A review by amachattie
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a weird and uncomfortable and fascinating book! This was definitely a can't look away read for me, despite the darkness and body horror. The way observations about race and American culture, and the mundanity of so much of the book really anchored it for me, and the fact that you never really know what's going on (though frustrating!) really added to the intensity and realism of the book. I also LOVE the idea that YA can emotionally prepare you to be brave and action oriented in a crisis. Overall, very atmospheric, a bit sad, and deeply eerie, but in the end it mostly made me feel like the apocalypse is already happening.
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