Review: All That’s Left In The World by Erik J. Brown

This wonderful queer story manages to be heartwarming and thoughtful even within a deadly apocalyptic plague.

A deadly plague has swept across the world. With a 99.9% mortality rate, it’s destroyed society as we know it. When teen survivor Andrew is injured in a bear trap, he seeks refuge in the nearest place he can. A cabin where another teenager, Jamie, has been living. The two quickly become close, which triggers a long journey across the United States to try and find refuge. All while their feelings for each other continue to grow.

All That’s Left In The World is a character-focused story about two boys looking for hope. Some readers might not want to pick up a pandemic book at the moment, which is a shame as it’s a fantastic read. The dynamic between Andrew and Jamie is so believable. Erik J. Brown does a brilliant job at developing their relationship. The slow burn as they move from strangers to friends to lovers is everything you could want. Although the book isn’t an original take on the post-apocalyptic genre, it manages to bring together everything good about it. The way humans are described as varied – helpful, terrible, hopeful, violent – was excellent. From old women protecting them from zoo animals to a right-wing settlement, Andrew and Jamie experience the range of humanity. They realise everyone is a bit morally dubious, but there’s always hope to be found in the people working towards something better.

Thanks to Hachette Children’s Group and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Erik J. Brown (he/him) is a writer based in Philadelphia, PA.

He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Film and Media Arts with an emphasis in Writing for Media. When not writing, he enjoys traveling (pre-pandemic), collecting disco compilations on vinyl, remodeling his haunted house with his husband, and embarking on the relentless quest of appeasing his Shiba Inu, Charlie.

In 2021 he was selected as a Lambda Literary Emerging Writers Fellow.

His debut Young Adult novel, ALL THAT’S LEFT IN THE WORLD will be published in early 2022 by HarperColllins/Balzer+Bray in the US and Hachette Children’s Group in the UK Commonwealth.

You can find him on Twitter @WriterikJB, and Instagram @ErikJB

If you want to remember to check out this book you should Add to Goodreads!

You can pre/order the book from retail sites such as Blackwell’s & Waterstones

I’d recommend checking out your local indie bookshop!