Book Nerds Across America: rick yancey

Monday, February 15, 2016

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Book Summary
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.

Flo's Review
The Fifth Wave movie comes out January 22, and I wanted to be sure to read it before seeing it. I figured I'd ask Jacque and Mary if they wanted to make it this month's read along, and they were on board with the idea. It took me awhile to read this one, because I was trying to read it during the busy month of December and starting back in January, which -- as we all know -- can be a busy, busy time with little extra time for extras. But I was finally able to finish on my way to ALA Midwinter.

Flo and author Rick at the Miami Book Fair in November 2015

I liked this story! I enjoyed reading Cassie -- she has great attitude, humor, and perseverance. I liked the weight that a promise held for several characters of the book. This book can be read on a deeper lever, as Rick Yancey explores what is means to be human. It's not just physical, but it is in our reactions, emotions, and more. I had the opportunity to see Rick Yancey speak at the Miami Book Fair in November 2015 and he explained how he had often seen alien invasion type books and/or movies where humans in all their awesomeness can defeat the aliens and YAY! humans. And not that humans aren't awesome, but he was really into the exploring the idea -- what if the aliens are really smart and clever as well? I was definitely blown away by some of the things they orchestrated and how much thought and planning went into the waves. Rick Yancey also has some deep and beautiful, highly thought-provoking prose that will just casually come out of his character's minds as they are fighting to survive.

This book is full of action, and as I was reading it, I was thinking of what a great movie it will be. I am very happy that I was able to read it when I did, and I can't wait to see these characters on the big screen!

Final question: I've talked to a few people who didn't love the next book in the series, The Infinite Sea. Have you read it? Should I give it a go?

Jacque's Review:

Like Flo, I really enjoyed The 5th Wave. It was action packed and unpredictable, which kept me constantly wanting to know what would happen next. As the pieces of the puzzle began to come together, I became so engrossed that I didn't realize how close to the end I was. Then, it just stopped. I was reading an ebook, so those things can easily happen, but I was still shocked. There were so many loose ends and unresolved issues that there HAD to be a few more chapters I was missing. WRONG!

That is when I went to Goodreads and discovered there is a second book in the series. I immediately tweeted Flo and was like, how can this be? Fortunately, The Infinite Sea is available, so I guess I will be reading it in the near future. I certainly can't leave these wonderful characters in limbo for all eternity....or perhaps that is what the "Others" would like for me to do.

The final book in the series, The Last Star, will be released on May 24, 2016. I was beyond excited to see that I will be able to conclude the series without having to wait even a few months between books. Flo's timing in selecting this series couldn't have been better.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Movie Review: The 5th Wave

Movie Synopsis from IMBD

Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.

Flo's Review

So, The Fifth Wave is our monthly read along for January on Book Nerds Across America. We chose it with the express goal of having the book read before the movie was released. I was successful and was also lucky enough to win tickets to a pre-screening of the movie on Wednesday night.

This was an interesting situation for me because I literally just finished the book a few days ago. Usually with these book to movie adaptations, it's been years since I've read the book. But I went into this movie with Rick Yancey's words very clear in my mind. And I can say that they did a very good job sticking to the story line in the book. There was one big thing that was missing and a few smaller events that were slightly altered, but for the most part it was spot on. Unfortunately, there was also some cheesy dialogue added that didn't need to be there.

That time I met Chloe Grace Moretz

The movie moved along at a fast pace but not too fast. (Again, with book to movie adaptations, I often find myself thinking in the movie, "We're at this part already?!" I didn't do that with The 5th Wave.) As is almost always the case, we lost some of the depth that the book provided. I didn't feel like we got to spend much time with Cassie and Evan at the house or with Zombie's squad. So, unfortunately, when something big happened within Zombie's squad, it didn't have the effect that I felt in the book and that I felt it should have.

Little thing I missed? Zombie trying to make Ringer smile. That was cute. I wish they'd kept that in there. The Scene of Realization (which is what I'll call it in hopes that I'm being non-spoilery, but those that have seen it will still understand what I mean) seemed too big and too out of nowhere to really ring true and inspire subsequent events to me.

But, overall, I was very entertained and I'm glad I saw the movie. I think book fans will not be disappointed. I'm curious about those who haven't read the book.

Please let me know your thoughts on the movie in the comments below!