The Last Boy on Earth

by Thomas M. Burby, Brian Estes (Illustrator)

"You see, there was this boy, and he ruled the world. Everything belonged to him now. As far as his eyes could see, he was the only one left alive. You might think he was pretty upset about the whole situation and he was, for awhile. There were dead bodies and nothing but desolation and it's true that he sat around a lot and wished that he was dead, too. For a long time he wondered why he remained and all the others were taken. Then he thought, it doesn't matter. It just is. Anyway, sitting around just got boring. So he equipped himself with tools and weapons and set out with his faithful sidekick so see what there was left to see and do what there was left to do. He wasn't disappointed, because since the fall of Humanity, the world had changed in a thousand different ways too small to notice at first and some so fantastic he couldn't believe it. As the days passed into weeks, he discovered something there really are monsters in the dark." What if a pandemic plague struck the planet and when you woke up one morning, everyone else was dead? What if you were a fourteen year old boy with an excellent imagination and the will to survive? What if you found that something else was out there, hunting you? This is the story of Brady, a teenager who quickly discovers that although people may be scarce in the world of the Abandonment, other things are arising to take their place. He is master of all he surveys but discovers that the world has changed and that he has gained some new exciting abilities. With no adults to tell him what to do and no peers to judge him, Brady discovers that he is capable of great deeds and this is a good thing, because things long quiet are waking up from the sleep of ages. With his faithful dog, Max, and a host of non-human assistants, Brady discovers that there are monsters in the dark and that deep within his own heart, a hero dwells. This post-apocalyptic novel straddles the line between fantasy and magic surrealism and is intended for teenage audiences and beyond. Half survival tale and half magical odyssey, this is a hero's journey into the darkness of the monster's lair and back out again. Action, horror, and mystery blend together with a sense of wonder and loss at a world gone forever. If the world ended tomorrow and you were still alive, then what? In this novel, the main character decides to survive and finds that, aside from food, water and a safe place to sleep, his most necessary tool for survival is imagination and a good, sharp sword! This novel is lavishly illustrated with 50 beautifully crafted drawings by Brian Estes. The story is set in the present-day cities of Bangor and Brewer in central Maine after the advent of an airborne virus has destroyed all but a few humans on earth. Unless these people can find each other, the species is doomed to extinction. This reconnection of the few straggling survivors becomes one of the central themes of the story. Perfect for readers looking for adventure, ghosts, werewolves, and things coming to life that were never meant to do so. A ripping good tale!

Genres: Science Fiction

482 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Trevor_Parlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the beginning of the book because the author really knows what a 13 year old boy would do. Steal a sports car, loot any building he found, acting foolish in certain parts. I did like that there was another being in the start of the book, even though he did not find any other humans, he still was able to include dialogue with Brady being able to talk to his dog Max. My favorite part was definitely the beginning, I just wish that his dog Max, was included more during the middle and end. Overall a very good book that I did enjoy reading.

[Katelynn Bowker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, my English teacher wrote this book and I have to say I liked it.
Thomas Malcolm Burby, you have come up with a GENIUS idea for a book trilogy! You know how much I read, and I have to say that this was on the higher side of my ratings. I love the fact that you wrote based upon what YOU thought would happen in the future. You didn't hide anything that you thought would happen, you just went out and said it. I know you said not to make these long reviews but I have to (just because you wrote it, and because I want to make you angry). Now, let's get started on the review!
"The Last Boy on Earth" is a story about a 16 year-old boy, Brady, (I think he's 16) goes on a spiritual journey (in my opinion). Brady wakes up one morning and everybody is dead, except for his dog, Max. There is nobody to be found, anywhere near him. Brady and Max even go 'exploring' to find any remote signs of life, and they can only find dead bodies. Brady finds something out about himself that I find unique -- almost like a superpower! Brady eventually fights in a battle against the creatures of the dead and, of course, the main monster -- Grendel. Throughout the book, Brady doesn't face the challenges alone, he saves someone's life and I won't tell you who because I find it relevant to the story line. In this book, I could see a romance eventually happening in the future, I definitely saw it in this book, but not like it's a romance novel and all the love is 'sappy' which is why I think that it would be 'not-weird' for a boy to read this. I think that any person of any gender could read this book and like it. One of my favorite things about this book is that the author wrote it from multiple points of view, but you could always tell who was speaking. I don't really think that I can write anymore of a review without giving away spoilers because I'm not exactly what you would call 'emotionally stable' right now, due to another book I finished last night, but I won't get into that now!
PLEASE read this book, I loved it! I love the way he writes with so much description, and detail in every paragraph. If I had to put this into genres I would have to say that it was more so dystopian/sci-fi/fantasy. If you are even remotely interested in any of those genres, READ THIS BOOK! YOU WILL LOVE IT JUST AS MUCH AS I DID!

[Emma Getchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. In some parts, it was okay. It just seemed childish to me, I felt like I was reading a kids chapter book. I try to enjoy every book I read, but I just couldn't. It took me forever to get through the book, I couldn't make myself continue reading. I would try to read, but I found myself making an excuse not to. I was reading another book while i was reading this, which slowed me down a little. But I just did not like the book. I didn't like the ending. Yes it was creative. Points for that, but it just wasn't enjoyable. I almost gave up on a book which I never do.

[Sarah Estes Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book! Readers at any age and any place in the world can identify with this story. However, my favorite part about this story is that it takes place in my home town. I enjoyed going on the adventure with Brady through places that I have been and know very much about. His experience gave me a whole new perspective on places I drive by every day. This story is beautifully written and I can't wait for the next in the series -- The Last City on Earth.

[Cathy Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious book that requires the reading of every word as they are all so necessary.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would.
I thought for sure it would start going downhill, but it never did. I thought that it was well thought out, a good length, and interesting. A different kind of post apocalyptic story, that is, more multi faceted than most.

[Ali Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was very good and i loved it. I would like to thank my teacher Mr.Thomas Burby for writing this book so i could read it.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book this book contains a life long habits of choice and destinations this takes place in Maine and the main character is Brady smith but he meats lots of characters like talking statues, weardogs and also Joshua chamberlain but you got to see the ending it says that the monster is actually the person who needs help and he’s just a little kid

[Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mankind can kill itself, some may say nuclear war, some may say global warming, but another is disease. Let’s say for example, Ebola, a disease in Africa and if spread to other continents could result in an outbreak, but in this book, this problem is much.. much more deadly. If you’ve ever heard of the game Plague Inc. you player as a virus and attempt to spread it around the world, well in this book the virus failed to kill one boy, a 13 year old boy called Brady Smith, this boy had pretty much survived from dumb luck, he and his mother had caught the disease and in his mothers efforts to keep him she has supposedly died. In this book you will question if fiction itself is coming to life, or if its all real, but than really... It’s up to you to decide.

[Will Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, well what I can remember anyway. In my mind, this is more geared towards younger YA readers.

[Mai Spectre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a redux young adult version of the stand by Stephen King, with elements of fantasy and science fiction sprinkled in the mix

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!

[Bambi Campbell]

Dnf- wow this book dragged on forever! Got 70% through but couldn’t finish it.

[Aaron Beaulieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was amazing. I have no words for this book, I don't even know where to start! This book is the GREATEST book I have ever read. The fact it takes place in my home town was awesome, and even written by my own teacher! This book has changed the way I think of things and how I use my imagination, and I've turned this story and all the detail into knowledge for myself. This book has just so much to it, this book has created it's own genre! It's packed with more than everything I've known. It's either a five star, or you're wrong. It is about a boy named Brady Smith, who lives in the town of Brewer, ME. All humans perished around him, of all seven billion, he survived, they were all killed from what was supposed to be a "future-cure" antidote that was sent out into the air, but mutated, and turned to kill all. Somehow, Brady has survived, and is siding with his dog, Max. Along the way, he's equipped himself with all the gear he'll need to survive: a katana, a paintball gun, a sidekick, even a trailer. But this is more than just a boy surviving the harsh world alone, the world is changing around him, and so is he. Everything about this book, I enjoyed. There was the right amount of everything, and these characters have grown to me. For the rest of my life, I'm going to be reading the last page of this book just to enjoy it and always remember it. This is going to be a great series, and I CAN NOT wait for the next one.

[Alivia Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't finished this book yet, but I find it very interesting. This story has so much suspense in it and it's filled with so many mysteries. I like how there are so many unanswered questions that are slowly being answered throughout the book. Sometimes I get confused with the storyline but I realized you just need to read till the end of the chapter to figure it out. One thing I like about this book is that it gets really deep and you get so into it. I've found myself sitting on the edge of my chair not able to put my book down. I've found myself getting feeling for the characters, such as when Brady found Kaileigh I felt happiness and comfort for him. I also like that nonliving things can now communicate with humans. I love that the setting of the book is in Bangor and Brewer. It's cool to be able to have an accurate visual of where they are. I'm very into this book and I look forward to finishing it.

[Justin Nutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book I was in Mr.Burbys class the Author of this book. This book A big Tragedy and trying to find people and stay together and stay alive. Fight the thing that come in the way.I think that this was a very good book for the people that like the Hobbit and things like that. Im not that interested in that but I always wanted to read read read. By far it was one of the most interesting books I have loved the book and I would really like if another one came out. And the main charter was Brady and if I tell you any more cause it would be a spoiler.Its a very good book if I were you I would get it. Plus one of the reasons I loved the book cause its about the Survival and things coming back to life. Hopefully you love the book just as mush as much as I did.

[Emma Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a different kind of unique. At times you got one character's perspective and at other times you got an entirely different point of view. The feeling that you have from this story gives you, a remarkable picture, with so much detail, and so many different moods. When I read this book I could see a movie playing in my head, with every word, there was a new scene. At times I felt I was a part of the story, when there was fear, I couldn't help but feel scared for the next sentence. My favorite part was that when you thought the book couldn't have proceeded, it always lead to a new mystery. I could never put the book down! The Last Boy On Earth was an inspirational story that expressed hope and fear without a doubt. All types of readers would love this story.

[Katie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed slow at the beginning, but it was fun tagging along. I'm reading an post-apocalyptic book, (The Stand) and I find many similarities. Still, this one is one of my favorites. I love identifying landmarks in the area where they're in, since, like most reviews state, I live in that area. Another thing that kept me going, and what I find somewhat odd even myself, is the references. I saw that one The Matrix reference, and I was in on this.
Overall, I'm planning on reading this book again, if I can get ahold of it in the first place. It's a phenomenal post-apocalyptic book, and with some things you simply can't find in any book.

[Gary Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of few books that I would say that I love. The best attribute of the is the plot line in my opinion. The plot took place in the town next to mine. This book definitely deserves a 5 out of 5 stars. Ounce I started to read it I could never put it down even though it was slow in the begging, but it gradually got more interesting ounce I got farther in the book. The book is mainly about a deadly plaque killing almost every person on earth, but a few selected ones. The main character is a boy named Brady who posses special powers. Recommended to anyone who likes a really good book

[Justyn George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay it was probably the most detailed book I have ever read and it kind of seemed like it dragged on at parts. I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars because I can see the work that went into making the book and the writer definitely made sure that we saw what he was thinking at all times. I honestly think that the writer actually gave a little too much info and other than that I thought it was great there was action and adventure there were many twists and turns to get to the end and that why I liked the book and also disliked the book at the same time therefore I gave it a four out of five stars.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this it was about a boy in the middle of a apocalypse looking for his mom and trying to survive the "new world" and sees the world for what is it. His name is brady how is a normal kid until well read that to find out but in the beginning of the book he is trying to survive FOR his mom because the "new world" happened without him (he was asleep for a while). I liked this book because it was fancy and that's my favorite type of book and my teacher was the one to write honestly I would give this a 4.3 stars but i can't do that so I will stick to 4 I suggest reading this if you are well... reading this review because he's all alone and he might find some one MIGHT.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this by accident. There was some mention on the reviews I read that it was oriented towards the teen market. I really did not see that. This was a very intelligent story, with deeply developed characters and rich plot lines. Maybe it's not overly dark, sexualised, or drug influenced, and maybe stories need that to seem adult these days. But if you love post apocalyptic fare that shares a lot of tone and feel with the Phillip K. Dick of Deus Irae or J. G. Ballard's Hello, America, this book really delivered.

[Dillon Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the Last Boy on Earth was an amazing book, it happened to be written by my language arts and reading teacher Thomas Malcom Burby. It is both a scientific and fantasy book, it brings out scientific theory like: The
Quantum Theory of Fiction, and magical things like talking animals and the land of the dead. I am extremely fond of this book and I cannot wait until the next book in the series is on sale, The Last City on Earth and I will greatly encourage anyone reading this to read this book, and the next, and possibly the next, I know I will.

[Heather McGlauflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Boy on Earth is one of the best books I have read in years. It took me on an adventure unlike Dorothy Gail from Kansas. The main character is this book woke up to find his entire world turned upside down. The streets of Bangor, Maine became like the "dark side of Oz". I can't wait to read the next book! I haven't been this anxious to find out what happens to a character since Harry Potter came into the world! Everyone will enjoy this no matter what age they are!

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book...
Maybe it is because it takes place in the city next to mine
Maybe it is because the author is one of my teachers
But nonetheless, I loved this book, the amount of originality, references and essentially everything. This is probably my favorite book of all time. No joke, if you like dystopian books that are post-apocalypse-due-to-plague books and adventureous with talking statues, books and most weird things, you will love this book 13.141/10

[Cam Billings · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was okay. It's cool that one of my former teachers wrote and the plotline was interesting. But I remember some of the character and book references made in the book. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think some of the names are copyrighted. Also, the writers details went on for pages at a time, and by the time the book goes back to the actual plot, you can't remeber what is going on. I hope you change those problems in your next book.

[Brandon Glidden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Not only because it is by a teacher in my school, but because the storyline (or plot) was great. Especially how the book is full of suspense and wonder. I loved how the begining was not boring like most book. For example, I liked the part when Brady went to his friends house and found him dead with his parents. I reccomend this book to any who loves a great storyline.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! a must read. "From the journal of Brady smith- You see there was this boy and he owned
everything now". Once I red I was instantaneously pulled into the book and started to read. This is a very good adventure.

[Isaac Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome.

[Lisa L N Corey · Rating 2 out of 5]

alasBangor Me.

I Liked it as far as it was very imaginative . But a little over board. I would recommend it to a creative writing class.