The best I have listened to in a while.

What made the experience of listening to The 5th Wave the most enjoyable?

Everything. The narrator, the story, the characters, the prose. There is not a single thing I did not like about this book. LOVED IT!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cassie. She is very likable, interesting, and so freaking hilarious!

Any additional comments?

I finished listening to this book and was very impressed with how much I loved the story and the characters. I had no idea I was going to love it so much. I cannot wait for the second!!!

34 people found this helpful

Not Your Typical YA Dystopian Fare

Anyone else over the trilogy happy dystopian and paranormal YA lit? This one stands out and is worth your credit and time.

Cassie feels like the last human on earth after aliens have quietly invaded our planet. There are no grand explosions, little green men, or friendly visitors wishing to interact and understand our race. Stealthy and cunning, the "others" unleash several waves to eradicate the human race while preserving the Earth's natural resources. The plot is layered with well thought out details; feels like peeling an onion instead of gliding the surface of most successful dystopian trilogies. Writing style is thoughtful, smart, and insightful.

Cared about the characters, enjoying alternating viewpoints and narration by Cassie and other character (no spoilers). Their journey was a little like "Revolution," "The Walking Dead," and "The Road" woven into a teenage tapestry of action, adventure, and the power of perseverance. Found myself walking alongside characters to find food and shelter and feeling just as disturbed trying to figure out how to distinguish the enemy from other humans. Interesting to explore in this read. Highly recommend.

153 people found this helpful

Good Book

This one had me from the beginning to the end! Can't wait for book 2! If you liked The Hunger Games I think you will like this one.

13 people found this helpful

Outstanding plot, suspense, action, betrayal

This is the first in a YA trilogy. It is outstanding. I liked the movie so I decided to read the first book. The book is much better than the movie and that is saying something. Aliens invade the world, this story is about a 16 year old girl, Cassie, that has to deal. Her and her surviving brother get separated. She make a promise to get him and the rest you'll have to listen to.

Yancey slides in bumper stickers about morality and observations about civilization. You know them when you hear them. They don't detract nor add to the story. They are like like speed-bumps. The book is narrated by a man and a woman, there are three points of view: Cassie, Ben Parish and Evan. I let you figure out who is who and who is doing what to whom. But the short of it, the narration is very good.

This series will appeal to anyone who liked the Hunger Games, the Divergent Series, or the Steelheart series. If those series get you going, you are going to love this one as well. I give it a big thumbs up.

16 people found this helpful

Very one dimensional story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I had heard great things about this book, so I was excited to start it. But right away I was struck by the characters being very one dimensional, the plot pacing being rushed, and the coincidental conveniences stacking up. I really hate that.

If you like sci-fi or dystopia and don't care if you plot really makes sense, then maybe this is the book for you.

Would you ever listen to anything by Rick Yancey again?

No.

16 people found this helpful

Interesting story keeps you wanting mote

Although clearly written for a younger generation this is a great story, a fresh approach to an alien encounter.

6 people found this helpful

great story and compelling

Would you listen to The 5th Wave again? Why?

I'm very good listen the two readers were wonderful

What other book might you compare The 5th Wave to and why?

a lot are comparing this the Hunger Games I think it's much better the characters are definitely more developed here and this book you couldn't help but really root for everyone from all sides

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

there were some season this book it actually made me cry I teared up the readers are wonderful in portraying all the emotions that the characters were feeling

6 people found this helpful

Amazing Performance by the Narrators

Everything about this audiobook was incredible. The storyline kept me glued from start to finish. The narrators of this story brought it to life and I could feel the emotions from each character as they went on their journey.

16 people found this helpful

this man needs an editor

What disappointed you about The 5th Wave?

This book could have easily been cut down by half. The characters are prone to speechifying. Cassie, especially, seems to be saying the same thing over and over again (and it's rarely interesting enough to merit saying once).

What could Rick Yancey have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Make it shorter. Also, make Cassie a little more likeable.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was fine. The male narrator was generally less obtrusive.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

It sparked several eye rolls in our car, as well as a few questions about why Cassie can't seem to focus on what's important in a given situation (e.g., danger rather than the body of whatever man happens to be in the room).

32 people found this helpful

Not recommended!

I don't often write reviews. But since I purchased this book based on the positive reviews and I really didn't like it, I feel compelled to state my own opinion in a review.

This book started out great. I loved Cassie - I loved the story from her point of view. But then it switched to three different male characters, which was hard to adjust to. And then it became about the harshness of military training - again, hard to adjust to. The story did flip back to Cassie eventually, but by then I wasn't sure I cared anymore.

I was also frustrated by the naivety of all the main characters (which is a nice way of saying how stupid they are) when they don't / can't / won't realize not all humans are humans. If the reader realizes this within the first third of the book, the main characters should at least pick it up by the first half of the book. But when the main characters don't comprehend this until nearly two-thirds of the book is over, then I question their intelligence. And I don't like brainless main characters.

I believe the book has a strong beginning and ending. But for the middle of the book - when I found myself finding chores to do instead of listening to the audiobook, then I knew this was not a five star read (or even a three or four star). I made myself finish the book (because of all the other positive reviews) but was again frustrated with the cliff hangers in the ending. I will not be purchasing the sequel to the 5th wave. I figure whatever ending I make up in my head will be better than what the author comes up with.

64 people found this helpful