Monday, July 22, 2013

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey



The 5th Wave by Ricky Yancey is a science fiction tale...that's not too science fiction.  Yes, it involves an alien invasion.  Yes, there is a certain amount of futuristic technology that's a bit complicated.  But it is not a complicated story set in space that only true science fiction fans will enjoy.  In the end, it's a story about teens trying to survive in a rather impossible situation.

The 5th Wave is told in alternating viewpoints picking up about 4 months after the first alien ship was spotted.  Mostly from two perspectives. One is a girl named Cassie whose family is gone, but we don't know exactly why or how.  She is trying to go somewhere because she made a promise, but we aren't really sure to where or who.  The other is a boy, without giving anything anyway, whose name is Zombie.  He lives in a tent city outside of a major military installation and he's not doing well.  He is sick.  He has got the disease of the 3rd wave: pestilence.  It has taken something like 97% of the population of the world.  The first wave was an EMP, the second was a Tsunami and the 4th wave being what Cassie calls "the silencer."

What's the 5th wave?

I don't want to give too much away.  This book has plot twists and turns.  It doesn't give everything away in the first part.  You have to be patient in finding out what has happened to these kids, the planet, their family and friends and what is going to happen.  You will probably start to figure certain things out as the story goes on and I will admit that I got a little impatient in the middle.  There are some things that happen that make you want to scream at the characters- "Don't you see what's happening?!"  But I suppose that's supposed to be part of the fun.

The ending is satisfying...as long as you are aware that this is a planned trilogy.  The writing is good.  The characters are interesting, flawed and ones you can relate to in life.  If you can get through the slightly frustrating parts, this book is definitely worth it.

You can find The 5th Wave in the new YA section.  For more information on this title, check out: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave

Liz

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