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I like to think of this as the sequel rather than “The Surviving”, because that way it feels like we’re getting an in-depth look into the antagonist’s background and the life he once lived, helping us understand his actions better. I also think that reading this first would ruin “The Surviving”, since we would already know who the mastermind is and the kind of goals he has. Him revealing his abilities, and the fact that he can defeat other non-humans like himself, would no longer be a surprise, stripping away every ounce of mystery and suspense surrounding him.