All That's Left in the World

by Erik J. Brown

Overview

What If It's Us meets They Both Die at the End in this postapocalyptic, queer YA adventure romance from debut author Erik J. Brown. Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Alex London, and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman.

When Andrew stumbles upon Jamie’s house, he’s injured, starved, and has nothing left to lose. A deadly pathogen has killed off most of the world’s population, including everyone both boys have ever loved. And if this new world has taught them anything, it’s to be scared of what other desperate people will do . . . so why does it seem so easy for them to trust each other?

After danger breaches their shelter, they flee south in search of civilization. But something isn’t adding up about Andrew’s story, and it could cost them everything. And Jamie has a secret, too. He’s starting to feel something more than friendship for Andrew, adding another layer of fear and confusion to an already tumultuous journey.

The road ahead of them is long, and to survive, they’ll have to shed their secrets, face the consequences of their actions, and find the courage to fight for the future they desire, together. Only one thing feels certain: all that’s left in their world is the undeniable pull they have toward each other.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063054974
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/08/2022
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	38,534
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Erik J. Brown is the author of All That's Left in the World. Erik was selected as a Lambda Literary Emerging Writers Fellow. When not writing genre-blending books for young adults, he enjoys traveling and embarking on the relentless quest of appeasing his Shiba Inu. He lives in Philadelphia with his husband.

Editorial Reviews

"A haunting story that’s sure to delight (and terrify). " — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"In allowing the protagonists moments of laughter and warmth amid so much loss, he gets to the terrifying heart of societal collapse: the loneliness and guilt of outliving friends and family—and the resulting hope in connection." — Publishers Weekly

"Brown has somehow achieved a book that is romantic, hilarious, warm-hearted, hopeful, and page-turningly thrilling all at once. I was hooked from beginning to end."  — Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer

"Tense, exciting, sometimes heartbreaking and always romantic, All That's Left in the World explores what it means to hold onto hope and humanity when the worst case scenario becomes reality. With characters you'll adore, and a fast-paced, mysterious plot that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can devour them, this book is not to be missed."  — Sophie Gonzales, author of Only Mostly Devastated

“A timeless love story that could not be more appropriate for this moment, All That's Left in the World is a thrilling, heartfelt, and beautifully written debut.” — Tom Ryan, Lambda Award winning author of I HOPE YOU'RE LISTENING

“Survival is core to the queer experience, and in All That’s Left In the World, Brown takes that to apocalyptic extremes with the story of Andrew and Jamie. This is quintessentially brave, dangerous-in-the-best-way queer storytelling!”— — Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons

“All That’s Left in the World is unfailingly riveting and hopeful. A timely exploration of survival, trauma, and love stitched together with sharp wit and bone-deep emotion. Erik J. Brown is an invigorating voice to watch out for.” — Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions

"It’s difficult to say Andrew and Jamie are lucky, as each lost everyone they knew, but love like this—a small ember carefully tended until it erupts into a sustaining flame—is rare even when there are millions of people around you." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher

"Tense, exciting, sometimes heartbreaking and always romantic, All That's Left in the World explores what it means to hold onto hope and humanity when the worst case scenario becomes reality. With characters you'll adore, and a fast-paced, mysterious plot that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can devour them, this book is not to be missed." 

Sophie Gonzales

"It’s difficult to say Andrew and Jamie are lucky, as each lost everyone they knew, but love like this—a small ember carefully tended until it erupts into a sustaining flame—is rare even when there are millions of people around you."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

A timeless love story that could not be more appropriate for this moment, All That's Left in the World is a thrilling, heartfelt, and beautifully written debut.

Tom Ryan

All That’s Left in the World is unfailingly riveting and hopeful. A timely exploration of survival, trauma, and love stitched together with sharp wit and bone-deep emotion. Erik J. Brown is an invigorating voice to watch out for.

Julian Winters

"Brown has somehow achieved a book that is romantic, hilarious, warm-hearted, hopeful, and page-turningly thrilling all at once. I was hooked from beginning to end." 

Dahlia Adler

Survival is core to the queer experience, and in All That’s Left In the World, Brown takes that to apocalyptic extremes with the story of Andrew and Jamie. This is quintessentially brave, dangerous-in-the-best-way queer storytelling!”—

Adam Sass

08/12/2022

Gr 8 Up—Brown's debut centers on the plight of two white teens, Jamie and Andrew, who meet after 99.9% of the world has died from a new flu strain. Jamie has taken refuge in his family's cabin in the woods in Pennsylvania, and Andrew, from Connecticut, injures his leg in a bear trap passing through. The two form an alliance that turns to friendship and romance. A local militia takes the cabin, sending the two on foot across the East Coast heading south. Andrew, an out gay teen, has the idea to head to DC and the Reagan Airport, with rumors of an EU arrival. Finding the airport all but empty, they make their way to the South, meeting an array of characters and societal groups. In DC, Henri, an older woman, mentions her daughter in the Florida Keys. At a Southern military fort, they meet an extremist alt-right group who threaten the two. After an arduous journey to the Keys, they hope for a place to call home. Shades of The Stand and The Walking Dead, among other post-apocalyptic works, permeate this novel. However, Brown has crafted something unique in this genre with two gay teens as his protagonists. Additionally, sharp pacing will have readers turning pages at breakneck speed on two counts—the overall survival of the teens, and the emerging story of love. VERDICT Recommended for all public and school libraries, this novel will appeal to a wide audience who are attracted to post-apocalyptic literature. It will help bring together kids of all identities who love this genre and want to see themselves, and others, represented.—Roy Jackson

School Library Journal

★ 2022-01-11
What do you do after the world has ended?

After an influenza strain with a mortality rate of 99.9% sweeps across the world, two survivors, White teens Jamie and Andrew, are brought together by happenstance after Andrew’s leg is caught in an abandoned bear trap and Jamie takes pity, welcoming him into his cabin. A promise of potential help from overseas sets the new pair off on a trek from Pennsylvania to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Along the way, their encounters with different survivors test and strengthen their resolve and their bonds. The narrative, alternating between Andrew’s and Jamie’s first-person perspectives, is successful at relaying both teens’ reasons for making the journey; the story develops organically. Hints to big reveals are subtly scattered throughout, which should successfully hold curious readers’ attention: Many will be white knuckled as the twists and turns slowly unfold along with the boys’ romance. Those looking to escape the gloom and doom of Covid-19 news may shy away from the topic of a pandemic-driven apocalypse, but that would be a shame because this story delivers. Book clubs and discussion groups will have a lot to dig into, especially as the backstory of Andrew and a mysterious family, the Fosters, slowly unfolds. A haunting story that’s sure to delight (and terrify).

Readers will find this infectious; highly recommended. (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews

Listeners who are up for a pandemic story will appreciate this thoughtful, slow-burn romance/postapocalyptic adventure. Two teenage boys are trying to survive—and falling in love—in a world drastically changed by a devastating virus. Narrator Barrett Leddy voices Andrew, who is traveling down the East Coast in search of survivors when he stumbles upon Jamie, portrayed by Andrew Gibson, who is holed up alone in his mother’s cabin. Told in alternating first- person points of view, this fast-paced novel comes to life on audio. Both narrators convey the boys’ distinct personalities: Andrew is direct, abrupt, and constantly making jokes, while Jamie is more reserved. Leddy and Gibson both excel when it comes to pacing and tone. Their performances drive home the constant sense of danger that permeates this audiobook. L.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

Listeners who are up for a pandemic story will appreciate this thoughtful, slow-burn romance/postapocalyptic adventure. Two teenage boys are trying to survive—and falling in love—in a world drastically changed by a devastating virus. Narrator Barrett Leddy voices Andrew, who is traveling down the East Coast in search of survivors when he stumbles upon Jamie, portrayed by Andrew Gibson, who is holed up alone in his mother’s cabin. Told in alternating first- person points of view, this fast-paced novel comes to life on audio. Both narrators convey the boys’ distinct personalities: Andrew is direct, abrupt, and constantly making jokes, while Jamie is more reserved. Leddy and Gibson both excel when it comes to pacing and tone. Their performances drive home the constant sense of danger that permeates this audiobook. L.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile