orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting concept and story. Writing keeps the story moving. Enjoyed the lead character too.
lucaisapenguin's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought this was a great twist on the apocalypse story! The decision to tell it through three (kind of) different perspectives and a disjointed timeline was a risky one but really well executed.
Had to triple-check the author was a woman because she had a weird thing for describing breasts the way misogynistic men do, as well as a cynicism for people on the internet who call out racism (seemingly implying that, more often than not, they're exaggerating/missing context? Strange stance to take.) but other than that the writing was really engaging and had me on the edge of my seat for almost the entire book.
Had to triple-check the author was a woman because she had a weird thing for describing breasts the way misogynistic men do, as well as a cynicism for people on the internet who call out racism (seemingly implying that, more often than not, they're exaggerating/missing context? Strange stance to take.) but other than that the writing was really engaging and had me on the edge of my seat for almost the entire book.
thegeekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I love to get lost in a good dystopian novel, and The Last One is truly magnificent. The premise—twelve completely isolated contestants filming a reality TV show, unaware something horrible has happened in the real world—was brilliant in its simplicity. There was no need to suspend disbelief; it was completely plausible that such a thing could actually happen, and for me, that made the story even better.
I also loved the way the story was told, in a before-and-after way. The before portions center on the filming of the reality series, where we learn how Zoo came to be part of the filming, and what she and the other contestants go through. The after portions focus on Zoo’s journey alone, thinking everything she sees is part of the game—potential clues and challenges—and what happens to her along the way. I sometimes find myself feeling a little impatient with flashbacks, because the events in the story’s present are so engrossing I want to keep reading more of that, rather than past events. This was not the case in The Last One. Each storyline was gripping in its own way, and rather than being impatient about it, each timeline shift was eagerly anticipated and welcomed when it came. In fact, the only thing that I found upsetting was reaching the end.
If you enjoy reading dystopian novels, I highly recommend this one. It’s one of the best I’ve ever read, and I fervently hope Alexandra Oliva will write more dystopians in the future!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and Ballantine Books.
I also loved the way the story was told, in a before-and-after way. The before portions center on the filming of the reality series, where we learn how Zoo came to be part of the filming, and what she and the other contestants go through. The after portions focus on Zoo’s journey alone, thinking everything she sees is part of the game—potential clues and challenges—and what happens to her along the way. I sometimes find myself feeling a little impatient with flashbacks, because the events in the story’s present are so engrossing I want to keep reading more of that, rather than past events. This was not the case in The Last One. Each storyline was gripping in its own way, and rather than being impatient about it, each timeline shift was eagerly anticipated and welcomed when it came. In fact, the only thing that I found upsetting was reaching the end.
If you enjoy reading dystopian novels, I highly recommend this one. It’s one of the best I’ve ever read, and I fervently hope Alexandra Oliva will write more dystopians in the future!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and Ballantine Books.
curiousnoel's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, honestly? I didn’t imagine I would rate this very high. But even with some of the annoyances I felt, I was still itching to pick up the book and read more. So I guess I was into it after all! It’s definitely absorbing. The writing sometimes made me roll my eyes (such as the preoccupation with describing every woman’s breasts?? ugh), but I did greatly appreciate that she infused the story with so much detail - character-wise, setting-wise, plot-wise, research-wise... All the wises. I didn’t feel very connected emotionally, but it was fun. The episode bits accurately depicted all the silliness and flaws of reality TV (I especially enjoyed when the author would describe how a scene went down, then how the editors cut it to suit their goals), and a ton of great thought went into all the challenges and rewards. I liked learning about their survival techniques. It did bug me, though, that even 3/4ths of the way through the book, the protag STILL hadn’t caught on that something was wrong, even after leaving the woods and walking MILES through suburbia - no questions, no doubts, not even a flicker of “Something seems off...” But I do understand that this was an extreme form of denial and coping in the face of such horror. I guess I just wish there’d been some HINTS of suspicion, even if they were quickly deflected. Ultimately I enjoyed the book, though, and the way it wrapped up was clever.
amandadelbrocco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. I couldn't put it down. I was reading it while walking to work and actually endangered my safety, but rather than be rational, I glared at the cars that almost hit me while I was crossing the street while it was not my turn and put my nose back in the book. This is not recommended as a commute strategy, but this was a really, really excellent book.
yofema's review against another edition
4.0
Survivor sevənlər oxusun məncə :D Gözləntilərimin biraz altında qaldı. Əslində ümumi götürsək kitabda çox aksiyonlu səhnələr yox idi. Və ilk səhifələri çıxmaqla axıcıydı. Amma əsas obrazımızın salaklığı sayəsində əsəbləşmədən oxuya bilmədim. Tam 4-lük kitab idi mənə görə.
rot_swap's review against another edition
5.0
The Last One was my favorite read of 2022. I thought the concept and execution were really well done and I've never read anything quite like it. It's a disaster story and a survival story but it's also a great, fast paced psychological thriller.
It seems like a lot of readers were bothered and/or confused about the contestants' nicknames. It was a bit clunky at times but overall I think it added to the story. Some of the nicknames are racist and/or misogynist so I understand being uncomfortable about that.
First, there's several real life reality shows that give participants nicknames (that may or may not be demeaning). Second, I think the author was trying to show how reality TV producers exploit and dehumanize their participants. Through editing and various other means of manipulation, producers turn participants into caricatures of themselves. Plus, taking away someone's real name while they're participating in a manufactured competition, adds to the psychological manipulation that makes people act differently than they might otherwise or make them lose sight of who they are beyond the confines of the show. If your fellow contestants think of you as a dehumanized stereotype, they're more likely to say salacious, insensitive things about you on camera, which is the whole point of reality TV.
In my experience reading The Last One, the nicknames contributed to the overall unsettling vibe of the book. They add to the feeling of isolation and disconnect.
It seems like a lot of readers were bothered and/or confused about the contestants' nicknames. It was a bit clunky at times but overall I think it added to the story. Some of the nicknames are racist and/or misogynist so I understand being uncomfortable about that.
First, there's several real life reality shows that give participants nicknames (that may or may not be demeaning). Second, I think the author was trying to show how reality TV producers exploit and dehumanize their participants. Through editing and various other means of manipulation, producers turn participants into caricatures of themselves. Plus, taking away someone's real name while they're participating in a manufactured competition, adds to the psychological manipulation that makes people act differently than they might otherwise or make them lose sight of who they are beyond the confines of the show. If your fellow contestants think of you as a dehumanized stereotype, they're more likely to say salacious, insensitive things about you on camera, which is the whole point of reality TV.
In my experience reading The Last One, the nicknames contributed to the overall unsettling vibe of the book. They add to the feeling of isolation and disconnect.
notlikethefairytales's review against another edition
5.0
The way this book had me in a choke hold from start to finish. Gutted this is a standalone.
I'm sure I owe my neighbours an apology for how loud I shouted "NOOO, I'M NOT DONE" at the end.
I'm sure I owe my neighbours an apology for how loud I shouted "NOOO, I'M NOT DONE" at the end.
lib_britannia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5