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All That's Left in the World #1
Ce qu'il nous reste
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2022)Jamie vit reclus dans le chalet qu’il a un jour partagé avec sa mère. Depuis que la quasi totalité de l’humanité a été rasée de la surface du globe par un virus, il l’a bien compris : la solitude est sa seule chance de survie. Mais lorsque Andrew
débarque sur son perron, blessé, misérable et visiblement suicidaire, une autre vérité fait surface : il est incapable d’appuyer sur la détente.
Pourquoi lui fait-il si spontanément confiance ? Lorsque le danger les force à prendre la route, Jamie se méfie avant tout des survivants désespérés (et des fusils). Mais petit à petit, sa suspicion change de camp. Les incohérences dans le récit du passé d’Andrew se multiplient. Jamie a-t-il bien fait de renoncer à son isolement ? Quel secret cache Andrew ? Doit-il se fier à son instinct ou à ses sentiments ?
Erik J. Brown est basé à Philadelphie. Ce qu’il nous reste est son premier roman. Il instille de la fraîcheur et de la nouveauté au sein des récits de pandémie et mène avec brio l’alternance de points de vue, dans une histoire d’aventure poignante.
débarque sur son perron, blessé, misérable et visiblement suicidaire, une autre vérité fait surface : il est incapable d’appuyer sur la détente.
Pourquoi lui fait-il si spontanément confiance ? Lorsque le danger les force à prendre la route, Jamie se méfie avant tout des survivants désespérés (et des fusils). Mais petit à petit, sa suspicion change de camp. Les incohérences dans le récit du passé d’Andrew se multiplient. Jamie a-t-il bien fait de renoncer à son isolement ? Quel secret cache Andrew ? Doit-il se fier à son instinct ou à ses sentiments ?
Erik J. Brown est basé à Philadelphie. Ce qu’il nous reste est son premier roman. Il instille de la fraîcheur et de la nouveauté au sein des récits de pandémie et mène avec brio l’alternance de points de vue, dans une histoire d’aventure poignante.
350 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2022
1960 people are currently reading
74202 people want to read
About the author
Erik J. Brown
5 books2,197 followersErik J. Brown is the internationally-bestselling author of All That's Left in the World and the sequel The Only Light Left Burning.
His books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books, and ALA Booklist.
His second novel, Lose You to Find Me, became a USA Today Bestseller.
Erik is also the co-host of the YA Book Podcast YA-OK where he and Alyssa Ljub of Netflix's The Circle talk with new and established YA authors about writing, publishing, and all things YA!
He lives in Philadelphia with his family.
You can find him on Instagram @ErikJB and TikTok @ErikJBrown
His books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books, and ALA Booklist.
His second novel, Lose You to Find Me, became a USA Today Bestseller.
Erik is also the co-host of the YA Book Podcast YA-OK where he and Alyssa Ljub of Netflix's The Circle talk with new and established YA authors about writing, publishing, and all things YA!
He lives in Philadelphia with his family.
You can find him on Instagram @ErikJB and TikTok @ErikJBrown
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,316 reviews
March 30, 2022
I wrote this. So I think it's definitely top five best books of all time about queer kids surviving the apocalypse. I also think you'd agree so give it a read!
July 21, 2022
I adored this book for so many reasons. I’ve struggled with genres that are not fantasy or romance for many years, and I’ve been waiting for a good queer dystopian to come along. I used to read so many post-apocalypse novels, like the Fifth Wave, when I was younger, and there was always something missing from them. All That’s Left in the World, has that something!
I flew through this book in less than half a day, which I have never done before, not even when I was a crazy teen reading 20 books a month. There was something so calming about the beginning of the story. I loved the moments Jamie and Andrew shared in the cabin. If you focused on the sweet parts, you could almost forget that there was an apocalypse happening outside. The first half of the novel felt more like a romance set in a post-apocalypse world, while the second half delved into the action/adventure I was expecting from a book of this genre.
Both Jamie and Andrew had their past demons they were keeping from each other in fear of it changing their relationship. I loved watching them slowly open up and understand that knowing the more intimate and hard parts of each other actually helped their relationship blossom into something far greater.
I am so astonished by the quality of the writing. This book was phenomenally written. The characters were authentic and believable, with real depth. The romance blossomed so slow and perfect. The plot felt so accurate to what probably would go down if something like this happened in a post-COVID world. Everything was just so good. I’m deeply looking forward to whatever comes next from the author.
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I flew through this book in less than half a day, which I have never done before, not even when I was a crazy teen reading 20 books a month. There was something so calming about the beginning of the story. I loved the moments Jamie and Andrew shared in the cabin. If you focused on the sweet parts, you could almost forget that there was an apocalypse happening outside. The first half of the novel felt more like a romance set in a post-apocalypse world, while the second half delved into the action/adventure I was expecting from a book of this genre.
Both Jamie and Andrew had their past demons they were keeping from each other in fear of it changing their relationship. I loved watching them slowly open up and understand that knowing the more intimate and hard parts of each other actually helped their relationship blossom into something far greater.
I am so astonished by the quality of the writing. This book was phenomenally written. The characters were authentic and believable, with real depth. The romance blossomed so slow and perfect. The plot felt so accurate to what probably would go down if something like this happened in a post-COVID world. Everything was just so good. I’m deeply looking forward to whatever comes next from the author.
You can follow me on: Instagram Twitter TikTok
March 29, 2024
I’m in awe. Of the writing. Of the story. Of the character development. Of the funny moments, even though the story is scary. This book is easily one of the best I’ve read this year!
That writing! I could imagine what was happening so vividly from the moment I started reading. I gulped down the words at a furious pace, and I swiped through the pages frantically. I said ouch when Andrew hurt himself, almost got sick when Jamie used that needle, took a deep breath when the boys described the bodies on the street and felt their fear when they met other people. I read on and on and didn’t want to stop. Those descriptions, those sentences, they were all just spot on.
I immediately liked Andrew’s wit and sarcasm. I laughed out loud at his remarks about Tom Holland, and even though this story is sad and exciting and harrowing at times, I also had so much fun. I didn’t know beforehand that this story would be so humorous, and I loved it!
If you’ve read more of my reviews, you probably know that I adore cute cinnamon rolls. And Erik let me meet one of the cutest ever: Jamie. Although he seemed like a tough guy with his rifle and handgun, he was just so sweet and kind and sensitive and scared at times. I loved the scene with the fawn and its mom, and I rooted for all of them.
I’m not particularly a fan of dystopian stories, but I devour books like these. It’s the total package; everything is just right! The dual narrative, both voices so distinctive; the fear of being almost alone in the world and being attacked by the ones who lived; the friendship and the romance, so pure and heartfelt. While reading, I laughed, and my chest tightened, but I didn’t cry. Until the very end. Suddenly big fat tears clouded my eyes, and I sniffed. I even had to stop reading for a moment. When I finally closed my ereader, I was so glad I got to read this book. And I wanted to start all over again.
Like I said, I’m in awe, and it’s impressive when you can write a debut like this! So well done, Erik!! I can’t wait to read your next novel!
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That writing! I could imagine what was happening so vividly from the moment I started reading. I gulped down the words at a furious pace, and I swiped through the pages frantically. I said ouch when Andrew hurt himself, almost got sick when Jamie used that needle, took a deep breath when the boys described the bodies on the street and felt their fear when they met other people. I read on and on and didn’t want to stop. Those descriptions, those sentences, they were all just spot on.
I immediately liked Andrew’s wit and sarcasm. I laughed out loud at his remarks about Tom Holland, and even though this story is sad and exciting and harrowing at times, I also had so much fun. I didn’t know beforehand that this story would be so humorous, and I loved it!
If you’ve read more of my reviews, you probably know that I adore cute cinnamon rolls. And Erik let me meet one of the cutest ever: Jamie. Although he seemed like a tough guy with his rifle and handgun, he was just so sweet and kind and sensitive and scared at times. I loved the scene with the fawn and its mom, and I rooted for all of them.
I’m not particularly a fan of dystopian stories, but I devour books like these. It’s the total package; everything is just right! The dual narrative, both voices so distinctive; the fear of being almost alone in the world and being attacked by the ones who lived; the friendship and the romance, so pure and heartfelt. While reading, I laughed, and my chest tightened, but I didn’t cry. Until the very end. Suddenly big fat tears clouded my eyes, and I sniffed. I even had to stop reading for a moment. When I finally closed my ereader, I was so glad I got to read this book. And I wanted to start all over again.
Like I said, I’m in awe, and it’s impressive when you can write a debut like this! So well done, Erik!! I can’t wait to read your next novel!
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April 26, 2023
this is the book version of "If the world was ending you'd come over right?"
February 10, 2025
It takes the crumbling of civilization for Jamie to have his bi-awakening... biwakening... and if that’s not relatable, then I don’t know what is. A lot of apocalypse stories (The Road, The Walking Dead, The Last of Us) are so dark and bleak in order to be seen as realistic, that it’s actually pretty subversive to write something so optimistic in the same genre. Especially when it's a queer love story! Here's to breaking conventions, huh? And you know what, that’s totally fine by me. And and ann~nnd… this book even fit perfectly with my post-apocalypse playlist! That’s not a weird thing to have, right?
When civilization ends, all that’s left in the world is love. Hopeful post-apocalyptic fiction is so underrated.
(The playlist is “I Melt with You” and “Wasteland, Baby!” followed by the entirety of “The Emancipation of Mimi” btw).
When civilization ends, all that’s left in the world is love. Hopeful post-apocalyptic fiction is so underrated.
(The playlist is “I Melt with You” and “Wasteland, Baby!” followed by the entirety of “The Emancipation of Mimi” btw).
March 28, 2022
2.5 stars.
guys did we read the same book? how does this have so many good reviews? i'm 100% disappointed since y'all had set my expectations so high for this one 😔
i have several issues with this book so i'll try to list them out:
1. a pandemic book? and an unrealistic one at that? one would've thought it'd been more realistic, given what we now know about pandemics.
2. why would you write an apocalyptic book and STILL make homophobia one of the main plot devices ???? LITERALLY WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT ???
3. the characters were so under-developed that, at the end of the book in the epilogue where we don't know who's narrating, i genuinely think it could be either jamie or andrew doing it! but i don't know who actually is! they don't have a voice and their personalities were staler than unsalted crackers.
4. it fell into the tell and not show, hard.
5. i'm 98% sure something would happen to the worldwide ecosystem if birds just. stopped existing altogether.
6. did not mention how latinoamérica dealt with the superflu at all? or asia? or africa? suddenly, the world is only USA and EU.
and i think that's it? other than that, there's just smaller issues that branch out from there. like the main romance feeling flat, the confession at least. nothing to swoon over, in my opinion. but that's just because i didn't really get to fall in love with the mc's at all. also i'm still shook by the homophobic, racist, misogynistic, and ableist society that somehow survived the superflu. like, really? way to go for queer conflict in fiction 😐
nevertheless, this was a debut novel and it's YA so maybe i would've enjoyed it more if i'd read this when i was 14, not 18.
guys did we read the same book? how does this have so many good reviews? i'm 100% disappointed since y'all had set my expectations so high for this one 😔
i have several issues with this book so i'll try to list them out:
1. a pandemic book? and an unrealistic one at that? one would've thought it'd been more realistic, given what we now know about pandemics.
2. why would you write an apocalyptic book and STILL make homophobia one of the main plot devices ???? LITERALLY WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT ???
3. the characters were so under-developed that, at the end of the book in the epilogue where we don't know who's narrating, i genuinely think it could be either jamie or andrew doing it! but i don't know who actually is! they don't have a voice and their personalities were staler than unsalted crackers.
4. it fell into the tell and not show, hard.
5. i'm 98% sure something would happen to the worldwide ecosystem if birds just. stopped existing altogether.
6. did not mention how latinoamérica dealt with the superflu at all? or asia? or africa? suddenly, the world is only USA and EU.
and i think that's it? other than that, there's just smaller issues that branch out from there. like the main romance feeling flat, the confession at least. nothing to swoon over, in my opinion. but that's just because i didn't really get to fall in love with the mc's at all. also i'm still shook by the homophobic, racist, misogynistic, and ableist society that somehow survived the superflu. like, really? way to go for queer conflict in fiction 😐
nevertheless, this was a debut novel and it's YA so maybe i would've enjoyed it more if i'd read this when i was 14, not 18.
October 30, 2023
“This is why I love you,” I say. “Exactly this. I was so scared before you got here.” I don’t clarify, but I mean the cabin. I was lost without him and I would have died, I know that now. I never would have been able to survive another year alone in that cabin. “You make me feel safe. Like the world hasn’t ended and there’s nothing left. Because I have you.”
I avoided reading this for two reasons.
The first is that I don’t like anything related to post-apocalypse stuff. At all. None of it. It scares me because it feels too real, making me paranoid. The COVID pandemic made me so weary and worried that I didn’t go outside for months, even to my front yard. When restrictions were slightly lifted that we could go out but wearing masks, I still didn’t go out and instead preferred staying cocooned in my room, sleeping and reading and watching international dramas. After pointing out I had been inside for too long, my dad made me go outside. Even he noticed I hadn’t gotten Vitamin D from the sun for too long. He basically invited me to go eat with him at a relative’s food truck, which marked the first time I went outside since quarantine was enforced.
This story is all post-apocalyptic. It doesn’t help my paranoia, and it doesn’t help me become more settled. It makes me think about life right now and how we could go back to the quarantine days, which, while I didn’t exactly hate them, weren’t the most memorable. Not to mention how the world changed instantly, especially economically, financially, and environmentally.
The second reason is that the blurb says, “What If It's Us meets They Both Die at the End,” which I did not like. At all. I gave both books one 1-star, and the only thing I remember about both books is forgetting everything about the books immediately after I finished. Some may find the premise of this and They Both Die at the End similar, but the only similarity they share is how the world is ending. That’s it.
Then the blurb says, “Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera,” which I am not.
Sorry, not sorry.
All That’s Left in the World had that disturbing survivalism theme. Still, it also had incredible humor that is relevant to the current gen-z generation but doesn’t become over the top, a fantastic bi-awakening, a lovely slow-burn of two teenage boys coming to rely on each other (actually, though), and nothing but optimism and hope. The story remains optimistic even while angsty and a little violent at times due to the misfortune of their lives. Survival is a big part of Jamie and Andrew’s lives, without a peaceful moment of rest till the very end, but there’s plenty of humor to keep the story light enough and a lovely friendship that develops strong feelings. I was surprised at how the author kept the romance a big part of the story without overarching the plot of surviving. They balanced each other well.
Both Jamie and Andrew are great characters. Andrew was my favorite, which is unsurprising, as he’s the teen who uses humor and sarcasm as a coping mechanism. I applaud the author for his modern humor without making it a cringe-fest. Even if I don’t consider myself funny (my sense of humor is dry), I found myself laughing along to plenty of scenes in this. Andrew’s personality shined for me, showing how easy it is to find humor during the scariest moments of life but still keeping it appropriate while not indulging in trendy dialogue. He’s also a movie nerd, thanks to his dad, and spends his time summarizing classics with Jamie as a way to spend their time together.
Jamie’s character is lovely as well. After surviving on his own for a while after his mom died from the bug (the bug is the infection that wiped down almost the entire world), Jamie’s world opens up to adventure after meeting Andrew. His character is calmer, less chaotic than Andrew, and more organized. His feelings for Andrew also develop at a very nice pace, keeping it moderate given their situations. I loved the acceptance of his sexual awakening—not entirely unsure but realistically confused; not insulted but understandably scared; not disgusted but worried. We come to learn he’s a Hallmark channel movie fanatic, too.
Andrew and Jamie come to rely on each other for different things. They catch each other, have their backs, and slowly develop more than platonic feelings. What starts as strangers and doubt turns into friendship, camaraderie, and love. As much as I loved these two together, the I-love-you’s did feel a little too fast. I found them to be stretching it just a liiitle bit. I understand they’re teenagers, and it’s not that I’m doubting teenage love, but from how I saw the relationship, the love felt a little too sudden. I guess because the two were unsure of when they’d be alive and together, they felt the need to say it…
Ah, fuck it. They were adorable.
“You kissed me,” he says, as if I didn’t know what I was doing.
“I did.”
He groans in misery and I’m taken aback. “You kissed me for the first time and I just spent the last ten minutes with a dirty T-shirt stuck in my mouth.”
“I . . . you . . . what?”
“Screw it, never mind. Can you just . . . do it again?”
I love them.
I also appreciated the lack of TikTok references, as those simply cringe and give me secondhand embarrassment. The dialogue felt incredibly realistic, especially for modern times. Given this was published in 2022 and took place after the COVID pandemic, I was expecting some eye-roll-worthy banter and references I, as a 2000 baby, wouldn’t understand. Still, thankfully, the author keeps it moderate and refreshing. With Andrew’s sense of humor and Jamie’s much calmer behavior, the two couldn’t have been much more different, but they balanced each other perfectly. Whether during chaotic moments or moments of fear, both boys find mutual trust and understanding in each other, finding different ways to read each other and communicate. They share lots of proximity as they travel together to their destinations. During these times, they learn more about themselves and their past lives before the bug took over and took away their loved ones. They share domestic moments, those of gratitude and solace, where they can just be for a few moments. I loved seeing the progression they found through each other, especially as they learned how to read each other’s facial expressions and body language.
Due to their survival modes, there aren’t many scenes where the two are together without worrying about what will happen next, but I never found that to be an issue. The connection between the two necessary to make me root for the characters was there. Every page I turned, I hoped they would finally come to find a place where they could relax and rest for a little bit and just be, but life indeed can be unfair when you find something or someone you want to keep forever. There’s a lot of protectiveness these two have for each other. It’s beautiful and sweet because they’re teenagers, but due to their unfortunate circumstances, there’s no longer anything they wouldn’t do for each other. Jamie’s instinct to not hesitate when it came to Andrew was charming, and Andrew’s determination to continue finding different ways to make Jamie laugh again was heartfelt. Both boys have been through a lot, differently yet still similarly.
I’d also like to mention that this book has some important and relevant themes to modern times, especially in the United States. This takes place in the U.S.; we all know this damn country took some of the worst regulations when handling the COVID-19 pandemic. This story mentions this, and I was just nodding my head, agreeing with the boys when they accused the government and its greed. This had characters greedy like the government. It was a little too realistic sometimes that it was even more disturbing. The author mentions at the end how this story was inspired by COVID and how he started it during that time, but luckily, the story doesn’t rely on it either.
The ending is realistic, yet not the happy ending I wish the guys had. It doesn’t give false hope but gives enough hope. In my opinion, there’s more of an HFN than a HEA, given that Jamie and Andrew can’t be sure of anything. There’s no closure on their future, as there is no guaranteed future. We know they’re together and happy at the moment, and we can only imagine the best. Plus, I just found out a sequel coming out next year in the summer, titled The Only Light Left Burning. According to the author’s review, it’s about “two queer kids surviving the apocalypse and trying to figure out how to stay in love“, so it seems to me it will challenge our two young boys. I’m very much looking forward to it.
All in all, this is one of my new favorite YA stories. I’m regretting judging this story and holding off reading it due to who it was recommended for, but I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. I borrowed the physical copy from my library (because I want to get into reading physical books again), and the fact that I read it in one day says enough for me, as that doesn’t happen often.
I avoided reading this for two reasons.
The first is that I don’t like anything related to post-apocalypse stuff. At all. None of it. It scares me because it feels too real, making me paranoid. The COVID pandemic made me so weary and worried that I didn’t go outside for months, even to my front yard. When restrictions were slightly lifted that we could go out but wearing masks, I still didn’t go out and instead preferred staying cocooned in my room, sleeping and reading and watching international dramas. After pointing out I had been inside for too long, my dad made me go outside. Even he noticed I hadn’t gotten Vitamin D from the sun for too long. He basically invited me to go eat with him at a relative’s food truck, which marked the first time I went outside since quarantine was enforced.
This story is all post-apocalyptic. It doesn’t help my paranoia, and it doesn’t help me become more settled. It makes me think about life right now and how we could go back to the quarantine days, which, while I didn’t exactly hate them, weren’t the most memorable. Not to mention how the world changed instantly, especially economically, financially, and environmentally.
The second reason is that the blurb says, “What If It's Us meets They Both Die at the End,” which I did not like. At all. I gave both books one 1-star, and the only thing I remember about both books is forgetting everything about the books immediately after I finished. Some may find the premise of this and They Both Die at the End similar, but the only similarity they share is how the world is ending. That’s it.
Then the blurb says, “Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera,” which I am not.
Sorry, not sorry.
All That’s Left in the World had that disturbing survivalism theme. Still, it also had incredible humor that is relevant to the current gen-z generation but doesn’t become over the top, a fantastic bi-awakening, a lovely slow-burn of two teenage boys coming to rely on each other (actually, though), and nothing but optimism and hope. The story remains optimistic even while angsty and a little violent at times due to the misfortune of their lives. Survival is a big part of Jamie and Andrew’s lives, without a peaceful moment of rest till the very end, but there’s plenty of humor to keep the story light enough and a lovely friendship that develops strong feelings. I was surprised at how the author kept the romance a big part of the story without overarching the plot of surviving. They balanced each other well.
Both Jamie and Andrew are great characters. Andrew was my favorite, which is unsurprising, as he’s the teen who uses humor and sarcasm as a coping mechanism. I applaud the author for his modern humor without making it a cringe-fest. Even if I don’t consider myself funny (my sense of humor is dry), I found myself laughing along to plenty of scenes in this. Andrew’s personality shined for me, showing how easy it is to find humor during the scariest moments of life but still keeping it appropriate while not indulging in trendy dialogue. He’s also a movie nerd, thanks to his dad, and spends his time summarizing classics with Jamie as a way to spend their time together.
Jamie’s character is lovely as well. After surviving on his own for a while after his mom died from the bug (the bug is the infection that wiped down almost the entire world), Jamie’s world opens up to adventure after meeting Andrew. His character is calmer, less chaotic than Andrew, and more organized. His feelings for Andrew also develop at a very nice pace, keeping it moderate given their situations. I loved the acceptance of his sexual awakening—not entirely unsure but realistically confused; not insulted but understandably scared; not disgusted but worried. We come to learn he’s a Hallmark channel movie fanatic, too.
Andrew and Jamie come to rely on each other for different things. They catch each other, have their backs, and slowly develop more than platonic feelings. What starts as strangers and doubt turns into friendship, camaraderie, and love. As much as I loved these two together, the I-love-you’s did feel a little too fast. I found them to be stretching it just a liiitle bit. I understand they’re teenagers, and it’s not that I’m doubting teenage love, but from how I saw the relationship, the love felt a little too sudden. I guess because the two were unsure of when they’d be alive and together, they felt the need to say it…
Ah, fuck it. They were adorable.
“You kissed me,” he says, as if I didn’t know what I was doing.
“I did.”
He groans in misery and I’m taken aback. “You kissed me for the first time and I just spent the last ten minutes with a dirty T-shirt stuck in my mouth.”
“I . . . you . . . what?”
“Screw it, never mind. Can you just . . . do it again?”
I love them.
I also appreciated the lack of TikTok references, as those simply cringe and give me secondhand embarrassment. The dialogue felt incredibly realistic, especially for modern times. Given this was published in 2022 and took place after the COVID pandemic, I was expecting some eye-roll-worthy banter and references I, as a 2000 baby, wouldn’t understand. Still, thankfully, the author keeps it moderate and refreshing. With Andrew’s sense of humor and Jamie’s much calmer behavior, the two couldn’t have been much more different, but they balanced each other perfectly. Whether during chaotic moments or moments of fear, both boys find mutual trust and understanding in each other, finding different ways to read each other and communicate. They share lots of proximity as they travel together to their destinations. During these times, they learn more about themselves and their past lives before the bug took over and took away their loved ones. They share domestic moments, those of gratitude and solace, where they can just be for a few moments. I loved seeing the progression they found through each other, especially as they learned how to read each other’s facial expressions and body language.
Due to their survival modes, there aren’t many scenes where the two are together without worrying about what will happen next, but I never found that to be an issue. The connection between the two necessary to make me root for the characters was there. Every page I turned, I hoped they would finally come to find a place where they could relax and rest for a little bit and just be, but life indeed can be unfair when you find something or someone you want to keep forever. There’s a lot of protectiveness these two have for each other. It’s beautiful and sweet because they’re teenagers, but due to their unfortunate circumstances, there’s no longer anything they wouldn’t do for each other. Jamie’s instinct to not hesitate when it came to Andrew was charming, and Andrew’s determination to continue finding different ways to make Jamie laugh again was heartfelt. Both boys have been through a lot, differently yet still similarly.
I’d also like to mention that this book has some important and relevant themes to modern times, especially in the United States. This takes place in the U.S.; we all know this damn country took some of the worst regulations when handling the COVID-19 pandemic. This story mentions this, and I was just nodding my head, agreeing with the boys when they accused the government and its greed. This had characters greedy like the government. It was a little too realistic sometimes that it was even more disturbing. The author mentions at the end how this story was inspired by COVID and how he started it during that time, but luckily, the story doesn’t rely on it either.
The ending is realistic, yet not the happy ending I wish the guys had. It doesn’t give false hope but gives enough hope. In my opinion, there’s more of an HFN than a HEA, given that Jamie and Andrew can’t be sure of anything. There’s no closure on their future, as there is no guaranteed future. We know they’re together and happy at the moment, and we can only imagine the best. Plus, I just found out a sequel coming out next year in the summer, titled The Only Light Left Burning. According to the author’s review, it’s about “two queer kids surviving the apocalypse and trying to figure out how to stay in love“, so it seems to me it will challenge our two young boys. I’m very much looking forward to it.
All in all, this is one of my new favorite YA stories. I’m regretting judging this story and holding off reading it due to who it was recommended for, but I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. I borrowed the physical copy from my library (because I want to get into reading physical books again), and the fact that I read it in one day says enough for me, as that doesn’t happen often.
February 3, 2023
You know how uncomfortable it gets to read a book with references to corona or anything very new or Gen Z?
Yeah that should have happened in here but it did not. This plays after the corona virus when another virus breaks out that wipes out most of the population.
This is a survivor story between two teenage guys that could not be more different and I think that made this book soooo good.
The romance was such a good written subplot that I was rooting for them the entire time but not mad that it took soooo long for smth to happen bc you know #slowburn.
Let's not even get me started on the fact that the humour In this book is exactly mine. I find it often horrible to read jokes that I would say but something in here made them very entertaining. I am mostly referring to the fact that this is a post apocalyptic book and that you have still time and energy to joke about the simplest things. It just made this book soo much fun.
There was also a number of real life issues that are still (sadly) present to this day and I really liked how they tried to do what is best for them to keep themselves safe
Yeah that should have happened in here but it did not. This plays after the corona virus when another virus breaks out that wipes out most of the population.
This is a survivor story between two teenage guys that could not be more different and I think that made this book soooo good.
The romance was such a good written subplot that I was rooting for them the entire time but not mad that it took soooo long for smth to happen bc you know #slowburn.
Let's not even get me started on the fact that the humour In this book is exactly mine. I find it often horrible to read jokes that I would say but something in here made them very entertaining. I am mostly referring to the fact that this is a post apocalyptic book and that you have still time and energy to joke about the simplest things. It just made this book soo much fun.
There was also a number of real life issues that are still (sadly) present to this day and I really liked how they tried to do what is best for them to keep themselves safe
January 14, 2023
*4.5
Walking dead sem os dead e com gays.
Walking dead sem os dead e com gays.
July 9, 2024
wish our pandemic was as cute as this one
August 30, 2023
This was everything I wanted and more.
Also obsessed with the cover.
Between All That’s Left in the World, Wranglestone, and The Darkness Outside Us I'm pretty sure gay post-apocalyptic is my new favourite genre.
The Superflu has wiped out the majority of the worlds population; Jamie and Andrew's paths cross while trying to survive. A bear trap leaves Andrew badly injured when he first meets Jamie. They're weary of each other, but Jamie helps patch Andrew up. And during the weeks spent in an isolated cabin, they become friends.
But a nearby hostile settlement and Andrew's secret makes them decide to leave the once safety of the cabin behind. Rumoured help from the EU gives them a location and they set out, travelling down the eastern coast of the US.
I loved how Jamie and Andrew's friendship grew during the journey. The banter from Andrew giving play-by-plays of his favourite movies and Jamie's love of Hallmark movies. We get both perspectives, so we see how they both start to realise there's more than friendship going on.
There were a lot of great moments; the author really had me going from being tense and worried for our character's safety one moment, to breaking out with laughter a second later. If you've read the book, you know the scene!
I can't wait to read what Erik J. Brown puts out next.
Also obsessed with the cover.
Between All That’s Left in the World, Wranglestone, and The Darkness Outside Us I'm pretty sure gay post-apocalyptic is my new favourite genre.
The Superflu has wiped out the majority of the worlds population; Jamie and Andrew's paths cross while trying to survive. A bear trap leaves Andrew badly injured when he first meets Jamie. They're weary of each other, but Jamie helps patch Andrew up. And during the weeks spent in an isolated cabin, they become friends.
But a nearby hostile settlement and Andrew's secret makes them decide to leave the once safety of the cabin behind. Rumoured help from the EU gives them a location and they set out, travelling down the eastern coast of the US.
I loved how Jamie and Andrew's friendship grew during the journey. The banter from Andrew giving play-by-plays of his favourite movies and Jamie's love of Hallmark movies. We get both perspectives, so we see how they both start to realise there's more than friendship going on.
There were a lot of great moments; the author really had me going from being tense and worried for our character's safety one moment, to breaking out with laughter a second later. If you've read the book, you know the scene!
I can't wait to read what Erik J. Brown puts out next.
September 12, 2021
Guys. GUYS! I can't remember the last time I finished a book in a day. I am obsessed.
So. Plot: gay YA Contagion/World War Z/Severance etc. All of the suspense and thrills from those works PLUS a slowburn romance and LAUGHS. Laughs I say! Ugh. This exceeded my expectations and my expectations were high. I don't want to hype it up so much that that isn't the case for whoever's going to read it, but I really don't understand how someone could not love (not like, LOVE) this book. I mean it has me using CAPS!
Anyway, I wish I could erase my memory of this book and read it again, but sadly I can't. You, however, can read it for the first time and thank me later. And Erik, too, I guess.
So. Plot: gay YA Contagion/World War Z/Severance etc. All of the suspense and thrills from those works PLUS a slowburn romance and LAUGHS. Laughs I say! Ugh. This exceeded my expectations and my expectations were high. I don't want to hype it up so much that that isn't the case for whoever's going to read it, but I really don't understand how someone could not love (not like, LOVE) this book. I mean it has me using CAPS!
Anyway, I wish I could erase my memory of this book and read it again, but sadly I can't. You, however, can read it for the first time and thank me later. And Erik, too, I guess.
March 17, 2022
girlies noah fence but why on gods green earth does this have such a high rating, the boy refers to himself as black widow from avengers because he has red in his ledger im about to scream
July 22, 2022
☆ Unbelievably good. Nothing but awe-inspiring perfection. I'm unequivocally IN LOVE....
"All That's Left in The World" is a YA post-apocalyptic queer romance which features two boys who have miraculously managed to survive the apocalypse.
Congratulations to Andrew and Jamie for still being alive; for outliving the apocalypse. But are they ready to face what comes next?
Andrew and Jamie finds love in the most unlikely situation. They find solace and strength in each other's company. They are strong together. But both of them are hopeless when it comes to love. They might have survived the apocalypse. But are they willing to chase their love and happiness till the end of the world?
The road ahead of them is long and dangerous. To survive, they'll have to shed their secrets carefully. The future ahead is uncertain. The boys are conflicted. Only one thing feels certain: all that's left in their world is the undeniable pull they have toward each other.
"All That's Left in The World" is a YA post-apocalyptic queer romance which features two boys who have miraculously managed to survive the apocalypse.
Congratulations to Andrew and Jamie for still being alive; for outliving the apocalypse. But are they ready to face what comes next?
Andrew and Jamie finds love in the most unlikely situation. They find solace and strength in each other's company. They are strong together. But both of them are hopeless when it comes to love. They might have survived the apocalypse. But are they willing to chase their love and happiness till the end of the world?
The road ahead of them is long and dangerous. To survive, they'll have to shed their secrets carefully. The future ahead is uncertain. The boys are conflicted. Only one thing feels certain: all that's left in their world is the undeniable pull they have toward each other.
June 9, 2023
4.5 Stars
I've been on a tear when it comes to reading YA hits this year and All That’s Left in the World has been the pinnacle of my enjoyment so far.
Even though I find dystopian-anything hella distressing, Andrew and Jamie's post-apocalyptic story was one I couldn't help falling in love with.
Angsty and violent at times, realistically so, this story paved a new and immersive experience in dystopian storytelling—one that was equal parts cross-country road trip (well, walking trip), edge-of-your-seat survivalism, and, best of all, a slow-burn bi-awakening romance between two young men who quite literally only have each other left at the end of the world.
I found this story hard to put down, which is always a telling sign that things are going very, very well. Andrew and Jamie were strong, relatable characters, flawed and all, making all sorts of good and bad decisions along the way, in a world where certainty and safety are unknown at all times. Their bond was lovely, starting as hesitant strangers, becoming companions and friends, and eventually falling in love in the most raw and vulnerable ways.
I’m absolutely blown away that this is Erik J. Brown’s debut novel—the storytelling was so strong, so addictive—but I have no doubt this is just the beginning of a long and illustrious writing career, and I, for one, can’t wait to read more.
I've been on a tear when it comes to reading YA hits this year and All That’s Left in the World has been the pinnacle of my enjoyment so far.
Even though I find dystopian-anything hella distressing, Andrew and Jamie's post-apocalyptic story was one I couldn't help falling in love with.
Angsty and violent at times, realistically so, this story paved a new and immersive experience in dystopian storytelling—one that was equal parts cross-country road trip (well, walking trip), edge-of-your-seat survivalism, and, best of all, a slow-burn bi-awakening romance between two young men who quite literally only have each other left at the end of the world.
I found this story hard to put down, which is always a telling sign that things are going very, very well. Andrew and Jamie were strong, relatable characters, flawed and all, making all sorts of good and bad decisions along the way, in a world where certainty and safety are unknown at all times. Their bond was lovely, starting as hesitant strangers, becoming companions and friends, and eventually falling in love in the most raw and vulnerable ways.
I’m absolutely blown away that this is Erik J. Brown’s debut novel—the storytelling was so strong, so addictive—but I have no doubt this is just the beginning of a long and illustrious writing career, and I, for one, can’t wait to read more.
April 9, 2022
i've been looking forward to this since it was announced and it did not disappoint. rtc
May 14, 2022
This had potential and I absolutely appreciate a queer take on a post-apocalyptic story (in the sense that the characters are queer, incase that was poorly phrased) buuut there were just too many things about this that I had to side-eye.
From the blink and you miss it emotional whirlwinds (sobbing to conducting a normal conversation in the span of a sentence), events that just kind of happen to these characters before they move on, and just an overall lack of real substance or feeling to the MCs.. I just think for a darker book, especially one you're reading during a pandemic, this hit some offkey notes. I don't know quite how else to describe it.
This is basically a mix of STATION ELEVEN, The Walking Dead, and our current worldview. So not really a cheery experience despite all the jokes and romance within. It wasn't bad (again, potential!) but I didn't have a good time.
From the blink and you miss it emotional whirlwinds (sobbing to conducting a normal conversation in the span of a sentence), events that just kind of happen to these characters before they move on, and just an overall lack of real substance or feeling to the MCs.. I just think for a darker book, especially one you're reading during a pandemic, this hit some offkey notes. I don't know quite how else to describe it.
This is basically a mix of STATION ELEVEN, The Walking Dead, and our current worldview. So not really a cheery experience despite all the jokes and romance within. It wasn't bad (again, potential!) but I didn't have a good time.
October 12, 2025
Tak wewnętrznie przeczuwałam, że to książka dla mnie i miałam rację
April 8, 2022
Hey Goodreads, are we reading the same book?!
Amongst the reference to Covid (despite it not being the end-all virus of the setting), the sheer amount of pop culture references and the badly executed dialogue, this book has the potential to be a good YA lgbtq post-apocalyptic Romance. But sadly, it didn't deliver.
Firstly, I did not like Andrew at all. His 'funny' remarks did not read well and I found myself waiting impatiently for Jamison's POV chapters. Jamison's character I liked a lot more, and I think his story deserved more time. There was also a severe lack of chemistry between the two, Andrew is thrown straight (heh) into a crush on this boy without any build up. Jamison's POV was better, but it still gave the reader little emotional depth. Perhaps it was ambitious to have a dual POV, as I think having Jamison as a singular speaker would have been a lot easier to develop a believable and interesting POV.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but in all fairness I did enjoy the second half of the story a lot more; there were less pop culture references (still more than I'd deem necessary but hey) and the plot picked up slightly. But still, there were sections I felt weren't developed enough when they really could have been made so much more emotional and thrilling than they were. I liked the Fort Caroline arc (is it an arc? idk) but it lacked tension or atmosphere. It felt too rushed to the point it just blended in to the rest of the story.
Maybe I am not the target audience for this book as I am so used to books like 'the road' being so brutal and raw in their depictions of a post-apocalyptic society, but I was disappointed at the soft and fluffy version shown here. It was not awful, but not fantastic.
(HOWEVER, quick appreciation for the cover artwork my copy had?! WOW I adore it)
Amongst the reference to Covid (despite it not being the end-all virus of the setting), the sheer amount of pop culture references and the badly executed dialogue, this book has the potential to be a good YA lgbtq post-apocalyptic Romance. But sadly, it didn't deliver.
Firstly, I did not like Andrew at all. His 'funny' remarks did not read well and I found myself waiting impatiently for Jamison's POV chapters. Jamison's character I liked a lot more, and I think his story deserved more time. There was also a severe lack of chemistry between the two, Andrew is thrown straight (heh) into a crush on this boy without any build up. Jamison's POV was better, but it still gave the reader little emotional depth. Perhaps it was ambitious to have a dual POV, as I think having Jamison as a singular speaker would have been a lot easier to develop a believable and interesting POV.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but in all fairness I did enjoy the second half of the story a lot more; there were less pop culture references (still more than I'd deem necessary but hey) and the plot picked up slightly. But still, there were sections I felt weren't developed enough when they really could have been made so much more emotional and thrilling than they were. I liked the Fort Caroline arc (is it an arc? idk) but it lacked tension or atmosphere. It felt too rushed to the point it just blended in to the rest of the story.
Maybe I am not the target audience for this book as I am so used to books like 'the road' being so brutal and raw in their depictions of a post-apocalyptic society, but I was disappointed at the soft and fluffy version shown here. It was not awful, but not fantastic.
(HOWEVER, quick appreciation for the cover artwork my copy had?! WOW I adore it)
May 27, 2023
All That's Left in the World by Erik Brown would have contended for my favorite book had I read it at seventeen. But I haven't been seventeen since last century. My best efforts notwithstanding, I cannot turn back time. This book is a good example of why I try (often unsuccessfully, I will admit) to avoid YA novels: it presents the teenage perspective in a fundamentally uncritical way. It's not simply that I'm asked to immerse myself in the characters' emotional lives--that's the trick of so much great fiction--but that I'm asked to abandon the mature insights into those perspectives that I (supposedly) have acquired in the past twenty-four years.
Read
May 13, 2023nie lubię takich znaków zapytania w głowie💔
z jednej strony - świetny klimacik postapo, super pomysł na książkę, dużo humoru, ciężka tematyka ugryziona w lekki sposób i ogólnie fajny tytuł z queerową reprezentacją
z drugiej - bardzo mnie wynudziła, nie poczułam żadnej więzi z bohaterami, zamiast szybko lecieć się dłużyła i personalnie się niestety nie polubiliśmy
z jednej strony - świetny klimacik postapo, super pomysł na książkę, dużo humoru, ciężka tematyka ugryziona w lekki sposób i ogólnie fajny tytuł z queerową reprezentacją
z drugiej - bardzo mnie wynudziła, nie poczułam żadnej więzi z bohaterami, zamiast szybko lecieć się dłużyła i personalnie się niestety nie polubiliśmy
March 6, 2022
Erik J. Brown really asked “What if ‘The Walking Dead’ had less zombies and more gay pining?” and I’m so glad he did. I loved every second of this heartfelt, heart pounding, smile inducing apocalyptic rom-com and can’t wait to read whatever Brown has in store for us next.
April 24, 2023
Superlative! Review to follow, but in the meantime, thank you to #NetGalley for an e-ARC of this remarkable, moving, often funny, often very scary story.
Update. I didn't get around to properly reviewing this at the time, but the one thing I'll add at this stage, almost 1.5 years later, is that this book became one of two or three favorite books of 2021, and it has very much stayed with me. In addition, several of my friends have read this and really enjoyed it as well. I cannot recommend this book enough!!
Update. I didn't get around to properly reviewing this at the time, but the one thing I'll add at this stage, almost 1.5 years later, is that this book became one of two or three favorite books of 2021, and it has very much stayed with me. In addition, several of my friends have read this and really enjoyed it as well. I cannot recommend this book enough!!
June 6, 2023
przepadłam i się zakochałam
June 27, 2024
I didn't realise just how much I needed this book. Or how much the post apocalyptic, travelling through the US genre needed two queer boys navigating a new and uncertain world, while grappling with their feelings for each other and trying to find their place in the new world.
The best moments in this story were the early quiet ones. When Andrew and Jami hunkered down for a few weeks in Jami's house, Andrew telling him the plots of entire movies to pass the time. I could have spent hours with these two. However, the later introduction of Cora was much needed, and I'm hoping she's also in the sequel.
This does use the post apocalyptic tropes we know, like the creepy cults, but it didn't linger, and never felt boring - helped by the fact that they both clocked that something was wrong quickly, and chose to leave as soon as possible. The last scenes were harrowing, but I was so glad that the ending left on a hopeful note.
The best moments in this story were the early quiet ones. When Andrew and Jami hunkered down for a few weeks in Jami's house, Andrew telling him the plots of entire movies to pass the time. I could have spent hours with these two. However, the later introduction of Cora was much needed, and I'm hoping she's also in the sequel.
This does use the post apocalyptic tropes we know, like the creepy cults, but it didn't linger, and never felt boring - helped by the fact that they both clocked that something was wrong quickly, and chose to leave as soon as possible. The last scenes were harrowing, but I was so glad that the ending left on a hopeful note.
July 2, 2025
Monotonna.
Ocena: 2,0.
Ocena: 2,0.
Read
September 15, 2021Honestly did not know how much I could love a book that embodies "What if The Road were romantic, hilarious, and gay?" but ta da! So good.
November 11, 2022
This is a well-thought, multi-city action story with a slowly developing bond between Jamie and Andrew. Some of the intensity needs you to not be too squeamish as they encounter rogue groups of other survivors that are clinging to life.
There are some strong statements about society here, as highly protective instincts dominate. This 'me first' is a harsh reality to hear. The white supremacy in the large group at Fort Caroline is a major indictment of this type of life-style. I was glad our MC's survived.
The author wrote this book pre-COVID, but the last edit was Sept 30, 2021, so some small and careful references to COVID were added. It is quite the coincidence on the timing of this book's release.
I knew this was a YA book, with a 16-year-old focus. But I still thought Andrew's quip remarks could have been toned down when they were in serious peril. Andrew was nice, but he was a bit clingy, and all his pop-movie-culture-references tended to go past me. Again - there is a highly targeted audience for this book.
I connected more with Jamie, who thought just a little harder before speaking. Jamie was straight too (prior to this story, anyway), so his changes were refreshing to see. It was great to see the late-story addition of Cara as she quickly shined the light on the obvious!
Overall, a strong book, that I liked spending time with each time I picked it up to resume reading. But it didn't elicit any tears from me anywhere in the story. And the actual fear of the MCs dying in some scenes was fairly hard to read.
So a 4.25 score.
There are some strong statements about society here, as highly protective instincts dominate. This 'me first' is a harsh reality to hear. The white supremacy in the large group at Fort Caroline is a major indictment of this type of life-style. I was glad our MC's survived.
The author wrote this book pre-COVID, but the last edit was Sept 30, 2021, so some small and careful references to COVID were added. It is quite the coincidence on the timing of this book's release.
I knew this was a YA book, with a 16-year-old focus. But I still thought Andrew's quip remarks could have been toned down when they were in serious peril. Andrew was nice, but he was a bit clingy, and all his pop-movie-culture-references tended to go past me. Again - there is a highly targeted audience for this book.
I connected more with Jamie, who thought just a little harder before speaking. Jamie was straight too (prior to this story, anyway), so his changes were refreshing to see. It was great to see the late-story addition of Cara as she quickly shined the light on the obvious!
Overall, a strong book, that I liked spending time with each time I picked it up to resume reading. But it didn't elicit any tears from me anywhere in the story. And the actual fear of the MCs dying in some scenes was fairly hard to read.
So a 4.25 score.
July 10, 2024
Can someone tell me why it took me so long to read this book???? It was on my tbr for at least a year, and I only picked it up because I borrowed it from the library and it was due soon. What was wrong with me?? Because this book is so much more than I expected!!
It’s official, Jamie and Andrew are my new favourite teenage characters. Jamie is the biggest protective sweetheart and Andrew is such an insightful and genuine character (and I love his humour!!). Jamie and Andrew were written so well and their characters so flashed out that I had to keep reminding myself that they are fictional so I don’t fall apart in public whenever they get into perilous situations. These boys own my heart and please please please Erik protect them at all cost (I see your sequel!)🥺♥️
The storyline also felt authentic despite using a popular post-apocalyptic trope, it kept me engaged throughout and unexpectedly heartfelt. I didn’t expect for this YA book to make me question humanity. I guess once you peel off societal expectations, laws and everything else that makes up a capitalist society, all that’s left in the world is….. white supremacy, jk (fuck Fort Carolina), I mean genuine friendships, pure teenage love, and so many stories 🥰🫶
——————————————
RTC while I recover from crying on the plane 🥹♥️🫶
It’s official, Jamie and Andrew are my new favourite teenage characters. Jamie is the biggest protective sweetheart and Andrew is such an insightful and genuine character (and I love his humour!!). Jamie and Andrew were written so well and their characters so flashed out that I had to keep reminding myself that they are fictional so I don’t fall apart in public whenever they get into perilous situations. These boys own my heart and please please please Erik protect them at all cost (I see your sequel!)🥺♥️
The storyline also felt authentic despite using a popular post-apocalyptic trope, it kept me engaged throughout and unexpectedly heartfelt. I didn’t expect for this YA book to make me question humanity. I guess once you peel off societal expectations, laws and everything else that makes up a capitalist society, all that’s left in the world is….. white supremacy, jk (fuck Fort Carolina), I mean genuine friendships, pure teenage love, and so many stories 🥰🫶
——————————————
RTC while I recover from crying on the plane 🥹♥️🫶
July 20, 2023
I'm in love with this book!
Erik J. Brown wrote a wonderful, heartwarming and captvating debut novel in All That's Left in the World .
It's a dystopian post-apocalyptic romance/adventure, set a few months after a virus has wiped out the majority of human population. This dystopian future is actually based on premises and scenarios from the real world, which makes the setting even more eerie and believable. The few survivors are scarred by what they saw, what they had to do and all the people they lost.
Andrew is one of them. The only survivor of his family, he flees south from Connecticut, until an unfortunate injury makes him desperate for shelter and medicine. Jamie lives in a cabin in the woods in Pennsylvania for the last months, stacked up on stockpiles, lonely and grieving the loss of his mother.
The story of the two boys is adorable and sweet and as their initial suspicions die down, they start warming up to each other, realize they need and want each other's company and friendship, and something even more than that.
Andrew is snarky and wary of the world, having seen the worst of it in action. He also carries guilt, a guilt weighing him down like an anvil.
Jamie on the other side is a cinnamon roll. He is kind and sweet, cannot bring himself to hunt animals for food, and is slightly confused by the newfound emotions he feels about Andrew.
The story has the heavy and dark themes of a dystopian setting (there is death, bodies, humans gone tribal) but is a story of hope and love, with many funny moments and humor shining a light even in the darkest moments.
The book is perfect: the character development, the worldlbuilding, the relationships, the interactions, the trauma, the love, every element exists in the exact right quantity needed to create the perfect result !
After re-reading: I can't wait for the sequel to come out next summer!
Erik J. Brown wrote a wonderful, heartwarming and captvating debut novel in All That's Left in the World .
It's a dystopian post-apocalyptic romance/adventure, set a few months after a virus has wiped out the majority of human population. This dystopian future is actually based on premises and scenarios from the real world, which makes the setting even more eerie and believable. The few survivors are scarred by what they saw, what they had to do and all the people they lost.
Andrew is one of them. The only survivor of his family, he flees south from Connecticut, until an unfortunate injury makes him desperate for shelter and medicine. Jamie lives in a cabin in the woods in Pennsylvania for the last months, stacked up on stockpiles, lonely and grieving the loss of his mother.
The story of the two boys is adorable and sweet and as their initial suspicions die down, they start warming up to each other, realize they need and want each other's company and friendship, and something even more than that.
Andrew is snarky and wary of the world, having seen the worst of it in action. He also carries guilt, a guilt weighing him down like an anvil.
Jamie on the other side is a cinnamon roll. He is kind and sweet, cannot bring himself to hunt animals for food, and is slightly confused by the newfound emotions he feels about Andrew.
The story has the heavy and dark themes of a dystopian setting (there is death, bodies, humans gone tribal) but is a story of hope and love, with many funny moments and humor shining a light even in the darkest moments.
The book is perfect: the character development, the worldlbuilding, the relationships, the interactions, the trauma, the love, every element exists in the exact right quantity needed to create the perfect result !
After re-reading: I can't wait for the sequel to come out next summer!
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