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uparrowhead's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I hope the afterlife has a little movie theatre where you can sit in silence and watch the sequence of events that led to the watershed moments of your life.
All That's Left in the World is a book packed full of hardships and pleasures, comedy and challenges, heaven and hell, but with a continuous and long lasting promise for hope.
In post-pandemic USA where a dangerous superflu has wiped out most of humanity, Andrew and Jamie feel like lost humans in a small world that has decayed and died; a pair setting out on a journey in search for an unknown light at the end of the tunnel, meeting new faces but always facing the problems that are thrown at them together. This novel throws you into the mash of difficulties and challenges of a world that has gone to shit, and yet you can't stop reading and hoping for a new and better tomorrow beyond the horizon, just like the two lovable main characters.
I picked up this novel randomly in a bookstore without expecting much out of it, but I cannot stress how exciting (and sometimes depressing) it was to read through this rollercoaster of a story, adventuring through an apocalyptic world with the main characters. It was an unforgettable blast and I can't express in words just how much I loved this book. It hits you in the feels when it decides to be sad, it gives you endearing and pining moments that are to die for, it keeps you on your toes when tension rises. Really, it had everything, and I was constantly struggling to put it down as I wanted nothing more than to continue reading and see where the book ends.
Both the characters and the plot itself were wonderful, and every second was a flurry of emotions as the characters hope for a happy ending to their horrible situation. A lovely read that left me teary by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Vomit, Alcoholism, and Racism
o__o's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book is so good!! It focuses a lot on the inner-monologues of the characters while also being action-packed. The chapters bounce between two POVs so you really get to know both characters. It’s almost freakishly real, especially after Covid, but not too similar to the point where it’s particularly disturbing (in my opinion). Some parts of this book are disturbing, such as violence, the general nature of the “super-flu”, and a lot of bodies, but it’s also a post-apocalyptic story so it kinda comes with the package. The romance is subtle and not the main focus of the story which is also nice because, for once, the conflict in the story does not revolve around being LGBTQ+. However, I do think it correctly addresses the concerns and conflicts that would arise as an LGBTQ+ person in the apocalypse. Overall, this book is well-written, emotional, balanced, and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Child death, Homophobia, Murder, and Cursing
Minor: Antisemitism and Alcohol
bookishflower's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“This cute boy saved my life, gave me food and now stories. All you need indeed.”
•••
“YES!’ I shout and roll the window down. ‘America! He knows Back to the Future!”
•••
And just like Back to the Future there is no better opening than the power of love. (See what I did there?! *wink, wink!*)
This book broke my heart then mended it again (repeat this stage a lot), made me fall back in love with the dystopian genre, and made me laugh out loud the whole time.
Jamie and Andrew are the sweetest, I immediately fell in love with their characters and the way they support each other. The slow burn, grumpy/quiet and sunshine trope hitting all the marks! This is the dystopian, gay representation that was sorely missing in the height of 2010s with a fresh twist for post-pandemic life.
Erik J. Brown is one of the few writers who can not only successfully, but expertly incorporate pop culture references into their writing. Nothing felt forced with the added bonus of being hilarious, while not shying away from the realities of what post-apocalyptic life would be like e.g. the ugliness of human nature and capitalism.
I haven’t seen much hype online around this book since arcs were released (with a very cool marketing strategy too!) which needs to change! (For reference, I bought my copy, this review is completely unaffiliated if there’s any confusion).
This book is criminally underrated, go read it now!
P.S.
(Someone needs to make the ultimate ‘all that’s left in the world’ pop culture guide with all the music, films, tv shows mentioned in the book- everyone needs to have Miss Congeniality and Nina Simone in their lives!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Homophobia, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
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