Felicity Harley returns with Homo Deus, the stunning second installment in her ambitious “Until This Last” series, delivering a narrative that seamlessly weaves ancient mythology with cutting-edge science fiction. Following the groundbreaking foundation laid in The Burning Years, Harley crafts a story that explores the very essence of what it means to be human in a world where the boundaries between past and future, myth and reality, have been irrevocably blurred.
The Resurrection of Ancient Wisdom
At the heart of Homo Deus by Felicity Harley lies one of the most audacious scientific experiments in contemporary fiction. Sophia, our brilliant geneticist protagonist, achieves what many would consider impossible: she successfully clones the ancient Anunnaki deity Ningishzida, better known to mythology as Thoth, using a combination of her own DNA and genetic material discovered on Mars. This isn’t merely science fiction spectacle—it’s a profound exploration of identity, consciousness, and the cyclical nature of knowledge.
The character of Zid, as the resurrected Ningishzida comes to be known, represents one of Harley’s greatest achievements. Through him, she creates a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern crisis, embodying both the innocence of rebirth and the weight of millennia-old knowledge. His gradual awakening to his dual nature—part ancient god, part modern creation—provides some of the novel’s most compelling emotional moments.
Environmental Urgency Meets Ancient Solutions
Harley doesn’t shy away from the environmental catastrophe that serves as the backdrop for her narrative. The Earth’s surface has become uninhabitable, forcing humanity into underground dome cities where synthetic coffee replaces the real thing and sterile air circulation systems remove all natural scents. This post-climate-change world feels both dystopian and eerily plausible, serving as a stark reminder of our current environmental trajectory.
What elevates this beyond typical climate fiction is how Harley introduces ancient solutions to modern problems. Zid’s knowledge of gold’s molecular properties and earth-based energy systems offers hope that feels both mystical and scientifically grounded. The author’s background in social sciences shines through as she explores how environmental collapse affects social structures, relationships, and human consciousness.
Character Development That Resonates
The Evolution of Sophia
Sophia emerges as a complex protagonist whose scientific brilliance is matched by her emotional vulnerability. Her relationship with her creation—simultaneously maternal, scientific, and deeply personal—drives much of the narrative tension. Harley skillfully explores the psychological implications of creating life, especially when that life carries the memories and knowledge of an ancient deity.
Zid’s Dual Consciousness
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the novel is how Harley handles Zid’s dual consciousness. He retains his memories as Ningishzida while also carrying Sophia’s genetic memories, creating a unique perspective that allows him to view both human and Anunnaki history with fresh eyes. His gradual integration of these dual identities, particularly his developing emotional intelligence inherited from Sophia, provides rich character development throughout the narrative.
Supporting Characters That Enhance the Journey
The expedition team—including Nzarah, Max, Obi, Caroline, and Amadi—each brings distinct expertise and personality to the story. Harley avoids the trap of token diversity by giving each character genuine depth and purpose. Nzarah’s relationship with Zid, in particular, becomes complicated when she learns of his past involvement in genetic experiments on early humans, adding moral complexity to their developing romance.
Mythological Authenticity Meets Scientific Rigor
Harley’s extensive research into Sumerian mythology and ancient Egyptian wisdom traditions elevates the fantasy elements beyond mere speculation. Her portrayal of Thoth/Ningishzida draws from genuine mythological sources while extrapolating their potential real-world applications. The author’s acknowledgment that she doesn’t intend to detract from Egypt’s actual history demonstrates the respectful approach she takes to these ancient cultures.
The scientific elements feel equally grounded. Harley’s exploration of genetic cloning, DNA memory, and advanced materials science reflects current scientific understanding while pushing into plausible future developments. Her description of protocell technology, warm nuclear fusion, and bioengineered building materials creates a technological landscape that feels both advanced and achievable.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Page
The Nature of Identity and Consciousness
Homo Deus grapples with fundamental questions about what makes us human. Through Zid’s unique perspective, Harley explores whether consciousness is bound to original biology or can transcend genetic modification and resurrection. The novel suggests that identity is fluid, shaped by both inherited memory and new experience.
Environmental Responsibility and Ancient Wisdom
The book presents a compelling argument that ancient civilizations may have possessed technologies and wisdom that could address our current environmental crisis. Zid’s knowledge of earth-based energy systems and molecular manipulation of gold offers hope while suggesting that progress isn’t always linear.
The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
Through Sophia’s experiment and the revelations about the Anunnaki’s past genetic modifications of humanity, Harley examines the moral implications of creating and modifying life. The novel doesn’t provide easy answers but encourages readers to consider the responsibilities that come with such power.
Literary Craftsmanship and World-Building
Harley’s prose strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her background in journalism serves her well in creating clear, engaging narrative flow, while her social sciences education provides depth to the world-building. The underground cities feel lived-in and authentic, with details like synthetic coffee and sterile air circulation systems adding texture without overwhelming the narrative.
The pacing expertly balances character development with plot advancement. Quieter moments of relationship building and philosophical discussion are balanced with action sequences and scientific discoveries. The expedition to South Africa’s abandoned gold mines provides an excellent crescendo that combines adventure with mythological revelation.
Connection to The Burning Years
Readers familiar with The Burning Years will appreciate how Homo Deus by Felicity Harley expands the series’ scope while maintaining narrative continuity. The introduction of trans-human characters like Inanna and Rajeev from the first book provides context for Sophia’s genetic experiments, while the ongoing environmental crisis maintains thematic consistency. New readers can enjoy this installment independently, though they’ll gain additional depth from reading the series in order.
A Bridge Between Genres
What makes Homo Deus particularly remarkable is how it transcends traditional genre boundaries. It functions equally well as science fiction, fantasy, environmental fiction, and philosophical exploration. Young adult readers will connect with the coming-of-age elements in Zid’s story, while adult readers will appreciate the complex scientific and philosophical themes.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Addition to Speculative Fiction
Homo Deus by Felicity Harley represents the kind of ambitious, thoughtful science fiction that the genre needs more of. Harley creates a narrative that entertains while challenging readers to consider fundamental questions about human nature, environmental responsibility, and the cyclical nature of knowledge and wisdom.
The novel succeeds because it never forgets that great science fiction is ultimately about humanity. Through Zid’s unique perspective as both ancient deity and modern creation, Harley explores what it means to be human in ways that feel both timeless and urgently contemporary.
For readers seeking science fiction that combines rigorous scientific speculation with mythological depth and environmental consciousness, Homo Deus delivers on all fronts. It confirms Felicity Harley as a voice worth following in speculative fiction and leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the “Until This Last” series.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If Homo Deus by Felicity Harley resonated with you, consider exploring these similar titles:
- The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk – Environmental activism meets spiritual warfare
- The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin – Geological catastrophe and ancient powers
- The Quantum Thief series by Hannu Rajaniemi – Complex identity and memory manipulation
- Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – Post-apocalyptic character-driven narrative
- The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell – First contact with philosophical depth
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler – Environmental collapse and human resilience
- The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell – Non-fiction examination of climate change impacts
Homo Deus is the second book in Felicity Harley’s “Until This Last” series, following The Burning Years. Harley brings extensive credentials as a published journalist, social scientist, and human rights advocate to her speculative fiction, creating narratives that blend entertainment with social consciousness.
