Hello everyone, and Happy Saturday! Today we are delighted to be a part of the official international blog tour for Rick Yancey’s blockbuster alien invasion sensation, The 5th Wave. Thea reviewed the book and absolutely loved it (one of her favorites of the year), and today we share an official audio snippet, plus our own survival backpack list and five helpful SFF resources to glean for tips to survive the alien apocalypse.
About The Book
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
The Audio Excerpt
For our stop on the tour, we have an exclusive audio extract of the book, below! (If you have any problems using the widget below, you can also access the snippet HERE.)
The Trailer
The Survival Backpack
In The 5th Wave, heroine Cassie packs a few essentials and treasured items in her backpack as she strikes out in the woods alone. Here are the 5 non-negotiable items we’d include in our survival packs (assuming we already have a canteen of water and some basic food items):
- Swiss Army Knife – While we think we’ll get the most play out of the knife and can opener functions, it doesn’t hurt to have a small pair of scissors, file, screwdriver and wirestripper handy. Our preferred knife also includes a flint fire-starter (because matches and lighters run out).
- Sleeping Bag – Ours is lightweight, water resistant, and provides some much needed warmth and protection on those long, desperately silent nights.
- Hatchet – Because an ax is too unwieldy and guns are single-purpose, plus require ammunition. A hatchet will help us gather firewood and supplies, and in a worst-case scenario, be used as a weapon.
- Solar-powered/Hand-crankable radio flashlight – These exist! Thea has one in her hurricane survival kit. Durable, light, and helpful in figuring out if the power is back on or if other survivors are broadcasting, this little baby is a must-have.
- Journal, pens, and one treasured book – This is cheating, but we think it needs to happen. Like Cassie, we’d need some way to keep a record of each day and transcribe our thoughts, fears, and hopes. Our book of choice? Well, that’s a whole other decision, but we’ll tell you this: it won’t be a survival book. It will be a novel (one of those rousing, beloved fantasy novels – preferably one with a happy ending).
The 5 Alien Invasion Books/Films/Shows
Before it all goes down, you’ll also want to make sure you’re up to speed on alien invasion survival tips. Here are our five essentials in the alien apocalypse canon:
1. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells – Complete with cylinders, black smoke, and terrifying tripods, Wells’ contribution to the apocalypse-by-alien invasion literature is a no-brainer.
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978 Edition) – This remake introduced The Scream, and to this day still scares the crap outta Thea. Like The 5th Wave, Body Snatchers features invading aliens that assume the bodies of humans – that is some terrifying stuff, folks. (Of course, you should read the book, too.)
3. Slither – Part Invasion of the Body Snatchers, part The Thing, part Night of the Creeps, and all awesome, Slither is a slick, slimy alien invasion takeover of a small town. And it stars some of our very favorite actors: the incomparable Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Banks, and Nathan Fillion. Need we say more?
4. Falling Skies – Probably the most applicable title on this list as it follows a small contingent of humans who have survived the alien apocalypse. Plus, it’s almost back, people!
5. Independence Day – Thea saw this movie a record 5 times in the movie theater when it first came out (this was right around the time that aliens were en vogue and The X-Files was the best show on television). ID4 reminded us that even incredibly advanced and hostile aliens make massive oversights – like forgetting to set up that pesky firewall.
Notable mentions: On the books side, Footfall by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven, The Forge of God & Anvil of Stars by Greg Bear, Extinction Point by Paul Antony Jones.1 There are a number of other films and TV shows that are favorites and truly excellent, but don’t offer much in the way of survival tips or focus more on the human element (which is awesome, but not as applicable for this particular list): The Thing (Carpenter remake), They Live, The Day the Earth Stood Still (original), The Faculty, District 9, The X-Files, The Blob (original), Aliens and Killer Klowns from Outer Space (just because you never know).
About The Blog Tour
Make sure to check out the other stops on the tour, plus www.the5thwaveiscoming.com and Rick Yancey on Twitter (@RickYancey).
You can also follow Penguin internationally for more information about The 5th Wave:
– Penguin USA: Facebook & Twitter (@PenguinTeen)
– Penguin UK: Facebook, Twitter (@PenguinUKBooks, @PuffinBooks) & Spine Breakers
– Penguin Australia: Facebook & Twitter (@PenguinTeenAus)
The Giveaway
We have ONE copy of The 5th Wave up for grabs! The contest is open internationally and will run until Sunday May 19 at 12:01am EST. To enter, use the form below. Good luck!
- As we’re putting together this list, we’ve just noticed how overwhelmingly male the authors and main characters are. Surely there are more female authored alien invasion stories out there? Anyone have any suggestions? ↩
115 Comments
Shelver506 @ Bookshelvers Anonymous
May 11, 2013 at 9:13 amHaha, I didn’t even have to think about the question. Doctor Who, of course! 🙂
Ms. T
May 11, 2013 at 9:40 amI would love a recommendation for a book about an alien invasion that features a lady. Preferably a lady who can wield a gun. Like a Western/alien mashup, but not Cowboys vs. Aliens. If it doesn’t exist, maybe I’ll have to write it…
Joanna
May 11, 2013 at 9:43 amNot actually sure if it qualifies but my favourite show with an alien invasion as its premise always be Battlestar Galactica. I have a giant soft spot for Independence Day, though!
Andrea Chettle
May 11, 2013 at 9:45 amReally cannot wait to read this book! I remember watching and loving the Tripods series on the BBC and reading and loving the books by John Christopher even more
Great giveaway Thanks!
Mel@thedailyprophecy
May 11, 2013 at 10:01 amYou know.. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about aliens before! I never liked this genre, but I’m starting to warm up for it 🙂 This book definitely sounds like a great first try!
Katrina T.
May 11, 2013 at 10:22 amMe too, I haven’t really read any alien novels, but I like YA dystopians, so this might be a good cross-over.
Katya
May 11, 2013 at 10:25 amDoctor Who!
Katie
May 11, 2013 at 10:40 amDoctor Who, of course!
Heidi
May 11, 2013 at 10:48 amShow–Doctor Who, hands down, though since that’s not solely alien invasion I have to go with book–And All the Stars.
Lisa Schensted
May 11, 2013 at 10:55 amTHE X-FILES. Forever.
Thanks for the contest.
AH@badassbookreviews
May 11, 2013 at 11:08 amMy favorite alien invasion book/movie has to be Starship Troopers. Those bugs were freaky scary!
Bob
May 11, 2013 at 11:10 amI just looked over my Top 10 Alien Invasion posts and realized it’s also all male authors. I need to rack my brain to see if I can remember any famale authored Alien Invasion novels. I know indy author Jaqueline Druga has a few alien invasion novels that I haven’t read yet.
Alison
May 11, 2013 at 11:16 amI like the Host
Stephanie
May 11, 2013 at 11:23 amMalinda Lo’s Adaptation!
Beth D.
May 11, 2013 at 11:30 amI’m going to have to agree with several people above me and say Doctor Who!
Dianne
May 11, 2013 at 11:37 amFalling Skies! I don’t know a lot actually but I’ve been wanting to read The 5th Wave even before I started blogging! Thanks for the giveaway! 😀 Awesome and practical survival kit you got there too!
Raina
May 11, 2013 at 11:43 amdoctor who as a show, but andrea k. host’s and all the stars for book, because it totally took me by surprise with how good it turned out to be
Emilia
May 11, 2013 at 12:09 pmI’ve never been a big fan of alien stories, but I’m really looking forward to this book!
Amanda
May 11, 2013 at 12:15 pmI’m a fan of all the usual suspects (X-files, Dr. Who, Galactica, etc) but the movie Signs actually gave me a serious case of the heebie jeebies and made me temporarily afraid to go out into my back yard at night. Heavy-handed message/moralizing aside, I love the quiet, intense, creeeepy suspense of that movie!
Cassie
May 11, 2013 at 12:31 pmThe Host!
Ellie
May 11, 2013 at 12:32 pmFor movies, it’s no contest: Independence Day, always. My favorite alien invasion book that I’ve read recently was And All the Stars by Andrea K. Host.
Amanda Lee
May 11, 2013 at 12:35 pmDoctor Who for sure… Aliens in London/World War III had such a cool twist on the alien invasion plot. Also, the movie Signs was pretty great at amping up the tension. When Joaquin Phoenix is in the coat closet watching the birthday party tape? Classic.
Christine
May 11, 2013 at 12:37 pmI just watched the Host, and I think it’s my favorite.
Estara
May 11, 2013 at 12:47 pmre: female-written alien invasion stories =>Thea, for shame!
It’s on Ana’s Best of 2012 list and I still think you should read it, too.
Andrea Höst’s And All the Stars (currently nominated for both a Science Fiction Novel AND a Young Adult Novel Award in the Aurealis Awards; was also nominated for the Cybils).
de Pizan
May 11, 2013 at 1:17 pmA few alien invasion novels by women (not that I necessarily recommend all of them): Lathe of Heaven by Ursula le Guin, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, The Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate, The Madness Season by C.S. Friedman, The Catteni Sequence by Anne McCaffrey, Xenogenesis series by Octavia Butler (this may not quite be an invasion, but all remaining humans are taken from earth by an alien species and are under their control).
SueCCCP
May 11, 2013 at 1:33 pmI have a guilty love of the Starship Troopers film (the book is much less campy but equally enjoyable) and really loved L.Ron Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth: it is so worth it for the alien shark species of intergalactic bankers! 😀
Chenise Jones
May 11, 2013 at 3:04 pmDr. Who of course!
Josephine
May 11, 2013 at 3:31 pmIndepence Day.
Josephine
May 11, 2013 at 3:32 pmIndependence**
Lea
May 11, 2013 at 3:33 pmI loved Adaptation!
Catherine
May 11, 2013 at 3:40 pmI think I’ve only read one alien invasion book: And All the Stars by Andrea K. Host. So I guess that’s my favourite!
Anna
May 11, 2013 at 3:55 pmSuper excited about this!
scribe kira
May 11, 2013 at 4:09 pmthe alien short stories from pretty monsters by kelly link
Mary Anne
May 11, 2013 at 4:55 pmI am reading “And All the Stars” right now – awesome, as per usual with Andrea Host. Tanya Huff’s Valor series has aliens of all kinds – good, bad and freaky. (We are fighting a war against the bad ones throughout the series.) Plus a kickass heroine. And “Warchild” by Karin Lowachee features aliens vs humans – but it turns out we might be more the invader types in that story.
Hannah
May 11, 2013 at 5:11 pmThe Tripods series was the first alien invasion series I read, and it’s the one that’s stuck with me the most.
Jen
May 11, 2013 at 5:11 pmI’m drawing a blank for books, but my favorite movies that come to mind are Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Day the Earth Stood Still. For tv, I’d have to say V, the original miniseries.
Amanda
May 11, 2013 at 5:43 pmI’m a sucker for alien books and media but not much on the invasion side.
I think my most appropriate favourite would be the 90’s drama, First Wave with Cade Foster as the Twice-Blessed Man.
Allison
May 11, 2013 at 6:08 pmDOCTOR WHOOO
I just discovered it and I love it!
Raya @ midnight coffee monster
May 11, 2013 at 6:26 pmARC reviewers have been raving about The 5th Wave, which has me feeling excited just to snatch a copy up for myself. I can’t say I’ve ever felt eager to start a book about aliens before, so Yancey’s novel will be a first for me. Looking forward to it!
Hebe
May 11, 2013 at 7:03 pmDoctor Who. Obviously.
Kelley
May 11, 2013 at 7:08 pmI really liked the cancelled after one season TV show Invasion. Too bad it came and went so quickly.
Anonymous
May 11, 2013 at 8:07 pmBattle LA was a pretty amazing Alien invasion movie
Mary Preston
May 11, 2013 at 8:09 pmI love the movie EVOLUTION. It’s too funny.
Anita Yancey
May 11, 2013 at 8:22 pmMy favorite is Independence Day. Thanks for this chance.
Natalia
May 11, 2013 at 8:39 pmSo many Alien Invasion movies: The Hidden and of course the alien vampire classic with Patrick Stewart Lifeforce. One of my favorite books is The Puppetmasters by Heinlen which is why I cringe to mention that the only female penned alien invasion book I can think of is The Host.
Natalia
May 11, 2013 at 8:43 pmAlthough Sherri Tepper writes about lots of aliens they are not the enemy usually other humans are, the one of her books that is closest to an invasion is The Fresco, but really it’s good that the aliens invade.
DebraG
May 11, 2013 at 8:52 pmIndependence Day and Men in Black are my favorites. I could not decide on just one.
Victoria Zumbrum
May 11, 2013 at 9:00 pmI love Independence Day, Falling Skies and Men In Black. I can’t wait to read this book. sounds really good.
Gaby Metivier
May 11, 2013 at 9:04 pmI loved Independence Day, it was a great movie! 🙂
Stephanie
May 11, 2013 at 9:51 pmI’m a huge X-files fan of old. And while it’s not strictly an invasion story Dan Simmon’s Hyperion is a pretty amazing read.
Sarah
May 11, 2013 at 10:10 pmYou guys already got it, but Slither is one of my favorites. I also love the old, cheesy V; I fully acknowledge that is objectively terrible TV, but I still like watching it.
Tim R
May 11, 2013 at 10:21 pmWell shucks, the shocking plot device is a trope now, but let’s go with that old Twilight Zone episode “To Serve Man.”
hd
May 11, 2013 at 10:23 pmdoctor who, futurama –
Matthew
May 11, 2013 at 10:26 pmWhat a tough question! Maybe “the Bridge” by Janine Ellen Young or one of Sherri S. Tepper’s books… “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells will always be up there and then there are John Wyndham’s books. He has great invasion tales — at least one of which you can read alternate versions of depending on whether you get a British or American copy — one ends with rather more hope!
Matthew
May 11, 2013 at 10:33 pmThough I guess “the Bridge” isn’t quite an invasion tale. More an alien disease sent to Earth tale…
Darith L.
May 11, 2013 at 11:11 pmWar of the Worlds! Very intense film!
Anonymous
May 11, 2013 at 11:34 pmLooks awesome!
MK
May 11, 2013 at 11:35 pmLooks awesome!
erinf1
May 12, 2013 at 12:12 amFalling Skies! It totally redeemed Noah Wylie for me 🙂
Sarah
May 12, 2013 at 1:02 amThe Host by Stephanie Meyer. I hated the ending, But an interesting story.
Llehn
May 12, 2013 at 1:25 amDr Who 😀
Stephanie Burgis
May 12, 2013 at 6:54 amDitto to Llehn – Doctor Who all the way! 🙂
debbie
May 12, 2013 at 7:00 amThis is tough, because I love them all. It is really a toss up between X-files and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Symone Weekes
May 12, 2013 at 8:40 amIt has to be War of the Worlds but the book, not the film.
Amanda D
May 12, 2013 at 9:06 amI loved the X-Files. I never missed an episode and I’ve seen each one multiple times. I was sad to see it end.
Marie Chettle
May 12, 2013 at 9:11 amDr Who
Melanie
May 12, 2013 at 10:36 amOne of my Favorite’s is Dune
Bryann James Almeda
May 12, 2013 at 1:41 pmI love super 8 😀
sarac
May 12, 2013 at 2:02 pmI’m gonna have to go with Doctor Who. Nothing comes close to the Doctor!
Marie-Claude
May 12, 2013 at 2:18 pmGrimspace serie by Ann Aguirre
SHELLEY S
May 12, 2013 at 3:38 pmDR WHO.THANKS FOR GIVEAWAY!
Helle M. Larsen
May 12, 2013 at 3:45 pmI really like Falling Skies! 😀
Lisa B.
May 12, 2013 at 5:27 pmX-Files! Go Scully & Mulder! Can’t wait to read the 5th Wave! Note to self: add Teddy Bear to survival pack. 😉
Alyssa Susanna
May 12, 2013 at 5:53 pmI hope Jennifer L. Amrentrout’s Lux series counts! I love those books. And Alienated by Melissa Landers. It comes out in February 2014! 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway! 😀
Myra C
May 12, 2013 at 5:56 pmDoctor Who and Independence Day. Thanks for the giveaway!
Anonymous
May 12, 2013 at 6:42 pmI love War of the Worlds, and Falling Skies is a current favorite. 😀
Barbara Elness
May 12, 2013 at 6:45 pmSorry, it looks like my comment went in as anonymous unintentionally. Here it is again: I love War of the Worlds, and Falling Skies is a current favorite. 😀
Jamie
May 12, 2013 at 8:30 pmI really enjoyed the movie Monsters that came out a few years ago.
Tricia C.
May 12, 2013 at 8:35 pmI’m going with War of the Worlds. Even though it’s not an alien invasion, I also love Aliens with Sigourney Weaver.
jenmitch
May 13, 2013 at 12:05 amsuper 8 is great, and indpendence day will always have a special place in my heart. and i love the doctor more than anything, though its hard for me to characterize the show as being an alien invasion show — i mean it happens a lot…. hm.
Ashfa Anwer
May 13, 2013 at 2:36 amX-Files. Can’t wait to read this one!
Len D.
May 13, 2013 at 7:50 amX-files.
Anonymous
May 13, 2013 at 10:27 amMost recently, The Host.
michelle h
May 13, 2013 at 10:28 ammost recently, The Host.
Lauren
May 13, 2013 at 10:36 amThe truth is out there…
Lan
May 13, 2013 at 11:39 amI’d have to say Doctor Who, hands down.
superbwg
May 13, 2013 at 12:16 pmFor books, at the moment I have to say And All the Stars is my favorite alien survival book, I love that those kids actually worked on surviving instead of angsty stupidness 🙂 I am a sucker for Independence Day and can probably quote the whole thing if the need ever arose
Wendy
May 13, 2013 at 12:18 pmmy favorite are: Falling Skies, V, and Doctor Who
o only read one invasion novel that was Taken based on the Tv Mini series =]
Jason
May 13, 2013 at 3:01 pmI love me some Futurama!
chy digsay
May 13, 2013 at 9:25 pmI would love love to read 5th wave :)))
chy digsay
May 13, 2013 at 9:26 pmI would love love to read 5th wave :))) I heard it’s really awesome!
Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books
May 13, 2013 at 10:30 pmI don’t really read/watch many alien invasion stories. The one that sticks in my head the most is Animorphs. Hoping to remedy this lack of alien invasion stories with The 5th Wave!
Anonymous
May 14, 2013 at 3:40 amI seriously need to watch some of these movies now! And did you know Rick Yancey has actually planned a trilogy for The 5th Wave!? I can’t wait!
karel
May 14, 2013 at 8:39 amWar of the Worlds is my favorite. I recently saw Dark Skies and thought it was pretty good too.
Mallorie
May 14, 2013 at 2:43 pmDoctor Who. I also remember enjoying Stephen King’s Dreamcatcher (the book, not the movie) back when I read it.
Jacqueline C.
May 14, 2013 at 7:46 pmI love the campy film, Mars Attacks!
Vanilla
May 14, 2013 at 8:07 pmThe Host. I think it’s the only one I’ve read…
Jill the OWL
May 14, 2013 at 8:09 pmI loved this one short lived show called The 4400!
Heather@ The Flyleaf Review
May 14, 2013 at 9:24 pmI guess it’s kinda lame to name The 5th Wave as a fave but it really was. So much so that I’d love to win a copy of my own since I read a touring ARC 😉
Joy F
May 14, 2013 at 10:05 pmI like the V series, both old and new versions.
Justin A.
May 14, 2013 at 11:23 pmDefinitely Enders Game for sure!
Ringo the Cat
May 15, 2013 at 3:32 amI am really looking forward to read this! I absolutely loved the Monstrumologist series too, so I’m hoping to get something of the same quality!
Ringo the Cat
May 15, 2013 at 3:33 amoh and to answer the question… probably Alien.
Mark Matthews
May 15, 2013 at 7:25 amI want the Golden Ticket.
Mieneke van der Salm
May 15, 2013 at 8:56 amX-Files! I watched that show religiously for the first four or five seasons. Also Independence Day. No matter how many times I see that movie, I still get sucked into it every time I come across it on TV.
Rachel Gledhill
May 15, 2013 at 6:20 pmEnder’s Game has to be my favourite aliens-invading-us book, and I love Patrick Ness’s us-invading-aliens trilogy Chaos Walking to bits and pieces.
Kezia D
May 16, 2013 at 12:40 pmI haven’t read many alien invasion books, but my favorite alien books are Lorien Legacies series!
Serena
May 16, 2013 at 2:56 pmFavorite book: Ender’s Game, hands down.
Favorite movie: Independence Day, which I have probably watched a sickening number of times.
Katia
May 16, 2013 at 11:52 pmI have to go with War of the Worlds.
Stephanie
May 17, 2013 at 1:25 amNot sure! I don’t really know any…
Nikki Egerton
May 17, 2013 at 11:02 amI absolutely loved the TV series Taken, which starred Dakota Fanning as a kid x
Becky C.
May 17, 2013 at 11:30 amEnder’s game!
Leah
May 17, 2013 at 10:01 pmAliens
Teresa
May 18, 2013 at 7:56 amI Am Number Four! Haven’t read the book but good movie! 🙂
b77
December 9, 2013 at 5:40 amA must-read Number Four!