New York Times Best Seller: THE FIFTH WAVE

How does a teenager maintain humanity in a world where trust isn't so easy? Rick Yancey’s young adult novel, The 5th Wave goes into the horrifying reality of aliens coming to earth and 16-year old Cassie Sullivan's desperate fight for survival.

The 5th Wave was published in 2013 by Rick Yancey, an author of 24 books for both young adults and adults, with his most notable being the three books apart of The 5th Wave series. Yancey is incredible in his ability to combine suspense with deep, intense emotion. This book eventually became a New York Times bestseller and a major motion picture. Before becoming a full time writer, Yancey had worked for the Internal Revenue Service, and felt like it was its own kind of survival story. Since then, he has primarily written, and earned awards for his work in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

The story takes place in present day Ohio, shortly after a massive alien mothership appears in the sky. The narrative switches between four points of view, primarily focusing on a girl named Cassie Sullivan and a boy named Ben Parish. It tells the story of the "Waves,” different stages of the invasion, gradually increasing in intensity, that wiped out most of humanity, retelling the loss and fear people went through as society collapsed.

Cassie Sullivan was a typical high school student before the arrival. After the first four waves, which included a global EMP surge, massive tsunamis, and a deadly plague, she is left alone in the woods. Between dealing with the death of her parents and trying to rescue her younger brother, Sammy, from a military camp, her story is one of intense bravery. At the same time, a boy named Ben Parish, a football player from the same school as Cassie, finds himself drafted into an army. He discusses the struggles of losing his old identity and the struggle of being a soldier in a world where its not very clear who the enemy is.

The 5th Wave covers important topics such as trust, perseverance, and what it means to be human throughout the character’s journeys. Ben and Cassie's journeys focus on finding their own reason to keep going, and distinguishing people you can rely on when potential betrayal and danger seem impossible to escape.

This novel is an intriguing blend of action and internal struggle. Yancey really shows the horrors his characters faced and how they found the strength to persevere despite losing everything and everyone. The writing is impactful, and the extensive details bring the post apocalyptic world its set into life. It provides a look into the resilience of people in seemingly impossible times, and a reflection of the bonds that form in the face of them.

If you’re looking for a fun, exciting read, this book is a modern sci-fi classic, with a recommended age range of 15+. I would recommend anyone read this at least once, to see how these characters navigate a broken world, and in turn remind ourselves to never give up.