The Last of Us - Book 1

My name is Claudiu, and I'm 29 years old.

When I first picked up The Last of Us, I thought I was stepping into just another post-apocalyptic survival game-a world of infected monsters and desperate people trying to stay alive. But what I experienced was something far deeper, something that reached into my heart and refused to let go.

This game didn't just entertain me. It captivated me. It broke me down, built me back up, and left me questioning the very nature of love, loss, and what it means to survive in a world that has lost its soul. The relationship between Joel and Ellie isn't just the core of this story-it's the kind of bond that echoes in your mind long after the screen fades to black.

Writing this book is my way of honoring that experience. I wanted to bring the raw emotion, the heartache, and the fleeting moments of hope from the game into a new form. For those who've played the game, I hope this story brings back the same feelings that gripped you the first time you walked in Joel's shoes. For those new to the world of The Last of Us, I hope this journey stays with you the way it has stayed with me.

This isn't just a story about survival. It's about what we're willing to do-and who we're willing to become-for the people we love.