*Thank you to Odyssey Books for supplying an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Usually, science fiction isn’t really my thing and I tend to stay away from this genre, however, I was surprisingly drawn to this book. I’m trying to diversify my reading activity at the moment and push myself out of my comfort zone, so I thought this was an ideal opportunity to read something different.
The book opens with a huge scientific discovery, shortly followed by a mammoth attack that leaves Lukas, the protagonist, the lone survivor of the Qumranians. From there, Lukas begins his mission to right his wrongs and find his family.
Basile tackles some of your typical sci-fi themes in the book, including time travel and dystopian realties, but religion plays a major part too. Although i’m not particularly religious, I do really enjoy learning about different faiths. The last Qumranian is unlike anything I usually read, so even though it’s not my preferred genre, I’m really glad I gave it a try.
Lukas was a great character – he was likeable and relatable, although a bit fluffy at times. I think the book would have benefitted from adding some more depth to the character, particularly at some of the key moments in his journey.
The Last Qumranian is an ideal read for anybody who is into science fiction already and/or has a keen interest in religion. The book includes a lot of biblical references, so on occasions, I thought these could have been explained more thoroughly as their relevance was weaved into the plot.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading something different and would give the book a solid 3.5 stars. It’s also the first in a series, so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for book two.
It’s very niche, so if you’re into this sort of genre, I’m sure you’ll absolutely love it. And if it isn’t something you’d typically go for, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try anyway.
Goodreads rating – ⭐⭐⭐
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