THE LAST HUMAN by Zack Jordan is certainly an original, kind of unusual play on the space opera genre. Imagine being the last human in existence in the galaxy, the masses in dreaded fear of the unknown. That is where Sarya finds herself, hiding in plain sight, lost in a sea of aliens, the unknown and questions that bombard her thoughts. Is it true? Is she a monster? Is she really the last of a race thought to have died out long ago? With only her adoptive mother on her side, how will she traverse a universe so set against her?

Pretty intriguing stuff, huh? Add to this plot, the quirky writing style of Zack Jordan and for space opera lovers, this could be reading nirvana. The details and structure are something to marvel at, so pay close attention to the first half, forget settling in too quickly, because this one has twists on twists that fly by at the speed of light only to slow down waiting for the next rush.

Choices must be made, free will must be exercised and in the end, are things just a matter of perspective? I did enjoy this one once I got the rhythm, but for me, it took some time to feel I was part of this world.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Del Ray! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I typically love space operas and have read some really good hard sci-fi books.

With that said, for most of The Last Human, I had no idea what I was reading. There were some really good parts about Sarya the Daughter and her adopted mother, and Sarya with her friend, Eleven, the spacesuit. But that’s really all that stands out. The rest was nonsensical to me.

I started wanting to DNF this at about 1/3 in. But I just didn’t want to admit that I didn’t get it so I kept trudging through. At 50% I took a break and thought that maybe it was my mood. Nope. It wasn’t. At 73%, I had put too much of my time in that I was determined to finish and hope the end would make it better.

The end did make it a little bit better which is why this got 2 stars instead of 1.

The cover pretty well shows the variety of aliens in this book. Notice that the lone human is the only species with a danger sign. That was interesting, but there were so many species that I couldn’t really keep track of who was which species of alien.

I see that many people are giving this book great reviews, so I’m guessing that it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I do prefer to not have to work to understand a book I’m reading. I love the science of my sci-fi books. But this one was just a bunch of nonsense... Not really science to me.

Honestly, I’m relieved to be done!

*I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Del Rey.*

This was a great and fun read. Really enjoyed the humor and the uniqueness of it all! I thought the characters and world building was interesting and seeing all of the creativity that went into this book was fantastic!

A very entertaining read that rolls elements of all of my favorite scifi stories into one. Being the last of....something may not be an original story line, but the treatment Zack Jordan gave this story makes it a fun, thrill packed story of how anyone can rise above the world's (or the Network's) expectations to save herself and maybe her species. Along the way, our heroine to be meets some unusual characters, some good, some not so good, who keep her moving quickly to stay alive. While there are no earth shattering revelations to be found in this book, what you will find is an entertaining couple of hours reading what could be the world we live in someday??????

I'm usually a fan of science fiction so maybe it was the mood I was in, but I had trouble relating to this one. I'm used to being sucked in at the beginning but I struggled to make sense of the plot initially so it was hard going on. It's gotten many rave reviews so it's clear it's just me and it may well be your cup of space opera tea!

The Last Human by Zack Jordan
Posted byOliver BowdoinFebruary 9, 2020Posted inUncategorized

Release date: March 24, 2020
Publisher: Del Rey
ISBN-100451499816
ISBN-13978-0451499813
Amazon description:

The last human in the universe is on the run from a godlike intelligence in this rip-roaring debut.


Most days, Sarya doesn’t feel like the most terrifying creature in the galaxy. Most days, she’s got other things on her mind. Like hiding her identity among the hundreds of alien species roaming the corridors of Watertower Station. Or making sure her adoptive mother doesn’t casually eviscerate one of their neighbors. Again.

And most days, she can almost accept that she’ll never know the truth—that she’ll never know why humanity was deemed too dangerous to exist. Or whether she really is—impossibly—the lone survivor of a species destroyed a millennium ago. That is, until an encounter with a bounty hunter and a miles-long kinetic projectile leaves her life and her perspective shattered.

Thrown into the universe at the helm of a stolen ship—with the dubious assistance of a rebellious spacesuit, an android death enthusiast on his sixtieth lifetime, and a ball of fluff with an IQ in the thousands—Sarya begins to uncover an impossible truth. What if humanity’s death and her own existence are simply two moves in a demented cosmic game, one played out by vast alien intellects? Stranger still, what if these mad gods are offering Sarya a seat at their table—and a second chance for humanity?

The Last Human is a sneakily brilliant, gleefully oddball space-opera debut—a masterful play on perspective, intelligence, and free will, wrapped in a rollicking journey through a strange and crowded galaxy.

My review:

Thank you to Net Galley and Del Rey for providing an Electronic Uncorrected proof in exchange for a fair review.

I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to read this. I love scifi and space opera and when I saw this book mentioned, and saw the awesome cover, my interest was piqued. As someone new to this blogging and reviewing world I was nervous about requesting a book thru NetGalley, and this one was not up for request, you had to “wish” for it. Wish for it I did. Lo and behold, about a month later, I was notified that it was approved -yay- and my wish had been granted.

The Last Human was a really fun, unique twist on the scifi space opera genre. Beginning at the The Watertower Space habitat/station, where we meet Sarya The Daughter. Sarya lives with her mother, Shenya the Widow. Shenya is intimidating, has sharpened claws instead of fingers, very intelligent and very protective of her daughter, but also a killing machine. She is raising Sarya as her own, as a Widow. Sarya though, looks nothing like them, she is described as ugly because she is a creature with bones and tissue on the inside(yuck), which of course says a lot about the alieness of Shenya. Sarya has been presented as having been born as a member of another one of the lesser seen, lesser intelligent species in the universe. That of course is to dissuade anyone from thinking she is actually a Human, a species that rejected the Network, and as a result, has offended the many alien species thriving throughout the universe, all connected to Network.

Network is the all pervading, all connecting technology that makes progression in the universe possible. Network allows faster than light communication, synchronizes citizens, and all technology. Network gives you an intelligence rating that determines what you are capable of and is always there with you to guide and assist. Every citizen has a piece of network implanted, and acts as a friendly helper for that person.

Back to the story. Sarya knows shes a human, has never seen another one and is pretty depressed to be the only one of her kind, all the while impersonating a species known for not being very intelligent, so not expected to perform anything complex as far as her future career goes on the space station. She goes to school with a variety of other unique citizens of this vast network, but is not highly thought of. There are interesting moments talking to the drones and machines that keep the station going I found hilarious.

The story really takes off and things spin out of their controlled orbits when she is offered the opportunity to leave and actually meet another human. From here, it would be all spoilers, so I’ll talk about how this book made my head spin with it’s almost manic story progression and character development.

Zack Jordan does a fantastic job creating “big moments” filled with action, presenting big science concepts that are pretty easy to understand. There are universe sized intelligence’s, there is destruction on a massive scale, heart warming friendship, sacrifice and loss, and redemption to follow.

My only criticism(minute is that I felt like I never had the clearest picture of what Roche, one of her friends and partners really looked like, I never had the clearest picture in my mind. It’s possible that was my own lack of attention, or imagination, so nothing to really complain about as this book was great, fully engaging, and so unique.

One of the really cool touches I really loved was the stuff in paragraphs, which you will understand once you read it. Also, the concepts of “Network” and “Observer” are fascinating on many levels, and made me consider how life might “out there” and why planet earth is so alone. Thats why I read scifi, and there is so much more, including hilarity and a great ending, but I would just recommend giving this a book a read at this point. You won’t be disappointed.

Rating: Nine-point Five of Ten Galaxies




https://olliespotbookreview.wordpress.com/2020/02/09/the-last-human-by-zack-jordan/

This book is so weird. Maybe in a good way? I'm conflicted. Sarya may be the last human in the universe. She was raised by a spider in space. If that intrigues you you'll love the rest.

That was a fun read.

My initial thoughts were pretty meh but as I continued to read I found myself getting more and more into the story. One later night than intended and I found myself at the end. You could probably go several levels deep with interpretation and analysis about what the story means but surface level it was an enjoyable ride.

A quick, worthwhile book.

Zack Jordan delivers a space romp that tracks the voyage of a young Human girl, rumored to be the last of her race, as she steps from the shadows of intergalactic leper to possible savior. Sarya the Daughter is a lonely girl, living as a low level civilian in the Network.

The Network acts as a galactic intelligence formulated by millions of species that once joined, offers not only the vast knowledge it contains, but also access to faster-than-light travel. The human race has been deemed unsuitable, in fact they are seen as downright dangerous and destructive, and so were instead wiped out by the Network in a mass genocide.

Shenya the Widow, an apex species much like some freakish spider with deadly blades for limbs, has hidden Sarya, protecting her like a mother bear and lying about her true identity. When a bounty hunter shows up and attempts to abduct Sarya, the events end catastrophically, destroying her home and propelling her into the dark depths of unfamiliar space.

Alone in a universe inhabited by god-like intelligences, Sarya investigates the tumultuous history of the human race and the Network, finding that she might be a simple bipedal being, but she can still make a difference in the grand scheme of things. The theme of free will is predominate and well orchestrated, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of the wide, unknown, and bleak cosmos.

The scope of beings, ranging from single-minded to group minds and sentient planets (think Kurt Russell’s aptly named Ego character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II) and the colossal settings offer a grand scale, science fiction novel. Perhaps because of this, the pace sometimes suffers, but this is a satisfying and adventurous debut.

Sayra is the last human, maybe. She has been raised by a giant spider, a Widow, on an water mining station somewhere in the vastness of the Network. The Network holds the millions of species of the galaxy together and provides a common culture by connecting everyone, via brain implants, to It. This much of the story I could follow. But Sayra gets her mind exploded multiple times, including having her physical body destroyed and reconstituted. I found Sayra and her friends to be rather engaging characters, but I just could not keep a grip on what was going on., it's all so big and vague, it makes me sympathize with the "low-tier intelligence" individuals of the book.

This book was an incredible journey to read. It didn't go near anywhere I expected, although in hindsight I can absolutely see the threads and foreshadowing that were lain down. The characters feel very real and unique, with the protagonist, Sarya the Daughter, being both familiar and alien in her words and actions - which is perfect for her. I 100% recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, but emotional, journey through the galaxy!

I have no good things to say about this book other than the premise was absolutely amazing. The first chapter is nearly unreadable. I understand style choices and world building but I could not get past the excessive repetition. That is a personal thing and one that will grate on my nerves faster than anything. Then, we move from that to third person, present tense and wow, talk about jarring. This will definitely be a book I remember but not for any good reason. I couldn't finish it and that makes me sad because I absolutely loved the idea!

I was completely engaged in this unusual SFF adventure story, and equally impressed that it's a debut. I enjoyed the characters and the unique premise. Will recommend!

Sarya the Daughter becomes Sarya the Destroyer. I loved how the author slowly built up this scifi universe. The alien species were well developed and the tiered intelligence of them was an interesting concept and the agendas of the more intelligent tiers played out in ways I wasn’t expecting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

A mostly enjoyable read. There were times when the book slowed down a bit too much for me, and then there were other moments when the chapters were more engaging and left the reader wanting to know what happens next. I wonder if the book cut 100-150 pages out of the book the pacing would be more readable and a more pleasing read.

#NetGalley
#TheLastHuman
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Last Human.
It is a great book for young adults for feel out of place in their world. It has a plot that moves a little slow at times, but overall teens will enjoy the book.

This was one of the hardest books I've ever struggled to get through to the end. And, full confession, I sorta didn't.

After fighting to stay awake and interested through the first half, I finally gave up and stopped reading. I was bored, confused, indifferent, lost, bored. Then I thought, I should really check out the ending. If THAT was at least exciting then I swore to go back and finish the rest. So full disclosure, I jumped from the 50% point to the last chapter. I didn't miss a beat as far as the story. I wasn't lost or confused about what was happening.. Probably because it turned out very little had happened in the last half.

So, we begin by learning a teenage girl named Sarya is the last human. She has been raised from early childhood by an assassin spider. I think. The description only says: eight long arms ending in razor sharp blades, a mandible she clicks in anger, and a carapace that can't be penetrated. She is horrified by everything about her adopted daughter. Her soft skin, her two eyes, her voice. So why did she, after killing the girls parents, take the girl and raise her instead of killing her too? Not a clue. But the fact that Sarya is the last human must be kept hidden, because otherwise there would be hell to pay since all other species hate humans. So how is it that she goes to 'school' with other alien species and no one seems to know she is a human? Not a clue.

Life for Sarya starts to fall apart early on. Tragedy strikes, I guess you could say. Sarya doesn't seem particularly torn up about it. Then she is on the run from those who want to kidnap her. For what purpose? Not a clue. She finds a few other odd creatures who help her out on her journey. Sort of. They don't really like her looks either. They have a few boring, mild action escapades. By now I'm at the 50% point.

As I start the last chapter, I find she has destroyed the enemy. Sort of. Turns out the one she thought was a friend was really also an enemy. She destroys them too. The odd creatures that kind of helped her along the way don't hate her quite as much as they did. The end.

The writing was alright but the action/storyline was slow and plodding. None of the characters, and I mean NONE, not even the 'heroine', were likeable. You never learn enough about them to get attached to them. There are some chapters that go back into past memories, but even that is done so jerkily, going back and forth from present to past, character to character, and back again, that it hindered more than it helped. And none of people populating the book become fast friends, comrades against a common enemy, the sort of thing that makes you root for the good guys and hiss at the bad guys. Everyone was just there for themselves. Oh sure, once in a while, one would help out another, but usually only because there was something in it for them.

If you don't like the characters you're reading about, and are not interested, or downright confused by, the plot, then it's hard to work up any enthusiasm for a book. I didn't, I was, and I just can't recommend this novel. Unless i don't like you much. In that case, read away!

Following the general theme of bumbling human travels through space with grumpy robot and friendly monster (and semi-sentient equipment), this novel felt like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with the addition of Sully from Monsters Inc - but with a girl! - in which everyone gets philosophical at the end of the book. In addition to HHGTTG, a key scene is similar to one in Neuromancer, in a nod to another classic of science fiction. It was refreshing to have a female central character in science fiction, and the Widows were gone from the story far too soon, but to someone who has read these other books it felt quite derivative. To a young person who hasn't been exposed to these books, though, this would be a fun and thoughtful read.

This book follows Sarya a teenage girl who is the last human (and hiding it) in an interstellar community. This book took some delightful turns, quite a few I didn't figure out until they started.

I admit, at times I found myself unsure as to whether I was enjoying reading this but my final thoughts were very positive. This world grapples with issues of slavery (though not necessarily in those turns), higher intelligences that were written in interesting ways, as well as teenage insecurities. The cast is bright and fun.

Sarya the Human is relatively harmless. Why then, is she having to hide the fact she is human from an entire galaxy?

The Last Human takes us along with Sarya on a daring, quirky space adventure of universal proportions. When her world is dashed to pieces, how will she survive being the last of her long-hunted species? Filled with unusual aliens, such as furballs, sentient space suits, and two battling egomaniac hive minds, this is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

This book exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. I loved the worldbuilding and how unique the aliens were. In fact, the aliens are so alien that you really begin to feel as Sarya does: isolated and alone as the last of a species. The story did feel like it lagged a little bit in the middle, but it’s an important part of building Sarya’s backstory and character, so it’s definitely worth sticking it out.

The Last Human is a science fiction story with a twist, reminiscent of the classic Star Trek episodes, where Kirk is facing off against a computer or some other “higher intelligence”. It’s fun, funky, and thought provoking.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray Books for allowing me to read this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review!