Sam enters a reality show. Let's call it a surviving in the wilderness competition. Winner gets a million dollars. The way I describe it is only indicative to a part of this story. The taping of the show is already underway, and within five pages the story is been turned on its head. What I did know, or believed, is that a catastrophe of sorts has occurred; Sam (nicknamed Zoo for the show) is now alone; there may not be a survivor left in the country, let alone in the game that had begun only days before. Or is this only a part of an elaborate show that goes well beyond the realm of the typical script? I didn't think so, but this is what Zoo believes which made for an interesting, and at times frustrating, experience for me as a reader. It's not until much later in the book that I understood, at least partly, why Zoo could not see what lies before her eyes. 
 In present tense, as Zoo navigates a trail she believes will lead her towards home, and to her husband, the book flashes back to the first days of the reality show. It's in these flashbacks that we get to know the other 11 contestants and the challenges they must endure until only one remains. Although these flashbacks were semi-interesting (some characters are totally bonkers), I really only wanted to read about Zoo and the world after the pandemic. Using a reality show as a kick-off to what occurred does set a very unique stage for this drama, but still - the best parts of this book are the traverse towards home. A home that may no longer be. 
 Funny to be saying this again, but the ending was the best part for me. A few of my recent 3-star reads have been this way. They've finished well. "The Last One" has probably had the most satisfying ending compared to the others. It wasn't a surprise ending, but the way it was written was fresh and it made me feel good.