The Last Days is a sequel to 'Peeps', set in a world where vampirism is a parasite passed through sexual contact and is tied into past plagues. The story revolves around a band formed by Moz and Pearl, aiming to become famous amidst the chaos of a spreading infection. The plot unfolds through the perspectives of the five band members, each chapter named after a band, as they battle underground evil in New York City. The writing style is fast-paced, intense, and dark, with a unique take on the vampire ethos and a focus on music as a lure for supernatural beings.

Characters:

The characters are distinct and diverse, offering various perspectives, though they are less explored than the original book's characters, leading to mixed feelings about their development.

Writing/Prose:

The prose features distinct voices for each character, using relatable teenage dialogue and descriptive passages that highlight the musical elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative shifts from the original characters to a new band of teenagers, exploring their struggles amidst a collapsing world rather than focusing on the protagonists from the first book.

Setting:

The setting vividly captures a decaying New York amidst chaos, enhancing the apocalyptic feel of the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and engaging, facilitating an energetic narrative, although it occasionally sacrifices depth for speed.

Some people say that this poem is about the Black Death, the fourteenth-century plague that killed 100 million people. Here’s the theory: “Ring-around-the-rosy” was an early symptom of plague: a circu...

Notes:

The Last Days is a sequel to Peeps, but it focuses on a new set of characters who form a band instead of continuing Cal and Lace's story.

The book is set in a chaotic, apocalyptic version of New York City plagued by a vampiric disease.

It features five main characters: Moz, Zahler, Pearl, Minerva, and Alana Ray, each with their unique backgrounds and characteristics.

Chapters alternate viewpoints between the band members, giving each character their own distinct voice.

Pearl is a Juilliard student who is talented in music and manages the band, while Alana Ray has autism and drums on paint buckets, providing a unique sound.

Minerva is a singer who has been infected by the disease and displays strange, aggressive tendencies as a result.

The story weaves musical elements into a paranormal narrative, suggesting that their music could have a significant impact on the chaos around them.

The narrative implies that the band's music could summon ancient enemies from underground as they try to rise to fame amidst societal collapse.

The book lacks the scientific focus of Peeps, which some readers missed, as it delves more into the characters' dynamics and band formation.

Cal and Lace from Peeps make a brief appearance later in The Last Days, connecting the two stories.

Each chapter is titled after a band name, highlighting the musical theme of the story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Last Days include themes of disease, violence, mental health issues, and apocalyptic scenarios, which may be distressing to some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance within the story, primarily hinted at through the interactions and relationships between the band members, particularly between Minerva and Moz.

From The Publisher:

Strange things are happening: old friends disappearing, angels (or devils) clambering on the fire escapes of New York City. But for Pearl, Moz, and Zahler, all that matters is the band. As the city reels under a mysterious epidemic, the three combine their talents with a vampire lead singer and a drummer whose fractured mind can glimpse the coming darkness. Will their music stave off the end? Or summon it?

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About the Author:

Scott Westerfeld's novels include Evolution's Darling, a New York Times Notable Book, as well as the Uglies series, the Leviathan trilogy, the Midnighters trilogy, Peeps, The Last Days, and more. Westerfeld was born in Texas and alternates summers between Sydney,…

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The Last Days

Scott Westerfeld

Book 2 in the series:Peeps