Rachel Howzell Hall is known for her work as a thriller author, creating complex character rooted in places readers are familiar with. She has since found huge success with releasing her first romantasy novel, The Last One, which was chosen as the Good Morning America Book Club pick for December 2024. She uses her experience writing compelling characters and plotlines from thrillers, and with a hint of romance and fantastical environments, she has made a name for herself in the booming romantasy genre.
Tell us about The Last One.
The Last One follows a woman who wakes up alone in the woods, her memory erased and her identity a mystery. All she knows is one thing: if she can’t reach the Sea of Devour, the world will spiral into further chaos. Along her journey, she encounters allies and enemies—some who will aid her in fulfilling her mission, and others who may stand in her way.
How did you approach blending romance with a survival-driven plot?
Blending romance with a survival-driven plot was a challenge for me since I naturally gravitate toward survival-focused stories. As a crime thriller writer, I had to do a lot of research to find the right balance. I started reading authors who blend these elements well, like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, while also diving into works by Robert Jordan and N.K. Jemisin for their intricate plots and world-building. On the romance side, I revisited some of my favorite classic relationships, like the push-and-pull dynamic between David and Maddie from Moonlighting and Sam and Diane from Cheers. These TV series helped me find inspiration for the tension and chemistry in my story.
What’s one message or theme in the book that you hope readers connect with most?
Only you know who you are. People can tell you who they think you are, but is up to you to find the truth.
How did you create a character that was both strong enough to survive an apocalyptic world, but also vulnerable?
I looked to real women for inspiration because that’s who we are. We navigate spaces that are often hostile, spaces that don’t care if we survive or thrive. We rely on ourselves and the people closest to us to get through. We have a small circle of trusted people where we can be vulnerable, while the larger world tells us we can’t show emotion or reveal our true selves. It’s a confusing and challenging reality.
What is one piece of advice you’d give your protagonist as she navigates the world of The Last One?
I’d tell Kai to take a few breaths, to acknowledge that the answers she seeks won’t come easily, that those answers may not be the ones that she wants to learn, and that it’s okay to be disappointed by all of it.
What got you into the romantasy genre?
It was opportunity. Liz Pelletier, the publisher of Entangled, was launching a new imprint, Red Tower, and she asked if I was interested in trying something new. Knowing Liz’s reputation, I said, “Yes, please! Thank you.”
What are your favorite romantasy reads?
I really enjoy Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series, and I’m currently reading Onyx Storm. Rebecca does a great job of creating strong heroines who are also vulnerable—both physically and emotionally—while blending action and intense fight scenes.
What inspired the world-building in your latest novel?
Everything I’ve ever read has influenced the world-building in The Last One. From classic mythologies and the Bible to Stephen King’s The Stand, and even video games like The Witcher, Fallout 4, and Elden Ring. All of these stories and experiences helped shape the world I created.
What comes first for you, the fantasy world or the romance?
The fantasy world definitely comes before the romance for me. As a gamer and thriller writer, I’m used to crafting settings that feel like characters themselves—usually Los Angeles in my thrillers. So yeah, the world always comes first, especially since my characters’ actions are shaped by it. In my view, romance is heavily influenced by the world around it. How easy is it to fall in love—or even feel a spark of attraction—when the world is falling apart? Is the connection real and lasting, or is it just the result of being stuck together in extreme circumstances?
Which character in your latest novel was the most fun to write?
Kai was definitely the most fun to write–she’s in this new world (just like I’m in this new world) and she’s trying to figure out the most basic question. What is my name? She has to figure out her strengths which don’t present as easily as her weaknesses. There’s this hot blacksmith and his sticky-fingered sister who constantly vexes Kai. She’s strong and smart and I loved moving her through this strange realm.
What are you working on next?
I am working on the next in the series with Kai, and I’ll be announcing the title of that soon. I’m also writing the next in the PI series. The first–Fog and Fury–will be out May 13, 2025.
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
When Kai opens her eyes, she realizes she has no clue where she is, how she got there, or who she is. She does know that if she can’t get out of this hellish forest crawling with terrifying beasts and to the Sea of Devour, things will get much worse. She makes her way to a village and meets the blacksmith who offers to help her, even though she senses he is holding back something from her. While fighting off the enemies attacking the village and the annoying yet enchanting stares from the blacksmith, Kai must rediscover who she is and find a way to save herself and uncover the secrets the blacksmith, and the secrets of the kingdom, Vinevridth.
Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Leave A Comment