Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin
Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Source: Purchased, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.
How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.
Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.
Cassie and her friends haven't seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.
- via Goodreads
I almost didn't finish the book and I'll explain why later but I'm so glad I did.
Strong out of the gate...
The first two-thirds of The Infinite Sea alternates between various points of view (POVs) creating a masterful balance of plot building, action scenes and character development. Picking up shortly after book one ends Cassie and the crew are hunkering down to lick their wounds and come up with a new survival plan. We're introduced to a couple of new characters who bring in different dynamics while everyone is not sure they trust each other.
I really, really loved the first 200 pages or so. I read through them at lightning speed (for me) as the pacing led the POV changes and domino-effect action sequences. More information about the Others is revealed as well as character backstories which builds up strong feels! Now I'm just hoping no one dies because I love them all!!
Ugh, but this last 1/3 almost killed me...
For the last 100 pages the POV switches to a secondary-ish character and everything slowed down to a pacing halt. I would read a chapter or two and then quit. A couple days later I would come back and try again. I finally convinced myself I would just plow through.
For 60 pages the legendary second book journey kicks in with days and months passing without a whole lot of progress, and minimal new information and character development. There is the introduction of a new character who I found really, really interesting and possibly swoon worthy.
*Happy Dance* It gets better...
Yay, we're free!!! For the last 40ish pages of the slow POV there's a plot turn and everything takes off. All of a sudden there are some revelations, a major action scene, swoons and just all the things took place. It was worth the 60 pages of dredge, a reader's reward if you will.
My connection to the POV has strengthened and I get why this POV narrative had to occur.
Why I'll be finishing this series off...
Say What??? The revelation!!!!!!! It changes everything and I mean everything. I'm ready for the crew to all be united and, maybe, a happy ending where the Others are not in charge.
I wish I could write more but I'm trying so hard not be spoilery. It's a solid sequel, minus the pacing issue in the last third, packed with action and a major game changer.
3.5 Stars - Love conquers all, even at the end of the world.
