The First 7 (Last 8 Series #2)

by Laura Pohl

Overview

"The First 7 is an imaginative, sophisticated science fiction trip for young adults." —Foreword

In this thrilling conclusion to The Last 8 duology, the Last Teenagers on Earth return to their now-hostile planet to respond to a distress signal—but who—or what—is waiting for them there?

Clover Martinez and the Last Teenagers on Earth are busy exploring the galaxy after leaving earth behind...even if they can't help but be a little homesick.

So when their ship receives a distress signal from their former planet, they hope against hope that it means other survivors. But as soon as they arrive, they realize something's deeply wrong: strange crystal formations have popped up everywhere and there's some sort of barrier keeping them from leaving.

Seeking the origin of the formations and the reason for the barrier, the group discovers a colony of survivors hidden in the mountains. But the survivors aren't who they seem...

The First 7 is perfect for readers looking for:

• LGBT YA books
• gay and lesbian scifi
• Latinx teen books
• heart-pounding young adult survival stories
• relatable, funny, diverse characters

Praise for The Last 8:

"The Walking Dead meets Alien in this expertly plotted debut. Teens will want to follow Clover on her next adventure!" — Zoraida Cordova, author of the Brooklyn Brujas series

"The Last 8 is diverse and immersive science fiction...With its powerful world building and emotional twists, The Last 8 is a beautifully fresh take on the idea of an alien apocalypse." — Foreword Reviews

"A sci-fi romp with ample intergalactic twists to keep readers satisfied." — Kirkus Reviews

"This debut is, at times, both joyful and heartbreaking ... Pohl's characters are tough, funny, and brave as they manage to persevere despite the debilitating weight of grief." — Booklist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492673460
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Series:	Last 8 Series , #2
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	679,532
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.50(d)
Lexile:	HL630L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Laura Pohl is a Brazilian writer who lives in São Paulo. She likes writing messages in caps lock, quoting Hamilton, and obsessing about Star Wars. When not taking pictures of her dog, she can be found discussing alien conspiracy theories. She is the author of The Grimrose Girls and The Last 8 duology. Visit her online at onlybylaura.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A humorous and action-packed story...shocking plot twists and the underlying mystery—peppered with expertly handled discussions of PTSD and suicide—will nonetheless satisfy in this fast-paced but in-depth read." — Booklist

"The First 7 is an imaginative, sophisticated science fiction trip for young adults." — Foreword

"If you loved novels like Lifelike by Jay Kristoff and Renegades by Marissa Meyer, this one is sure to be a hit for you." — The Nerd Daily

From the Publisher

2019-12-08
Seven months have passed since the Last Teenagers on Earth incapacitated the brutal Hostemn alien threat.

Leaving behind a devastated, barren Earth via spaceship, the diverse group of teens decides on a little intergalactic exploration to escape from their traumatic post-invasion lives. A distress signal coming from Earth cuts their journey short, and soon, Clover and friends end up back on a seemingly renewed Earth looking for survivors. Their return, however, results in more complications. Otherworldly crystal clusters have sprung up, corrupting the land—as well as the group's resident alien friend, Andy—and an invisible barrier prevents them from leaving. When Clover and the gang come across a colony of human survivors led by the mysterious Castor, their search for answers promises to sever the bonds that once united them. Pohl's (The Last 8, 2019, etc.) conclusion to this benign duology succeeds in mapping out meaningful character development beyond the story's main protagonist, Clover. As a result, this sequel makes for a more engaging read than the first installment. Moreover, Clover's struggles with depression and PTSD and her identity as aromantic underscore the novel's most poignant passages, and the author does an admirable job of addressing these topics with sensitivity that's just short of cloying. Awkward pacing, repetitive language, and inconsistencies in characterization prevent the novel from achieving true greatness, but there's much to appreciate here.

A moody conclusion to an often compelling, sometimes messy SF page-turner. (Science fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews