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badseedgirl's review against another edition
2.0
The first book in this series rocked me, due to the nature of the last two years and the friends I have lost. The proof of that is how much lower I rated this book.
This is your typical apocalyptical YA female heroine fare. The heroine acts so naïve, I just want to pat her on the head and then put a bullet in her brain because she is just too damn cute to be alive in the apocalypse. There is also a teenage love triangle, sigh.
Now I have to wonder how good I thought the first book really was, and why it hit me so hard.
This is your typical apocalyptical YA female heroine fare. The heroine acts so naïve, I just want to pat her on the head and then put a bullet in her brain because she is just too damn cute to be alive in the apocalypse. There is also a teenage love triangle, sigh.
Now I have to wonder how good I thought the first book really was, and why it hit me so hard.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
When The Way We Fall ended we learned the pandemic had spread much further than the island. It was everywhere and the world we once knew was no more. The Lives We Lost picks up almost right after the first book ends. The reality of the current world staring our cast of characters right in the face – but hope springs eternal when Kaelyn discovers they might have cure.
I loved that this book got them off the island. Not that I didn’t like the island. But it’s such an isolated place and there is next to no opportunity to introduce new characters into the mix. Once our group leaves the island a world of possibilities are presented to them. There is a lot of walking. But I don’t want to call it “second book syndrome” because things do happen to them while they’re walking. Lots of things. So instead I think we should call it “Two Towers Syndrome.” We know it’s leading up to something big but it still keeps us entertained while we wait.
Part of the reason I’ve fallen so hard for this series is it takes place in Canada. It really irks me when Canadian authors set their books in the States when they could just as easily be set here. I love the angle being in Canada gives this story, as they’re basically walking across the Eastern half of the country during winter. And we all know Canadian winter is no picnic. I learned so many survival tricks and tips while reading this book. It was truly fascinating.
But awesome survival tips aside, it’s the characters that really make The Lives We Lost stand out. There are so many characters. Many of the originals are still around and we are introduced to a number of new ones along the way. Everyone felt unique and distinctive. I think Megan Crewe did a great job capturing the variety of personalities one would come across on a journey such as this. And Kaelyn is still so fabulous. She never gives up. But she’s not perfect either – she has doubts, like anyone would, and is forced to make many difficult decisions. But she is brave and I would follow her if I was in their position.
Recommendation: If you like adventure stories and realistic post-apocalyptic tales check out the Fallen World series. Also recommended for fans of Mike Mullin’s Ashfall.
When The Way We Fall ended we learned the pandemic had spread much further than the island. It was everywhere and the world we once knew was no more. The Lives We Lost picks up almost right after the first book ends. The reality of the current world staring our cast of characters right in the face – but hope springs eternal when Kaelyn discovers they might have cure.
I loved that this book got them off the island. Not that I didn’t like the island. But it’s such an isolated place and there is next to no opportunity to introduce new characters into the mix. Once our group leaves the island a world of possibilities are presented to them. There is a lot of walking. But I don’t want to call it “second book syndrome” because things do happen to them while they’re walking. Lots of things. So instead I think we should call it “Two Towers Syndrome.” We know it’s leading up to something big but it still keeps us entertained while we wait.
Part of the reason I’ve fallen so hard for this series is it takes place in Canada. It really irks me when Canadian authors set their books in the States when they could just as easily be set here. I love the angle being in Canada gives this story, as they’re basically walking across the Eastern half of the country during winter. And we all know Canadian winter is no picnic. I learned so many survival tricks and tips while reading this book. It was truly fascinating.
But awesome survival tips aside, it’s the characters that really make The Lives We Lost stand out. There are so many characters. Many of the originals are still around and we are introduced to a number of new ones along the way. Everyone felt unique and distinctive. I think Megan Crewe did a great job capturing the variety of personalities one would come across on a journey such as this. And Kaelyn is still so fabulous. She never gives up. But she’s not perfect either – she has doubts, like anyone would, and is forced to make many difficult decisions. But she is brave and I would follow her if I was in their position.
Recommendation: If you like adventure stories and realistic post-apocalyptic tales check out the Fallen World series. Also recommended for fans of Mike Mullin’s Ashfall.
katrinacall's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this one a lot more than the first! Hopefully the third book won't be as predictable (or what I'm assuming will happen) … would love some surprise in the next one!
marden's review against another edition
4.0
It was not what I expected but the tension about trying to not to catch the virus is really good, just as the first novel.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
book 2 in Kaelyn's story about being quarantined on an island after a plague ravages the island people.
I'm struggling with this series. it's glossing over some of the tougher stuff that I think this group would be going through. It's a little too easy for a group of teens to accomplish these things - things I don't believe they could. But on the other hand, they are having to make some tough choices and things are bleak. For a YA book, it's good that it doesn't deal with too much at once (and make this a completely depressing read) but it shouldn't make it seems easy either.
I'll read the next one. I'm curious to see how this series ends.
I'm struggling with this series. it's glossing over some of the tougher stuff that I think this group would be going through. It's a little too easy for a group of teens to accomplish these things - things I don't believe they could. But on the other hand, they are having to make some tough choices and things are bleak. For a YA book, it's good that it doesn't deal with too much at once (and make this a completely depressing read) but it shouldn't make it seems easy either.
I'll read the next one. I'm curious to see how this series ends.
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one even more than the first one, and I don't know whether I should give it 3 or 4 stars. So I'm sticking with 3 since it isn't quite as good (in my opinion) as a lot of the books I've given 4. Anyway, what I do love about these books and this author is how real she makes not only the world and the characters but their reactions and the way they talk. Never have I read a trilogy with character who were so believably teenagers with their world collapsing around them, and that makes them so easy and so much fun to read!
paradoxically's review against another edition
3.0
There are things that I really liked in the second book of the Fallen World series (the ending, for example) and other things that just made me unhappy (love triangles, general idiocy). They balance themselves out for the most part, though I wish that the beginning and middle of the book was anywhere near as good as the end.
Now that Kaelyn has a few vials of a vaccine, she and her friends race around Canada, trying to find people who are able to replicate what Kaelyn's father has created. Except not everyone is a good person and a careless mention of the vaccine sends people chasing after the group, putting their lives in danger not only from the virus, but from their fellow humans as well.
As I've said previously, the beginning and middle were kind of mediocre for me, with the ending being the best bit. Part of this was the introduction of the love triangle, which doesn't really go anywhere, but the mere mention of it really annoyed me. This is weird because I usually don't mind love triangles, but this one seemed to come out of nowhere (we know Kae's feelings, but c'mon, Leo, you have a girlfriend and you haven't talked to Kae before the virus happened for a couple of years). On the plus side it occupies a very small portion of the book and could probably be ignored easily. Also, the way it was ultimately handled was pretty good--it was just the existence of it that bothered me, really.
An easy page turner, The Lives We Lost had more action than the previous book. It also made me tired in some parts because the choices that are made are... well, not the brightest they could be in a few situations. Also a lot more trusting than I would ever have been, but, hey, the group just got off an isolated island so I suppose I could cut them some slack. 3 stars.
Now that Kaelyn has a few vials of a vaccine, she and her friends race around Canada, trying to find people who are able to replicate what Kaelyn's father has created. Except not everyone is a good person and a careless mention of the vaccine sends people chasing after the group, putting their lives in danger not only from the virus, but from their fellow humans as well.
As I've said previously, the beginning and middle were kind of mediocre for me, with the ending being the best bit. Part of this was the introduction of the love triangle, which doesn't really go anywhere, but the mere mention of it really annoyed me. This is weird because I usually don't mind love triangles, but this one seemed to come out of nowhere (we know Kae's feelings, but c'mon, Leo, you have a girlfriend and you haven't talked to Kae before the virus happened for a couple of years). On the plus side it occupies a very small portion of the book and could probably be ignored easily. Also, the way it was ultimately handled was pretty good--it was just the existence of it that bothered me, really.
An easy page turner, The Lives We Lost had more action than the previous book. It also made me tired in some parts because the choices that are made are... well, not the brightest they could be in a few situations. Also a lot more trusting than I would ever have been, but, hey, the group just got off an isolated island so I suppose I could cut them some slack. 3 stars.
madi180's review against another edition
4.0
The Lives We Lost
Megan Crewe
First, the virus took Kaelyn’s friends. Then, her family. Now it’s taken away her home.
But she can't look back—the life she once had is gone forever.
A deadly virus has destroyed Kaelyn’s small island community and spread beyond the quarantine. No one is safe. But when Kaelyn finds samples of a vaccine in her father's abandoned lab, she knows there must be someone, somewhere, who can replicate it. As Kaelyn and her friends head to the mainland, they encounter a world beyond recognition. It’s not only the “friendly flu” that’s a killer—there are people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the vaccine. How much will Kaelyn risk for an unproven cure, when the search could either destroy those she loves or save the human race?
Megan Crewe's second volume in the Fallen World trilogy is an action-packed journey that explores the resilience of friendship, the ache of lost love, and Kaelyn’s enduring hope in the face of the sacrifices she must make to stay alive.
Warning spoilers sweetie, especially if you haven't read the first book The Way We Fall. Also a violence warning or if you are afraid of viruses...well don't read this book or this review.
Damon doesn't think it's a big deal.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Plus another warning, if you want to read this series I would advice waiting until you have the sequel. Super cliffhanger. It was really frustrating.So this book is the sequel to The Way We Fall. There's a deadly virus called "The Friendly Flu" and it was just supposed to be restricted to the island that Kaeyln lives on because of a quarantine. Basically the Friendly Flu is called that because first they start itching uncontrollably, followed by the usual flu symptoms, coughing, sneezing, etc. then come the no holds barred friendliness. They will tell you anything that comes across their mind so it could also be bad too if they hate you. Then comes the hallucinations. Usually they are very violent and bad, but could also be severely friendly too....Then they die. I hate to use this gif of Sherlock but it's accurate.......
Sorry about that.. Anyway this book follows Kae, Gav (insert fangirl scream here), Meredith, Leo and Tessa as they try to get Kae's fathers vaccine to someone that can replicate it. They are later joined by Tobias as he saves them from being caught on the island as soldiers bomb the island. On their way to Toronto they come across a group of artists and other refugees hiding. Tessa and Meredith stay with them because this is getting dangerous. They have people after them that want the vaccine for their own selfish use.
Kae and Gav are in loveeee. Gav is amazing. He is fearless, protective, loving, brave, hot, and well amazing.
Then Gav and Tobias start getting sick. And you don't get to find out if they die or not!!!!!!!! They head to the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia.....and that's where it cliffhangs.....
It made me so angry!
Anyway. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
Megan Crewe
First, the virus took Kaelyn’s friends. Then, her family. Now it’s taken away her home.
But she can't look back—the life she once had is gone forever.
A deadly virus has destroyed Kaelyn’s small island community and spread beyond the quarantine. No one is safe. But when Kaelyn finds samples of a vaccine in her father's abandoned lab, she knows there must be someone, somewhere, who can replicate it. As Kaelyn and her friends head to the mainland, they encounter a world beyond recognition. It’s not only the “friendly flu” that’s a killer—there are people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the vaccine. How much will Kaelyn risk for an unproven cure, when the search could either destroy those she loves or save the human race?
Megan Crewe's second volume in the Fallen World trilogy is an action-packed journey that explores the resilience of friendship, the ache of lost love, and Kaelyn’s enduring hope in the face of the sacrifices she must make to stay alive.
Warning spoilers sweetie, especially if you haven't read the first book The Way We Fall. Also a violence warning or if you are afraid of viruses...well don't read this book or this review.
Damon doesn't think it's a big deal.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Plus another warning, if you want to read this series I would advice waiting until you have the sequel. Super cliffhanger. It was really frustrating.So this book is the sequel to The Way We Fall. There's a deadly virus called "The Friendly Flu" and it was just supposed to be restricted to the island that Kaeyln lives on because of a quarantine. Basically the Friendly Flu is called that because first they start itching uncontrollably, followed by the usual flu symptoms, coughing, sneezing, etc. then come the no holds barred friendliness. They will tell you anything that comes across their mind so it could also be bad too if they hate you. Then comes the hallucinations. Usually they are very violent and bad, but could also be severely friendly too....Then they die. I hate to use this gif of Sherlock but it's accurate.......
Sorry about that.. Anyway this book follows Kae, Gav (insert fangirl scream here), Meredith, Leo and Tessa as they try to get Kae's fathers vaccine to someone that can replicate it. They are later joined by Tobias as he saves them from being caught on the island as soldiers bomb the island. On their way to Toronto they come across a group of artists and other refugees hiding. Tessa and Meredith stay with them because this is getting dangerous. They have people after them that want the vaccine for their own selfish use.
Kae and Gav are in loveeee. Gav is amazing. He is fearless, protective, loving, brave, hot, and well amazing.
Then Gav and Tobias start getting sick. And you don't get to find out if they die or not!!!!!!!! They head to the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia.....and that's where it cliffhangs.....
It made me so angry!
Anyway. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.