All That’s Left in the World: A queer, dystopian romance about courage, hope and humanity
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Jamie and Andrew are strangers, but they’re two of the last people left alive. They don’t know what they’ll find on their dangerous journey … but they may just find each other. A queer romance about courage, hope and humanity for fans of They Both Die at the End, The Hunger Games and Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
When the Superflu wipes out most of the population, Jamie finds himself completely alone in a cabin in the woods – until an injured stranger crosses his path.
Life is dangerous now and, armed with a gun, Jamie goes to pull the trigger. But there’s something about Andrew … something that stops Jamie in his tracks. Jamie takes him in, and as Andrew heals and they eventually step out into the strange new world, their relationship starts to feel like more than just friendship …
But trouble isn’t far behind. As the boys make a perilous journey south, they’ll come face to face with a world torn apart and society in ruins. And who, or what, will they find waiting for them at the end of it all?
“Tense, exciting, sometimes heartbreaking and always romantic, All That’s Left in the World explores what it means to hold onto hope and humanity when the worst case scenario becomes reality. With characters you’ll adore, and a fast-paced, mysterious plot that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can devour them, this book is not to be missed.” – Sophie Gonzales, author of ONLY MOSTLY DEVASTATED
“Brown has somehow achieved a book that is romantic, hilarious, warm-hearted, hopeful, and page-turningly thrilling all at once. I was hooked from beginning to end.” – Dahlia Adler, author of COOL FOR THE SUMMER
“A timeless love story that could not be more appropriate for this moment, All That’s Left in the World is a thrilling, heartfelt, and beautifully written debut.” – Tom Ryan, author of I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING
“Survival is core to the queer experience, and in All That’s Left In the World, Brown takes that to apocalyptic extremes with the story of Andrew and Jamie. This is quintessentially brave, dangerous-in-the-best-way queer storytelling!” – Adam Sass, author of SURRENDER YOUR SONS
“All That’s Left in the World is unfailingly riveting and hopeful. A timely exploration of survival, trauma, and love stitched together with sharp wit and bone-deep emotion. Erik J. Brown is an invigorating voice to watch out for.” – Julian Winters, award-winning author of RUNNING WITH LIONS
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Additional information
| Publisher | Hodder Children's Books (8 Mar. 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 5945 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Not Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 314 pages |
by E.Botwright
I’m a huge fan of post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction and this is something that stands out for being a little different. It conveys the horror of their post super flu surroundings and the personal grief that the two male protagonists have been through, but it in a light touch, sometimes humorous way. The central theme is a really beautiful love story.
by Gemma
I enjoy post apocalypse novels and this one caught my interest as it from a different perspective and narrative to other books. An engaging coming of⁸ age narrative that I think in particular teens would enjoy. I enjoyed how the story was told from different perspectives of the characters, Jamie and Andrew. I did find Andrew’s personality annoying with his sacastic comments. Jamie is very sweet and sensitive and protective of Andrew.
I felt the story line lacked and jumped scenes. The story became more engaging after page 200 and even then it felt anti-climatic. The ending leaves more to be told? A possible sequel.
Loved the book cover art work.
by Taylor Family Account
In his mesmerizing debut novel, ‘All That’s Left in the World,’ Erik J. Brown masterfully weaves together the themes of queer love and post-apocalyptic survival. With a skillful hand, he invites readers into a captivating journey where two boys, amidst the remnants of a devastated world, must face numerous perils. Brown’s atmospheric storytelling creates a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends the intensity of a thrilling thriller with the tenderness of a heartfelt love story.
One of the greatest strengths of ‘All That’s Left in the World’ lies in the beautifully drawn characters. The protagonists, two young boys who find solace in each other’s company, are remarkably well-developed and relatable. Their complex emotions and genuine struggles provide a deeply human element to the story, allowing readers to empathize and connect with them on a profound level. Brown’s portrayal of queer love is both tender and authentic, further enriching the narrative and breaking barriers.
The novel’s seamless integration of queer love and post-apocalyptic survival is a testament to Brown’s narrative prowess. He skillfully blends these disparate elements, creating a cohesive and engrossing story. The exploration of love and relationships amidst the backdrop of a shattered world adds depth and poignancy to the plot. Brown beautifully captures the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us that even in the face of unimaginable hardship, love can prevail.
The post-apocalyptic setting in ‘All That’s Left in the World’ is crafted with exceptional attention to detail. Brown’s vivid descriptions transport readers into a hauntingly beautiful landscape, painted with remnants of a once-thriving civilization. The atmosphere he creates is palpable, immersing readers in the desolation and peril that the characters must navigate. Through his evocative prose, Brown skillfully conveys the eerie sense of isolation and the constant struggle for survival.
Brown’s storytelling is nothing short of enthralling. The pace of the narrative is perfectly balanced, with each chapter unveiling new layers of suspense and excitement. The plot is intricately woven, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. ‘All That’s Left in the World’ maintains a relentless momentum, blending heart-pounding action sequences with poignant moments of reflection and introspection.
In ‘All That’s Left in the World,’ Erik J. Brown has delivered an extraordinary debut that seamlessly merges the genres of queer romance and post-apocalyptic thriller. With its engaging characters, heartfelt exploration of love, immersive world-building, and gripping narrative, this book is an absolute triumph. Brown’s ability to captivate readers and evoke powerful emotions is a testament to his talent as a writer. Fans of both genres will find themselves spellbound by this unique and unforgettable tale.
by Greg Dunn
Erik J. Brown’s debut novel is a page-turning story of love and loss, death and survival in a post-apocalyptic but refreshingly zombie-free near-future. With well-developed and very recognisable central characters, it tells a tale in which just about all readers will find something to relate to. The author is a dab hand at palpable tension, but also at credible dialogue, which is all the more of an achievement given the story is narrated in the first person, switching between the two leads. Watching them get to know one another and grow closer as they struggle with their own feelings in a world where their fellow humans often turn out to be the biggest monsters is particularly rewarding, culminating in an epilogue where it is never made clear whcih of the two characters is which, showing how beautifully intertwined they have become. Everything that happens in the novel, including all the secondary characters the leads encounter, makes me long for a sequel; and yet I’ll still be satisifed if this is all we get in Andrew and Jamie’s world, since it’s such a wonderful read. Highly recommended.
by Rain Bow
I have to say I was impressed with the quality of the writing in this novel. Although aimed for the young adult market, it is certainly a book that can be enjoyed by adults of all ages.
Although a simple story, because there are so many different adventures along the very long road trip (I am not going to give away any detail, it would spoil the book for new readers) it does take some time to get through. Although using two central characters, there are so many peripheral characters that we meet along the way it is easy to get confused.
A long book – not so much in pages but in content. I did notice that a whole swathe of editors and readers al had a hand in crafting the final novel. I would love to have read the first edited draft this author completed without the additional suggestions which might, I fear, have meant more “adventure” was put into this novel than it needed.
That aside, a good read that has been nicely written – although it does tend to sound that the teenagers are fully grown adults, they do not really use “street language” which we have come to expect from YA novels based on real experiences.
I can certainly recommend it, especially for people who like to get their teeth into an adventure tale.
by Amazon Customer
I haven’t read it yet. So I don’t know what note to give it.
by Cameron Jones
Absolutely loved this book and wish I could read it for the first time all over again!!