Book Review: This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

It’s been almost a year since the events of Life as We Knew It, the first book in this series by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Back then, a meteor struck the Moon and caused a cataclysm on Earth. Miranda Evans and her family continue to eke out an existence in rural Pennsylvania. Between scrounging for food, getting used to a new sister-in-law, and working to stay warm, Miranda writes in her journal and tries to keep up her spirits.

Change suddenly comes when Miranda’s father, stepmother, and their extended “road family” show up at the door. Among the newcomers are Alex and Julie Morales, last seen in book two, The Dead and the Gone. The adjustment is difficult for everyone, as already meager resources have to be shared, sleeping quarters are a challenge, and frayed emotions easily come to the surface. Death continues to haunt these survivors; Pfeffer pulls few punches in describing the horror and despair that threatens to overwhelm every one of them. Alex, haunted by his experiences in New York City, turns to Miranda for comfort. She responds, but it’s a rough process for each of them.

This World We Live In moves at a quick pace, yet Pfeffer takes the time to explore what life might really be like in America if volcanic ash blocked out most sunlight, if electricity only worked part of the time, and if weather behaved differently than it ever has before. What also is clear in this book is the importance of staying together and maintaining hope even in the most devastating of circumstances.

Although Miranda claims to be wrapping up her story in the last pages, I suppose there is some chance that there might be a fourth book from Alex’s point of view. We’ll have to wait and see.

Kifflie (Now starting The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork)