Book cover for Endling #1: The Last by Katherine Applegate

Endling #1: The Last

2018 Released
400 Pages
4-5 Hours
★ 4.18 5,008 ratings
StorytideISBN 9780062335555

A New York Times bestseller from the beloved author of the action-packed Animorphs series and the award-winning The One and Only Ivan. In this first book of an epic middle grade series, Katherine Applegate takes us on an unforgettable journey. 

Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra.

After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.

Along the way, she meets new allies—both animals and humans alike—who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family—one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.

Building on the success of her critically acclaimed novels The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw, and Wishtree, while also returning to her action-packed fantasy roots of Animorphs, the Endling series is Katherine Applegate at her finest. With its enthralling characters, unique setting, and gripping adventure, this series is the perfect next read for fans of Rick Riordan, Brian Jacques, and Tui T. Sutherland.

Don't miss the second book in Katherine Applegate’s “simply sublime” (Kirkus) epic middle grade animal fantasy trilogy, Endling #2: The First, plus the concluding volume, Endling #3: The Only. Read all three!


Can the last of a species find hope in a world determined to forget her?


  • Last of Her Kind: Byx, the youngest of her pack, is left alone after a brutal attack and must embark on a quest to see if she is truly the endling.
  • A Band of Unlikely Allies: From a brave wobbyk to a mysterious human girl, Byx finds help in unexpected places.
  • A World of Mythical Creatures: Explore the kingdom of Nedarra, a land of talking animals, fearsome felivets, soaring raptidons, and warring species.
  • The Power of Truth: As the only creature who can always detect a lie, Byx’s greatest strength might also be her greatest danger.

Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of beloved and award-winning books for young readers, including Pocket Bear, Odder, Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan, for which she won the Newbery Medal. She is also the author of the Animorphs series, a beginning reader series, Doggo and Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder, and the picture book, Odder: An Otter's Story, illustrated by Charles Santoso. Her middle-grade books, Dogtown and Mouse and His Dog, co-authored with Gennifer Choldenko, were also instant New York Times bestsellers. Katherine Applegate lives in Nevada with her family.

More by Katherine Applegate

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