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h4wk1nz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i adore this book. perfect balance of romance and plot with a delicious slowburn.
what i would give to read it for the first time again <3
what i would give to read it for the first time again <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Homophobia, Violence, Gun violence, and Death
bookish_kirst's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
melsage1823's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A masterfull thrilling story about uniting after tragedy with perfectly written main characters.
I loved this novel. This story definitely hit hard after coming out of the pandemic and still struggling with the aftermath of it. It subverted the Bury Your Gays Trope and it was just overall really amazing representation that we get to read about two queer teenagers being able to survive through tragedy. I also felt like setting this story in a post apocalyptic world helped Erik.J.Brown subvert alot of tropes. The slow burn relationship is heartwarming without fitting into those stereotypes. Andrew and Jamie have flaws and are portrayed with a lot of humanity and depth.
My hope is that this novel inspires a new sub genre where Queer Teens are able to unite and survive through the toughest of challenges. The community definitely needs more stories like this especially when everything feels so hopeless. Before I move onto some of the positives I need to talk about one small pet peeve I had, the world building.
This would have been five stars if the world building was built up through show don't tell. Hate to compare it to other post apocalypse media but take The Last Of Us. The video game adapted show perfectly sets up the effects of the cordyceps virus through a chilling flashback TV talk show and then a full flashback for our main character and the tragedy he faced once the world fell. This is the world building I felt was missing in this novel as in my opinion showing what Andrew and Jamisons life's were like pre super flu and during would have been more impactful than the characters bluntly telling us what happened. I wanted to care about the post apocalyptic ravaged America but I couldn't due to only finding out about the state of America through exposition. Other than that though I really did really enjoy this novel.
I could rave about this novel for pages but I'm gonna do my best to limit the positives to three things. My first positive is how the theme of two people coping and surviving after a pandemic is handled throughout the novel. It's always bothered me how much marginalised people are excluded from the dystopia and post apocalyptic genre but here it works really well. Through this novel being own voices Erik.J.Brown has shown perfectly what it's like to be queer in a post apocalypse something that I've only seen the Last Of Us address this well before. We get to see how society collapsing has both positively and negatively affected Jamie and Andrew. Its just brilliant. The tone of the novel is great whilst also Dark at some points we also get to feel hope as Jamie and Andrew bond and find each other. If your queer like myself, this novel will hit especially hard.
Secondly I loved all of the characters. Without giving away spoilers I'll talk about Jamie and Andrew in another paragraph but the side characters such as Hank, Henri, Cara, The Fort Caroliners andthe Keys group featured at the end of the novel were all super interesting not just as characters but physiologically as well. It added to the tension of the story as you never knew if the people Jamie and Andrew came across could be trusted. Like the last of us we also see how the apocalypse in a way becomes a blessing for bigots and just in genuine super dodgy people. It also adds to the complexity arching moral of the story of how you should and shouldn't act during an apocalypse. We get to see multiple ways the "super flu" has affected people and just how hard survial is. It's also great that each character isn't just there to prop up Jamie and Andrew's story, there their own multifaceted character. Let's just say if you like large casts Jamie and Andrew aren't the only interesting characters in the story even if they are the main focus.
Finally, without any spoilers Jamie and Andrews relationship is the glue that holds this book together. It's not only emotional and beautiful but it's a realistic and well built up relationship too. Too often as mentioned Gay Couples have to experience sadness and truama or be the most perfect representation with no inbetween. Jamie and Andrew are in between and it works really well. Through their time together they experience laughter and hope especially with Andrews awesome personality but they also experience challenges and truama. By the end of the book they are at a completely different place but we are able to not only route for them but connect with them on a personal level too.Their slow burn love story is built up so well from the moment Jamie decides to let Andrew stay in the cabin for a while to heal from his injurjed leg and Andrew stays at Jamie's beside to help him recover after he was shot. It thematically ties together well. Oh and the confession wrecked me in the best way possible I was so relieved when they finally both had the courage to share their feelings with each other even if at the worst possible time being tied up and all.
Overall All That's Left In The World is an incredible queer post apocalyptic book that perfectly balances hope and tragedy. It can hit you in the gut sometimes whilst also being a super comforting and inspiring read. Whilst I would mainly recommend this to the queer community, any audience can pick up this novel and still really enjoy it. Cannot recommend reading enough, I can't wait for the sequel.
I loved this novel. This story definitely hit hard after coming out of the pandemic and still struggling with the aftermath of it. It subverted the Bury Your Gays Trope and it was just overall really amazing representation that we get to read about two queer teenagers being able to survive through tragedy. I also felt like setting this story in a post apocalyptic world helped Erik.J.Brown subvert alot of tropes. The slow burn relationship is heartwarming without fitting into those stereotypes. Andrew and Jamie have flaws and are portrayed with a lot of humanity and depth.
My hope is that this novel inspires a new sub genre where Queer Teens are able to unite and survive through the toughest of challenges. The community definitely needs more stories like this especially when everything feels so hopeless. Before I move onto some of the positives I need to talk about one small pet peeve I had, the world building.
This would have been five stars if the world building was built up through show don't tell. Hate to compare it to other post apocalypse media but take The Last Of Us. The video game adapted show perfectly sets up the effects of the cordyceps virus through a chilling flashback TV talk show and then a full flashback for our main character and the tragedy he faced once the world fell. This is the world building I felt was missing in this novel as in my opinion showing what Andrew and Jamisons life's were like pre super flu and during would have been more impactful than the characters bluntly telling us what happened. I wanted to care about the post apocalyptic ravaged America but I couldn't due to only finding out about the state of America through exposition. Other than that though I really did really enjoy this novel.
I could rave about this novel for pages but I'm gonna do my best to limit the positives to three things. My first positive is how the theme of two people coping and surviving after a pandemic is handled throughout the novel. It's always bothered me how much marginalised people are excluded from the dystopia and post apocalyptic genre but here it works really well. Through this novel being own voices Erik.J.Brown has shown perfectly what it's like to be queer in a post apocalypse something that I've only seen the Last Of Us address this well before. We get to see how society collapsing has both positively and negatively affected Jamie and Andrew. Its just brilliant. The tone of the novel is great whilst also Dark at some points we also get to feel hope as Jamie and Andrew bond and find each other. If your queer like myself, this novel will hit especially hard.
Secondly I loved all of the characters. Without giving away spoilers I'll talk about Jamie and Andrew in another paragraph but the side characters such as Hank, Henri, Cara, The Fort Caroliners and
Finally, without any spoilers Jamie and Andrews relationship is the glue that holds this book together. It's not only emotional and beautiful but it's a realistic and well built up relationship too. Too often as mentioned Gay Couples have to experience sadness and truama or be the most perfect representation with no inbetween. Jamie and Andrew are in between and it works really well. Through their time together they experience laughter and hope especially with Andrews awesome personality but they also experience challenges and truama. By the end of the book they are at a completely different place but we are able to not only route for them but connect with them on a personal level too.
Overall All That's Left In The World is an incredible queer post apocalyptic book that perfectly balances hope and tragedy. It can hit you in the gut sometimes whilst also being a super comforting and inspiring read. Whilst I would mainly recommend this to the queer community, any audience can pick up this novel and still really enjoy it. Cannot recommend reading enough, I can't wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
lydiaurban's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Hate crime, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Homophobia, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
earftoalex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
the perfect queer post apocalyptic book iβve been looking for. i loved the characters like i was there and felt their pain like i was them
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Vomit, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders
royalwaves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
To be completely honest this did put me in a minor reading slump but that was more to deal with the fact that it reminded me a lot of this book I read in August and I kept comparing the two and thinking one was the other. That being said I liked this one more than that one. And had I not gotten in that minor slump this definitely would of been a 5 star read for me.
I canβt wait for the sequel that releases in March and I highly recommend this book. This is one of if not my favourite apocalypse book Iβve read. And the fact that itβs queer makes it even better.
I canβt wait for the sequel that releases in March and I highly recommend this book. This is one of if not my favourite apocalypse book Iβve read. And the fact that itβs queer makes it even better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Vomit
kaz_brekker1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
maxence_666's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Homophobia
gabriellesimpson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Medical content, Violence, Homophobia, Murder, Gun violence, and Death
carina_dreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
When I finished this book, on the spot, nothing bad came to mind to point out!
π Dystopian books scare my anxiety. I like that they're meant to cause discussion and discomfort, but I want to read to escape my anxiety...
Given that this is a book about a post-apocalyptic world that went through a super-flu after COVID and lost like 90% of the population, I was still iffy about it. It didn't bring out bad memories from the Pandemic for me, but there are topics about grief over family members, so be careful.
(Note: it was written before the coronavirus and the author had to make little changes before publishing)
π Our main characters are: Andrew, a sassy gay teen, who stumbles with his injured leg on Jamison/Jamie's cabin. Jamie, a gentle and lonely teen, ends up saving his life and leg thanks to the medical diary his mother left him.
While Andrew recovers on Jamie's couch for a few weeks, the boys grow closer and their existences become irreplaceable for each other.
For some reason, they leave the cabin (as the map shows at the beginning of the book) and their friendship is put to the test many times. Finding food, and shelter, greeting or avoiding survivors, secret agendas and questions of the heart will be some of the things floating in their minds.
π Their growing friendship and bond are great and compensate for the slow burn in their romance. I value every moment they thought about how they saw each other and how they felt, especially Jamie discovering himself.
π This is mostly a book about two boys surviving together. They are broken by their own experiences and are put to the test by the harsh environment and people.
π While reading this book there were many times I forgot I was reading. The vibes are perfect for autumn, despite being a late spring/early summer book. I like the author's writing a lot and I will recommend this book always.
Rating: βββββ+π
π Dystopian books scare my anxiety. I like that they're meant to cause discussion and discomfort, but I want to read to escape my anxiety...
Given that this is a book about a post-apocalyptic world that went through a super-flu after COVID and lost like 90% of the population, I was still iffy about it. It didn't bring out bad memories from the Pandemic for me, but there are topics about grief over family members, so be careful.
(Note: it was written before the coronavirus and the author had to make little changes before publishing)
π Our main characters are: Andrew, a sassy gay teen, who stumbles with his injured leg on Jamison/Jamie's cabin. Jamie, a gentle and lonely teen, ends up saving his life and leg thanks to the medical diary his mother left him.
While Andrew recovers on Jamie's couch for a few weeks, the boys grow closer and their existences become irreplaceable for each other.
For some reason, they leave the cabin (as the map shows at the beginning of the book) and their friendship is put to the test many times. Finding food, and shelter, greeting or avoiding survivors, secret agendas and questions of the heart will be some of the things floating in their minds.
π Their growing friendship and bond are great and compensate for the slow burn in their romance. I value every moment they thought about how they saw each other and how they felt, especially Jamie discovering himself.
π This is mostly a book about two boys surviving together. They are broken by their own experiences and are put to the test by the harsh environment and people.
π While reading this book there were many times I forgot I was reading. The vibes are perfect for autumn, despite being a late spring/early summer book. I like the author's writing a lot and I will recommend this book always.
Rating: βββββ+π
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Misogyny, Child death, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts