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The Last Gods

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The Last Gods

By: Adam Brownlie
Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya
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About this listen

What if you could live forever? What if you could become a god?

These are the questions Elodie Black faces in this gripping sci-fi drama, where cutting-edge brain science and the mysteries of the universe collide.

Elodie and Markus Black seem like an ordinary couple, but when Markus dies in a tragic accident, their lives take an extraordinary turn. Driven by love and desperation, Elodie hopes that Markus's groundbreaking research can bring him back to life. Instead, Elodie herself becomes the first to benefit from his work, launching her on a journey that transcends time, love, and even death.

As the world around her evolves at a breakneck pace, Elodie must navigate the complexities of immortality. She grapples with the grief of losing her husband, the allure of new love with her longtime friend Archer, and the heartache of losing her daughter Elexus. As Elodie transitions from human to Homo deus—a godlike being with limitless access to the universe—she discovers that even in a state of pure data and infinite pleasure, moral dilemmas and existential questions persist. When faced with the ultimate task of saving civilization from the impending end of the universe, Elodie must work with an AI named Coby, who is so powerful he could destroy civilization, but also holds the key to its future—and to her past.

Lose yourself in a thought-provoking story that blends science fiction with deep philosophical questions about life, love, and what it means to be human. Don't miss out on a story that's as engaging as it is enlightening—where the future of civilization, and perhaps your own beliefs, hang in the balance.

©2024 Adam Brownlie (P)2025 Adam Brownlie Genre Fiction Hard Science Fiction Psychological Science Fiction Fiction Mind-Bending Heartfelt Tearjerking
Thought-provoking Concepts • Philosophical Exploration • Excellent Narration • Rich Worldbuilding • Clear Voice
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Listener received this title free

I really enjoyed this audiobook! As a fan of sci-fi, I'm always looking for new takes on futuristic concepts. With the recent advancements in AI, this story seems like something out of a realistic future timeline if things continue to progress as exponentially as they have been. It made me question what I would do if faced with this reality, as a creative person who tries to embrace the excitement of technology and tries not to fear it.

The first thing I paid attention to here was the narration. Jennifer Jill Araya's voice was clear, and she was believable as she switched between character dialogue lines. It was a pleasant listen overall. If the narration isn't good, I usually tend to reach for a paper copy of the book instead to create them myself, in my head, as I read through. In this case, the narration made the story much easier to follow and listen to throughout the day.

The character building was thorough and solid as well! Each character had an individual personality, and I could tell a lot of time went into creating their backstories, which drove their moral decisions. Elodie was a likeable character, conflicted in her relationship with her husband, Marcus, as they had a difference of opinion when it came to religion. This was a realistic and deep conflict that laid the foundation for the events to come.

Marcus, on the other hand, was an interesting character on a separate path. His life ends abruptly, but his story is carried through Elodie and the difficult moral dilemma she faces. She believes in God, but does she want to become one? She is faced with grief, and decides to embrace Neural's technology, potentially at the expense of her relationship with her daughter and the God she believes in, as well as humanity as a whole.

The story's world is tangible and interesting. Set in the near future, it's a relatable place, but technology is further advanced and uploading your brain to a network is possible. This leaves people wondering about life and its purpose. Coby the AI, who is part of the network, could be viewed as a future, enhanced version of our everyday Alexa or Siri. Here, we feel a kind of urgency to protect what we believe to be life as a human, and human consciousness.

There are many deep implications in this story, with ethical, philosophical, and theological themes. It leaves you thinking long after about what you would decide to do if given the chance to live on in digital form beyond your physical body. Would it be a lonely place without physical touch and the simple things we love about life on Earth? This book elicits a timely debate as we face the growth of AI and decide whether to embrace it or stop it in its tracks before it takes over every aspect of our lives—work, relationships, and most surprisingly for me, personally: the arts.

Thought-provoking sci-fi

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Listener received this title free

The Last Gods is a hard sci-fi story that follows the life of a woman named Elodie, which was marked by rapid technological and societal change. The chain of events was started by her husband's attempt to create a perfect backup of the human brain, with the eventual goal of creating immortal life. While he passed before he could see this come to fruition, the rest of the story follows Elodie as this vision of immortal life as data is slowly realized.

The main question the story raises is what it means to be human, as humanity changes on several fundamental levels over the course of the story.

Since this is a shorter story, there are only a handful of characters, and we follow one of them, Elodie, throughout the entire story. Even as the course of human history changes, the main issues the protagonist faces are the same as anyone may experience today. The loss of loved ones is the most prominent recurring issue, but there are also themes such as your children growing up to be radically different from you, or worrying that you may become irrelevant in your workplace.

The story has strong religious overtones, with an emphasis on predestination. As a result, the protagonist is a static individual who only changes when she is acted upon, and not as a result of any conscious effort to change on her part. While this might seem like a matter of interpretation, this is almost all but said in the epilogue of the story; that she was incapable of making different choices, and that free will, in the view of this story, may not actually be real. While the concept of free will against the idea that all humans can be reduced to data is fascinating, it's much less compelling when you're watching the protagonist string the same man along for multiple decades, or miss key details about the world at large because she's too self-centered to look at anything else other than her immediate surroundings.

Despite the limitations that came with a protagonist with such a narrow view of life, The Last Gods is a thought-provoking look at what the future may be. This portrayal is cautionary without being overly bleak and encourages the reader to consider the good and the bad. Despite its shortcomings, the thought-provoking worldbuilding alone makes this worth the few hours it asks of listeners.

Deep, insightful, but occasionally frustrating

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Listener received this title free

I didn’t expect The Last Gods to pull me in the way it did, but from the first few chapters, I was hooked. The Last Gods is one of those rare sci-fi stories that hits both emotionally and intellectually. Adam Brownline blends brain science with cosmic philosophy in a way that feels both deeply intellectual and incredibly personal. Elodie is such a powerful main character. After losing her husband Markus, the story follows her evolution, not just emotionally, but literally, as she becomes the first Homo deus, a godlike being. What really struck me was how the author didn’t shy away from the emotional weight of immortality. Elodie’s grief, her complicated relationship with Archer, and the tragic loss of her daughter Elexus were all handled with so much depth and care. nd the epilogue… wow. It brought everything full circle. If you enjoy sci-fi with real heart and a philosophical edge, this is absolutely worth the listen. It challenges you to think while still delivering an unforgettable story.

What a journey this will really stick with me!!

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Listener received this title free

Absolutely! I finished listening to this book in a day. For a story under six hours, it told quite a lot and was enjoyable from start to finish. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Each character in this book was so human. So REAL. They were so three dimensional, no, four dimensional characters. They were flawed, relatable, like-able, and even dislike-able in their own unique ways.
Elodie Black was a fantastic protagonist who was both endearing and incredibly frustrating. Her love for her family was never a doubt. Her self awareness as the story goes was a breath of fresh air. All of her choices seemed so natural and understandable. Whether emotional and illogical, or logical and thought out. Elodie felt very human, even when she no longer was human.
The entire premise of the story with such advances in technology and human civilization poses so many questions I have and my brain is buzzing with curiosity from how thought provoking this story is.
I cannot give enough praise to the narrator Jennifer Jill Araya. You could hear the emotion being expressed from every character. When they were happy, sad, bitter, frustrated, or anything. You could hear it.
This was a short book, but it had such an impact on me. I cannot recommend this book enough and hope more like this will be written.

Is this book worth listening to?

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Listener received this title free

This book was very thought-provoking and kept getting more and more interesting as it went on. I think the book is commenting on the extremes of advancing AI and the moral/religious questions it poses which was certainly interesting to read about and think about. The narrator did an excellent job as well; I found the narration to be particularly enjoyable.

Original and engaging story

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Listener received this title free

The Last Gods is a much different genre from what I usually listen to with audiobooks and even podcasts, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! It's a story that raises a lot of different questions and thoughts from the readers as they listen along, and brings up many different struggles humans will inevitably go through throughout life. The loss of loved ones, disagreements with loved ones and issues with human relationships in general, what it means to be 'human' as a whole and more, all of which are brought up throughout the book as our main character, Elodie, must experience and deal with them in her own way as humanity evolves around and with her.

While Elodie isn't a perfect person by any means, the way she reacts and responds to these struggles feels very 'human', and we can see how it affects her overall throughout the story. The story does a great job presenting these struggles and having us as the readers form our own thoughts and opinions on them, almost alongside the characters as it's happening to them, and I think that's one of the best parts of The Last Gods. How it can, and will, bring up these multitude of questions as you'll form your consensus for each of them while you listen on. Even after reading it I can tell some of the themes and dilemas that appeared in the story will definitely stay with me for a good while. Overall, a very enjoyable book that I would reccomend to anyone who enjoys a sci-fi genre!

Also very quickly the narrator did a great job throughout, would absolutely say they added to the experience!

An Intriguing Story of What it Means to Be Human

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Listener received this title free

From the moment The Last Gods began, I got goosebumps. Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration brought Elodie’s world to life in such a visceral, compelling way. Her pacing was spot on, even when I adjusted the playback speed, everything still felt natural and emotionally grounded. There was one moment early on, when Elodie felt safe in her husband’s arms, that nearly broke my heart. The way Jennifer conveyed that warmth and vulnerability, especially knowing what was coming from the book’s summary, hit me hard.
Elodie is a well-written and deeply human character. The way she reflects, questions, and evolves over time makes her incredibly relatable. From the very beginning, there’s an undertone of foreshadowing, little memories resurfacing, passing thoughts that hint at something bigger, that makes you lean in and want to understand more. Her relationship with Markus had me frustrated at first (he definitely gave me a few “I’m gonna fight him” moments), but the story does a great job of showing why he is the way he is and that at the end of the day, he loves his wife. Even in just a few lines, you understand his worldviews and how much of it shapes the narrative going forward.
The drama throughout did keep me on my toes. I found myself gasping out loud more than once and bracing for what was coming next. The tension, both personal and philosophical between characters was really well done, and even though the beginning had a slow pace, it felt international getting the details out. There were a few conversations that felt like they trailed off a little too quickly, but nothing that seriously detracted from the story.
The timeskip did catch me off guard, and I had to rewind briefly to make sure I didn’t miss something. But once I settled into it, I appreciated how it showed just how much the world had changed. The worldbuilding itself is fascinating. It’s not overwhelming or dense, but it is unsettling in a very effective way. There’s this lingering feeling that this future, where identity, faith, and humanity are being redefined through technology, isn't entirely out of reach. The sense of “this could happen” stayed with me long after I finished listening.
Overall, The Last Gods is a thought-provoking, emotional journey through a future that feels both foreign and familiar. It asks big questions, about love, loss, faith and immortality and lets you sit with that discomfort of not always having clear answers. The narration only enhances the experience. I’m glad I listened to it, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi with emotional and philosophical depth.

Incredible Narration meets Sci-Fi

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Listener received this title free

The Last Gods is an intriguing sci-fi tale that explores some of religion's biggest questions through the lens of the ever-advancing Information Age. Through the life of Elodie, we’re introduced to a future where human consciousness evolves from immortal bodies into streams of data, within a universe that’s largely mapped and understood. Although it takes on some heavy concepts, it's helped by its brevity and pace. The ideas are never too drawn out, and there's plenty of space to breathe. It's especially compelling for readers who not only enjoy speculative science fiction, but also have an open mind toward religious themes. Rather than a critique of religion, the story is told through Elodie, who is a Christian, and it leans heavily toward integrating religious concepts into the narrative. Again, the structure of the book lends itself well to these themes and it never moralizes or detracts from the overarching story. The listener moves through the story without being weighed down by excessive world-building details.

That said, there are a few grievances regarding Elodie, whose perspective we follow through almost all of the book. Much of what felt emotionally or philosophically constricted in the story came through her limited point of view. For someone who had centuries to live and learn, she hardly seems to grow or adapt. She feels somehow too static in a story that spans millennia. For example, one theme explored in the book is that free will may not actually be real. This concept works within the narrative, but it shouldn't negate the idea that understanding and growth can still come as a consequence of choice, whether or not that choice was truly free. She repeatedly dismisses other people's views and somehow manages to string a lifelong friend along for centuries without recognizing the ramifications, despite the fact that the two can share consciousness through telepathy.

Despite Elodie feeling a bit shallow and static at times, The Last Gods is a thought-provoking exploration of what could happen when religious belief meets post-human consciousness. Though it's short, it’s unique and packs a hefty punch. The narration was easy and enjoyable from start to finish. It’s a wonderful choice for readers open to both science fiction and spiritual speculation. Well worth the listen.

Intriguing, Original, and Thought-Provoking

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Listener received this title free

This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a while. The main theme surrounding futuristic AI and automation concepts is mixed with more conventional religious overtones creating a unique blend that definitely kept me from putting the story down! For such a short book that is easy to digest in just a few days, it keeps you thinking about the concepts and story well after you finish. The main character Elodie struggles with concepts of love, God, time, and the future of the human race - and keeps you guessing about how her life will turn out throughout her turmoil and introspection. It is a fascinating tale and the narration fits the character beautifully from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend this read!

Intriguing story

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Listener received this title free

If scientists could develop a way to achieve immortality, how would that affect humanity?
The Last Gods by Adam Brownlie is a story that spans centuries, diving deep into what the human race could look like over time if technology was developed to back-up the human consciousness into the Cloud as though it were the pictures on our phones.

Elodie Black is a character rich with multiple levels of development that makes her very relatable while also elevating her above the average person. She is a devout Christian, dedicated to her family and her work, and that motivates her as she continuously develops the technology her husband pioneered. Her character could be infuriating at times, often selfish and lacking a bigger picture view, but it was a consistent character flaw that I found to be both frustrating and endearing.

The pacing of The Last Gods was balanced between quick emotional scenes and slower mindful scenes. A couple of the time skips were jarring due to their abruptness, and I had to go back and make sure I hadn’t accidentally skipped anything, but overall the jumps made sense with the narrative.

The emotional scenes were impactful and put the reader in Elodie’s shoes as she navigated the consequences of immortal life and how that changes what makes us human. Brownlie explores how loss and grief motivate Elodie’s decisions, pushing her to strive for more and go further at the detriment of her personal relationships. These aspects felt extremely relatable and humanized her character during the change towards living exclusively as data.

The characters for the most part seemed very distinct from each other, though I did struggle occasionally with being able to tell Marcus or Archer apart, as their speech and mannerisms seemed very similar at times. This could have also been a deliberate choice on Brownlie’s part to highlight the idea that Elodie imprints Marcus “over” Archer at times in her grief.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this thought provoking science-fiction what if novel. Jennifer Jill Araya did a fantastic job narrating and her voice was an excellent addition to the narrative. I look forward to listening to what Brownlie comes up with next!

Emotionally Speculative and Philosphical

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