The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1) in Addicted to YA

Dec 05, 2013 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2013, read-in-december-2013, ya-books, ya-books-read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Well, this book has certainly lived up to all the hype surrounding it, and I can see why so many people loved it because I loved it too. It was just so good with twists and turns along the way that would keep anyone guessing. It was just a very exciting ride from start to finish with me going through the emotions along with the characters. I felt what they felt. I felt their horror, despair, hopelessness, their fear, and just their whole horrifying journey along the way. It was just heart wrench Well, this book has certainly lived up to all the hype surrounding it, and I can see why so many people loved it because I loved it too. It was just so good with twists and turns along the way that would keep anyone guessing. It was just a very exciting ride from start to finish with me going through the emotions along with the characters. I felt what they felt. I felt their horror, despair, hopelessness, their fear, and just their whole horrifying journey along the way. It was just heart wrenching having to read it, but also experience it through the characters eyes when all seemed lost. Rick Yancey did a wonderful job capturing that as well as each of the characters along the way, and just the struggles they were facing in order to survive in this new world that had been invaded by aliens. It truly was a bleak survival story, but had a glimmer of hope because of the strength that the characters had to fight back and not accept that these aliens were coming to takeover the planet and eradicate the entire human population. But the characters refused to go down, and pushed forward in order achieve and wouldn't stop until the achieved the goal that they set for themselves never taking failure as an option even though many obstacles stood in their way at every turn to get them to fail.

I heard so many people talk about this book from this website and youtube just raving about this book, and like I said above I can see why because it really was a great book and very enjoyable to read. Now since everyone was talking about it, I knew what the basic premise of the book was that Earth was taken over by aliens and humans were dying off in waves (like the first wave, second wave, etc.) and striving to stay alive. That was all that I knew so I had a basic understanding what I was getting into, but when I started it I found out that I was very pleasantly surprised as well had some things that I was expecting.

For one I believed that this story was only going to be done in Cassie's perspective on the situation and what she was doing in order to survive and avoid these aliens, but I found out at one of the breaks that this story wasn't just in her perspective, but in others as well, giving me a full picture of what was going on as well as the extent of this alien invasion and takeover of the planet. So that was surprising, but a totally good surprise because it just showed the scope of everything and everybody involved in this story. It also provided us insight into the characters mind and what they were dealing with and how they were dealing with this situation, and just going on the journey with them and showing us how bad it truly was on planet Earth once the Arrival happened. It was done really well though the first time the point of view shift happened, jarred me a bit because I wasn't expecting it, and for a moment I was like "What's going on here?" and "Who's talking?" so that took me time to get use to, but I did. I was just so shocked when suddenly I was reading about Ben Parish, Cassie's crush for years, and where he was in that event. I just never really expected it. I figured he would be alive especially since Cassie mentioned him numerous times and her crush on him, and I thought that the possibly would meet up again, but I had no idea that we would get his view point and see him and get to know him on a deeper level than just Cassie's crush. And it was a totally good surprise, and I could see his growth from when I first met him in the book until the very end. He definitely developed into this strong character and a leader, which I liked seeing. It makes me wonder what his role will be in future books, but I can definitely see that role as being a leader and taking control over the situation.

Secondly, I didn't know from what I heard that Cassie had a brother or that a major plot point in her storyline would be to find her brother no matter what the cost because she promised Sammy, her brother, that she would find him and be reunited with him since she wasn't allowed to go on the school bus with him which was taking him to a camp that was said to keep humans safe from the aliens. I just thought we would see Cassie's journey in surviving, which it was, but it was so much more than that. She had to go through so much and had to endure what was thrown at her in order to survive. So, that was interesting to see all that and what lead up to this point, giving her own history along the way dispersed with what was happening currently to her, and I liked that. I liked it wasn't just thrown at us all at once, but just ebbed and flowed enough to get me interested and want to continue reading so I could fill in the blanks of what happened to her and just to this planet in general. It was just very well done.

The third thing that I found surprising was just referenced above, but just the history that went into the story and how the human population declined so rapidly because of the arrival of these aliens and just how they accomplished that. And it was really I very meticulous plan on the alien's part of knowing how to eradicate the humans until they were no more and they could take over the planet. It was a plan that had much success with them eliminating most of the population except a select few that survived all that was thrown at them. First off, years and years before the arrival, the aliens some how came to Earth and implanted their own into human babies when the babies were in the womb and these aliens would be "unawaken" until the proper time while the human baby lived and grew and just had a normal childhood with their parents and were human. Now when the time came, the alien, which was in the brain of the human child, would "awaken", and they would take over the human body and basically takeover that human's child life with human's life being absorbed while the alien took over. Since the alien was no control of the body, and would be trusted among the humans since the body did grow up human then it would be easy to infiltrate the human population and then act accordingly, aka they would kill humans, who didn't expect that the aliens had taken over their human child and was now in complete control of the being, and enacting the aliens plan to kill all the humans.

That was part of the alien plan to wipe out the population, but it was only part of it, and the plan to kill the humans happened in stages, or what was known as waves. And during these waves, Cassie would tell us what would happen as well as what happened to her during those waves, which was very well done by the author because like I said the information was just given here and there and not just sprung on us all at once. In the book, there were five waves, though the fifth wave isn't revealed until over half way through the book when Ben figured it out and figured out he was apart of the fifth wave much to his horror, but I digress for the moment since that was a major plot point in this story and a major game changer. Anyway, the arrival was the beginning of it with people made very well made aware of that the aliens were coming, but no one knew why or what they wanted. Some people panicked and lost it while others went on their daily routine, but there were no massive deaths or anything just notice that they were coming then the first wave arrive and chaos began. The first wave was when all the electricity on the planet was just gone, meaning lights, computers, cars, phones, anything connected with electricity was completely gone, and caused some people to loose their lives like people who were driving and when their cars didn't work then the crashed, and also planes fell out the air and crashed right into the ground, killing everyone on board. At this time both Cassie and Ben were in school when this happened with some people again panicking and wondering what was going on. But Cassie's father picked her up, trying t reassure her, but she knew this was no way normal. The second wave was a huge tsunamis that the aliens caused by launching these probes from space right on the major fault lines, disturbing the Earth's surface and causing these massive waves to roll onto the land, wiping out all the coastlines and the near by areas, killing everyone in those areas like New York and California and Tokyo, all gone, all wiped out by the wave. So everyone on the coast was gone and everyone moved inland, avoiding those areas that were gone with massive populations being wiped out as a result. Cassie lived in an inner part of the United States so she didn't have worry about that even though she knew and heard about it. The third wave was a spreading of plague like diseased that would wipe out people as well, a lot of people. The aliens used birds (or more accurately bird poop) to accomplish this and spread the disease among the people. And this disease was very deadly and could spread very easily to person to person. Cassie's mom got it, and died because of it with many more following. But even still that didn't wipe out everyone, but it wiped out a lot with the human population whittling down further. At this point Cassie, her father, and her brother leave their home to find a safe haven, where they would be protected from the aliens. And the found it and lived in this safe haven for awhile until an army came by the place and vowed that they were humans too and had a fortress a little ways away where they would be protected. The only catch was that they were only taking the children and no one else, but vowed that they would come back for the rest. But that wasn't the case, which lead to the fourth wave, which lead to Cassie's dad death. These military people were sent to wipe out these safe haven so no one would be left. The military people were in fact not human, and were these implantations that happened years earlier like I mentioned above with the alien now taking over the human, following the aliens plan of attack to eliminate the humans. It was hard to witness through Cassie's eyes them taking away her brother from her as well as witnessing her father's murder, leaving her utterly alone. Now Cassie who was denied on the bus was meant to be killed as well, but overcomes by fighting off a solider, who was going to kill her (originally she was supposed to be with her dad in the bunker but someone was missing and she vowed to go find him, and her dad, who knew that they were all about to be slaughtered encouraged her to go and even hugged her goodbye and that was really heartbreaking and hard to see, it broke my heart especially after what she had gone through), and she did go back for her dad, but when he saw her, he told her to go and she witnessed his murder. So, she ran and ran into the woods as her camp was destroyed and she was left with no one and she was alone, and had to survive on her own in the woods, which was where the story began and told her tale. But she knew she had to move and couldn't stay there any longer and had to do what she promised she would do for Sammy when he left in the bus and that was to find him and be reunited with him. So, she set out, ready to face whatever she had to face to find him. Unfortunately she had to be careful and keep her eyes open for the aliens who were intent to kill her sight on scene. These killers were known as Silencers, who were aliens implanted in human bodies, which were part of the fourth wave. And she found one, and she was shot and nearly bleed death because of it, but she was saved.

And this was also another unexpected twist to the story when it came to the love story part, which I knew was going to happen, but it at first it was surprising who it was with but then again not surprising as the story carried on and made complete sense. I thought with my limited knowledge of the book that it would just be with someone else, but it made it all the more interesting and lovely to watch. (I know I didn't mention the fifth wave yet but like I said that was discovered by Ben later on). I loved it. I loved how it was developed and I could tell that they both were beginning to care and trust for one another even though at first not everything was out in the open and secrets were still being held back, though the reader pretty much knew what this big secret that was being kept from Cassie at the time while she didn't really have a clue. Cassie just wanted to trust somebody so badly and not be alone like she had been, and clung to him at the time, feeling completely safe with him. He did save her when she was dying from the amount of blood loss and ill from the effects of it, so why would she not trust him? But knowing what the reader does about the guy, I knew there would be fireworks when she found out what he truly was and her trust would then disappear and she would feel betrayed by him. And that scene was hard to watch and witness as she went through a range of emotions during that time. Even though she was hurt, felt betrayed, and didn't trust him despite the fact that he saved her and he was helping her get her brother back, the emotions for her were still there and didn't go away, yet at the same time she didn't trust them or him and was wary of him because of who he was and his past actions. But even though she distrusted him, his feelings for her never wavered and he realized because of her what he was doing was wrong and that she saved him because he knew what it meant to feel and love and that was all because of her. It was beautiful to witness. It was an up and down ride, but it was a nice ride to take, and nice to see something good come out of the situation. The entire love story was really well done and developed and was a major aspect of the story because of that love he did something that he wouldn't have done if he didn't love her and would have continued to do what he was doing along the way. I just loved watching it all play out, and at times it did break my heart and it made want to shake her sometimes because it was so obvious that he loved her so much and he did feel guilty for lying to her, but she didn't want to see, or at least at first. In the end she came around and wanted him with her, only for it to end somewhat ominously with the two of them being separated. And I am not going to lie that was hard to witness especially when she came to realization that he wasn't going to hurt her and he was in fact there for her and he would do anything to protect her and save her from death because of the impossible situation of rescuing her brother. And did it, and did it gladly, protecting her until the end, though I hope it's not the end for them because that would just be really sad even though it was for a noble cause. But I know I was inwardly screaming inside when they were pulled apart and I realized what he meant to do. I didn't not want to see that happen. No way. And Cassie didn't want to see that happen either, but it still did. I'm a big supporter of their romance and hope they do get a happy ending.

And the big reason I am supporter of them was because of the man himself Evan Walker. Oh my god, Evan. I can't even count the ways of how much I loved Evan in this book. Even though he did questionable things in the past, didn't tell Cassie the complete truth, or reveal who and what he was to her, which was a heartbreaking scene like I said above when she found out, but I was heartbroken for him because his feelings were so obvious and I could tell that it really hurt when Cassie shied away from him and didn't trust him anymore. But I loved him and I really liked him as a character. I really did because he did have this warm, open and big heart especially when it came to Cassie and I loved how he showed much he cared about her and how he helped her along the way. And once he saved Cassie, I really had no doubt about him and how genuine he was and his feelings for her. Never. I never thought he would double cross her or was trying to trick at anytime in the book because he emotions just oozed off the pages and no one would could fake that much emotion or at least I hope the couldn't, and gladly I was right and he was trustworthy to the end. Oh my poor Evan, and just what he did for Cassie in the end really touched and pierced my heart at the same time. Hopefully he'll be okay, and he'll show up again and be reunited with Cassie, but who know. I have major fears of what is to become of Evan Walker. I don't think he is dead, but that doesn't mean he isn't gone either. There was just so many questions, and I better get some answers in the next one. Just he deserves to live and be with Cassie, and just have shot at being together and loving each other. Evan was a good guy and he just drew me in from the first time I was introduced to him, and honestly I don't have a bad thing to say about him despite he did bad things earlier on the book. I don't even really care, even though I probably should. He more than made up for it in the end. I adore him.

While the whole Cassie storyline was going with Evan and her trying to get home to her brother, another storyline was happening simultaneously with Ben and what he was going through and just his perspective and giving more light on the situation. Ben was training to be a solider to beat the "aliens", killing them so they could make the population safe for humans. He was at Camp Haven, where it trained these new recruits with the military doing that, in fact it was the same military guys that took Sammy and the other children away and placed them at Camp Haven, not provide them with a safe haven, but to train them as well like with Ben. And coincidentally, Sammy ended up in Ben's squad and Ben took a liking to him and showed him the ropes of the place. And it was brutal to the tenth degree to all involved as they trained heavily in hopes of defeating their enemy the aliens. And basically these recruits were trained too be these tough guys and starting forgetting their human selves, not loosing their humanity per say, but just hardening themselves so they could deal with what they had to deal with. At times this was hard to read, and my only complaint with this book was there could have been a bit less because it was hard to keeping reading that, but I understand why it was in there was to show how times were really tough and this was no picnic. It took a toll on everyone as you can imagine, hardening themselves to kill when they were no more children themselves, but they did it. Until Ben figured out what really was going on, and that he was in fact part of the fifth wave in the aliens plot, which was a game changer all on its own and he realized that he was being used and lied to and he knew he had to fight along with his squad. It was a hard pill for him to swallow, but he was determined to the right thing.

Now the end I thought was so cleverly done and brought it all together into this climatic scene at the end. It brought Cassie, Evan, Ben, and Sammy together, intertwining their individual storylines, which was really just one big storyline in fact, together where their goals were all the same. Cassie was reunited with her brother and Ben again and they worked together to try to get out of the sticky situation that they were in. And I like how Rick Yancey did it with everything meshing perfectly and coming together like a huge puzzle with all the pieces now fit into place and the picture now clear to the reader of what happened and what was going on. I wasn't expecting that Ben and Cassie would meet until the sequels or that their goal were the same, which made me slightly wary to see what happened or what confusion might ensue because of it, though it worked and came together.

I have lots of questions going on in my head from this book and what's going to happen next, I can't wait to read the sequel since many things are left up in the air. Excellent book. ...more

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Oct 31, 2014 Susan rated it liked it

Listened to this on CD. Wonder if that's what made me turn up my nose. Cassie was either whining, saying everything with an exclamation point, or threatening to hurt someone--"if you don't . . . I'm going to punch you"--etc. Hard to believe she was 16 when it was read with the voice of a 12 year old.

Much to be disbelieved i.e. Ben being able to carry 5 yr old Sam even though he'd recently been shot. The sniper being able to turn all his training over for the love of Cassie. Cassie being complet ...more

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Jun 04, 2013 Sherry Rampey rated it really liked it

I had to really sit and think about this one. The book seemed to really drag, but it also provided some good "food for thought" moments. I keep thinking about that darn teddy bear, because somehow it keeps the readers hope alive, in that Cassie, Evan, Ben, Ringer, and little Sam will make it through the 5th wave.

Read if you like sci-fi, dystopia, action, adventure. ...more

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Feb 06, 2016 Sara rated it it was amazing

Still currently reading this book but I LOVE IT. I love that its pace and the shifting POVs (even though the first few chapters I was kind of confused by it), and the suspense.

Ok so I finished this over a week ago now and I still love this book. It was exciting and interesting the whole way through.

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Feb 14, 2015 Kristie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-lit-sci-fi-fant

The 5th Wave is good. Really good. I wouldn't say it's as good as The Hunger Games, but it ranks above Divergent to me. The alien invasion was probably the most well crafted version of the apocalypse I have read or seen recently. The characters were well fleshed-out and believable. Honestly, I wasn't expecting all that much from the book, but I was duly impressed. Looking forward to the subsequent books. ...more

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