This book takes place from multiple characters. Each character narrates the book in first person. Two of the narrators, Cassie and Zombie, are teenage survivors. One is a five year old boy named Sam and the last is an alien. Sam and the alien are minor characters. The purpose of their narration is to provide a better understanding of the events of the book. Out of all the characters, Cassie (for Cassiopeia) is the leading protagonist. Her single goal is to find her brother Sam, who was taken away from her. Both Cassie and Zombie develop significantly. Each one is forced to their breaking point and becomes a stronger person due to the multitude of obstacles each must face.
This book is interesting, but very confusing. The most confusing part is the way the story is told. Each character tells their story in first person. The narration switches with each new part. There is no name to inform the reader of who is about to speak and the narrator rarely ever says their name leaving the reader to try and figure out whose story is being told. To clear up the confusion, here is who narrates each part. Cassie narrates parts 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 13. Zombie narrates parts 2, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Sam narrates part 5 and the alien narrates part 3. All of our human characters are forced to endure psychological and physical torture in order to survive the extinction of the their race. The world building is enthralling. It sucks you into the story and it paints a horrifying image of the days after the apocalypse. Sadly, some details, both major and minor, aren’t explained well. This books seems to thrive from holding back information so a lot of the remaining questions will likely be answered in the following books. The plot keeps you interested throughout the entirety of the story and is full of action. Even when things temporarily calm down, Cassie's sarcastic nature holds your interest. For those who like romances, a couple starts to develop in this book, but it foreshadows a love triangle. I give this 457 page book 4 stars.