I liked this book well enough, but I don’t feel like I read it at the right time for me. I was going through a reading slump and think I would appreciate it more if I read it in the future.

Laura Pohl's "The Last 8" takes readers on a high-stakes adventure through an alien-invaded Earth, blending thrilling survival elements with diverse characters and a hint of humor. This LGBTQ YA sci-fi romp is a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a standout read for those who appreciate heart-pounding survival stories.

One of the novel's standout qualities is its protagonist, Clover Martinez. As a survivor with a resilient spirit, Clover navigates the aftermath of an alien attack with courage and determination. Pohl crafts Clover's character with depth, making her relatable and compelling, and the diverse group of teenagers that Clover encounters at Area 51 adds a layer of complexity and authenticity to the narrative.

The world-building in "The Last 8" is expertly executed. Pohl paints a vivid picture of the post-apocalyptic landscape, immersing readers in a world where survival is paramount. The concept of finding a hidden spaceship within the walls of Area 51 adds an intriguing twist, keeping the plot fresh and unpredictable.

The pacing of the story is commendable, creating a narrative that unfolds at a brisk pace, perfectly fitting the survival genre. The inclusion of LGBTQ themes adds an extra layer of representation, making the story more inclusive and reflective of diverse experiences.

While the novel is an exhilarating read, some readers may find certain plot points and character developments slightly predictable. The expected trajectory of the storyline and character arcs, while not necessarily a flaw, may be a minor drawback for those seeking more unpredictability in the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Last 8" is a thrilling and engaging YA sci-fi novel that successfully combines elements of survival, diverse representation, and unexpected humor. Laura Pohl's world-building skills shine through, creating a captivating environment for readers to explore.
As you embark on this journey, keep in mind that the novel is the first in a duology, and with the promise of more adventures, it's an exciting precursor to what's to come.
I eagerly anticipate the next installment and recommend "The Last 8" to readers seeking an adrenaline-fueled escape into a world where survival takes center stage.

I had a lot of fun with this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I honestly never knew what was coming next. I couldn't have guessed anything that would happen even if I tried. The characters are likable, they grow, and have individual personalities. The story itself is a good one, the writing is well done, and the ending... Ugh the ending.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

DID NOT FINISH! Stopped at 115 pages.

I can understand having to suspend reality with some YA novels, however, this was asking for too much suspension of reality. When a small town girl can fly a little one engine airplane that her grandfather taught her, that's believable, when she can magically fly a military grade stealth fighter jet because of her minimal knowledge of a one engine.....seriously? Then she's so surprised that these teenagers are sitting around doing nothing but playing video games and watching movies when the world has ended, um WHY ARE YOU SURPRISED?!?! This is how society is now, these are NOT the teens of the World War II generation who had the mental fortitude and work ethic to DO SOMETHING. These are modern teens who, if they have power and food sitting around then they have what they need to keep playing their video games and pretend like everything else will just appear for them. I could not go any further with this asinine novel because all of the sudden NOW they are getting a damn backbone after six months of sitting around with their video games? Oh please. And to top that, one of the teens that was there is like genius level but had been in NYC when the world was ending so.....how the hell did she get out west? Yeah, no explanation.

Too much reality was asked to be suspended and I was getting a headache from rolling my eyes.

I generally love books like this one. However, middle schools kids will probably enjoy it. What's not to enjoy about a good sci-fi story with an alien invasion? Name any relatively recent sci-fi movie or movie based on sci-fi book and this is it. Smacks of many of them. But having either seen or read them all, I guess I'm a bit jaded. Kids will likely enjoy it.

Didn't finish this. The opening just didn't do it for me. This was my first time reading from this author and I don't jive with her style, unfortunately. I can see this is more a me thing though.

“The Last 8” by Laura Pohl was one of those books that you do not dislike but you don’t overly love either. Instead, you are smack dab in the middle. Well, at least those are my feelings towards it. I did not really connect with the characters but the story itself was ok. I will be sure to check out the sequel.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

A mash up of every alien invasion movie ever made (think 'Independence Day', 'War of the Worlds', etc.), this book reads more like a screenplay for one of said movies than the novel it wants to be. While the premise and storyline of the book are entertaining, the overall execution is flawed. I found it had a weird pacing, rushed in certain places and slow in others and required an exaggerated level of suspension of disbelief which is saying a lot when you consider that the whole plot of the book is aliens invading Earth.

I get that this will be popular with a certain group of teens and young adults, but I personally will not be reading the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

An interesting YA sci-fi novel with a group of diverse characters, a great plot and plenty of action.

I had originally DNF shelved this book back in 2019 because I just could NOT get into it. Over a few snow days, I decided to give it another try. Perhaps part of my experience was the previous one. I was able to finish the book but there was always a kind of sense that I wasn't fully enjoying the experience. I like the main character (Clover). I love the representation supplied by a mere 8 humans. I was all on board for the government and their dang experiments. Somehow, it never really came together for me. I am waiting to see if people say the second book does that because it's just how the story goes sometimes. So, this review is better than my previous one of not being able to finish the book. However, I could not shake the odd feeling as I read it that it was okay but I wasn't in love.

The Last 8 was a thrilling science fiction novel. Clover made a compelling protagonist with her passion for flight and space and her willingness to take initiative and risks and cling to hope in the face of seemingly impossible odds and an uncertain future. The diverse supporting cast members were distinctive and created interesting dynamics. The pacing and suspense of the story kept me turning pages, and the twists were not only mindblowing but also lent themselves to thought-provoking thematic explorations. I was ready to jump straight into the sequel when I finished.

The last 8 was very different from what I expected and I am not certain how I feel about it. The story is narrated by Clover, a very smart girl who ends up watching everything she knows and loves be annihilated by an alien invasion. There was no warning or clear reasoning, the aliens showed up and evaporated everyone, until for some unknown reason Clover is left alive- by herself. What seemed like a potentially action packed story turned into a really sad, introverted battle with depression and lots of contemplation of suicide (even a few almost attempts that didn't follow through), the darkness only saved by the antics of a cute dog companion. Most of the story in general was very dark, way more than I anticipated for an alien story- I expected hope and gumption but instead I got angst and sorrow (which may have been more realistic to be fair, just not what I was looking for).

There were some very nice plot twists that I appreciated and a couple of awesome battle scenes but overall I could not connect to Clover who seemed a little too unemotional and the choices that were made at the end of the story made no sense at all with too easy a resolution. This is the first book in a series and while it was completely unique and had some interesting components, I don't believe I will be reading the next one. Keep in mind that I am sure other people will love this story, it was just not what I was looking for.

This book was definitely interesting to say the least. It was really interesting learning about the different characters throughout the book and how they interacted. It definitely had a lot of different emotions throughout the book as well. This was also the first book by Laura that I have read so I am glad I was able to read a good one first by her!

I really wanted to like this book. The premise sounded interesting. But after starting and stopping a thousand times, I just gave up. There was something about the world described in the story that I just didn't care about. And didn't care much for the characters either.

I really could not get into this. Cool idea, however it just felt... juvenile. The main character was interesting, but I found her to be slightly irritating and just, yeah no. Not for me.

This one is a "did not finish" . I could not get into it. I tried many times but Something about the world it is taking place in did not interest me.

The Last 8 is a fantastic dystopian fiction that kept me guessing. The main character was unique and relatable. YA readers will love this book as it satisfies the constant demand for books to fill the void left by The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc. The fact that Pohl does this while presenting diverse characters makes it all the better. I can't wait to read the sequel. Highly recommended.

This title was purchased for our library collections. A great read for all ages, particularly fans of Stranger Things and The X-Files!

3.5 An alien apocalypse begins this YA sci-fi as we follow one girl who survives and finds seven more teenagers all holed up appropriately in Area 51. What she discovers there changes everything. It was a fun, fast read and one I didn't want to think too hard about, as there was some suspension of disbelief needed.