Book Review: The Last War by Alex Davis

Title: The Last War
Author: Alex Davis
Genre: Science-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Born from the genius of the Animex, the aliens of the Noukari seek to gain a foothold on a savage planet. But the greatest danger to their existence lies within them – a powerful gift of telepathy.

As the tension grows between idolatry and admiration of their creators, and the Noukari come to understand the latent powers within their own minds, a species created for peace are about to succumb to brutal violence.
In a galaxy torn by conflict, will the first battle between the Noukari also be their last war?

“The Last War is a remarkable study of reason and faith, morality and practicality, pragmatism and idealism. With sharp, unfussy prose, Alex Davis draws the reader into an endearing nascent civilisation, and then takes it apart before our eyes. Unpredictable, challenging and rewarding.” Gav Thorpe, New York Times Bestselling author of Angels of Darkness Deliverance Lost.

When I started reading The Last War, I expected most of the novel to take place in deep space, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, most of the book focuses on a small village. I didn’t mind that, though, if anything it’s an outstanding science-fiction experience to read about a vast universe and still keep focused on one tiny, seemingly insignificant place. The book focuses mostly on the tension between the Noukari. They’re aliens struggling to survive on a savage planet and they have telepathic skills.

But the Noukari aren’t always on the same page of things, especially not when it comes to their creation and their role in the universe. Some, like Apius, believe their creators, the Animex, are Gods, and rule the village based on a strict religious doctrine. Others believe that looking for these Godlike creatures is a waste of time since they may or may not exist, and that they should rather focus on the evolution of their race. At first, the distinction between two groups leads to arguments and debates, but soon violence threatens to erupt and this once-peaceful species threatens to fall into chaos because of the dilemma.

While not as action-packed as some scifi novels, this one does a good effort to look on the emotional and philosophical side of things. Basically we see the age-old tension between creationists and believers in a diety on the one hand, and the non-believers or evolutionists on the other hand, except in an extraterristrial context. There’s a lot of tension throughout, a veritable power struggle even, and while offering some keen insights, the book is never preachy. The writing is good, and the characters are enjoyable, and all quite different. A theological debate in a scifi setting.