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A review by chrissie_whitley
Until the Last of Me by Sylvain Neuvel
4.0
4.5 stars
When I first read [b:A History of What Comes Next|44552037|A History of What Comes Next (Take Them to the Stars, #1)|Sylvain Neuvel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588701701l/44552037._SY75_.jpg|69142684], I was drawn in by the concept: an alternate history of the space race shaped by the Kibsu — an alien lineage of mother-daughter duos quietly guiding humanity to the stars in order to save themselves. Neuvel's meticulous historical research and the fascinating premise kept me engaged, but the book itself was a mixed experience. The middle dragged under some slower character development, the dialogue punctuated by hyphens instead of quotation marks, and the constant pressure of present-tense narration, which almost never clicks for me. Still, the strong opening and closing moments managed to win me over, and when the story itself finally opened up, I was glad I stuck with it. At the time, I hoped the sequel would pick up where this one left off — more confident, more expansive, and free of the heavy setup. It really delivered.
In Until the Last of Me, Neuvel continues the Kibsu's mission as they face their greatest challenge yet. It's 1968, and Mia — now in the role of mother — is still on the run with her daughter, Lola, pursued by their unwavering enemies, the Trackers, who have hunted them for generations. Neuvel's writing in this sequel felt like he was expressing the same relief I felt in moving beyond the weight of the first book's setup. The story remains open and far more suspenseful, allowing the characters room to breathe, expand, and develop properly. The quiet current of tension just below the surface was so well done that I had trouble stepping away, and I cannot wait to see how it all concludes in the third book.
When I first read [b:A History of What Comes Next|44552037|A History of What Comes Next (Take Them to the Stars, #1)|Sylvain Neuvel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588701701l/44552037._SY75_.jpg|69142684], I was drawn in by the concept: an alternate history of the space race shaped by the Kibsu — an alien lineage of mother-daughter duos quietly guiding humanity to the stars in order to save themselves. Neuvel's meticulous historical research and the fascinating premise kept me engaged, but the book itself was a mixed experience. The middle dragged under some slower character development, the dialogue punctuated by hyphens instead of quotation marks, and the constant pressure of present-tense narration, which almost never clicks for me. Still, the strong opening and closing moments managed to win me over, and when the story itself finally opened up, I was glad I stuck with it. At the time, I hoped the sequel would pick up where this one left off — more confident, more expansive, and free of the heavy setup. It really delivered.
In Until the Last of Me, Neuvel continues the Kibsu's mission as they face their greatest challenge yet. It's 1968, and Mia — now in the role of mother — is still on the run with her daughter, Lola, pursued by their unwavering enemies, the Trackers, who have hunted them for generations. Neuvel's writing in this sequel felt like he was expressing the same relief I felt in moving beyond the weight of the first book's setup. The story remains open and far more suspenseful, allowing the characters room to breathe, expand, and develop properly. The quiet current of tension just below the surface was so well done that I had trouble stepping away, and I cannot wait to see how it all concludes in the third book.