Summary
When a woman, nicknamed Zoo, decides to try her skills at a survival reality television show, she leaves behind her husband to join eleven other contestants to win a grand prize. While filming the show, something terrible happens, and people begin to fall ill worldwide. Destruction ensues as society crumbles, but Zoo knows nothing of it. She and her contestants are unaware of current events as they survive in the wild. Strange things start happening, but Zoo chalks it up to the show. Everything must be a part of the game, and she must survive. We follow Zoo as she slowly comes to the realization that the world really has collapsed and she is no longer on a game show. She must get back to her husband.
Review
If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, yes, I would definitely recommend this book!
I don’t normally enjoy dystopian novels. They’re not the first thing I pick up at the book store. But this book is one of the few that I enjoyed. It’s interesting to watch as Zoo moves through the wreckage of the world after it collapsed, but she doesn’t think it’s real. As the reader, I know it’s real. The dangers she faces, such as hungry coyotes, gangs of armed men, and the horror of seeing those who died in the wake of such massive destruction. It’s hard to watch these things through her eyes and know that they’re real. But she doesn’t think so.
Zoo convinces herself that everything she sees is a part of the game show and every hidden corner has a camera that’s filming her. But maybe that’s how she manages to stay sane. Without the lens of the game show to shield her from reality, maybe she would slowly go insane. After a while, she realizes what’s going on. And she’s determined to make it back to her husband. It isn’t an easy journey, but it’s a happy ending.
What I liked most about this book was the excitement. After one thing ends, another danger pops up. But Zoo is smart and a survivor at heart. She knows how to take care of herself. As the reader, I have faith in her. That she can handle anything that comes her way. But she’s still human, and there are times when she falls sick or gets injured. It’s those times when I’m most anxious and at the edge of my seat, holding my breath.
The story doesn’t focus so much on what happened to the world and how society collapsed, but Zoo and her journey. It doesn’t matter so much how things got so bad so quickly, but how Zoo survives and returns to her husband. Overall, I would recommend this to a busy mom. It’s sure to keep you turning the pages and thinking about it long after you’ve turned the last page. Especially if you enjoy dystopian novels, I highly recommend it!
Rating
Five out of five stars
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If you enjoyed my review of The Last One by Alexandra Oliva, you might also like Bird Box by Josh Malerman. Check out my review!
If you’re interested in purchasing The Last One, here are some quick links to buy the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And, if you’re interested to see what others think, here’s the link to the book on Goodreads.
