This book had a fascinating premise. I enjoyed the closed door setting of two people alone in a spaceship with nowhere to go, and the excursions planet side helped take off some of the tension that the setting can create. I liked the characters, although they were very under-developed and didn't have much nuance. I would have liked to more background and flavor. All you knew about the brother was that he liked pizza and was a techie. I wanted to know him and to know Scout more. For siblings living together in a small space we didn't get much variety in their interaction.

I wanted to know more about the Archivists too, how does their organization work, are they an organization just from Scout's home planet? The author did a good job giving the 'bad guys' some depth, but only as compared to the main characters. The story is a good one, but the book feels a little under-baked. It either needed an edit down to a novella or a bit of expansion to fully support a novel. The excursions to get caches felt a little repetitive.

I wanted more from this story, and I think the bones were in there, it just didn't quite get there.

The one thing I didn’t know science fiction needed? A cat… in space. Pumpkin by far steals the show but the siblings are no slouches as characters either. This story felt like it could be a side story arc of Mass Effect. I really loved the siblings relationship, the exploration of grief and loss, and corporate greed vs. the greater good.

"It’s strange what hindsight does. Takes all the layers of emotions and flattens them, turns them either good or bad. It can take time to see the shadows as something beautiful."

If I had to classify this into a sub-genre it would definitely fall into the cozy side of science fiction. That being said, it still is space based and there are terrifying and bloody moments. There wasn’t a single dull moment in this book, on or off the ship. The world-building was superb and enhanced by observing Pumpkin or Pumpkin’s reactions to each planet or situation.

"He lived his life in a way that made the people around him shine brighter."

I would recommend this to readers who love science fiction, cozy reads, cats, Mass Effect, and adventure. I will be on the lookout for more from this author, and just beware, Pumpkin may become your newest obsession. I would read a second book in this world – I would love to know if they eventually figure out a solution.

I think this book was just a bit to grim for me to slot it into the cozy scifi pigeon hole I was expecting which threw off my reading. I really enjoyed all the characters, who weren't the typical scifi/space opera characters (there is a cat in a spacesuit- enough said), but still had the fun quirkiness I expected while also balancing some fairly heavy baggage. For me the light just didn't balance out all the dark. It is so well written and the premise is fascinating, but the amount of times this book broke or ripped my heart left me a bit of a mess at the end. I think that there are so many readers this book is perfect for, and I am so happy this book exists but it just wasn't the right book at the right time for me.

Super cute book. I really enjoyed reading it. Would definitely recommend other people I know read it as well.

First off, this might be one of my favorite book covers of all time. Pumpkin the cat ftw! This book is a little darker than I expected from the cover, but not in a bad way. Even though the premise starts out a bit dark, I thought overall this was a somewhat cozy read, although there were definitely some emotional moments. I thought Scout was excellently written and loved the character overall. In the end, this is a book about a person trying to take care of loved ones while performing a vital mission. If you're looking for a quick cozy sci fi read this one is for you!

I got this ARC on a whim. I loved the cover, because I have an orange cat (who I actually did consider naming Pumpkin) and I too would take him into space with me if at all possible. I was so interested by the description. Scout (which is my dog’s name coincidentally enough) makes for a really compelling narrator and I love their relationships with both their brother, Kieran, and Pumpkin the cat. This book was so beautiful and lovingly written. It’s such a love letter to life and loss and humanity. I highly highly highly recommend if you are like me and love a space book that isn’t a Space Book.

The Last Gifts of the Universe takes place in a scifi universe where multiple galaxies have been wiped of all life except for the Home galaxy. Scout and her brother Kieran (plus Pumpkin the cat) travel the universe trying to discover the cause of these extinction events and how to prevent it from happening to their Home. On the way, they have to compete with the megacorporation Verity Co. who would put any new information behind a massive paywall. (Oh and also recover from the loss of their mother).

Despite the dark subject matter, I found this book to be an oddly cozy slice of science fiction. This story isn't a grand space opera, and I rather like that. It's nice to see smaller scale stories in the science fiction genre. I appreciate that Scout is an everywoman character. She has no magical powers or crazy special skills. She's just doing her best and trying to save her home. (Huge shout out to the author for not including a romance, it was so not needed).

I thought it was brilliant of the author to intersperse the last thoughts of the leader of one of the doomed species with the main story. Also, the mistranslation of what a 'last stand' is for that species was such a great little twist. (I'll avoid spoiling here!) There were recurring themes throughout the book of love, grief and sacrifice that were shown to transcend time, space and species. And honestly, that is god damn beautiful.

I highly recommend (but I do agree with June....space is no place for a cat! )

Reviews going live on Goodreads, Storygraph, Fable and Tiktok on 10/4

This was such a cute, short read. I inhaled it in one sitting, letting the story warm me - it's definitely one for those queers who have feelings about space and exploration and lonely spirits bonding. Really leaves a lovely aftertaste.

We follow Scout an Archivist, her brother Kieran, and their cat Pumpkin. Their civilization is the only one left, their universe was full of many planets full of life, but there has been an unknown threat leaving anything that comes into it's path desolate. They are tasked with visiting the dead civilizations and gathering anything left behind, information, technology, etc. But they are not the only ones doing so, there is a for profit organization trying to beat them to anything useful.

This book was a cute cozy time. It has a very interesting premise, and I enjoyed the characters. I wanted so much more of the story, it was too short. It have a good amount of humor and tension and was very readable.

Genre: scifi, space opera

Scout and their brother Kieran are Archivists, and they uncover the journal of an alien woman named Blyreena who lived hundreds of years ago. Scout's civilization is the last remaining in the universe and Blyreena's journals may say why. Along with their mostly smart cat, Pumpkin, Scout is determined to figure out this mystery before the Remnants (zombies?) get them.

The premise of The Last Gifts Of The Universe is actually a little dark, but I really love how Riley August leans into the fun to keep the book light when it needs to be. I really enjoyed reading it, and though I was originally hoping for something more zany, I found the balance of whimsical and space opera to be really satisfying.

I read the ebook, but think this would likely translate well to audio, as there are "recording transcripts" from Blyreena's journals.

Both whimsical (there's a cat exploring space!) and heartbreaking (he's exploring space with his humans because there's an existential threat to all life!), this short SF novel is a meditation on grief and the importance of embracing life in the present.

Scout, their brother Kieran, and their cat Pumpkin are exploring the galaxy to discover why the only other civilizations humans have discovered are all extinct. This intrepid crew of archaeologists are in competition with artifact hunters sent by an uber-capitalistic hellscape corporation that keeps beating them to the punch.

They do manage to find one recording, and the playback of this is interspersed with the more action-heavy plot. The simple message of the book is that we need to take each moment as it comes, and appreciate them for what they are. To get it across, Riley August makes the reader go through a lot of grief (literally: Scout's mother died, and the entire recording we/Scout are watching are the last words of the president of a dying civilization AND focused on her relationship with her dead soulmate).

Did I cry? Well, yeah, but that felt like the point of the book. If you're a fan of Becky Chambers, this will be right up your alley. I like her books, but always wish there was a little more action - so this was even better for me.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Scout and his brother Kieran travel in deep, deep space in the distant future with Pumpkin, a cat. The cover is eye-catching, and the premise appealed to me. When humanity gained the technology to venture to distant planets, they found many places where life had once existed but where civilization and its life forms vanished eons ago. Scout's mission is to search these long-dead planets for archives to describe what caused that planet to die. He hopes to discover something that will explain what is happening at Home and thus save their world. Finally, on a dead planet, Scout finds some answers from a long-dead civilization. I failed to grasp some of the story's content or overall theme.

The narration and execution of the story failed to keep me engaged. I worried about the cat's fate but not the brothers' outcome. The ending was hopeful, but I thought it lacked a definite resolution. I believe the book will appeal to many SciFi fans. It could be described as cozy science fiction without relying on complex descriptions of advanced technology. This book was interesting, but it didn't hold my attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. The book will be published on October 1st.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for this arc.

I came for the cat on the cover (a cat in a spacesuit!) and I stayed for a wonderful book. The "Last Gifts" might not be what people are expecting. Both the book and what the last gifts turn out to be. “What matters most” is also a shifting entity across the book. Fair warning – there is a degree of grief in the book.

When they realize that their sensors have detected a “Hello, World” cache on a lifeless planet, Scout is ecstatic while Kieran is ready to assist his sibling in getting it. Both are aware of what it might contain and how this could help Home but Scout is driven to get it while Kieran is just business about it. Is their Home in danger yet? Somewhat and some of what bothers and worries Scout are things which appear to be happening here. Yes, I absolutely believe we are meant to draw parallels between our world and some things such as freedom of information, climate change, inequalities due to socioeconomic status, and corporations who are only in it for the money that are found in the book. But this is done with a lighter hand than I’ve often seen and acts to drive Scout beyond their own safety to foul Verity Co’s efforts. Scout and another character both have a crisis of faith in themselves and must work to overcome this.

The romance? I didn’t see it coming at all but nonetheless it filled my heart, broke it, and then put it back together. The Last Gifts also act to soften someone’s heart and show that people, no matter who or where they are, care about each other, even people they’ve never met nor ever will meet. This is a very, very character driven story. There are space techie things (as well as some odd references to couch potatoes, vampires, Wi-Fi, and that everyone loves pizza) but that’s not the main focus. Yes, I cried happy tears when I finished it. Great books are a gift. “This is one.” A

The Last Gifts of the Universe is a cozy sci fi story. I mean, that cover alone is enough for me to pick this book but I also was curious about the story. The lovely cover doesn't fool you yes this is a cozy story but also deals with loss and grief too. I cried couple of times. I love the characters and the sibling dynamic but Pumpkin stole my heart. I highly recommend this book. Pick it up you won't regret it. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let's be honest, this book sells itself by having a spacesuit wearing cat on the cover. A spacesuit wearing cat! The book itself is about the struggle between humans and mega-corperations, between knowledge and profit. Scout, their sibling, and their cat are on a spaceship trying to track down information caches left by the former inhabitants of the galaxy, in hopes of finding knowledge that might save their world. But of course the evil mega-corp is there at every turn, trying to profit from info that could save people. The fact that Pumpkin the cat puts on a spacesuit and joins the adventure is delightful. The story itself is good, but Pumkin is what elevates it to something we've not read a million times.

Finished reading The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be released on October 1st.
I think it's pretty obvious why I requested this book, in case it's not, it's the kitty in a spacesuit. Reading the blurb I expected maybe a cozy sci-fi adventure or just a straight up space opera esque story, with a dash of humor. It was some of that, but mainly it was a book about grief. How do I keep doing this to myself???? I see cozy and next thing I know I'm ugly crying with snot pouring from my nose. Did I miss an advertising memo? When did cozy start meaning emotionally draining?
My copy of the book had a lot of formatting issues that should be fixed before it comes out, but made POV transitions difficult to detect. There was also something going on with the letter 'f' but not always, just often enough to be jarring. Again, that should all be fixed by release, but it made it difficult to read and I ended up skimming some areas.
Ultimately, I think the book was fine. The world hit too close to home. The characters were fine. The cat was cute. It just wasn't what I was hoping for based on the cover and blurb.

I enjoyed this space-set story with themes of loss, grief, and what it means to be alive and find the value in small moments in the face of adversity.

This felt a bit like a children’s fiction story, but not in a bad way—it was charming and the simplicity made way for the more internal themes. The protagonist characters are good, the antagonists are bad (but maybe they can be redeemed!) and the cat is cat.

It was a quick and easy read.

This sci-fi space adventure is well worth a read. You’ll fall in love with Scout, their brother Kieran and their feisty cat, Pumpkin. Riley August has written a story that is at turns both hilarious and poignant. Join the crew of three as they race to find data on long-dead worlds that can perhaps save humanity from certain death.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

"It's strange what hindsight does. Takes all the layers of emotions and flattens them, turns them either good or bad. It can take time to see the shadows as something beautiful."

Thank you to NetGalley, Riley August and Hanover Square Press for the E-ARC!

When you see a book with a cat in a space suit on the cover, it becomes a must-read. I'm so glad I picked this up, and if you're into space adventures, never giving up when the odds are against you, and cats, you should too.

This is the story of Scout, their brother Kieran, and their space travelling cat Pumpkin as they search the galaxy for cache's from dead civilizations. No one knows how so many planets became devoid of life, but Scout is determined to figure it out. On one of the planets they visit, they uncover a message left by an alien species. With it's help, Scout sets on a path to discover the last gifts left to them in the universe.

This is a very character driven story. Although it's filled with new planets, spaceships and tech, and even monsters, the character's are the most important. As you journey through space, discovering new secrets, you learn more about Scout and their family, and even about the life of Blyreena, an alien from a different world.

My favourite aspect of this book was actually the excerpts from Blyreena's message. I loved learning about her life, about her world, all the trivial and basic things that make a person who they are. I found myself feeling all types of things while reading about her highs and lows, the good and the bad. It was such a good addition to the story.

I'm glad to have picked up this book, and hope that other's do as well! Who wouldn't want to read a book where a cat demands boops at the most inconvenient of times?

This is the story of Scout, their brother, and their adorable space-faring cat named Pumpkin. They are Archivists, hired by their Home world to excavate lifeless planets. One day they happen upon a planet who left a message indicating that they know what ended their world thousands of years ago. Scout and company must then race against rivals to find the rest of the messages.

I really enjoyed this one from start to finish. Imagining a cat in a tiny spacesuit was just the start. I liked how the messages from the people of the lifeless worlds told their story. This was a beautifully written book, and it was very hard to put down.

I wasn't aware until I was halfway through the book that it had been an indie title, the winner of the SPSFC2, which is the Science Fiction 'version' if you will, of the SPFBO fantasy book contest. That didn't change anything about the book for me, but it was really great knowing that writers from that contest are also being recognized by traditional publishers as well. 

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes the type of science fiction that Becky Chambers writes. This was a great one and I look forward to reading more from this author!