Reviews with content warning for Sexism - All That's Left in the World

I. Loved. This. Book.

I could relate to the characters, there was humour, there was sadness, there were "ohmygodohmygodohmygodaretheygonnabeokay" moments and, of course, there was a really sweet romance plotline.

I loved this book with all of my heart. I was grinning from ear to ear whenever Jamie laughed at Andrew's jokes and I felt like I couldn't breathe whenever someone held a gun to their heads. I've said it once and I'll say it again: I would love if this was turned into a two-season TV show, similar to 'Sweet Tooth', where we see the journeys of the other characters Andrew and Jamie meet.

Vague spoiler for middle of book:

And season 1 would end after they leave Chris and his siblings behind (or possibly after they enter Fort Caroline?). Although a big scene may need to be added there to make for a climactic season finale.

For anyone reading this review who maybe prefers more sci-fi books or isn't a huge fan of romance novels:
The main plot driving the story is surviving in this post-apocalyptic world. It is finding (and sometimes avoiding) survivors, food and shelter along with dealing with "quests" along the way. But the romance in this book is still a driving factor and is written (just like every other aspect of this book) so incredibly well!

Absolutely would recommend this book. Of course there were some things about it I didn't love, such as the pacing or the wording in some scenes but that all comes down to personal taste.

So totally go read this book! I believe it is the queer post-apocalyptic story the world needs :)

Big spoiler for final chapters:

Also I was genuinely so scared for Jamie at the end there. I had faith that the author wouldn't use the "kill your gays" trope, especially after reading the author's note (which for some reason I read while in the middle of the book?). But I kept looking at how few pages were left in the book and how they weren't finding any antibiotics and there would be no one to help them and I just... I was so worried Jamie was going to die. But he didn't so yay!

Content Warnings

1quillb's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

4.75

I was worried that starting this book while quarantining with COVID would ruin my experience reading it, but boy was a wrong. This book is absolutely incredible, and I sped through it disappointingly fast (I want more gay dystopians!!!)
Firstly, it’s so funny. The main characters, Andrew and Jamie, are both hilarious in their own ways, and I was laughing reading their banter when two pages earlier they had stumbled across a dead body. It really made quarantining better.
Along with being funny, it’s also sad and wholesome, and incredibly heartwarming despite the horrors depicted in it. The end gives me hope for the future of our society—which I really needed right now—and the way some of the characters interact make me really happy.
I recommend this book to everyone, despite it being about a pandemic. Obviously if you don’t want to read about a pandemic then this book isn’t for you, but overall it’s scope goes beyond the disease and into deeper issues. Really, read it!!

Content Warnings

silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

3.5

Content Warnings

More...