Book Review--The Last Hour of Gann

I have to review this book because it blew me away.  It's the first time I've read a book, in a long while, that I really couldn't put down.  You've may have or could read the description on amazon or wherever you go to buy it, but in short, it's a sci-fi novel about a woman from earth who crash lands in a colony ship with other earthlings on an alien planet where the alien's are humanoid, but reptilian. Determined to survive, she does what the others of her kind can't do.  She realizes she has to adapt to the new planet and accept it as her home.

What I loved about it is how masterfully it was written. Not only does the author realize a completely new world with new creatures and a new culture, but she does a shockingly poignant description of religion and God.  Meoraq, the alien, is a deeply religious man who let's god guide him on his journey.  Amber, the human, is an atheist with no belief in a god.  Along the way, things happen that make you think that the author is trying to prove there isn't a god and destroy Meoraq's faith. 

*spoilers ahead*

However, even after Meoraq learns his religion is totally made up and why, his faith in god is restored because during the course of their journey, Amber comes to have faith in god and is able to show him the way back.  It ends on a high note as he becomes the new prophet for the new religion that he will go forth and preach. Shockingly close to the difference between Mosaic law, and the change that Jesus made when he walked the earth.

The novel was thought provoking, touching, and held my attention over it's very long process.  This is also a love story as the two aliens grow to love each other, although they don't have any reason to be attracted to each other.  Meoraq finds her ugly, but falls for her spirit and strength. Amber finds him unbending and fanatical.  Yet, they can still fall together even with obvious physical differences and oddities. 

One of the best books I've read in a long while!

**As a warning, this is a pretty raw book, with graphic sexual situations, and horrible acts between people including graphic rape.  So definitely not recommended for anyone under 21.