by Lissa Bryan
Publication: January 24th 2013 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
Genre: Post-apocalyptic Romance
Amazon TWCS Goodreads
After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
The End of All Things was a such a lovely surprise. I'm a fan of dystopia and post-apocalyptic novels, but Lissa Bryan happened to do something different. She brought love to the forefront, weaving relationships and romance with an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it into an overall theme of the things taken for granted.
As with any post-apocalyptic novel, tangible things like electricity, running water, medicinal and protective services, government and military intervention, household pets, and the like are all gone. But in The End of All Things, the absence of the intangible are the most glaring.
The sense of community, of civilization, is scarce. Duty to fellow man is almost non-exist; the choice to not share a thing is hard-pressed and heart-breaking to make. And everyday, human contact, whether it be running into the neighbor from across the hall or watching a national news anchorman on TV, is startlingly missing. It's not simply every man for himself, but is there anyone else? Did anyone not die, get affected, or start becoming crazed from the virus that swept throughout the entire world?
In a setting so desolate and hopeless, the blooming relationship between two survivors, Carly and Justin, is the light. I love how Lissa Bryan uses their own little bubble as a contrast to the world, along with their individuality as different perspectives of it. Carly is young, a bit too optimistic, and unprepared to survive a winter or even a lifetime in the circumstances. She believes everything will right itself soon enough and that people will always do the right thing. Justin, on the other hand, is older, always prepared and thinking ahead, and is more realistic, if not pessimistic, though he also has a soft center and a strong sense of duty and honor. They complemented each other wholly, helping one another accept, hope, and grow.
And they made me melt. Lissa Bryan captured the little things that make a relationship—everything from as silly as hair ties to as big as the choice of bringing a baby into the world, virus-ravaged or not. Their fears of being parents were common and old-age, as well as specific to the circumstances. The fact a baby brings so much hope to the world, that just to see one in this book because that's another aspect taken for granted, was not lost on me, either.
I would've like to see Carly and Justin think more ahead, though, to collect seeds, gardening and farming books, etc., especially since one of the main reasons to move south was so they can cultivate food. A little more info on the cause of such a devastating virus would've topped off this book nicely for me, too. The info we got was fantastic, really intriguing and plausible, but it only brushed my need for explanations that's expected in the genre.
But overall, The End of All Things was truly a wonderful read, a believable world with realistic people and relationships. There's also a lovable cast of animals, and the ending was a real breath-taker. I'm definitely going to pick up the next book in the series.
If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic novels heavy on the love story, I recommend you try The End of All Things.
A huge thank-you to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
and the author, Lissa Bryan, for the eARC.
and the author, Lissa Bryan, for the eARC.
Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot.... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
Her first novel, Ghostwriter, was released October 11, 2012, and her second, The End of All Things, will be released on January 24, 2013.
Her first novel, Ghostwriter, was released October 11, 2012, and her second, The End of All Things, will be released on January 24, 2013.
Terms & Conditions:
♥ By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 13 years old.♥ One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a paperback copy of The End of All Things.
♥ Winner will be contacted via email within 24 hours after the giveaway ends at 11:58pm EST February 5th.
♥ Winner have 48 hours to reply before a different winner will be chosen.
Be sure to stop by the participating blogs for more reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways during The End of All Things blog tour!
January 19th: Sherry Gomes – Review
January 20th: Ed and Em's Reviews – Review and giveaway
January 21st: Sandi Layne – Character interview
January 22nd: Mich Book Reviews – Review
January 23rd: Storeybook Reviews – Review and exclusive excerpt
January 24th: Passion for Pages – Review
January 25th: Romantic Book Affairs – Guest post and giveaway
January 26th: Martini Times – Review
Fantasy World – Review, interview, and giveaway
January 27th: The LUV'NV – Review and giveawayJanuary 28th: Jade Kerrion – Guest post
January 29th: Karla Mae Magloay – Author interview
January 30th: My Reading Lounge – Review
January 31st: The Readiacs – Review
Your Entertainment Corner – Review
February 1st: Jeans Book Read N Review – Review and interview
relationships and romance are my thing when they are well done with dystopia. Great review.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
This sounds like an exciting time for love. A bit scary but definitely interesting. I'd like to see how people cope with a changing world.
ReplyDeleteI will be getting this book soon. I followed this author when she wrote fanfic and Loved her. I'm excited to see her do well with publishing.
ReplyDelete