Scan barcode
suzannedix's review against another edition
3.0
In book two of The Fallen World series, Kaelyn and her friends, all who have lost their parents to the "friendly flu," must now learn how to survive in a ravaged and treacherous new world. Before he died, Kaelyn's father had created a vaccine for the flu and suddenly Kaelyn realizes that she holds the future of the world in her hands. Embarking on an amazingly difficult and dangerous journey to bring the vaccine to scientists who can produce more of the vaccine, Kaelyn and her friends learn that surviving often means making many choices that are not simply black or white.
While not tautly written and certainly proving that book two of a trilogy is usually the one short on plot, this book will hold readers attention simply for its fear factor approach: what if the flu becomes a pandemic? Kaelyn is a likable character, as are most of her friends, but the plot is short on development. Profane language is used sparingly though seems to also be gratuitous, as if a mature middle school reader or high school reader would require the f-word in order to enjoy a book. If dystopians are still going strong in your library, this is a perfectly acceptable addition.
Recommended though as an optional purchase.
While not tautly written and certainly proving that book two of a trilogy is usually the one short on plot, this book will hold readers attention simply for its fear factor approach: what if the flu becomes a pandemic? Kaelyn is a likable character, as are most of her friends, but the plot is short on development. Profane language is used sparingly though seems to also be gratuitous, as if a mature middle school reader or high school reader would require the f-word in order to enjoy a book. If dystopians are still going strong in your library, this is a perfectly acceptable addition.
Recommended though as an optional purchase.
emlizzy's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the series, and I enjoyed it just as much (if not more!) than the first one, The Way We Fall.
The things I liked:
I enjoyed the structure and narration of this one - as much as I liked the diary/letters structure of the first, I feel like the more general first person narration left a little more room for additional detail that wasn't as present in the first book. This was evident in the descriptions of people, places, atmospheres, feelings, etc. Overall, I felt more engaged and drawn into the story. I could picture people and places in my mind, and felt more invested in their success.
Kaelyn, as the narrator, seemed more mature and believable in this book. I guess given what she had been through between the first and second books, I would have expected any teenage girl to have grown up a little. Either way, the slightly more mature voice was appreciated, and the seriousness of this story felt more real to me - more consistent with the overall situation of dealing with an uncontrollable viral outbreak.
I liked the fact that the characters were on the move - I liked seeing how they responded to different people, places, situations, and challenges. Because the characters were tossed into situations outside of their comfort zone, I felt like I was able to get to know them better, seeing how they responded and adapted to each changing situation.
The plot was constantly moving and changing. It seemed like the tension remained high throughout the entire book. I read this in one sitting - the story kept me engaged and, other than taking a break to eat some breakfast, I couldn't stop reading. This was truly a page-turner for me.
Overall I think I enjoyed The Lives We Lost a little more than the first book in the series, The Way We Fall. It seems like Megan Crewe has really hit her stride with this series, and I'm sooooo looking forward to reading the third book. Seriously, I'm so upset that I don't have it in my hands, right now! I can't wait until it comes out this year!
The things I liked:
I enjoyed the structure and narration of this one - as much as I liked the diary/letters structure of the first, I feel like the more general first person narration left a little more room for additional detail that wasn't as present in the first book. This was evident in the descriptions of people, places, atmospheres, feelings, etc. Overall, I felt more engaged and drawn into the story. I could picture people and places in my mind, and felt more invested in their success.
Kaelyn, as the narrator, seemed more mature and believable in this book. I guess given what she had been through between the first and second books, I would have expected any teenage girl to have grown up a little. Either way, the slightly more mature voice was appreciated, and the seriousness of this story felt more real to me - more consistent with the overall situation of dealing with an uncontrollable viral outbreak.
I liked the fact that the characters were on the move - I liked seeing how they responded to different people, places, situations, and challenges. Because the characters were tossed into situations outside of their comfort zone, I felt like I was able to get to know them better, seeing how they responded and adapted to each changing situation.
The plot was constantly moving and changing. It seemed like the tension remained high throughout the entire book. I read this in one sitting - the story kept me engaged and, other than taking a break to eat some breakfast, I couldn't stop reading. This was truly a page-turner for me.
Overall I think I enjoyed The Lives We Lost a little more than the first book in the series, The Way We Fall. It seems like Megan Crewe has really hit her stride with this series, and I'm sooooo looking forward to reading the third book. Seriously, I'm so upset that I don't have it in my hands, right now! I can't wait until it comes out this year!
bellatora's review against another edition
2.0
Everyone was so stupid I wanted to shake sense into them. THIS IS WHY YOU DON’T LEAVE THE FATE OF THE WORLD IN THE HANDS OF TEENAGERS.
Kaelyn is reunited with Leo, but she is dating Gavin and Leo is dating Tess. It’s a hormonal mess. Kaelyn finds out that her dead dad had created a vaccine that has never been properly tested. BUT IT MUST WORK. And Kaelyn inexplicably decides it is her life mission to get it to someone who can replicate it. And she will risk her life and the lives of her friends to get this vaccine out. Even though, let us repeat, she has no reason to believe that this vaccine will work. Her dad’s first vaccine didn’t work, and this is something that one man working alone, created within months of the Friendly Flu’s appearance. Which is, like, record time. But no, Kaelyn MUST get this vaccine out.
Then a nearby army base decides its angry at the island for being ground zero for the flu and bombs the fuck out of it. I thought Canadians were supposed to be nice?!?! Luckily, an army guy with a conscience appears to warn Kaelyn and her friends (but only has time to warn them). They all make it out. An obvious excuse to get all the main characters off the island and on the Great Canadian Road Trip.
They take the guy’s army van and head out. And then it runs low on gas. So they get out at a random town to try to siphon gas out of abandoned cars. And they ALL head out to find gas, leaving the car unattended. Their theory is that because the car locks and is impossible to get into (this is a HUMVEE not a fucking TANK. THE WINDOWS ARE NOT BULLETPROOF. Also I was told by a guy who used to ship army vehicles that army vechicles don’t lock), they don’t have to leave a guard. Because they are fucking idiots and don’t think about the fact that someone might sabotage it, or surround it and kill you when you try to get back. Why no one left the useless fighters (sadly, all the girls here, as none of them can or will use a gun) in the car to stay safe, and one person with a gun to fight off bad guys while two others went out to get the gas is anyone’s guess.
So the entire group goes into town and runs into two men. And Meredith immediately blurts out that they have a vaccine. *Facepalm*. I get it, she’s a child. BUT THIS IS WHY SHE SHOULD BE LEFT IN THE VAN. Also to be told sternly to not tell ANYONE what they have. A possible vaccine in a land ravaged by disease? That’s like telling a starving population that you have food, but you won’t share.
So of course the two men go off to sabotage the truck to trap the group in the town. And the group is shocked, just SHOCKED that this could’ve happened. Then the group is saved in a series of dues ex machinas – they stay the night with a group of friendly hippies, they find a house in the middle of a blizzard (and get a car from there), etc., etc.
Their other biggest stupid move is when they find a mobile home or RV or something with a radio and they get in contact with someone and TELL THEM THEIR LOCATION. Even though they know there’s a group – that’s armed and has cars – coming after them for the vaccine. And they just decide to trust the person on the other end of the radio because…the hippy commune worked out for them, so everyone should be given a chance. Luckily, coincidences continue and Kaelyn’s brother Drew comes on to warn them to get the fuck out and not sit there like prey. So they do and survive. But dude, if you don’t know if a group is friendly or not, you don’t sit and WAIT for them passively. You hide and get on higher ground and be prepared to KILL THEM if they prove to be false. But, no, Kaelyn is horrified, just HORRIFIED when they have to end up killing the bad guys. Get used to it, Kae. It’s a brave new world here.
Anyway, at the end they find out that Canada holds no more free scientists or doctors (the Evil Organization has co-opted all of them), so they have to go to America (the CDC).
Also, Gavin is sick. And since the Friendly Flu apparently has a 100% fatality rate (really?!?!) then he is totally dead. Seriously, though, what the hell is up with that fatality rate? Everyone who isn’t naturally immune or didn’t catch an earlier version apparently dies. Look, the BUBONIC PLAGUE only had a 60% fatality rate. The deadliest virus, Zaire Ebola Virus, has a 90% fatality rate. The only virus with nearly a 100% fatality rate is rabies, and that does not transmit through the air like the Friendly Flu. I think HIV eventually has a 100% fatality rate. But rabies and HIV kill you very slowly and is only transmitted through direct fluids contact. It’s not like a regular flu – or the friendly flu – that you can get through simple contact and kills you within days/weeks. And, also, if the Friendly Flu is really that deadly then everyone is fucked and maybe should just stop contacting other people. Because apparently if you get in contact with someone with the Friendly Flu then YOU ARE DEAD. The book ends with another road trip, this time to the CDC, with the bad guys hot on their trail and Gavin and possibly soldier dude infected. Aaaand it looks like Kaelyn’s vaccine really does work! So at least that's good news?
Kaelyn is reunited with Leo, but she is dating Gavin and Leo is dating Tess. It’s a hormonal mess. Kaelyn finds out that her dead dad had created a vaccine that has never been properly tested. BUT IT MUST WORK. And Kaelyn inexplicably decides it is her life mission to get it to someone who can replicate it. And she will risk her life and the lives of her friends to get this vaccine out. Even though, let us repeat, she has no reason to believe that this vaccine will work. Her dad’s first vaccine didn’t work, and this is something that one man working alone, created within months of the Friendly Flu’s appearance. Which is, like, record time. But no, Kaelyn MUST get this vaccine out.
Then a nearby army base decides its angry at the island for being ground zero for the flu and bombs the fuck out of it. I thought Canadians were supposed to be nice?!?! Luckily, an army guy with a conscience appears to warn Kaelyn and her friends (but only has time to warn them). They all make it out. An obvious excuse to get all the main characters off the island and on the Great Canadian Road Trip.
They take the guy’s army van and head out. And then it runs low on gas. So they get out at a random town to try to siphon gas out of abandoned cars. And they ALL head out to find gas, leaving the car unattended. Their theory is that because the car locks and is impossible to get into (this is a HUMVEE not a fucking TANK. THE WINDOWS ARE NOT BULLETPROOF. Also I was told by a guy who used to ship army vehicles that army vechicles don’t lock), they don’t have to leave a guard. Because they are fucking idiots and don’t think about the fact that someone might sabotage it, or surround it and kill you when you try to get back. Why no one left the useless fighters (sadly, all the girls here, as none of them can or will use a gun) in the car to stay safe, and one person with a gun to fight off bad guys while two others went out to get the gas is anyone’s guess.
So the entire group goes into town and runs into two men. And Meredith immediately blurts out that they have a vaccine. *Facepalm*. I get it, she’s a child. BUT THIS IS WHY SHE SHOULD BE LEFT IN THE VAN. Also to be told sternly to not tell ANYONE what they have. A possible vaccine in a land ravaged by disease? That’s like telling a starving population that you have food, but you won’t share.
So of course the two men go off to sabotage the truck to trap the group in the town. And the group is shocked, just SHOCKED that this could’ve happened. Then the group is saved in a series of dues ex machinas – they stay the night with a group of friendly hippies, they find a house in the middle of a blizzard (and get a car from there), etc., etc.
Their other biggest stupid move is when they find a mobile home or RV or something with a radio and they get in contact with someone and TELL THEM THEIR LOCATION. Even though they know there’s a group – that’s armed and has cars – coming after them for the vaccine. And they just decide to trust the person on the other end of the radio because…the hippy commune worked out for them, so everyone should be given a chance. Luckily, coincidences continue and Kaelyn’s brother Drew comes on to warn them to get the fuck out and not sit there like prey. So they do and survive. But dude, if you don’t know if a group is friendly or not, you don’t sit and WAIT for them passively. You hide and get on higher ground and be prepared to KILL THEM if they prove to be false. But, no, Kaelyn is horrified, just HORRIFIED when they have to end up killing the bad guys. Get used to it, Kae. It’s a brave new world here.
Anyway, at the end they find out that Canada holds no more free scientists or doctors (the Evil Organization has co-opted all of them), so they have to go to America (the CDC).
Also, Gavin is sick. And since the Friendly Flu apparently has a 100% fatality rate (really?!?!) then he is totally dead. Seriously, though, what the hell is up with that fatality rate? Everyone who isn’t naturally immune or didn’t catch an earlier version apparently dies. Look, the BUBONIC PLAGUE only had a 60% fatality rate. The deadliest virus, Zaire Ebola Virus, has a 90% fatality rate. The only virus with nearly a 100% fatality rate is rabies, and that does not transmit through the air like the Friendly Flu. I think HIV eventually has a 100% fatality rate. But rabies and HIV kill you very slowly and is only transmitted through direct fluids contact. It’s not like a regular flu – or the friendly flu – that you can get through simple contact and kills you within days/weeks. And, also, if the Friendly Flu is really that deadly then everyone is fucked and maybe should just stop contacting other people. Because apparently if you get in contact with someone with the Friendly Flu then YOU ARE DEAD. The book ends with another road trip, this time to the CDC, with the bad guys hot on their trail and Gavin and possibly soldier dude infected. Aaaand it looks like Kaelyn’s vaccine really does work! So at least that's good news?
anneweaver9's review against another edition
4.0
Kids need someone to replicate vaccine that will cure pandemic.
nargleinafez's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe it literally took me 3-4 years to find a copy of this and read it. I remember how I actually enjoyed the first one years ago. I just like it how realistic the situation is and how everyone's actions and reactions in the story are realistic as well. I hope it wouldn't take me years to find and read the last one xD
rbexsareads's review against another edition
5.0
I heard a quote once, saying that readers read books the way a human being breathes, to fill up and to live. I was filled up, consumed by this novel for the entire week it took me to read it (which I might add is a new record for me in my college life). I wasn't so sure when the journal format wasn't there, but it was still the same edge and the same suspense that kept me going with the first book in the series. It's not the edge of something always happening. Your heart isn't always pounding. But it's always waiting, expecting. Whether it's waiting for good news or bad news, it knows it can expect something grand. The Fallen World series stands out amongst the avalanche of dystopic young adult material of the past year. This isn't everything at its worst and it certainly isn't everything in a backwards shade of perfect. This is our world. This is very tangible. It could be us. That's why I keep reading: part of me is walking with these characters. If you haven't started reading the Fallen World trilogy, you're not too late. This is a bug you're going to want to catch.