THE LAST HUNTRESS

A teenager enters a world of demon hunts and malicious Greek gods in this YA fantasy debut.

High school senior Alice Daniels has just moved from Colorado to Phoenix. She’s welcomed to the neighborhood by David Martin, a handsome but oddly unsettling Remington High student. He invites Alice to a party to mark the end of summer, which her mother insists that she attend. At the party, Alice learns that David is a true creep and capable of foul pranks—such as throwing fish guts on new students. Later that night, Alice finds David’s Porsche and covers it in eggs. She also sees through his home’s windows that several girls have him tied up, and black tendrils twist out from his eyes. Alice is soon confronted by a “beautiful stranger” with “pale blue eyes” whom she would “lie down and die for.” This is Colin Tinsley, leader of a group of teens who hunt demons. His partners are Olivia Diaz, Sharon Roxland, and Hadley Caldwell. These “Wayward Sisters” use a Realm of mirrors to track humans possessed by demons across the globe. Their patron deity is the Greek Philautia, who gives pieces of her soul to mortals, empowering them. When Alice learns that she’s the final portion of Philautia’s soul, she becomes entangled in a centuries-old power game that her heart may not survive. Borja’s series opener radiates the youthful, sisterly glow of classic TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed. Everyone readers meet, from Alice’s dad, Gavin, to her aunt Molly, helps provide excellent twists that deepen the hero’s turmoil. The Realm is fabulously portrayed as a topsy-turvy wonderland of mirrors, as in the line “Every single one was displaying part of a vast blue sky, complete with fluffy white clouds and even...birds traversing from one mirror to the next.” The romance is superb and highlights the author’s flair for dialogue. Colin says, “You knock the wind out of me,” and Alice replies, “I guess I’ve found my calling.” Skillful reversals keep the narrative crackling, and the final scene hints at an appealing sequel.

Strong characters remain the focus in this confident, imaginative fantasy.