*NOW A MAJOR FILM by Sony Pictures, starring Chloe Grace Moretz*
'Wildly entertaining . . . I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' The New York Times
*The 5th Wave is the first book in the bestselling series from award-winning Rick Yancey. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and Maze Runner*
After the1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
NOW IS THE DAWN OF THE 5TH WAVE
On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs.
Runs from the 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.
www.rickyancey.com
'Remarkable, not-to-be-missed-under-any-circumstances' Entertainment Weekly
'A modern sci-fi masterpiece . . . Should do for aliens what Twilight did for vampires.' USA Today
'The pace is relentless' Heat
'Chilling' Sun
'Nothing short of amazing' Kirkus (starred review)
'This book's scary!' Teen Now (5 starred review)
'A twisty survival story that borrows elements from romance, horror and dystopian fiction'Wall Street Journal
'An epic sci-fi adventure about a terrifying alien invasion. You'll read it in one sitting'Bookseller
'Heartfelt, violent, paranoid epic, filled with big heroics and bigger surprises' Booklist (starred review)
'Gripping' Publishers Weekly
'Borrow this one from your teen's nightstand while they're at school.' People Magazine
*Winner of the 2014 Red House Children's Book Award
*2014 Children's Choice Book Awards Finalist for Teen Book of the Year
*A YALSA 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
*A YALSA 2014 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers
*A Booklist 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
*A VOYA 2013 Perfect Ten
*An Amazon Best Book of the Year
Books in the series:
The 5th Wave (Book 1)
The Infinite Sea (Book 2)
The Last Star (Book 3)
- ISBN10 0141345837
- ISBN13 9780141345833
- Publish Date 7 May 2013
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 496
- Language English
Reviews
Terri M. LeBlanc
jeannamichel
I wouldn’t have read this book if it wasn’t for my brother. I am not a science fiction kind of girl, I tend to stay away from genres with aliens and robots and things but The 5th Wave sounded so good that I went out and bought a copy, even though my brother had already bought himself a copy. Within pages, I was hooked. The thing that got me was that Yancey writes the story in such a way that makes readers believe it could actually happen. Let me just tell you, if aliens ever decided to attack, we would be so screwed.
The story is broken down into sections which are separated by different narrators. It was confusing, at first, to change narrators because the sections are pretty lengthy, so you get used to one narrator for a while and then to have it switch on you is disorienting. However, after a few sections, I got a handle on things. Cassie is the best narrator, in my opinion because she has the most captivating story. As much as I would have loved to get into the Evan’s mind a little bit more, Cassie was a strong voice that captures the reader.
The ending is predictable. I mean, how could it not have been? You tell me right now how a book, about an alien apocalypse, would end if the aliens were already in the fourth wave of taking over the Earth? It wasn’t looking good for us from page one. However, the ending was adorable and even though the pending doom is going to happen when readers close the last page, the happy feeling of the plot connecting together stays with you.
Rick Yancey wrote a great story that every sci-fi reader should discover. It captures reality and the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats the entire time. The 5th Wave is definitely something everyone should read, even if you’re not into science fiction, like I am. You’ll be missing out if you don’t read this awesome book.
Briana @ Pages Unbound
In a world that has lost the majority of its population in a matter of months, children learn to be tough. Yancey introduces readers to a few of these survivors of the first, second, third, and fourth waves of alien attacks, whose lives unexpectedly interlock as they brace themselves for the fifth wave.
The book switches among multiple points of views, giving readers an intimate look at the lives and thoughts of each of the children. Often, particularly when a new POV is introduced, it is not clear until several pages into the chapter who is talking, creating a sense of disorientation that must be a less intense version of what the characters have felt since the aliens’ Arrival. The voices of these POVs do not sound incredibly distinct, but Yancey gives each character a few buzz words and thoughts so they seem unique enough for readers to believe each chapter is narrated by a different person.
Each person is focused first and foremost on survival, but the obstacles they face vary. Everyone has the problem of whom to trust: it is impossible to tell the difference between an alien and a human with the naked eye. Cassie, however, must also fight for her brother’s survival, and her promise to find him after he is taken from her carries her throughout the book. If she cannot keep her word, if she cannot find one person to care about when it seems everyone is going to die anyway, she is afraid she might lose her humanity completely. She is accompanied on her journey by Bear, her brother’s stuffed teddy to whom she grows particularly attached, in a way that might remind readers of Pressia’s symbolic attachment and clinging to the innocence of childhood in Julianna Baggott’s Pure. Other major characters include Evan, who wants to be responsible for Cassie’s survival, and Zombie, who wants to save another young child to atone for being unable to save his own baby sister. All have to navigate their prejudices and doubts and decide whether banding together, whether trusting, is one’s humanity’s strengths or flaws.
The plot, as one might expect, is incredibly tense. At any moment readers will expect an alien to round a corner and end it all for one of the protagonists; the protagonists expect this, too. Yancey also manages to maintain a high level of suspense far into the book. As he introduces new characters—both adult and children—he makes it difficult for readers to determine their motives. Just like the characters, readers have no idea whom to trust, who is human, and who is just pretending to be. The 5th Wave tests readers’ imaginations and critical thinking, asking them to run through the same calculations the characters must to survive: This person is either human or alien. If he is human, how would he act? If he were alien, how would he act? If he is not human, could he have any possible motive not to kill me? Should I kill him first?
Thematically, one can see that the book is incredibly interested in what being human even means. When everyone who looks like a human cannot be guaranteed to be one, characters start asking what other characteristics are essential. Problematically, the aliens seem to have far too many answers to that question, and are able to predict human behavior accurately enough to plot their attacks on the Earth to maximize human deaths. Recognizing the aliens’ knowledge, characters start searching deeper and try to discover what attributes they have that the aliens do not know about or do not have themselves. Can they be surprising enough to defeat the invaders?
The novel also takes an intimate look at death. I read The 5th Wave about the time I read Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich, a recognized classic on the subject. The 5th Wave interestingly has rather similar thoughts when touching upon issues like what death means, how humans react to it, how they should react to it, and how much they think about it, The discussion might be a little dark, but the characters find it all too relevant. We always assume death will come for others but not for us. But as one character observes, it turns out there are only the past-dead and the future-dead. Death will come for all of us. We can only try to make the most of our lives and then go out the way we think best.
I am not, in general, an avid consumer of alien novels or movies. The only titles that come immediately to mind are E.T. and H. G. Well’s The War of the Worlds (both alluded to, along with a number of other science fiction works, in The 5th Wave). Yancey’s book, however, has opened me up to the possibilities of the genre. The writing is tight and exciting, the characters encounter drastic situations that push them to the limits of their abilities, and the plot explores what is means for us to be human at all. A highly recommended read.
inlibrisveritas
This is a book that follows Cassie, Evan and a few others, whom I will not mention, on their way to find safety, family, and revenge. I was a bit a surprised to see that this had multiple points of view and even though I wasn’t initially sure I was going to enjoy that aspect it turned out to be something I really loved. I would finish one section dying to know more and then move on to the next section with the same feelings. If I had to use one word to describe my overall reaction to everything it would be paranoia. I can’t even remember the amount of times I marked someone down as evil and then changed it to good…only to go back to thinking they were evil. Cassie doesn’t know, the other characters give you some insight on a few things but even with that you’re not entirely sure until the fact is given to you. That was something that added to the experience, I felt the tension and the distrust. This takes the whole black and white morality and paints everything grey.
Cassie was definitely my favorite narrator. She’s got the right amount of snark and toughness to make her a realistic survivor for all that’s occurred on Earth. She’s not some ultimate survival machine, she cries and panics…and at times her mental strength just collapses but she keeps going because of a promise she’s made. Cassie is a character you want to win. Not to mention she has a brain and actually uses it. I love the way the povs weave around each other making connections and adding to that feeling of tension.
This is a book I think I could easily recommend to Young Adult and Adult readers alike. It definitely seems to have the best of both of those genres and I can see plenty of people being able to sit down and fall into this story without any issue.
Michael @ Knowledge Lost
The 2nd Wave put that number to shame.
The 3rd Wave lasted 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.
The aliens have landed; with each wave there are less saviours. Cassie is on the run, not just from the visitors but from everyone else as well. The 4th wave has destroyed all trust and the only people she knows she can trust were her Father and brother. That was until she met Evan Walker.
I’ve said it before; I’ve never really gotten into the whole Young Adult craze; but I keep trying. Alien invasion, I might try some of that. The 5th Wave is your typical run of the mill Young Adult post apocalyptic novel, but the whole time I spent reading this I wondered if this book was written for young adults. This leads me to question if any of the more recent books are written for teenagers. In this growing genre it seems that the average age of a YA reader is not a teenager.
Skynet, X-Wings, Close Encounters, they are all references I don’t expect young adults to make. I do hope they know what Star Wars and Star Trek are or even who Terminator and Darth Vader are, but sometimes I wonder about that too. This feels like they are trying to go for the nostalgic readers much like Ready Player One did but I’m not sure it worked as well here.
This was a really quick read for me, I think I knocked it out in a few hours, so I don’t want to criticise the entertainment factor but there was a lot in the book that I just didn’t like. Children being trained up in combat? Sure, the kids today wouldn’t have read Enders Game but if you are catering for the nostalgic reader try not hiding the fact that you are pretty much stealing huge ideas from other books. I know Hunger Games was a big hit and it is pretty awesome to have a kick ass heroine but I felt like Cassie was too much of a Katniss photocopy and there wasn’t much that was original about her. While we are at it, please stop with the love triangles, it’s very rare to find one that is done in an interesting and unique way; why are they in every YA book?
To me the characters in this book were very underdeveloped, Cassie in particular which is annoying when she is the main protagonist. I liked Evan in parts but I did think that some depth to all the characters would have helped boost my enjoyment. Then there is the plot; it was predictable and never surprising. Entertaining, yes, but there has to be something more to a book, I want to be both entertained and left with thoughts of the book rolling around in my head for days afterwards.
For me it felt like Rick Yancey read all the popular dystopian/post apocalyptic young adult novels then went and watched all those 1980 Science Fiction movies from his childhood and just mashed them all together. Taking his favourite parts from each plot and using it in his own piece and guess what? It’s a triology.
I was entertained, I was nostalgic and it was a fun book to read but now that I’ve had a little vent, I can say I really want something different from this genre. Alien Invasion, yes this is something I don’t think has been done, unless you count The Host (which I don’t). I do like that this novel is a little dark and raw but it really held back in my opinion.
There isn’t enough nostalgia for my taste and the language, sexual references and violence make me wonder just how old you need to be for YA? 15? I’m sure kids will think this is just as fun as sneaking into watch a movie for over 18 year olds but to call this the “Young Adult novel of the year” I feel maybe stretching it a little too far. But what do I know; I’m just that crazy bitter old man that reviews books on the Internet.
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/06/09/book-review-the-5th-wave/
kimbacaffeinate
The prologue set in 1995, gave me chills and immediately drew me into the story. Fast forward to present day when the planet is attacked. Through Cassie we get an account of the events that occurred leading up to the 5th Wave and here our journey with Cassie begins. When her little brother is separated from her she vows to find him. To survive she trust no one that is until she meets Evan Walker. To fulfill her promise, she may just need to take a chance and the tale that unfolds left me breathless.
I love mankind's ability to lift ourselves up and survive when all seems lost. Granted not everyone does that. Some close their doors and wait for the end, others end it themselves. Then there are those who find a purpose and continue despite the odds and these are the characters that Yancey brings to life. Cassie is a strong character and her voice rang true throughout the novel. She is a fighter, even when she wants to crumble and hide. She isn't a skilled survivalist, and heck she can't even shoot, but she promised her brother she would come and with a little luck and kick-ass persistence she sets out to find him. Along the way she faces conflict and characters who make her question her own rules. We see growth in her throughout the novel and I would be honored to call Cassie my friend. From the squad team at Camp Haven to the boy at the first base camp Cassie encounters the other characters and perspectives are fleshed–out. Even the briefest of characters has their own distinct voices. There is a romance and the possibility of a triangle but these do not take center stage and only deepen our understanding of the characters.
Told from multiple perspectives with outstanding, original world building I could not put this novel down. Yancey is an impressive storyteller and his weaving of events seemed so plausible it gave me chills. It blurred the line between fiction and reality. The pacing was perfect and the author gave me a panoramic view of the world through his characters. I didn't feel rushed nor did I feel we straggled. The details and world description flowed effortlessly from his pen to the pages and allowed me to completely immerse myself. His characters are strong, complex and believable. I found myself rooting for each of them. Yancey brings this tale alive on so many levels from the intense understanding and powerful emotions we feel for Cassie and her family to the horror of what is happening to our world. The waves that occurred are brilliant and the perfect road map for anyone looking to destroy Earth’s inhabitants. Trust, being alone, survival and humanity are all questions raised throughout the novel. Yancey even forces us to see the alien’s position. The tale can be dark and depressing at times but humanities will to survive uplifts you and compels you to read on. This novel positively blew me away. I could not put it down nor could I stop thinking about it and talking about it. It’s a book whose details you will remember a year from now. It’s one that will pop up every time you recommend a book. I lived it, consumed it and still I want more.
The 5th Wave is an outstanding dystopian tales that will quickly distinguish itself from this flooded genre. Yancey has created a world and characters that I will want to visit again and again. This tale can be enjoyed by everyone from teens to adults and has excellent cross-over appeal for science-fiction lovers.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Kelly
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2013/05/the-5th-wave-by-rick-yancey.html
If you only read one book this year, this is the one. It's phenomenal.
The 5th Wave is incredible. An science fiction, apocalyptic story about hope, survival, love and not going down without a fight. Seen through the eyes of female protagonist Cassie, then chapters as seen from Evan, Zombie (a newly recruited soldier) and Sam, Cassie's little brother. Cassie is a brilliant character, she believes she may very well be the last survivor. She carries around Sam's teddy bear as a promise and writes a journal to keep herself sane. She's tough, she's a survivor.
The story is horrific in places and will keep you guessing throughout. It's intelligent, emotional and exhilarating. It's a thriller of epic proportions. I was on the verge of self destruction once I reached slight cliffhanger masquerading as an ending.
I would beg, borrow and steal for a copy of the second book in this brilliant trilogy. I'm so thankful I look a chance on a apocalyptic, science fiction, survivalist novel about aliens, it's truly, hands down, the best book I've read thus far... Ever!
Amber
Full review at Books of Amber
jnikkir
You see this book? See it? Take a good look. Because THIS is how you write a book about an alien invasion.
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The 5th Wave is the reason I have a Goodreads shelf called "this-is-how-its-done-folks"
Because, folks - this is how it's done.
I don't even know what to say about this book. I really don't. The 5th Wave is totally different from any YA book I've read, and exactly what I think a SciFi book about an alien invasion should be (at least the ones where the aliens are the bad guys). After reading Gravity and Icons and being disappointed by both (but mostly by Icons), reading The 5th Wave was like... having an author write a story like it was just for me, exactly when I wanted it, and exactly how I wanted it told. This is the book I've been waiting for.
I have never reacted to a book the way I reacted to The 5th Wave. My heart was pounding, adrenaline pumping... I actually forgot to breathe while reading some of the super-suspenseful scenes. Like... I don't even know, guys. This book was intense. It was like I was watching this book on one of those giant IMAX screens, in 3D, where all you can see is the movie, and you feel like you're right in the middle of everything.
A lot of that had to do with Yancey's writing. It flowed perfectly, from the more introspective scenes, to the do-or-die action sequences... I don't know how to describe it - I felt totally connected. The language fit the scenes, gave crystal clear pictures of action and setting without any confusion, and it all just disappeared in favor of the story. Despite the sci-fi plot, that connection I felt is what made this book stand out - it gave it a level of realism that I've rarely felt in fiction, especially sci-fi.
The 5th Wave alternates between a few points of view, but it's Cassie who really drives the book. I immediately connected to her character - this is someone who had a totally normal life, only to have it all brutally ripped away from her at the worst possible time. She's grieving for her family, she's terrified of what her world has become, and she doesn't always make the right choices; but beyond that, she is strong and driven and willing to do whatever is necessary to save her little brother. I loved Cassie.
As for Evan and the romance... That part of the blurb was one reason I initially was interested in this book - I thought the romance would play a bigger part. As great as it was (and it was very good), it wasn't a driving theme in the book, overall. I actually remember getting a fair ways into the book before I realized that nothing "romantic" was happening - and I totally didn't mind. Honestly, the romance could have probably been left out altogether and I would still be flailing over this book. But it did add another great layer to an already amazing plot.
There are other threads of narration interspersed with Cassie's chapters, and while I did find Cassie's to be the strongest, the others are no less engaging. While, at first, it seems like the other characters' stories are fairly unrelated to Cassie's, they slowly but surely start to converge, and this was one of my favorite things about the last few chapters of the book - watching the stories come together. It was so well done, and the time spent following the separate story-threads totally paid off.
This is possibly my favorite book so far this year... maybe. Definitely top-three, at least. With the action and flawless storytelling (imho), I couldn't put it down, and I have to admit to staying up way too late while reading it - I really didn't want it to end (which might be a horrible thing to say, considering the awful things the characters go through, hah). Anyway, I have absolutely no hesitation in saying - if you even remotely think that The 5th Wave sounds like something you might possibly enjoy, GO. BUY. IT. Especially if you, like me, have been waiting for the Perfect-YA-Scifi-with-Aliens book. This is it.
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{ This review can also be found at my blog, There were books involved... }