The Last Watch

Very similar to a book I just finished, the author focuses on the interactions of the characters with the mystery in the background. There's alot more science in this book and there are a couple times when the plot is side-railed for longer than necessary, to geek out on a particular science or two.

First, thank you to the author for the copy of the book.

I really wanted to love it. The premise sounded so magical and interesting that I couldn't wait to dig in. However, I kept finding myself so confused over what was happening and wasn't sure if it was me or if the story was just making me feel so lost. After chapter 8, I realized that I was lost. I was catching a lot of what was going on, but there is so much fluff in between that it wasn't flowing very well. Conversation between characters was stunted because there was so much inner monologue from Emma that I just didn't like. Also, some information would just pop out of nowhere and I would try to fit it in and just couldn't.

I wanted to love this book. I think with a solid edit that it would benefit greatly and I'd give it a go again if that occurs because the premise sounds so beautiful.

The Argus is poised at the very edge of the universe. Not metaphorically speaking in some far flung corner within the vast expanse of space, but quite literally at the edge of the expanding universe. The Argus is looking out into the dark nothing that sits beyond the realm of our known reality, guarding against the possible return of the Viators that took humanity to the brink of extinction centuries ago.

This space station is home to a motley crew of court-martialled space marines, Viator/human hybrids called Savants and an exiled royal heir to the empire. They are among the two thousand souls about to bear witness to the contracting of the known universe. The dark outer boundary seems to be moving inwards and wreaking havoc on the timeline.

Turns out that's just the least of their worries. Political machinations, unfathomable threats, and a healthy dose of WTF promises a wild ride. Sure Cavalon Mercer is somehow a rebellious anti-authoritarian who also holds doctorates in genetic engineering, astromechanical engineering, and astrophysics with a minor in ‘gravitational tempology.” And frankly it's weird that every chapter insists on pointing to something that is made of “aerasteel”. But this is equal parts The Expanse meets Battlestar Galactica and I'm fully on board for the ride.