1) "CASSIE" CASSIOPEIA SULLIVAN
I finished reading the final and concluding part of the New York Times Bestselling young adult sci-fi, romance, thriller novel The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. Honestly, I was disappointed that the one of main protagonist, my heroine Cassie Sullivan died by sacrificing herself to blow up the alien mothership now sailing in the outer space. Yancey is really brave writing this even though it's apparent that his young teenage followers will be hell bent on cussing and venting out their frustrations upon Cassie's demise. I'm an adult, and I am no exception to this. In my next post I will try to come up with an alternate ending for The Last Start. When I really can't move on after reading a good book I try to write alternate endings which somewhat helps me take the blues away. Take GOT as example wherein the script writers had already surpassed the author's story based from his novel since last year.
I had loved Cassie's character since the first book. Her POV is really age appropriate that it really felt like I am actually reading from a 16 year old's perspective. She was portrayed by my all time favorite young actress, Chloe Grace Moretz, in it's film adaptation. Suffice it is to say that Cassie is quite petite at 5'4", normal built, strong-willed teenager blessed with perfectly blown-out strawberry blonde curls, and is extremely pretty like Chloe. Some of her negative traits though was she is a little impulsive, immature, sensitive, but caring, dedicated to her family, and loyal. It is unlikely however that she has not fallen in love with Evan Walker. I do believe that girls at such age could easily be swept off of their feet if a hottie with a good heart like Evan Walker would make them feel really special unless such girls are like nuns or lesbians. I mean like who can resist that extra terrestrial hottie regardless if he was a squid in his past life or before the alien's memory was merged into the human Evan's. Though she voluntarily reciprocated Evan's love I just felt that it was not good enough.
However, as the story progressed in the second book The Infinite Sea, Cassie became somewhat annoying. I am trying to understand her frustrations and jealousy since she has been through a lot. Despite her constant denial of Evan as her boyfriend, it is obvious that they are literally like one. She felt jealous and insecure over the other silencer, the svelte model-like Grace. Who won't be? I know I would feel insecure too but I'll set it aside once reunited with Evan. I mean he barely survived from a terrible and life threatening situation after blowing up Wright Patterson military base. I won't be a heartless ass who would bitch about her doubts at Evan. What she should have done was nurse Evan back to health first. They should have cuddled and snuggled like their heart warming moments in The 5th Wave. That's what a logical person would do not nag or interrogate him right away. Despite the catastrophic events brought about by his alien kind, I would never doubt anyone who had risked his own life for me and my little brother. I'd be terribly head over heels to that wonderful guy.
I was kind of confused with her actions when she had sex with Evan in The Last Start. Yes, they finally did the deed! I was like, they should have done that ages ago, though in the film they actually did it in an abandoned car in the forest. She said she wants to do it with someone she cares for, not necessarily someone she loves. I think aside from her teenage hormones raging uncontrollably, the thought that any day might be their last prompted her to engage into having sex with the initially disinterested Evan. Evan's refusal too must have posed as a challenge for Cassie as well. He kind of played hard to get at first. I guess out of pure love and possibly because he, too, was inexperienced when it comes to bedding women. Later on, he just raised his hands on the side of his head as if he finally surrendered himself to Cassie's carnal pleasures. Cassie enjoyed herself despite being a virgin. Reading between the too literal lines, Cassie was on top of Evan! Wild! It didn't help that Evan had just taken a shower, groomed himself really clean and smelled musky and manly with an aftershave. I just wish they had more sexy moments to finally knock up Cassie. The earth just dwindled its human population from billions to just a couple thousands so they better reproduce! 👪
In the last book, I fell in love with Cassie's character even more when she embraced her humanity and stood up for the 7 billion casualties and the remaining survivors. Her heart definitely is the biggest among the characters in the series. She was the most selfless, courageous, noble character in the novel despite her superficial and at times childish attitude. Probably sacrificing herself had a positive effect in a way. She redeemed herself from being stubborn, self-righteous, temperamental and ungrateful at times to becoming a hero who has saved humanity. She really is my favorite.
2) EVAN WALKER
He is the personification of a perfect human being; perfect in every way, except that he is not fully human, or so they thought. Evan Walker is terribly handsome; his brown hair and eyes with the color of melted chocolate are too difficult even for Cassie not to admire. I literally got knee weak when the hunk British new comer Alex Roe portrayed Evan Walker. He fits the bill! He is tall and masculine at 6" with strong arms that could always protect and make Cassie feel safe. Before the arrival, he was a diligent farm boy who would always help his father around their country side house. Hard labor did not take its toll on Evan's hands that have remained baby soft with neat cuticles. Personal hygiene and cleanliness are number one in his how to stay human list. He is family oriented and really loves his sisters even though there's a part of his consciousness that is out of this world roused when he reached 13. That's when he learned that he was destined to become a predator who would kill humans once the mothership arrives. He had been lonely and has felt so alone since then.
The only difference Evan actually has compared to normal humans is that he has heightened skills and senses, like a superhuman. They can see, think, hear, smell, run, heal, and move 10x faster thanks to the gifts bestowed upon the chosen humans by the Others. Evan was already a killer fulfilling his mission when he came across Cassie. Her beauty and solitude peaked his interest. Initially, he would just stalk his prey, delaying her execution by telling himself he needs to find out if she has other people to meet, ergo, more kills for the day. He keeps rationalizing why he cannot kill her yet until he finally realized that he had fallen in love with the lonely girl in the woods. Evan felt that Cassie was just like him. Thus, the need to protect her became his mission.
Others might call him creeper for being a love sick alien who is caring and overprotective of Cassie. What caught their irate is the fact that he privately reads Cassie's journal whenever she leaves her tent foraging food. It is indeed unforgivable to read someone's journal because as Cassie would say, even though Evan has bathed her and nursed her when she was unconsciously, Evan only saw her naked body (Truth is, Evan shuts his eyes whenever he bathes or undress Cassie). However, reading her journal is like delving into her soul. Actually, Evan reading the journal has been Cassie's lifesaver. It was when Evan read it that he understood and realized how Cassie was just as lonely as him.
I fell in love with his character. Who won't go nuts over such caring, handsome, sweet-talker extra terrestrial hottie? He loves Cassie unconditionally, and found his purpose of protecting her and her loved ones at any cost even if it meant annihilating his kind. The Others had no cure for love therefore the power Cassie has over him is overwhelming. He should have knocked up Cassie. What's with the playing hard to get when Cassie started mauling him? They need to procreate, and who won't want to see their cute babies? You gotta those perfect genes Evan! Talk about improvement of humankind. 😆
3) BEN PARISH aka ZOMBIE
Ben Parish is this funny and cute boy next door type who is secretly drooled over by Cassie for years during the pre-Arrival stage. Nick Robinson suits Ben Parish just right. However, he appears to be really sweet that he doesn't seem like a player or has had plenty of girlfriends if you will just look at his innocent looking face. I'd say Beau Mirchoff, known as Matty McKibben of MTV's Awkward could have been the perfect Ben Parish.
Ben is actually popular jock back in his high school who with one smile can send shivers down any girls' spine. Cassie fell for it, too even keeping a yearbook photo of him months after the Arrival. Although he and Cassie went to the same school since toddlers, he never really noticed Cassie. It's definitely not because Cassie is not that pretty but because Ben is just used to girls approaching him, and Cassie was not that type. He actually had reservations to trusting Evan Walker stating it is rather absurd to betray Evan's kind just for a girl.
Ben was nicknamed Zombie after barely surviving the 3rd wave of infestation. He was close to choking from his own plague caused by the Red Death when he was taken from his refugee camp and drafted in the Wright Patterson Military Base. He is actually one lucky guy having survived 4 series of near death experiences: the infestation, gunshot wound from Ringer, sniper shot from a senile silencer, and the bombing at the Urbana Caverns. As Sergeant of Squad 53, Ben exemplified good leadership traits and dedication to his mates. He has a witty sense of humor which is even though some of his jokes are pretty dumb at times still seems too hard not to laugh at. However, this has no effect whatsoever to his love interest, Ringer. Whenever tensions rise, Ben is always there to break the ice.
Despite his seemingly bubbly demeanor, he has been keeping a painful experience since he left home. He is trying to run away from the ghosts of his family particularly his 5 year old baby sister; same age as Sam. After the first 2 waves wreaked havoc on earth, looting and crimes have been rampant. Shortly after being tasked by his father to take care of his mom and sister, his parents and little sister were massacred before his very eyes by burglars. Ben almost died too but upon gaining momentum chose to runaway without returning to see if his sister had lived. The thought of leaving her has haunted him. This was the reason he had been really tight with Sam, Cassie's little brother, and the rest of the Squad 53.
4) MARIKA KIMURA aka RINGER
Of all the 16 year old characters in The 5th Wave, Ringer has the most unbelievable traits. She doesn't sound like a teenager at all but more of a 40 year old lady who has been honed by good by bad experiences in life. In the movie she was portrayed by the spunky Maika Monroe. I actually loved her badass portrayal of Ringer. She is gifted with a pixie face, and dark deep set eyes, flawless pale skin that Cassie noticed has no visible pores at all, and straight black hair. However, in the book Ringer is actually 3/4 Asian. Based from her surname she sounds more of Japanese ancestry with 1/4 Caucasian blood. I'm trying to look for anything Asian in Maika Monroe's features but there is none unfortunately. One weird thing about Ringer too is that she never smiles. That is just unbelievable for teenagers. Even the most serious, methodical, calculated, and intelligent weirdos do smile at any given chance.
Her features alone already caught Ben's attention while they were training at Wright Patterson Military Base. But what really made her stand out among the rest is her uncanny ability to stay firm and unfazed by the problems and challenges that come their way. She is strong and brave in combat yet fears one thing, making promises that she thinks she will not be able to fulfill given the perils they face on a daily basis. She admits that she is good at pretending everything in her life seems perfect though it really is the opposite. When she was a younger child, her mother left her and her artist father. Since then his father who is also a drunk depended on her for support.
Her maturity, decisiveness, bravery, and strength are probably what prompted Col. Vosch to choose her to receive their gift of invincibility thru the 12th System. This made Ringer literally a superhuman. Bearing a child with Razor, her caregiver in The Infinite Sea will surely be beneficial for humankind because her baby will also inherit her powerful genes. Although she trusts Zombie, it is still unclear if she reciprocates the feeling he has for her. She finds him cute and funny, but never showed any interest in him even at the end of the series. I find that too odd as well. You see, when you only socialize with the same equally attractive member of the opposite sex, you are most likely to feel infatuated then eventually fall in love with that person. In Ringer's case, like Cassie, she also denies her and control her feelings. Believe me, it doesn't happen in the real world.
5. SAM SULLIVAN aka NUGGET
Sam is Cassie's 5 year old brother who has been her reason de eittre to live. He was a sweet and prayerful little boy who dearly loves Cassie but was forced to neglect his childhood and prayers after being drafted in the military. Sam has been Cassie's inspiration to keep fighting and living even though many times she would have given up in life. Without Sam, Cassie obviously would not have made it that far after witnessing their father's murder in the hands of Col. Vosch.
One thing I like about Sam is that he seems like a really good follower and student. Would you believe that a boy his age would find it easy to build IEDs? It takes a really smart person to even recall the basic components used to make one. With Sam, everything is easy-peasy. Sam who has dearly loved Bear, his toy since infancy became Zombie's dedicated follower too. He even came to the point that he has preferred Zombie over his own overprotective sister.
It sounded ridiculous that he doubts Evan Walker despite the fact that he also saved his life, and that he is romantically involved with his sister Cassie. At times like that, a vulnerable kid like Sam would also be in need of a father figure in his life. His loyalty to Zombie must have also influenced his indifference to Evan.
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