The Last Gifts of the Universe by Rory August

Book Description

The Last Gifts of the Universe: When the Home worlds finally achieved the technology to venture out into the stars, they found a graveyard of dead civilizations. What befell them is unknown. All Home knows is that they are the last civilization left in the universe, and whatever came for the others will come for them next.

During an excavation on a lifeless planet, Scout unearths something unbelievable: a surviving message from an alien who witnessed the world-ending entity thousands of years ago. If Scout can’t deliver their discoveries back to the Archivists, Home might not only be the last civilization to exist, but the last to finally fall.

Review

The Last Gifts of the Universe is a quiet, science fiction story that captivated me. Two brothers, Scout and Kieran (accompanied by their cat Pumpkin), embark on a desperate journey through an empty universe. Against impossible odds, they seek answers to the mysterious demise of countless civilizations. And time is running out.

The central mystery surrounding the downfall of civilizations is an intriguing hook and propels the plot forward. As Scout, Kieran, and Pumpkin race to find answers, agents of a greedy, for-profit corporation seem to stay one step ahead of them. This creates a picture-perfect study in antagonistic forces.

The suspense and anticipation build steadily, keeping the novel’s pace tight. But August also provides us with slower, slice of life moments for reprieve. It is a testament to August’s skill that they manage to evoke a simultaneous sense of awe and melancholy.

The universe August creates is desolate, yet mesmerizing. It’s filled with remnants of advanced civilizations which echo the grandeur of civilizations long gone. But while it’s fun to watch Scout and Kieran scramble after the treasure, the real adventure is the emotional journey Scout undertakes.

One standout aspect of this novel is the inclusion of stories within the story. August mirrors the themes of grief and loss from the main plot in two subplots. Scout’s backstory (conveyed in short flashbacks) reads like a prequel. Additionally, the alien’s last message (told through a video diary) is a fascinating tale on its own.

Not only did I connect with the characters in The Last Gifts of the Universe, I adored the hope inherent in their missions.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, it is not “hard” science fiction. August’s focus is on relationships, not technology. But if you enjoy character-driven novels set in space, I encourage you to check out The Last Gifts of the Universe.

Content Warning

Death of a Parent, Grief, Loss, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash