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Last of Her Kind
Cerulean, a guardian-alien from Lux, wants to save humanity from extinction, but when his race begins to use humans in crossbreed experiments, he must let go of his past and help forge a new world. As a prelude to the Newearth series, Last of Her Kind sets the stage for an inter-alien alliance, which might just learn to value human beings as more than throwaway tools. Cerulean's admiration for Anne evolves into an extraterrestrial high road—offering the universe true humanity.
- GenresScience Fiction
366 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2017
68 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Frailey
20 books93 followersA.K. Frailey is also known as Ann Frailey.
A. K. Frailey is the author of a historical sci-fi and science fiction series, short story collections, inspirational non-fiction books, a children’s book, and a poetry collection.
Her novels expand from the OldEarth world to the Newearth universe—where deception rules but truth prevails.
Her nonfiction work focuses on the intersection of motherhood, widowhood, practicing gratitude, and rediscovering joy.
Ann homeschooled all her children. She manages her rural homestead with her kids and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge, a literacy tutor, and secretary/treasurer of her small town’s cemetery.
A. K. Frailey is the author of a historical sci-fi and science fiction series, short story collections, inspirational non-fiction books, a children’s book, and a poetry collection.
Her novels expand from the OldEarth world to the Newearth universe—where deception rules but truth prevails.
Her nonfiction work focuses on the intersection of motherhood, widowhood, practicing gratitude, and rediscovering joy.
Ann homeschooled all her children. She manages her rural homestead with her kids and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge, a literacy tutor, and secretary/treasurer of her small town’s cemetery.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 11, 2018
This book was my introduction to the writings of A. K. Frailey, but it will not be the last. The hard part about discovering a new author is figuring out what to read next. That was my problem with this book and this author. This book was so good that I had picked up to more of her eBooks to read even before I finished this one. This is a story that has stayed with me. I finished this book a week ago, and yet I find myself the story and characters coming back to mind often. It is a very interesting piece of speculative fiction. This is science fiction more along the lines of Alfred Bester or Frank Herbert, and far less like Asimov or Heinlein.
This is a story that spans decades, and at times jumps ahead in time. And yet it does not feel long or disjointed. There is an amazing twist that I did not catch on to until about three-quarters of the way through the book. The subtle Christian themes, and as time progresses more Catholic themes fit very well in the story. It is not a story that was written and had religious elements sprinkled in. It was a book that was hard to put down, and het some of the themes are so powerful, so moving that twice I had to put the book down.
The two main characters are Cerulean, an alien watcher on earth from the Lux. His people send out watchers to keep an eye on other races to stay ahead of threats. They are not supposed to interfere. Their race is an energy and light, but they can assume human forms. And a woman named Anne, a woman who at the beginning of the story is hoping that she will become pregnant. Anne grew up with a mother who was afraid of almost everything, and she has been determined to not become like her mother. She is a school teacher at the beginning of the story.
There is a problem on earth. At first fertility rates start dropping, and not just in some area's globally. Soon it is an epidemic, and it looks like natural births have stopped for humans. Anne is one of the last women on the planet to become pregnant and her daughter Mary was one of the last children born. Scientists in different regions try and solve the problem, all kinds of methods are attempted to extend human life, but with little success. At first the world is coming together to tackle this problem but under pressure all things break down. As human's struggle with their impending demise, Cerulean must return home because of conflict on his own world.
This is a very interesting read. It will entertain, but also make you think. It is very well written, with amazing characters, a stunning plot, and a pace that really fits the story. This book would be great for fans of classic science fiction stories that are not the space opera kind. And the religious themes make it an excellent Christian fiction story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by A.K. Frailey!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and soon reviews of other books by A.K. Frailey.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
This is a story that spans decades, and at times jumps ahead in time. And yet it does not feel long or disjointed. There is an amazing twist that I did not catch on to until about three-quarters of the way through the book. The subtle Christian themes, and as time progresses more Catholic themes fit very well in the story. It is not a story that was written and had religious elements sprinkled in. It was a book that was hard to put down, and het some of the themes are so powerful, so moving that twice I had to put the book down.
The two main characters are Cerulean, an alien watcher on earth from the Lux. His people send out watchers to keep an eye on other races to stay ahead of threats. They are not supposed to interfere. Their race is an energy and light, but they can assume human forms. And a woman named Anne, a woman who at the beginning of the story is hoping that she will become pregnant. Anne grew up with a mother who was afraid of almost everything, and she has been determined to not become like her mother. She is a school teacher at the beginning of the story.
There is a problem on earth. At first fertility rates start dropping, and not just in some area's globally. Soon it is an epidemic, and it looks like natural births have stopped for humans. Anne is one of the last women on the planet to become pregnant and her daughter Mary was one of the last children born. Scientists in different regions try and solve the problem, all kinds of methods are attempted to extend human life, but with little success. At first the world is coming together to tackle this problem but under pressure all things break down. As human's struggle with their impending demise, Cerulean must return home because of conflict on his own world.
This is a very interesting read. It will entertain, but also make you think. It is very well written, with amazing characters, a stunning plot, and a pace that really fits the story. This book would be great for fans of classic science fiction stories that are not the space opera kind. And the religious themes make it an excellent Christian fiction story. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by A.K. Frailey!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and soon reviews of other books by A.K. Frailey.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
February 16, 2018
Last of Her Kind's intriguing premise pulled me in! What happens when humans fail to replace themselves? How does the culture change when there are no more babies or children? Set against the backdrop of a world in decline, A.K. Frailey introduces an alien race that has intertwined its history with Earth's for generations. An array of changing family dynamics - in both races - and a romance breathe life into the social and political problems pressing in from all sides. Entertaining and, as in any good science fiction, rife with ethical issues with which to contend.
February 16, 2018
This is a creative, thought-provoking, and visual science fiction. All the characters are well-developed with unique personalities, but my favorite is Cerulean, the “casual but dignified” guardian-alien, who develops strong feelings for humanity and for his charge, Anne. I love how the story unfolds and delves into human nature, exploring the possibilities of where humanity could end up, shown both through human characters and the eyes of Luxonian aliens.
April 11, 2018
One of the best books I have read
It is hard to write about a book that moved me so much. Anne made me cry and yet I shook my head at her courage. My belief has actually increased a little by the beauty of this tale.
It is hard to write about a book that moved me so much. Anne made me cry and yet I shook my head at her courage. My belief has actually increased a little by the beauty of this tale.
May 13, 2018
Loved this book
After almost 70 years of being a reader, the most exciting thing I can find to read is a new thought, or idea for handling the writing of a story. This was unique, entertaining and I really loved the character development. People I can relate to and actually care about have become few and far between. These characters were so real. I love that.
I've seen this reviewed as a depressing dystopian story but I didn't see it that way at all. The characters were mostly honorable, helping humans like we see in America after a tragedy hits. The people who work hard and selflessly to provide for not only themselves but for other honorable and hard working people who are needing just a bit of a hand up so they can regain their own balance and pass the helping hand forward.
I found it to be uplifting and enjoyable to share the lives of these "neighbors".
If you enjoy quiet characterization without tons of violence, swearing or chase scenes, then this is a must read. I enjoyed it so much that I've re-read it a half dozen times even though I have many other books waiting to be read and I will go back to it again and again. Whenever I need a positive view on people and hope when things are going badly. May I handle my difficult times with the kind of dignity that Ann does.
For a synopsis of this book, I'll refer you to the many other excellent reviews on Amazon. Do yourself a big favor and give this excellent book and it's storyteller a read. You'll be glad you did. I just wish I could have given this one a much higher rating since five stars are way too low.
After almost 70 years of being a reader, the most exciting thing I can find to read is a new thought, or idea for handling the writing of a story. This was unique, entertaining and I really loved the character development. People I can relate to and actually care about have become few and far between. These characters were so real. I love that.
I've seen this reviewed as a depressing dystopian story but I didn't see it that way at all. The characters were mostly honorable, helping humans like we see in America after a tragedy hits. The people who work hard and selflessly to provide for not only themselves but for other honorable and hard working people who are needing just a bit of a hand up so they can regain their own balance and pass the helping hand forward.
I found it to be uplifting and enjoyable to share the lives of these "neighbors".
If you enjoy quiet characterization without tons of violence, swearing or chase scenes, then this is a must read. I enjoyed it so much that I've re-read it a half dozen times even though I have many other books waiting to be read and I will go back to it again and again. Whenever I need a positive view on people and hope when things are going badly. May I handle my difficult times with the kind of dignity that Ann does.
For a synopsis of this book, I'll refer you to the many other excellent reviews on Amazon. Do yourself a big favor and give this excellent book and it's storyteller a read. You'll be glad you did. I just wish I could have given this one a much higher rating since five stars are way too low.
April 15, 2018
Depressing Dystopian End or Beginning?
This is a very good book📑, if you can make your way through it. It's also a very long book as Sci-fi novels go.
Much of the book is a depressing dystopian depiction of a dying earth🌍 and dying diseased humans disappearing quickly.
An Alien, Cerulean, a being of bright light, comes to earth🌍 every ten years to check on a woman, Anne. He is able to take a human form, but eventually she catches on.
He keeps tabs on her as her daughter, Mary, is one of The last children ever born on Earth🌍 to a human being.
Over the years, living conditions get grimmer and grimmer.
I really dislike dystopian novels because they are so depressing and hopeless. But eventually nature has to start going the other way, doesn't it?
This is a very good book📑, if you can make your way through it. It's also a very long book as Sci-fi novels go.
Much of the book is a depressing dystopian depiction of a dying earth🌍 and dying diseased humans disappearing quickly.
An Alien, Cerulean, a being of bright light, comes to earth🌍 every ten years to check on a woman, Anne. He is able to take a human form, but eventually she catches on.
He keeps tabs on her as her daughter, Mary, is one of The last children ever born on Earth🌍 to a human being.
Over the years, living conditions get grimmer and grimmer.
I really dislike dystopian novels because they are so depressing and hopeless. But eventually nature has to start going the other way, doesn't it?
November 10, 2018
This is a book/story which has a little bit of everything in it. It starts out with the eventual destruction of the human race and an alien race that's watching this process. This alien race is also on a path to destruction and it seems that both races have a common problem. The story then begins to delve into religious aspects of a mutual destruction and how God fits into each races development and future demise. This is not a dry, religious tome about what happens when you die, but a very richly told tale with vibrant characters who are striving to come to terms with their death and the death of everyone that they know and love. It is also a love story that has covered many generations. A unique story that covers a unique viewpoint in the end of the world.
February 18, 2022
This immensely entertaining novel kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I'd figured out what was about to happen, a twist or a turn surprised me (except maybe once). The deep love of God, even if not always at first, and the human kindness exhibited by characters reminded me that there's hope for humanity. I emotionally connected right away with the main female character, Anne, and her troubled relationships with family members. Whether or not you believe that extraterrestrials exist, you might need to suspend your reality to enjoy this story, but it's worth it, in my opinion. It evoked many emotions, and I did tear up at one point.
November 1, 2018
Thought provoking
Not necessarily the people from another world, even though they were very interesting. Just what we are doing to this world, and what we should do differently.
Not necessarily the people from another world, even though they were very interesting. Just what we are doing to this world, and what we should do differently.
December 24, 2017
I didn't like this book. It was too depressing and I really disliked the ending.
May 3, 2023
This extreme lengthy audiobook was not a romance. it was a very different kind of book than I am used to reading. It was an in depth exploration of the future of human kind extinction. There are aliens who observe humans from a distance, not allowed to interfere. There is spiritualism with faith in God for the heroine in her decisions. Narrator Brian Jeffords' talents is the reason I listened til the end.
April 22, 2018
Most depressing book that I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews