The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

May 30th, 2013 Kimberly Review 57 Comments

30th May
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Fifth Wave
by Rick Yancey
Series: Fifth Wave #1
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up

When I read the synopsis and saw “The Passage meets Ender’s Game” I knew I had to read Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave. I am not familiar with Ender’s Game but I am a huge fan of Cronin’s epic novel The Passage. This was an outstanding dystopian that gave me chills with characters I couldn’t help but root for. At almost five hundred pages I quickly consumed this as I slipped into Yancey’s world. Three-word review: epic, believable, genius.

The prologue set in 1995, gave me chills and immediately drew me into the story. Fast forward to present day when the planet is attacked. Through Cassie, we get an account of the events that occurred leading up to the 5th Wave and here our journey with Cassie begins. When her little brother is separated from her she vows to find him. To survive she trust no one that is until she meets Evan Walker. To fulfill her promise, she may just need to take a chance and the tale that unfolds left me breathless.

I love mankind’s ability to lift ourselves up and survive when all seems lost. Granted not everyone does that. Some close their doors and wait for the end, others end it themselves. Then there are those who find a purpose and continue despite the odds and these are the characters that Yancey brings to life. Cassie is a strong character and her voice rang true throughout the novel. She is a fighter, even when she wants to crumble and hide. She isn’t a skilled survivalist, and heck she can’t even shoot, but she promised her brother she would come and with a little luck and kick-ass persistence she sets out to find him. Along the way, she faces conflict and characters who make her question her own rules. We see growth in her throughout the novel and I would be honored to call Cassie my friend. From the squad team at Camp Haven to the boy at the first base camp, Cassie encounters the other characters and perspectives are fleshed–out. Even the briefest of characters have their own distinct voices. There is a romance, and the possibility of a triangle but these do not take center stage and only deepen our understanding of the characters.

Told from multiple perspectives with outstanding, original world building I could not put this novel down. Yancey is an impressive storyteller and his weaving of events seemed so plausible it gave me chills. It blurred the line between fiction and reality. The pacing was perfect and the author gave me a panoramic view of the world through his characters. I didn’t feel rushed nor did I feel we struggled. The details and world description flowed effortlessly from his pen to the pages and allowed me to completely immerse myself. His characters are strong, complex and believable. I found myself rooting for each of them. Yancey brings this tale alive on so many levels from the intense understanding and powerful emotions we feel for Cassie and her family to the horror of what is happening to our world. The waves that occurred are brilliant and the perfect roadmap for anyone looking to destroy Earth’s inhabitants. Trust, being alone, survival and humanity are all questions raised throughout the novel. Yancey even forces us to see the alien’s position. The tale can be dark and depressing at times but humanities will survive uplifts you and compels you to read on. This novel positively blew me away. I could not put it down nor could I stop thinking about it and talking about it. It’s a book whose details you will remember a year from now. It’s one that will pop up every time you recommend a book. I lived it, consumed it and still, I want more.

The 5th Wave is an outstanding dystopian tales that will quickly distinguish itself from this flooded genre. Yancey has created a world and characters that I will want to visit again and again. This tale can be enjoyed by everyone from teens to adults and has excellent cross-over appeal for science-fiction lovers.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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57 Responses to “The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey”

  1. Hila

    I want to read this book so much, but I’m afraid I’ll be diappointed- It’s always diffuclt with books that have so much hype surronding them! Your review makes me want to read this book anyway 🙂

  2. Debbie Haupt

    Great review Kim this one is going on my list. Thanks
    deb

  4. Christa

    “epic, believable, genius” is pretty much exactly how I would sum the 5th Wave up as well. It was so good and had me on the edge of my seat. Glad you loved it too!

  5. Andrea

    Everyone is loving this book! I guess I’ll have to add it to my tbr. Great review, Kim!

  8. Tanya M

    you have me excited to read this book. so many bloggers seem to love it. thanks for sharing.

  9. Jessica

    OOoh fabulous review Kimba!! Been seeing this one around and starting to read the reviews. I have to admit that I am getting more and more piqued! This might be making its way onto my TBR mountain soon!

  13. kimbacaffeinate

    It has a grown up feel and ooh it was so good, it’s sitting at number two in my top ten YA books for 2013 right behind Dark Triumph!

  17. kimbacaffeinate

    negative reviews are you sure its this book, I had to go to GR and look when you said that..it is rocking the fives and has a 4.4 rating 🙂

  19. kimbacaffeinate

    Ha, I am a picky YA reader and loath contemps with rare exceptions, but I have found the dystopian and post-apocalyptic books to be mostly good..this however was epic!

  25. kindlemom1

    I saw a few blog reviews that were two and three stars. That is so weird! Either way, I am definitely going to give it a try now. 😉

  26. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Like sci-fi and I have been enjoying the dystopian type of books. Loved the way you said the book just stays with you. Oh I’m so curious about it even more now. Pushing it up the wishlist!

  27. thegeekyblogger

    Sometimes but mostly dystopians do really well in audio because of the emotion in the narrators voices. Dystopians are often written “flat” and it just add “oomph” to the story 🙂 (If that makes any sense at all)

  28. Sunny Duvall

    Yay!!! I’ve heard such great things about this one, but I especially love that the author is a great story teller and world builder. I think that’s a definite must in books and not a lot of YA authors have been doing that lately for me. Amazing review, can’t wait to read this one!

    Sunny @ Blue Sky Bookshelf

  29. Ellen

    I have heard such good things about this novel. I love a really good dystopian, and if you couldn’t put it down, I am totally convinced to check it out. Thanks for the great review.

  30. Christy (Love of Books)

    Dude, yes! I need to read this. I passed on it in the very beginning, and then regretted it because it got too late to request it on edelweiss. Now I have slip it in when I can.

  31. Naomi Hop

    Awesome review!! It’s great to find a character that you could interact with, and call her your friend!! She sounds like an awesome person!

  37. candacerobinson

    I read the first few chapters of the book over a period of a few weeks, it was just terrifying for me. Post apocalyptic novels do that. But then one day I finally said I was going to get further and I ended up reading the entire thing that day. It really was amazing! I’m glad you loved it too. I’m very anxious for the next one. I have my fingers crossed about a certain something that happened at the end…

  38. kimbacaffeinate

    ooh that is right, you don’t like horror or scary things..and this is so realistic..you must have been freaked, cause i was freaked and I love horror!! Ha…ooh my fingers are crossed too

  39. Sharon - Obsession with Books

    Yay Kimba!! I’m so glad to see you loved this as much as I did, it was scary believable; the world building, characters – everything was awesome!!

    A fabulous review!! 🙂

  40. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I agree that the prologue alone was terriflying! I enjoyed Cassie’s story very much and goodness, her little brother broke my heart in half. I just love that Yancey didn’t bother to give us false hope, it is what it is. This was, in some ways, better than I’d expected, which is something I don’t say often.
    Great review!

  41. bookwormdreams

    I usually don’t care about the age rating for some book. I’m old enough that everything’s ok. (haha finally some benefit xD) I think one of the most important part of dystopian novels is world building – they need to scare you and make you think. Ok, you got me I am reading it… 😀

  42. Tonyalee

    Great review! I am still waiting for the type to die to read this! (I’m weird) It seems everyone loves it and I’m sure I will too!

  44. kimbacaffeinate

    totally agree Maja, I am anxious to see how it develops in book two. I love the foreboding, and subtle hints we got especially regarding a key character..eep

  46. Danielle Chapman

    I have to say that this does capture my attention. I had not heard of this book before, thanks for the review!

  47. Victoria Hooper

    Everyone’s talking about this one, seems like it will be the next big thing! And it does sound really good. I’m a bit burned out with dystopias at the moment, but I might have to give this one a try anyway. Great review! 🙂

  50. Lauren

    I’m so glad to hear you loved this! I was also blown away by Yancey’s storyteling, and by Cassie’s strength. I could never survive as well as she has, I’d probably just give up! I’m dying to know what happens next. You’re so right, this book stands way outside the pack, and has great cross over potential. Lovely review!

  51. Michelle

    Oh I so need to start this like now! I have it sitting on my nightstand and it’s just begging to be picked up since I’m reading it with the rest of the Book BFFs this month. It sounds so amazing and since we rarely ever seem to disagree on books I’m definitely more excited now.

  55. Getty Hesse

    I sure hope so! The Hunger Games was good, but I prefer The Fifth Wave.

  56. Guest

    Thanks for posting a link to my article on your pinterest!

  57. Getty Hesse

    Thanks for posting a link to my post on your pinterest!