Who Would Like This Book:
Carey offers a compelling and atmospheric return to his post-apocalyptic world, mixing gritty science, tense interpersonal drama, and a dash of hope amid despair. If you loved "The Girl With All the Gifts," enjoy character-driven zombie fiction, or appreciate neurodiverse protagonists, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into here. The nuanced dynamics between the military and scientific crew, as well as the complex representation of a neurodivergent hero, add layers of depth. Fans of apocalyptic tales hungry for a thoughtful, emotional adventure will likely be hooked.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pacing pretty slow, especially in the first half, and missed the suspense and surprise of the first book. If you’re craving constant action or want a fresh plot rather than echoes of the previous novel, this one might feel repetitive. A few people also felt less connected to the new cast, and were frustrated by certain character choices or the accuracy of scientific and medical details. If scientific rigor or fast pacing are must-haves for you, you may want to approach with tempered expectations.
About:
'The Boy on the Bridge' by M.R. Carey is a prequel set in the same post-apocalyptic world as 'The Girl with All the Gifts.' The story follows a group of scientists and military personnel traveling in an outfitted tank vehicle to collect samples and find a cure for the fungal virus that has turned people into zombies. The plot focuses on the expedition's struggles and conflicts as they navigate a dangerous world filled with both physical and moral challenges. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of action, suspense, and character development that keeps readers hooked, despite some slower moments in the narrative.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The story includes high levels of violence, themes of child endangerment, and intense emotional distress.
From The Publisher:
One exceptional boy journeys into the ashes of society to find the cure for a devastating plague in this riveting post-apocalyptic standalone set in the same world as the USA Today-bestselling The Girl With All the Gifts.
Once upon a time, in a land blighted by terror, there was a very clever boy.
The people thought the boy could save them, so they opened their gates and sent him out into the world.
To where the monsters lived.
"Strange and surprising and humane" (Lauren Beukes), The Boy on the Bridge is a gripping, powerful story that will make you question what it means to be human.
Ratings (27)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (7) |
Reader Stats (58):
Read It (29) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (22) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (5) |
4 comment(s)
Not as good as the first but that ending is all you could hope for!
A little slow moving but the ending was amazing and unexpected, tying everything together. A story about the importance of hope, the danger of greed, pride, politics, and lack of communication.
A prequel to Girl with all the gifts. I've read this as year ago and I've been meaning to reread it for some time now, hoping I would enjoy the book more. But sadly this didn't work for me. It didn't have the charm and excitement as the first book and I wasn't desperately flying through this trying to found out what happens next. Don't think it's a bad book but wasn't for me.
i'm not sure if i liked this more than it's sequel,
the girl with all the gifts, but it's a close call
in
girl, we see how the zombie apocalypse has run people down to a place of very little hope
here, we see how hope is still alive in the scientists and soldiers who venture out of haven, a safe place in the south of england, in rosie, a cross between an rv and a tank with a zombie-studying lab stuck in the middle
the inhabitants of rosie are tightly packed but they manage to keep a lot of secrets, especially stephen greaves, who isn't really a scientist but made it onto the voyage due to his apparent savant nature
stephen knows the only way to solve the mystery of the plague is through observation of its victims, because science in the lab has nowhere else to go
he was found on a bridge by people escaping london, the last survivor of a battle between humans and zombies, almost shot because he was lying so still in the pile of bodies
in the tight confines of rosie, we see people acting so fucking human it's disgusting - selfishly grabbing for power, politically maneuvering, keeping vital information from each other in order to get ahead
there are some onboard who work for the greater good, none more than stephen, who is almost despised by most of his crew-mates because of his autistic-like behavior
there is love and sacrifice, but not enough to offset the selfishness and pettiness
in the end, though, the book dovetails in a lovely way with it's sequel, suggesting a future where two kinds of humans can live together, as long as they are willing to cooperate
What can you read after
The Boy on the Bridge?
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