Endgame

by Chris Wooding

When an environmental disaster sparks off a conflict in the Far East which looks like it could lead to World War III four friends in Sheffield must face up to their worst nightmares. The prospect of a nuclear attack forces Kayleigh, Mayner, Wren and Jamie to open old wounds and confront their regrets, hopes and fears. What will they hold on to if and when their last moment arrives?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2000

About the author

Chris Wooding grew up in a small town in Leicestershire, where not much of anything happened. So he started to write novels. He was sixteen when he completed his first. He had an agent by eighteen. By nineteen he had signed his first book deal. When he left university he began to write full-time, and he has been doing it professionally all his adult life.

Now thirty-nine, Chris has written over twenty books, which have been translated into twenty languages, won various awards and been published around the world. He writes for film and television, and has several projects in development.

Chris has travelled extensively round the world, having backpacked all over Europe and North America, Scandinavia, South East Asia, Japan and South Africa. He also lived in Madrid for a time. When he wasn’t travelling on his own, he spent his twenties touring with bands and seeing the UK and Europe from the back of a van.

He also learned not so long ago that his family tree can be traced back to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, which has no bearing on him whatsoever but it’s kind of interesting anyway.

Chris lives in London.

Reviews

[Stephen Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teenage angst in the face of the threat of an ecological disaster and a nuclear holocaust.

A group of teenagers faces problems common to many of their age group, school, relationships with friends and enemies, love and hate, bullies, career choices. All this must be seen in a new perspective with the sudden threat of a nuclear holocaust, prompted by and impending ecological disaster. A lot of the book is introspective, exploring the thoughts and emotions of the characters as they face these threats, and their differing responses.

At times the story is quite moving, but is spoilt because it is also, in some respects unconvincing. The thought of the Kazakhstan navy threatening Kenya and Somalia leaves me gobsmacked. I know from watching lots of quiz shows on TV that most Brits are appallingly ignorant of geography (especially considering how much of the world they once ruled), but even if the author failed to research it, surely an editor could have picked it up?

[Ekaterina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book touches upon a topic I really prefer not to think about... so the only thing I want to say is that the ending is very appropriate.

[Heather Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a subject i would normally pick. Well written and enjoyable all the same.

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I loved this book but Jesus Christ It got so bad. I could write sm abt it but I’ll spear u JUST DONT READ THIS BOOK

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

The apocalypse has been done, and better.