The Last Book in the Universe

Reader reviewed by Lex


The novel, The Last Book in the Universe, is a futuristic novel that will keep you on the end of your seat through the entire book. You will wish there was a second book after you finish it. Set in the future, where the sky is gray and the ground is asphalt, the book takes you on a journey of a life time. This book is extremely worth reading, because it will get a person thinking about what the future will actually be like. It is a must read for all ages.

Spaz, who is the main character, is a 14-year-old boy who is terribly lonely and confused about life. When he meets an old gummy named Ryter, he gets even more confused. When his sister calls for immediate help, he sets out with Ryter and their little friend, Little Face to help her. They pick up a proov, an improved person, along the way. Meeting Monkey Boys, Mongo the Magnificent and Vandals alike, they will have to journey to the other side of the Urb, and finally into the lush Eden. This book is perfect for girls and boys alike.


With approximately four main characters, this book is filled with evil and kind people alike. Spaz is a 14-year-old with an attitude, but loses it soon after he realizes how dangerous the journey will be. Ryter is an old but wise old man who insists on coming on the trek. Billy Bizmo, the latch boss, forbids Spaz to go to find his sister. But in the end, Spaz finds out why Billy has especially liked him. Lanaya, the proov girl whom Ryter saved, is a prissy but brave girl of about 13. She takes them to Spazs sister, but not without jumping through a few hoops first.

This book teaches that when a friend is in need, do everything possible to help. This is a very important virtue to learn while young. This is perfect book to hear that message. There is absolutely nothing wrong about this book, so it is highly recommended for all ages that can understand. The quote I like best, Today is theirs, but the future is ours, is a very awesome quote, because it is really true.

It is a book worth your time, and you will be left thirsting for more. Then you can check out more of Rodman Philbricks books.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

Imagine a world where books did not exist and instead, people used mind-rotting 'mind-probes' for entertainment. In this same world, gangs rule the different territories and it's a dirty and filthy world.

After a difficult past, Spaz needs to watch his back to survive. Spaz suffers from epilepsy (that's how he got his nickname) and is seen as weak. His condition puts him in danger, but when he meets Ryter one day, his life changes forever. Ryter is writing the a book, even though books are unheard of in their day. He also meets 'Littleface' that tags along in his adventures.

One day, Spaz gets news that his sister, Bean, from his former life (before living with the gang he lives with now) is dying and wants to see him. Can Spaz make his way with Ryter and Littleface past the other gang territories and save Bean's life? Along the way, he meets a proov (a genetically improved and perfected person) named Linnea that surprisingly wishes to assist Spaz and his new-found friends on their quest. But even with a proov, can this group of friends accomplish what they set out to do?

This was a scary look on what the future might hold, but a fantastic read! It was an action-packed story that had a bittersweet ending and several surprising twists! If you like futuristic stories like The Giver, then you might enjoy this story as well!

Reader reviewed by Mewninetytwopointfive

A must-have book about Rodman Philbricks idea of the future. It involves genetically improved people, probes, and Eden. And, there are no books. This book is, again, a must-have.

This book involves a resident of the Urb. His name is Spaz, which isnt the coolest name around. The book is entirely in his point of view. It also involves an old man named Ryter, who is wise, and dies in the end. There is also Little Face, who is a child hobo who befriends Spaz. Last, but absolutely positively NOT least, Lanaya, who lives in Eden, and is genetically improved, so shes a proov. Unlike those other proovs, who are the mean ol Im-so-cool-and-normals-are-cruddy-little-trash-bags other proovs, Lanaya is not racist against normals and probably has a crush on Spaz.

The book takes place 1000 years in the future. There are no more books. There are just probes that shoot the excitement in your brains. Ouch! Eden, where Lanaya is from, is just like the world is today. The Urb, where Spaz lives, can be compared to a certain place in Biblical stories where the non-Christians go to when they die, no offense to non-Christians, except without 24/7 fires. A huge earthquake wiped out the whole world, except Eden.

There are certain relations to the characters in the book. There is probably a one-sided romance between Spaz and Lanaya. Lanaya probably likes Spaz, but there is nothing in the book that says Spaz likes Lanaya. Ryter is Spazs friend, and Little Face mostly relies on Spaz for food.

This book seems real when everyones in Eden. Eden is just like Earth today. There are real fish instead of holograms, and the description kind of reminds me of todays open fields, rivers, and lakes.

However, you know that its sci-fi when there are probes and holograms. There are holoquariums, or holographic fish. And when the book talks about the Urb. There is no place on Earth like the Urb, so its sci-fi.

I strongly recommend this book. It is great for all ages, and has a great idea of the future. I hope the disaster doesnt happen to us, though.