For a book about the imminent collapse of the universe, this didn't half drag on. I got really bored by about 100 pages and I am UPSET by this because I thought this would be a fun, fast paced sci fi thriller. Unfortunately, it was kind of just... eh? I think I'll probably stick with Tchaikovsky (Adrian, not Pyotr) instead of returning to this trilogy.

"The Last Watch" by J.S. Dewes is an exhilarating and genre-bending space opera that takes readers on an unforgettable journey across the cosmos. Dewes masterfully weaves together elements of science fiction, military drama, and a touch of cosmic mysticism to create a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The story revolves around a unique concept—the Divide—a turbulent region of space that separates the universe into two parts, preventing the convergence of past and present. The protagonist, Adequin Rake, known as the last member of the Sentinels, is tasked with maintaining the Divide and preventing its collapse, which could have catastrophic consequences. And while Adequin was not a standout character for me, the development of the rest of the crew was so entertaining that it didn't really matter if Adequin was lacking slightly.

Overall, a really fun space opera, and I look forward to reading the sequel.

Thank you so much to J. S. Dewes, NetGalley, and Tor Books for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It follows very interesting characters, and has a lot of conflict from start to finish. I don’t read hard sci-fi very often, so I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did, but I was impressed.

I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't think it was fair to review a book I didn't finish.

A wonderful start to an exciting new space opera series. I really enjoyed this book and it's characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

"The Last Watch" is an entertaining space opera which will remind readers of how vast the universe is even at the edge of it. J.S. Dewes’ debut novel will amaze readers and sci-fi fans with the dialogue and the plot, which will make them question everything they believe they know about space and the universe. If you’ve read "Shards of Earth" and/or "The Protectorate" trilogy, then you should read this book. This really is “The Night’s Watch” in space.

The Last Watch was everything that one would hope for in a deep space science fiction thriller. In many ways the story nods to those that have come before it, humanity has fought off the alien invaders, advanced space travel, and now guard the fringes of known space, but Dewes looks at this classic tale in a different way with both the disgraced soldiers as the heroes, and the illusion of time in space. Definitely a well thought out and enjoyable read throughout.

This is a brand new scifi that is making a huge splash in the book pool and I'm here to say that it is INTENSE! And honestly a little terrifying in ways. The way Dewes describes the utter blackness of the Divide is just chilling…like this book will really make you feel how oppressive the vastness of space is, and just how much nothing there is along the Divide. Yeah, this was rad. I’m looking forward to THE EXILED FLEET! It’s awesome how close together the first two books will be released, because THE LAST WATCH leaves you craving more!
Full review to come on YouTube.

This action-packed sci fi book takes considerable time to acclimate yourself to what’s really going on- but it’s well worth the wait for the larger revelations as to what may be causing the shrinking of the universe, the corrupt politics of both the militaristic state and opportunistic royal families, as well as the moving backstories of the main characters which helps you finally truly care about them.

Welcome to The Divide- the edge of our universe, which for millennia has stopped expanding and now seems to be shrinking and collapsing back on itself. In the process, it’s destroying the Sentinels and their fleet, who has been stationed at the far reaches of the Universe to keep a lookout for the return of the Viators, an alien race that humanity battled for thousands of years before supposedly them killing off. The Sentinels are a ragtag bunch- military officers being punished or outcast with a crew of misfits and the court-martialed. Heading up one of the ships, the Argus, fierce commander Adequin Rake (she) has established strict military discipline to keep her flotilla of bored soldiers in line. A hero in the war with the aliens, Rake seems out of place in exile.

Joining the crew of the shipped is the exiled heir of one of the most powerful royal families: Cavalon Mercer. He’s got three Phd’s in engineering, but his only fighting experience to date has been bar brawls and he specializes in wisecracks. He’s fought against the oppressive greed and politics of the family’s patriarch which has landed him shipped off to The Divide where he cannot cause any more trouble.

Combining Adequin’s leadership and bravery with Cavalon’s intellect and growing loyalty, the survivors of the Argus work to solve the mystery behind the collapse of The Divide and its implications about both the alien Viators as well as pernicious underpinnings in their own reining military government.

By the end, I felt, “Bring on the Sequel!!”- excited to see the deepening revelations and bonds between the crew, and for more thrills in a twisty thriller plot.

Man, this book is a non-stop adrenaline rush. If you are looking for a book that kicks off in high gear and doesn't let up. This is the book for you.

I found the characters in this book to be on the unlikable side. We have a prince is is kind of an ass, a CO who has already screwed up so bad that she doesn't always think clearly and a mission that will leave you going, "what is happening?!?"

I enjoyed this book for the most part but I did find that I was missing more of the found family that tends to exist on a space ship. And I did think that the amount of things one of the main characters could do was exceptionally convenient. He was used too many times as an "out" for the crew to be believable. It would have been better of the other characters would have been given time to shine, instead of having one character who could do it all.

J.S. Dewes “The Last Watch” is one of those books where you quickly forget you’re reading SciFi as the plot and characters immediately consume you in a mystery, action-driven-plot and discovery of the characters involved in the events of the book. Although the story revolved around technological and futuristic elements, the fascinating story takes center stage.

The story is told through the eyes of Adequin, a war hero now in charge of the Argus—a spaceship in our story—and Cavalon, a disowned royal. Within the very first pages we’re immersed into this edge-of-your-seat thriller in space until the very last 474th page. Needless to say, I’ll avoid telling much more than the fact there is a deep mystery involving future or past copies of our characters (called doppelgangers) appearing live with present-self and a constant threat related to a “divide” which you can probably tell has something to do with the cover of the book. But that’s all I’m going to say.

The environments and world our characters live in is definitely worth noting, fully fleshed out with bad-guy-aliens named drudgers. If you’re a fan of narratives that contain characters with special abilities, you’ll truly relish in how the “imprints” (a technology burnt into the skin) allow our characters to do truly incredible feat along the ride.

So, I truly enjoyed this novel and looking forward to read the next chapter in the series. Several have compared the book to Game of thrones in space, The Expanse or even Mass Effect, but to be honest The Last Watch is unique in taking the best out of the elements mentioned and establishing its own nature. In conclusion, if you’re a fan of thriller-driven science-fiction with nearly a dab of magic and heartfelt characters, The Last Watch should be pretty high on your next read list.

The Last Watch by J S Dewes

I heard some good pre release buzz about this first novel, and I’ve been really looking forward to some meaty space opera since the Machineries of Empire series ended. So I was happy when the publisher and NetGalley gave me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While this book was fine, it didn’t scratch that great space opera itch for me. It had a bunch of “first novel” issues with pacing and characterization. The book took too long to get going, then lagged and dragged a ton, then the finale felt rushed and a bit unearned. The two main characters, Adequin and Cavalon, seem half baked at best. Not quite likeable, not quite unlikeable, we keep being told of their flaws but then they keep heroically surpassing them every time in a way that made the flaws seem flat and the danger nonexistent. Sadly, the book might’ve been more fun as a novella - it felt very bloated. I might check out the sequel, but I don’t really care too much about what happens next.

II don't think that this book is anything like The Expanse (fewer characters) meets GOT (fewer settings, subplots, etc). It's a fast paced adventure (eventually) on the edge of the universe. The book's main flaw is a slow start, and since none of the characters start off displaying their good qualities, it takes a while to identify with any of them. The world building is also complicated and slow. But stick with it for a couple of hours, in the case of the audiobook, or at least a hundred pages in the case of print--and the rewards will start piling on. Best scifi adventure so far this year don't think that this book is anything like The Expanse (fewer characters) meets GOT (fewer settings, subplots, etc). It's a fast paced adventure (eventually) on the edge of the universe. The book's main flaw is a slow start, and since none of the characters start off displaying their good qualities, it takes a while to identify with any of them. The world building is also complicated and slow. But stick with it for a couple of hours, in the case of the audiobook, or at least a hundred pages in the case of print--and the rewards will start piling on. Best scifi adventure so far this year!

An excellent start to a thrilling new series. A highly recommended purchase for collections where SF is popular.

From the publisher: The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes's fast-paced, sci-fi adventure The Last Watch, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation.

The Divide.

It’s the edge of the universe.

Now it’s collapsing—and taking everyone and everything with it.

The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels—the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military.

At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms—nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer--genius, asshole, and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather's genetic facility for “reasons.”

She knows they’re humanity's last chance.

I heard a lot of good things about J.S. Dewes's The Last Watch and when it showed up as a review I option, I jumped at the chance. Just the description alone sounded cool and I was curious to see if the book would live up to the hype.

Cavalon Mercer, the disgraced grandson of the ruling despot, is sent to join the Legion aboard the SCS Argus, which is stationed on the literal edge of the universe known as the Divide. Adequin Rake is the commanding officer of the Argus, a high ranking officer with commendations and the weight of the universe on her shoulders, both figuratively and literally.
When the crew of the Argus discover that the Divide is beginning to collapse in on the universe, they try to contact Legion HQ but quickly realize they've been abandoned and are on their own to try and prevent the end of everything.

With Mercer and Rake, Dewes has created to engaging point of view characters. At first glance, Mercer seems to be a spoiled member of royalty, with a smart mouth and rebellious attitude toward authority that often get him in trouble. Rake is a by-the-book former Titan who wears the stress and strain of her responsibilities. However, there are many levels and hidden depths to both of these characters that Dewes slowly reveals over the course of the novel. The supporting cast is varied and well written, as well, with Jackin North in particular standing out for me. Hints of an important history surround North as The Last Watch progresses.

The plot of The Last Watch is well structured. There are very few dull moments, but that doesn't mean the rest is all action. There is just constant forward motion, the events and characters consistently moving towards the climax of the book. I was always curious about what was coming next and each chapter built on the previous one in a steady climb toward an unexpected (at least to me) ending.

I also enjoyed the setting. The Divide is an interesting concept; the edge of the universe that will cause anything it touches to cease to exist is a forbidding backdrop to The Last Watch.Throw in an alien race that humanity had fought for around 1000 years and a corrupt royal family, along with a sense of history in this world, and Dewes has created a very lived-in world. It feels more like the type of world building typical of a fantasy novel. With at least one sequel on the way, I'm looking forward to exploring the world of Mercer and Rake further.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Last Watch by J. S. Dewes. It was an entertaining and absorbing novel with interesting characters. I would recommend it to fans of The Expanse and military sci-fi, maybe even fans of Firefly for the setting.

I received a preview copy of this book from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an engaging space opera that delivers an exciting plot and memorable characters. I definitely saw the comparisons to the Nights Watch (from A Song of Ice & Fire), which I really enjoyed. At the same time, the plot completely stood on its own. I don't read a lot of action driven science fiction, but this one was exciting and easy to follow. I am very interested in reading the next book in the series.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Really enjoyed this first book by a new and talented author. Special thanks to NetGalley for a digital galley, this is not a paid review.
JS Dewes rocks! How could you not be intrigued by a book billed as a cross between Game of Thrones and The Expanse.
First, I feel it’s better than the Expanse. More depth in the story building and history for me. Plus you have to live a book with monarchies, Titans and Sentinels!

In TLW, we are introduced to the Divide. The end of space. Nothing but pure blackness. Shops have been tasked with holding station to make sure that the dreaded Viators, who attacked humanity in a centuries long war, never appear and are able to give warning and fight if need be. The problem? Most of these ships are staffed with outcasts and miscreants. Except the SCS Argus, whose Excubitor is Adequin Rake. She is a badass Titan war hero who has served for 5 years after defeating the Viators. What’s a war hero doing at the edge of nothing you ask? I can’t tell you or tell you about the newest recruit, Cavalon Mercer, royalty who has been exiled, and not just any royalty but the heir. But, is super smart and a little too royal for his own good.
Everything is it’s boring old self except for the occasional time ripple where you just might see what you are doing a few minutes from now before you do it. That is until the Divide starts moving toward the Argus annihilating everything in it’s path.. but no one back home seems to care.
This book is well worth the read with plenty of imaginative tech and storylines.. looking forward to book 2!

It's not very often I pick up a book and can't put it down, but this one did the trick. At first it seems like a standard fun space opera, but then the science arrives and suddenly it's the complete package. At the edge of the universe, overlooking the black of nothingness (or dark gravity), are stationed the Sentinels, military units supposedly keeping watch for the aliens who once almost obliterated mankind, yet are now believed to be themselves wiped out. Practically forgotten and left with limited and failing resources, they find themselves with a greater crisis. The universe is no longer expanding. The darkness is. And it's accelerating and taking the stations with it.
Not only is the premise unusual, the characters extremely engaging and well-developed, all quite distinct and fully formed and believable. One of the main characters is Cavalon Mercer, a Royal heir to the crown, of all people, who finally went too far angering his despicable grandfather, and was banished to this waystation beyond the beyond to be forgotten and hopefully spaced. It is interesting to see the station and people through his eyes, as well as see him discover his own abilities (he has many degrees and now discovers he can DO stuff) and purpose. Other characters are heroes who crossed the wrong people, or made fatal errors, or even CHOSE to be there, as well as the unlucky and the misfits and the dregs. Much much more to the story to keep the pot boiling, and it keeps simmering along all the way. Excellent! Highly recommended. I seldom want to go immediately on to the next installment, but I am soooo ready.
My copy is an ARC from NetGalley.

Middle of the road because I think this read more like a movie than as a story. There was a lot of just telling and not a lot of showing in the writing.

ARC provided by the publisher—Tor Books—in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Watch was good, but I believe it would work better as a movie than a novel.

The Divide, it’s the edge of the universe, and it’s collapsing. The only ones who can stop this from happening are the Sentinels—the recruits, exiles, and dregs of the military. At the Divide, Adequin Rake is in charge of the Argus, and she has no one besides her soldiers and her possible ace—a genius and exiled prince—in the hole: Cavalon Mercer. The Last Watch is the first book in The Divide series by J.S. Dewes, and it has been garnering a lot of super positive receptions from readers. Honestly, from the premise alone, this sounds like The Night Watch from A Song of Ice and Fire, but in space. And that sounds incredibly intriguing to me. But two aspects prevented me from enjoying it further.

The first issue I had with The Last Watch was characterizations. I personally found the novel to be lacking in this department. I never once felt like I cared for Adequin Rake, Cavalon Mercer, or anybody else. They’re the drivers that steer the vehicles of the story, but they remain strangers to me from beginning to the end. It’s unfortunate, but a slightly more focus on characterizations and motivations in the first half of the novel would’ve boosted my reading experience so much. Seriously, the actions and pacing in the second half were superbly done. It’s a very subjective critic, I know that many readers have voiced that they loved Rake and Cavalon. For me, I wish I felt more invested in the characters for me to genuinely care about the struggles they’re dealing with.

The second issue was that I felt that there needed to be more elaboration on world-building and background. A suspension of disbelief was sorely needed, and this didn’t happen once or twice; it occurred multiple times throughout the entire novel. Many times I actually considered DNFing this book; the pacing was too slow in the first half of the novel, and slow-paced novels are novels that I usually loved, but in this case, there weren’t any characters I felt invested in. Because of this, the reading became a struggle.

As I said in the beginning, I do honestly believe that The Last Watch would work incredibly well as a sci-fi movie, and I hope it gets a movie adaptation one day. There were some truly—technically—magnificent scenes, and it was a shame I couldn’t enjoy them as much as I hoped because I couldn’t care about the characters. Also, please do not take my review for this novel fully to heart; I strongly suggest you give it a try for yourself if you love sci-fi/space opera or story with a band of misfits doing their best to save humanity. Plus, The Last Watch has been gaining a lot of good reviews, and I’m most likely just fell a bit on the unpopular opinion side here. It wasn’t a bad book for me, but it was okay, and it could’ve been more. I am very much a character-driven reader, and The Last Watch, to me, felt entirely plot-driven.

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The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions