In general "The Last Theorem" was not well received by critics. "Entertainment Weekly" in their review of the novel said that "uneven pacing and tone mar an intriguing cautionary tale." The "Los Angeles Times" wondered how stable the manuscript was when it was published, adding that it does nothing to "burnish the legacy of either of its authors." The "San Francisco Chronicle", however, described the novel as a "fitting valedictory for Clarke, ... and a reminder of Pohl's great relevance to a genre he has championed for more than 70 years."