Quill and the Last Generation

Living in a land trapped in winter, Quill is one of the last children to be born for twelve years. On Beltane night, the first of May, everyone gathers to light a fire, a symbolic act of bringing back warmth and light to the world and, although he wakes the following morning to the bitter cold he has become used to, he is surprised when a raven on his windowsill turns into a girl called Deryn, who claims she is there to take him to the underworld as he (Quinn) is the only one who can change things. Faced with a new world and new challenges, Quill must prepare to battle the King of Darkness and bring light back before it’s too late.

Drawing on myth and folklore, ‘Quill and the Last Generation’ is a sensational, unputdownable read, sure to appeal to a wide audience of readers young and old and so the perfect choice for my first review of 2026- the National Year of Reading!

Quill is a wonderful hero. Having always felt different to the other children of the last generation, Quill lives with his adoptive parents, wonderfully warm, loving people who named him ‘Quill’ because they knew he ‘would go on to write your own story. And that it would be extraordinary.’ Aware of who Quill was and where he came from, they did their very best to keep him safe, grounding him in love so that when faced with the dangers and challenges head, Quill proves a worthy champion. At every stage, his decisions are founded in thoughtful, caring actions, valuing people and creatures alike, making him a thoroughly likeable and deeply empathetic character. As he meets new friends and companions along the way, the reader is introduced to other memorable characters like Finn, Deryn and Eos, totem birds created by Quill’s mother and Solas, a beautiful winged horse formed from water.

The story is a fast-paced adventure, a true page turner! From deeply poignant moments to perilous action, the whole is beautifully written. There are hints of more to come - and I cannot wait to see what happens to Quill next. This is a must have for class shelves and would make a brilliant class story (teachers should be aware that death and loss feature in the plot), sure to captivate and inspire and offer a pathway to a range of myths, legends and folklore.

Quill and the Last Generation

C M Lewis, illustrated by Maria Vidal

Macmillan ISBN: 978-1035092703