Each character’s thread advances until they converge in a final sequence that leaves the reader breathless. Not only does Yancey deftly switch POV without jarring the reader, he seamlessly integrates flashbacks so we can understand what has already happened in the story without slowing down the action.

These changes add tension and build to a climax in which all characters are finally in the same place at the same time. Unlike the kind of back-and-forth first person we usually see in YA fiction, Yancey doesn’t alternate chapters, but strategically switches based on the plot. There are additional sections from the point of view of Sammy, a 5-year-old, in third person, and even some from the first person point of view of the enemy. There are multiple POV characters: Cassie, and to a lesser extent, Zombie, narrate the story in first person perspective. Though this story is action-packed, it’s also character-driven.Ī lesser skilled writer would not have been able to pull of this kind of structure. I ended up being surprised by how incredibly nuanced and well-developed each character was. Initially I had trouble connecting with Cassie, but after about 50 pages I started to appreciate the way the details about the extraterrestrial attack were revealed. I’ll admit this wasn’t a page-turner for me in the beginning.

I went into this book trying to balance my enthusiasm and my skepticism. If you want to know more before you commit to reading it or are trying to get a better understanding of what the story is about or want to figure out the appeal factors, proceed. I’m going to try, but if you want all the surprises and still plan on reading this, I’d steer clear of the review. This is mostly because it’s incredibly difficult to talk about this book without including spoilers. Going into reading it, I knew a lot of others had enjoyed it, but I didn’t know what it was about other than OMG aliens. My thoughts: The 5th Wave has had a huge buzz building up to it’s release and Penguin has but a lot of money into the marketing. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. Synopsis (Goodreads): After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. Published: May 7th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile/Penguin

How old was evan in the 5th wave