Review by Grace Crouthamel, reporter

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, released in May of 2013, with subsequent sequels thereafter, have been taking the YA, or young adult genre by force. This novel is set in a apocalyptic world, ravaged by Extraterrestrial visitors known only as the others.

Intriguing, captivating, and riveting, the book has attracted many readers and has received positive feedback. The novel currently holds four out of five stars on www.goodreads.com.

According to New York Times reviewer, Justin Cronin, “Finding a manuscript that will satisfy both audiences has become the holy grail of publishing. It’s a tricky line to walk, and few succeed. But Rick Yancey’s wildly entertaining new novel, The 5th Wave, is such a book.”

We are now in a peculiar and changing time in regards to the YA genre. Post Harry Potter, post Bella Swan, post Katniss Everdeen, and post Tris Prior, we are introduced to the spunky and relatable Cassiopeia Sullivan, who, as our heroine, is attempting to save her brother from a dangerous lie that may destroy the last remnants of civilization.

With every great phenomenon comes a love triangle. In The Fifth Wave, Cassie has Evan, “teenage version of the Brawny paper towel guy,” and her literal dream guy, Ben “Zombie” Parrish, both in her grasp.

This novel has has attracted the interest of a few students and staff alike here at JTAHS.

According to Ms. Everett, librarian, “I have not read The 5th Wave, but I decided to buy it for the library after reading many reviews on the book. The sources I use are the Library Journal, Krikus Reviews and the top 100 best sellers on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The 5th Wave has been on these lists for a long time; a year and half, at least. I use these lists for research and make my decisions on what books to buy and The 5th Wave has not come off it.”  

In regard to changing themes in the YA genre, Everett, stated “It’s now moving into extraterrestrials. Paranormal Romance has been the most popular teen genre for the last decade. I guess monsters are in, but just constantly changing, though vampires are always popular. This trend has been happening all across the U.S.”

Everett also commented on current books she is reading, “I am reading a lot of more adult books. I am reading about meditation, specifically Reiki. I am also in the middle of Pearl S. Buck’s The Good Earth.”

Lastly, Everett gave her opinion on the coming trends to YA, “My niece is freaking out over the White Rabbit Chronicles  Alice in Zombieland. Teens are now reading more thrillers, which they never did before. Zombies are pretty popular right now. Who knows?  Maybe we will see more aliens.”

One avid reader, Debbie Loyd, freshman, answered when asked of her feelings on the The 5th Wave, “Yes, I liked the book! I thought that even though it started out slow, it then got really exciting, the plot twist at the end was really good too.”  Loyd also stated, on what makes this book different from past YA trend, “It’s different because it is apocalyptic, but there is no government like in past books. There was no guarantee that you were probably going to live.”  In regard to new trends coming to this genre, Loyd said, “There will be less fairytale type books. The books are becoming more realistic.”  More importantly when asked whether she was “Team Evan or Team Ben,” Loyd remarked, “Team Evan, all the way!”

The 5th Wave has been released by Columbia Pictures as a major motion film just this past January. It’s sequel The Infinite Sea was released in September of 2014, and the final installment of this trilogy The Last Star is making it’s debut May 24th, 2016.

It is refreshing to see teens reading in modern times, when focuses are geared towards video games, media, and social networks. While The Fifth Wave may never be the next great American classic, it is a widely refreshing and invigorating read for any book lover. Perhaps a fellow Olympian here at JTHS, will unearth the next new trend in the big world of young adult fiction.