Having previously enjoyed Brandon Q. Morris’ Proxima trilogy, which was well-structured and engaging, I had high hopes for The Death of the Universe. Unfortunately, this book fell short in several key areas, making it a frustrating rather than thought-provoking listen.
One of the biggest issues is how The Death of the Universe loses all sense of scale and coherence. The book attempts to tackle the ultimate fate of the cosmos but does so in a way that feels strangely reductive. Grand cosmic stakes are presented, but every challenge predictably finds a resolution, removing any real tension. There is a jarring mix of old and new technology that doesn’t fit together logically, making the worldbuilding feel forced rather than immersive.
The dialogue, instead of sounding natural or engaging, comes across as stiff and unnatural, almost as if the characters were lifted from a 1940s radio drama. The overly serious tone—likely intended to emphasize the gravity of the story—ends up feeling melodramatic, if not outright satirical. In a way, the book unintentionally borders on self-parody, taking the tropes of hard science fiction and amplifying them to an almost absurd level.
The audiobook narration only exacerbates this issue. The delivery feels forced, as if trying too hard to inject emotion into dialogue that was never particularly well-written to begin with. Rather than drawing me into the story, it highlighted the weaknesses in the writing, making the experience feel even more artificial.
Overall, The Death of the Universe is a disappointing misstep from an author who has previously demonstrated skill in crafting compelling science fiction. While the science itself remains intriguing, the execution is lacking. Instead of an awe-inspiring meditation on the fate of the cosmos, the book ends up feeling predictable, awkward, and unintentionally comedic.
If you’re a fan of Morris’ other works, you may find this worth checking out for the ideas alone—but don’t expect the same level of quality as Proxima.