Monday, February 8, 2010

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Book Details
This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Paperback, 256 pages
2010, Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 0547248040
Series: Book 3 of The Last Survivors

Synopsis
It's been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s climate. For Miranda Evans life as she knew it no longer exists. Her friends and neighbors are dead, the landscape is frozen, and food is increasingly scarce.

The struggle to survive intensifies when Miranda’s father and stepmother arrive with a baby and three strangers in tow. One of the newcomers is Alex Morales, and as Miranda’s complicated feelings for him turn to love, his plans for his future thwart their relationship. Then a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and Miranda makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Review
I really enjoyed This World We Live In. I didn't realize it was the third in a series and now I can't wait to go back and read the first two books in The Last Survivors series. The great thing about this book is that the apocalyptic scenario is so terrifyingly possible.

What if an asteroid hit the moon causing it to move closer to Earth? It seems like such a realistic thing to happen and yet it's scary since it makes you realize how easily the entire environment on Earth could go completely out of whack in an instant. I also liked the though-provoking questions. What happens to the rich people and celebrities? Where do they go? Do they continue to get better treatment than average folks?

The boy who became Miranda's love interest (and as far as she knew her only chance at love in her whole life) was extremely annoying. So annoying that I truly wanted Miranda to give it up and accept that life alone would be so much better than being stuck with someone like him. I enjoyed the rest of the characters. Having an entire family virtually alone and seeing how they interact through the stress and manage to survive together was fascinating.

This World We Live In was dark and compelling with no unnecessary fluff. A must for post-apocalyptic young adult fans.

Rating

Links
Susan Beth Pfeffer's blog

5 comments :

  1. This sounds great, I'm going to have to check out the first one. I used to have a real thing for post-apocalyptic. Sounds right up my ally.

    ReplyDelete
  2. THanks for the review :) i've been looking forward to this book

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oooh, this sounds so great. The plot is unlike anything I've ever read, and it seems really unique. Great review!

    Emidy
    Une Parole

    ReplyDelete
  4. This series sounds very intriguing to me. Thanks for the terrific review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I liked the first two better than this one, although it was good, too. And when you read book two, Alex is much more understandable, as the story is told from his point of view and what he goes through.

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete