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The Last Voyage
It's 2056 and international oligarchs have pushed the world to the precipice of ecological, economic, and nuclear catastrophe. But two philanthropists have teamed up to establish a long-term colony on Mars. Could this daring outpost be the next chapter in the story of the human race?
Assembling a crack team of experts including scientists, engineers and ecologists, the colony begins to establish a viable outpost on our nearest planet. But the team quickly runs into problems as they bear the responsibility of creating a new humanity. Can they work out what has gone wrong before it's too late? And will the passengers of the last voyage from earth bring what's needed for this fledging community to flourish?
This first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.
Assembling a crack team of experts including scientists, engineers and ecologists, the colony begins to establish a viable outpost on our nearest planet. But the team quickly runs into problems as they bear the responsibility of creating a new humanity. Can they work out what has gone wrong before it's too late? And will the passengers of the last voyage from earth bring what's needed for this fledging community to flourish?
This first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
22 people are currently reading
3237 people want to read
About the author
Brian D. McLaren
127 books554 followersBrian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 22, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Holder & Stoughton for access to this eARC! All opinions are my own.
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I am conflicted about this one. On one hand the parallels between this future world and our world right now are undeniable, and that made connecting with the story much more visceral. The dystopian world was incredibly believable because everything happening there is happening now, and aside from the whole landing on Mars aspect it really does look like the future of real Earth.
From a fiction perspective, the plot as a whole was fine, but I was really waiting for it to actually go somewhere. The launch into space doesn't take place until far into the book, and though I enjoyed this latter part more it did feel more rushed than the delayed buildup from the earlier part. I'm not so sure that the characters felt particularly real either, compared to the society they inhabit. A lot of them were underdeveloped, and others had a tendency to be annoying.
The ending came about super abruptly, and though it sets up the next book well, I don't think it worked to deliver payoff from the book that I had just read. I'm not sure that I'll go ahead and read the subsequent books.
______________
I am conflicted about this one. On one hand the parallels between this future world and our world right now are undeniable, and that made connecting with the story much more visceral. The dystopian world was incredibly believable because everything happening there is happening now, and aside from the whole landing on Mars aspect it really does look like the future of real Earth.
From a fiction perspective, the plot as a whole was fine, but I was really waiting for it to actually go somewhere. The launch into space doesn't take place until far into the book, and though I enjoyed this latter part more it did feel more rushed than the delayed buildup from the earlier part. I'm not so sure that the characters felt particularly real either, compared to the society they inhabit. A lot of them were underdeveloped, and others had a tendency to be annoying.
The ending came about super abruptly, and though it sets up the next book well, I don't think it worked to deliver payoff from the book that I had just read. I'm not sure that I'll go ahead and read the subsequent books.
January 27, 2025
[NetGalley Read #22]
3.25 ⭐
Mixed bag.
Some good. Some bad.
PART I: End Your Life as You Know It
- A lot of exposition in the first few chapters. Reading three chapters of constant talking about the details of the Mars mission feels a bit tedious. The dialogue also feels a bit... I don't know, mechanical.
The references to the past. All the talking that's doing nothing for me, to make me feel (anything really) for these characters for now.
I did like the story about the founders of Macopro. There was conflict. There was sabotage. There was a twist in that little story contained inside a chapter. That part was good.
- It's getting better as I read Chapter 6. Still a lot of exposition. But feels more interesting than that in the earlier chapters.
- This is getting jargon heavy again. And a bit pretentious. I find myself, again, feeling what I felt in the earlier chapters: bogged down in so so much exposition.
PART II: The First Trimester
- The second part, the actual voyage, is well written. The relationships between Eve and Colfax and that of the other crew members are interesting. There is some good character development.
The twists, the conflicts, interpersonal relationships, while they are well-written, drag a bit sometimes.
The ending is... well, bleak.
Did not know this was part one of a three part series. Probably should have checked first.
A bit frustrating. It feels like this went longer where it didn't need to. At the same time, it feels shorter given all the elements it introduced.
3.25 ⭐
Mixed bag.
Some good. Some bad.
PART I: End Your Life as You Know It
- A lot of exposition in the first few chapters. Reading three chapters of constant talking about the details of the Mars mission feels a bit tedious. The dialogue also feels a bit... I don't know, mechanical.
The references to the past. All the talking that's doing nothing for me, to make me feel (anything really) for these characters for now.
I did like the story about the founders of Macopro. There was conflict. There was sabotage. There was a twist in that little story contained inside a chapter. That part was good.
- It's getting better as I read Chapter 6. Still a lot of exposition. But feels more interesting than that in the earlier chapters.
- This is getting jargon heavy again. And a bit pretentious. I find myself, again, feeling what I felt in the earlier chapters: bogged down in so so much exposition.
PART II: The First Trimester
- The second part, the actual voyage, is well written. The relationships between Eve and Colfax and that of the other crew members are interesting. There is some good character development.
The twists, the conflicts, interpersonal relationships, while they are well-written, drag a bit sometimes.
The ending is... well, bleak.
Did not know this was part one of a three part series. Probably should have checked first.
A bit frustrating. It feels like this went longer where it didn't need to. At the same time, it feels shorter given all the elements it introduced.
January 3, 2025
* NetGalley ARC * - I was not paid for the review, I was not asked or expected to write this review, the review is entirely my opinion with no publisher, author or marketer input at any stage.
Backstory:
The year is 2056 and society is ruled by oligarchs who’ve all but destroyed the planet. Our main character, eve, is a young ethics and religion researcher who’s tasked with figuring out why members of a mars colony sent over in previous expeditions are suddenly committing suicide in such high numbers.
Love this premise so much. A dive into what makes humans humans, what we truly value and what makes a community? Yes please. We could have had that book, but, we didn’t. The religious, specifically Christian throughlines in this book are striking and not even subtle. I felt like I was being hit over the head constantly and all other aspects of the story were neglected to ensure a religious perspective was the one taken.
The book also features the cardinal (no pun intended) sin of referencing real life brands, products and people in a fantasy sci-fi book. It pulled me out the story.
The main characters dad might be the most insufferable character I’ve read this year. He’s the atheist in the book, rejecting any possible religious reasoning behind the suicides and instead angrily demanding it must be science, whilst bullying his daughter and being unbelievably arrogant. Such a prominent scientist should be chomping at the proverbial bit to run experiments and come up with hypothesis on why the suicides are occurring but instead he’s just… angry. He’s also a terrible dad and other characters and eve even acknowledge this but he’s never resolved of this.
Backstory:
The year is 2056 and society is ruled by oligarchs who’ve all but destroyed the planet. Our main character, eve, is a young ethics and religion researcher who’s tasked with figuring out why members of a mars colony sent over in previous expeditions are suddenly committing suicide in such high numbers.
Love this premise so much. A dive into what makes humans humans, what we truly value and what makes a community? Yes please. We could have had that book, but, we didn’t. The religious, specifically Christian throughlines in this book are striking and not even subtle. I felt like I was being hit over the head constantly and all other aspects of the story were neglected to ensure a religious perspective was the one taken.
The book also features the cardinal (no pun intended) sin of referencing real life brands, products and people in a fantasy sci-fi book. It pulled me out the story.
The main characters dad might be the most insufferable character I’ve read this year. He’s the atheist in the book, rejecting any possible religious reasoning behind the suicides and instead angrily demanding it must be science, whilst bullying his daughter and being unbelievably arrogant. Such a prominent scientist should be chomping at the proverbial bit to run experiments and come up with hypothesis on why the suicides are occurring but instead he’s just… angry. He’s also a terrible dad and other characters and eve even acknowledge this but he’s never resolved of this.
May 5, 2025
I made it to 40% and gave up at yet another scientific conversation about a launch to Mars that still hadn’t occurred, and I have given up hope. Plus, I needed a dictionary with me to look up half of the conversation happening because I think the author thought he needed to use every large and pretentious word ever invented. I tried because it was an ARC, but this was truly bad.
One of the other things that bothered me was that this book was happening in 2056, yet the references to the current political climate and the overall feel didn't bring the setting forward from today. I found that a huge obstacle to overcome... outside of the writing style.
One of the other things that bothered me was that this book was happening in 2056, yet the references to the current political climate and the overall feel didn't bring the setting forward from today. I found that a huge obstacle to overcome... outside of the writing style.
August 19, 2025
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
I cannot really put my finger on the exact reason why I did not enjoy this book. Male gaze-ish? Yes, maybe. Wooden characters, a lot of plotholes and lazy storytelling ("the oligarchs" as the ubiquitous BBEG but no nuance)? Yes. Also the book ends when it starts getting interesting and the summaries at the end of the book briefly outlining the next two installments don't really increase my interest. Some interesting ideas in terms of human survival, climate catastrophe, Mars exploration but overall this book tries too much and lacks proper consistency and details. I also did not really care for the characters. Sorry.
I cannot really put my finger on the exact reason why I did not enjoy this book. Male gaze-ish? Yes, maybe. Wooden characters, a lot of plotholes and lazy storytelling ("the oligarchs" as the ubiquitous BBEG but no nuance)? Yes. Also the book ends when it starts getting interesting and the summaries at the end of the book briefly outlining the next two installments don't really increase my interest. Some interesting ideas in terms of human survival, climate catastrophe, Mars exploration but overall this book tries too much and lacks proper consistency and details. I also did not really care for the characters. Sorry.
August 27, 2025
Brian McLaren portrays a near future world that is unfortunately easy to imagine. The last voyage on an ark to Mars is a mission to save some of humanity. It is well written and very compelling. Great characters! I’m looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. I listened to the audio book where Davis Brooks narrates beautifully.
September 4, 2025
Just finished author, activist & public theologian Brian D. McLaren’s debut sci-fi, “The Last Voyage.” As a sci-fi nerd and having read most of McLaren’s nonfiction, I couldn’t wait to read. It did not disappoint! Scarily well researched (on the state of the Earth in 2056!), fast paced, quirky characters that you can picture, all on a oneway trip to Mars, and a - true to trilogy genre - cliffhanger ending. If you’re an avid sci-fi reader or a fan of McLaren, or both - highly recommend. #scifi #clifi
November 28, 2024
Stunning. Touching. Moving. And oh so prescient
May 14, 2025
The Last Voyage by Brian D. McLaren
Will this be my last voyage? Brian D. McLaren serves up a science fiction novel that revolves around the idea of a futuristic world on the brink of disaster. As humanity will inevitably fail under the weight of self-imposed afflictions, the oligarchs see a path to a better life far away on Mars. Much like modern-day times, the rich have employed teams of engineers, all specializing in their fields, with an ambition to terraform Mars. McLaren walks us through a final voyage upon a ship where there is no turning back. The endgame mounts for the travelers who are asked to leave everything behind for the betterment of humanity’s chance to further future generations upon a distant planet. Again, I pose the question: Will this be “my” last voyage?
My assessment has to be meticulously thought out. First off, I would like to present an idea that seems diluted at this point. Rich people are funding the idea of shuttling themselves to Mars before Earth implodes. The creativity involved is somewhat underwhelming, but I can overlook that if the characters pique my interest. Unfortunately, none of the team assembled on the final ascent held my attention. The crotchety older statesman, narcissistic in nature, continuously spits out words that will have you grabbing a Webster’s dictionary for definitions. I get it; he was supposed to be unlikable, and the author did excel in his aspirations in writing of Colfax. Colfax’s daughter Eve is a bit of a religious savant, brought along to help with an existing problematic issue arising in the Mars colony at the present moment. Through various transmissions with an existing council on Mars, it looks as if people are losing their passion for life and questioning this new existence on another planet. The rest of the crew, with all their various forms of expertise, bring some variety to the tale, but nothing I would consider memorable.
As I read the novel, further into space I climbed. The meetings were called, the turmoil spinning out of control. Truths are revealed with tumultuous consequences. The book slowly meandered, and meandered, and meandered. No planet in sight. I almost felt as if I was reading another version of Orbital by Samantha Harvey, this one more of the Big Brother variety. We watch the fighting and feel the emotions. There is just a missing element of those types of characters I want to root for. There was a lack of action and intrigue. It’s a handful of people singing Kumbaya with various individuals lamenting how stupid the whole situation was. If I am 95% of the way into a book and want to see Mars reached, is that an indictment of my reading prowess?
I wanted to love this title. It started, interestingly enough, with some urgency. The breakneck speed at which they had to pack up and exit Earth's hemisphere left brought forth an excitement that we would be on Mars within the next 100 pages. Terrorists, explosions, and an ala “Mission Impossible" type of escape, courtesy of white vans at the team's disposal. I buckled up; I was heading to the red planet. Yet, here I am awaiting the next installment.
I am a completionist and sometimes a glutton for punishment. There is that part of me that needs to know if they ever reach that godforsaken planet and what happens. Albeit, it's that little voice in my head that looks over my shoulder at the vast black hole of my TBRs, saying, Nope, I am done. For me, this gets 2 out of 5 stars. Venture at your risk!
Will this be my last voyage? Brian D. McLaren serves up a science fiction novel that revolves around the idea of a futuristic world on the brink of disaster. As humanity will inevitably fail under the weight of self-imposed afflictions, the oligarchs see a path to a better life far away on Mars. Much like modern-day times, the rich have employed teams of engineers, all specializing in their fields, with an ambition to terraform Mars. McLaren walks us through a final voyage upon a ship where there is no turning back. The endgame mounts for the travelers who are asked to leave everything behind for the betterment of humanity’s chance to further future generations upon a distant planet. Again, I pose the question: Will this be “my” last voyage?
My assessment has to be meticulously thought out. First off, I would like to present an idea that seems diluted at this point. Rich people are funding the idea of shuttling themselves to Mars before Earth implodes. The creativity involved is somewhat underwhelming, but I can overlook that if the characters pique my interest. Unfortunately, none of the team assembled on the final ascent held my attention. The crotchety older statesman, narcissistic in nature, continuously spits out words that will have you grabbing a Webster’s dictionary for definitions. I get it; he was supposed to be unlikable, and the author did excel in his aspirations in writing of Colfax. Colfax’s daughter Eve is a bit of a religious savant, brought along to help with an existing problematic issue arising in the Mars colony at the present moment. Through various transmissions with an existing council on Mars, it looks as if people are losing their passion for life and questioning this new existence on another planet. The rest of the crew, with all their various forms of expertise, bring some variety to the tale, but nothing I would consider memorable.
As I read the novel, further into space I climbed. The meetings were called, the turmoil spinning out of control. Truths are revealed with tumultuous consequences. The book slowly meandered, and meandered, and meandered. No planet in sight. I almost felt as if I was reading another version of Orbital by Samantha Harvey, this one more of the Big Brother variety. We watch the fighting and feel the emotions. There is just a missing element of those types of characters I want to root for. There was a lack of action and intrigue. It’s a handful of people singing Kumbaya with various individuals lamenting how stupid the whole situation was. If I am 95% of the way into a book and want to see Mars reached, is that an indictment of my reading prowess?
I wanted to love this title. It started, interestingly enough, with some urgency. The breakneck speed at which they had to pack up and exit Earth's hemisphere left brought forth an excitement that we would be on Mars within the next 100 pages. Terrorists, explosions, and an ala “Mission Impossible" type of escape, courtesy of white vans at the team's disposal. I buckled up; I was heading to the red planet. Yet, here I am awaiting the next installment.
I am a completionist and sometimes a glutton for punishment. There is that part of me that needs to know if they ever reach that godforsaken planet and what happens. Albeit, it's that little voice in my head that looks over my shoulder at the vast black hole of my TBRs, saying, Nope, I am done. For me, this gets 2 out of 5 stars. Venture at your risk!
December 10, 2024
The Last Voyage by Brian D. McLaren
Before I start - I was given the opportunity to read this ARC before it was published for an honest review - from NetGalley. This is my review!
The Last Voyage will be published on July 31, 2025. Book one of three.
In the future, the world will be ruled by oligarchs' - who will give "power" to politicians and governments around the world - but the true rulers are the oligarchs. (This is the books premise).
Well basically the oligarchs' do not care for humanity the planet - gasp - just on getting more money, raping the land of more resources. Until they kill it. The Last Voyage is the last group of ten attempting to get to Mars. It is funded by the "last good oligarch.
The book begins by meeting one of the main scientists leaving her country -all cloak and dagger and carrying cyanide pills on her jewelry. Then you meet the two big characters - maybe three - Eve and her father and then one of the oligarchs. Eve has multiple degrees, but is not a scientist, she is more of a Christian religious expert - the problem on the Mars base is people keep committing suicide and they are sending her there to figure out why. She wants her father to come - who is a scientist and an atheist, or else she is not going to go. Her father has lost his wife, his lover (she goes back to her husband) and is super intelligent and honestly at times my eyes were glassed over reading his dialogue.
They agree to go - go to one location that is secret to train to leave - with the others - where the location is targeted and attacked by the other oligarchs - so they leave and go another location - minus two of the ten to leave (they are taken as hostages). They managed to talk, the other eight, to get the two oligarchs to come to them with Mars.
So the rest of the book, and really I kept telling my hubby who can they get to Mars, there is only 80 more pages to the book, but there will be two more books, The rest of the book is a lot of proselytizing - to the Christian faith - while Eve's father made my eyes glassy with his intensive vocabulary Eve's constantly bashing us over our head about the Christian faith made me skim over entire parts of the book. Remember she has to solve why people are committing suicide on the base - well it turns out some were killing themselves - but there is a serial murdered up there with them. lol. Which makes the pilot want to turn the ship around and go back to Earth that is dying. In the end they decide to continue to Mars.
Overall, I really liked the book - I am an atheist also so this constant harping of Christianity but frankly all religion was to much. I mean haven't we fought enough wars and destroyed a planet in the name of religion? Also, the preachers were the oligarchs' bitches also. lol. There is a good combination of other faiths and ethnicities on the ship - and also a nonbinary person (that caused some reviewers to go ape shit on goodreads). I guess they think only white Christians were worth saving.
Overall, I would give this book a 4.5 and I know I cannot wait for the other two books to come out! Thank you for allowing me the chance to read it.
Before I start - I was given the opportunity to read this ARC before it was published for an honest review - from NetGalley. This is my review!
The Last Voyage will be published on July 31, 2025. Book one of three.
In the future, the world will be ruled by oligarchs' - who will give "power" to politicians and governments around the world - but the true rulers are the oligarchs. (This is the books premise).
Well basically the oligarchs' do not care for humanity the planet - gasp - just on getting more money, raping the land of more resources. Until they kill it. The Last Voyage is the last group of ten attempting to get to Mars. It is funded by the "last good oligarch.
The book begins by meeting one of the main scientists leaving her country -all cloak and dagger and carrying cyanide pills on her jewelry. Then you meet the two big characters - maybe three - Eve and her father and then one of the oligarchs. Eve has multiple degrees, but is not a scientist, she is more of a Christian religious expert - the problem on the Mars base is people keep committing suicide and they are sending her there to figure out why. She wants her father to come - who is a scientist and an atheist, or else she is not going to go. Her father has lost his wife, his lover (she goes back to her husband) and is super intelligent and honestly at times my eyes were glassed over reading his dialogue.
They agree to go - go to one location that is secret to train to leave - with the others - where the location is targeted and attacked by the other oligarchs - so they leave and go another location - minus two of the ten to leave (they are taken as hostages). They managed to talk, the other eight, to get the two oligarchs to come to them with Mars.
So the rest of the book, and really I kept telling my hubby who can they get to Mars, there is only 80 more pages to the book, but there will be two more books, The rest of the book is a lot of proselytizing - to the Christian faith - while Eve's father made my eyes glassy with his intensive vocabulary Eve's constantly bashing us over our head about the Christian faith made me skim over entire parts of the book. Remember she has to solve why people are committing suicide on the base - well it turns out some were killing themselves - but there is a serial murdered up there with them. lol. Which makes the pilot want to turn the ship around and go back to Earth that is dying. In the end they decide to continue to Mars.
Overall, I really liked the book - I am an atheist also so this constant harping of Christianity but frankly all religion was to much. I mean haven't we fought enough wars and destroyed a planet in the name of religion? Also, the preachers were the oligarchs' bitches also. lol. There is a good combination of other faiths and ethnicities on the ship - and also a nonbinary person (that caused some reviewers to go ape shit on goodreads). I guess they think only white Christians were worth saving.
Overall, I would give this book a 4.5 and I know I cannot wait for the other two books to come out! Thank you for allowing me the chance to read it.
January 29, 2025
Didn’t Mark Twain say never to use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word would do?”
This could be the perfect summary to this book. Way too many words for what actually happens
While I am very impressed with the authors knowledge of vocabulary I find it overused quite a lot in this book. At least in the very beginning. But while he tries to make it a character flaw, or maybe better said quirk, he fails. Because what he accomplishes instead is a type of conversation you would never use or hear anyone use in the real world. And it is a double edge sword because it takes away from the book and dulls it down. And even from the si-fi aspects, it fails to make the book exciting or entertaining in a way, say Andrew Weir would. Which makes the first third of the book less exciting than it should be.
But then it turn, and becomes lot more free flowing, easier to follow, easier to get into and a lot more fun. And just like that it's gone. The writing becomes sloppy, and drags on. For a book that in itself is short, I have a feeling you could throw half of it away and it would be better. The author takes his time establishing characters, one in particular and then just like that, halfway through the book writes them out. Except he doesn't. But for about 2 chapters he's gone then back again. Its like he decided to write him out and then changed his mind. Or even worse did it for dramatic affect and did it poorly.
I have feelings about this book and they're not nice. The writing is almost childish at times, the conversations feel forced, the jokes are lame and sometimes there's way more info given than needed and time spent on thing it shouldn't. I find myself wanting to quit reading this book because I feel like it'll only get worse from here.
Some thoughts expressed here may seem incoherent and I apologies, but now you know what reading this book felt like. At about 60% in I feel like the writer is doing a poor job of it. And to make things worse, the book and the story itself hold promise. Execution is just poor.
The premise of a book is simple. A dystopian world and Earths soon demise lead a team of people to colonize Mars. We follow a group of people on their way to Mars. They are to be the last people to do so. Quite simple. Yet for some reason the author does his best to complicate things. Earths demise could have been summed up in a page or two. Placing everything 30 years in the future doesn't give it the doom the author would like to portray. Tying politics and religion into everything and bending over backwards to make it central to the plot just takes away from what the book should be. The bombardment of information that does nothing to drive the story forward is simply unnecessary. And over usage of complex vocabulary doesn't benefit the story at all, only alienates the reader. But in spite of all that the series does have promise. The story, once you cut away the unnecessary parts, is both exciting and intriguing. The characters for all of their flaws, breed curiosity. I just hope for the sequels the author drops the unnecessary parts of the story and stops tripping himself with plot devices that bear no fruit nor do they drive the plot or character development.
This could be the perfect summary to this book. Way too many words for what actually happens
While I am very impressed with the authors knowledge of vocabulary I find it overused quite a lot in this book. At least in the very beginning. But while he tries to make it a character flaw, or maybe better said quirk, he fails. Because what he accomplishes instead is a type of conversation you would never use or hear anyone use in the real world. And it is a double edge sword because it takes away from the book and dulls it down. And even from the si-fi aspects, it fails to make the book exciting or entertaining in a way, say Andrew Weir would. Which makes the first third of the book less exciting than it should be.
But then it turn, and becomes lot more free flowing, easier to follow, easier to get into and a lot more fun. And just like that it's gone. The writing becomes sloppy, and drags on. For a book that in itself is short, I have a feeling you could throw half of it away and it would be better. The author takes his time establishing characters, one in particular and then just like that, halfway through the book writes them out. Except he doesn't. But for about 2 chapters he's gone then back again. Its like he decided to write him out and then changed his mind. Or even worse did it for dramatic affect and did it poorly.
I have feelings about this book and they're not nice. The writing is almost childish at times, the conversations feel forced, the jokes are lame and sometimes there's way more info given than needed and time spent on thing it shouldn't. I find myself wanting to quit reading this book because I feel like it'll only get worse from here.
Some thoughts expressed here may seem incoherent and I apologies, but now you know what reading this book felt like. At about 60% in I feel like the writer is doing a poor job of it. And to make things worse, the book and the story itself hold promise. Execution is just poor.
The premise of a book is simple. A dystopian world and Earths soon demise lead a team of people to colonize Mars. We follow a group of people on their way to Mars. They are to be the last people to do so. Quite simple. Yet for some reason the author does his best to complicate things. Earths demise could have been summed up in a page or two. Placing everything 30 years in the future doesn't give it the doom the author would like to portray. Tying politics and religion into everything and bending over backwards to make it central to the plot just takes away from what the book should be. The bombardment of information that does nothing to drive the story forward is simply unnecessary. And over usage of complex vocabulary doesn't benefit the story at all, only alienates the reader. But in spite of all that the series does have promise. The story, once you cut away the unnecessary parts, is both exciting and intriguing. The characters for all of their flaws, breed curiosity. I just hope for the sequels the author drops the unnecessary parts of the story and stops tripping himself with plot devices that bear no fruit nor do they drive the plot or character development.
July 24, 2025
This novel is definitely timely, considering what is going on in the world right now. The setting is a ravaged planet Earth on the brink of extinction in the year 2056. The world is ruled by Oligarchs who care nothing about humanity, and in their pursuit of total domination, have succeeded in causing catastrophic consequences. Australia is perpetually on fire, California is uninhabitable, nations are on the brink of nuclear war, people are starving, etc., etc. It looks like the only solution is for a select group of humans to relocate to Mars and start a new civilization. The Mars base has already been established, and one last group is set to leave Earth forever, ergo, "The Last Voyage.:"
Okay, that's an interesting premise, and I was intrigued. Two secondary characters, Thurman and Ekaterina, spearheaded the mission to Mars via a clandestine company called Macopro. Their relationship and involvement in the mission's success or failure is well-developed. All participants in the mission must agree to procreate, which might cause problems for some characters.
My big problem is with the two main characters -- Eve, a scholar of ethics and comparative religion, and her somewhat estranged father, Colfax, who is an ornithologist, former advisor to the President, atheist, narcissist, alcoholic and the most annoying character I think I have ever encountered in a book. Colfax has failed at work, love and parenting, and he tries to compensate by showing off his intellect by filling every sentence he utters with $20 words. Their incessant bickering, mostly about religion, is tiring. Eve was recruited for the mission because there has been an alarming number of apparent suicides at the Mars base, and Thurman thinks she can help with morale, spiritual guidance and social interactions. Colfax was only included because Eve didn't want her father left alone to endure the expected end of planet Earth.
After the crew left Earth, I thought the descriptions of the actual space journey were interesting -- except for Eve and Colfax arguing non-stop. Some things bugged me, like two puppies brought along are stuck in cages most of the time (because no gravity, of course), and the "astronauts' take them out and toss them about for entertainment. Also, the author's personal political views are front and center, and while I may agree with his views, other readers may be offended.
The Last Voyage is the first in a three-part series. I wish the story had been kept to one book, because there was a lot that could have been condensed in the first novel. Nevertheless, I plan to read the upcoming sequels just to see what happens. And I guess that is the point!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read the book and provide an honest review.
Okay, that's an interesting premise, and I was intrigued. Two secondary characters, Thurman and Ekaterina, spearheaded the mission to Mars via a clandestine company called Macopro. Their relationship and involvement in the mission's success or failure is well-developed. All participants in the mission must agree to procreate, which might cause problems for some characters.
My big problem is with the two main characters -- Eve, a scholar of ethics and comparative religion, and her somewhat estranged father, Colfax, who is an ornithologist, former advisor to the President, atheist, narcissist, alcoholic and the most annoying character I think I have ever encountered in a book. Colfax has failed at work, love and parenting, and he tries to compensate by showing off his intellect by filling every sentence he utters with $20 words. Their incessant bickering, mostly about religion, is tiring. Eve was recruited for the mission because there has been an alarming number of apparent suicides at the Mars base, and Thurman thinks she can help with morale, spiritual guidance and social interactions. Colfax was only included because Eve didn't want her father left alone to endure the expected end of planet Earth.
After the crew left Earth, I thought the descriptions of the actual space journey were interesting -- except for Eve and Colfax arguing non-stop. Some things bugged me, like two puppies brought along are stuck in cages most of the time (because no gravity, of course), and the "astronauts' take them out and toss them about for entertainment. Also, the author's personal political views are front and center, and while I may agree with his views, other readers may be offended.
The Last Voyage is the first in a three-part series. I wish the story had been kept to one book, because there was a lot that could have been condensed in the first novel. Nevertheless, I plan to read the upcoming sequels just to see what happens. And I guess that is the point!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read the book and provide an honest review.
December 17, 2024
Nobody owns anything but everyone is rich - for what greater wealth can there be than cheerfulness, peace of mind, and freedom from anxiety?
(Thomas More, Utopia)
I have been reading SF for years - and had high hopes for this Last Voyage, the first part in a trilogy, about a group of privileged people who aim for a one-way ticket to Mars to build a new life there - away from a crumbling Earth - with the aim of building a Utopia.
The year is 2026.
A select group of people are being approached to warm them up for their very last journey - it is a one-way ticket, to the planet Mars.
The author focussus on organisational structures he finds dysfunctional and how man should do things differently over there. Yes, yes, noble aspirations, but wherever man goes, chaos and war follow. If we want peace there, it would be better to send a ship with millipedes than a group of people who will show how to live. It could well lead to the destruction of yet another planet. :)-
I found the first piece on oligarchies, albeit very interesting, more like an essay, and had to struggle my way through it. A lot of anger resonated in the story, and a lot was also repeated here and there.
(N.b. In an oligarchic form of government, the validity of laws depends on the discretion of a closed elite.
The poleis of Sparta, Corinth and Athens were once examples of oligarchies, as were some Dutch cities in the 17th and 18th centuries. Key positions in the state are held by a power elite).
In my opinion, it reads almost like a thought experiment, where Plato and Socrates meet Sir Thomas More, exploring biological, scientific and economic theories (e.g. viable product/population) as a prelude to a new world order, making it a colony of ‘scientific prodigies.’
This group selects the fittest, the most successful, the youngest, the most intelligent group to be part of this experiment.
Interesting thought experiment, but less successful as an SF novel, and you can be fairly sure that things will go completely haywire on Mars, of course.
I found the introductory part too long, with the writing at first somewhat dull/theoretical, but the story picks up in the end, and I am interested in reading the following installments.
3 stars. Thank you Netgalley for this arc. Publication: 2025.
(Thomas More, Utopia)
I have been reading SF for years - and had high hopes for this Last Voyage, the first part in a trilogy, about a group of privileged people who aim for a one-way ticket to Mars to build a new life there - away from a crumbling Earth - with the aim of building a Utopia.
The year is 2026.
A select group of people are being approached to warm them up for their very last journey - it is a one-way ticket, to the planet Mars.
The author focussus on organisational structures he finds dysfunctional and how man should do things differently over there. Yes, yes, noble aspirations, but wherever man goes, chaos and war follow. If we want peace there, it would be better to send a ship with millipedes than a group of people who will show how to live. It could well lead to the destruction of yet another planet. :)-
I found the first piece on oligarchies, albeit very interesting, more like an essay, and had to struggle my way through it. A lot of anger resonated in the story, and a lot was also repeated here and there.
(N.b. In an oligarchic form of government, the validity of laws depends on the discretion of a closed elite.
The poleis of Sparta, Corinth and Athens were once examples of oligarchies, as were some Dutch cities in the 17th and 18th centuries. Key positions in the state are held by a power elite).
In my opinion, it reads almost like a thought experiment, where Plato and Socrates meet Sir Thomas More, exploring biological, scientific and economic theories (e.g. viable product/population) as a prelude to a new world order, making it a colony of ‘scientific prodigies.’
This group selects the fittest, the most successful, the youngest, the most intelligent group to be part of this experiment.
Interesting thought experiment, but less successful as an SF novel, and you can be fairly sure that things will go completely haywire on Mars, of course.
I found the introductory part too long, with the writing at first somewhat dull/theoretical, but the story picks up in the end, and I am interested in reading the following installments.
3 stars. Thank you Netgalley for this arc. Publication: 2025.
December 30, 2024
This book blends science fiction with spiritual/philosophical reflection, imagining a possible near-future 21st century. The story follows a diverse group who embark on a final voyage to Mars, which aims to save a select few while leaving the majority of humanity to face the consequences of the climate crisis. The plot explores the challenges of survival, the complexities of human relationships, and the search for meaning in a world on the brink of extinction. It has a long introduction that is somewhat theoretical with little action, but this picks up later in the book.
The main protagonists are Colfax and the younger Eve. Colfax is from the older generation who through the excesses of wealth and a disregard for the environment have made the crisis possible. He unfortunately comes across as rather stereotypical, and unsympathetic, Eve on the other hand represents the younger generation searching for a meaning and purpose.
Initially, she views him with suspicion and distrust, a symbol of wealth and privilege and questions his motives and the ethics of his Mars project,
However, as the journey progresses, their relationship evolves, she begins to see a different side of him, his genuine concern for humanity and its survival. Colfax, in turn, is also challenged and begins to re-evaluate his own assumptions and beliefs.
The writing style is accessible and engaging, delving into complex scientific and theological ideas, perhaps in a little too much detail, as the narrative sometimes feels a bit preachy and a “tell” rather than “show” format.
It is however, a thought-provoking read that raises important questions about the future of humanity climate change, environmentalism, social justice, and the role of faith in addressing the challenges we face. While the narrative and character development could be stronger, the book's exploration of these themes is compelling.
Hodder Faith (An imprint of John Murray Press) provided a complimentary advanced reader copy ARC , for an honest review. My thanks Brian McLaren the author, the publishers and to NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
The main protagonists are Colfax and the younger Eve. Colfax is from the older generation who through the excesses of wealth and a disregard for the environment have made the crisis possible. He unfortunately comes across as rather stereotypical, and unsympathetic, Eve on the other hand represents the younger generation searching for a meaning and purpose.
Initially, she views him with suspicion and distrust, a symbol of wealth and privilege and questions his motives and the ethics of his Mars project,
However, as the journey progresses, their relationship evolves, she begins to see a different side of him, his genuine concern for humanity and its survival. Colfax, in turn, is also challenged and begins to re-evaluate his own assumptions and beliefs.
The writing style is accessible and engaging, delving into complex scientific and theological ideas, perhaps in a little too much detail, as the narrative sometimes feels a bit preachy and a “tell” rather than “show” format.
It is however, a thought-provoking read that raises important questions about the future of humanity climate change, environmentalism, social justice, and the role of faith in addressing the challenges we face. While the narrative and character development could be stronger, the book's exploration of these themes is compelling.
Hodder Faith (An imprint of John Murray Press) provided a complimentary advanced reader copy ARC , for an honest review. My thanks Brian McLaren the author, the publishers and to NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 14, 2025
Things are pretty bleak at the moment for Colfax Innes. His beloved wife died a few years ago and his girlfriend Hailey just told him she’s going back to her husband for the sake of their kids. Oh, and oligarchs are ruling the world and have allowed climate change to reach a point of no return.. earth is facing imminent catastrophe, a “ total excrement cyclone” in his words. Fortunately, he has one billionaire friend who isn’t so bad, Thurman, who runs Macropro, a company that has sent people to form colonies on Mars over the past 20 years. Thurman wants Colfax to go to Mars on a one way trip. Turns out Thurman really needs Colfax’s daughter, Eva, on Mars and she will only go if Colfax comes too. See, people on Mars are dying by suicide in large amounts and Thurman needs Eva, a philosophy and religion teacher, to create a culture of meaning on the planet to solve that sad problem.
Colfax accepts Thurman’s offer and a wild ride commences, with the trip moved hastily up to avoid the bad billionaires from keeping them on earth ( and likely grabbing the technology for themselves). The rest of the book takes place on the spacecraft to Mars, with plenty of drama and intrigue as they gradually find out things are not as they were told on Mars.
This is the first in a trilogy, so don’t expect to have everything resolved by the end of the book. I enjoyed the book and was challenged by the discussions among the crew members to think about new ways we might solve our current problems here on earth. Yes, like many reviewers, I got annoyed by Colfax’s tendency to “ use a $5 word when a 50 cent one would do”. Gabriela’s corny jokes got old too. But I am looking forward to what happens when they land on Mars in book two. Kudos to McLaren for “ switching lanes “ into fiction and finding another way to help people understand the crises we are in and to offer hope and a way forward out of it.
Colfax accepts Thurman’s offer and a wild ride commences, with the trip moved hastily up to avoid the bad billionaires from keeping them on earth ( and likely grabbing the technology for themselves). The rest of the book takes place on the spacecraft to Mars, with plenty of drama and intrigue as they gradually find out things are not as they were told on Mars.
This is the first in a trilogy, so don’t expect to have everything resolved by the end of the book. I enjoyed the book and was challenged by the discussions among the crew members to think about new ways we might solve our current problems here on earth. Yes, like many reviewers, I got annoyed by Colfax’s tendency to “ use a $5 word when a 50 cent one would do”. Gabriela’s corny jokes got old too. But I am looking forward to what happens when they land on Mars in book two. Kudos to McLaren for “ switching lanes “ into fiction and finding another way to help people understand the crises we are in and to offer hope and a way forward out of it.
November 22, 2024
The Last Voyage by Brian D. McLaren
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Review:
Brian D. McLaren's "The Last Voyage" is a captivating and introspective novel that seamlessly blends adventure, philosophy, and spirituality. This thought-provoking tale follows the journey of Captain Daniel Butler, navigating the complexities of identity, purpose, and redemption.
Plot
The story unfolds on the high seas, where Captain Butler commands his final voyage. As he confronts his mortality, he reflects on past choices, lost love, and the true meaning of life. McLaren masterfully intertwines themes of:
1. Existentialism and self-discovery
2. Redemption and forgiveness
3. Love and loss
4. Spiritual exploration
5. Environmental stewardship
Character Analysis
1. Captain Daniel Butler: Complex, introspective, and flawed
2. Sophia: Enigmatic, wise, and compassionate
3. Rachel: Vibrant, determined, and passionate
McLaren's Strengths
1. Poetic prose and vivid descriptions
2. Deep philosophical and spiritual insights
3. Well-developed, nuanced characters
4. Environmental awareness
Criticisms
1. Pacing issues in mid-section
2. Some supporting characters lack depth
3. Structure. Specifically the prose. Individuals typically do not speak with such complex wording.
Conclusion
"The Last Voyage" is a profoundly moving and intellectually stimulating novel. McLaren's thought-provoking exploration of human existence, paired with his captivating storytelling, makes for an unforgettable read.
Rating Breakdown:
- Plot: 4.0/5
- Character development: 4.5/5
- Writing style: 4.5/5
- Themes: 5/5
- Pacing: 3.5/5
- Originality: 4.5/5
- Emotional resonance: 5/5
- Overall enjoyment: 4.2/5
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Review:
Brian D. McLaren's "The Last Voyage" is a captivating and introspective novel that seamlessly blends adventure, philosophy, and spirituality. This thought-provoking tale follows the journey of Captain Daniel Butler, navigating the complexities of identity, purpose, and redemption.
Plot
The story unfolds on the high seas, where Captain Butler commands his final voyage. As he confronts his mortality, he reflects on past choices, lost love, and the true meaning of life. McLaren masterfully intertwines themes of:
1. Existentialism and self-discovery
2. Redemption and forgiveness
3. Love and loss
4. Spiritual exploration
5. Environmental stewardship
Character Analysis
1. Captain Daniel Butler: Complex, introspective, and flawed
2. Sophia: Enigmatic, wise, and compassionate
3. Rachel: Vibrant, determined, and passionate
McLaren's Strengths
1. Poetic prose and vivid descriptions
2. Deep philosophical and spiritual insights
3. Well-developed, nuanced characters
4. Environmental awareness
Criticisms
1. Pacing issues in mid-section
2. Some supporting characters lack depth
3. Structure. Specifically the prose. Individuals typically do not speak with such complex wording.
Conclusion
"The Last Voyage" is a profoundly moving and intellectually stimulating novel. McLaren's thought-provoking exploration of human existence, paired with his captivating storytelling, makes for an unforgettable read.
Rating Breakdown:
- Plot: 4.0/5
- Character development: 4.5/5
- Writing style: 4.5/5
- Themes: 5/5
- Pacing: 3.5/5
- Originality: 4.5/5
- Emotional resonance: 5/5
- Overall enjoyment: 4.2/5
November 23, 2024
3 Stars, Chaos and Danger
THE LAST VOYAGE
by Brian D. McLaren
I don't usually give such a low rating, I don't find myself selecting books that I don't like. This book has a plot that is intriguing, but there was too much other stuff in it that I didn't care for.
One of the main characters is a religious leader, there are copious amounts of emphatic religious profanities, yet it is published by #HodderFaith an imprint of #JohnMurrayPress #HodderandStoughtonLimited #HachetteUK
It is a #cliffhanger. There are #woke tendencies.
In a world controlled by oligarchs that are all intertwined with global crime syndicates that have few if any morals.
One of the oligarch syndicates that still has morals and works for the good of civilization has decided to take a few select individuals to Mars on a last voyage to join the other people they've already relocated to Mars with the intent of starting the last colony of the human species, as a one way trip. They are taking humans to have children to start their own civilization, with one of the males not taking part. But, there is another person who lets the reader know ...For those who are wondering... that it is a nonbinary or third gender person. I wasn't wondering. How does a nonbinary person add to the human race? Part of the ...Look at me.... generation.
The book is about the last voyage, except that the entire book takes place on Earth and a minute part on Mars. It's all about getting ready for the trip to Mars.
I received a complimentary copy of #thelastvoyage from #netgalley the publisher, and #BrianDMcLaren I was not obligated to post a review.
#sciencefiction #fantasy #AdultFiction #mentalillness
THE LAST VOYAGE
by Brian D. McLaren
I don't usually give such a low rating, I don't find myself selecting books that I don't like. This book has a plot that is intriguing, but there was too much other stuff in it that I didn't care for.
One of the main characters is a religious leader, there are copious amounts of emphatic religious profanities, yet it is published by #HodderFaith an imprint of #JohnMurrayPress #HodderandStoughtonLimited #HachetteUK
It is a #cliffhanger. There are #woke tendencies.
In a world controlled by oligarchs that are all intertwined with global crime syndicates that have few if any morals.
One of the oligarch syndicates that still has morals and works for the good of civilization has decided to take a few select individuals to Mars on a last voyage to join the other people they've already relocated to Mars with the intent of starting the last colony of the human species, as a one way trip. They are taking humans to have children to start their own civilization, with one of the males not taking part. But, there is another person who lets the reader know ...For those who are wondering... that it is a nonbinary or third gender person. I wasn't wondering. How does a nonbinary person add to the human race? Part of the ...Look at me.... generation.
The book is about the last voyage, except that the entire book takes place on Earth and a minute part on Mars. It's all about getting ready for the trip to Mars.
I received a complimentary copy of #thelastvoyage from #netgalley the publisher, and #BrianDMcLaren I was not obligated to post a review.
#sciencefiction #fantasy #AdultFiction #mentalillness
August 21, 2025
A deeply troubling venture
Were this merely a work of science fiction, it could be deemed a reasonably well-written, thrilling narrative about a small group of scientists on a highly improbable trip to another planet.
But, if you know anything about Brian McLaren, it’s got to be much more than that.
The crew of ten are fleeing Planet Earth, which is facing total disaster under the perverse governance of an unscrupulous oligarchy and the resultant climatic collapse.
The participants
Each member of the team was carefully selected for their racial and cultural diversity, as well as their talent in their respective fields. A Palestinian artist, daughter of a Christian Arab and a secular Jewess; a humorous Guatemalan botanist; a non-binary Maori musician; the list goes on. Among them are a fanatically atheistic ecologist and his spiritually minded daughter. Her mandate is to cultivate a humane culture on the spaceship and later introduce a new dimension into the crumbling technosociety on Mars.
As the months go by in the cramped, zero-gravity enclosure with all the digital gadgetry one could wish for, but only boring food and little to do, one participant after another breaks down under personal or relational crises. They do their best to help each other, but the atmosphere becomes daunting.
Conclusion
This book combines a devastating analysis of Earth’s totally corrupt political system in the 2050s and the emotional challenge of resolving the psychological issues each of us carry in our hearts from our past. It’s an exciting read, even if somewhat implausible.
This is the first book of a trilogy. And they haven’t reached Mars yet. I’m keen to read on when theo sequels are published.
Were this merely a work of science fiction, it could be deemed a reasonably well-written, thrilling narrative about a small group of scientists on a highly improbable trip to another planet.
But, if you know anything about Brian McLaren, it’s got to be much more than that.
The crew of ten are fleeing Planet Earth, which is facing total disaster under the perverse governance of an unscrupulous oligarchy and the resultant climatic collapse.
The participants
Each member of the team was carefully selected for their racial and cultural diversity, as well as their talent in their respective fields. A Palestinian artist, daughter of a Christian Arab and a secular Jewess; a humorous Guatemalan botanist; a non-binary Maori musician; the list goes on. Among them are a fanatically atheistic ecologist and his spiritually minded daughter. Her mandate is to cultivate a humane culture on the spaceship and later introduce a new dimension into the crumbling technosociety on Mars.
As the months go by in the cramped, zero-gravity enclosure with all the digital gadgetry one could wish for, but only boring food and little to do, one participant after another breaks down under personal or relational crises. They do their best to help each other, but the atmosphere becomes daunting.
Conclusion
This book combines a devastating analysis of Earth’s totally corrupt political system in the 2050s and the emotional challenge of resolving the psychological issues each of us carry in our hearts from our past. It’s an exciting read, even if somewhat implausible.
This is the first book of a trilogy. And they haven’t reached Mars yet. I’m keen to read on when theo sequels are published.
November 18, 2024
The story idea of a disparate group heading to Mars because the world is about to destroy itself is interesting. There were structural problems, for me, that got in the way of that interesting story. First, there is way too much exposition in the dialogue. I have no problem with exposition in stories, but people don't speak in paragraphs unless they are giving a TEDTalk. Second, our character who likes to use big words seems to do just to use big words as if the writer pulled up a thesaurus and made every sentence more complicated just to show it could be done. I am not a big fan of naming actual people in the present and the progenitor of future calamity, but that's a personal preference.
Finally, and this is a challenge for me because I have a theological academic and personal background. This is a book published by a faith imprint, but Eve has merely watered down beliefs that vaguely adhere to Christianity but doesn't express any specifics other than to fold them into a syncretic smoothie of world faith systems. When Refa said he was a Christian, Jew and Muslim, I felt that was the standard of all faith holders on the ship. There was nothing to get mad about and the huffing and puffing seemed either exaggerated or performative.
I would love a vibrant debate between a person of deep faith and a parent wounded by zealotry (or perceived zealotry) in the past. But a lukewarm pablum of religious beliefs being attacked by polysyllabic vile just felt over the top to me. Perhaps the other books expose the exaggerated response for what it is, but I, sadly, was not sufficiently engaged enough to want to continue.
Finally, and this is a challenge for me because I have a theological academic and personal background. This is a book published by a faith imprint, but Eve has merely watered down beliefs that vaguely adhere to Christianity but doesn't express any specifics other than to fold them into a syncretic smoothie of world faith systems. When Refa said he was a Christian, Jew and Muslim, I felt that was the standard of all faith holders on the ship. There was nothing to get mad about and the huffing and puffing seemed either exaggerated or performative.
I would love a vibrant debate between a person of deep faith and a parent wounded by zealotry (or perceived zealotry) in the past. But a lukewarm pablum of religious beliefs being attacked by polysyllabic vile just felt over the top to me. Perhaps the other books expose the exaggerated response for what it is, but I, sadly, was not sufficiently engaged enough to want to continue.
July 7, 2025
3.5/5 stars, rounded up. This book had a very literary feel to it. Brian McLaren is an excellent writer and has addressed some very interesting ideas in this near-future science fiction novel - book 1 of a planned trilogy.
I struggled with this story at first. The early part of this book focused primarily on one character that was not very likable. At roughly the 1/3 point of the novel, the story brought in more characters and began to address the more substantial ideas of the story. In particular, McLaren spends a great deal of time in considering the definitions and importance to humanity of culture, religion, and community. He does an excellent job of looking at these ideas historically and philosophically as well as discussing what these concepts mean for his future dystopian society that is on the verge of self-destruction.
I am rounding up my rating to 4/5 stars primarily because of the last half of this book. Once the last voyage gets started, we see the interaction among the characters, learn more about each of their pasts, and learn more about the politics that we are dealing with in this future world.
I recommend this novel for the whole cast of characters, for the ideas that the author has brought to the story, and for the near-future politics and similarities we can see in our modern world.
Publication date: July 31, 2025. #netgalley #thelastvoyage
I struggled with this story at first. The early part of this book focused primarily on one character that was not very likable. At roughly the 1/3 point of the novel, the story brought in more characters and began to address the more substantial ideas of the story. In particular, McLaren spends a great deal of time in considering the definitions and importance to humanity of culture, religion, and community. He does an excellent job of looking at these ideas historically and philosophically as well as discussing what these concepts mean for his future dystopian society that is on the verge of self-destruction.
I am rounding up my rating to 4/5 stars primarily because of the last half of this book. Once the last voyage gets started, we see the interaction among the characters, learn more about each of their pasts, and learn more about the politics that we are dealing with in this future world.
I recommend this novel for the whole cast of characters, for the ideas that the author has brought to the story, and for the near-future politics and similarities we can see in our modern world.
Publication date: July 31, 2025. #netgalley #thelastvoyage
December 31, 2024
Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to review this.
It's starts off with a typical dystopian world, which is very possible at some point in the near future of our world. With oligarchs ruling most of everything and everyone's lives depending on how important and what work they can do to serve the oligarchs .
The world is dying as we know it and story is based around 10 people selected to go to Mars in order to I guess preserve and save humanity. The person who is funding this is also an oligarch who is I guess according to the story the one good egg in the basket (jk no oligarch is good)
I think it's an interesting concept, but I didn't see anything new in terms of how one of these dystopian, let's save the earth type of story goes. I did like a lot of the diverse cast that were included but I have to say they were as individuals a bit shallow, as a POC, this was evident. I also understand religious trauma when I see it but I didn't really understand why this was such a key piece in a science fiction book but then I did have a look through the author's other content and it gave me some basis of understanding.
It's starts off with a typical dystopian world, which is very possible at some point in the near future of our world. With oligarchs ruling most of everything and everyone's lives depending on how important and what work they can do to serve the oligarchs .
The world is dying as we know it and story is based around 10 people selected to go to Mars in order to I guess preserve and save humanity. The person who is funding this is also an oligarch who is I guess according to the story the one good egg in the basket (jk no oligarch is good)
I think it's an interesting concept, but I didn't see anything new in terms of how one of these dystopian, let's save the earth type of story goes. I did like a lot of the diverse cast that were included but I have to say they were as individuals a bit shallow, as a POC, this was evident. I also understand religious trauma when I see it but I didn't really understand why this was such a key piece in a science fiction book but then I did have a look through the author's other content and it gave me some basis of understanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2024
While the idea of traveling to Mars is not unique to many people, especially those who partake of much sci-fi, this story was incredibly well-written and focused on how humans are currently on a trajectory that could make survival off our planet the only option. This critique of culture, politics, capitalism, and the general American way of life was poignant and deep. It take a lot of guts to write and publish a book that so adamantly claims that humans will destroy Earth. With that being said, this book was eye-opening and mind-opening to the possibilities of what we can do while on Earth to reduce the harm we can cause to the world we live in physically, socially, politically, emotionally, psychologically, and all the other -ally’s out there. I would suggest reading this book if you seek to be challenged in your understanding of the way things are, how science and technology advance, and what a future oriented toward Mars could come to.
I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review. I leave this review willingly.
I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review. I leave this review willingly.
November 23, 2024
The Last Voyage outlines a worryingly clear path from our present situation here on Earth to a worldwide capitalist dystopia. The voyage in the story from Earth to Mars is not for fun or exploration, it is a necessity. It is necessary for them to try and save a little sliver of humanity, both the ones on the ship, and the ones already on Mars who are descending into depression and violence. I was surprised at how much of the book took place on Earth, but I appreciated that they framed the prep work and training as a very important part of the voyage. Along those lines, the exposition was very effective; it drew me in right away, and I felt like I was able to get to know all of the characters quickly, which is hard to do when there's a large cast of characters all introduced at the same time. Overall, the story really drew me in and I wanted to keep reading, and I'm very excited for the next two books!
March 2, 2025
Wow this was depressing, set in the near future with oligarchs controlling presidents and social media ,this was barely science fiction. It felt almost current with misinformation rampant and the ecosystem being ignored and the world in dire straits.
And stick people into a confined space and everyone knows they will soon go stir crazy.
I felt that the first third of the book was very slow with much of the philosophising being repeated. I did get rather tired of Eve and Colfax permanently niggling each other with their opposing views on religion. Although labelled as a sci-fi novel these issues discussed at length could equally have been set in an early polar expedition or on a nuclear sub under the ice for example.
I was disappointed at the end to discover this was only the first book of three..
I don't feel inspired to read the next two especially as the very brief synopsis of book three gave too much away.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
And stick people into a confined space and everyone knows they will soon go stir crazy.
I felt that the first third of the book was very slow with much of the philosophising being repeated. I did get rather tired of Eve and Colfax permanently niggling each other with their opposing views on religion. Although labelled as a sci-fi novel these issues discussed at length could equally have been set in an early polar expedition or on a nuclear sub under the ice for example.
I was disappointed at the end to discover this was only the first book of three..
I don't feel inspired to read the next two especially as the very brief synopsis of book three gave too much away.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
February 7, 2025
I really liked this book! It explores topics such as overpopulation, oligarchy, utopian society, relationships between very different people and so on. I liked the writing style and the way that author quotes some other authors that explored civilisation and humanity in their own way. As an ecologist I really appreciated the accuracy of the terms that author used when he desribes his concept of Martian society. I think that the author is aware of the seriusness of the situation that he put his characters in, yet he still manages to keep the story light. The only thing that I didn't really enjoy, was that some monologues went on and on, but they didn't say anything more than they already did.
Overall, I think, that this book is great and I can't wait to see how the story will unfold :)
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
Overall, I think, that this book is great and I can't wait to see how the story will unfold :)
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
June 20, 2025
An interesting book about colonising Mars and leaving Earth forever. This book is set in the year 2050. As envisioned by the author there are no countries and it is the Oligarchs, a group of wealthy businessmen who rule the world and fight against each other for more control. 2 benefactors contribute to establish a colony in Mars and this book “the Last Voyage” is all about a select team of scientists, engineers and other specialists taking off on that last spaceflight out of Earth to mars. They face innumerable hurdles, and there is no way they can return. The book is the first of the trilogy the author has planned, and it ends on a suspenseful note. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed herein are my own.
November 23, 2024
3.5 stars
This story started off really interesting, lots of talk of how things work and the status of the world run by oligarchs, but after a while it started to wear on me a bit. The whole story is deep conversation after deep conversation which...made it so that then there was no tension. There should have been as things were happening that should have made me more like what is going to happen next?? But instead it was like okay let's sit down and talk about this and I don't know. It wasn't bad but it did wear on me after a while. I am curious to see where the story goes and would be interested in reading the next book when it comes out.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book
This story started off really interesting, lots of talk of how things work and the status of the world run by oligarchs, but after a while it started to wear on me a bit. The whole story is deep conversation after deep conversation which...made it so that then there was no tension. There should have been as things were happening that should have made me more like what is going to happen next?? But instead it was like okay let's sit down and talk about this and I don't know. It wasn't bad but it did wear on me after a while. I am curious to see where the story goes and would be interested in reading the next book when it comes out.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book
April 1, 2025
The Last Voyager is one of those books that sticks with you long after you turn the last page. The writing is smooth and engaging, making big philosophical ideas feel natural rather than overwhelming. The pacing is just right—never too slow, never rushed—letting you really sink into the journey.
What really stood out to me was the character development. The protagonist’s transformation feels real, and the supporting characters add layers to the story without feeling like filler. The plot weaves adventure with deeper existential questions in a way that kept me thinking. Some parts lean heavy on philosophy, but overall, it’s a fascinating and rewarding read.
What really stood out to me was the character development. The protagonist’s transformation feels real, and the supporting characters add layers to the story without feeling like filler. The plot weaves adventure with deeper existential questions in a way that kept me thinking. Some parts lean heavy on philosophy, but overall, it’s a fascinating and rewarding read.
June 27, 2025
A debut science fiction novel, The Last Voyage (2025) by Brian D. McLaren features a group of astronauts aboard a space flight to Mars in 2056. With the imminent potential destruction of earth, two international oligarchs choose eight scientists with engineering and ecology skills to go and establish a human friendly environment supporting life and populate Mars. A somewhat benign dystopian Sci-Fi tale that lacks specific technology and futuristic feel makes for a three star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to John Murray Press and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.
January 30, 2025
As soon as I read that the predicate triggers involve an over abundance of wealth and a disregard for the environment I could, unfortunately, predict the tone of this near-future tale. When would we be educated about climate change and perhaps throw in some “social justice?” Mr. McLaren uses science fiction (see George Orwell) to spin a tale about how he sees the current dangers circa 2024/2025 in an interesting novel hat uses a cudgel for us to learn about the dangers ahead ! Not my typical choice in my reading repertoire but glad to have read a book by a gifted author.
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