This was exactly what I needed. It was fun and exciting with a cute love story. It's still a little eerie reading books that even mention COVID-19, let alone a book like this that takes on the next, even worse, pandemic. I'm glad there were alternating perspectives because I felt really close to both of the characters and fell in love with them both. I even fell in love with Clara who only really comes in for the last 30% or so, which was a weird choice but worked really well. I have nothing bad to say about this book except that I would've read so much more of it.

Ok, so let me start off this review by being clear that my choice to DNF this book had nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the storytelling from Erik J. Brown. I absolutely love the set up of this story with two young men who are essentially all alone finding one another in this post-apocalyptic world. The book is intense from the start as we open with Andrew, severely injured and barely hanging on, finding Jamie’s house like an oasis in the wilderness. The two boys are wary, both knowing how dangerous life is right now and afraid to trust anyone. And even as they were easing into the start of a friendship, I could feel the tension of what was to come. So I found the writing to be very good and the story itself was engaging and drew me in. I was eager to see how Jamie and Andrew’s adventure would unfold and, again, I have nothing critical to say about the writing or the story in the portion that I read.

Where I struggled here is that I found myself very triggered by the premise of a deadly virus that kills most of the world. I love post-apocalyptic stories and have read books featuring deadly diseases before. And I have read end-of-the-world, post-apocalyptic stories since the start of the Covid pandemic. So I really didn’t expect to have such an intense reaction here to this story, but I found it actively upsetting and inducing panic in a way that meant I just couldn’t keep reading. To be clear, this story is not about Covid. While the book takes place in an undisclosed future (at least not disclosed in the 15% or so that I read), it is clear that Covid has already happened and that this is a new and different pathogen. But there are similarities, including how fast it spread, how people originally thought it was just flu-like, how the U.S. responded, etc that definitely evoked a sense of our current situation, albeit in a much more severe way. I’ll also note that I happened to be recovering from Covid when I picked up this book. It was random coincidence; I received this for review months ago and put it on my schedule for release day, so I didn’t even remember details of what it was about before I picked it up as next on my list to read. But I will say that when I was sick in bed coughing, reading about people in the book having coughs that then led to their grisly deaths, I realized it was just too much for me. Even thinking about the story was making me anxious and brought out all my larger Covid anxiety of the past two years and, unfortunately, I found it just too triggering to keep reading.

I am really sorry about that, because as I said, everything I read made me feel that this has the potential to be a very good book. So if this story seems like one that intrigues you, I definitely encourage you to check it out. I am engaged enough with the story myself to hope that I reach a point where I can try it again, but unfortunately, that isn’t right now. But I did want to at least get this book out there and share my thoughts, as well as let more folks hear about it in case this might be a story for them. And I will definitely be keeping my eye open for more books by this debut author in the future.

P.S. As a note, our official blog policy is that we do not DNF a book until at least reading 25 percent. I feel as reviewers we need to give every book a fair chance before deciding not to continue. However, in this case I broke my own rule because the story was just triggering my panic and so I stopped at around 15 percent into the book.

I have to be honest, I put off reading this book for the longest time because the apocalyptic aspect in our current climate and I wasn’t emotionally prepared for it. When I started it, I still wondered if I should wait. However, it was such a wonderful experience. More of an escape from current events than anything else. These characters are so fleshed out. I fell in love immediately. I loved that this was not a romance story. It was a survival story with aspects of romance. I cannot wait to see what is in store for the future with this author.

More like a 4.5/5 because I know I will forget the names of these characters in the future and probably never reread this book, but oh my GOD this was such a fun story to read. I love post apocalyptic stories, but especially ones that include a little bit of humor and warmth along with all the sad and terrible things that happened. Jamie and Andrew were both such fun characters, and I found myself grinning at a lot of lines (like the reference to the Paul Rudd “look at us” meme and hoping Paul was still alive in this new world).

I think this story had the perfect blend of action, heart, slice of life, plot, and romance for a YA post apocalyptic novel, and I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a quick, fun read!

Thank you to Harper Collins children's books for this copy of all that's left in the world by Erik Brown. This is a post-apocalyptic gay MM young adult romance. It stars Jameson and his friend and burgeoning crush Andrew as they try to survive. Through their journey, they will combat injury, roving bands of misfits, weirdly stepford-like communities for the time. All in all, they will go on a very long journey so it's hard to summarize. But I did enjoy this book and I would recommend it.

On the sum of what I feel could be improved in this book or in a subsequent novel. A lot goes on in this book. So much so that sometimes it's hard to keep track of where exactly I am and despite having many twists and turns, it can almost drag because it seems to jump from one to another so quickly at certain points. Then the pacing will be slow and almost arduous for a few chapters and it's kind of weird to jump from one to the other, but that might just be the author's writing style. I think that if they cut it down a little bit by an event or two, they really could have drawn out some of the growth between those characters.

I did enjoy the dual POV, I thought it was done very well and that it was nice to see each characters side of the same situation without it feeling like it was repetitious. That is very difficult to do. And this author did it well. All in all, I struggled between reading this a three or four but I felt it was on the lower end so I'm going to rate it a three. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who likes romance with a little bit of inks with a guaranteed sweet ending. Anyone that likes coming of age stories, or post-apocalyptic books in general. It is a solid read.

How in the world could a book about a blossoming queer romance set during an apocalypse be romantic?? But it is! It's wonderfully romantic and vivid and heart pounding! I absolutely loved it, and Erik J. Brown is amazing! Plus, it is so unexpectedly funny! I wanted to savor it over several days but could not help finishing over the weekend! Highly recommended!

DNF @ 30%

This book definitely has a lot of potential, and I really appreciate finally seeing queer representation in the apocalyptic genre. However, for me, the plot and the characters fell flat, and I'm not invested enough to continue reading. While this one isn't my favourite, I am sure that it will appeal to many, especially considering all the five-star reviews I've been seeing!

Unfortunately I DNFed this book at 30%. I didn't hate it by any means but I was definitely bored, and after the first "altercation" between the main characters and their antagonists, I just was not liking it. I hated the circumstances they were in and definitely would have liked to see it done differently.

I also was not in love with the characters. I would have liked to have seen more chemistry between them before they started laying down their lives for one another.

Though this wasn't my favorite book, I feel like it would be perfect for YA readers who love post-apocalyptic worlds and quick romances. Definitely for light-hearted readers!

xx
-Christine

We all know that I am always here for an apocalypse book. And All That's Left in the World did not disappoint! And as such, I shall tell you the reasons I enjoyed it so much!

►The characters were great. Jamie and Andrew were so different, but both so wonderful. And they were on very different apocalypse trajectories before Andrew found himself outside Jamie's house. But I really enjoyed what each character brought to the table. They felt very well fleshed out, and realistic, like you could see a part of yourself in them as they try to navigate the world they've found themselves survivors in. Neither is particularly well equipped, mentally or physically, to handle the trials thrust upon them, but they haven't a choice. It's basically exactly how a huge majority of us would feel, I assume.

►There's nothing better for me than an apocalyptic road trip. That's just facts, okay? For whatever reason, I am a huge sucker for not just the end of the world, but having to go on some epic journey during it. So when the guys set out to see what's shakin' in Washington D.C., I was beyond excited. In this book especially it works great, because they happen to find some people and a whole lot of answers along the way.

►The pacing was spot-on. A great blend of action and character development, I absolutely flew through the story, yet at the same time didn't want it to end! Kind of the perfect combo.

►The whole apocalypse was presented in an authentic-feeling way. Ugh, humans, am I right? We are always over here sabotaging ourselves, and this is no different. I mean, sure, a virus is the reason, but we know no one did humanity any favors. There's frank discussion about how the US basically shat the bed (again) in terms of trying to control things, which at least gave the guys a little hope that some other country maybe handled it better. People, of course, are both amazingly kind and incredibly evil. I love that the author explored both types, frankly. Because yeah, there is a lot of human garbage out there at the end of the world. But there are also some real pillars of mankind out there too, and I love that both were featured.

►Speaking of which, despite the ruined world, there was an air of hopefulness. I mean, that's what you need in the best apocalypse books, right? Not just despair and death, but hope that there is enough left worth saving. And this book, even when things looked bleak, managed to keep the hope alive.

►And as such, it gave me many feels. I loved the bond that grew between Jamie and Andrew, and I loved learning more about the lives they had lost, too. There are a lot of moments during the course of the story that also broke and/or warmed my heart, that I won't mention because spoilers. And, there was a perfect amount of lighter banter, too, so the story didn't feel too heavy.

There was one tiny thing that wasn't my favorite, which was a pretty big Lie of Omission™ situation. But while it isn't my favorite device, I could at least respect and understand the context, so I was mostly able to overlook it.

Bottom Line: A heartfelt book about the apocalypse with great characters and an exciting story made me fall in love with this one!

Raimskie Read: All That’s Left In The World by Erik J. Brown (@erikjb)
Digital Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC),
To be released on March 8, 2022
.
Hope—that is what the reader would feel as they flip through the pages of this book and as the story progresses. It would be one of the reasons the reader would want to keep on reading as they join Jamison and Andrew in their quest to find other survivors of the superflu.
.
[FULL BOOK REVIEW on my Bookstagram, @raimskiereads.]

All That's Left in the World was such a whirlwind of excitement! I loved following Jamie and Andrew on their end-of-the-world trek full of secrets, reservations, and pining. Erik J. Brown has done a fantastic job creating a post-apocalyptic world and characters with depth. I was absolutely blown away with where this book went, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in YA dystopian fiction. I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

4 stars

Andrew and Jamie, the main characters who share their joint perspectives throughout this gripping YA novel, are in an unfortunate bout of good or terrible luck, depending on the reader's perspective. On one hand, they've managed to beat the odds by surviving the superflu. On the other, they've lost everyone and now have to navigate a post-apocalyptic world that includes the kind of creeps we actually live with today. Which is worse? Well, these characters see more reasons to find themselves among the fortunate once they meet each other.

There is a lot to like about this book, even for those who think of the superflu/pandemic/but I'm reading to escape reality! connections. These characters are likeable, and the romance is well drawn and not overblown (as is the case in so much YA). There's great queer rep here (though it appears limited to the two central characters). The plot is also mostly engaging, though - as would be the case with any post-apocalyptic adventure - of course there are times when for both realistic and stylistic purposes, events have to slow a bit.

Overall, especially considering my skepticism regarding how much I could enjoy a pandemic-y book at this particular time, I really appreciated the read. I'll be looking for more from this author for sure and will be recommending this particular novel to my students.

This post apocalyptic YA book is amazing, I felt like the author did great with the world building. I found Jamie and Andrews relationship adorable and well built. If you like Fragile Remedy you would most likely enjoy this!

I think the thing I really liked about All That's Left in The World was that it was truly a narrative of love. It's a story about the loneliness we feel in this world and the struggle we all feel to let others in.

A perfect debut! I'm absolutely blown away and in love with this book! From the very first chapter I was hooked and kept reading way past my bedtime, and had me thinking about the characters until we could be reunited. Definitely a binge read and well worth it! What I loved best about this book is that it pairs the gritty realities of a post-apocalypse world with regular, every day human emotions and ways of coping. Andrew and Jamie rely on each other not only for survival, but also for their mental and emotional well being. Their journey is a mixture of horrific encounters and silly antics as they find ways to boost each others' spirits. Their relationship is at the heart of the novel, and it's beautiful and moving and real. I also appreciated that the trauma they experience isn't something that brushed aside or forgotten; the impact lingers and builds, and they have to find ways to deal with what they've survived.

I also loved the pacing of the novel. The story covers a long period of time as the two characters walk from Pennsylvania to Florida, but the story never lags, finding the right balance by highlighting important moments and not getting bogged down in repetitive details. I truly enjoyed every bit of this book! It's a new fave that incorporates some of my favorite things - slow burn, survival, hurt/comfort, and emotional vulnerability. Tune in for big feels at the end of the world!

Brown's All That's Left in the World is just as raw and heartbreaking as it is thrilling and adventurous. Andrew wanders into Jamie's cabin and the two become fast friends. Neither of them wants to admit it, but they both needed each other after the trauma of an apocalypse-inducing superflu. Andrew has something he needs to do, something he can't tell Jamie about because he doesn't want Jamie to hate him. Jamie follows him and soon they are trekking across the country by foot. It's a story about trauma, survival, and love. Erik Brown's intention was to provide some queer representation in the genre, and not only is that done successfully, but this book also stands up against some of the best post-apocalyptic fiction and it holds its own. Brilliantly written and appropriately sensitive, this book has earned a place in my classroom library.

I love post-apocalyptic stories, and I was immediately intrigued by ALL THAT'S LEFT IN THE WORLD because it centers on a romance. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of action and bad guys in the story, but what I really loved was these two teen boys falling in love as the world falls apart around them. I'm a lot like Jamison, a softie who didn't even want to kill a deer even when there's no food after a superflu much worse than Covid has wiped out most of humanity. Meanwhile, Andrew is the jokey and lovable guy who happened to walk into a bear trap in a time when there are no staffed hospitals. Luckily, he finds Jamison's cabin. By turns, funny, heart warming, and thrilling, this was such a fun read! Hope you'll check it out!

By turns funny, sweet, and action-packed, this is a compelling story from start to finish. I found myself rooting for both of the main characters wholeheartedly, and I loved watching the dynamic between them develop as they grew and influenced each other. Like many readers, I'm sure, I had my hesitations about reading a pandemic story during a pandemic, but seeing the way love and hope can survive even in the worst-case scenario made this book exactly the right choice for this moment in time.

*Thank you to HCCFrenzy for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

Y'ALL this book. Why did I get this book in December yet didn't finish it until now?! Why didn't I listen to my friends who had read it and loved it? This was everything I wanted it to be.

All That's Left in the World follows Andrew and Jamie when Andrew stumbles upon Jamie's cabin injured. If anything, Jamie should have made Andrew leave, but if the superflu has taught them anything, it is to be scared of other people, so why does trusting one another come so easily?
After a breach at their cabin, they travel south in search of communities. However, Andrew's secret could cost them anything. The future in front of them is long, and to survive, they must share their secrets, face the future, and face consequences together.

This book, god. I'm writing this review 30 minutes after I finished. I'm still speechless. I'm just blown away by it. I loved everything about it. I have absolutely no criticisms of it.

I loved Andrew, Jamie, Henri, and Cara. I loved every aspect of them. I have absolutely nothing to say except that I loved EACH one of them.

The pacing of this? My god, it was phenomenal. Right from the first page, it was fast-paced. Fast-paced books are my favourite, and this one hit it off.

The plot itself was so good. I never found myself bored. I never wanted to stop reading. If I had wanted to, I could have read this book in one sitting, that's how addicted I was to the plot.

The book itself is a mix between plot-driven AND character-driven. It's literally the best of both worlds. We see Andrew and Jamie develop so much, and I already want to read more of them.

Also, I haven't watched Schitt's Creek yet, but I have seen many people compare Andrew and Jamie's dynamic as Patrick and David. From the few clips my mom has shown me from the show, I definitely think it's a fair comparison (and it makes me want to watch the show more).

Overall, All That's Left in the World is one of my favourite books. I can safely say that I will not stop thinking about this book and talking about it.

When I originally started this book, which was WAY back months ago I realized I just wasn’t going to be able to read it AT that moment. Too much COVID stuff going on. This book involves two teen boys, Andrew and Jamie, who have both lost their family in a super-flu. While this isn’t COVID, and is presumably post-COVID, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, I picked it up again this week and couldn’t put it down, so I just needed good headspace for it.

That said, the story itself is really well done, with echoes of things that feel entirely believable even with the pandemic that we’ve been through. If something was as transmissible as omicron with a high fatality rate? This world feels very likely. Emotional resilience and grief are both given time in this story and both Jamie and Andrew have moments they’ve regretted while still being able to maintain hope. It’s not necessarily a neat ending, but I don’t think a story like this can be neat - the world they’re in isn’t. But there is hope in a few directions and I really loved the way the pieces folded together.

With the obvious caveat that for some people it may not be a story for them, this is a really beautiful story of love, hope, and resilience.