The Last Girl on Earth Review: A Wild, Heart Racing Dystopian Ride You Need To Read
If there is one thing that consistently pulls me out of a teaching funk or a life spiral of “What fresh nonsense is today bringing,” it is a book that hits me right in the imagination. So when my friend published her debut dystopian novel 
The Last Girl on Earth: The 23rd Pair, I dove in with enthusiasm and zero expectations. What I found was one of the most gripping, original, and emotionally charged reads I have picked up in a long time. Since this is my full The Last Girl on Earth review, grab a snack because I have lots to say.
Let me start with the premise. In 2036 Berlin, six years after a catastrophic event called “the Blast,” every woman and girl on Earth is gone. Every single one. The world has reshaped itself in their absence, and not in a comforting “we all came together as a species” way. Men rule, systems have cracked, survival is harsh, and into this world steps Eve, the single surviving girl hidden behind the identity of a boy named Elias.
I read a lot of dystopian fiction and young adult literature, and I have never read anything that starts with the total elimination of an entire gender. It is bold. It is unsettling. It creates instant emotional stakes. And in this story, it works beautifully.
A Dystopian World That Feels Terrifyingly Real
The world building in this book is fantastic. Berlin becomes a gritty, fragile, dangerous backdrop where every corner feels like it carries a secret. Nothing feels overexplained or bogged down. Instead, information is revealed in a way that 
keeps your curiosity buzzing. This is where the book shines. The author trusts the reader to understand the world through Eve’s eyes, and because Eve is actively hiding who she is, the tension stays high.
And speaking of tension, let us pause for a moment and appreciate the slow building spark between Eve and Leo. Since Leo believes Eve is Elias, their developing attraction completely freaks him out. It is equal parts sweet, painful, and wonderfully messy. Watching Leo navigate feelings he does not understand had me grinning like an idiot. The chemistry is subtle and natural, and it gives the story an emotional depth that keeps the danger from overwhelming everything.
Unpredictable In All The Best Ways
I mentioned that I have read a lot of dystopian novels, so I am usually pretty good at spotting patterns. Not here. Nothing about this book felt predictable. When the entire foundation of society has been shaken, anything can happen, and the author takes full advantage of that. This unpredictability is what kept me turning pages far past my bedtime.
If I could ask for anything, it would be more backstory on Eve’s parents. Their absence is woven into Eve’s identity and her trauma, so as the story unfolded, I found myself hoping for more insight into who they were before everything fell apart. Maybe book two will satisfy that curiosity. Or maybe I will be left gently shaking my Kindle and muttering, “Tell me more, Mel.”
Pacing That Never Lets Go
Let us talk pacing, because as an educator, a writer, and a human who loves a good story, nothing frustrates me more than a book that loses momentum halfway through. Not an issue here. The pacing is tight and purposeful. Every chapter pushes Eve deeper into danger or deeper into self discovery. And then there is the ending.
Oh. My. Goodness.
When I say I screamed, I am not exaggerating. I yelled “WHERE IS THE NEXT BOOK” loud enough that my dog came to check on me. The final twist is shocking and delightful and completely unfair in the best possible way. If authors could be jailed for emotional cliffhangers, Mel De Pablos would be serving time.
Why I Am Recommending This Book To Everyone I Know
If you love dystopian fiction, you need this book. If you love young adult stories with emotional tension, strong characters, and high stakes, you need this book. And if you happen to be an educator like me, this story is a goldmine for classroom discussion. Themes of gender roles, identity, suppression, fear, power structures, and the emotional cost of hiding who you truly are are all woven into the narrative in a way that invites meaningful conversation.
Honestly, this would pair beautifully with discussions about heroism, agency, and resilience. It even connects to some of the ideas I wrote about in my older post on attitude and perspective which explores how we navigate the roles we feel forced to play.
You can learn more about author Mel De Pablos and her work on her official site here:
Mel De Pablos author website.
This book is also available as an easy Kindle read, which means it is accessible for busy adults and for teens who are still relearning the joy of reading in a world of distractions. You can grab it on Amazon here:
The Last Girl on Earth on Amazon.
My Final Verdict
I adored this book. As a reader, I devoured it. As a teacher, I recommend it. As a friend, I am proud of the author, and as a reviewer, I can easily say:
If I could give it ten stars, I would.
This is one of my favorite reads of the year, and I cannot wait to see where Eve’s journey goes next.
One Response
Tracie, I’m honestly speechless. Thank you for this beautiful review. This is one of those moments I’ll remember ten years from now.
I’ve spent years carrying this story alone in my head. I’ve lived with Eve, Leo, Audrey. I’ve fought for them, won battles for them over and over against my own betraying mind. I’ve doubted myself a hundred times. And then you not only read my story, but you get it.
Not vaguely. Not politely. You get the heartbeat of my story.
I’m truly grateful.