The 5th Wave (series)

The 5th Wave is a young adult science fiction book series written by Rick Yancey. The series consists of three main novels: The 5th Wave (2013), The Infinite Sea (2014), and The Last Star (2016). The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has been invaded by extraterrestrial beings known as "The Others" who are systematically wiping out humanity through a series of increasingly devastating waves.

The first wave is an electromagnetic pulse that wipes out all electricity. The second wave triggers massive tsunamis that destroy coastal cities. The third wave unleashes a mutated form of avian flu, decimating the population. The fourth wave involves the infiltration of human society by "Silencers," Others disguised as humans, tasked with eliminating survivors. The fifth wave, the focus of the first novel, is a plan to turn children into soldiers to eradicate the remaining adult population, deemed unsalvageable.

The series follows the perspective of several characters, primarily Cassie Sullivan, a teenage girl struggling to survive and reunite with her younger brother, Sammy. Other prominent characters include Evan Walker, a mysterious and complex figure who allies with Cassie, and Ben Parish (nicknamed "Zombie"), a former high school football star who is recruited into a military training program.

The overarching themes of The 5th Wave series include survival, trust, loss, the nature of humanity, and the moral complexities of war. The series explores the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves and their loved ones in the face of overwhelming adversity. A film adaptation of the first novel, The 5th Wave, was released in 2016.