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annemaries_shelves's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was the perfect read to keep me distracted on a 4-5 hour flight!
It's cute, cozy, and with the right amount of action/plot to keep me engaged. I liked our main characters (siblings, with the narrator being non-binary) and especially their cute orange cat, Pumpkin. Imagine a cat in a space suit - how cute is that?! More cats in space, please!
The world-building was cool - space archaeology for the win - but I wish it there was more of it. Another novel set in this universe would be most welcomed by me.
And finally - I did tear up at the realization of what the last stand/last gifts were towards the end - which was helpful in such a dry airplane!
CW: References to a deadname, parental death, and other deaths/violence, and explorations of grief
It's cute, cozy, and with the right amount of action/plot to keep me engaged. I liked our main characters (siblings, with the narrator being non-binary) and especially their cute orange cat, Pumpkin. Imagine a cat in a space suit - how cute is that?! More cats in space, please!
The world-building was cool - space archaeology for the win - but I wish it there was more of it. Another novel set in this universe would be most welcomed by me.
And finally - I did tear up at the realization of what the last stand/last gifts were towards the end - which was helpful in such a dry airplane!
CW: References to a deadname, parental death, and other deaths/violence, and explorations of grief
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
anna_fangirling's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Deadnaming
safiqa's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Wonderful, thoughtful, lovely read! Some parts were slow, some parts were fast. I appreciated the flow. Though I found myself craving to know more backstory with certain characters and more depth to the themes/discoveries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
blewballoon's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wonder if this author has played the game Outer Wilds, because this book explores similar existential questions through the same medium of space exploration. I highly recommend both the book and the game. If you don't play video games, I suggest watching a thorough play through for the story. I would also recommend A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet as similar books to this one.
It's so much harder for me to talk about books I enjoy or that reach a deeper part of me, because when that happens I don't leave the book with a lot of specifics. I feel like a part of me was seen or shifted, and after I've finished I can't always pinpoint where it was along the journey that it happened. If I can pinpoint or articulate it, I don't want to spoil the discovery for the potential reader. In this case, it's a bit of both. I have an idea of what parts really got me, but I don't want to ruin the impact of those parts for anyone else.
That being said, for those who don't mind a big spoiler and are wondering about the cat on the cover:The cat doesn't die!
It's so much harder for me to talk about books I enjoy or that reach a deeper part of me, because when that happens I don't leave the book with a lot of specifics. I feel like a part of me was seen or shifted, and after I've finished I can't always pinpoint where it was along the journey that it happened. If I can pinpoint or articulate it, I don't want to spoil the discovery for the potential reader. In this case, it's a bit of both. I have an idea of what parts really got me, but I don't want to ruin the impact of those parts for anyone else.
That being said, for those who don't mind a big spoiler and are wondering about the cat on the cover:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness and Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Deadnaming, and Injury/Injury detail
ashyq's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I found this book very endearing. I loved the space cat companion and the messages the author was trying to get across.
There were a few plot holes and world building holes that left me wishing the book was a bit longer to flesh those pieces out. But I still enjoyed it for what it was.
There were a few plot holes and world building holes that left me wishing the book was a bit longer to flesh those pieces out. But I still enjoyed it for what it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness
litlistening's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A quick, relatively light distillation of some classic sci-fi tropes and big questions with themes of grief and living through it despite all that tells you you shouldn’t. Can’t say no to cats in space either. 🐈
Now I wanna play Mass Effect🤣
Now I wanna play Mass Effect🤣
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
shesreadingagain_'s review
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
gizelleinak's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a fun read. It was a little slow at times and while I didn't love the narrator, I would still recommend the book to others. Glad I grabbed the book while visiting my library. The cover is what caught my eye!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
pipn_t's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was really good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
azrah786's review against another edition
4.0
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: gun violence, injury, death, parent death, grief, swearing
--
The Last Gifts of the Universe first came to my attention last year as it was the winner of the 2nd SPSFC and now having read it – albeit the traditionally published version – let me tell you, it’s a great read!
It’s cosy in the way of Becky Chambers’ books but has a nice dash of adventure as we follow a sibling duo of space archaeologists – Scout and Kieran - and their cat Pumpkin as they go on a sort of scavenger hunt to track down information caches from dead alien civilisations. An unknown phenomenon has slowly been exterminating worlds and these caches essentially archive their technology and culture. One particular cache that they come upon may hold the key to survival but a corporation looking to monopolize any and all information are working to track down these caches too.
What I expected going in was a story packed with non-stop action and while there were some tense moments of just that it was a nice surprise to find that at its heart this book was less about the chase and more about the characters and their personal, emotional journeys.
Despite being a short book with the plot having a small scope we follow the characters to various planets and the titbits of information about the wider universe and all the intriguing technology fleshed out the worldbuilding nicely. I also liked that there were moments that showed the downtime during space travel too, of Scout, Kieran and Pumpkin just chilling and having a meal together. The mundanity of an every day activity like that is often skipped in sci-fi so it was nice to see here.
The part I loved the most though other than Pumpkin having space adventures – Pumpkin is great and truly stole the show – is how through witnessing and connecting with the final messages of the Stelhari called Blyreena (which in itself is such a moving story), Scout was able to unpack and work through their own grief. How it showed the commonality we all have when it comes to grief and loss regardless of the circumstances. It was beautifully done!
Final Rating - 4/5 Stars
CW: gun violence, injury, death, parent death, grief, swearing
--
The Last Gifts of the Universe first came to my attention last year as it was the winner of the 2nd SPSFC and now having read it – albeit the traditionally published version – let me tell you, it’s a great read!
It’s cosy in the way of Becky Chambers’ books but has a nice dash of adventure as we follow a sibling duo of space archaeologists – Scout and Kieran - and their cat Pumpkin as they go on a sort of scavenger hunt to track down information caches from dead alien civilisations. An unknown phenomenon has slowly been exterminating worlds and these caches essentially archive their technology and culture. One particular cache that they come upon may hold the key to survival but a corporation looking to monopolize any and all information are working to track down these caches too.
What I expected going in was a story packed with non-stop action and while there were some tense moments of just that it was a nice surprise to find that at its heart this book was less about the chase and more about the characters and their personal, emotional journeys.
Despite being a short book with the plot having a small scope we follow the characters to various planets and the titbits of information about the wider universe and all the intriguing technology fleshed out the worldbuilding nicely. I also liked that there were moments that showed the downtime during space travel too, of Scout, Kieran and Pumpkin just chilling and having a meal together. The mundanity of an every day activity like that is often skipped in sci-fi so it was nice to see here.
The part I loved the most though other than Pumpkin having space adventures – Pumpkin is great and truly stole the show – is how through witnessing and connecting with the final messages of the Stelhari called Blyreena (which in itself is such a moving story), Scout was able to unpack and work through their own grief. How it showed the commonality we all have when it comes to grief and loss regardless of the circumstances. It was beautifully done!
Final Rating - 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail