The ending of 'Once There Was' really left me thinking for days. It wraps up with this hauntingly beautiful scene where the protagonist, after all her struggles with mythical creatures and personal demons, finally confronts the truth about her father's legacy. The way the author blends folklore with modern grief hit me hard—it’s not just about saving magical beasts but about reconciling with loss. The last chapter has this quiet moment where she releases the last creature, symbolizing letting go, and it’s framed against a sunset that mirrors her journey from anger to acceptance. I loved how it didn’t tie everything up neatly; some mysteries linger, like the faint echo of a creature’s call in the distance, leaving room for imagination.
What stuck with me was how the book subverts the 'chosen one' trope. Instead of a grand battle, the climax is deeply internal. The protagonist realizes her power was never about control but understanding—a lesson I’ve been applying to my own life lately. The prose in those final pages is lyrical, almost like a lullaby for the wounded heart. It’s rare to find YA fantasy that prioritizes emotional resolution over spectacle, and that’s why this book stays on my shelf.