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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
withlivjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’ve only known Pumpkin the cat for two days but if anything happens to him I’ll kill everyone in this room and myself
A small but very mighty book where two space-faring siblings and their cat aid in the fight against a terrifying existential threat - and also the fight against space capitalism. I laughed, I cried, I got incredibly attached to all the characters. I had high expectations for this book as I heard it was perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, and I’m so happy to report that those expectations were met.
A small but very mighty book where two space-faring siblings and their cat aid in the fight against a terrifying existential threat - and also the fight against space capitalism. I laughed, I cried, I got incredibly attached to all the characters. I had high expectations for this book as I heard it was perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, and I’m so happy to report that those expectations were met.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
megj23's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
nerdbrarian's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
ems_book_shelf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.25
this was a surprisingly cute, funny, sentimental book about the entire universe ending! i enjoyed all of the characters, the adventures they went on, the cat with insane attitude. It also was a perfect palette cleaners
thank you to netgalley and the publisher and for eARC in exchange for an honest review!
thank you to netgalley and the publisher and for eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, 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
silentquercus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Deadnaming
libraryoflanelle's review against another edition
3.5
I'll admit, I initially requested this ARC based on the cover, but fortunately, I ended up enjoying the book too, though it did leave me wanting more.
‘The Last Gifts of the Universe’ follows Scout as they travel the universe with their brother and their cat, Pumpkin. The siblings traverse the universe in search of lost knowledge and answers to why and how multiple worlds and their civilisations died. Interspersed throughout Scout’s story are excerpts of messages recovered from an alien who may hold the answers they’re seeking.
I’m someone who loves a short book when it’s done well, but I strongly feel this book could have been more engrossing and thematically rich if it had been longer. Riley August manages to fit a lot of important plot points into this brief story, and while nothing was left unresolved, I found myself wanting more! I particularly enjoyed the themes of grief and belonging and would have loved a deeper exploration of these. Additionally, more insight into the alien species we hear from throughout the book would have been so interesting.
Overall, I had a fun time and would recommend it if you find the premise intriguing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
rkstumblingbear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent