Books on Our Radar: The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens

The Last Best Quest Ever is F.T. Lukens’ newest YA romantasy, out this May. Seventeen-year-old Ellinore has the best questing record in the kingdom and a secret: every single one of her victories is fake. The monsters were staged. The treasures were planted. When she finally retires, her twin brother immediately bets his life on her ability to complete one more impossible quest, and suddenly she has no choice but to go back out there, this time with her infuriating rival Aven and a ragtag crew who have no business being on any quest at all. Cozy fantasy, slow burn rivalry-to-romance, mythical creatures, and a protagonist figuring out who she actually is when the lie falls apart.

F.T. is a nonbinary NYT bestselling author whose work shows up on the ALA Rainbow Booklist year after year. Supporting queer authors who have been doing this work steadily and without compromise will always be something we are here for. Add it to your TBR!

The Last Best Quest Ever

by F.T. Lukens
on May 26, 2026
Bookshop
Goodreads

A fraudulent teen quester must team up with a brooding, royal rival on a perilous adventure to save her brother’s life in this cozy young adult romantasy full of mythical creatures by the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This is Ever After.
Seventeen-year-old Ellinore has the best questing record of anyone in the kingdom’s history. She also has a secret: her fame is built entirely on lies. Tired of the charade, she shocks the kingdom by retiring at a royal feast. But her plans for a quiet life are disrupted when her twin brother Zig bets his life that Ellinore can retrieve the horn of the mythical Elder Beast. To save Zig, she reluctantly sets out on one last, perilous quest.
Accompanying her are Zig, determined to help despite his recklessness; Aven, her envious rival eager to prove their superiority; an ambitious bar maiden turned adventurer; and a young, magic-wielding bard. Together, they face an arduous journey fraught with mythical challenges and shifting alliances. As they search for the Elder Beast, Ellinore grapples with her growing feelings for Aven, her fear of losing Zig, and her identity as a reluctant hero.
With time running out, Ellinore must confront not only the legendary creature but also her own truths. Can she save her brother, embrace her potential, and finally decide her path?