AUDIO

The Last One

by Alexandra Oliva
10 CDs. 12:30 hrs. Books on Tape. Jul. 2016. ISBN 9780147522665. $45. digital download. F
COPY ISBN
Twelve strangers selected for a wilderness survival challenge with a $1 million prize go in expecting a standard reality-show environment: dramatic but not life or death. Unknown to them, a mysterious disease changes the game into a battle for literal survival. One contestant, Zoo, stumbling through the mostly dead world, interprets the devastation around her as props in a game. Narration alternates between Mike Chamberlain, reading scenes about the contest, and Nicol Zanzarella, the voice of Zoo during her solo journey. While plot and style are strong, the story starts at an inexplicable midpoint of Zoo's challenge, transitions to a group scene near the beginning, and is hard to interpret until at least an hour into the audio.
VERDICT This complicated construction might make some wish to select the print version, although listeners who stick with it will be rewarded with a fine story and excellent performances.
Reviewed by Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC , Nov 01, 2016
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