THE ONLY LIGHT LEFT BURNING

Where do you go after the world ends?

Picking up almost immediately after the events of All That’s Left in the World (2022), this second foray into a post-apocalyptic world follows teen boyfriends Andrew and Jamie as they attempt to make a home among the few survivors of a superflu that killed most of the world’s population. Unfortunately, home is a difficult concept, especially after a hurricane severely damages their colony in the Florida Keys. Not only does the destruction derail the colony members’ northward expedition in search of survivors, but a request for aid could potentially put Andrew and Jamie within reach of the Fort Caroline settlement, a racist, homophobic religious colony in Georgia that the duo barely escaped. The pair decide to escape from both communities with a small group of friends. Their bond is tested as they forge new relationships, and some people are lost. The novel doesn’t have a lot of exposition for new readers (or forgetful readers of the first book), which may make the first few chapters challenging, and the story moves at a clip that hinders character development. Die-hard fans will love delving into the story again, but astute readers may wonder why, in a post-apocalyptic world without cell phones and other screen distractions, the two white boys can’t find time to talk about their differences?

This sequel needs a few booster shots.