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YA Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

3/26/2013

45 Comments

 
The 5th Wave cover
The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Publication Date: 05/07/2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
[Goodreads|Amazon]

Blurb(GR):
 After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review:

This book is damn near perfect in so many ways.  It’s impressively well-written, compelling, and maybe not entirely original, but still doesn’t feel too derivative.  So why didn’t I enjoy it more?  I’m not sure, but while I acknowledge that this book is great, I can already feel it receding rather quickly from my memory.

But anyway, let’s focus on the good for a while, shall we?  Good point number one: this book has aliens.  And these aliens are especially frightening, because they manage to take down 95% of the human race without ever being seen.  Good point number two: this book doesn’t really have aliens (at least not until the end).  Yancey understands that the most frightening thing in the world is that which cannot be seen, or measured, or predicted – that which we are constantly forced to imagine and wonder about.  His aliens are insidious planners who prey on human weakness to great effect and that aspect is deliciously twisted.

Good point number three: there are multiple narrators who are used effectively and feel distinct.  First, he gives us Cassie, who is one of the most enjoyable people I’ve had spring up in my head in a long time.  She’s brave but not arrogant, sarcastic and silly, and feels genuinely like a young girl (which I sometimes find impressive when the author is an adult man).  The other main point of view, Zombie, feels entirely different and is most definitely his own person.  I enjoyed him a bit less than Cassie, but his sections still contributed well to the story.  And there’s a much smaller third point of view, Silencer, whose voice is poignant and mysterious.*  I hope we get to see more of him in the next book.  (I actually hope we get to see a few more of the minor characters as narrators in the next book.)

(As a mid-paragraphs aside here, I just want to add that this book is far less tragic romance-driven than the blurb above might lead you to believe.)

Good point number four: the writing is just flawless.  The voices are bright and three-dimensional, the dialogue is entertaining and quick, the action is thrilling, and even though the ending is left just a bit open (just exactly the right amount), the story has a really nice beginning-middle-end cohesion.  The parallels that Yancey draws between Cassie and Zombie feel downright literary.  Actually, with the multiple narrators, the fast-paced writing, and the “sci-fi with a touch of the literary” feel, this book reminded me just a bit of The Knife of Never Letting Go.  *Braces self for storm of people leaving this review to go pre-order this book*  Only, (and I can whisper this now that all of those people have left) I think this book is better.

So why the hell couldn’t I get into the damn thing?  Why was it so easy to set aside (and to set aside for hundred-page-long descriptions of made up sports, no less)?  The only excuse I can come up with is that…I’m a lifelong sci-fi fan.  I know that makes no sense, but just bear with me.  I’ve been spending time with aliens since I was knee high to a grasshopper.  Over the course of the past…let’s say 27 years, I’ve gotten to know the genre pretty well.  And, I think it’s possible that, like the sexual sadist who must go to greater and greater heights of violence to reach fulfillment, I have become jaded.  About sci-fi.  It’s possible that I’ve reached a point where nothing less than slavering mosquito women or giant living whale airships will pique my interest, is what I am saying.  And while this book is great in many ways, it also feels very approachable and commercial and just…not…weird.  And I like weird.

*Our good friend Nomes reminded me in the comments that there's also one chapter narrated by Cassie's brother, Sam.  

Perfect Musical Pairing
The White Stripes – Fell In Love With A Girl

The musical way of describing this book is that it’s an A-side book.  And I guess I’m a B-side girl, at least when it comes to sci-fi.  However, I think this book’s appeal will actually make it a great choice for many, many, many people.  This song (which I have chosen for Cassie, of course) brought a huge audience to The White Stripes, and I think this book will do similar things for Rick Yancey.  I hope you all go out and get it.  Meanwhile, I will be off investigating Rick Yancey’s B-side.

I think that for me, this book is a 3.5 but I'm going to give it a 4/5 because I'm being silly and it deserves it.

Also, this ARC is too good not to pass on.  Who wants a copy?  U.S./Canada only and the giveaway ends at midnight on 04/03/2013.  Have at it!
Readventurer C Signature
a Rafflecopter giveaway
45 Comments
Stephanie Sinclair link
3/26/2013 12:48:54 am

Oh, I hate when that happens. When you can tell how amazing a book is, but something isn't working for you. How you feel about Sci-fi, is how I feel about Dystopias.

Still, this does sound pretty awesome. I can't wait to read it!

Reply
Stephanie Sinclair link
3/26/2013 12:52:05 am

The genre I've been reading since I were a kid? Hmmm... I guess fantasy, but I also used to read a lot of historical fiction children's books like the Dear America series. Those were my favorite. Also, one of my favorite books of all time is a historical fiction: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. LOVE THAT BOOK.

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Jaime Arkin link
3/26/2013 12:55:40 am

boy... I think I've probably been reading contemporary stuff since I was a kid. but I'm in love with really good dystopian these days!! I'm definitely excited to give this a try, but I've been in the same boat as you where everything about a book is perfect... it just doesn't work for me!

Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

xo
jaime

Reply
Sam M
3/26/2013 01:00:07 am

This book sounds really fun! In fact, they way you make the writing sound makes me all the more thrilled to see how the book really is. :D

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Crowinator
3/26/2013 01:24:43 am

Great review. I can't wait to read this one because so far for me, Rick Yancey can do no wrong. Catie, you know how much I love the Monstrumologist series, right? I've been reading horror forever like you've been reading SF and I think Yancey excels at writing gory but literary and psychological horror (occasionally he gets a little too literary and goes off track but I actually like that aspect). Each book is better than the last. Anyway, thanks for offering up your ARC to us greedy souls!

Reply
Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings link
3/26/2013 01:50:46 am

I keep hearing about this one everywhere, so I'm literally on pins and needles for NG or Edelweiss to finally accept me for it. I feel like this is one I'd LOVE and although I understand the issue you had with being unable to get into this as much as you would have liked, I don't see myself having that same issue. I've read such few GOOD sci-fi novels over the past few years that I'll probably wind up devouring this. Plus, a multiple narration novel that even you enjoyed? I need to get my hands on this ASAP! Fantastic review, Catie! :)

Reply
Christina Reads YA link
3/26/2013 01:53:26 am

I've definitely had that feeling before - where everything should work, but it just doesn't for me. I don't know if there is one genre that I've read since I was little. I used to read Nancy Drew and the like, but now I'm more fantasy/sci-fi oriented. (Sometimes I too get jaded about sci-fi, particularly YA sci-fi).

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Lisa @ Fic Talk link
3/26/2013 06:55:48 am

Hmmm... I was reading a lot of classic contemp and a few R.L Stine books thrown in. Lol.

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Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
3/26/2013 06:59:29 am

Sadist! I think it would be interesting to go through all the reviews I did last year and see just how many books actually stuck with me or how many I'd leave at their 4 star rating. I'm pretty solid with my 5 star picks, but 4... it can go either way. And whoa, did you invoke Patrick Ness? And then lay the smackdown?? You are a sadist, Catie!

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Tiffany link
3/26/2013 07:01:15 am

I've been reading young adult all my life! Especially horror and paranormal.

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Kassidy
3/26/2013 08:18:14 am

I've been reading mysteries and thrillers ever since I was little! I used to love the A to Z Mysteries, they were soo great. =] thanks for the giveaway!

Reply
Nomes
3/26/2013 10:19:56 am

I love this review. You said it all so well. I gave it 4 as well. Even though I can see how many ppl will love it, i just found it didnt have the can't put down vibe that my favourite books have.

i liked the POV changes too. silencers was great. there was a 4th POV: cassies brother, although I think only in one section?

Reply
Catie (The Readventurer) link
3/26/2013 10:26:32 am

Oh my gosh, you're right! On the bus! I had completely forgotten that. I'll make the correction. Thanks Nomes!

Reply
Tamara
3/26/2013 10:38:04 am

I've been reading a lot of mysteries and thrillers since I was a kid. I used to love Nancy Drew and Fear Street :)

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Tricia C
3/26/2013 11:54:26 am

I've been reading romances since I was younger. Just finished Eleanor & Park and loved it! So glad you enjoyed The 5th Wave because I've really been looking forward to it. I may have started, and still enjoy, romances, but action/adventure is my favorite!

Reply
Kristen Williams link
3/26/2013 12:14:42 pm

I want to read this one SO BAD! Thank you for the giveaway! Fingers and toes crossed I win :-D

Reply
April @ Books And Wine link
3/27/2013 02:18:53 am

Ahhh, I was SO nervous this was going to be a negative review, because that happens a lot with hyped books that I want to read, so seeing the 4/5 thrills me. Also, I'm totally an A-Side girl and don't really love the weird, so I think I'll really be into The 5th Wave - knowing that it has aliens and doesn't go into bizarro land.

Reply
Desiree
3/27/2013 07:28:31 am

I have been reading realistic fiction since I was a wee one, but in the last five years I have gotten way more into fantasy and dystopian type books.

Reply
Skye link
3/27/2013 07:35:34 am

Fantasy - I have ALWAYS adored fantastical worlds.

Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books link
3/27/2013 08:54:41 am

I have heard great things about Yancey's writing in The Monstrumologist. It sounds like he's definitely a YA author not to be missed. That's an unfortunate dilemma to really enjoy a book but ultimately feel like it didn't have too lasting an impression on you. I don't read much sci fi at all, so I'm hoping that this can really appeal to me. Perhaps with the releases of future books in this series, you'll find more to enjoy, more unconventional aspects. Still, I appreciated your honest review!

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Sarah Kalaitzidis link
3/27/2013 09:16:23 am

I guess the genre I've read more since I was young as always been Paranormal, though i don't know if you count Animorphs as Paranormal heh!

Reply
molly @ wrapped up in books link
3/27/2013 11:49:48 am

I'm still fairly inexperienced when it comes to sci-fi, so I bet I would enjoy this, since it's well-written and compelling. It's awesome that the aliens are mostly eerily off stage, rather than being described in detail right away -- that's what made the Alien movies so scary, to be sure!

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Shelver506 link
3/27/2013 11:55:57 am

Fantasy. It's the genre I'm most familiar with, the genre where I feel most at home.

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Kelly link
3/27/2013 12:28:41 pm

<i>His aliens are insidious planners who prey on human weakness to great effect and that aspect is deliciously twisted.</i> SOLD!

Hmm..reading since a child? I've always been an eclectic reader, reading a variety of genres. I loved Roald Dahl as a kid though.

Reply
Kara link
3/28/2013 04:02:40 am

First of all, I love that you paired it with the White Stripes because they are one of my favorite bands. *sobs that they are no longer together* Second, I am totally entering this contest because I want this book so badly. I'll buy it if I have to, but man I'd love to win. Your review only has me more excited. I have heard uhhhmazing things about this book and everything you've stated are things I love. The unseen is totally more scary. I love GREAT writing and multiple povs that work. Gimme Gimme!

Reply
Leigh (Little Book Star) link
3/28/2013 06:16:20 am

Def. fantasy and contemporary. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Reply
Heather@The Flyleaf Review link
3/28/2013 08:04:13 am

I actually read this book last week as part of an ARC tour and LOVED it. Unlike you I am not HUGE into sci fi, though maybe I should be because all I have read has been awesome. Hoping to win that ARC because I'd love to own a copy of this one:)

Oh, genre I have been reading since childhood: Mystery:)

Reply
Readsalot81
3/28/2013 08:36:07 am

Probably science fiction. I started reading books by Douglas Adams and Michael Crighton when I was in middle school :) Still read sci-fi to this day.

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Kristine Hall link
3/28/2013 12:07:20 pm

When I was young, I was always the mystery fan -- Nancy Drew was my fave. As a teen, I went into a horror phase with twisted murderous plots. I still love mystery, and even murder, but I prefer less macabre authors like Sue Grafton. In YA books, anything goes, though I'm so done with vampires.

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Heidi link
3/28/2013 12:12:19 pm

Ah!! Your description of being jaded with SciFi is exactly how I'm beginning to feel about fantasy. I'm just...NOT loving books that I know are objectively extremely well done. Like Marchetta's Lumatere books--I'm really liking them, sure, but I'm not near as into them as I expected I would be. SciFI, on the other hand, particularly involving aliens, isn't something I do as much, and I'm really really looking forward to this one. However, your description of it fading from memory quickly indicates to me that I'll likely be waiting on this series (oh and btw...I didn't love Knife of Never Letting Go either).

Also Eschaton is a totally legit distraction.

Reply
Caitlin Coffey
3/28/2013 01:54:50 pm

goosebumps is what I started with, but now I've moved onto paranormal romance!

Reply
Lyndsey Ammons
3/28/2013 02:03:42 pm

I have always been interested in reading Science Fiction and Fantasy. It all started with the Harry Potter series since the first book was published when I was in elementary school.

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Bonnie link
3/29/2013 03:34:43 am

I'm actually quite new to the Sci-Fi genre but I did read a lot of Fantasy when I was a kid.
I always hate it when there's something off about a book yet you can't seem to figure out what it is exactly. Still, this sounds like a fun book that I'm super excited to read. Great review, Catie!

Reply
Lauren @ Love is not a triangle link
3/29/2013 06:09:36 am

Okay I cannot wait for this book to come out! Everytime I see a review I get excited, even your not so excited review, made me want this one more. I love that this is multi-voiced and that they are all distinct, I love that it is well written and that it is going to freak me out. I'm sorry that you didn't connect more though! I would say that sci-fi is a genre that I most often shy away from, so hopefully that will be a point in my favor. What genre is Anne of Green Gables besides classic? Historical fiction? Contemporary? That is the type of book I read as a child. I'm also reading more YA now than I did at that age. I mostly read classics then too. Thanks for this review!

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Emily link
3/29/2013 02:41:57 pm

I can't say that there is really a genre that I've been reading since I was little. I've always been a fan of most types of books--except non-fiction!

I cannot wait for this book!

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Kirsten!
3/29/2013 04:22:34 pm

fantasy- especially magical realism types :)

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Erika
3/30/2013 02:15:41 pm

I'd probably go with thriller, since Bunnicula:p Thanks!

Reply
Nushrika
3/30/2013 02:42:35 pm

hmm I have been reading fantasy since I can remember. The book that got me hooked on reading was Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and based on that book I would always look for fairytale or fantasy books, even now. :D

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Jen Haile
3/31/2013 11:22:35 am

Fantasy and science fiction!

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Chenise Jones
3/31/2013 12:03:26 pm

I`ve always been a huge fan of the mystery genre! I started out with the original Nancy Drew series and still love reading mysteries today!

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Stormy link
4/1/2013 11:31:44 pm

I really can't pick just one genre that I love/have read forever, but when I was younger I was a HUGE fantasy fan. I still am, but I've definitely branched out as well. I don't think I would call it my favorite genre anymore, but definitely the first that I felt a strong connection to.

Reply
Kim Reid
4/2/2013 08:24:09 am

I've always read mysteries, thanks!

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Renu link
4/2/2013 09:54:09 pm

I agree that the writing was fantastic! I also loved the characters, and I hope we get more of the Silencer's POV in the sequel. As a sci-fi fan this just blew me away. Brilliant review!

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Michelle link
5/20/2013 05:10:37 pm

Great review Catie! I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this more. I haven't read much sic-fi (ok, pretty much none) so I'm interested to see if I'll like this. I enjoyed Midnight City last year and the concept of knowing there are aliens and never actually seeing them was one I liked, so I'm interested to see how it's done in this.

Reply
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