Read + Review — The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

The first wave destroys all electronics. In the second wave, coastlines are destroyed. The third wave is a plaque that kills billions of people. During the fourth wave, aliens use humans as hosts. Now, the 5th wave is approaching and Cassie and Ben are on separate missions to save and avenge their loved ones. Cassie promised herself that she would rescue her brother from the soldiers that killed her father. Ben has recovered from the plaque that killed his sister and is ready to fight against the aliens. In a world where no one can be trusted and survival is a game of chance, will Cassie and Ben survive to the 5th wave?

This novel is a great read for both boys and girls alike. The 5th Wave contains not one, but two thrilling stories, includes nonstop action and is strikingly quotable. The only part of The 5th Wave that I didn’t enjoy was the confusing switch of POVs. Rick Yancey wouldn’t state when he was switching to Ben’s, Evan’s or Cassie’s point of view so for the first few chapters it was hard to get a handle on what was going on. However, that being said, this shouldn’t be enough to offset you from reading The 5th Wave. Rick Yancey combines numerous great sci-fi elements to tell both of his storylines. Ben’s narrative coincides with that of Ender’s Game and Cassie’s is similar to The Passage, then when you throw in robot-like aliens, some Call of Duty-like warfare and plenty of dystopian survival you get a superb modern science fiction novel. And with the mystery of the 5th Wave, persistent fighting for survival and many plot-twists/cliffhangers the action never ends. Not to mention the great quotes like this, “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.” For this and more awesome quotes and plot, read the 5th Wave. Believe me, once you start you won’t be able to put the book down!

The end is the most memorable part of the 5th Wave. It’s unexpected, action-packed and suspenseful with a cliff-hanger that entices you to read the next book.

Reviewed by Rylan, Grade 8, Tuckahoe Area Library