The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Higuera, Donna Barba. The Last Cuentista. Lavine Querido, New York, NY, 10018. 2021. Kindle AZW file.

Petra Pena is just a few days from her 13th birthday when she boards a space ship in Colorado bound for the very distant planet called Sagan. Halley's Comet is about to strike Earth with devastating consequences. Because both of Petra's parents are scientists, they are among the fortunate few destined to start a new civilization. Petra's parents want her to become a scientist but she wants to be a cuentista – a storyteller – like her beloved grandmother. People like Petra will spend the 380-year journey in a state of stasis. There are Monitors who will spend their lives overseeing those in stasis. Petra's ship is the second of three bound for Sagan. Before everyone can finish boarding, people desperate for a place on board attack. One ship had already left but the third – the one carrying all the politicians and leaders – never makes it off the ground. Petra's stasis does not immediately take effect and she is aware there are people who see this as an opportunity to take over the ship, changing the society here and once they reach the new world.

When Petra wakes almost 400 years later, she discovers that a group known as the Collective is now in charge. They have completely disregarded the careful plans made before leaving Earth, waking most of those in stasis at various times over the years. Petra can barely keep from crying out when she is confronted by this new kind of human. The people have altered themselves so they all look very similar. They have eliminated every individual trait and pleasure in this new culture. They do not have personal possessions, and most spend their days in menial, useless tasks. They have tried to completely wipe out the memories of everyone in stasis. Those who did not lose those memories were “purged.” Petra discovers that her parents were among those.

Petra and three other children removed from stasis are called the “Zetas.” Along with one member of the Collective, they are sent to Sagan to see if the planet is suitable for habitation. Though the children are fine, the Collective member breaks out in boils and dies later. They realize they have altered their DNA to the point that they cannot survive outside the ship.

Petra works in a lab but focuses on escaping from the Collective. She develops loyalty for the other three children and vows to take them with her. She becomes friends with Voxy, the only Collective child on the ship. She soon discovers that the other scientist working in her lab is her younger brother Javier who was removed from stasis many years earlier. Petra begins to gain the trust of the other three children by telling stories. Voxy is captivated and sneaks away to hear as well. When Javier helps the four children escape to Sagan with the possibility of reconnecting with passengers from the first ship, Voxy stows away. He begs to join Petra, because he hates the ideals and rules of the Collective. As the children make their way to the established settlement, Petra feels a deep sense of responsibility but also discovers a family connection with Suma, Feathers, Rubio, and Voxy.