The Last 8 (The Last 8 #1) by Laura Pohl #bookreview #YA #scifi

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews

A high-stakes survival story about eight teenagers who outlive an alien attack—perfect for fans of The 5th Wave 

Clover Martinez has always been a survivor, which is the only reason she isn’t among the dead when aliens invade and destroy Earth as she knows it. 

When Clover hears an inexplicable radio message, she’s shocked to learn there are other survivors—and that they’re all at the former Area 51. When she arrives, she’s greeted by a band of misfits who call themselves The Last Teenagers on Earth.

Only they aren’t the ragtag group of heroes Clover was expecting. The group seems more interested in hiding than fighting back, and Clover starts to wonder if she was better off alone. But then she finds a hidden spaceship, and she doesn’t know what to believe…or who to trust.

I’m always up for a good alien invasion story.  When you toss in Area 51, a handful of surviving teens, and an adorable canine named Sputnik, it becomes a must read for me.

This book gives the reader just enough time to care about Clover before throwing her in front of the aliens, so the pacing gets off to a good start.  It slows a bit once she reaches Area 51 due to drama between her and the other teens before picking up again.  I felt like there was some character inconsistency on Clover’s part, with comments and actions coming out of the blue based on her prior behavior.  The group of survivors are wonderfully diverse, but some of their voices are similar and I had trouble distinguishing between them.

As a sci-fi geek, the pop culture references to Back to the Future and Independence Day had me doing happy dances.  For me, it’s difficult to read or watch any alien story without thinking about Independence Day, and this novel contains some similar elements.

The Last 8 is strong out of the gate, drops intriguing clues throughout the book, and has interesting twists toward the end, but some plot holes and character inconsistencies slowed the momentum for me.  This book is scheduled for release March 1st, 2019.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

 

22 thoughts on “The Last 8 (The Last 8 #1) by Laura Pohl #bookreview #YA #scifi”

  2. Hmm. I’m like you; I love Area 51 stuff. I was kind of into the premise, but now I’m not so sure. Thanks for the candid review.

    Two questions for you:
    1. Do you watch Project Blue Book on the History Channel? It’s a fascinating look at Dr. J. Allen Hynek’s UFO investigations from 1952 to 1969.
    2. It’s Women Who Write Horror Month. Made me think of you. Have a happy one!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks! I’ve always enjoyed aliens, Jenn – it either started with X-Files, or possibly Scooby-Doo. I seem to remember an alien on there – but it turned out to be Old Man Tompkins (or some other old man – isn’t that who was usually behind it?)

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Mischenko

        😂 I don’t remember an alien on Scooby Doo, but there were so many episodes, it wouldn’t surprise me. For me it was Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Batteries Not Included, and remember The Abyss? I do have an old book that talks about Area 51. Maybe I’ll share that one Shabby Sunday. Now you’ve got me thinking about aliens! 😁😉 Enjoy your Valentine’s Day!

        Liked by 1 person

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