Read All That's Left In The World by Erik J. Brown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ or (8.42/10)

Characters - 8
I felt most of the characters of the characters were thoroughly described. And they developed quite nicely :) Though, there were a few that I wanted a bit more of a backstory from.

Atmosphere - 9
Extremely detailed, but not overwhelming.

Writing - 9
Major props to the author :)

Plot - 8
It was extremely solid. It was unique at most, but there were a few parts that were expected.

Intrigue - 8
I read it in one sitting and it wasn't a small book so :P

Logic - 8
Quite logical despite the fiction aspects of it. Though, some parts were lacking.

Enjoyment - 9
It was a really good book. I really enjoyed reading it :D

Wow. I mean wow. I absolutely adore this book. The words do not seem smart enough and do not seem even, ENOUGH, to really express the ways in which this book did wonders.

To begin with: the novel is a genre that I adore, dystopian, and apocalyptic- with a hint of romance! It combines this writing style that focuses on the survival of an apocalypse the world building, the chaos, the annihilation of society and the rebuilding of community with a pure and gentle romance. It adds an air of grace to the novel, it is almost jovial. It is an unforeseen combination of genres and that’s what makes it so beautiful. The way in which the romance is also written, delicately and gentle and a slow burn makes the moments ever so amazing, their relationship ever so strong.

I think that the characters and their development is so wholesome, they are so well fleshed out. You can see who they are and who they want to be and who they want to be with each other and I think that it makes for such an amazing reading experience. There is a way in which this novel, and the main love interest is written, that makes it so pure. It is this need for connection, to this need to protect, to friendship to love and I think the progression is so natural. The progression also allows for an exploration into human connection and what these connections mean, while also exploring sexuality and how this looks in the past, present and the future. I love that the characters have such a good connection with one another and that their dialogue works so well. Their interactions feel so natural, their call backs and inside jokes, the way they love and the way they talk. There is an ease and an interest- every line feels needed and gives you more, you always know more about the characters. And then the interactions with others?! Oh that can be terrifying but also so insightful, the classic- ‘they see it before anyone else does’ and the ‘just tell them.’ Gosh, this book is filled with so many good tropes but within the backdrop of an apocalypse. Which by the way, is viral, so, I feel I should at least acknowledge that the book is tasteful and artful and an exploration that I am sure we sometimes ponder.

Every scene I can picture as a movie and GOD I wish it would become a movie. Because so many things and so many moments in this film are so movie worthy. I can picture them, the drama, the running, the water, everything. It’s so well balanced and I think this is so worth a read. Lots of time passes within the novel too, maybe even a year all up. And I love it, I think it’s so smart- it allows for a relationship between the two to grow across a realistic amount of time and a very strong one (I mean come on they are literally always terrified of each other dying and constantly trying to protect one another) without it feeling rushed, without the travel feeling unrealistic- and without healing being realistic. It also skips in a way that takes our chunks of time, allowing for so many moments of imagination, and moments of realism, because realistically a lot of the travelling is just on the road! They don’t really come across a lot of cultish individuals shooting fireworks often! Not in the apocalypse! But the focus on romance also keeps this light too, it’s not heavy with the survival, it’s not too heavy with the complete suffocating feeling of dread and…apocalypse haha. That’s what I think is so incredibly unique, that within this backdrop there is a light and lovely romance. I just think it’s so new and a very unique setting for a romance, and not just a dystopian novel WITH a romance. It IS the romance, predominantly. So, please please give this a chance, give their development their cute romance, their slow burn, their caution, their protection, their experience, their fight, a chance and give your heart away to this beautiful story for a while.

It makes you think, doesn’t let you stop thinking. Not only about our world, society but also about love and what it means in a world that’s falling apart.

P.s. gah! It’s so cute!