In a world where a mysterious alien race has laid siege to Earth, survival is the ultimate goal. 95% of the world's population was unable to achieve this goal; Cassie Sullivan is one of the “lucky ones”. The “Others,” as humans call them, have launched five waves to eradicate the human race. Surviving the first wave wasn't too difficult, it was after all a simple EMP strike. The second wave literally shook the world. Aliens have set Earth's tectonic plates in motion, causing thousands of extraordinary earthquakes. The tsunamis caused by these earthquakes were devastating; killing around 50 percent of the world's population. The third wave proved to be the most emotionally devastating. A terrible plague – created of course by extraterrestrials – has affected approximately 97 percent of the remaining four billion people. The virus has spread through various types of bird populations around the world. The humans who managed to survive the third wave wished they hadn't; the fourth wave would wither away an already ravaged human population. The fourth wave would enlighten the humans on something: aliens were walking among them, and the aliens were massacring all the dominant humans. “After the 1st wave, all that remains is darkness. After 2, only the lucky ones escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one” (Yancey). Some people may wonder what the fifth wave entails, and to find out, these people need to read the book. The 5th wave is written in sections, with the point of view differing with each new section. Cassie, the main protagonist, makes up most of the sections. Cassie's crush since grade school, Ben Parish, is the other major point of view in the book. Cassiopeia Marie Sullivan, 16, has ...... middle of paper ...... ; this allowed readers to be privy to everything each character experienced. I definitely think people interested in science fiction themed books should read The 5th Wave. The overall plot is very entertaining, with some unnecessary teen romance here and there. The complexity of the book's structure, however, is aimed at an older, more mature audience. The 5th wave is full of mystery from start to finish. The confusing ending makes readers want to explore the sequel that will soon be in print. Rick Yancey incorporates some childish details, while maintaining a complicated structure - a read that a person of any age would enjoy. Works Cited Cronin, Justin. “When the ship arrives.” The New York Times Book Review May 12, 2013: 17 (L). Literary Resource Center. Internet. December 4, 2013. Yancey, Rick. The 5th wave. New York: The Penguin Group, 2013. N. pag. Print.