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Last Survivors #3
This World We Live In
It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans, life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.
The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.
The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
About the author
Susan Beth Pfeffer
87 books1,868 followersSusan Beth Pfeffer was born in New York City in 1948. She grew up in the city and its nearby suburbs and spent summers in the Catskill Mountains. When she was six her father wrote and published a book on constitutional law, and Pfeffer decided that she, too, wanted to be a writer. That year she wrote her first story, about the love between an Oreo cookie and a pair of scissors. However, it wasn't until 1970 that her first book, Just Morgan, was published. She wrote it during her last semester at New York University; since then, she has been a full-time writer for young people.
She has won numerous awards and citations for her work, which range from picture books to middle-grade and young-adult novels, and include both contemporary and historical fiction. She is also the author of the popular Portraits of Little Women series for grades 3-6, and has written a book for adults on writing for children.
To date, she has written more than 60 books. About David was awarded the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award. The Year Without Michael is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and winner of the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award; it was also named by the American Library Association as one of the hundred best books for teenagers written between 1968-1993.
When she is not working, she enjoys watching movies, both new and old, and collecting movie memorabilia, reading biographies and histories, and eating foods that are bad for her. She lives in Middletown, New York, with her two cats, Alexander and Emily.
Named the American Library Associations Young Adult Library Services Association Best Book for Young Adults 2007 and Teens’ Top Ten Booklist in 2007. Finalist for the Andre Norton Award, Quill Awards, Hal Clement Awards
She has won numerous awards and citations for her work, which range from picture books to middle-grade and young-adult novels, and include both contemporary and historical fiction. She is also the author of the popular Portraits of Little Women series for grades 3-6, and has written a book for adults on writing for children.
To date, she has written more than 60 books. About David was awarded the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award. The Year Without Michael is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and winner of the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award; it was also named by the American Library Association as one of the hundred best books for teenagers written between 1968-1993.
When she is not working, she enjoys watching movies, both new and old, and collecting movie memorabilia, reading biographies and histories, and eating foods that are bad for her. She lives in Middletown, New York, with her two cats, Alexander and Emily.
Named the American Library Associations Young Adult Library Services Association Best Book for Young Adults 2007 and Teens’ Top Ten Booklist in 2007. Finalist for the Andre Norton Award, Quill Awards, Hal Clement Awards
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,805 reviews
April 10, 2019
it's comin' to get ya!
so - this series is over, i reckon. and i'm not terribly sad to see it go. she had a golden shiny opportunity here, and she kinda blew it. you can't feel bad for her, it's like a celebrity sex scandal; the destruction was purely self-destruction.
this is why it could have been awesome:
the premise of this series is fantastic; it presents an opportunity for real scientific discussions of what the moon (if you believe in the moon) controls,and speculations on what would happen if it did indeed get knocked a little bit closer to our planet; and what the instant and eventual repercussions of this would be. this, as a survival scenario, trumps zombies, trumps plane crash, trumps military invasion of your island country.
this is why it fails:
the first book does a good job with the horrorshow aftermath - volcanoes in odd places, sun covered up by volcanic ash, tsunamis etc, but then it ignores the novelty of the situation, and becomes just another story about the end of the world and what happens to people, psychologically, but in a religious-themed after-school-special version.the interesting thing about this scenario is what happens to the earth, not what happens to the people. sheesh, recognize!
THERE WILL BE PLOT POINTS FROM HERE ON OUT - THE CHOICE IS YOURS!
continued fail:
"coyness is nice..."
praying is awesome, sure, but maybe go get some food in the abandoned houses, yeah? the food-gathering is so casual - every few days they will say - hey, let's go search some more houses! like it is an afterthought? no way. if you have made your decision to stay planted in the family home for the rest of your lives instead of trying to find a better place with maybe more left to it, fine, that is your decision, but search every single one of those houses thoroughly and systematically, then stockpile, don't just think that all that stuff will be there for the rest of your short, planted lives. survival 101.
the meek are not actually going to inherit the earth, and when it comes to a crisis situation, you gotta shove them out of the way and make for the canned goods because they are just going to be a praying obstacle kneeling between you and salvation. god loves prayers, but he also loves those who help themselves and are little warriors in his name.
there is just too much unbelievable stuff in this one - this is a cartoon novel. the more i think about it, the more angry i get, actually. it is going to lose a star at the end of this review.
par exemple: what is up with alex?? he was the star of book two,(even though i found him wholly unrealistic) and here he is just some shadow that kisses a girl and feels sick about it because of the whole - "promised god i would go be a monk" thing. everything is too convenient - there just happen to be the right number of boys and girls of the same age to fall in love with each other, ex-husbands are welcomed into a food-shortage situation even though they come trailing their new wife, newborn and three other heads. but it's cool - we will make it work!
there is absolutely no growth from the first to the third book - no movement. the second book is immune from this because it is just a differently-located retelling of the first, but the third book should show some progress, not just more whining about having to share canned food.
BACK TO MORE GENERAL WHINGING, WITHOUT GIVING PLOT DETAILS:
this is such a good foil to the john marsden series. this wimpy 17 year old american girl should get herself trapped in the outback à la walkabout and see how that treats her.
the more i think about this book, the more problems i have with it, especially as it compares to the marsdens. step it up, american teens; don't let them distract you with their bizarre animals and then kick your ass while you are going "awwww". give australia a workout when they come for you.
come to my blog!
November 25, 2018
Ableist garbage.
A character becomes paralyzed after an accident and everyone starts talking about how death is preferable to living with a disability and the MC literally murders that character as a "mercy." Look, I understand the world but that's not a good argument for this happening. First of all, that decision was NOT the MC's to make. But moreso, why write this in at all? It only served to dehumanize people with disabilities. Just killing off the character would have been quicker and not insulting.
Also, lots of fat hate and instalove. The only thing I liked about this book was how the characters in the first two books crossed paths. Otherwise, I preferred the first two storywise, showing the beginning of the disaster.
I won't be finishing the series.
Audio review: This had the same narrator as the first book and she did improve her voicing work. It was pretty standard in terms of quality so if you must put yourself through this hateful book, the audio would be a fine way to go.
tw: very harmful ableism, fat hate, tornado, being trapped in a small space, murder.
A character becomes paralyzed after an accident and everyone starts talking about how death is preferable to living with a disability and the MC literally murders that character as a "mercy." Look, I understand the world but that's not a good argument for this happening. First of all, that decision was NOT the MC's to make. But moreso, why write this in at all? It only served to dehumanize people with disabilities. Just killing off the character would have been quicker and not insulting.
Also, lots of fat hate and instalove. The only thing I liked about this book was how the characters in the first two books crossed paths. Otherwise, I preferred the first two storywise, showing the beginning of the disaster.
I won't be finishing the series.
Audio review: This had the same narrator as the first book and she did improve her voicing work. It was pretty standard in terms of quality so if you must put yourself through this hateful book, the audio would be a fine way to go.
tw: very harmful ableism, fat hate, tornado, being trapped in a small space, murder.
November 16, 2017
In this 3rd book in the Last Survivors series, the two groups of survivors depicted in books 1 and 2 come together. Humanity faces possible extinction as natural disasters and climate changes hit Earth following an asteroid strike pushing the moon closer to the planet. It's been a year since the disaster. Very few people remain alive. This group of 10 survivors faces not only the daily fight for survival, but also their own emotions, weaknesses and fears. They must learn to live and work together to survive.
Although it is a bit preachy in places (in my opinion), this book is just as enjoyable as the first two in the series. Although the disaster premise is not scientifically valid, I find the concept of survival after a large scale planet wide disaster to be both thought provoking and horrific. I don't know how I would react to a complete, sudden change in life as I have always known it. I don't know if I would be strong enough, mentally or physically, to survive as nearly everyone around me dies of starvation, illness or injury. What would I be prepared to do to protect my children? I liked how Pfeffer brought her characters together to form a sort of rag-tag family. The story unfolds in diary format, with the character Miranda writing about their daily challenges. There is a lot of emotion in this book, as the characters all try to live together, survive and deal with uncertainty and danger.
This series is written for a YA audience. Because of the serious, dark theme I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 13. There is no graphic violence, sex or cursing....but Pfeffer doesn't pull any punches with the dystopian theme. Death, starvation, suicide and other dark themes figure heavily into the plot. Pfeffer realistically depicts what it might be like to survive after society ends.
For more information on the author and her books, check out her blog: http://susanbethpfeffer.blogspot.com/
Although it is a bit preachy in places (in my opinion), this book is just as enjoyable as the first two in the series. Although the disaster premise is not scientifically valid, I find the concept of survival after a large scale planet wide disaster to be both thought provoking and horrific. I don't know how I would react to a complete, sudden change in life as I have always known it. I don't know if I would be strong enough, mentally or physically, to survive as nearly everyone around me dies of starvation, illness or injury. What would I be prepared to do to protect my children? I liked how Pfeffer brought her characters together to form a sort of rag-tag family. The story unfolds in diary format, with the character Miranda writing about their daily challenges. There is a lot of emotion in this book, as the characters all try to live together, survive and deal with uncertainty and danger.
This series is written for a YA audience. Because of the serious, dark theme I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 13. There is no graphic violence, sex or cursing....but Pfeffer doesn't pull any punches with the dystopian theme. Death, starvation, suicide and other dark themes figure heavily into the plot. Pfeffer realistically depicts what it might be like to survive after society ends.
For more information on the author and her books, check out her blog: http://susanbethpfeffer.blogspot.com/
June 14, 2010
You really could read the description or blurb of the book and basically get the whole story. Of course you don't get the same feel of it and this book gives the same message as the first two. The description gives you most of the plot except for the big decision that Miranda has to make.
The whole book was put in Miranda's point of view and I was somewhat disappointed about that. Out of the other Last Survivor books I liked Alex's point of view better than Miranda's.
As for the relationship between Alex and Miranda I could not enjoy as much because it wasn't really believable for me. Over a third of the book is over before Alex even comes into the picture. There first few encounters are alright. Miranda is excited to see someone around her age that isn't a realtive but then all of a sudden it seems they love each other. Miranda and Alex hardly know each other and haven't spent that much time together. Don't if you haven't read the second book. After the twentieth kiss I just rolled my eyes. Never thought I would do that while reading this book.
The feel of the book is very similar to the first Life As We Knew It. Maybe because of this I wasn't as consumed as much by the dooming feel of it. It's hard to find food, the weather isn't cooperating, will there be a tomorrow, more people are dying, and all those things that where presented in the others are in this one. This is what I had expected but I also expected something more and it wasn't there.
Some of the other characters I was disappointed in like Matt who I had liked so well in the first book. He acts like a jerk now. I will grant that all the characters are realistic/desperate. The ending had the same feel as the first two -it left you hanging. Now I didn't expect the moon to be put back in place but I would've like some sort of finality to it. Actually it might even have less hope than the other two. And it looks like there is not going to be a fourth.
Update:
There is a fourth book out http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
The whole book was put in Miranda's point of view and I was somewhat disappointed about that. Out of the other Last Survivor books I liked Alex's point of view better than Miranda's.
As for the relationship between Alex and Miranda I could not enjoy as much because it wasn't really believable for me. Over a third of the book is over before Alex even comes into the picture. There first few encounters are alright. Miranda is excited to see someone around her age that isn't a realtive but then all of a sudden it seems they love each other. Miranda and Alex hardly know each other and haven't spent that much time together. Don't if you haven't read the second book. After the twentieth kiss I just rolled my eyes. Never thought I would do that while reading this book.
The feel of the book is very similar to the first Life As We Knew It. Maybe because of this I wasn't as consumed as much by the dooming feel of it. It's hard to find food, the weather isn't cooperating, will there be a tomorrow, more people are dying, and all those things that where presented in the others are in this one. This is what I had expected but I also expected something more and it wasn't there.
Some of the other characters I was disappointed in like Matt who I had liked so well in the first book. He acts like a jerk now. I will grant that all the characters are realistic/desperate. The ending had the same feel as the first two -it left you hanging. Now I didn't expect the moon to be put back in place but I would've like some sort of finality to it. Actually it might even have less hope than the other two. And it looks like there is not going to be a fourth.
Update:
There is a fourth book out http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
January 7, 2012
If nothing else, Pfeffer's stories get you thinking. They force you to consider what you would do if you were in her characters' shoes - would you have stockpiled food up in case of an emergency? Or would you basically be at the mercy of this new world you live in?
Miranda is back as the narrator in this book, which I was excited about since I didn't really like Alex or Julie from The Dead and Gone. The book reads about as I expected it to - intense, gripping, and at times just chilling. It's graphic without being too graphic, and it really does make you think about what would happen to you in the same situation. I know I'll be stocking up emergency supplies a little more diligently from now on.
But that said, I didn't particularly like this book. Life As We Knew It, I couldn't put down, but I LIKED it. I couldn't put down This World either, but it was more because I wanted to finish it before I had to leave the bookstore than anything else. Miranda devolves from being a sympathetic character to basically being a whiny brat. She is still fighting with her mom? After all that's happened? I found that unbelievable and stupid. Matt's random relationship with Syl came out of nowhere and was totally out of character. And Syl was never really explored - she has no background story, and even admits to having a fake name, which why would you write about if you had no intention of exploring it?
I also found Lisa irritating and her obsession with Julie weird and frightening. There was no real point to Charlie's character, unless Pfeffer just wanted to make a point about the weight-loss surgery.
Where Alex was somewhat likable in The Dead, he was a total arrogant jerk throughout the entire book. Miranda's attraction to him seemed contrived and forced.
I waited a long time for this book, and I am so disappointed that it turned out like it did. If you can't make it a happy ending, that's totally fine - just don't flake out with a crappy, vague one.
I liked it better than The Dead, but much, much less than Life. This is one I might buy if I find it at a library sale, but it's really not worth normal book prices - especially not hardcover. What a shame.
Re-read August 2011.
March 1, 2010
You ever read a book that makes you want to run to the grocery store and stock up on batteries, canned food, and eye the moon with suspiscion? No? Well, friends, I think you need to check out the Moon trilogy by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The first book, Life As We Knew It, set my heart racing, as I read about Miranda's seemingly ordinary life, and the mundane things she struggled with when her life changes after an asteroid hits the moon, thus knocking it out of orbit. I never got around to reading the second book of the trilogy, The Dead and The Gone, but I may have to, now that I've read This World We Live In, the final book within the trilogy.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
May 24, 2016
Leute, lest diese Trilogie!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
April 9, 2010
Super annoying book. I finished it in one sitting, because I had to know what happened, but I was very disappointed. Alex's and Miranda's relationship had no build-up whatsoever. It was just, BAM, they are in love and kissing. And what was with Matt? He was so likable in the first book. Then, all of a sudden he's a world class jerk, with his cat killing wife. And what was the point of Lisa and Gabriel. All they did was whine. Alex was a jerk too, all he did was obsess about putting Julie in a convent, when she didn't want to go.
The worst thing though is that Julie and Charlie, two of the three people who were pretty good, died. (The other tolarable person was Jon) Why couldn't Matt and his Hortan killing wife die?
Now the question is, is there a fourth book in the works? Yes, it made it sound like Miranda was finished, but is the author? She could just go back to Alex's POV. (There is another thing, why was Bri only mentioned on Julie's deathbed?)
UPDATE: For all those looking for a fourth Moon Book, I don't think it's happening. Just read on Ms. Pfeffer's website that she has resigned from the series cause it's not like things would get better in that world. Oh well.
The worst thing though is that Julie and Charlie, two of the three people who were pretty good, died. (The other tolarable person was Jon) Why couldn't Matt and his Hortan killing wife die?
Now the question is, is there a fourth book in the works? Yes, it made it sound like Miranda was finished, but is the author? She could just go back to Alex's POV. (There is another thing, why was Bri only mentioned on Julie's deathbed?)
UPDATE: For all those looking for a fourth Moon Book, I don't think it's happening. Just read on Ms. Pfeffer's website that she has resigned from the series cause it's not like things would get better in that world. Oh well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2010
I have been looking forward to reading This World We Live In, the third book in Susan Beth Pfeffer's Moon trilogy, for what seems like ages. After tearing through Life As We Knew It I spent countless late nights up with a newborn agonizing over what I would do in such a catastrophic situation. Due to Miranda's spell-binding account, the hubby and I often spent hours mentally counting canned foods, organizing medications, and obsessing over ways to cook without electricity. Not often does a book consume my every spare thought as effectively as Life As We Knew It did. Knowing This World We Live In would connect Miranda's story with Alex's from The Dead and the Gone, I mentally prepared myself for a similarly engrossing read and lots of hours checking over my food storage.
In the past year, Miranda's entire life has altered after a freak asteroid-moon collision resulting in a change in orbit and all kinds of calamity. Countless natural disasters ensued and it was all Miranda, her mom, and brothers Matt and Jon could do to survive one catastrophe after another. Nothing is as it was before. Miranda will never be a 'normal' teenager and she's almost starting to forget what it was even like to walk in the sun or eat eggs or even fresh lettuce.
They've made it through the worst of the winter and are even beginning to feel a ray of hope for the future with the arrival of spring and some truly unexpected guests. Miranda's father has returned with his wife and new baby. He's also brought along Alex and Julie Morales and a close friend, Charlie. Although thrilled to have them safe and home, Miranda and her family understandably begin to wonder just how long their meager stores will last with the addition of five adults.
This World We Live In returns to Miranda's journal entries and although I could not bear to look away from her family's struggle, this latest installment didn't really add anything in terms of character or plot development. Whatever happened to the Miranda I knew and loved from Life As We Knew It? That Miranda had me in the palm of her hand as she unfolded her desperate struggle for survival. And although her everyday existence remained as precarious as ever, I didn't feel like Miranda (or anyone else) grew from their experiences. Yes, it was interesting to see how Miranda and Alex interacted but I never got a good handle on why they were drawn to each other. Besides both having survived a world-ending disaster, of course. It was like Susan Beth Pfeffer expected her readers to already be so in love with Alex from The Dead and the Gone (which I wasn't) that she didn't really bother taking the time to develop a believable relationship between the two.
Although I did struggle reading it, I will admit I still read This World We Live In quicker than you can say 'post-apocalyptic-young-adult-candy-fiction.' Fans of Miranda who have continued to wonder about her future will be glad they picked it up; I just wish the story had been developed a bit further.
In the past year, Miranda's entire life has altered after a freak asteroid-moon collision resulting in a change in orbit and all kinds of calamity. Countless natural disasters ensued and it was all Miranda, her mom, and brothers Matt and Jon could do to survive one catastrophe after another. Nothing is as it was before. Miranda will never be a 'normal' teenager and she's almost starting to forget what it was even like to walk in the sun or eat eggs or even fresh lettuce.
They've made it through the worst of the winter and are even beginning to feel a ray of hope for the future with the arrival of spring and some truly unexpected guests. Miranda's father has returned with his wife and new baby. He's also brought along Alex and Julie Morales and a close friend, Charlie. Although thrilled to have them safe and home, Miranda and her family understandably begin to wonder just how long their meager stores will last with the addition of five adults.
This World We Live In returns to Miranda's journal entries and although I could not bear to look away from her family's struggle, this latest installment didn't really add anything in terms of character or plot development. Whatever happened to the Miranda I knew and loved from Life As We Knew It? That Miranda had me in the palm of her hand as she unfolded her desperate struggle for survival. And although her everyday existence remained as precarious as ever, I didn't feel like Miranda (or anyone else) grew from their experiences. Yes, it was interesting to see how Miranda and Alex interacted but I never got a good handle on why they were drawn to each other. Besides both having survived a world-ending disaster, of course. It was like Susan Beth Pfeffer expected her readers to already be so in love with Alex from The Dead and the Gone (which I wasn't) that she didn't really bother taking the time to develop a believable relationship between the two.
Although I did struggle reading it, I will admit I still read This World We Live In quicker than you can say 'post-apocalyptic-young-adult-candy-fiction.' Fans of Miranda who have continued to wonder about her future will be glad they picked it up; I just wish the story had been developed a bit further.
June 6, 2019
I like how the author combined the characters from the first book in the series with the second book from the series.
April 7, 2012
Are you kidding me?
The novel started strong for me. I liked that we were back in Miranda's point of view (although maybe bouncing between Miranda and Alex would have been more believable and helped make Alex's return to the East Coast more plausible). But then the novel slowly spiraled out of control and made me want to poke my eyes out. I better just list the things that annoyed me.
1. Um, Miranda almost died in book 1. She had this transcendent moment, where she realized that her death would help Jon survive and the only gift she had left to give her family was the sacrifice of herself in order to preserve their survival. WOW. I loved that Miranda had so much growth over the course of the novel. So why, WHY, was she the same, bratty, obnoxious teen we saw in the middle of book 1? Did that epiphany just not stick or what?
2. Seriously. The boys leave to get food and come back with a wife? After all the family has been through with food shortages, this seemed okay to Matt? And the mom just dealt with it? I just didn't buy this for a minute.
3. Syl was totally unexplored as a character and she was promising. She seemed like she'd have some interesting/horrifying/moving stories to tell from her time on the road, but no. Apparently, it worked better to have her as a minor obstacle in the novel and allude to her and Matt having sex than to actually develop her into a full character. Blegh.
4. Magically Dad and Lisa (WITH A BABY) make it back to PA? Alright, I'll even buy that. But Charlie, Alex and Julie are all in tow? And Dad thought it was okay, knowing about the food shortages, to bring all of these people back to his ex-wife's house? Speaking of which, Dad and Mom just get along wonderfully and are willing to bend over backwards to help each other survive? Yeah, okay. Dad is a little more plausible--he still has three children he theoretically loves and wants to care for--but why is Mom a-ok with Lisa being in the picture?
5. Charlie is unexplored as a character. Why even write him in if he wasn't going to bring anything to the novel? I think Pfeffer included him to make the inclusion of ALex and Julie more plausible, in a "See? Dad didn't just pick up some stray children along the way so Miranda and Alex could meet! Dad picked up stray men, also. SO MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE!"
6. Everyone finds a mate of their own age? Okay. Please, in a post-apocalyptic world, people would be pairing up with others way older/younger than them, out of necessity.
7. Alex and Miranda "fall in love" after about 26 minutes of knowing each other. Okay, it was slightly longer than that, but really? COME ON. I know teenagers. Yes, maybe they would have hooked up. Maybe they would have had sex. But I didn't buy the whole undying love angle, nor did I buy Miranda's constant, "I KNEW Alex, even better than Julie." I wanted to say, "Bitch, you knew him for three days. You know that he's hot. That's about it. Slow down, crazy." She didn't even know he had a dead sister, for God's sake. I just couldn't believe Alex, who was so pragmatic, would fall like that. The relationship with Dan was much more realistic, so I wish this could have followed that same pattern.
8. Everyone's willing to just sacrifice precious food and gas to take the kids on a road trip? Sorry, but Alex would have been on his own with that shit, if it were me. We KNEW it would be a false hope (and the element of the nun living by herself with the dead body was pretty good) and the journey wasn't really explored or described, so why include it?
9. I hate Carlos. Hate him. He should have been killed, honestly. Here Carlos has been eating regularly, living in relative safety, and yet he doesn't care that his remaining two siblings trekked all the way out to Texas to find him? He just left them in New York and went on with his life? And even if he did care, once they came down to him, he just let them go on their merry way? Can't Alex catch a break? Jeez. I just couldn't believe that Carlos was all, "Well, go hide on the Church's dime because I'm busy eating and surviving down here." Of course, I have no idea how hard this decision was on Carlos, because we never see him and we barely get information from Alex about him.
10. At some point, Pfeffer got tired of everyone, because a tornado comes out of nowhere with the sole intention of killing useless people and making people move on (without, of course, exploring how they'd do that or what would become of them). Charlie's dead, which made sense. Julie's death was pretty good, since I was wondering how long it would be until someone had a major accident that would require serious medical care (Miranda's bike accident foreshadowed this). But Julie's death also left Alex conveniently unencumbered, so he could move at his will with Miranda. Of course, what's left unexplored is what kind of emotional toll the deaths of two sisters, two people Alex saw as completely dependent upon him, would have upon his delicate mental state. But who cares when we can just end the novel in a deliberately, frustratingly vague way?
Ugh. The end.
The novel started strong for me. I liked that we were back in Miranda's point of view (although maybe bouncing between Miranda and Alex would have been more believable and helped make Alex's return to the East Coast more plausible). But then the novel slowly spiraled out of control and made me want to poke my eyes out. I better just list the things that annoyed me.
1. Um, Miranda almost died in book 1. She had this transcendent moment, where she realized that her death would help Jon survive and the only gift she had left to give her family was the sacrifice of herself in order to preserve their survival. WOW. I loved that Miranda had so much growth over the course of the novel. So why, WHY, was she the same, bratty, obnoxious teen we saw in the middle of book 1? Did that epiphany just not stick or what?
2. Seriously. The boys leave to get food and come back with a wife? After all the family has been through with food shortages, this seemed okay to Matt? And the mom just dealt with it? I just didn't buy this for a minute.
3. Syl was totally unexplored as a character and she was promising. She seemed like she'd have some interesting/horrifying/moving stories to tell from her time on the road, but no. Apparently, it worked better to have her as a minor obstacle in the novel and allude to her and Matt having sex than to actually develop her into a full character. Blegh.
4. Magically Dad and Lisa (WITH A BABY) make it back to PA? Alright, I'll even buy that. But Charlie, Alex and Julie are all in tow? And Dad thought it was okay, knowing about the food shortages, to bring all of these people back to his ex-wife's house? Speaking of which, Dad and Mom just get along wonderfully and are willing to bend over backwards to help each other survive? Yeah, okay. Dad is a little more plausible--he still has three children he theoretically loves and wants to care for--but why is Mom a-ok with Lisa being in the picture?
5. Charlie is unexplored as a character. Why even write him in if he wasn't going to bring anything to the novel? I think Pfeffer included him to make the inclusion of ALex and Julie more plausible, in a "See? Dad didn't just pick up some stray children along the way so Miranda and Alex could meet! Dad picked up stray men, also. SO MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE!"
6. Everyone finds a mate of their own age? Okay. Please, in a post-apocalyptic world, people would be pairing up with others way older/younger than them, out of necessity.
7. Alex and Miranda "fall in love" after about 26 minutes of knowing each other. Okay, it was slightly longer than that, but really? COME ON. I know teenagers. Yes, maybe they would have hooked up. Maybe they would have had sex. But I didn't buy the whole undying love angle, nor did I buy Miranda's constant, "I KNEW Alex, even better than Julie." I wanted to say, "Bitch, you knew him for three days. You know that he's hot. That's about it. Slow down, crazy." She didn't even know he had a dead sister, for God's sake. I just couldn't believe Alex, who was so pragmatic, would fall like that. The relationship with Dan was much more realistic, so I wish this could have followed that same pattern.
8. Everyone's willing to just sacrifice precious food and gas to take the kids on a road trip? Sorry, but Alex would have been on his own with that shit, if it were me. We KNEW it would be a false hope (and the element of the nun living by herself with the dead body was pretty good) and the journey wasn't really explored or described, so why include it?
9. I hate Carlos. Hate him. He should have been killed, honestly. Here Carlos has been eating regularly, living in relative safety, and yet he doesn't care that his remaining two siblings trekked all the way out to Texas to find him? He just left them in New York and went on with his life? And even if he did care, once they came down to him, he just let them go on their merry way? Can't Alex catch a break? Jeez. I just couldn't believe that Carlos was all, "Well, go hide on the Church's dime because I'm busy eating and surviving down here." Of course, I have no idea how hard this decision was on Carlos, because we never see him and we barely get information from Alex about him.
10. At some point, Pfeffer got tired of everyone, because a tornado comes out of nowhere with the sole intention of killing useless people and making people move on (without, of course, exploring how they'd do that or what would become of them). Charlie's dead, which made sense. Julie's death was pretty good, since I was wondering how long it would be until someone had a major accident that would require serious medical care (Miranda's bike accident foreshadowed this). But Julie's death also left Alex conveniently unencumbered, so he could move at his will with Miranda. Of course, what's left unexplored is what kind of emotional toll the deaths of two sisters, two people Alex saw as completely dependent upon him, would have upon his delicate mental state. But who cares when we can just end the novel in a deliberately, frustratingly vague way?
Ugh. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2017
Endlich mal wieder eine gute Buchreihe <3
June 1, 2016
Quick review for a quick read. Good news is that I read this in one sitting and it was a very quick, easy read to move through despite it being a while since I picked up the series. Bad news? I think this book didn't hold up as well with me compared to the first two books. I always liked the theme for this particular series, and even the personal focus on its viewpoint characters. This book brings the POV back to Miranda and her family. I liked the first part of the book well enough, with Miranda, her mother and her brothers trying to carve out a living going fishing, scavaging the neighborhood looking for things to help them, even surviving on intermittent power - which brought something of a hope that things were getting better despite a few harrowing moments (i.e. Miranda's mother taking a tumble).
However, I felt as the narrative went onward - focusing more on insta-relationships and generally showing the worst in the character personalities - it ended up losing me. Between Miranda's brother marrying Syl (though I liked her character in spurts) and Miranda declaring her love for Alex when he ends up meeting her in a crossing of paths set up by the first and second books, I didn't like how fast or how strong it set itself up for context. Sure, I know this is an end-of-the-world scenario, but it was way, way too breakneck in pace and dictated in emotions for me to really believe it. Miranda feels far too naive for me to believe in any potential growth she might've had between the first book and this one. Alex's character really got shortchanged by this book, I felt. While I could really see his plight in the second book and his dedication to his sister Julie, this book reduced Alex to playing second fiddle to Miranda as chiefly the LI. I think it was just a downward progression for all of the characters, and I didn't much like the change. I liked Julie and a few other characters, though there are a number of characters that ended up meeting tragic fates, leading to another potential journey for survival.
There's one more book in this series, but it's hard for me to gather the motivation to try it, just to see how the series ends. I'm disappointed with the overall execution and progression of this book, though it had some decent moments.
Overall score: 2/5 stars.
However, I felt as the narrative went onward - focusing more on insta-relationships and generally showing the worst in the character personalities - it ended up losing me. Between Miranda's brother marrying Syl (though I liked her character in spurts) and Miranda declaring her love for Alex when he ends up meeting her in a crossing of paths set up by the first and second books, I didn't like how fast or how strong it set itself up for context. Sure, I know this is an end-of-the-world scenario, but it was way, way too breakneck in pace and dictated in emotions for me to really believe it. Miranda feels far too naive for me to believe in any potential growth she might've had between the first book and this one. Alex's character really got shortchanged by this book, I felt. While I could really see his plight in the second book and his dedication to his sister Julie, this book reduced Alex to playing second fiddle to Miranda as chiefly the LI. I think it was just a downward progression for all of the characters, and I didn't much like the change. I liked Julie and a few other characters, though there are a number of characters that ended up meeting tragic fates, leading to another potential journey for survival.
There's one more book in this series, but it's hard for me to gather the motivation to try it, just to see how the series ends. I'm disappointed with the overall execution and progression of this book, though it had some decent moments.
Overall score: 2/5 stars.
April 6, 2010
This was really disappointing. All the wonderful progress Miranda's character went through in the first book is completely gone here. Matt is completely different as well, he is such an admirable character in the first book, and he changes into a whiny selfish brat here. Not only are the characters lacking, but the plot and the setting are disappointingly low on detail and quality. I think a lot of people read these books to experience the cool apocalyptic setting and events, but it's so much in the background in this book that it barely drives the plot along. This really feels like it was put together too quickly and not well-thought out.
I still love the first book in this series, but I wouldn't recommend either of the next books to anyone.
I still love the first book in this series, but I wouldn't recommend either of the next books to anyone.
April 9, 2015
Ça y est... C'est fini. Et quelle fin. Je n'ai pas pu retenir les quelques larmes qui ont coulé dis donc. Encore des défauts, dans ce dernier tome...
Mais la perfection est overrated. Je pense que je n'oublierai pas cette trilogie de sitôt.
Mais la perfection est overrated. Je pense que je n'oublierai pas cette trilogie de sitôt.
September 3, 2017
Ein klitzekleines bisschen schwächer als die beiden Vorgänger, aber immernoch toll.
Da das Buch um einiges dünner ist, ging mir manches in diesem Band zu schnell, aber ansonsten war die Story wieder toll und sehr glabhaft. Es gab einige Überraschungen und besonders das Ende war toll und passte perfekt zu dieser Reihe.
Da das Buch um einiges dünner ist, ging mir manches in diesem Band zu schnell, aber ansonsten war die Story wieder toll und sehr glabhaft. Es gab einige Überraschungen und besonders das Ende war toll und passte perfekt zu dieser Reihe.
December 18, 2015
So you already know Miranda from Life As We Knew It and Alex from The Dead and the Gone and now you have a mashup of the two in This World We Live In, told to us again through entries in Miranda's diary.
I have issues with this last installment of the trilogy. I like both these kids, so I was glad they were back for more, and together this time. While Miranda continues to act like a typical 17-year old, whiny one moment, mature the next, Alex seemed like a different person. He either developed a personality disorder, or it's the way that Hispanic people act around Ms. Pfeffer. For as many times as he was described as quiet, polite and respectful (with his continuous use of "thank you" "please" and "ma'am/sir"), he was CONSTANTLY arguing and yelling at his younger sister, Julie. In Spanish! In front of strangers and friends who didn't speak the language! He was also stiff and unreasoning, and it was hard to believe him falling fast and hard for Miranda, and vice versa. In fact, I thought I skipped a few pages that showed when Miranda and Alex fell out of dislike and into love. But I guess death and starvation make your SO checklist a lot shorter: 1) Breathing? Check.
I mentioned in my review of TDATG that Alex had a very strong religious code and religion again raises a lot of issues in this book. For one thing, apocalyptic events cause EVERYONE to become religious. Second, monasteries and convents are the best means of survival for strict Catholics. (And if those fail, then Game Over!) Third, sex is not an option if you are not married even if you are the last teenagers on earth. Okaaaaay.
At times, characters and motivations seemed half-baked. A character named Syl is added to the family and at first she seems like she may have been introduced to bring a sinister element into the plot, but instead she just stays in her room alone for most of the time. She serves her purpose by telling us "secret" information, but other than that, we know nothing about her. Near the end, Miranda makes a life-changing decision that doesn't quite ring true, or make sense while there are still other options available. Then someone comes back from the dead and the author ends the book with a depressing, open-ended conclusion. It shouldn't be surprising since the last 2 books ended the same way, but since this is the last impression we will get of these characters ever, a little more closure would have been nice.
It probably sounds like I hated it, but I didn't. If you're invested in these characters, then read this book. I think one of it's strong suits is the honest depiction of a young teenage girl facing questions of family, survival and love in an extreme and desperate situation. The writing continues to be compelling, but I think the author missed a big opportunity to end this interesting trilogy on a strong note.
I have issues with this last installment of the trilogy. I like both these kids, so I was glad they were back for more, and together this time. While Miranda continues to act like a typical 17-year old, whiny one moment, mature the next, Alex seemed like a different person. He either developed a personality disorder, or it's the way that Hispanic people act around Ms. Pfeffer. For as many times as he was described as quiet, polite and respectful (with his continuous use of "thank you" "please" and "ma'am/sir"), he was CONSTANTLY arguing and yelling at his younger sister, Julie. In Spanish! In front of strangers and friends who didn't speak the language! He was also stiff and unreasoning, and it was hard to believe him falling fast and hard for Miranda, and vice versa. In fact, I thought I skipped a few pages that showed when Miranda and Alex fell out of dislike and into love. But I guess death and starvation make your SO checklist a lot shorter: 1) Breathing? Check.
I mentioned in my review of TDATG that Alex had a very strong religious code and religion again raises a lot of issues in this book. For one thing, apocalyptic events cause EVERYONE to become religious. Second, monasteries and convents are the best means of survival for strict Catholics. (And if those fail, then Game Over!) Third, sex is not an option if you are not married even if you are the last teenagers on earth. Okaaaaay.
At times, characters and motivations seemed half-baked. A character named Syl is added to the family and at first she seems like she may have been introduced to bring a sinister element into the plot, but instead she just stays in her room alone for most of the time. She serves her purpose by telling us "secret" information, but other than that, we know nothing about her. Near the end, Miranda makes a life-changing decision that doesn't quite ring true, or make sense while there are still other options available. Then someone comes back from the dead and the author ends the book with a depressing, open-ended conclusion. It shouldn't be surprising since the last 2 books ended the same way, but since this is the last impression we will get of these characters ever, a little more closure would have been nice.
It probably sounds like I hated it, but I didn't. If you're invested in these characters, then read this book. I think one of it's strong suits is the honest depiction of a young teenage girl facing questions of family, survival and love in an extreme and desperate situation. The writing continues to be compelling, but I think the author missed a big opportunity to end this interesting trilogy on a strong note.
January 23, 2010
Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Miranda's voice is so compelling, and my need to know what happened just kept me turning pages. There is heartbreak here, more so than in Life As We Knew It. I paused at one point to mourn, and now at the end I am just weeping quietly. I can't decide if this is four or five stars, but at the moment, I loved it even while the story broke my heart.
Susan Beth Pfeffer stays true to Miranda's character. At times I wanted to shake her, but her honesty, her desire for the life she should be leading, and the way she grapples with reality - she alternately expresses rejection and resignation - also drew my empathy and admiration.
There are numerous characters introduced in this story, like Charlie, Syl, Alex, and Julie. While Alex and Julie are developed, albeit rather slowly, Charlie, Syl, and Lisa are only marginally developed. I felt that I knew Alex and Julie by the end of the book. I did not feel that for the others.
The author raises the issue of faith in the midst of tragedy, but does not provide easy answers. She demonstrates through her characters the multiple ways people have of confronting uncertainty. While the characters are struggling to survive, the book transcends that struggle, becoming more than a simple survival story, examining people, society, and the parameters that define family.
Given the recent earthquake in Haiti, this felt less like science fiction and more like realistic fiction. At some point, when students there are rebuilding their lives and dealing with their grief, this book could be used as bibliotherapy.
Susan Beth Pfeffer stays true to Miranda's character. At times I wanted to shake her, but her honesty, her desire for the life she should be leading, and the way she grapples with reality - she alternately expresses rejection and resignation - also drew my empathy and admiration.
There are numerous characters introduced in this story, like Charlie, Syl, Alex, and Julie. While Alex and Julie are developed, albeit rather slowly, Charlie, Syl, and Lisa are only marginally developed. I felt that I knew Alex and Julie by the end of the book. I did not feel that for the others.
The author raises the issue of faith in the midst of tragedy, but does not provide easy answers. She demonstrates through her characters the multiple ways people have of confronting uncertainty. While the characters are struggling to survive, the book transcends that struggle, becoming more than a simple survival story, examining people, society, and the parameters that define family.
Given the recent earthquake in Haiti, this felt less like science fiction and more like realistic fiction. At some point, when students there are rebuilding their lives and dealing with their grief, this book could be used as bibliotherapy.
April 20, 2017
Третата част на поредицата „Последните оцелели” (изд. „Ибис”) най-накрая връхлетя и с български превод! След „Живота, какъвто го познавахме” и „Изгубени завинаги” нямах търпение да видя какво ще ни сервира Сюзан Бет Пфефър в продължението на историята. Изминала е една година, откакто астероид удря Луната, а последиците от космическата катастрофа се отразяват на Земята и то в глобален мащаб със серия от катаклизми и климатични промени. Какво ли ни очаква? С голямо удоволствие установих, че в „Светът, в който живеем” привидно несвързаните сюжети на книга първа и втора сега се преплитат и правят нещата още по-интригуващи от преди! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
August 21, 2018
This definitely was a fast read , liked the conclusion but definitely looking forward to reading the next one .
February 4, 2023
What in the world happened? This series has devolved into an inter-family soap opera. Super disappointing. I recommend reading the first book, and stopping there.
June 13, 2013
"Christ has blessed us," Alex said.
"Yes, He has," Dad said.
Well, that was a conversation stopper.
Well, Miranda, I couldn't agree more!
Now, where do I start about how a very nice series went so horribly, horribly wrong... It could have been a great book. It could have been one of my favourites. If it were not for that stupid jerk called Alex (and a couple of other things). Why on Earth did Ms Pfeffer had to invent him? Why couldn't she let him, please please, die somewhere along the way? Preferably a slow, painful death?
Alex is... *shivers from disgust* well, let's just say I feel sick at the very thought of meeting someone like him. If I had a younger sister (and I actually do have a younger sister), I would strongly advise her to avoid a guy like him even if he was the last one in the whole universe. Let's have a closer look at him, shall we?
"Hello, I'm Alex Morales. I'm so very full of myself so I'm the only person who can decide what's best for my sister, and I actually just want to get rid of her under the pretty pretense of caring for her safety, so I'll just leave her god-knows-where and be gone. Cool huh? Well, she doesn't actually want to go there and there are these nice people who agreed to take care of her and so on, but because my big brother said she should go to convent and because I want her off my shoulders, there she would go. And oh, I'm fine with stealing and robbing corpses and not sharing food with others, and I say that I do all of this for our survival like a hundred times per each book I'm in, but then when we get to that convent and there's no food and practically no one there, then I'm all noble again and survival doesn't matter and let's just stay there, right? Also, it's no problem for me to do all I can to survive but when I have food and shelter I think it's more reasonable to go away. I'm smart like that. And oh, then I meet this girl, Miranda, and it doesn't matter that we don't know each other at all, we fall in love, just like that, and we're just so crazy about each other for no reason at all. Well, there are no other people our age around, so it's ok to fall in love at first sight, and the time is right too - of course, the world is coming to an end, and we're always hungry, and dirty, and scared, and there are corpses rotting away all around us, so that's perfect scenery for kissing passionately, right? What else could we think about? Oh, sorry, of course there's also God to think about, to thank him everyday for just how wonderful our lives are. Most of the people I know are dead, and there's food shortage, and after all the earthquakes, tsunamis, illnesses etc there's not much of people or animals left, so of course that's a perfectly good reason to say we're sooo blessed. Yeah, I'm so happy that practically my whole family is dead that I'm going to lock myself up in a convent to thank Christ for his blessings."
Brrrr.
Miranda was so disappointing in this book as well.
Actually, pretty much everything was disappointing.
I'm not reading the fourth one even if you promised me money for it.
"Yes, He has," Dad said.
Well, that was a conversation stopper.
Well, Miranda, I couldn't agree more!
Now, where do I start about how a very nice series went so horribly, horribly wrong... It could have been a great book. It could have been one of my favourites. If it were not for that stupid jerk called Alex (and a couple of other things). Why on Earth did Ms Pfeffer had to invent him? Why couldn't she let him, please please, die somewhere along the way? Preferably a slow, painful death?
Alex is... *shivers from disgust* well, let's just say I feel sick at the very thought of meeting someone like him. If I had a younger sister (and I actually do have a younger sister), I would strongly advise her to avoid a guy like him even if he was the last one in the whole universe. Let's have a closer look at him, shall we?
"Hello, I'm Alex Morales. I'm so very full of myself so I'm the only person who can decide what's best for my sister, and I actually just want to get rid of her under the pretty pretense of caring for her safety, so I'll just leave her god-knows-where and be gone. Cool huh? Well, she doesn't actually want to go there and there are these nice people who agreed to take care of her and so on, but because my big brother said she should go to convent and because I want her off my shoulders, there she would go. And oh, I'm fine with stealing and robbing corpses and not sharing food with others, and I say that I do all of this for our survival like a hundred times per each book I'm in, but then when we get to that convent and there's no food and practically no one there, then I'm all noble again and survival doesn't matter and let's just stay there, right? Also, it's no problem for me to do all I can to survive but when I have food and shelter I think it's more reasonable to go away. I'm smart like that. And oh, then I meet this girl, Miranda, and it doesn't matter that we don't know each other at all, we fall in love, just like that, and we're just so crazy about each other for no reason at all. Well, there are no other people our age around, so it's ok to fall in love at first sight, and the time is right too - of course, the world is coming to an end, and we're always hungry, and dirty, and scared, and there are corpses rotting away all around us, so that's perfect scenery for kissing passionately, right? What else could we think about? Oh, sorry, of course there's also God to think about, to thank him everyday for just how wonderful our lives are. Most of the people I know are dead, and there's food shortage, and after all the earthquakes, tsunamis, illnesses etc there's not much of people or animals left, so of course that's a perfectly good reason to say we're sooo blessed. Yeah, I'm so happy that practically my whole family is dead that I'm going to lock myself up in a convent to thank Christ for his blessings."
Brrrr.
Miranda was so disappointing in this book as well.
Actually, pretty much everything was disappointing.
I'm not reading the fourth one even if you promised me money for it.
Read
June 2, 2010May 27
It’s May 27, just nine days after May 18. If you’ve read my diary (Life As We Knew It), you know what that means. Exactly one year and nine days ago, life as I had known it was gone forever. On that fateful evening, an asteroid sucker-punched the moon with such force that it must have doubly and triply smashed in the already-smashed-in craters. The moon is now closer to me on this earth, and I honestly don’t know how bad off the craters are, but this I know — this one cataclysmic event wreaked havoc the world over, unleashing tsunamis, volcanos, earthquakes, essentially stripping the world I knew of many people I loved, and — of color. I now live in ash-filled gray days, always wondering where the next meal will come from.
Apparently, there’s another story out there about some kids my age (high school) and my younger brother’s age (middle school) who were living in New York City on that disastrous day (The Dead & The Gone). I’ve heard that “body-shopping” is the operative word in that story. Don’t ask how I know that. I can, however, tell you about house-scavenging and LLBA.
I can’t tell you much more than what I’ve already said right here or it would totally ruin what comes next. You don’t have to have read both books mentioned above to read this latest story. One or the other would be a good idea though. And I have no idea how you are getting by, and if my story has any means to reach you wherever you are. Do you even have any electricity? Maybe you’ve rigged up some alternate energy? What’s the state of your supplies? Are you in a secret safe town? How many of you are still out there?
That’s all I have the energy to ask now, except that if you are able to get a hold of This World We Live In and join me for however long you can, that would be great. I long for company, even if it’s across the ashy, hazy miles. And if you have enough light from whatever source to finish this story, count yourself as one very lucky person. If possible, come find me, that is if I’m still around and if you have any means of transportation. If not, hang in there, there’s still a tomorrow.
Sincerely yours,
-Miranda Evans
It’s May 27, just nine days after May 18. If you’ve read my diary (Life As We Knew It), you know what that means. Exactly one year and nine days ago, life as I had known it was gone forever. On that fateful evening, an asteroid sucker-punched the moon with such force that it must have doubly and triply smashed in the already-smashed-in craters. The moon is now closer to me on this earth, and I honestly don’t know how bad off the craters are, but this I know — this one cataclysmic event wreaked havoc the world over, unleashing tsunamis, volcanos, earthquakes, essentially stripping the world I knew of many people I loved, and — of color. I now live in ash-filled gray days, always wondering where the next meal will come from.
Apparently, there’s another story out there about some kids my age (high school) and my younger brother’s age (middle school) who were living in New York City on that disastrous day (The Dead & The Gone). I’ve heard that “body-shopping” is the operative word in that story. Don’t ask how I know that. I can, however, tell you about house-scavenging and LLBA.
I can’t tell you much more than what I’ve already said right here or it would totally ruin what comes next. You don’t have to have read both books mentioned above to read this latest story. One or the other would be a good idea though. And I have no idea how you are getting by, and if my story has any means to reach you wherever you are. Do you even have any electricity? Maybe you’ve rigged up some alternate energy? What’s the state of your supplies? Are you in a secret safe town? How many of you are still out there?
That’s all I have the energy to ask now, except that if you are able to get a hold of This World We Live In and join me for however long you can, that would be great. I long for company, even if it’s across the ashy, hazy miles. And if you have enough light from whatever source to finish this story, count yourself as one very lucky person. If possible, come find me, that is if I’m still around and if you have any means of transportation. If not, hang in there, there’s still a tomorrow.
Sincerely yours,
-Miranda Evans
May 4, 2010
Now, I kind of wish she’d written about a third set of people who’d gone through this disaster (which was a consideration at one point, according to the author) rather than continue the stories of characters from Life As We Knew It and The Dead and the Gone. Before reading this, I did want to know what had happened with everyone. Now that I’ve finished this book, I’m curious about what happens with everyone who still survives. It’s very frustrating.
For me, this was not quite as riveting as the first two books (I finally got a friend’s library copy from a library in a neighboring county – I also plan to get one of their library cards(!) because my library still has this book under consideration only, and because I often have to get so many books from inter-library loan but those books are not available when brand new.) However, I did read through this book in just a bit more than 24 hours, and I did enjoy it a lot.
I really liked Miranda’s voice via her diary, just as I did in the first book.
The underlined words that appeared in the text I found really annoying, as though the reader can’t be trusted to interpret the correct inflection.
I guess I’m glad this story continued but I think it could have been done a little better; I’m not sure how though.
As with the first two books it was very clear to me that I would never ever survive in these circumstances, but it’s fascinating (and rather horrifying) to read about those who manage to survive and go on in dire conditions.
For me, this was not quite as riveting as the first two books (I finally got a friend’s library copy from a library in a neighboring county – I also plan to get one of their library cards(!) because my library still has this book under consideration only, and because I often have to get so many books from inter-library loan but those books are not available when brand new.) However, I did read through this book in just a bit more than 24 hours, and I did enjoy it a lot.
I really liked Miranda’s voice via her diary, just as I did in the first book.
The underlined words that appeared in the text I found really annoying, as though the reader can’t be trusted to interpret the correct inflection.
I guess I’m glad this story continued but I think it could have been done a little better; I’m not sure how though.
As with the first two books it was very clear to me that I would never ever survive in these circumstances, but it’s fascinating (and rather horrifying) to read about those who manage to survive and go on in dire conditions.
October 14, 2016
Wie das Leben vor der Katastrophe war, daran kann sich Miranda kaum noch erinnern. Eine vollständige Familie, genug zu essen, eine funktionierende Heizung - es scheint ewig her zu sein. Fast alle ihre Freunde und Verwandten haben den Ort verlassen oder sind gestorben. Nur wenn es ums Essen geht, sitzen plötzlich viel zu viele Leute am Tisch. Die Rationen sind winzig, nie ist genug da.
Doch eines Tages steht Mirandas Vater vor der Tür. Mit seiner Freundin und einem Baby. Und einem Jungen, den Miranda noch nie gesehen hat. Plötzlich ist die Hoffnung zurück.
Dystopie, Jugendroman und Trilogie.... in meinen Ohren zunächst alles wenig verlockend. Aber oh, was musste ich mich eines besseren belehren lassen.
Im ersten Teil wird die kosmische Katastrophe aus der Sicht eines jungen Mädchens erzählt. Der zweite Teil schildert das gleiche Ereignis aus der Sicht eines Jugendlichen in New York. Der dritte Band vereint die beiden Schicksale auf bemerkenswerte Weise. Die Moon-Crash Trilogie ist absolut empfehlenswert, sowohl die Pageturner-Einzelbände dieser Reihe als auch als Gesamtwerk. Das einzige, was ich bedaure ist, dass ich so lange mit dem Lesen des dritten Teils gewartet habe. Dafür habe ich die letzte Nacht durch gemacht und dieses Buch verschlungen.
Doch eines Tages steht Mirandas Vater vor der Tür. Mit seiner Freundin und einem Baby. Und einem Jungen, den Miranda noch nie gesehen hat. Plötzlich ist die Hoffnung zurück.
Dystopie, Jugendroman und Trilogie.... in meinen Ohren zunächst alles wenig verlockend. Aber oh, was musste ich mich eines besseren belehren lassen.
Im ersten Teil wird die kosmische Katastrophe aus der Sicht eines jungen Mädchens erzählt. Der zweite Teil schildert das gleiche Ereignis aus der Sicht eines Jugendlichen in New York. Der dritte Band vereint die beiden Schicksale auf bemerkenswerte Weise. Die Moon-Crash Trilogie ist absolut empfehlenswert, sowohl die Pageturner-Einzelbände dieser Reihe als auch als Gesamtwerk. Das einzige, was ich bedaure ist, dass ich so lange mit dem Lesen des dritten Teils gewartet habe. Dafür habe ich die letzte Nacht durch gemacht und dieses Buch verschlungen.
May 10, 2018
I found an awesome new post apocalypse series! The characters are intriguing and
Personal! Love love love! And recommend 100%
Personal! Love love love! And recommend 100%
January 15, 2022
4 stars.
So this book includes the characters from book 1 AND book 2!! I was so glad to see that and how the two characters come together. I really enjoyed hearing about what happened next after I had left behind the characters in book 1.
This book though, while still really good, expecually how it ended, was still not quite as good as the previous 2 because it was the first time the author introduced a romance into the stroy. While it was fairly light, it still ruined it a bit for me. I would have preferred if it has been told as a strong bond of friendship. But hey, that's me.
Otherwise, this was another amazingly well told story and based on how it ended, I don't believe I'll be hearing from these characters again but I do hope I do. I would really like to know the next part of their story.
Well, onto the 4th and unfortunately, final, book in the series.
So this book includes the characters from book 1 AND book 2!! I was so glad to see that and how the two characters come together. I really enjoyed hearing about what happened next after I had left behind the characters in book 1.
This book though, while still really good, expecually how it ended, was still not quite as good as the previous 2 because it was the first time the author introduced a romance into the stroy. While it was fairly light, it still ruined it a bit for me. I would have preferred if it has been told as a strong bond of friendship. But hey, that's me.
Otherwise, this was another amazingly well told story and based on how it ended, I don't believe I'll be hearing from these characters again but I do hope I do. I would really like to know the next part of their story.
Well, onto the 4th and unfortunately, final, book in the series.
July 27, 2020
4/5 ⭐️
Buddy read with my roommate
Okay so Alex wasn’t a complete do mock in this, so I’m glad for that
Miranda is still one of my fav characters from this series
It wasn’t the best thing ever written, but it was entertaining to say the least.
Buddy read with my roommate
Okay so Alex wasn’t a complete do mock in this, so I’m glad for that
Miranda is still one of my fav characters from this series
It wasn’t the best thing ever written, but it was entertaining to say the least.
August 12, 2010
This World We Live In is the third and hopefully the final installment of The Last Survivors. This story continues with Miranda journaling her life a year after a meteor collides with the moon, shifting its position, and causing catastrophic events on Earth.
Nothing hopeful happens in this book; it's all about death, destruction, hunger, suffering, depression and the daunting reality of what could happen if a single event (so out of our control) occurs and suddenly changes life as we know it. I was bummed to see some of the characters I cared for in the first two books begin to show selfish tendencies, but I guess that's expected when you have nothing to live or hope for. I really liked Matt in Life As We Knew It, but I couldn't stand him in this book. He seemed so selfish and heartless in this installment... very understandable considering the circumstances, but still disappointing. Miranda's efforts to survive were encouraging, but what she did at the end shocked me. Wow! I have no words to describe her action and I don't feel it was the right thing.
This story is shear torture because nothing changes, nothing improves, the moon doesn't shift back into its original position and despite how advanced our society is - no one can figure out a way to fix this disaster. Simply awful! I still don't see the point of this final installment. I wasn't expecting a HEA by any means, but I was hoping for some closure or semblance of hope… that didn't really happen.
There have been times in my life when I thought I knew everything worth knowing. The sweetness of a robin's song, the brilliance of a field of dandelions, the exhilaration of gliding across the ice on a clear winter's day. This past year, I grew to know hunger, grief, darkness, fear. Miranda Evans
If another installment rears its head, I'll do my best to walk away. Such a depressing book!
Nothing hopeful happens in this book; it's all about death, destruction, hunger, suffering, depression and the daunting reality of what could happen if a single event (so out of our control) occurs and suddenly changes life as we know it. I was bummed to see some of the characters I cared for in the first two books begin to show selfish tendencies, but I guess that's expected when you have nothing to live or hope for. I really liked Matt in Life As We Knew It, but I couldn't stand him in this book. He seemed so selfish and heartless in this installment... very understandable considering the circumstances, but still disappointing. Miranda's efforts to survive were encouraging, but what she did at the end shocked me. Wow! I have no words to describe her action and I don't feel it was the right thing.
This story is shear torture because nothing changes, nothing improves, the moon doesn't shift back into its original position and despite how advanced our society is - no one can figure out a way to fix this disaster. Simply awful! I still don't see the point of this final installment. I wasn't expecting a HEA by any means, but I was hoping for some closure or semblance of hope… that didn't really happen.
There have been times in my life when I thought I knew everything worth knowing. The sweetness of a robin's song, the brilliance of a field of dandelions, the exhilaration of gliding across the ice on a clear winter's day. This past year, I grew to know hunger, grief, darkness, fear. Miranda Evans
If another installment rears its head, I'll do my best to walk away. Such a depressing book!
August 2, 2012
It's the end of the world as we know it, it's the end of the world as we know it, it's the end of the world as we know it........... and I feel fine.
Well, I have to admit I liked this one much better than The Dead and the Gone. I know I am in the minority with this, but I feel like this one got some of the magic back. I picked this book up and you couldn't have gotten it out my hands today.... even to go to the beach (ask my hubs). Seriously, this one hooked me in. I am also in the minority with feeling very sad this series is over.
About that: Spoilers ahead amigos:
What kind of crack-pot ending was that?!?!?!!? I feel like my book must have had pages torn out or something!!!! After 3 books of this surviving, I really hoped for some closure.... I am glad, however, she didn't end it all sunshine and rainbows. Alex is a character that is very hard for me to understand. Why does he feel the need to follow the rules, especially from Carlos in regards to his sister?!?!?!? Poor Julie. Why did Mrs. Pfeffer feel the need to marry Matt off to Syl???? Why was there so much importance on that freaking baby?!?!?!? (I know, the future, holy cannoli, enough already.) Why do they not just move already?!?!?!? (especially when the house starts flooding????) I get it would be hard to just leave your comfort zone, but geez. At some points, I am very suprised the Evans family have survived for this long.....
See, these books would be so good for school!!! I said it in my first book review and I stand by it. There is many topics to discuss, there would be so many different opinions and ways of surviving.
Gosh. I need to start stock-piling. Maybe these extreme couponers are smarter than we give them credit for........
4 stars. I highly recommend you read these books.
Well, I have to admit I liked this one much better than The Dead and the Gone. I know I am in the minority with this, but I feel like this one got some of the magic back. I picked this book up and you couldn't have gotten it out my hands today.... even to go to the beach (ask my hubs). Seriously, this one hooked me in. I am also in the minority with feeling very sad this series is over.
About that: Spoilers ahead amigos:
What kind of crack-pot ending was that?!?!?!!? I feel like my book must have had pages torn out or something!!!! After 3 books of this surviving, I really hoped for some closure.... I am glad, however, she didn't end it all sunshine and rainbows. Alex is a character that is very hard for me to understand. Why does he feel the need to follow the rules, especially from Carlos in regards to his sister?!?!?!? Poor Julie. Why did Mrs. Pfeffer feel the need to marry Matt off to Syl???? Why was there so much importance on that freaking baby?!?!?!? (I know, the future, holy cannoli, enough already.) Why do they not just move already?!?!?!? (especially when the house starts flooding????) I get it would be hard to just leave your comfort zone, but geez. At some points, I am very suprised the Evans family have survived for this long.....
See, these books would be so good for school!!! I said it in my first book review and I stand by it. There is many topics to discuss, there would be so many different opinions and ways of surviving.
Gosh. I need to start stock-piling. Maybe these extreme couponers are smarter than we give them credit for........
4 stars. I highly recommend you read these books.
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