Review: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on January 16, 2015 | 4 Comments


Review: The Infinite Sea by Rick YanceyThe Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
Series: The Fifth Wave #2
Published by Putnam Juvenile (9.16.2014)
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Source: I own it


3.5 Stars

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

My thoughts

I’m afraid this is yet another book that has second book syndrome for me, sadly. It just didn’t have the magic that the first book had!

I still highly enjoyed Rick Yancey’s writing style. His prose is beautiful! I’m afraid, though, that I didn’t really connect with the story like I’d hoped. As you can see in my Assessment section, my feels were fairly low. Even the super shocking scenes didn’t spark much for me. No gasping, no gaping, no WTF?!s here. I felt the shock, but it wasn’t really reactive, if that makes any sense.

I didn’t enjoy the characters as much in this book, either. I think the main thing that dragged it down for me was that I didn’t like reading from Ringer’s POV. It’s not that I don’t like her, necessarily – I just don’t care about her. And she was so unfeeling about everything that I felt the detachment, too. And that wasn’t a good thing. View Spoiler » She was so emotionless about everything!

Not much really happened in this book. It’s not that it was boring – I was still interested, Rick’s prose is interesting – but there was little to no plot. I suppose maybe I was expecting more after the explosive first book, which set my expectations for the rest of the series sky high.

View Spoiler »

I know it’s a second book, but I felt very unsatisfied when I finished it. I don’t even think it’s the fact that there’s loose ends. It’s that I wanted more. Much more. Plus, the lack of feels killed it for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. I love the writing, and the premise is awesome. The set up of the alien invasion was still interesting. I definitely still want to continue the series!

Overall Assessment

Plot: 3.5/5 
Premise: 5/5 
Writing style: 4.5/5 
Originality: 4/5 
Characters: 3.5/5 
Pace: 4/5 
Feels: 2/5 
Cover: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Previous Book

5th wave-1

Jessi (Geo)

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4 responses to “Review: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

  1. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this one! I liked it, but I kind of agree with you about Ringer. I didn’t care much for her POV either. I am anxious for the final one though.

  2. Aw! What a bummer! I adored the first book, so now I’m sort of afraid to read this one. I don’t want to be disappointed! I’m glad you enjoyed it even though it wasn’t as great as expected! Gives me some hope, lol! Great review!

  3. Hmm. I’m a bit nervous for this one now! I didn’t love the first book, but it definitely left me eager for more. I still hope to read it soon though!

  4. Amber Elise @ Du Livre

    Sounds like he left all the shocks and gasps for The Fifth Wave (which is why I adored it so much). I’ve heard this The Infinite Sea wasn’t that amazing, I’ll probably wait until the third book comes out before I listen to it (or before the movie comes out, whichever is first).

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