The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey: Spoiler Free "Review" and Open Discussion (spoliers in comments)

The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave #2) by Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam Juvinile

Goodreads link: (click here)

Ok, so this is not going to be like a usual review. It's really hard to review a book that is a sequel without spoiling the first book or even events in this book, especially when so much has already happened in the story. Basically, if you haven't read book #1, The 5th Wave, you just need to know that the world is under a horrifying alien invasion. They have succeeded in killing off 99% of Earth's population. They took out our electronic devises and our power, caused tsunamis that wiped out entire cities, unleashed a plague and have caused the remaining humans to live on the run, unable to trust even each other. It's pretty much the worst of all worst-case scenarios. The 1% that is left are not willing to give up though. A lot of stuff happens...and...you should read all 480 pages to find out what. Here are my thoughts after reading The 5th Wave (from my Goodreads review last year):

Epic isn't even a big enough word for The 5th Wave. I was completely enthralled while my mind became immersed in the story, as if drowned by words, gasping for air, yet wishing I could breathe them in. Sadness, despair, fear, paranoia, hope, love, excitement, nervousness...all of these emotions felt simultaneously while reading. As I furiously tore through the last pages, my heart racing, I was rooting for humanity all while questioning what it really means to be human. When I finished and closed the book, I cried. I cried for all the things I have, many I take for granted and many I treasure, and for what life would be like if they were all gone. I don't know if I'd have the courage or the strength to take back whatever I could, but I'd like to think that somebody would. There are so many reasons I loved this book, one of which is the characters in it. They could be real people, and for the few days I spent with them, listening to their story, they were. They are. While this book is dark, heartbreaking and violent, it is also beautiful and thought-provoking. This is an alien invasion-doomsday story with action, twists, revelations and even a little romance. I can't wait for the next book. The 5th Wave now sits on a list amongst my favorite books. Amazing. Read it.

Now were sort of caught up. 



If you have read The 5th Wave, but not The Infinite Sea, here is my somewhat vague, sort of review. It's basically a "what to expect and what I thought" review of The Infinite Sea... 

My first thought upon picking up The Infinite Sea was, "Where's the rest of the book?" It's significantly shorter than The 5th Wave. I figured that there was a lot of set-up and world building involved in first book, so I can undestand the second being shorter. The first book was quite epic and The Infinite Sea is definitely a set-up for what's coming next, but it really felt like it was half a book. It literally starts with a bang, slamming you in the face with a reminder of how terrifying the post-invasion world has become. The mood is set in the prologue before you even reach chapter one. What happens is devastating, and it made me put the book down in shock and horror, but I promise it does act as foreshadowing for something that happens later in the book. The story itself takes place right after The 5th Wave ends and follows the surviving characters as they hide from the alien bad guys. The first 2/3 of the book take place right afterwards. You will get more backstory and information about characters who weren't in the forefront of the first book, like Ringer and Poundcake, which I really liked. You start to understand their characters more and see where they came from and why they are who they are today. While you still get the story from Cassie's POV, this book focuses a lot more on Ringer. In the last third of the book, which takes place over the span of a few months, she is set up to become a pivotal character for the rest of the story. A lot is revealed about the the Others, but A LO-O-OT more questions are raised once certain things are revealed. I think I'm left with more questions than answers after reading The Infinite Sea. That's why I wish it was longer. I feel a bit confused about some things and I am desperately waiting for other people to read it so I can discuss it, or at least try to clarify a few things. There is a TON of awesome action and a lot of things blow up, so the movie should be pretty cool but I wonder how they will handle what happens in the first few pages of the book. There was the possibilty of a love love triangle after the events of book one, but thank goodness it did not go that way. The focus stays on the characters and the situation. I still stand by what I said...this is the worst of all worst case scenarios for the "end of the world". The worst. Now I have to wait for the next book...boo. My final thought after reading it..."Where is the rest of the book?" Don't get me wrong, I did like it (even though I'm a little bit confused), and Rick Yancey's writing is downright phenominal, but I just wish it was LONGER. I'm looking forward to finding out how the story ends. Hopefully humanity will survive. 

Did you read The Infinite Sea? What did you think? 

The comments of this post are open for discussion and will contain SPOILERS. If you don't want to see them, stop reading now. I will start with a BIG SPOILER question and if you have any input, it would be appreciated!

SPOILERS AHEAD!!! 

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<3 Michelle