The Last One

I really liked this book, I read it in a day! This book is squarely in my wheelhouse... apocalypse, survival, long journey, check, check, and check!

The first word to come to mind when thinking of this book is “frustrating.” It's a well-written and gripping debut, but there were times my suspension of disbelief was stretched a little too thin. Still, an interesting look at the nature of reality TV and human survival.

However, here is a major complaint from me that comes from personal preferences of tropes used in fiction: just communicate, people. I know Zoo/Mae/Sam is not being receptive, but tell her it was a dang dog and not her husband that was dead in the bed, Brennan!

Otherwise, it was a pretty good read. I especially liked the Reddit threads, though they probably weren't nearly racist or sexist enough to be considered wholly realistic. Overall, 3/5

This played on the familiar survival-reality-show tropes very well and although you knew where the plot might lead you, the way in which it all played out was very engrossing and very well done!

I don???t typically watch those type of reality shows but when they???re sad amidst a outbreak apocalypse situation it then turns into a post-apocalyptic tale of starting over.

• Would have been 5 stars if the ending wasn't so rushed.
  - Made me want to binge-watch Survivor.

2.5 stars, I think. It's not bad. It even has some really lovely paragraphs. But it's one of those gimmicky sort-of science-fictiony-apocalyptic literary fiction novels that young, privileged, well-educated, usually white people write. The cast has some diversity, but I tired of one character's designation being Black Doctor. And the main character was dull, even in her spiral toward insanity. And frustrating, because she gets downright mean to a child of thirteen and seems to think throughout most of the book that he's a college student–and there is definitely an awkward racial element there. Which is, unfortunately, realistic. And whilst I'm no believer in the god of the big three monotheisms, I'm really bored with the insane Christian trope. If it were something different, but it rarely is.

So it's not bad, it's even enjoyable at times, but nothing original is happening here. It is, however, better than ‘Security' or ‘The Three.' And certainly better than ‘The Passage' trilogy from Hell.

2.5 stars - Metaphorosis Reviews

Contestants start a wilderness survival reality show just as a global epidemic strikes.

Alexandra Oliva offers smooth, interesting prose and credible characters. Unfortunately, her plot is more suitable to flash fiction, or a short story at best. Not only did I not find the premise uninteresting, virtually every turn of The Last One is predictable from the first chapter on. Nothing that happens is the least surprising, from the romantic interest to the ending. Group filming scenes alternate with post-epidemic scenes following one character. While we're meant to be busily figuring out which one she is, I simply couldn't generate the interest, for much as genuine reality shows don't appeal to me. While one could argue that Oliva is also making a subtle satirical point (that if we feel superior to the character - who doesn't realize the show is over, and the devastation she sees is real - then we're no better than the reality show audience), I didn't much care.

While much of the writing is genuinely good, Oliva stumbles with her early characterization and description. While she makes a point about the show's producers and audience treating the contestants as archetypes rather than individuals, Oliva doesn't do much better. For one thing, it's off-putting that characters with darkish skin are mocha, panther-dark, tilled earth, while whites and Asians are simply white or Asian. It's a change from stories in which only the skin-color of non-whites is noted (which sometimes happens here as well), but it's not better. Similarly, we're treated to a lot of description of breasts and bras. It's meant as a comment on the show's producers, editors, and audience, but it's still focusing on sexual characteristics of women and not of men. With over a dozen characters, it takes Oliva quite a while to dig herself out of this hole.

While the prose flows well, at times it becomes clinical, dry, and labored. Some aspects that are meant to be dramatic (such as a cabin the protagonist encounters early on) are obvious and heavy-handed. The use of present tense throughout becomes wearing, since it adds little to the story. The character herself, with her constantly repeated themes and tropes, becomes tiring. Some of the situations she faces feel more manufactured than organic.

Overall, the book is less speculative satire than opportunistic drama. Here's hoping that Oliva applies her talent to a larger, more fulfilling story the next time.

More like 3 and a 1/2 stars. Above average in writing but adding nothing to the dystopian cannon, The Last One is enjoyable as a survival tale. You know I love survival tales. I lost interest a little past the halfway point and pushed myself to finish it. The concept was clever and I found myself cheering Zoo on, but it wasn't enough to invest me in the story or it's world. It's me. I've just read too much dystopian fiction at this point. I cannot agreed with other reviews that it is similar to Station Eleven in any way beyond the obvious.

Loved this. Great writing, loved the premise as well

The Last One follows the adventures of a woman named Zoo, a contestant in a wilderness survival show. It employs two timelines which switch between the early days of the competition and later when Zoo is on her own.

The highlight of the book is the commentary on how reality shows such as Survivor manipulate both the contestants and the viewers through clever editing and casting personality types for maximum drama. This was further shown by the inclusion of forum posts by viewers of the show, which provided insight as to the viewers' opinions as well as information on what was happening in the world outside the show.

A minor complaint is that the characters were referred to by their stereotyped nicknames throughout the great majority of the novel, so on the few occasions when characters address each other with their real names, it causes a moment of confusion and breaks immersion. A much larger problem is the inconsistency in Zoo's character. Without spoiling, she is repeatedly described as independent, intelligent, and resourceful... but fails to recognize the reality of what is happening around her for much longer than is believable.

Despite these problems, The Last One is a promising debut with an original premise. A fast-paced, fun read good for fans of both post-apocalyptic settings and reality shows.

Provided for review by NetGalley.

I received this ARC from my job and this, in no way, impacts my review.


A reality TV show where twelve contestants are sent into the woods to face survival challenges that will test their stills. While they are out there a flu spreads but is it natural or is it man-made and how far has it spread? Cut off from society, the contestants know nothing of the outside world. When one of them—a young woman called Zoo—stumbles across the devastation, she can imagine only that it is part of the game. As the story continues she is tested physicality and mentally but Zoo thinks no matter what they do she will not give up. But what happens when it becomes just way to real.
What a great premise. It was a little slow to hook me but all of a sudden I almost missed my subway stop. The author is clear when switching between past and present time. I thought the way Zoo's mind dealt with certain situations was believable. I thought Zoo was a great character. The novel was short, entertaining, and very well written. I think people who watch reality TV shows will love this book. This is the author's first novel I can't wait for the second!

I received this book as a ARC in exchange from netgalley for a fair and honest review

This book has definitely taught me that I should read the whole description before requesting a book. A bad habit of mine but, maybe it is working for me because this was an interesting read.

The reality show portion was definitely the main part of the story if only because Zoo, our main character, keeps referring to it and believing she is still in the game. I've seen many reviews of people saying the book was making them wonder if she was really still in the game or not but, the first chapter takes place outside of the show realm and lets the reader know that SOMETHING is wrong. So, I was rarely confused about what was game and what wasn't even if our protagonist was.

Perhaps because I wasn't often confused, I was waiting and waiting for Zoo to realize she wasn't in the game. She would keep justifying things to herself. A ‘clue' that says stay away means stay away but then another clue saying the same means come. ??? That confused me but, I justify it because she was so so so out of it.

I did love Zoo's character growth. I'm not sure if it was growth in the right direction but, we definitely see her change. It is a sad change and I'm not sure if she will ever be normal again but, well...
I did think the other contestants were mentioned weirdly? I get we were getting their names that the audience might refer to them as but, it was annoying at times. Also, occasionally their real names would be thrown in and I had to think/figure out who they were. Usually it made sense so, it wasn't too bad just a little annoying. I would love to know all their real names so I wouldn't have to reference them as ‘Black Doctor' or ‘Asian Girl'.

I would have liked for more information regarding what was going on in the world. We figure out really quickly it is a disease but, perhaps because the characters within the book don't know what it is we don't learn? I just love knowing so, this might be me being picky.

I feel I've been bashing this book so much but, I really did enjoy it. There is suspense, uncertainty, times to worry, and even the occasional doubt of what is real and isn't. This was an adventure and something I really want to discuss with other people. Therefore I'm going to be recommending it to my friends once it comes out so we can talk about it!

overall I liked it although I think some clarification could be added/edited when it comes to the nicknames and real names. couldn't put it down though! great concept.