I saw the trailer for the film and that motivated me to read the book. I was excited to begin reading it and while I enjoyed the novel, I can wait to read the sequels. I am in no rush to read finish the series.
The Plot
The 5th Wave is a science-fiction novel that takes place in current times. It begins at the end of the 4th wave. Cassie Sullivan feels as though she is the last person on earth.
Aliens have invaded earth and they are slowly destroying human kind through different waves. The 1st wave gets rid of all power, the 2nd creates an earthquake causing huge tsunamis to destroy the coastlines, the 3rd wave brings a disease that kills most of the remaining survivors and in the 4th wave, aliens who have been sleeping in host bodies awaken and begin to kill those that are still human.
Alien invasions are nothing new. There are many stories and films that involve visitors from outer space out to destroy us. What I like about this one, is how the 'Others' are taking their time to destroy us. They need Earth, but not it's human inhabitants. They can get rid of everyone in one go, but instead they take their time. Whether there is a reason for this, I do not yet know as it is not revealed in this novel.
It is an interesting idea and one that is explored by different points of view. Author Rick Yancey is inspired by Stephen Hawking's quote about the fact that humans would be like the Native Americans if we were ever invaded from visitors from outer space. Things didn't turn out well for the Native Americans and things aren't turning out so well for us.
Cassie Sullivan is the main focus of the story. She is on a mission to save her brother. She made a promise she would return to him and that is they only reason she is still alive. Although Cassie is the main focus, the reader also gets a glimpse into Ben Parish/Zombie's life. He is one of the many child soldiers being trained to fight the alien invaders. The reader also briefly gets a glimpse into the mind of one of the silencers.
Cassie is an interesting enough character, but the chapters focused on Ben and his fellow squad members were more interesting.
Romance
“But if I'm it, the last of my kind, the last page of human history, like hell I'm going to let the story end this way. I may be the last one, but I am the one still standing. I am the one turning to face the faceless hunter in the woods on an abandoned highway. I am the one not running but facing. Because if I am the last one, then I am humanity. And if this is humanity's last war, then I am the battlefield.”
Cassie is alone. It feels like she is the last person on earth. She's out to save her brother, but finds something else to fight for along the way.
Cassie was a normal high school girl who was in love with a boy who never noticed her. He's dead, but she meets someone else.
“Some things you can never leave behind. They don't belong to the past. They belong to you.”
Ben Parish, Cassie's high school interest, is still in the novel, but not as Cassie's main love interest. Her main love interest is Evan Walker, a boy who turns out to be one of the 'Others'. During the 4th wave he sets out to kill Cassie, but something prevents him from doing so. Instead, Evan rescues Cassie and the more they get to know each other, the more they fall.
Cassie has never been in love and she's torn between her feelings for Evan and what his kind has done to hers. For a moment they are apart, but Evan can't keep away.
“We’re here, and then we’re gone, and it’s not about the time we’re here, but what we do with the time.”
It is cheesy, but it doesn't seem to be leading to any young adult love triangles. Hopefully it stays that way.
Overall
As mentioned, this is an alien invasion novel. What is different about this is the fact that the aliens are taking their time to destroy the earth which increases the tension. Evan Walker is a human, but he hosts an alien inside his head and when the alien awakens it still feels the human aspect that he grew up in. An interesting take on the invaders. It seems as though the alien invaders are on their way to being wiped out then you discover they have actually infiltrated a major government organization. Ben Parish is one of the first to realize he is fighting for the wrong side. While it was cool to see him and the rest of his friends fighting, it seemed like they figured everything out to easily. When one of them dies, it doesn't bother you to much as you never have a chance to get to know them to much. Cassie is a well developed character. She grows stronger as the waves hit. However, when she meets Evan she begins to rely on him a little too much. Overall though, the story is intriguing and you are invested in the characters and their respective journeys.
The 5th Wave provides a different take on a plot point many of us are familiar with. I recommend it. It is interesting and you want to know what comes next.
Rick Yancey does a good job of introducing us to different characters although it can get confusing when you start reading their different perspectives suddenly. I enjoyed reading it. The 5th Wave is a wonderful young adult book that others outside of the target audience can enjoy.
