All That’s Left in the World follows Andrew and Jamie in a world where a deathly pathogen has killed off most of the population. Injured and starved, Andrew stumbles upon Jamie’s house and, unexpectedly, finds a friend in him. With both of them having lost all their loved ones, it’s nice to have someone who genuinely seems to care for the other. Still, in a world that has taught them it’s every man for himself, they both marvel at how easy it is to trust each other. After danger breaches their shelter, they flee south in search of civilisation. But Andrew and Jamie are both keeping secrets and as they’re starting to feel more than friendship for each other—all while the road is getting more treacherous by the day—they will have to find the courage to tell the other the truth and fight for their future—together.
All I can say is: how dare Erik J. Brown make me thoroughly enjoy a book set post-pandemic while I’m living through one? The audacity. Hmph.
I couldn’t have put this book down even if I tried. Brown’s writing is so immersive that you feel like you’re right alongside Andrew and Jamie’s struggle for survival. The stakes are already high but with every interaction between Andrew and Jamie and other survivors, the tension is raked up and my shoulders were up to my ears for most of this book (but in a good way).
What’s obviously the scariest part of this book is how realistic it is. Brown states in the acknowledgements that this was written way prior to Covid-19 but the parallels, man. The parallels. The way the population handled the pathogen, the way people turned on each other instead of trying to help, how support was always promised but rarely delivered…sound familiar?
There’s also so much commentary about humanity and the survival of the fittest in this novel. Without spoiling too much, I’ll say that it’s mind-bogglingly weird to read about the patterns that humans fall back on when faced with the task of restarting civilisation and how even when you can literally start from scratch (because, well, most of the population is gone), racism and homophobia still persist. Despite having the choice to make something better, they still cling to old values and old rituals (and old government structures like socialism and others explored in here) and as we’ve all seen, that isn’t just an imaginary scenario and it’s that depiction where Brown, in my opinion, truly shines. All That’s Left in the World, in no small parts, isn’t scary because it’s dealing with the aftermath of a pandemic but with how people choose to react to something as apocalyptic as most of the population being wiped out. While there are gruesome descriptions of bodies on the street and other scary moments, this is where the story really gets you: in how humanity fails to adapt to change in many cases. And how sometimes, you’re on your own and need to find people who are willing to evolve. Andrew and Jamie are in stark contrast to most of the survivors they meet and it’s excruciating to witness. That theme had my heart pounding and my eyes glued to the pages.
Also, the pacing in this was phenomenal. At times, I was almost stressed reading because the pacing frantically increased in moments of utter terror only to then momentarily suspend the tension with heartwarming or funny moments between Andrew and Jamie. It’s almost like a wave where every time you’re sure the worst is over, another rolled in and every time you feared the worst was about to happen, a soft moment soothed you. And that’s in huge parts accredited to the two main characters.
Andrew’s sarcasm and witty remarks made this story what it is. Though this isn’t a funny book, Andrew is such a charming, self-deprecating character that you cannot help but laugh even if he’s literally injured and can’t put weight on his foot. And though he like everyone else has his cross to bear, it is so refreshing to see him still clinging to his humanity even when outside forces threaten to tear it away from him. His inner monologue (and slight pining for Jamie) is just so engaging. And speaking of Jamie: this boy is the definition of a cinnamon roll character. He’s so softspoken and sweet and sensitive and I wanted to burn the world down for him while reading this story. I devoured the interactions between him and Andrew and the way their friendship morphed into something more. It’s hard to trust people in these circumstances but somehow Andrew and Jamie just fit perfectly and their journey (both the physical one they’re on as well as the mental one both go through that’s infused with survivor’s guilt, fear and utter devastation) was so good I devoured it and would read twenty more installments. The ending, likewise, is as cathartic as it is realistic and though the last few chapters made me lose my damn mind, it’s all worth it in the end. I cannot wait for readers to get their hands on this story.
Brown’s debut novel following two queer teens surviving the apocalypse, All That’s Left in the World is an unputdownable story about what it means to be human and how to fight for the things that matter when everything is taken from you. Sometimes fun, sometimes scary but ultimately thrilling and cathartic, this book will leave you breathless!
All That’s Left in the World is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 8th 2022.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
What If It’s Us meets Life as We Knew It in this postapocalyptic, queer YA adventure romance from debut author Erik J. Brown. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Alex London.
When Andrew stumbles upon Jamie’s house, he’s injured, starved, and has nothing left to lose. A deadly pathogen has killed off most of the world’s population, including everyone both boys have ever loved. And if this new world has taught them anything, it’s to be scared of what other desperate people will do . . . so why does it seem so easy for them to trust each other?
After danger breaches their shelter, they flee south in search of civilization. But something isn’t adding up about Andrew’s story, and it could cost them everything. And Jamie has a secret, too. He’s starting to feel something more than friendship for Andrew, adding another layer of fear and confusion to an already tumultuous journey.
The road ahead of them is long, and to survive, they’ll have to shed their secrets, face the consequences of their actions, and find the courage to fight for the future they desire, together. Only one thing feels certain: all that’s left in their world is the undeniable pull they have toward each other.
