t just fraught with high seas dangers. There is mutiny, secrets and lies aboard the ship as well. As they chart a course for the infamous Sunderlands in hopes of discovering a new territory, theories of dragons, riches and dangers lie ahead.
🐉
What a beautiful MG story by @csoontornvat that I am so happy made it onto the Bluebonnet list for 23-24. This is my last book from the list to read and I’m glad it ended on this high note. This book is for fans of adventure, mystery, dragons, character growth, trust and mentorship. Highly recommend it!
CW: poisoning, death, parental death, war, violence, murder, drowning, sickness, vomit, theft, animal violence & death (whale)
April 19, 2022
The Last Mapmaker is the latest middle grade novel from award-winning author Christina Soontornvat. I couldn’t wait to read it after absolutely loving All Thirteen by the same author.
At its heart, The Last Mapmaker is an adventure story with magic, historical fiction, and coming-of-age components mixed in. Twelve-year-old Sai is the daughter of a con man who runs away to embark on an open sea adventure. Along the way, she must figure out who can be trusted and come to terms with her own past and future.
I thought the historical fiction elements, especially as they related to mapmaking and the importance of lineage in Thai culture, were really strong. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the main character and found certain parts of the story a bit dark. I don’t think this book is necessarily too heavy for middle grade readers, but I’d be hesitant to recommend it without the caveat that discussion would be warranted.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced listening copy.
At its heart, The Last Mapmaker is an adventure story with magic, historical fiction, and coming-of-age components mixed in. Twelve-year-old Sai is the daughter of a con man who runs away to embark on an open sea adventure. Along the way, she must figure out who can be trusted and come to terms with her own past and future.
I thought the historical fiction elements, especially as they related to mapmaking and the importance of lineage in Thai culture, were really strong. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the main character and found certain parts of the story a bit dark. I don’t think this book is necessarily too heavy for middle grade readers, but I’d be hesitant to recommend it without the caveat that discussion would be warranted.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced listening copy.
July 21, 2023
The Last Mapmaker is a heartwarming middle grade about Sai who comes from a difficult background, but through her apprenticeship with a mapmaker, ends up on the adventure of her life. I really enjoyed the writing and the character work. I really felt for Sai and what she'd gone through and overall I just really enjoyed all the characters. I'm not a huge fan of naval adventures, but I still enjoyed the plot for the most part and Soontornvat kept me intrigued. While it doesn't have a huge emotional punch for as an adult, I think many younger readers will really relate to Sai and enjoy her adventure. Highly recommended for middle graders and YA readers who like geography, sailing, and nautical adventures! 3.5 stars
Thanks to OrangeSky Audio and Netgalley for an audioARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to OrangeSky Audio and Netgalley for an audioARC in exchange for an honest review.
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