Scan barcode
A review by jshawreads
The Only Light Left Burning by Erik J. Brown
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow... I really don't know where to start with this one without gushing like a fool. I adore this book. Let's get into it...
Picking up a little while after the end of All That's Left in the World, with Jamison and Andrew living in the relative safety of the Keys, hiding from the dangerous Fort Caroline community. Their relationship strained as they adapt to their new arrangement, no longer constantly on the move, no longer on the run, and throwing themselves into danger to defend one another. Events push them to be back on the move, once more hunted, and once more facing the dangers of the decimated USA, populated now by the few humans immune to the superflu that almost wiped out humanity. Their latest journey, one of survival, heartbreak, loss, and growth, will be as difficult, if not more so than the first, but at the end of it, will they find what they need, and oh so deserve... Home.
This book. Fuck. I loved the first book and the two MCs and their relationship, and the worldbuilding, and this one just took it further. The Stand-like post-apocalypse, the found family, the queer joy, and the struggle of people trying to cope with something wholly uncope-able. Jamison and Andrew remain incredible characters, but The Kid, Rocky Horror, Cara, Niki, Daphne, and so many more really rounded out a fantastic and believable cast. I cried reading this, and I was desperate to keep reading. I finished it in a single day.
And... without spoilers, the ending was perfection.
If you haven't read this series, you have to. If you have, I award you many, many points.
Picking up a little while after the end of All That's Left in the World, with Jamison and Andrew living in the relative safety of the Keys, hiding from the dangerous Fort Caroline community. Their relationship strained as they adapt to their new arrangement, no longer constantly on the move, no longer on the run, and throwing themselves into danger to defend one another. Events push them to be back on the move, once more hunted, and once more facing the dangers of the decimated USA, populated now by the few humans immune to the superflu that almost wiped out humanity. Their latest journey, one of survival, heartbreak, loss, and growth, will be as difficult, if not more so than the first, but at the end of it, will they find what they need, and oh so deserve... Home.
This book. Fuck. I loved the first book and the two MCs and their relationship, and the worldbuilding, and this one just took it further. The Stand-like post-apocalypse, the found family, the queer joy, and the struggle of people trying to cope with something wholly uncope-able. Jamison and Andrew remain incredible characters, but The Kid, Rocky Horror, Cara, Niki, Daphne, and so many more really rounded out a fantastic and believable cast. I cried reading this, and I was desperate to keep reading. I finished it in a single day.
And... without spoilers, the ending was perfection.
If you haven't read this series, you have to. If you have, I award you many, many points.