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A review by asipofcozy
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
I have always loved Dystopian literature. I don't know if it's me thinking "what would happen if civilization came to an end" or "would we really become psychotic idiots if a disease wiped us out" (thanks C*vid for answering that one for me). All in all Dystopian literature has to be one of my favorite sub-genres to exist.
So to finally have a queer dystopian novel, I had to snatch this one right up. I finally understand what all those other dystopian novels were missing - realness, real human actions. All That's Left in the Worldhit that spot and then some.
In the beginning, we are introduced to Andrew and Jamison. Both attempting to survive the end of the world after losing everyone they cared for and loved. Andrew has a string of unfortunates that leads him to Jamison's cabin, which at first he thinks is empty only to find the lonely Jamison living and doing quite well for himself. Jamison has carved a life out for himself in the cabin he shared with his mother before she passed. He is living day by day and is closed off to everyone, that is until Andrew stumbles into his cabin, bleeding profusely. Instead of turning him away, Jamison brings Andrew in and starts to nurse him back to health.
What I loved about All That's Left in the World is the trueness of the first half of the book. The lack of trust the two have for each other, the need to survive in a world that is quickly changing around them, and the slowly growing friendship that is happening between the two. Granted, they both have their dark secrets and they don't part with them easily. In the end it's the slow build up to the end that really won me over with this book.
What I also loved, was that the author actually gave me pop-cultural remarks that I actually understood. I don't know if I am just becoming old (that frightens me) or if the pop-culture remarks were just more well placed than other queer literature. I loved the antics between Jamison and Andrew. Especially Andrew, who uses his wit and humor to break tension and as a barrier to protect himself.
Then of course Brown brings in a lot of raw truths that come with pandemics and the end of the world scenarios. He brings to light how people react/countries react to pandemics (which makes sense since he wrote this during the biggest pandemic of the 21st century), the darkness that consumes people at the end of the world, and how people will do anything to survive in a world where law and order no longer exist. We don't just see this with side characters that come into play but with Jamie and Andrew themselves. This question of "what would you do to protect the person you love at all costs" comes up quite often and it makes you question what you would do in the situations that Jamie and Andrew find themselves in.
In the end, what won me over was how real the scenarios were. I think Brown playing off of our own situations from Covid made this book even more real. As well as how well he brought out the character's emotions and true survival instincts.
If you love dystopian, love end of world scenarios, queer literature, a slow-burn romance, and found family. This book really is for you.
So to finally have a queer dystopian novel, I had to snatch this one right up. I finally understand what all those other dystopian novels were missing - realness, real human actions. All That's Left in the Worldhit that spot and then some.
In the beginning, we are introduced to Andrew and Jamison. Both attempting to survive the end of the world after losing everyone they cared for and loved. Andrew has a string of unfortunates that leads him to Jamison's cabin, which at first he thinks is empty only to find the lonely Jamison living and doing quite well for himself. Jamison has carved a life out for himself in the cabin he shared with his mother before she passed. He is living day by day and is closed off to everyone, that is until Andrew stumbles into his cabin, bleeding profusely. Instead of turning him away, Jamison brings Andrew in and starts to nurse him back to health.
What I loved about All That's Left in the World is the trueness of the first half of the book. The lack of trust the two have for each other, the need to survive in a world that is quickly changing around them, and the slowly growing friendship that is happening between the two. Granted, they both have their dark secrets and they don't part with them easily. In the end it's the slow build up to the end that really won me over with this book.
What I also loved, was that the author actually gave me pop-cultural remarks that I actually understood. I don't know if I am just becoming old (that frightens me) or if the pop-culture remarks were just more well placed than other queer literature. I loved the antics between Jamison and Andrew. Especially Andrew, who uses his wit and humor to break tension and as a barrier to protect himself.
Then of course Brown brings in a lot of raw truths that come with pandemics and the end of the world scenarios. He brings to light how people react/countries react to pandemics (which makes sense since he wrote this during the biggest pandemic of the 21st century), the darkness that consumes people at the end of the world, and how people will do anything to survive in a world where law and order no longer exist. We don't just see this with side characters that come into play but with Jamie and Andrew themselves. This question of "what would you do to protect the person you love at all costs" comes up quite often and it makes you question what you would do in the situations that Jamie and Andrew find themselves in.
In the end, what won me over was how real the scenarios were. I think Brown playing off of our own situations from Covid made this book even more real. As well as how well he brought out the character's emotions and true survival instincts.
If you love dystopian, love end of world scenarios, queer literature, a slow-burn romance, and found family. This book really is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Minor: Racism