Review: The 5th Wave

The 5th Wave
Rick Yancey
The 5th Wave #1

You wanna talk about a well-done alien invasion story? Let's talk about THE 5TH WAVE. I've read and loved several alien books, but this one is the first I've found that adequately conveys the terror such a situation would instill. Like, holy cow, this could have been real. Also, SUCH a clever way for the aliens to function! This could read just as easily as a psychological thriller as a sci-fi.

The writing is easy to read, Cassie's voice is great, and the multiple perspectives are for the most part excellent. (I still found Cassie and Ben a little difficult to distinguish from their first-person occasionally, but for the most part, awesome.) And even though the story was about as cheerful as you'd expect from an invasion of creatures bent on destroying humanity -- read: depressing as hell -- it manages to be hopeful and courageous and leave me wanting the sequel.

Things I loved:

• SAMMY. Best character. He's Cassie's little brother, and it's probably his five-year-old reaction to the whole alien invasion that makes the novel as chillingly believable as it is.
• Cassie actually thinks about practical things like tampons in an apocalypse! It's just fun to see authors addressing real, practical details like that.
• On the subject of practical things, it's not a head-over-heels apocalyptic romance! Cassie prioritizes her, y'know, life goals over having a steamy post-apocalyptic romance. So yes, the way romance is handled is a definite plus.
• Writing, style, characters, plot -- all A++.

Things I did not love:

• I don't think I'm ever going to not be mad that the first non-Cassie living person we meet is her freaking middle school crush. Can you say "too perfect"?
• (I don't think this really counts as a spoiler, but it might, so beware.) Evan sketched me way out. I mean, I get that Cassie's got a crush on him, but she says "don't kiss me" and then he kisses her and that's totally fine and she melts? Let's not.

On the whole, excellent book, fun and interesting (if slightly horrifying) read. If you scare easily, read it with the lights on.