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A review by enchantedfiction
The Last 8 by Laura Pohl
4.0
**This book comes with a disclaimer over suicidal thoughts, actions, and depression**
The Last 8 by Laura Pohl follows Clover Martinez, a sixteen year old girl who has seen everything she ever loved be taken away from her. The alien invasion that dusted everyone on the planet has left Clover the lone survivor, leaving her struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression. But she has lasted 6 months since the end of the world, and she can't understand why the aliens seemed to see everyone else except her. But as she travels, something unexpected happens. She stumbles upon a radio station that actually works, and tells her that she should make her way to Area 51, where there are other survivors. With her dog Sputnik, Clover must convince the other seven survivors to fight back, so they have something worth surviving for.
This was a quick read with enough action and slight twists to keep it interesting. The group of teenagers that are left on Earth are all interesting enough characters, though Clover is kind of a loner and doesn't really get to know anyone at an intimate level. With the revelation at the end of the book, it kind of makes sense, though I wish there had been a moment or two we saw more of Clover's vulnerabilities. I loved that she was most attached to Sputnik, the Bernese Mountain dog that she practically rescued from garbage scavenging. I personally feel that a story as fast paced as this one with time jumps of a few weeks did well with the overall content and the overall personality of Clover. I knew all along there was something different about Clover and the others, but it was more than I had originally believed, which gave that extra little twist at the end that I always enjoy. The ending was satisfying enough to act like a standalone story, but also with enough interest to become a series, which it looks like it's going to be (yay!). I will be excited to see where the story goes, since it will be something completely new and unlike the first story.
I would recommend The Last 8 if you are looking for a post-apocalyptic story that has action, twists, and deals with deeper personal emotions. It does deal with a few suicidal moments, especially in the beginning of the story, and a suicidal action, so if those are issues that you struggle with, I would say stay away. As the Author's Note at the end explains, it does deal with these thoughts and actions, but it is a story of hope, and tries to promote the importance of finding meaning in life.
The Last 8 by Laura Pohl follows Clover Martinez, a sixteen year old girl who has seen everything she ever loved be taken away from her. The alien invasion that dusted everyone on the planet has left Clover the lone survivor, leaving her struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression. But she has lasted 6 months since the end of the world, and she can't understand why the aliens seemed to see everyone else except her. But as she travels, something unexpected happens. She stumbles upon a radio station that actually works, and tells her that she should make her way to Area 51, where there are other survivors. With her dog Sputnik, Clover must convince the other seven survivors to fight back, so they have something worth surviving for.
This was a quick read with enough action and slight twists to keep it interesting. The group of teenagers that are left on Earth are all interesting enough characters, though Clover is kind of a loner and doesn't really get to know anyone at an intimate level. With the revelation at the end of the book, it kind of makes sense, though I wish there had been a moment or two we saw more of Clover's vulnerabilities. I loved that she was most attached to Sputnik, the Bernese Mountain dog that she practically rescued from garbage scavenging. I personally feel that a story as fast paced as this one with time jumps of a few weeks did well with the overall content and the overall personality of Clover. I knew all along there was something different about Clover and the others, but it was more than I had originally believed, which gave that extra little twist at the end that I always enjoy. The ending was satisfying enough to act like a standalone story, but also with enough interest to become a series, which it looks like it's going to be (yay!). I will be excited to see where the story goes, since it will be something completely new and unlike the first story.
I would recommend The Last 8 if you are looking for a post-apocalyptic story that has action, twists, and deals with deeper personal emotions. It does deal with a few suicidal moments, especially in the beginning of the story, and a suicidal action, so if those are issues that you struggle with, I would say stay away. As the Author's Note at the end explains, it does deal with these thoughts and actions, but it is a story of hope, and tries to promote the importance of finding meaning in life.