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thecottagebookworm's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
twilliamson's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Last Kids on Earth takes after a long-standing trend in popular children's media of blending together illustration with prose storytelling, much like the successful series Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid have been doing for almost 30 years. It takes a familiar format but applies it to horror, an underserved genre in this sort of mixed-media fiction.
For the most part, it works. The illustrations are a highlight of the book, and while it is horror media, it's not really intended to be scary so much as it is intended to just be another kind of action fantasy. With a plucky cast, the book breezes through a plot about rescuing friends and fighting monsters, the kind of fun that makes for great summertime reading when it's a little too hot to hit the sprinklers or dive into a pool.
The book does tend to lean more toward a juvenile audience, though, than it does an older readership. Although the main character of the book is 13-year-old Jack, my estimation is that the book's linguistic complexity and style of humor is probably more appropriate for a younger range audience in that middle-grade fiction, likely 9 or 10 years old as opposed to a kid in his or her teenage years. I found myself a little disappointed in the lack of linguistic or thematic complexity, but it's highly commercial fiction, and young readers should enjoy whatever they want to enjoy.
The Last Kids on Earth shows a lot of promise as a series, and I admit that I'm very likely to pick up at least one of its sequels. It's fun, easy entertainment.
For the most part, it works. The illustrations are a highlight of the book, and while it is horror media, it's not really intended to be scary so much as it is intended to just be another kind of action fantasy. With a plucky cast, the book breezes through a plot about rescuing friends and fighting monsters, the kind of fun that makes for great summertime reading when it's a little too hot to hit the sprinklers or dive into a pool.
The book does tend to lean more toward a juvenile audience, though, than it does an older readership. Although the main character of the book is 13-year-old Jack, my estimation is that the book's linguistic complexity and style of humor is probably more appropriate for a younger range audience in that middle-grade fiction, likely 9 or 10 years old as opposed to a kid in his or her teenage years. I found myself a little disappointed in the lack of linguistic or thematic complexity, but it's highly commercial fiction, and young readers should enjoy whatever they want to enjoy.
The Last Kids on Earth shows a lot of promise as a series, and I admit that I'm very likely to pick up at least one of its sequels. It's fun, easy entertainment.
thesimplereader's review against another edition
4.0
5 ⭐️ The illustrations and characters are everything.
mehsi's review
5.0
I saw this Graphic Novel pop up (not even sure where any more), but I knew instantly this was a book I was going to love. And after reading it? Yes, yes, I love it a lot. I even went ahead and pre-ordered the sequel. Yes, this one is getting a sequel, something I didn't know until I finished, scrolled through the last pages and came upon a page that gave the hint that our characters would be back. :D
Now for this book. What would you do if the world you know, the world you well, kind of, like, suddenly is overrun by monsters and zombies! If you are the main character that means you ran home and went to hide in your foster brother's treehouse and totally upgraded the hell out of it. Also, for sake of sanity, made up feats and challenges to complete (yes, the things people do in an apocalypse).
I really liked the main character, though I did find him a bit cocky, and at times over the top. He was quite awkward at times, luckily he isn't alone on the awkward front, his best friend is also quite, um, awkward.
But the main character is also really great and tough. Many a kid would just hide out in a closet, try to live for a day longer, but our main character? He actually goes and kicks some butt.
Not always for the good reasons, but I guess love can be a good enough reason. :)
My favourite character however would be the pet they gain. I won't say anything about what kind, monster or normal, big or small. I just needed to mention it as the pet really made me laugh, and also go awwww. <3
There was only one thing I would have liked to see. Where the monsters/zombies came from. We do get a flashback to the day everything went to hell, but I am still quite curious. Monsters/zombies just don't magically appear, there must be a reason, either magical or chemical, and I really want to know about it.
But I was at least delighted they showed a quick flashback to how everything went to hell.
The Blargh, that was an interesting antagonist, and a deadly one as well, since you won't be safe anywhere with him around. Reminder: Do not stabbie stab big monsters unless you want to be followed *cough* stalked everywhere!
The illustrations are fantastic, there are a lot of them, and they really power up the story and make it even more of a fun ride. I really love the art, it fits the book perfectly (the style), and the character is exactly as I would have pictured it had I only read the story. This is something that doesn't happen often, quite a few times my image for a character is totally different from what the illustrator gives us.
All in all though, this is one kick-ass book. You will also just laugh your butt out, cheer for the characters, and will be flying through this book. Before you know it the book is over. So be warned! You are in for a ride.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Now for this book. What would you do if the world you know, the world you well, kind of, like, suddenly is overrun by monsters and zombies! If you are the main character that means you ran home and went to hide in your foster brother's treehouse and totally upgraded the hell out of it. Also, for sake of sanity, made up feats and challenges to complete (yes, the things people do in an apocalypse).
I really liked the main character, though I did find him a bit cocky, and at times over the top. He was quite awkward at times, luckily he isn't alone on the awkward front, his best friend is also quite, um, awkward.
But the main character is also really great and tough. Many a kid would just hide out in a closet, try to live for a day longer, but our main character? He actually goes and kicks some butt.
Not always for the good reasons, but I guess love can be a good enough reason. :)
My favourite character however would be the pet they gain. I won't say anything about what kind, monster or normal, big or small. I just needed to mention it as the pet really made me laugh, and also go awwww. <3
There was only one thing I would have liked to see. Where the monsters/zombies came from. We do get a flashback to the day everything went to hell, but I am still quite curious. Monsters/zombies just don't magically appear, there must be a reason, either magical or chemical, and I really want to know about it.
But I was at least delighted they showed a quick flashback to how everything went to hell.
The Blargh, that was an interesting antagonist, and a deadly one as well, since you won't be safe anywhere with him around. Reminder: Do not stabbie stab big monsters unless you want to be followed *cough* stalked everywhere!
The illustrations are fantastic, there are a lot of them, and they really power up the story and make it even more of a fun ride. I really love the art, it fits the book perfectly (the style), and the character is exactly as I would have pictured it had I only read the story. This is something that doesn't happen often, quite a few times my image for a character is totally different from what the illustrator gives us.
All in all though, this is one kick-ass book. You will also just laugh your butt out, cheer for the characters, and will be flying through this book. Before you know it the book is over. So be warned! You are in for a ride.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sirts's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
dylan_boeck's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jess_mango's review
4.0
Zombie Apocalypse for the Middle Grade Set! The format of The Last Kids on Earth is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Big Nate novels. The book is a hybrid of a standard novel and a graphic novel. The book is the first in a series and tells the story of 4 middle school kids who are trying to survive after monsters and zombies take over their town.
There were lots of laugh out loud moments in here for my 9 year old. He immediately asked for me to get the 2nd book in the series.
There were lots of laugh out loud moments in here for my 9 year old. He immediately asked for me to get the 2nd book in the series.
mothercrow's review
5.0
I find the writing humorous, and it’s at the perfect level for my 3rd grader and kindergartener to read aloud to. The first person writing style is not my normal thing, but I find the kids really enjoy it. The book is Super funny and is a nice way to introduce “scary” themes … like an apocalypse.. zombies… monsters… near death encounters… etc… to kids .. without being too scary for them to handle, but it does somewhat touch on appropriate feelings for those scenarios.... you know,. Feeling sad when the world sort of ends. Also, it was a great conversation starter in our house about kids in foster care. The lead character is a foster kid… and My kids had heard of adoption but never about foster care. Anywho. I highly recommend it to any mom, especially a mom who reads aloud to their kids, or to young readers with a good sense of humor.
gabrielle_erin's review
4.0
This was so much fun! I couldn't put it down, I finished it in one sitting. This reminded me of the type of books that got me into reading when I was younger and I can't wait to share this story with some of my more hesitant readers at school.