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A review by yrc
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Rory August
5.0
Wowzer, what a book!
This one my first foray into indie science fiction as it won the independent competition in 2023 (SPSFC). and I'm very positively surprised. Even just August's ability to pack so much story and emotions in a tad over 200 pages is an achievement in its own.
In this book we follow two siblings and their lovely ginger cat trying to solve a galaxy wide mystery. A foreign entity called enderhi is consuming entire planets and nobody knows how it's managing it or how to stop it. To make matters worse, mercenaries from the capitalist corporate verity co. are doing everything they can to get all the secrets and information behind the paywall iron screen, by all means necessary.
Once in a while, I read a book exactly at the write time. This was definitely an example of that. What I loved about the book is the fact it really explores themes of loss, mourning, failures and depression, without sugarcoating them. At the same time, we get a duo of siblings that care so much for each other through good and bad, as well as an alien couple who are just as wholesome.
I would even say this book gave me Becky Chambers vibes, with a bit more plot, a great cat and a mission across the stars that more often than not, falls through or is just more complex than a big forever win or outmost failure. I highly recommend this book for lovers of softer science fiction and readers who care for well structured characters!
This one my first foray into indie science fiction as it won the independent competition in 2023 (SPSFC). and I'm very positively surprised. Even just August's ability to pack so much story and emotions in a tad over 200 pages is an achievement in its own.
In this book we follow two siblings and their lovely ginger cat trying to solve a galaxy wide mystery. A foreign entity called enderhi is consuming entire planets and nobody knows how it's managing it or how to stop it. To make matters worse, mercenaries from the capitalist corporate verity co. are doing everything they can to get all the secrets and information behind the paywall iron screen, by all means necessary.
Once in a while, I read a book exactly at the write time. This was definitely an example of that. What I loved about the book is the fact it really explores themes of loss, mourning, failures and depression, without sugarcoating them. At the same time, we get a duo of siblings that care so much for each other through good and bad, as well as an alien couple who are just as wholesome.
I would even say this book gave me Becky Chambers vibes, with a bit more plot, a great cat and a mission across the stars that more often than not, falls through or is just more complex than a big forever win or outmost failure. I highly recommend this book for lovers of softer science fiction and readers who care for well structured characters!