The Last of Us (TLOU) has captivated audiences for weeks with epic action and devastating heartbreak, but it's finally time to close the curtain on season one of the TV show.

The HBO adaptation of the massively popular video game has been a hit with gamers and non-gamers alike.

Led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, TLOU pulls from all the best elements of the post-apocalyptic genre.

As fans anxiously await updates on season two of the series, here are some reads that will fill the void during the hiatus!

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel follows an eclectic cast of characters navigating the wasteland left behind in the wake of a devastating flu pandemic that has killed most of the population.

The critically-acclaimed novel, which won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2015, travels through time as the survivors attempt to maintain resilience in the face of horror.

With poignant and insightful prose, Mandel's novel is perfect for fans of TLOU's emotional side.

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Station Eleven has also received an HBO adaptation, which earned seven Primetime Emmy Awards nominations in 2022.

Paul Tremblay is a powerhouse in the horror genre, and fans of TLOU will find themselves particularly drawn to his 2020 novel Survivor Song.

This chilling read is set in Massachusetts, where a horrifying virus is spreading rapidly.

The infected are driven to madness almost instantly and soon go on the hunt to bite and infect others.

Survivor Song follows a pregnant woman named Natalie who was bitten after trying to save her husband, who was killed by an infected neighbor.

If you're craving that edge-of-your-seat feeling and the always-enticing atmosphere of a rapidly spreading pandemic, this one is for you!

If you're looking for a different kind of apocalypse, The Fifth Wave is for you!

Rick Yancy's 2013 novel details the aftermath of a five-part alien invasion.

The persistent atmosphere of suspense will have you hooked from page one as the book dives deep into a chilling fight for survival.

Scythe is an innovative title in the dystopian genre.

Set in a future in which technology has eradicated disease and natural death, the story follows two teenagers who are selected to become Scythes – individuals tasked with killing others to stem population overgrowth.

Navigating many of the same themes of survival and humanity as TLOU, Scythe is an unforgettable read that will stay with you long after the last page.

A film adaptation of the novel is also in the works, with iconic filmmaker Stephen Spielberg on board!

For more TV-inspired book recommendations, check out TAG24's picks for fans of Wednesday and House of the Dragon!