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Monday, March 01, 2021

The Last Watch by J. S. Dewes

 

Science Fiction is one of my favorite genres, and J.S. Dewes' debut novel The Last Watch was a compelling adventure in space. The absorbing plot and engaging characters kept me enthralled.  

description: "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, commanding the Argus, has no resources, no comms—nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted.

They’re humanity’s last chance."


The Sentinels stationed on the Argus are a mixed bag that have some problematic reason for their posting: hacking, disobeying an order, lack of respect for officers, etc.  Adequin Rake, the Commander of the Argus, is a Titan--one of the elite soldiers during the last war.  Titans are legendary heroes and Quin is one of the best known...so why has she been relegated to the edge of the Divide?

The first chapter begins with a "spread your legs" scene as a new recruit goes through the physical examination of entering his new post.  Cav Mercer is relieved that his reason for being banished to the Argus has been redacted; he'd rather no one know his identity and lineage. Brilliant, with a list of advanced degrees, Cav is also a smartass. A failing he needs to overcome if he is going to survive as a new recruit with no military background.

The Last Watch is a smart military space opera with a gripping plot and characters you can't help but root for as they attempt to stave off the collapsing of the universe.

Read in Oct.; blog post scheduled for March 1, 2020.

NetGalley/Tor/Forge
Military Science Fiction, Space Opera  April 20.  Print length:  480 pages.

13 comments:

  1. This one sounds like a lot of fun. The device of using a bunch of military misfits for one big mission to save everyone else is not all that uncommon, but it's a favorite of mine...and setting it in space is a bonus. I'm an on-again-off-again fan of science fiction, but I seem to have a problem choosing the good ones. Seems like a high percentage of the 10-15 books I abandon every year are science fiction for some reason, but I still love the genre.

    I'm reading one called Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton right now, in fact, and really enjoying it. It's set in the "near future" so there's not a lot of weirdness in it; more of a character study, I suppose.

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    1. I do like science fiction, but certainly not all that I choose appeal to me. I did enjoy this one. Good Morning, Midnight sounds good. Who knows how different the near future will be...or how weird!

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  2. This sounds great! I've been reading more science fiction lately and am always on the lookout for more to add to my list. :)

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    1. :) Science fiction is one of my favorite genres and there are plenty of good ones out there. I'll be looking for more by this author.

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  3. This isn't my usual reads but I've to say it has an intriguing premise and a cast of interesting characters. :)

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    1. The kind of science fiction I like best is full of adventure, and The Last Watch had good characters and plenty of excitement. :)

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  4. This is the kind of science fiction novel I love to read with that crazy mix of memorable characters. Quin and Cav both sound great! :D

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    1. I enjoyed this one, and the next one will be out this summer!

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  5. This sounds likes gripping read!

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    1. :) Not everyone likes science fiction, but I do. This is Dewes' debut novel, and I'm looking forward to her next one.

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  6. I love these types of scenarios--the whole rag-tag group coming together against some enemy. I am adding this to my wish list. I need more science fiction in my life.

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    1. Even with one or two main characters, I like the ensemble effect of interesting misfits. :)

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  7. I enjoy sci-fi on the big screen but rarely pick up a book. This set up really sounds cool though and maybe it's time I check out some sci-fi!

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