SPOILER FREE REVIEW

"We’re as smart as evolution made us. So we’re the minimum intelligence needed to ensure we can dominate our planets."

How do I even begin to review a book without spoiling anything?
If you're interested in space sci-fi, space voyages and explorations, and if you liked the Interstellar movie, then you'll probably enjoy this book very much like I did (I read this in 3 days).
There's a lot of science terms and theories, especially physics and astronomy, calculations and formulas involved, and a little bit of biology and chemistry too, but for me it was worded as simple as it can get. But then again, I'm someone from a science background, so this might be a breeze to read through, but perhaps for some other readers it will feel a bit like too much of an info dump in the middle part.

I suggest if this book interests you that much, just go into this book blind. All you need to know is our protagonist is on a space voyage to save Earth and our species. Why and when and what, work it out as you read. The writing is very smooth and straight forward.

Oh and the protagonist? He's so relatable, and since the story is told from first person POV, I get giddy and excited when he gets excited over a new discovery or findings.

"I’m a scientist! Now we’re getting somewhere! Time for me to use science. All right, genius brain: come up with something! …I’m hungry.
You have failed me, brain."

"I’m smart enough now to know I’m stupid. That’s progress"

Isn't our protagonist the most relatable?

That's about all I can give, but I really enjoyed this book, the pacing was great, with enough suspense and the right amount of curiosity that keeps you wanting to turn the pages.
I will unashamedly admit that I shed tears two times while reading.
Personally, I'm VERY SATISFIED with the ending, but this might vary from reader to reader.

"Self-sacrifice instincts makes the species as a whole more likely to continue"

5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(and it's one of my favourite read of 2024)