The 5th Wave

The 5th Wave was an adequate start to what might just be a promising new series for me. The world building was well executed, the tone was bleak and as a whole, one of the best dystopian worlds I’ve visited by far. This was one of those reading experiences that peaked an unexpected dread that seeps through the pages. I highly recommended this book with some obvious reservations.___________________________________WHAT I LIKED+ I marveled at Rick Yancey’s exceptional ability to effortlessly paint a perfectly terrible doomed world. This is seriously one of the most dreadful world’s I’ve visited in the dystopian realm, and it wasn’t so much the imagery that left me agape and with a paralyzed immobility, but the choice of words Yancey used that set the tone and triggered an inevitable appreciation for things we often take for granted ― family and companionship for starters, home cooked meals, nicknames that grate on the nerves, the sound of music, laughter, trust, time to name a few."Even when there were people around to call me anything, no one ever called me Cassiopeia. Just my father, and only when he was teasing me, and always in a very bad Italian accent: Cass-ee-oh-PEE-a. It drove me crazy. I didn’t think he was funny or cute, and it made me hate my own name. “I’m Cassie!” I’d holler at him. “Just Cassie!” Now I’d give anything to hear him say it just one more time."+ Most, if not all the characters started out as fragmented dystopian archetypes which is an element I appreciate in dystopian books. We have the lonesome and extremely cynical Cassie Sullivan who’s determined to find and rescue her little brother Sam from the Others. The high school football star Ben Parish who is found wrestling with an inner demon that peppers a dark overtone onto the story line. And lastly, the complex and altogether mystifying Evan Walker who truly got the story moving. Strictly speaking, I loved seeing how each one fought to hold on to their existence and the endless terror that ushered in new moments of painful regret.+ I have to admit that while I did see Evan Walker’s unexpected twist early in the story, I was really surprised with the way his character arc unfolded. Truth be told, Evan Walker is by far my favorite character in this book. Most interesting to me was how he changed over time, and how his internal conflict manifested throughout the plot line. Seriously, author Rick Yancey could write an entire book on his character arc alone, it’s well-executed and genius!“I’m a shark, Cassie,” he says slowly, drawing the words out, as if he might be speaking to me for the last time. Looking into my eyes with tears in his, as if he’s seeing me for the last time. “A shark who dreamed he was a man.”+ It’s rare to find a distinctive voice that can say so much with so very little words in the dystopian genre. One of my all-time favorites being Katniss Everdeen. That being said, Cassie’s storytelling was utterly enthralling and simply brilliant! The dialogue, the banter, the altercations, all of it was written in such a realistic dialogue.WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE- My most prominent complaint with The 5th Wave was with the alternate point of views. Firstly, I should confess that I’m not typically a fan of multiple POV’s―albeit, The Lunar Chronicles making the exception. That said, I understand the author’s choice in giving the reader a glimpse into Zombie’s and Evan’s mind and thought process, the story and conflicts wouldn’t have developed otherwise. On the other hand, however, with Cassie’s spellbinding narration, it became irritating having to take in the abrupt switches. To boot, with the consistent distance between each character, I felt there was a lack of attachment, which in turn made me less empathic towards their plights.- The plot was gripping and full of tension, but after a good quarter into the book, I seemingly lost interest; the plot didn’t reach any great heights and I expected more. To begin with, I had hoped to see Cassie fighting her way into a battle of wits against the Others on a more grandiose scale. **SPOILER** It stands to reason that the way she managed to find her brother was too convenient and clunky. I don’t know. I think it would have been amazing to see her recruited along with the child soldiers. I’m almost convinced there would have been a lot more action and plot development than what we received.**END SPOILER**. All that to say, I didn’t like the way the story drifted into a cringe-worthy romantic subplot that released a whiff of insta-love to say the least.- Personally, I would have enjoyed the story on a greater scale had I actually seen each Wave actually unfold rather than have the author Cassie show them to me. Other than the 3rd Wave, and everything it entailed, I never really felt any suspense or desperation for the other Waves. What I mean to say is, the emotional impact was vague and missed the mark.- I’m not sure how I feel about Cassie at this point, she’s definitely in a mixed bag for me. While I love her dry humor and reckless infatuation with Evan, I found her to be way two-dimensional. In truth, we are only shown one part of her persona and that’s her snippy attitude and response through reactions and emotions. Everything else, however, was undeveloped and lacked a great deal of depth. It goes without saying, her snarky approach became tedious and bogged down my interest in her character towards the end. I’m hoping to see more depth and complexity to her character arc in book two.AFTERTHOUGHTSIn the end, I enjoyed The 5th Wave. I found the world-building and tone to be most incredible, there were certainly some thought-provoking moments to boot, and the story telling was (as aforementioned) spellbinding, but overall, the story wasn’t as spectacular as I anticipated it to be. In any case, I'll still be reading book two ― which I've already purchased

http://functioninginsanity.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-5th-wave-book-movie.htmlBook Rating: 5 Stars So we have an alien invasion but we don't start out at the beginning but after four waves of the invasion preparing for the unknown but sure to come 5th wave, hence the title. At this point 7 billion of the population are gone. That's serious numbers. It's us verses the Others. We have a couple different POV but the first is Cassie, a pretty kick ass girl. She has been through some serious stuff and we see patches of it as we go along. She is alone, and she believes the only way to stay alive is to stay alone. Trust is no longer an option. Until she meets Evan, the mysterious farm boy who saves her. She made a promise to her brother that she would come for him and she has put it off unsure how to deal or how to move forward but she has to choose. Give up or fight, defiance or surrender, life or death. I was pulled in pretty quickly. I had seen the movie trailer everywhere so I had images in my head for Cassie, Sammy, Ethan and the parents. The others didn't really click until I saw the trailer again after reading then I could assign names to random characters. I had a basic understanding of the story and plot but honestly I had no idea what to expect. There is a scene right before the first POV change where I was completely shocked and then mad at the change because I wanted to go back to Cassie! The first shift, before I knew it was a shift was a bit confusing for the first page or two for me when I realized we were now a male character and not Cassie, after that realization everything went rather smoothly. I even figured out who the POV was. We also see the POV from Sam and a Silencer which gave great depth and diversity but I'd still say the main POV was Cassie. She was the focus, or at least it felt that way to me. The whole story is like a mystery. You have some things that are predictable and others that get you. Then you have all this doubt and misdirection and you think one way but then start to question if you were wrong and paranoid but then something else happens and you still don't know what to think. I am rather proud that I had it figured out, though I did have some moments of doubt creeping up on me at times. I think that just shows the authors talent right there to invest you so deeply that you question your own thought process. I really enjoyed that Cassie wasn't so much worried or focused on saving the planet, she doesn’t have any grand design to save what's left of civilization she just wants to save her brother and stay alive. Her goal is challenging enough but it feels more attainable for one untrained girl to accomplish. Cassie's POV was by far my favorite with the random and sometimes fractured line of thought it seemed so genuine and very much how I imagine myself should I somehow survive that long. Also, OMG I just about died with the conversations with Bear! Best stuff oh and let's not forget Howard! Oh and Evan, he is a weird combination of awkward and sweet that works for me. Plus not going to lie he still has chocolate in the end of the world so clearly he is living right! Zombie was pretty interesting as well. I liked seeing the opposite kind of view where Cassie was alone he was not. He was in the center of the fight. Getting to know the others on the team from Dumbo, Flint, Poundcake, Oompa, Teacup, Ringer, and Nugget was fun. The dynamic of the team and their goals was interesting getting to know them. I love the relationship that is formed between Zombie and Nugget that just made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Everything was harsh and cruel in this world and there is some serious things happening and tons of death but when you have so many 'children' they are forced to grow up quickly but to see that almost brotherly bond was great. Now some questions I don't feel I had an answer for and hope it will be revealed later are how do the disks work on the bus? Red or Green chosen then vs how they are played out later. Okay I guess it was just the one question. Any others are more to things I'm sure will play out in the series as a whole.

Oh boy, this saga is amazing. I got sick with corona and endded up reading it in a couple of days, which was really sad, because I enjoyed it so much that then when I was done I missed it. I'm still trying to find another book that can get me so sticked to reading like this one.

I didn't realise when I bought this book that it's YA. I've recently read other post-apocalyptic books in which the main characters were adolescent, that didn't feel YA at all. It was only later that I looked at its categories on Amazon, and discovered the intended audience.That having been said, at first I loved it. Starts with Cassie, who is 16, in the later stages (the 4th wave) of the takeover of Earth by aliens. Back to when they first appear - a ship, hovering near us in space for 10 days, while the entire country is in uproar about what it might mean.The 1st wave is an EMP blackout that wipes out the electrical grid. The 2nd is a spate of tsunamis around all coastal areas, forcing survivors into the centre of all countries. 3rd, a plague that wipes out 97% of humanity. The 4th is discovered only gradually - apparent humans who are 'infested' with something that alters their brains to make them think like the aliens.First we see what happens to Cassie, from the 1st-4th waves. Next, a chapter from the POV of a teenage boy, who actually survives the plague. Thirdly, one from the POV of one of the soldiers whose was impregnanted with whatever it is that the aliens put there - this happened 4 years before. This part, in particular, I found most absorbing.Then we go forward a little and find Cassie trapped in the snow, almost dead. This is where the book fell down for me. Her saviour just happens to be an amazingly hot-looking guy of around 18, who is living in a cabin alone. Somehow, he has all the equipment and know-how to save her from certain death. Despite them having lost everything, being in horrendous danger and, no doubt, deep shock, the two engage in flirtatious teen banter, and it becomes more like the sort of romance I would have abandoned even when I was at the younger end of the book's target market. So I stopped reading it, which was shame, because the rest of it was SO good. I might go back to it, and just skip-read the romance bits. I'm not sure.

4.5/5 Stars"They are coming for us.All of us..."Whoa, what a journey! Like, seriously, I'm not sure my world has stopped spinning yet it's so bloody fantastic.I'm a little late to the party, especially considering that the last book in this trilogy has been released, and not too long ago (don't worry, I picked it up, which was brave considering I hadn't read the first entry yet). I've seen the film, which I think is fine, and, accidentally (curse you Google!), while perusing online for some info I spoiled the end of the series for myself (what was I thinking?).But, neither do anything to rob me of my enjoyment. The 5th Wave is a tremendous story of survival, loneliness and trust; three themes that author Rick Yancey perfectly portrays in a plot rife with action and emotion. The apocalyptic landscape is a wonder to behold and the characters that populate it are all diverse and layered.A smashing foundation for a trilogy.Synopsis (This time round, I'll be using the blurb that comes with my edition of the book.)THE 1ST WAVETOOK OUT HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.THE 2ND WAVEPUT THAT NUMBER TO SHAME.THE 3RD WAVELASTED A LITTLE LONGER, TWELVE WEEKS...FOUR BILLION DEAD.IN THE 4TH WAVE,YOU CAN'T TRUST THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL PEOPLE.AND THE 5TH WAVE?NO ONE KNOWS.BUT IT'S COMING.On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs.Runs from beings that only look human,who have scattered Earth's last survivors.To stay alone is to stay alive,until she meets Evan Walker.Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope.Now Cassie must choose: between trust and despair,between defiance and surrender, between life and death.Plot - 4.5/5 StarsThe 5th Wave is one of those novels that has you right from the start. Yancey mixes the present with the past, showing us where characters are and the trials that they went through to get there. It's not seamless, but it's pretty darn close. It's not an easy balance to achieve, especially when tenses are switching so often. The stage is set with emotional scenes that depict an Earth ravaged by alien invaders, and the quality is on point.Action offsets the exposition, and once we're past the past, the present is a hooking ride. The way the author imbues his novel with so many dark themes but still manages to keep a sliver of light is remarkable.There is a lull in the middle, I will admit, but, for me personally, with such an interesting story of survival championed with such an exceptional cast, I can't muster any annoyance.There are a few things that I'm not entirely sure of or understand, but they're small things that border on being completely inconsequential. And when we reach the explosive ending, Yancey answers enough to satisfyingly close the novel while keeping a few cliffhangers to make sure we're salivating for more.Pace - 4.5/5 StarsWhile The 5th Wave has its fast-paced moments, I wouldn't necessarily call it a fast-paced novel, and that's not a negative. The delicious themes demand time and effort, and both are apparent. The depth of the cast eclipses the overall plot, but that plot is still a wicked ride. The beginning might prove difficult for some considering the rapidly switching tenses, but a little focus during that part should prove invaluable.As a whole, it's consistent. Aside from that lull in the middle, it's riveting.Characters - 5/5 StarsThe 5th Wave's cast is my favourite aspect of the novel. It's phenomenal. The chemistry and development are intricately woven throughout this alien-infested landscape. With trust out the window and isolation most people's only friend, the unpredictability of scenes is a definite highlight.I adore Cassie, our marginally predominant protagonist (we do get other viewpoints). She's a screwed up human being whose morality has been completely splintered. Her compassion wars with her fear, and that palpable inability to trust makes the romantic relationship with mysterious Evan all the more sweeter. Her progression from scattered victim to capable survivor is wonderful, and is only bolstered by how much fun her sarcastic voice is.Zombie, or Ben, is likely second when it comes to the time given to the various viewpoints. And the fascination doesn't dim. Where Cassie is driven more by the sheer determination to understand and fit in a new world, Zombie works more from undiluted guilt. He has a heart of gold, but that hasn't stopped him from making choices that haunt his every second. His beginnings are a realistic look at someone in such a contentious environment; a merciless gut-punch that asks the reader to be honest about what they'd do in a life-or-death situation.Now, Cassie and Ben know one another, with both having attended the same high school (plus Cassie had a major crush on Ben, while he largely only knew her in passing). But in this new world you just don't trust anyone, and while most have adopted the mindset of never hoping again, little Sam, Cassie's young brother, becomes the novel's link between worlds, and I love that. Sam's development follows him toughening up in a world gone deadly, but he also keeps the ideal of hope alive when it's missing from most.Our last main, main character (in my opinion, there are more people) is Evan, the stranger steeped in the unknown that saves Cassie from certain death. I won't go too much into it, because I don't want this review having any spoilers, but his identity crisis and personality are two fantastic elements to the story.The way the characters are placed and moved and worked around one another is a thrilling experience.Writing - 4/5 StarsThere's a certain philosophical aspect to Yancey's writing in this novel that really has you contemplating everything. While the world is in the middle of an alien invasion, the parallels between the fictional and the real really have the reader absorbed.Scenes, for the most part, are clear and built well; the switching tenses at the beginning can jar a little, but keep with it, it evens out; and be wary for swapping viewpoints, because I know some folks absolutely hate that (I don't, especially when each character rocks, like here).Overall - 4.5/5 StarsBetter late than never. I am so glad to have finally started this trilogy.Keep up the great work, Mr Yancey, I shall see you all in the next entry!

Great book. This book has it all. Brilliantly written, with likeable characters and an amazing plot. Every time I thought I had it figured out it took another turn. It hard to review this book properly without giving something away. What I will say and reiterate is this book is amazing I would recommend it to anyone.In 5 months the would has changed. Humanity is all but been wiped out in 4 terrifying waves. With Humanity facing extinction the story follows Cassie who could by the last human alive. She has seen her species and family destroyed. She is even too beaten down for revenge, all she has is a promise to fulfill. This is a chilling emotional stroy of that made me want to just keep reading till it was finished. I enjoyed every moment of the book. Comparing Cassie to other the main characters of book like Twilight or the Hunger Games, Cassie is tougher then Bella and more likeable/relatable that Katniss. She is more like Tris from the Divergent series. I just loved this book I can't wait for the next in the series.

I like YA stories, especially those involving dystopian and/or post apocalyptic situations. I also enjoy reading the book of a movie I've watched (and vice versa). This story falls under the post apocalyptic setting and a book that I had already seen the movie of...However the film didn't do well enough at the box office for a sequel to been green lite, so reading the books would be the only way I was going find out what happened to these characters and this world. The story revolves a single Alien space craft arriving and systematically wiping out the human race through various 'waves'. We live through the experiences via the thoughts and actions of four individuals, Cassie, Sammy, Ben and Evan. The writing style gives the story a fast pace, while not diminishing any descriptiveness. Some scenes have been slowed to give them that extra punch. It's a style of writing I enjoy and prefer on occasion. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy YA novels, those who enjoy fast paced thrillers, or sci-fi in general.

[Spoilers in here] I really enjoyed this book which was a fast-paced apocalyptic vision about the days after an alien invasion. The epigraph to the book pretty much sums it up "If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn't turn out very well for the Native Americans" (Stephen Hawking). As predicted by possibly the world's smartest man, the alien visit doesn't turn out so well, with them raining down upon humanity a range of things to neutralise them (including wiping out the whole of technology as we know it and reducing humanity back to the dark ages, a devastating disease which wipes out pretty much everyone else, in addition to invading humanity by taking over the consciousness of certain humans, so it becomes impossible to tell who's who any more).The story primarily follows Cassie in her struggle to survive after the death/loss in one way or another of her entire family. It's a well known fact that if the human race does face this kind of difficulty in the future, it's going to be entirely down to teenagers to save us, and, so, of course, Cassie is a normal teenager before all of this happens. In fact, she continues to be pretty much a normal teenager after it all happens (throwing strops about the alien invasion and reducing the fate of mankind down to the fact that it's her who has suffered most). When she is saved by Evan Walker, who tells her he is in love with her and seems to know way too much about her (hmm, I wonder how that could be?), even he gets a bit sick of her whingeing on and on about me, me, me, all the time, and starts thinking that perhaps alien annihilation wasn't such a bad strategy after all.In some ways, this book was so obvious (you don't have to be Stephen Hawking to work out that Evan is one of them there aliens), the reader can predict pretty much how things are going to pan out before you get there. On the other, this is a wonderful exciting read and there were some surprises in here, as not everything was as certain as it initially seemed.With this in view, despite the clichéd nature of some of the material, I think this deserves 5 stars and adding to my favourites list. It's a product of our times - and it's good to know that us older folks can rely on teenagers to save the world, if it comes down to it.