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The Last Girl On Earth: The 23rd Pair: A Young Adult Dystopian Survival Thriller
One girl. A world without women. A fight for survival.
The year is 2036.
Six years ago, the Blast changed everything. The XX-1 virus swept across the globe, leaving only men behind.
But one girl survived.
Eve doesn’t know how. She doesn’t know why. All she knows is that she’s alive, and she might be the last one.
Humanity is fractured, controlled by the Army of XY, and survival means obedience—or silence.
But Eve has never been obedient.
And she cannot stay silent.
Hidden in plain sight, she carries a secret powerful enough to change the future. In a world where every step is tracked, every breath monitored, and every truth weaponized, Eve must fight harder than anyone to stay alive. The Resistance whispers of freedom, but hope comes with a price. Every betrayal cuts deeper, every lie carries a risk, and every shadow reminds Eve that survival is more than fighting enemies. It is holding on to the people who matter most, even when it costs everything.
The 23rd Pair is a young adult dystopian survival thriller set in a near-future society where rebellion burns quietly beneath the ruins. Perfect for readers who
YA dystopian fiction with action and heart
Post-apocalyptic survival about resilience and found family
Inclusive coming-of-age sci-fi that explores identity, gender, and belonging
High-stakes adventures where rebellion and sacrifice change everything
Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner will find themselves racing through every page of this new YA dystopian fiction series, where secrets are dangerous, freedom is fragile, and one girl carries the hope of humanity.
For fans of: Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, James Dashner, and Neal Shusterman.
If you’re searching for your next young adult dystopian adventure, don’t miss The Last Girl on The 23rd Pair.
The fight for tomorrow begins today.
The year is 2036.
Six years ago, the Blast changed everything. The XX-1 virus swept across the globe, leaving only men behind.
But one girl survived.
Eve doesn’t know how. She doesn’t know why. All she knows is that she’s alive, and she might be the last one.
Humanity is fractured, controlled by the Army of XY, and survival means obedience—or silence.
But Eve has never been obedient.
And she cannot stay silent.
Hidden in plain sight, she carries a secret powerful enough to change the future. In a world where every step is tracked, every breath monitored, and every truth weaponized, Eve must fight harder than anyone to stay alive. The Resistance whispers of freedom, but hope comes with a price. Every betrayal cuts deeper, every lie carries a risk, and every shadow reminds Eve that survival is more than fighting enemies. It is holding on to the people who matter most, even when it costs everything.
The 23rd Pair is a young adult dystopian survival thriller set in a near-future society where rebellion burns quietly beneath the ruins. Perfect for readers who
YA dystopian fiction with action and heart
Post-apocalyptic survival about resilience and found family
Inclusive coming-of-age sci-fi that explores identity, gender, and belonging
High-stakes adventures where rebellion and sacrifice change everything
Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner will find themselves racing through every page of this new YA dystopian fiction series, where secrets are dangerous, freedom is fragile, and one girl carries the hope of humanity.
For fans of: Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, James Dashner, and Neal Shusterman.
If you’re searching for your next young adult dystopian adventure, don’t miss The Last Girl on The 23rd Pair.
The fight for tomorrow begins today.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
About the author
Mel De Pablos
3 books18 followersMel De Pablos is a Berlin-based author of young adult dystopian fiction, poetry, and middle-grade fantasy. Her debut, "The Last Girl on Earth", explores survival, identity, and resistance in a fractured future.
When she’s not writing, Mel shares her journey online with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miss Monroe, who frequently steals the spotlight. She also loves books, TV series, movies, and the occasional midnight snack.
When she’s not writing, Mel shares her journey online with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miss Monroe, who frequently steals the spotlight. She also loves books, TV series, movies, and the occasional midnight snack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 18, 2025
Author Mel De Pablo, has taken me on a fantastic journey into the future that totally rocked my world. You can totally believe that this is so possible as she paints it so vividly word by word. I could see everything in my minds eye. i watched intently as the story unfolded in front of me not missing a beat. i could hear the conversations as if I were in the same room. you know a story is written well when you can feel it in your heart and soul and man oh man could I ever.
I can tell you how many times I was talking at them, yelling, and even crying. My dear reader you are in for such a treat as you read this book. Mel, you have a forever fan. Thank you for trusting me with your book.
I can tell you how many times I was talking at them, yelling, and even crying. My dear reader you are in for such a treat as you read this book. Mel, you have a forever fan. Thank you for trusting me with your book.
January 27, 2026
I was intrigued by the main character from the start of this book. The author wrote this story so well that I was immersed immediately into the world of Eve. This was such a thought provoking read. What WOULD the world look like if all females (except maybe this FMC) no longer existed. What would have been the reasoning behind such a terrible virus being spread across the world? What kind of “restructuring the world” plan could this really involve? The author addresses potentially hot topics with grace and understanding.
We join Eve on the heartbreak of losing her friends and mother and being thrust into having to hide herself as a boy for many years. Her father takes her from Boston to Germany in order to safeguard her identity, and then leaves her there with her uncle so he can continue research… six years later a 'boy' from her past shows up and is supposed to help her rendezvous with her father. Because of the virus and the new regime’s lockdowns and control, Eve and Leo run into a lot of trouble as they venture out for the reunion. But along the way so many more secrets are uncovered.
We join Eve on the heartbreak of losing her friends and mother and being thrust into having to hide herself as a boy for many years. Her father takes her from Boston to Germany in order to safeguard her identity, and then leaves her there with her uncle so he can continue research… six years later a 'boy' from her past shows up and is supposed to help her rendezvous with her father. Because of the virus and the new regime’s lockdowns and control, Eve and Leo run into a lot of trouble as they venture out for the reunion. But along the way so many more secrets are uncovered.
December 9, 2025
Dystopian like no other!
If you love dystopian stories, you have got to read this! It’s unlike any other I’ve read! I’ve lost so much sleep trying to finish this! I couldn’t put it down. And the ending?!?! What if a world wide virus was a trial to see how things would go? Or sparked someone’s insane idea? This is a scary dystopian idea. But I love it. It’s unique and scary and new. Imagine a virus wiping out half the population-anyone with the XX 23rd pair? Well, everyone but you! And if anyone found out they would either want to unalive you or study you to find out why. This is the story of Eve and her survival in a new world. It has intrigue, scary moments, some banter, and some betrayal. Or is it betrayal? We still don’t know who’s the betrayer for sure!
If you love dystopian stories, you have got to read this! It’s unlike any other I’ve read! I’ve lost so much sleep trying to finish this! I couldn’t put it down. And the ending?!?! What if a world wide virus was a trial to see how things would go? Or sparked someone’s insane idea? This is a scary dystopian idea. But I love it. It’s unique and scary and new. Imagine a virus wiping out half the population-anyone with the XX 23rd pair? Well, everyone but you! And if anyone found out they would either want to unalive you or study you to find out why. This is the story of Eve and her survival in a new world. It has intrigue, scary moments, some banter, and some betrayal. Or is it betrayal? We still don’t know who’s the betrayer for sure!
November 1, 2025
„Das letzte Mädchen auf Erden“ ist ein Buch, das von der ersten Seite an fesselt. Jedes Kapitel inspiriert dazu, weiterzulesen, und lässt einen tief in die Geschichte eintauchen. Besonders beeindruckend ist die Darstellung von Eve – sie wird als unglaublich mutige und entschlossene Figur präsentiert, deren Stärke und Durchhaltevermögen einen nachhaltig beeindrucken. Das Buch vermittelt auf eine sehr einfühlsame Weise die Botschaft, dass man sich im Leben niemals aufgeben sollte. Es ermutigt dazu, weiterzukämpfen, unabhängig davon, ob man das angestrebte Ziel sofort erreicht oder nicht. „Das letzte Mädchen auf Erden“ ist nicht nur eine spannende Lektüre, sondern auch eine inspirierende Erinnerung daran, dass Mut und Ausdauer selbst in schwierigen Zeiten von unschätzbarem Wert sind.
November 7, 2025
what a suspenful read. keeps you on the edge. i havent finished it completely because I dont like cliff hangers and Mel said to wait for book 2 😀
November 1, 2025
Dieses Buch ist der perfekte Start einer vielversprechende Dystopie-Trilogie!
Eine aufregende Reise durch eine düstere Welt, in der überall Gefahr, Verrat und Intrigen lauern.
Eve und Leo haben sofort mein Herz erobert und zeigen uns, wie viel Freundschaft und Loyalität in solch einer dunklen Zukunft bedeuten.
Die Story fesselt von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite. Eine absolut gelungene Geschichte, die zum Nachdenken anregt.
Bleibt nur die Frage: Wann kommt Band 2?
Eine aufregende Reise durch eine düstere Welt, in der überall Gefahr, Verrat und Intrigen lauern.
Eve und Leo haben sofort mein Herz erobert und zeigen uns, wie viel Freundschaft und Loyalität in solch einer dunklen Zukunft bedeuten.
Die Story fesselt von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite. Eine absolut gelungene Geschichte, die zum Nachdenken anregt.
Bleibt nur die Frage: Wann kommt Band 2?
October 6, 2025
Received as an ARC copy thank you Mel!
Okay, wow. This book completely blew me away!!
The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair is one of those dystopian stories that gets under your skin and doesn’t let go. It’s set in Berlin, 2036—six years after a “Blast” wiped out every woman and girl on the planet… except one.
That one is Eve. Or, as everyone else knows her, Elias. She’s the last surviving girl, forced to pretend to be a boy just to stay alive in a world ruled by men. The tension?? Unreal. Every chapter feels like walking a tightrope one wrong move and it’s over.
When a strange message pops up and she meets Leo (who I instantly liked, by the way 👀), everything changes. What starts as survival becomes this dangerous, emotional journey across a broken world, full of secrets, drones, and lies.
Eve is such a strong and heartbreaking character. You feel every bit of her fear and courage.
My only tiny gripe is that I wanted a bit more from the side characters but honestly, it’s book one of a trilogy, so I’m sure that’ll come later. The ending left me staring at the page like “NO WAY. It can’t end like this???” 😭
If you love The Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale, or Scythe, this is totally your next obsession. Dystopian lovers—add this to your TBR immediately.
Okay, wow. This book completely blew me away!!
The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair is one of those dystopian stories that gets under your skin and doesn’t let go. It’s set in Berlin, 2036—six years after a “Blast” wiped out every woman and girl on the planet… except one.
That one is Eve. Or, as everyone else knows her, Elias. She’s the last surviving girl, forced to pretend to be a boy just to stay alive in a world ruled by men. The tension?? Unreal. Every chapter feels like walking a tightrope one wrong move and it’s over.
When a strange message pops up and she meets Leo (who I instantly liked, by the way 👀), everything changes. What starts as survival becomes this dangerous, emotional journey across a broken world, full of secrets, drones, and lies.
Eve is such a strong and heartbreaking character. You feel every bit of her fear and courage.
My only tiny gripe is that I wanted a bit more from the side characters but honestly, it’s book one of a trilogy, so I’m sure that’ll come later. The ending left me staring at the page like “NO WAY. It can’t end like this???” 😭
If you love The Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale, or Scythe, this is totally your next obsession. Dystopian lovers—add this to your TBR immediately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
Eve is a beautiful reminder of the courage it takes to be your true self even with that authenticity feels threatening. Not only is this story full of action and intrigue, but it captures your heart in a way that only a genuine story can do. This book is a wild and fast paced ride where you can feel, see, and hear what the characters are experiencing right alongside them. It’s an immersion of adrenaline, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of the trilogy unfolds!
December 29, 2025
When Survival Learns to Whisper
There is a quiet kind of terror in being the last… last to exist, last to be hidden, last to matter. The Last Girl on Earth drifts through that silence with haunting grace, weaving a story where survival is not loud or heroic, but careful, secret, and aching.
The world feels worn thin, as if hope itself has learned to whisper. Every page carries a sense of watchfulness, of breath held just a moment too long. Danger does not always arrive with noise here… it lingers in what is left unsaid, in the knowledge that being seen could mean everything ends.
What lingers most is the emotional weight: the loneliness, the resilience, the quiet defiance of existing when the world has decided you should not. This is dystopian fiction at its most intimate, where identity becomes an act of rebellion and survival is as much emotional as it is physical.
The Last Girl on Earth doesn’t rush to shock… it seeps under the skin. A story of secrecy, endurance, and fragile hope, it stays with you like a soft echo long after the final page, asking what it truly means to remain… when everything else is gone.
There is a quiet kind of terror in being the last… last to exist, last to be hidden, last to matter. The Last Girl on Earth drifts through that silence with haunting grace, weaving a story where survival is not loud or heroic, but careful, secret, and aching.
The world feels worn thin, as if hope itself has learned to whisper. Every page carries a sense of watchfulness, of breath held just a moment too long. Danger does not always arrive with noise here… it lingers in what is left unsaid, in the knowledge that being seen could mean everything ends.
What lingers most is the emotional weight: the loneliness, the resilience, the quiet defiance of existing when the world has decided you should not. This is dystopian fiction at its most intimate, where identity becomes an act of rebellion and survival is as much emotional as it is physical.
The Last Girl on Earth doesn’t rush to shock… it seeps under the skin. A story of secrecy, endurance, and fragile hope, it stays with you like a soft echo long after the final page, asking what it truly means to remain… when everything else is gone.
January 16, 2026
The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair fully understands what it means to exist in a world that makes you feel like you shouldn’t.
Eve feels believable under the pressure of what her world forces her into, she’s not a generic dystopian “precocious for vibes” FMC. She’s a teenager, yes, but one who landed in an impossible situation that gives her a maturity that goes beyond her age.
The themes in this book are uncomfortably relatable to real life. Those moments where it feels like there are no truly safe options for self-expression, where a sense of self becomes something guarded out of fear of being truly seen. Living in a world where you’re hiding in plain sight, breathing moment to moment under the threat of simply existing. Where conforming can feel like the only option. And my personal favorite, where love can go beyond logic and tradition.
The cliffhanger has a lot of chatter, but it is an exceptional ending, and I promise it isn’t cheap. This book hits all the right notes for a worthy long-term emotional investment. It ended with me needing the next book immediately, but in the best possible way.
Eve feels believable under the pressure of what her world forces her into, she’s not a generic dystopian “precocious for vibes” FMC. She’s a teenager, yes, but one who landed in an impossible situation that gives her a maturity that goes beyond her age.
The themes in this book are uncomfortably relatable to real life. Those moments where it feels like there are no truly safe options for self-expression, where a sense of self becomes something guarded out of fear of being truly seen. Living in a world where you’re hiding in plain sight, breathing moment to moment under the threat of simply existing. Where conforming can feel like the only option. And my personal favorite, where love can go beyond logic and tradition.
The cliffhanger has a lot of chatter, but it is an exceptional ending, and I promise it isn’t cheap. This book hits all the right notes for a worthy long-term emotional investment. It ended with me needing the next book immediately, but in the best possible way.
December 26, 2025
This is an excellent novel! A story of a world-wide virus that destroys the population of women in an instant … except for one girl: Eve. I love the character! She is brave, resilient, has humour and yet still a teenager with all the feelings and emotions that can make life complicated as it is; but she knows some things must remain hidden. Her relationship with Leo and the secrets that must be kept are both touching and real. Their connection gives the story its heart as the world that they think they know unravels with the knowledge they find. Even if you are not normally a dystopian story fan, I believe most people would enjoy this gripping novel. It is truly a study of humanity, and the ending certainly leaves you wanting more. As a side note, please do not skip the glossary as it is well worth the read. I loved the way it was presented but I won’t spoil it by saying more here! I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next.
May 10, 2026
"Elias" has a secret, one that could cost him his life.
When a virus is released it wipes out every female in the world....Or did it?
The time has come for Elias to be reunited with his father and Leo is tasked for the job. Leo doesn't remember Elias but he DOES remember Eve. He has been told that Elias is Eve's cousin and he speaks very fondly of her. He has never forgotten her and this stirs something deep in Elias, resulting in a kiss that leaves the whole journey awkward and tense. Despite this they have a long and perilous way to go to meet Eve's father.
When they come across a hidden home in the woods they make several startling discoveries.
Elias has to make some decisions.
Tense, thoughtful, with self discovery for Elias and Leo.
There are twists and turns with a few moments of WHAT!?!?
Book 2 cant get here soon enough!!
When a virus is released it wipes out every female in the world....Or did it?
The time has come for Elias to be reunited with his father and Leo is tasked for the job. Leo doesn't remember Elias but he DOES remember Eve. He has been told that Elias is Eve's cousin and he speaks very fondly of her. He has never forgotten her and this stirs something deep in Elias, resulting in a kiss that leaves the whole journey awkward and tense. Despite this they have a long and perilous way to go to meet Eve's father.
When they come across a hidden home in the woods they make several startling discoveries.
Elias has to make some decisions.
Tense, thoughtful, with self discovery for Elias and Leo.
There are twists and turns with a few moments of WHAT!?!?
Book 2 cant get here soon enough!!
November 13, 2025
I loved this book so much. The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair has one of the boldest dystopian premises I have ever read. A world where every woman is gone, except one girl who must survive by pretending to be a boy. Instant tension, instant danger, and it is executed so well.
The world building is sharp, the pacing is fantastic, and the slow building chemistry between Eve and Leo is both sweet and heartbreaking. I would have loved more backstory on Eve’s parents, but honestly everything else had me hooked. The ending made me gasp out loud and demand the sequel immediately.
If you enjoy dystopian YA with emotional depth, strong themes about identity, and a twist that knocks you off balance, you need this book in your life.
The world building is sharp, the pacing is fantastic, and the slow building chemistry between Eve and Leo is both sweet and heartbreaking. I would have loved more backstory on Eve’s parents, but honestly everything else had me hooked. The ending made me gasp out loud and demand the sequel immediately.
If you enjoy dystopian YA with emotional depth, strong themes about identity, and a twist that knocks you off balance, you need this book in your life.
January 7, 2026
Wow Mel!! This book took me on a journey that I wasn’t expecting. It felt so real reading this book. Like I can see things like this, not to the extent-at least not yet, happening in this lifetime.
I am absolutely in love with Eve and Leo. They are fierce and have helped each other survive through so much and together they have brought to light so many hidden agendas from the good and the bad organizations.
This is the and most engaging dystopian book I have ever read and the story grabs you and makes you want to immerse yourself in it! I felt like I was literally watching a movie reading it! Her storytelling and the words she uses to describe the scene is so good! The twists and WTH moments were so good. She also puts humor and hope in the story. I cannot wait for more!
I am absolutely in love with Eve and Leo. They are fierce and have helped each other survive through so much and together they have brought to light so many hidden agendas from the good and the bad organizations.
This is the and most engaging dystopian book I have ever read and the story grabs you and makes you want to immerse yourself in it! I felt like I was literally watching a movie reading it! Her storytelling and the words she uses to describe the scene is so good! The twists and WTH moments were so good. She also puts humor and hope in the story. I cannot wait for more!
November 12, 2025
The 23rd Pair” is a heart-pounding, thought-provoking dystopian thriller that absolutely blew me away from the first page to the last. The author crafts a near-future world I immersed in from the first second.
The story is packed with thrilling twists, cleverly plotted secrets, and high-stakes betrayals, all while weaving in themes of gender, exclusion, and the fierce hope of freedom.
If you love dystopian adventures like The Last Of Us, you will love this book.
I am in love with the story and can’t wait to find out what happens next.
The story is packed with thrilling twists, cleverly plotted secrets, and high-stakes betrayals, all while weaving in themes of gender, exclusion, and the fierce hope of freedom.
If you love dystopian adventures like The Last Of Us, you will love this book.
I am in love with the story and can’t wait to find out what happens next.
November 13, 2025
Wow draws you in from page 1
I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it through the night and completed it in one sitting finally finished around7-8 am so dont start this book if you plan to sleep
This book has everything its a emotional rollercoaster
Theres action/romance/lost memories/comedy every thing you could want in a book
It ended on a cliffhanger so lets pray it dont take the amazing mel another 14 years to get the next one down on paper
I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it through the night and completed it in one sitting finally finished around7-8 am so dont start this book if you plan to sleep
This book has everything its a emotional rollercoaster
Theres action/romance/lost memories/comedy every thing you could want in a book
It ended on a cliffhanger so lets pray it dont take the amazing mel another 14 years to get the next one down on paper
April 27, 2026
How Is She the Last Girl?
The Last Girl on Earth pulses with tension and adrenaline. After a slow build, Eve and Leo face obstacle after obstacle as they race toward a destination that morphs with each morsel of information they uncover. Uncertain whom to trust, they have only each other to rely on even as their relationship sparks with electricity and thwarted emotions.
If you loved Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, you’ll enjoy this compelling story and its teenage protagonists.
The Last Girl on Earth pulses with tension and adrenaline. After a slow build, Eve and Leo face obstacle after obstacle as they race toward a destination that morphs with each morsel of information they uncover. Uncertain whom to trust, they have only each other to rely on even as their relationship sparks with electricity and thwarted emotions.
If you loved Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, you’ll enjoy this compelling story and its teenage protagonists.
January 10, 2026
A wonderful and smart Dystopian book with a storyline that sounds scary to imagine? For sure!
It makes you think hard about what life could easily be IF...
Loved the writing style that feels so naturally friendly. As if I was talking to a friend, swapping stories.
It's modern and relevant.
Discusses topics in a context that will make any of us feel compassion and consider a person's right to be true to themselves.
And best of all... It makes you wonder about the lines of identity and what it means to cross them!
It makes you think hard about what life could easily be IF...
Loved the writing style that feels so naturally friendly. As if I was talking to a friend, swapping stories.
It's modern and relevant.
Discusses topics in a context that will make any of us feel compassion and consider a person's right to be true to themselves.
And best of all... It makes you wonder about the lines of identity and what it means to cross them!
February 1, 2026
I need a moment to process what I just read and to properly write a review. This book broke my mental thought process with that ending. Mel if it wasn’t for the fact the I desperately need you to write book two… lol. I would use my sandal lol.
Go read the book. I will be back with my actual review.
Round two of my Book Review 2/1/2026. ….
Wow!!! Just wow! This. Book made me want to join the Resistance!!!
Mel is a PHENOMENAL writer. I was invested completely and I enjoyed this story so much. The storyline is refreshing and spectacular. I was sucked into a world that i can vividly see it in my mind like a movie. All I needed was popcorn and some 3D glasses. I jumped, i was anxious, I yelled, I was so absorbed that for a moment I forgot I am a mom of a three year old. I absolutely related to the characters and I fell in love with them.
THE TWIST andTURNS on top of that ENDING!!! A must read!!!
Oh READ the Glossary!!! Believe me it’s a must!!!
Go read the book. I will be back with my actual review.
Round two of my Book Review 2/1/2026. ….
Wow!!! Just wow! This. Book made me want to join the Resistance!!!
Mel is a PHENOMENAL writer. I was invested completely and I enjoyed this story so much. The storyline is refreshing and spectacular. I was sucked into a world that i can vividly see it in my mind like a movie. All I needed was popcorn and some 3D glasses. I jumped, i was anxious, I yelled, I was so absorbed that for a moment I forgot I am a mom of a three year old. I absolutely related to the characters and I fell in love with them.
THE TWIST andTURNS on top of that ENDING!!! A must read!!!
Oh READ the Glossary!!! Believe me it’s a must!!!
February 16, 2026
This book completely hooked me. I always wanted to know what would happen next and stayed invested the entire time. Even the side characters felt real, and Audrey’s journey especially stood out.
The writing style was strong and engaging, and it all came together in a way that felt thoughtful and intentional. Even the glossary was unexpectedly hilarious.
This one stands out from anything I’ve read before. Easy five stars.
The writing style was strong and engaging, and it all came together in a way that felt thoughtful and intentional. Even the glossary was unexpectedly hilarious.
This one stands out from anything I’ve read before. Easy five stars.
November 19, 2025
Absolutely amazing. I had the honor to read this as an ARC and I am so glad I did. The characters are so well written and I was immediately invested in them. The different POV’s were great and the storyline was phenomenal. I loved that the cause of this apocalyptic world wasn’t the same old zombie troupe. This is unique and I am here for it. I highly recommend this book!
April 21, 2026
This book caught me from the first page, not only the immersive dystopian setting, but how intimate everything felt despite the of the world’s collapse. The story relies in the quiet, suffocating tension of being watched, of having to shrink yourself just to survive.
Eve, as a protagonist, felt real in a way that caught me off guard. She isn’t written as someone effortlessly strong or unrealistically composed. Instead, her resilience feels earned, shaped by fear, loss, and the constant pressure of living a life that isn’t truly hers. There’s something unsettling about watching her navigate a reality where even her identity has to be concealed, and that discomfort is exactly what makes her journey so compelling.
The underlying ideas woven into the narrative. The story explores what it means to exist in a space that doesn’t allow you to be seen fully, where self-expression becomes dangerous and silence becomes survival. That tension—between who you are and who you’re forced to pretend to be—feels painfully relevant. It made me reflect on how fragile freedom really is, and how easily it can be stripped away under the guise of control or “order.”
The emotional weight of the story builds steadily. The sense of isolation, the echoes of grief, and the complicated connections Eve forms along the way all feel layered and meaningful. Relationships aren’t simplified; they’re messy, risky, and sometimes built on uncertainty. That complexity made every interaction feel significant, especially in a world where trust can be as dangerous as defiance.
There’s also a quiet intensity in the way the plot unfolds. It isn’t just about escaping or fighting back—it’s about understanding the cost of both. The tension never really lets up, but it’s balanced by moments that feel almost fragile, where hope exists but never feels guaranteed.
By the end, I found myself thinking less about the external conflict and more about the questions the story raises. What defines identity when the world tries to erase it? How far can someone go to protect the people they love? And what does survival really mean when it demands so much of who you are?
For all dystopian fans who love a story that makes you feel and questioning. This book lingers long after the final page.
Eve, as a protagonist, felt real in a way that caught me off guard. She isn’t written as someone effortlessly strong or unrealistically composed. Instead, her resilience feels earned, shaped by fear, loss, and the constant pressure of living a life that isn’t truly hers. There’s something unsettling about watching her navigate a reality where even her identity has to be concealed, and that discomfort is exactly what makes her journey so compelling.
The underlying ideas woven into the narrative. The story explores what it means to exist in a space that doesn’t allow you to be seen fully, where self-expression becomes dangerous and silence becomes survival. That tension—between who you are and who you’re forced to pretend to be—feels painfully relevant. It made me reflect on how fragile freedom really is, and how easily it can be stripped away under the guise of control or “order.”
The emotional weight of the story builds steadily. The sense of isolation, the echoes of grief, and the complicated connections Eve forms along the way all feel layered and meaningful. Relationships aren’t simplified; they’re messy, risky, and sometimes built on uncertainty. That complexity made every interaction feel significant, especially in a world where trust can be as dangerous as defiance.
There’s also a quiet intensity in the way the plot unfolds. It isn’t just about escaping or fighting back—it’s about understanding the cost of both. The tension never really lets up, but it’s balanced by moments that feel almost fragile, where hope exists but never feels guaranteed.
By the end, I found myself thinking less about the external conflict and more about the questions the story raises. What defines identity when the world tries to erase it? How far can someone go to protect the people they love? And what does survival really mean when it demands so much of who you are?
For all dystopian fans who love a story that makes you feel and questioning. This book lingers long after the final page.
May 14, 2026
I knew this was a five star read pretty much from the start.
I love a good dystopian book, and this wasn't just good, it was fantastic.
Mel De Pablos writes The 23rd Pair mainly from the POV's of main character's Eve and Leo. We meet Eve at the beginning of the book, who tells us where her story of survival began, six years before, when 'The Blast" occurred: an event (virus) that wiped out female-kind. Eve believes she is the last girl on earth and in the six intervening years has been living a double life in Berlin with her Uncle Ralf.
There is so much to love about this book. Eve is a complicated character, but she is instantly likeable, relatable and flawed. Her double life of pretending to be a boy is harrowing and shows the deep emotional toll of someone who is unable to live their true life, because the impacts of being truthful to her biology puts her in the gravest of danger.
Enter Leo, who is sent by Eve's real father to collect her and bring her to Dresden (another thing to love about this book is the European setting). As the trip unfolds, drama, action and thrills follow the pair everywhere. There is an undercurrent of danger, and hints at bigger political schemes being at play. There is also a burgeoning, slow-burn romance, which is filled with angst and hardship, mainly because Eve cannot be true to herself and must live in a constant lie, while Leo deals with confusion of his sexuality.
The characters in this book are very well fleshed out. Despite it being a near-future dystopian novel, the themes, such as living a life true to oneself, trauma and grief are current and relatable, and very well written. I'm currently living through a book hangover with this book and I wait with bated breath for the next novel in this triology!
I love a good dystopian book, and this wasn't just good, it was fantastic.
Mel De Pablos writes The 23rd Pair mainly from the POV's of main character's Eve and Leo. We meet Eve at the beginning of the book, who tells us where her story of survival began, six years before, when 'The Blast" occurred: an event (virus) that wiped out female-kind. Eve believes she is the last girl on earth and in the six intervening years has been living a double life in Berlin with her Uncle Ralf.
There is so much to love about this book. Eve is a complicated character, but she is instantly likeable, relatable and flawed. Her double life of pretending to be a boy is harrowing and shows the deep emotional toll of someone who is unable to live their true life, because the impacts of being truthful to her biology puts her in the gravest of danger.
Enter Leo, who is sent by Eve's real father to collect her and bring her to Dresden (another thing to love about this book is the European setting). As the trip unfolds, drama, action and thrills follow the pair everywhere. There is an undercurrent of danger, and hints at bigger political schemes being at play. There is also a burgeoning, slow-burn romance, which is filled with angst and hardship, mainly because Eve cannot be true to herself and must live in a constant lie, while Leo deals with confusion of his sexuality.
The characters in this book are very well fleshed out. Despite it being a near-future dystopian novel, the themes, such as living a life true to oneself, trauma and grief are current and relatable, and very well written. I'm currently living through a book hangover with this book and I wait with bated breath for the next novel in this triology!
November 9, 2025
A MUST READ!
I'm usually not a dystopian novel reader, but with this book I hit gold. It has everything you want and need for a good read. The story starts in Berlin and while I live there currently, the author managed to show me such a different yet familiar side of the town, I was drawn in from the beginning. The characters are kind and funny and if you like sassy and straight forward speaking people in real life, you will love them. Germany, and the whole world the author is painting is filled with little details, so much, that you feel at home and yet you can't recognize anything.
Eve, the main character has a few very good friends, and with their help, she manages to escape a few times from a fascist regime into adventurous paths on the search for her father, who she thinks resides in scandinavia. I really don't want to tell you lots about the story, you have to feel it, when you read it, but I promise: There are foes and friends, hate and love, solitude and adventures, fear and laughter, desperation and hope so very well woven together, that you don't want to put down the book until the very last page.
And then it bugs you, that the second book isn't on the market yet.
I can't wait for the next chapter of The Last Girl On Earth, I need answers and my theories either confirmed or dissolved. Go buy the book, you won't regret it!
I'm usually not a dystopian novel reader, but with this book I hit gold. It has everything you want and need for a good read. The story starts in Berlin and while I live there currently, the author managed to show me such a different yet familiar side of the town, I was drawn in from the beginning. The characters are kind and funny and if you like sassy and straight forward speaking people in real life, you will love them. Germany, and the whole world the author is painting is filled with little details, so much, that you feel at home and yet you can't recognize anything.
Eve, the main character has a few very good friends, and with their help, she manages to escape a few times from a fascist regime into adventurous paths on the search for her father, who she thinks resides in scandinavia. I really don't want to tell you lots about the story, you have to feel it, when you read it, but I promise: There are foes and friends, hate and love, solitude and adventures, fear and laughter, desperation and hope so very well woven together, that you don't want to put down the book until the very last page.
And then it bugs you, that the second book isn't on the market yet.
I can't wait for the next chapter of The Last Girl On Earth, I need answers and my theories either confirmed or dissolved. Go buy the book, you won't regret it!
May 16, 2026
The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair completely pulled me into its dark, terrifying world from the very first page. The concept alone is chilling—a world where women no longer exist except for one girl forced to survive in silence—but the execution made it impossible to put down.
Eve is the kind of protagonist you instantly root for. She’s strong without feeling untouchable, emotional without losing her fire, and every decision she makes carries real weight. Watching her navigate a society built on fear, control, and survival had my heart racing the entire time.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere. The tension is constant. Every conversation feels dangerous, every betrayal hits hard, and the world-building feels frighteningly believable. The Army of XY, the Resistance, the secrecy surrounding Eve’s existence—it all created such an intense reading experience.
Beyond the action and suspense, this story also has so much heart. Underneath the dystopian survival elements is a story about identity, hope, resilience, and what it means to keep fighting when the world wants you erased.
If you love YA dystopian fiction with high stakes, emotional depth, rebellion, survival, and a fierce female lead, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. I cannot wait to continue this ser
Eve is the kind of protagonist you instantly root for. She’s strong without feeling untouchable, emotional without losing her fire, and every decision she makes carries real weight. Watching her navigate a society built on fear, control, and survival had my heart racing the entire time.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere. The tension is constant. Every conversation feels dangerous, every betrayal hits hard, and the world-building feels frighteningly believable. The Army of XY, the Resistance, the secrecy surrounding Eve’s existence—it all created such an intense reading experience.
Beyond the action and suspense, this story also has so much heart. Underneath the dystopian survival elements is a story about identity, hope, resilience, and what it means to keep fighting when the world wants you erased.
If you love YA dystopian fiction with high stakes, emotional depth, rebellion, survival, and a fierce female lead, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. I cannot wait to continue this ser
May 16, 2026
In Berlin, 2036, a deadly virus has erased every woman and girl from the world… or so people think.
Eve is the only survivor, hiding in plain sight as Elias. Living as a boy is the only way to stay alive, and every moment feels like she’s one step away from being exposed.
When Elias is sent to meet his father, Leo is chosen to escort him. Leo doesn’t recognize Elias, but he clearly remembers Eve. Believing she’s just a cousin, he talks about her like she left a mark on him, and it stirs something complicated in Elias that leads to a moment neither of them can take back.
Their journey quickly turns dangerous as they move through a world full of secrets, surveillance, and lies. A hidden house in the woods reveals shocking truths, forcing Elias to make choices that could change everything.
Eve is both strong and fragile, and you feel every bit of her fear, strength, and inner conflict.
Eve is the only survivor, hiding in plain sight as Elias. Living as a boy is the only way to stay alive, and every moment feels like she’s one step away from being exposed.
When Elias is sent to meet his father, Leo is chosen to escort him. Leo doesn’t recognize Elias, but he clearly remembers Eve. Believing she’s just a cousin, he talks about her like she left a mark on him, and it stirs something complicated in Elias that leads to a moment neither of them can take back.
Their journey quickly turns dangerous as they move through a world full of secrets, surveillance, and lies. A hidden house in the woods reveals shocking truths, forcing Elias to make choices that could change everything.
Eve is both strong and fragile, and you feel every bit of her fear, strength, and inner conflict.
November 12, 2025
I am sobbing right now... this book is beautiful and brings out every emotion out of me throughout the story. I feel as if I am Eve, while reading, feeling every emotion. Gosh... I feel like her, I feel so betrayed, it hurts so much.
The book is wonderful and is written so well, I see it like a movie in my head, as the story unfolds. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
I have to say though, I am still pissed... like why?? Why?? I cannot get over it and I promise you that I will still think of your amazing book this whole week.
I'm still pissed though, tears rolling down my cheeks, feeling so betrayed.
I need book 2.
Dear author, you have shattered my heart.
Congratulations, you've managed to get me out of my reading slump. Going to cry in a corner
now.
The book is wonderful and is written so well, I see it like a movie in my head, as the story unfolds. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
I have to say though, I am still pissed... like why?? Why?? I cannot get over it and I promise you that I will still think of your amazing book this whole week.
I'm still pissed though, tears rolling down my cheeks, feeling so betrayed.
I need book 2.
Dear author, you have shattered my heart.
Congratulations, you've managed to get me out of my reading slump. Going to cry in a corner
now.
December 22, 2025
A smart, grounded, and relentlessly paced gender-flipped dystopia.
Mel De Pablos takes a classic sci-fi premise a plague that leaves only one gender behind—and makes it feel frighteningly fresh and logical. The worldbuilding in 2036 is the star: a fractured, controlled society ruled by the Army of XY feels viscerally real and well-thought-out.
Eve is a compelling protagonist, her struggle for survival layered with the heavier burden of being possibly the last woman on Earth. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, masterfully balancing action with moments of tense political intrigue and personal betrayal. It’s a clever, immersive adventure that fans of intelligent dystopian series and spec-fic will devour.
A standout for its believable science, palpable tension, and a concept that delivers on its high-stakes promise.
Mel De Pablos takes a classic sci-fi premise a plague that leaves only one gender behind—and makes it feel frighteningly fresh and logical. The worldbuilding in 2036 is the star: a fractured, controlled society ruled by the Army of XY feels viscerally real and well-thought-out.
Eve is a compelling protagonist, her struggle for survival layered with the heavier burden of being possibly the last woman on Earth. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, masterfully balancing action with moments of tense political intrigue and personal betrayal. It’s a clever, immersive adventure that fans of intelligent dystopian series and spec-fic will devour.
A standout for its believable science, palpable tension, and a concept that delivers on its high-stakes promise.
January 22, 2026
This was a total five-star, “just one more chapter” read for me. I ended up completely hooked! The writing is so vivid and easy to sink into that I felt like I was right there the whole time. It’s tense, fast-paced, and genuinely immersive.
What I loved most is the balance. You get the high-stakes intensity and constant pressure you want from dystopian fiction, but it still has real heart. The main character is the kind you can’t help rooting for, and the story digs into big themes like identity, belonging, and what it takes to stay true to yourself in a dangerous world. I’m absolutely continuing the series!
What I loved most is the balance. You get the high-stakes intensity and constant pressure you want from dystopian fiction, but it still has real heart. The main character is the kind you can’t help rooting for, and the story digs into big themes like identity, belonging, and what it takes to stay true to yourself in a dangerous world. I’m absolutely continuing the series!
February 2, 2026
Imagine a hauntingly beautiful story in a world where women are extinct, leaving eve as a solitary, anomaly. The story moves beyond regular dystopian tropes to explore the suffocating weight of being treated as an asset rather than a human being. What truly resonates is the visceral sense of isolation Eve now Elias feels while searching for her identity in a sterile society that has forgotten half of humanity. The writing is lean and evocative, balancing high-stakes tension with quiet, heartbreaking reflections on bodily autonomy. This is a powerful reflection on belonging that lingers in your mind long after the final page is turned.
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