Scan barcode
mementolore's review
What if the aliens invaded and the only survivor was the strong female teen character? (I say this as an enthusiast of the trope btw). What if, six months in, she found out she wasn't the only survivor?
The Last 8 has a lot of really strong points. It features a very diverse unlikely family ("everyone at the end of the world is gay") of nerdy teens who need each other during the alien invasion. I do love the aro/bi - i see some aroace rep in recent YA, but less so with just aro folks - rep with Clover, the main character. often times, the lack of romantic interest is left to fuckboys in YA fiction, not badass girls who are just not that into it (and also trying to survive the apocalypse). They aren't all white and american either, which is cool.
Clover, as the MC, is very driven and at the same time, broken from the survivor guilt. This was actually the most important point for me and what really drew me in, since it's pretty clear that an alien invasion would harm someone's mental health, even more when you consider she stays alone for six months after her world is destroyed. For a story about alien invasions, it's pretty realistic. Other characters have to deal with grief and burnout just the same and we get to see their journey from comfort to hope, to cynism and all the way back again.
The pacing here is fun and keeps you going, with multiple plot twists; some are more easy to guess and foreshadowed, others will in fact blow your mind, but still, the twists and turns of this story make it very cinematic and full of action.
The only issues I had were that I wanted to get to know some of the secondary characters better and that a few of the alien conflicts parts went on a little too long.
But it also has a very metaphoric sense to it because it's also a story abou the sense of heroism and what draws the line between caution and complacency, between what is the "us" and what is the "other", what can and what can't - or shouldn't - be saved and what truly matters at the end of the world. Aliens coming over or not, this is what it means to be human.
The Last 8 has a lot of really strong points. It features a very diverse unlikely family ("everyone at the end of the world is gay") of nerdy teens who need each other during the alien invasion. I do love the aro/bi - i see some aroace rep in recent YA, but less so with just aro folks - rep with Clover, the main character. often times, the lack of romantic interest is left to fuckboys in YA fiction, not badass girls who are just not that into it (and also trying to survive the apocalypse). They aren't all white and american either, which is cool.
Clover, as the MC, is very driven and at the same time, broken from the survivor guilt. This was actually the most important point for me and what really drew me in, since it's pretty clear that an alien invasion would harm someone's mental health, even more when you consider she stays alone for six months after her world is destroyed. For a story about alien invasions, it's pretty realistic. Other characters have to deal with grief and burnout just the same and we get to see their journey from comfort to hope, to cynism and all the way back again.
The pacing here is fun and keeps you going, with multiple plot twists; some are more easy to guess and foreshadowed, others will in fact blow your mind, but still, the twists and turns of this story make it very cinematic and full of action.
The only issues I had were that I wanted to get to know some of the secondary characters better and that a few of the alien conflicts parts went on a little too long.
But it also has a very metaphoric sense to it because it's also a story abou the sense of heroism and what draws the line between caution and complacency, between what is the "us" and what is the "other", what can and what can't - or shouldn't - be saved and what truly matters at the end of the world. Aliens coming over or not, this is what it means to be human.
disgracefullee's review
2.0
This book was a mixed bag for me. Clover is an engaging narrator, and I loved reading her perspective on the apocalypse. She really felt real, and her being aromantic was really important to me. The way she approached situations was a lot more fun to read than the usual emotion driven protagonists. Clover is cool and calculating, and rarely lets anything ruffle her feathers. (Although if I might add, Clover apparently lacking many emotions and then also being aromantic is weird to me. It's not like aromantic people don't feel emotions- they just don't feel romantic attraction, and the stereotype that they don't have feelings is maybe not the best one to be propagating). Nonetheless, she felt like a real person, which is pretty important in a story about aliens and world ending apocalypses.
The rest of the characters in this book did not feel distinctive. Rayen, Brooklyn, Avani, and Flint talk and act in exactly the same way. They feel like they're all meant to be the exact same wisecracking sidekick. I understand it's difficult to pound out distinct personalities sometimes (especially when you're working on a NaNoWriMo schedule), but when your entire book depends on the idea that these are the last 8 people on the entire planet and their friendship will save the world, they need to all feel like real people. Half of them felt unnecessary. (Also, maybe this is a pet peeve, but the names in this book are too similar. We have three A names (Avani, Andy, and Adam) and it's super difficult to remember who's who.) The only people that felt distinct were Clover, Adam, and Violet. The rest felt like slightly different clones of each other.
Final verdict: Meh. Take it or leave it. I enjoyed reading Clover's perspective, but didn't feel connected to the whole point of the story, so do with that what you will.
The rest of the characters in this book did not feel distinctive. Rayen, Brooklyn, Avani, and Flint talk and act in exactly the same way. They feel like they're all meant to be the exact same wisecracking sidekick. I understand it's difficult to pound out distinct personalities sometimes (especially when you're working on a NaNoWriMo schedule), but when your entire book depends on the idea that these are the last 8 people on the entire planet and their friendship will save the world, they need to all feel like real people. Half of them felt unnecessary. (Also, maybe this is a pet peeve, but the names in this book are too similar. We have three A names (Avani, Andy, and Adam) and it's super difficult to remember who's who.) The only people that felt distinct were Clover, Adam, and Violet. The rest felt like slightly different clones of each other.
Final verdict: Meh. Take it or leave it. I enjoyed reading Clover's perspective, but didn't feel connected to the whole point of the story, so do with that what you will.
someonetookit's review
5.0
This being Pohl's debut novel, I was willing to give it leeway if it was a little clunky. But it wasn't and I found myself drawn in, only to have to put it down because university assignments loomed and I had procrastinated. Fast forward to yesterday and I was determined to leave the world behind for a few hours. It was worth it (may have even been worth a bad grade but my brain noped hardcore at that thought ^_^).
Clover is a teenager with a lot on her mind; she is hopefully headed to MIT, her boyfriend is kinda weird and clingy and her abuela is determined she gets a good education. Until people start dying and suddenly MIT doesn't seem so important anymore. The Last 8 is the story of he journey across the country endeavouring to find another living soul because I mean, noone wants to be alone when they die right? She is smart and gritty, a little clumsy when it comes to successfully driving a car - she can fly a plane so who needs vehicles right? - and just outright resilient. Basically she is flawed heroine goals and I loved her for the most part
The other 7 survivors of the apocalypse (this is not a spoiler, it literally tells you in the title) are equally resilient, comprised of some who have fought their way across the country and others who have simply stayed put but had amazing luck in not being discovered. They all have their histories, one is a medical genius, another is a hardcore mechanic who can fix anything and everything that is broken. They have all existed in relative harmony through it all - until Clover arrives and everything goes to the proverbial, meaning they need to take action.
My favourite character in the whole piece however is Sputnik, a mangy dog left without an owner who seems to attach herself to Clover while she quests across the country. This dog is pet goals to be honest - she is a loyal guardian who wold never let anything happen to her owner. Except maybe if you give her food because her stomach is the boss. I'm not sure if Sputnik was originally meant to be a character which endured through the whole novel but she appears at all the best moments and I just want to hug her, call her a good pupper and feed her all the treats. But I digress...
When I started TL8, I was expecting a kind of cliched 'oh no, there be aliens *faint*' kind of narrative like a high proportion of books involving extraterrestrials seem to be lately. Instead I got a punchy, fast paced tale, full of twists and turns that felt believable. When reading earlier chapters, I could feel Clover's desolation, her fear as she ran from her pursuers. Once she found others at *redacted*, I too wondered about the others motivations.
And let me tell you about THAT twist. As a whole, the novel was well paced but then when *redacted* happened, i literally looked at my fiance, yelled an expletive and then had to put my kindle down before I dropped it in surprise (it was SO FREAKING GOOD). By the end, I not only WANTED more, I NEED more. Not to say it isn't tied up in a neat bow (or as best as it could be under the circumstances) but I feel like there is a hole in my soul that needs filling by another of Pohl's works... But there are none yet... Excuse me while I hibernate in a corner until the next one releases.
Clover is a teenager with a lot on her mind; she is hopefully headed to MIT, her boyfriend is kinda weird and clingy and her abuela is determined she gets a good education. Until people start dying and suddenly MIT doesn't seem so important anymore. The Last 8 is the story of he journey across the country endeavouring to find another living soul because I mean, noone wants to be alone when they die right? She is smart and gritty, a little clumsy when it comes to successfully driving a car - she can fly a plane so who needs vehicles right? - and just outright resilient. Basically she is flawed heroine goals and I loved her for the most part
The other 7 survivors of the apocalypse (this is not a spoiler, it literally tells you in the title) are equally resilient, comprised of some who have fought their way across the country and others who have simply stayed put but had amazing luck in not being discovered. They all have their histories, one is a medical genius, another is a hardcore mechanic who can fix anything and everything that is broken. They have all existed in relative harmony through it all - until Clover arrives and everything goes to the proverbial, meaning they need to take action.
My favourite character in the whole piece however is Sputnik, a mangy dog left without an owner who seems to attach herself to Clover while she quests across the country. This dog is pet goals to be honest - she is a loyal guardian who wold never let anything happen to her owner. Except maybe if you give her food because her stomach is the boss. I'm not sure if Sputnik was originally meant to be a character which endured through the whole novel but she appears at all the best moments and I just want to hug her, call her a good pupper and feed her all the treats. But I digress...
When I started TL8, I was expecting a kind of cliched 'oh no, there be aliens *faint*' kind of narrative like a high proportion of books involving extraterrestrials seem to be lately. Instead I got a punchy, fast paced tale, full of twists and turns that felt believable. When reading earlier chapters, I could feel Clover's desolation, her fear as she ran from her pursuers. Once she found others at *redacted*, I too wondered about the others motivations.
And let me tell you about THAT twist. As a whole, the novel was well paced but then when *redacted* happened, i literally looked at my fiance, yelled an expletive and then had to put my kindle down before I dropped it in surprise (it was SO FREAKING GOOD). By the end, I not only WANTED more, I NEED more. Not to say it isn't tied up in a neat bow (or as best as it could be under the circumstances) but I feel like there is a hole in my soul that needs filling by another of Pohl's works... But there are none yet... Excuse me while I hibernate in a corner until the next one releases.
lookingforamandaa's review
5.0
The Last 8 follows Clover as the world is ending because aliens have come to Earth, and they’re not friendly. Everyone Clover has ever known is dead. She travels aimlessly around the United States for many months until she hears a radio broadcast made by another survivor. She travels to what used to be Area 51. This is where she meets seven other survivors. But they’re happily hiding in their military base and aren’t interested in doing anything to fight back against the aliens, until Clover convinces them anyway.
This story was incredible. I wasn’t sure what to expect while I was listening. The plot twists were interesting and kept the story going at a steady pace. I think one of my favorite things about this story was that it’s realistic. The world ends and all of Clover’s loved ones are gone, she really struggles with suicidal thoughts and considers killing herself several times while she’s traveling alone. Most of the ‘end of the world’ stories have these hopeful teenagers that think they’re invincible, but this book has a diverse cast of characters that just want the aliens to go away. They want to hide and not have to be responsible for saving the world.
Clover was a complicated girl. She was raised by her grandparents, grew up as the only Latinx girl in a small town. I really liked that this was addressed even though that small town was soon unrecognizable. I also liked that Clover was sort of a jerk. She pushed people to do things they don’t really want to do. She pushes her new friends to ask questions, to do something, anything. She isn’t the hero they wanted, but she is the one they needed.
Overall, this might be one of my new favorite science fiction stories. There was action and drama. There were interesting relationships that I was easily invested in. There was a diverse cast of characters that each brought something to the story. I loved the twists and turns that the characters went through. They learned things about themselves that they never wanted to know. They learn things about each other too. I think this story was so well done and I’m confused why this book hasn’t been talked about more. I will now go to my rooftop and scream about this book so that others will read it.
Quotes:
“I don’t belong to the sky anymore. Hope is the thing that kills me in the end. Because it doesn’t take my body, but it takes my soul.”
“I’ve learned that there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.”
“My instinct is not to speak, but I’m tired of silence. I’m tired of not knowing how to bridge the gaps between me and the others.”
This story was incredible. I wasn’t sure what to expect while I was listening. The plot twists were interesting and kept the story going at a steady pace. I think one of my favorite things about this story was that it’s realistic. The world ends and all of Clover’s loved ones are gone, she really struggles with suicidal thoughts and considers killing herself several times while she’s traveling alone. Most of the ‘end of the world’ stories have these hopeful teenagers that think they’re invincible, but this book has a diverse cast of characters that just want the aliens to go away. They want to hide and not have to be responsible for saving the world.
Clover was a complicated girl. She was raised by her grandparents, grew up as the only Latinx girl in a small town. I really liked that this was addressed even though that small town was soon unrecognizable. I also liked that Clover was sort of a jerk. She pushed people to do things they don’t really want to do. She pushes her new friends to ask questions, to do something, anything. She isn’t the hero they wanted, but she is the one they needed.
Overall, this might be one of my new favorite science fiction stories. There was action and drama. There were interesting relationships that I was easily invested in. There was a diverse cast of characters that each brought something to the story. I loved the twists and turns that the characters went through. They learned things about themselves that they never wanted to know. They learn things about each other too. I think this story was so well done and I’m confused why this book hasn’t been talked about more. I will now go to my rooftop and scream about this book so that others will read it.
Quotes:
“I don’t belong to the sky anymore. Hope is the thing that kills me in the end. Because it doesn’t take my body, but it takes my soul.”
“I’ve learned that there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.”
“My instinct is not to speak, but I’m tired of silence. I’m tired of not knowing how to bridge the gaps between me and the others.”
iam's review against another edition
4.0
You can find this review & more here.
4.5 stars
You'd think this book's title would have clued me in about the whole mass extinction of the human species, as in, everyone dies, but somehow I managed to still be surprised when everyone started disappearing.
Content warnings include: alien invasion, mass extinction, death, suicide, plane and car crashes; mentions of mother abandoning child on grandparents' doorstep.
This was a great YA novel. It had some instances where I was thinking it was just going too well, too easily, these teens shouldn't be able to do all this, but it was never too bad and there are explanations for a lot of things later on.
I liked the way the plot developed and it was exciting the entire way through, subverting a lot of my conscious and subconscous expectations.
A part of that was the main cast's makeup - of the eight teenagers there's two boys and six girls. Five of them furthermore are PoC, and most of them are queer.
There is no romantic subplot involving the main character, or really any big focus on any sort of relationships including Clover (more on her later), but among the main eight there were both important romantic and platonic relationships, never putting romance above friendship or found family.
Clover is the protagonist and only POV character. I loved her.
While it is not explicitly stated, Clover is aromantic, and noticably so, particularly to me as an aromantic reader. I loved the way she negotiated the few conversations around romance that involved her, and how she thought about all things romantic.
I also just generally liked being in her head, and how her mind worked. She's calculated and pragmatic, and reading along her thought processes was fascinating and a delight.
Along with some things just feeling too easy or convenient, I was a bit confused by the way some things were... perceived. Let me explain.
There was a contrast to me about how a few things were handled in comparison to others. When Clover arrives at Area 51 and meets the other teens, she is disappointed and furious when they don't live up to her expectations, and she completely blames that on them without questioning or re-evaluating that not everyone might agree with her expectations. So a chunk of the plot revolved around her pushing her expectations onto the others, acting as if what she wants is the only valid thing to do.
On the other hand, there is Violet, also called Boss, the leader of the Last Teenagers on Earth. So while Clover more or less directly attacks Violet and how she handles the other teenagers.... at no point she ever actually questions Violet's authority, or asks why Violet even is in charge.
For a long time I was super confused about the dynamics among the teens, why everyone was listening to Violet or why Clover isn't ever questioning her authority, and reasons aren't really given, and the few we get come much later.
That said, Violet was a surprise. Both she as a character and all interactions between her and Clover completely defied everything I expected or was used to from other YA books, and I LOVED THAT. There was no antagonism or hostility between the established leader and the rebellious newcomer - instead there was a lot of calculation, mutual respect and recognition of a like-minded soul.
Lastly I want to mention that I listened to this as an audiobook. I'm not sure I can properly review it as such, as I have pretty much zero experience with audiobooks at this point. I've only listened to a bunch of fiction podcasts before, and can only compare it to that, even though it's a completely different format.
I liked the narrator's voice. It was very even and clear, and I had a lot less trouble understanding what was being said and following along with the plot than I usually do with podcasts. However, that even-ness also lead to me not always being able to distinguish between what was being said aloud and what was a thought or a description, or between who was talking. These weren't big issues though, I could still follow along just fine and never got confused.
One last thing: I couldn't help but notice that in the final showdown, it was somehow only the two white girls playing the big roles. I have no idea if that was done deliberately, or if it just happened naturally due to who the characters were, but it stood out as weird to me.
4.5 stars
You'd think this book's title would have clued me in about the whole mass extinction of the human species, as in, everyone dies, but somehow I managed to still be surprised when everyone started disappearing.
Content warnings include: alien invasion, mass extinction, death, suicide, plane and car crashes; mentions of mother abandoning child on grandparents' doorstep.
This was a great YA novel. It had some instances where I was thinking it was just going too well, too easily, these teens shouldn't be able to do all this, but it was never too bad and there are explanations for a lot of things later on.
I liked the way the plot developed and it was exciting the entire way through, subverting a lot of my conscious and subconscous expectations.
A part of that was the main cast's makeup - of the eight teenagers there's two boys and six girls. Five of them furthermore are PoC, and most of them are queer.
There is no romantic subplot involving the main character, or really any big focus on any sort of relationships including Clover (more on her later), but among the main eight there were both important romantic and platonic relationships, never putting romance above friendship or found family.
Clover is the protagonist and only POV character. I loved her.
While it is not explicitly stated, Clover is aromantic, and noticably so, particularly to me as an aromantic reader. I loved the way she negotiated the few conversations around romance that involved her, and how she thought about all things romantic.
I also just generally liked being in her head, and how her mind worked. She's calculated and pragmatic, and reading along her thought processes was fascinating and a delight.
Along with some things just feeling too easy or convenient, I was a bit confused by the way some things were... perceived. Let me explain.
There was a contrast to me about how a few things were handled in comparison to others. When Clover arrives at Area 51 and meets the other teens, she is disappointed and furious when they don't live up to her expectations, and she completely blames that on them without questioning or re-evaluating that not everyone might agree with her expectations. So a chunk of the plot revolved around her pushing her expectations onto the others, acting as if what she wants is the only valid thing to do.
On the other hand, there is Violet, also called Boss, the leader of the Last Teenagers on Earth. So while Clover more or less directly attacks Violet and how she handles the other teenagers.... at no point she ever actually questions Violet's authority, or asks why Violet even is in charge.
For a long time I was super confused about the dynamics among the teens, why everyone was listening to Violet or why Clover isn't ever questioning her authority, and reasons aren't really given, and the few we get come much later.
That said, Violet was a surprise. Both she as a character and all interactions between her and Clover completely defied everything I expected or was used to from other YA books, and I LOVED THAT. There was no antagonism or hostility between the established leader and the rebellious newcomer - instead there was a lot of calculation, mutual respect and recognition of a like-minded soul.
Lastly I want to mention that I listened to this as an audiobook. I'm not sure I can properly review it as such, as I have pretty much zero experience with audiobooks at this point. I've only listened to a bunch of fiction podcasts before, and can only compare it to that, even though it's a completely different format.
I liked the narrator's voice. It was very even and clear, and I had a lot less trouble understanding what was being said and following along with the plot than I usually do with podcasts. However, that even-ness also lead to me not always being able to distinguish between what was being said aloud and what was a thought or a description, or between who was talking. These weren't big issues though, I could still follow along just fine and never got confused.
One last thing: I couldn't help but notice that in the final showdown, it was somehow only the two white girls playing the big roles. I have no idea if that was done deliberately, or if it just happened naturally due to who the characters were, but it stood out as weird to me.
wiltar4evr's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
literarilyjess's review
5.0
What a stunning debut! This was an absolute thrill ride of an alien apocalypse novel that had the sci-fi nerd in me grinning wildly. Clover is such a wonderful MC and her story is powerful and riveting. Can I have a sequel now?!?
royellie's review
5.0
I received this arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For some reason I can't explain, a book about friendship and aliens was exactly what I needed right now.
Lately, I've felt like I've been reading the same book over and over again (with slight variations) and a young adult science-fiction novel was exactly what I needed. It was incredibly refreshing on every aspect—the characters, the relationships between them, the plot, the representation, the twists and turns, etc. The Last 8 got me out of a reading slump and kept me on my toes the entire time it did it. It was such a quick, fun read and it left me wanting more! From what I'm gathering, there's going to be a sequel and I know I'll be picking it up when it's published (might be getting a little ahead of myself here, but THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS). I've already recommended it to a bunch of my friends and I couldn't be more glad I decided to move this at the top of my TBR list.
For some reason I can't explain, a book about friendship and aliens was exactly what I needed right now.
Lately, I've felt like I've been reading the same book over and over again (with slight variations) and a young adult science-fiction novel was exactly what I needed. It was incredibly refreshing on every aspect—the characters, the relationships between them, the plot, the representation, the twists and turns, etc. The Last 8 got me out of a reading slump and kept me on my toes the entire time it did it. It was such a quick, fun read and it left me wanting more! From what I'm gathering, there's going to be a sequel and I know I'll be picking it up when it's published (might be getting a little ahead of myself here, but THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS). I've already recommended it to a bunch of my friends and I couldn't be more glad I decided to move this at the top of my TBR list.
karensareadsatnight's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75