It is not often that I am compelled to write a review. The Last Hour of Gann is deserving. It is probably the first book I have ever written a review for. That’s how good it is.
but first, the summary
Per Goodreads:
It was her last chance: Amber Bierce had nothing left except her sister and two tickets on Earth’s first colony-ship. She entered her Sleeper with a five-year contract and the promise of a better life, but awakened in wreckage on an unknown world. For the survivors, there is no rescue, no way home and no hope until they are found by Meoraq—a holy warrior more deadly than any hungering beast on this hostile new world…but whose eyes show a different sort of hunger when he looks at her.
It was his last year of freedom: Uyane Meoraq is a Sword of Sheul, God’s own instrument of judgment, victor of hundreds of trials, with a conqueror’s rights over all men. Or at least he was until his father’s death. Now, without divine intervention, he will be forced to assume stewardship over House Uyane and lose the life he has always known. At the legendary temple of Xi’Matezh, Meoraq hopes to find the deliverance he seeks, but the humans he encounters on his pilgrimage may prove too great a test even for him…especially the one called Amber, behind whose monstrous appearance burns a woman’s heart unlike any he has ever known.
**spoiler alert**
**Trigger/content warning: rape and sexual assault.
More than anything, this book is a commentary on faith. I myself am usually turned off by religious characters in stories, but there was something about the Male protagonist that made it acceptable. Perhaps, it was my inkling that the religion would serve a higher purpose, or perhaps it was being hooked on the Female protagonist’s escape from a dismal life on Earth, inevitably to land into a dismal life on Gann. Nonetheless, for a book that I found on a random list of romance science fiction novels, I was blown away to discover that this story was way beyond the other quick candy reads I was looking for. It left me thinking about the purpose of faith, and how it affects our lives. Does it matter if we believe in a higher power? Interestingly, both of the Male and Female character arcs result in the reader realizing that having faith in life, whether it be being in a higher power or in one’s self, can be just as fulfilling, important, and necessary. In the end, the reader comes to the conclusion the characters do. We don’t know if there’s a God, we just know that sometimes it seems like things work out and someone’s watching us, and at the same time it seems like the world is screwed. Thus, is life.
During the read, I found myself fascinated with the description of the alien characters. There’s very little about them that sound attractive, and it’s clear that they don’t find humans attractive either. It’s an interesting dynamic that allows the focus to be on the internal character development, rather than a smoldering man sweeping up a gorgeous damsel in distress. Often, the Female protagonist is at rock bottom, and the reader comes to love her the way one would love a spouse, in spite of her flaws and her very human nature. Often, the Male protagonist is violent to the point of downright scary, believing that he knows all, and frankly downright ugly, but the reader comes to know him at his deepest, darkest moments, reveling in the truth of his reality and the vulnerability of himself. While reading this, I didn’t enjoy this romance as if it were a fantasy as one is ought to usually do in smutty romance, instead I felt the roller coaster that relationships are, with them knowing each other’s truest selves, and I got to tag along for the ride. He came to be handsome and her beautiful for their flaws, not in spite of them. It was a real romance.
Another particular fascination I had with this novel was the depth of the world building. It was extensive, believable, and it made sense. The reader gets to see so much behind the curtain, understanding why the story’s world is the way it is and how it has played out over time. Since the protagonists travel, you get to come with them through cities, valleys, to the sea, and to the darkest realms of the lizardman’s society. It makes for a realism that can be felt, only burgeoning the storylines and leaving you breathless.
Something I did not like about the book was the cover, binding, and story description. As the unfair book snob I am, it reeked of poor production value and self-publishing. The artwork on the front I enjoyed, although it wasn’t particularly special or unique, but the typography was downright horrendous. Reading the book frayed the cover’s edges and spine. The print job of the cover was poor and left it dark. The story’s preview sounded like a bad harlequin. It made me think crap when I saw it, but since I already had it, I decided to plunge forward and just read it. I’m beyond glad I did.
Other reviews will mention the rape and the length. Yes, there’s a significant amount of rape, and it is integral to the storyline. It doesn’t justify it, but it is something you must swallow to read the book. Nonetheless, it is used perfectly to propel the story, and the debauchery is understandable. Some of the scenes were harsh to read and hurt my heart, but worth it to walk away with the character development, however much I didn’t like it. Additionally, I really wish the author would have mentioned some of the trauma that would have permanently scarred the main Female protagonist. It was briefly mentioned, and I recognize that she didn’t have time to dwell, but I think it should have been explored considering just how much rape was brought up in general. Also, yes, the book is super long, but I was okay with it. Since it was a standalone book, it felt like I had lots to read, which was nice. The story and world building benefitted greatly from the length, and although I would have enjoyed an epilogue, I dont necessarily believe it would have been right for this story.
I could say more, but honestly, I still need time to reflect. I’m surprised to say this may have been one of the best books I have ever read.
where to read it
The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith
Available on Amazon in Paperback and via eBook through Kindle Unlimited
Lala.Librarian’s Bookish Thoughts 