The Last Stop

The Last Stop #1

by Michael H. Burnam

The Last Stop asks the question: What happens when Evolution ends? It's Ender's Game meets Close Encounter of the Third Kind - a character-driven action packed drama first set in a high school suffused with emerging sexuality and a strict pecking order, followed by wild flying saucer rides to the dark side of the moon, and then to a city under the ice on Europa where seemingly anything is possible. Mature Sci-Fi devotees will appreciate The Last Stop's hardcore science and philosophy. Young adult readers will enjoy its fast-paced action, stunning visual imagery, three-dimensional characters, teenage protagonists and just the right dash of humor. Who says a feelgood story can't be classic Sci Fi?

Genres: Science Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2016

Reviews

[Beatrice Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*

A Science Fiction with UFOs, super power suits and flying further than Mars in a few hours.

This book was fast paced with action, adventure and visits to the moon. This book was one that I will definitely be reading again!

My favourite character has to be Pam, who, although can’t walk very well, has spirit, which names her my favourite character.

I didn’t see the need for the military side of this book and the military chapters bored me. The fact that Mickey had found a superpower suit and had travelled space with David would have been a story enough.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this book and Recommend it to UFO lovers!

[Melinda Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This book was received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Actual Rating 3.5/5 stars

This was a good book however at the beginning I found it quite slow moving and hard to get into. I think that to make it more interesting and fast-paced, the plot line about the military could be cut out. Removing this would not alter the actual plot very much or the over-all resolution except the authorities wouldn't be present in the scene; even if the authorities were a smaller part of the book I think this would help as I found these parts tended to drag on and didn't really add much to the overall plot. I did like the scientific knowledge infused into the plot and enjoy the second half of the book. I also think that if Mickey and David spent less time discovering each power of the suit individually this might stop the book from dragging on. Back to the second half of the book. I really enjoyed reading about Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, and the aliens that inhabited the area. The idea that a race could completely immortalise themselves by slowing integrating more and more technology into their bodies in a cyborg-like fashion was really intriguing. I like the fact the author acknowledged that this immortalisation could lead to a lack of humanity among the race; they lost the ability to feel emotions and this was their downfall. I did find the ending a bit weird though as it wasn't made explicitly clear whether the robots could reproduce and that was the way their race would live on, whether Pam was the mother of one of the robot babies or whether the race would simply continue on as Pam and David's children would be taught the culture of the alien race and would effectively be a part of their culture. I also found it a bit weird as Pam and David were only supposed to be seventeen by this stage and seemed to be woefully under prepared to be parents. Overall, this was an intriguing read that has a slow beginning but a strong ending.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Last Stop by Michael H. Burnam, we follow two teens, Mickey and David, after they find a weird suit that gives them especial powers. I really liked most of the character, Mickey and David, are two nerds and awkward who can be witty and adorable. We also follow two more teens, Pam and Vicky.

Pam wears leg "braces" which I often forgot because it seemed like it only came up when the story needed. I also didn't really understand what leg braces were or if Pam could walk or not, this went until around 50%. Vicky was one of the popular girls who became friend with Pam because Vicky's friends were making fun of her, but Vicky defended her. Vicky was a characters that the author was trying too hard to include in the story.

Many of the teens interactions, mostly Pam and Vicky's, felt a little awkward at times. For the most part, the girls did not sound like any teenage girl I know, nerd, popular, or normal.

Also, the narrative of the book was a little weird, it was almost as if the book was written on the perspective of someone stalking the teenagers. It also jumped from one point of view to another without any signals, not even a paragraph separation, which made me confused and had me rereading the same page at least twice.

I didn't love this book but I don't think it would be fair to give it any less than 3 stars, because I did enjoyed her while I was reading and I was entertained. However, the neither the story or the characters are memorable.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn’t like this one as much as I wanted to. The Blurb for this book was really good and it is what made me download it. The delivery of the story left me …underwhelmed. I hate to say it but I didn’t really like the characters that much. The writing was just okay and I didn’t think it was in any way comparable to Ender’s Game (which I absolutely loved) or Close Encounters. There were some really great themes in the book but the fell apart as soon as they became more than an idea.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for teenagers, possibly young adults, but perhaps a little young for older readers. The ideas are great, and I think that as the series progressed it perhaps becomes a bit more interesting, but this is the first book and I have not read the others, just their blurb.
I would have preferred a perhaps more developed style of writing, but that's only my preference.

[Love, Celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say 3,5 stars. The book has an interesting plot. I like the notion that aliens are not necessarily evil and want to destroy the earth. Almost every alien movie is about an alien apocalypse and that was a nice change.

I do have some points that took off stars. For one the whole teenage behavior was at times a little awkward. I have never met anyone who used Dude as much as David and Mickey. And then there are some scenes that just sound awkward:
When you are asking your parents to take your car to Venice beach you don't tell your parents that you are going

"to check out the babes"

I'm not a guy but I feel like that's not how a socially awkward teenage boy would ask his parents for their car.

Also:

"Mickey stuck out two fingers, another secret handshake between postpubescent males."

it just sounds so awkward...

I would also add that chest bumping is not usually done when you accomplish something in a dangerous situation. It sounded a lot like the author didn't quiet know how his teenage protagonists should behave and that insecurity was visible in the text.

The next point is a little more subtle but the women in this book were rather stereotyped. Mickey's mother was always in the kitchen baking, the news reporter was described as a hot, blond woman and the soldiers whistled after her. There were no women involved in the secret service nor the military or the police. Also the secret service guys came across as rather dense. I mean you are observing the boys and don't even verify the things you are finding. If you assume that the Silver Dudes are a band you don't know you'd check it right?

Besides the little awkward interactions and the male/female stereotypes this book is a nice change from the apocalyptic dystopian worlds. I did enjoy it and it would be very nice if that would actually happen.

[Barbara Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a young adult or a sci fi reader, so I am not Mr. Burman's target audience. However,still I was able to pick up The Last Stop and read it from start to finish. Initially, I found it slow reading and frankly too scientific, but I understand it's a feature not a glitch. It is science fiction story after all. What I most like was the plot, and the science didn't get in the way of my enjoying it. By the end of the book, I actually cared what happens to Pam and David, and I'll find out just as soon as I can get my hands on the sequel.

[T.W.R. Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

When best friends David and Mickey stumble across a super suit and accidentally take a trip to the moon and back, things start to get weird. What the boys don't know is that they're being tested by otherworldly beings who have the potential to save their world.

There were elements of this story that I really loved but there were also some drawbacks that made the story drag. I had difficulty sympathizing with any of the four main characters because they all seemed fairly stereotypical and trope-y. Are all teens so whiny? I almost put the book down at around 47%, but then the aliens showed up and I finally got hooked.

I wish their had been more time in space and less on Earth in this book, because I really enjoyed learning about the Europa creatures and their connection to Earth. I thought they were incredibly interesting and their willingness to help the teens and their world was a new twist. I could see this translating into a really cool film. I wanted more aliens!!!

I'd be interested to see if there is a sequel on the works because although the book doesn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger, it seems to hint that it's just the beginning.

I would recommend this to teens who are interested in scifi and adventure.

[Mel { wolfsbanebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can I first say how weird I find the official description? I hadn’t read it before but it seems more like a small review and outline, than an actual description. Should I try my own description instead?

Mickey’s life changes completely when he stumbles into a hole and finds a suit. While it looks normal, putting it on will change the human race forever for better or worse.

*Gasp!* Doesn’t that sound so much better? Anyways… Let’s get into this.

This book has a very interesting concept that did speak to me, although it follows two major storylines, one of which I didn’t care for whatsoever. The first being the story of the four teenagers you can also see on the cover who are just having a weird and amazing adventure, the other one being the gouvernment trying to unravel their secrets and basically being very stalker-y.

I did enjoy most of the characters in this book, they had a very interesting history together and complex relationships, and a lot of development to go through and discover more about who they are in this context.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
FULL REVIEW: https://melgoethals.wordpress.com/201...

[M. C. (MagsTheBookWorm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Stop is a sci-fi adventure novel geared toward young adults. The two main protagonists of the story are off on a camping trip when one stumbles upon a mysterious suit that seemingly grants him superpowers. As he becomes more accustomed to it, more functions and possibilities are revealed. Soon, the friends find themselves inside a flying saucer and whisked through space, not once but twice. The aliens behind the technology have a story to tell and a request to make of our young heroes and their companions. But in the end, are the beings asking for more than they are willing to give...?

I would first like to state that I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. I found this coming of age tale to be enjoyable and full of adventure, all seen through the eyes of youth. The pace was steady, the plot poignant and engaging - though a bit fantastical, and the characters likeable. Through the tale we get to see them grow and mature through their experiences. This was a fun read, and I would definitely recommend.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Last Stop” is not your usual sci-fi tale that portrays aliens as evil beings ready to annihilate earth, but an advanced species that wants to help in exchange for … What could earthlings possibly have that aliens want?

The story allows our foursome of conflicted teens to look at the human race through the eyes of another species, analyze their own shortcomings and our tendency to use violence to solve conflict. The teens not only learn much about themselves and their families, they take us on a breathtaking ride through the galaxy.

The Last Stop is a story of faith and fostering hope. Fast-paced and at times humorous, The Last Stop is filled with fun details about alien technology that will make you ask for more.

[Tina Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Stop by Michael H Burnham was a faced paced but thoroughly exciting. It engages the reader on many levels. It had excellent character development and was transcribed in away that I felt like I was there. The four teens in the book connect them with intelligent life. Together the aliens and teens embark on an amazing adventure of self discovery and a deeper understanding of one another and what our purpose is in the universe. I could easily see this as a series on T. It was a clean read and I highly recommend this exciting and hopeful Sci fy novel to all ages. I was given a copy of The Last Stop by the publisher and their partnership with Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[San · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book, which I am sad about, because the description sounded awesome.

From the first page on the writing-style seemed so clunky to me: many short sentences, a lot of "tell not show".

The ideas were good, even great - but the implementation was lacking in depth.
The characters were flat and 1-dimensional, the story always went: interesting idea - most direct and uninteresting implementation - new interesting idea ...

It was frustrating.

[Sang · Rating 3 out of 5]

***NetGalley ARC***
More like a 2.5 Nice enough as an idea, not nearly nice enough as a finished novel. Not very likeable characters, clunky progression, lacklustre writing... not a book I enjoyed too much, and most certainly unfairly compared to Ender's Game, and Close Encounters.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a slow start for me but once I got into it the pages flew by. I enjoyed the story and the characters. It was a clean read and very good for all ages.

[Teresa]

* e-Arc provided by Netgalley *