We’re here, and then we’re gone, and it’s not about the time we’re here, but what we do with the time.
The premise behind The 5th Wave is pretty much an alien invasion, and the aliens are winning. They’re taking earth, and there really isn’t anything we humans can do to stop them. Are the concepts in this novel unique and original? No. They’ve been told in other science fiction novels and shows, and probably told better. However, the world that Rick Yancey created with these borrowed concepts, was awesome and just kept me entertained, and because of that, 4 Stars baby!
The book follows several characters, including our main heroine Cassiopeia (Cassie) Sullivan. She’s a 17 year old living in a world with one rule (for her): to trust no one. Because, in this crazy, alien invading world, she’s lost her family in devastating ways. Yet, she attempts to overcome and stay strong, namely to keep a promise to her little brother, six year old Sammy. She’s snarky and brave, and for the most part independent, and for the most part, I loved her. And then, she was whiny and made a crap ton of mistakes that made me want to pop her across the face. Oh, to be young again.
Another character we’re introduced to is Evan Walker, Cassie’s (hopefully only) love interest in this series, but we’ll see. He’s an alien, and he’s human. He’s a Silencer (meant to take out humans during the 4th Wave of the invasion), but when he comes across Cassie’s path, he just can’t do it. She brings back the humanity side of him, and he stalks her. Am I OK with the stalking love interest? Usually no, but I think I just liked Evan so much, I’ve made an exception for him in my mind. I enjoyed their interactions together, and although Cassie’s trust in him was shaky, for valid reasons, I think their friendship and love grew OK in this. It definitely was insta-love, on Evan’s part, and Cassie was the more hardheaded one, in denial until the end. Still, I liked it. Again, normally inta-love pisses me off, but Evan was just one of those characters I was rooting for.
Another viewpoint we meet, is Cassie’s infatuation from high school, Ben Parish a/k/a Zombie. He is rescued by the government after contracting the plague in the third wave. They nurse him back to health and train him to be a soldier, to fight in an upcoming battle where humans will try to take back Earth and put a stop to the aliens. And boy does that sound great to Zombie! He had lost his family during the invasion, and because he ran away during the fight that killed his family, he feels the need to prove himself...of course, he learns so much more about himself and about the government, and the plot thickens a lot…
The final view we see is Sammy’s. He’s also taken in by the government, and he is also being trained to take out the aliens in the upcoming war. (Reminder - kid is six years old!) Sammy is put into Zombie’s training squad, and Sammy definitely latches onto Zombie as a substitute for Cassie. He needs the love and support from a sibling, and Zombie is there. Zombie also needs a little bit of something to believe in and love again, and he sees Sammy as a do-over for his guilt and mistakes.
The characters come together when Zombie learns the truth about what is going on, and Evan opens up to Cassie and reveals the truth as well. Together, Evan and Cassie make it their mission to rescue Sammy, and Zombie also wants to rescue Sammy away from the government. They meet up at the Haven in a very awkward way, but hey, you have to do what you have to do.
There are minor characters from Zombies squad that help with the rescue, and I loved how the squad interacted with each other. Definitely looking forward to seeing where this series goes.
The spoilers are just some that came to mind, don’t open it if you don’t want to read any. They may not even make all that much sense...it’s just things I had to get out and vent about a bit…
Evan had better NOT be dead. I’m really hoping he got out before destroying the Haven (central base that the aliens were using on Earth). Serious fingers crossed on that.
Also with the kiss that Zombie gave Cassie on the cheek at the end, I’m really hoping that doesn’t turn into anything more. I mean, he kind of has Ringer, or it seemed like he does, and Cassie has Evan. That and Ben Parish didn’t even KNOW Cassie, even though they went to the same school. Just no love triangle, please...for fuck sakes no love triangle…
All in all, I’m thrilled that I’ve read The 5th Wave, and I’m absolutely looking forward to the follow-up novel, [b:The Infinite Sea|16131484|The Infinite Sea (The Fifth Wave #2)|Rick Yancey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395351812s/16131484.jpg|27237970] coming out this year. I believe this will be a trilogy, so one other book will be out as well, so, definitely looking forward to that as long as The Infinite Sea is awesome!