All That's Left in the World

by Erik J Brown

Jamie and Andrew are strangers, and two of the last people on Earth. They don't know what they'll find on their perilous journey ... but they may just find each other. A queer romance about courage, hope and humanity - this is How I Live Now with the heart of Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda.

When the Superflu wipes out most of the population, Jamie finds himself completely alone in a cabin in the woods - until an injured stranger crosses his path.

Life is dangerous now and, armed with a gun, Jamie goes to pull the trigger. But there's something about Andrew ... something that stops Jamie in his tracks. Jamie takes him in, and as Andrew heals and they eventually step out into the strange new world, their relationship starts to feel like more than just friendship ...

But trouble isn't far behind. As the boys make a perilous journey south, they'll come face to face with a world torn apart and society in ruins. And who, or what, will they find waiting for them at the end of it all?

• ISBN10: 0063054973
• ISBN13: 9780063054974
• Publish Date: 8 March 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[lessthelonely]

5/5 stars.

tl;dr: Incredibly high and dynamic stakes always hit hard even when the heartstopping romance is in front stage and center: you'll laugh, you'll bite your nails, you'll even cry. Get it.

This is just one of those books that as soon as you get a little bit into it (for me, I already knew I was going to really like this book like 30 pages in) you regret for not having read sooner; in my case, I just start thinking about all the times I thought of buying this book and only now did I actually buy it.

But anyway, what is good here: this isn't a structured book. I would bet money on believing it was pantsed (aka: written and plot figured out as the author kept going), and because of it there's this actual feel of never knowing what is going to happen next. It was tenseful, it was funny, and it was incredibly romantic for a book about the apocalypse.

The romance is main driving force here, and that's probably why I enjoyed this book so much. I believe most subject matters were dealt with tastefully, and at the end of the way, the romance was just TOO good. Like I wish I had this in my life.

Just read it.

[Angie]

Proceed With Caution:

This book contains death, blood, grief, mentions of suicide, murder, a pandemic, and mentions of COVID-19.

The Basics:

All That's Left in the World is narrated by sixteen-year-olds Andrew and Jamison, two boys left alone after their entire families (and most of the world) died in the latest superflu pandemic. Andrew stumbles upon a cabin in the woods seeking medical help, only to find Jamison. Jamison nurses Andrew back to health, beginning a journey that neither was prepared for.

My Thoughts:

All That's Left in the World is a book that I immediately added to my wish list, but by the time I got it from the library, I couldn't remember why I added it or what it was about. Well, I was hooked from the first chapter! And the more I read, the more invested I got in Andrew and Jamison's lives. This world is screwed up, dark, yet realistic. It's also hopeful.

All That's Left in the World is pandemic fiction, which I know isn't going to be for everyone. I enjoyed this sub-genre before we started living it, and I still enjoy it now. This takes place after our current pandemic, and it seems that humanity hasn't learned anything. Most people have been killed by the virus or by fellow survivors. Andrew and Jamison are trying to make it on their own, but ultimately they have to open up and trust someone else. All is not lost.

I absolutely adored how their relationship developed. Andrew is gay and out, and not-so-subtly drops hints to Jamison while he's recovering to get that out in the open. He also constantly teases Andrew about being straight, secretly hoping that he might feel the same way. Meanwhile, Jamison is suddenly super protective of Andrew and starts catching feelings. Survival takes priority, but he does have plenty of time to ponder if he's bisexual and what his feelings toward Andrew mean. They're just so cute together!

There's obviously a strong survivalist plot to All That's Left in the World, and I was here for it! Andrew and Jamison are forced to leave the relative comfort of the cabin, and begin following rumors of help arriving from Europe. Along the way they have to make do with their dwindling supplies and contend with other survivors who only have their own best interests in mind. The two don't come across too many people on their travels, but those they do meet are varied and interesting. Not everyone is bad. That's something important to remember.

In the end, I loved All That's Left in the World. There's a great balance of tense and tender moments. I was on the edge of my seat whenever something bad was happening to these boys. I was also itching to climb into my Kindle to make them confess their feelings! It was an emotional roller coaster for sure, and one I'd happily ride again!