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Apocalypse
After a dramatic accident Kit and his parents find themselves washed up on a small island. But there is no sanctuary here. The local community is hostile and menacing. Soon Kit's life is in danger and he is forced to face not just the inhabitants but a disturbing new arrival whose presence on the island terrifies the community. In his struggle to stay alive and make sense of what is happening Kit is forced to confront good and evil in unexpected forms, even within himself, and face trials and dangers beyond anything he could have imagined. BLTim Bowler's most recent novel, Starseeker, has sold over 50,000 copies to date.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
10 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Tim Bowler
60 books157 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tim Bowler is one of the UK’s most compelling and original writers for teenagers. He was born in Leigh-on-Sea and after studying Swedish at University he worked in forestry, the timber trade, teaching and translating before becoming a full-time writer. He lives with his wife in a small village in Devon and his workroom is an old stone outhouse known to friends as ‘Tim’s Bolthole’.
Tim has written twenty books and won fifteen awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal for River Boy. His most recent novel is the gripping Bloodchild and his provocative Blade series is being hailed as a groundbreaking work of fiction. He has been described by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘the master of the psychological thriller’ and by the Independent as ‘one of the truly individual voices in British teenage fiction’.
Tim Bowler is one of the UK’s most compelling and original writers for teenagers. He was born in Leigh-on-Sea and after studying Swedish at University he worked in forestry, the timber trade, teaching and translating before becoming a full-time writer. He lives with his wife in a small village in Devon and his workroom is an old stone outhouse known to friends as ‘Tim’s Bolthole’.
Tim has written twenty books and won fifteen awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal for River Boy. His most recent novel is the gripping Bloodchild and his provocative Blade series is being hailed as a groundbreaking work of fiction. He has been described by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘the master of the psychological thriller’ and by the Independent as ‘one of the truly individual voices in British teenage fiction’.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 8, 2025
1,5 *
Šis pasakojimas, kaip aš supratau-apie tikėjimą ir tai, kas eina greta: vertybės, elgesys, stabai ir pan. Apie tai, kas mus, žmoniją, ištiktų, o gal jau ištinka - tikrojo tikėjimo praradimas, dievo ir velnio painiojimas. Tikėtina, kad vanduo, žuvis, plaukimas į šauksmą ar kiti simboliai pasakojime ir pasirinkti tikslingai. Ta mistika čia kažkaip prasminga.
Bet tuo kažkas pozityvaus apie knygą ir baigiasi. Jei ši idėja ir buvo (dėl ko tikrai nesu tikra), autorius jos neatskleidė. Romanas pusketvirto šimto puslapių, pilnas nereikalingų dialogų, nesamoningų scenų (ir nekalbu apie mistinį/fantastinį turinį, o tas vietas, kur tiesiogiai kalbama apie labai praktinį, realų lygmenį), ištemptų ir apie nieką tampymųsi vietoje, kartojimosi.
Lūkesčiai geram distopiniam pasakojimui buvo absoliučiai neišpildyti. Pavadinimas čia be galo klaidina.
Turiu priekabių ir vertimui, kur išversti vardai. Vaikino vardas Kitas anglų kalboje ir reiškia vardą, bet lietuviškai…kažkokia nesamonė.
Nerekomenduoju.
April 2, 2023
Umm okay well dnf at around 180 pages. The middle is pretty boring because the same events take place over and over again. The atmosphere of the book is very nice tho.
October 29, 2011
I read this book because I had heard alot about the author and wanted to see if I liked his style of writing. This book fits on my bingo board as a "fantasy book" This book was okay, I liked how the beginning was very hooking and mysterious and it had a good ending. I disliked the middle of the book because it was boring and the whole book anti-climaxed and went just went further and further down. The book is about a boy named Kit who gets wrecked on an island with his parents. He sees a mysterious man and is told to leave by the angry locals who are isolated from the rest of the "evil" world that are not from the same religion as them. Kit goes for a look around the island in the night time, and when he gets back his parents are gone. He spends the rest of the book looking for his parents with a girl who is an outlaw and conflicting with the natives of the island. The islanders speak of an apocalypse that will condemn the earth to hell, and when Kit is eventually rescued he finds out that the apocalypse is taking place. The book ends with him finding out that he was in the past, he sacrifices an item the outlaw gave to him, his last memory of her and the island and it is suggested that the apocalpyse may not happen.I would recommend this book for people who like mysterious and original fantasy novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2011
OMG.... This book is a very very good suspense thriller book. i just went to the library and the title of this book sounded good so i started reading and couldn't stop until i'd read every single word in this book.
Apocalypse is about a family who are on holiday on a boat in the middle of the sea. A big storm comes and the main character (Kit) makes a mistake with the boat and the family finds themselves washed up on a weird shore on a remote land, at least that's what they think. Soon Kit's life is in danger because of the inhabitants of the island and a new arrival of evil beast who's presence on the island horrifies everyone including the islanders. He also finds a girl who is running away from the island as well but is not able to. Somehow she is the only one on the island who can speak english.
I like everything except the middle part of the book because the author described it well but nothing happened.
I would recommend this book to people who like books that have suspense and thrilling scenes. This book is a little confusing so 12 year olds and above should read it.
Apocalypse is about a family who are on holiday on a boat in the middle of the sea. A big storm comes and the main character (Kit) makes a mistake with the boat and the family finds themselves washed up on a weird shore on a remote land, at least that's what they think. Soon Kit's life is in danger because of the inhabitants of the island and a new arrival of evil beast who's presence on the island horrifies everyone including the islanders. He also finds a girl who is running away from the island as well but is not able to. Somehow she is the only one on the island who can speak english.
I like everything except the middle part of the book because the author described it well but nothing happened.
I would recommend this book to people who like books that have suspense and thrilling scenes. This book is a little confusing so 12 year olds and above should read it.
April 1, 2013
I'm hard pressed to think of many other novels that I've read in my life which I enjoyed more than this one. I read a total of 50 novels in 2011 giving a score out of 100 for each one according to how much I enjoyed it. The highest score went to a novel called "The Map of Time" by Felix J.Palma to which I gave a score of 89. But I would give Apocalypse a score of 95. I would also say that it is better than the other books that Tim Bowler has written and which I've read -- even Starseeker and River Boy which were also both excellent.
The novel is aimed at the teenage market but adults will certainly not find it too simplistic! It is an extremely profound novel.
The novel is aimed at the teenage market but adults will certainly not find it too simplistic! It is an extremely profound novel.
November 25, 2014
2.5 estrellas
Mira la reseña de este libro en mi blog http://escribadeavalon.blogspot.com/2...
Suscríbete, me ayudarías un montón :)
Mira la reseña de este libro en mi blog http://escribadeavalon.blogspot.com/2...
Suscríbete, me ayudarías un montón :)
May 18, 2016
I borrowed this book from a friend of mine, bur i wish i didn't. Nothing in the story makes sense.
May 21, 2021
18 year old Dariana again...
I honestly did not remember giving this book 5 stars.... I remember the last few chapters being exiting and interesting and it gave me something to hold on to because I did force myself to continue reading for more than half of this book, because literally nothing was happening, so the 5 star rating beats me, tbh. and now I have the urge to reread it... in English probably because I read it in Spanish back then, oops I probably should have written this in spanish to match... oh well
Here it goes:
La verdad no sé que esperaba del libro pero definitivamente no es remotamente parecido a lo que imaginé que sería.
Esperaba un libro de aventuras y misterios, y aunque en cierto modo lo sea, es mucho más que sólo eso. Había visto muchas reseñas de los lectores, alegando lo terrorífico que era o que el final resultaba confuso. Siendo honesta, no me ha dado la sensación de tener miedo durante todo el libro; de incertidumbre sí, pero nunca miedo. Y en cuanto al final, la verdad ahora mismo no puedo recordar algo que me haya quedado más claro y que haya tenido más sentido que éste.
Estoy totalmente abrumada y se que no seré capaz de pensar en algo más que este libro durante los próximos días.
Al principio me molestaba un poco lo lento que avanzaba, ya que la acción verdadera comenzó a partir de la página 150 (más o menos), hasta aquél punto todo era una bruma de incertidumbre. Sin embargo, ahora que me he leído hasta la última palabra, me he dado cuenta de que todo fue escrito deliberadamente de este modo, y que a pesar de que en ese momento no lo disfrutara excesivamente, no cambiaría nada respecto a esta historia.
Puntuación: 5/5
I honestly did not remember giving this book 5 stars.... I remember the last few chapters being exiting and interesting and it gave me something to hold on to because I did force myself to continue reading for more than half of this book, because literally nothing was happening, so the 5 star rating beats me, tbh. and now I have the urge to reread it... in English probably because I read it in Spanish back then, oops I probably should have written this in spanish to match... oh well
Here it goes:
La verdad no sé que esperaba del libro pero definitivamente no es remotamente parecido a lo que imaginé que sería.
Esperaba un libro de aventuras y misterios, y aunque en cierto modo lo sea, es mucho más que sólo eso. Había visto muchas reseñas de los lectores, alegando lo terrorífico que era o que el final resultaba confuso. Siendo honesta, no me ha dado la sensación de tener miedo durante todo el libro; de incertidumbre sí, pero nunca miedo. Y en cuanto al final, la verdad ahora mismo no puedo recordar algo que me haya quedado más claro y que haya tenido más sentido que éste.
Estoy totalmente abrumada y se que no seré capaz de pensar en algo más que este libro durante los próximos días.
Al principio me molestaba un poco lo lento que avanzaba, ya que la acción verdadera comenzó a partir de la página 150 (más o menos), hasta aquél punto todo era una bruma de incertidumbre. Sin embargo, ahora que me he leído hasta la última palabra, me he dado cuenta de que todo fue escrito deliberadamente de este modo, y que a pesar de que en ese momento no lo disfrutara excesivamente, no cambiaría nada respecto a esta historia.
Puntuación: 5/5
March 14, 2024
Uff... Tengo un amor odio con este libro. Partamos porque lo compre en una oferta. No conocía al escritor y dije ¿por que no?.
Bueno, debo decir que el inicio es lento y con muchos tecnicismos sobre barcos, por lo que al no tener un conocimiento básico de cosas marinas pues me costó imaginar las escenas.
Si avanzamos un poco en el desarrollo, estuvo cool, o sea si me atrapó en su inicio. Es puro misterio y suspenso, de eso tiene mucho, pero viendo la forma de relatar la historia, si me estreso la verdad. Detalla de forma muy exasustiva escenas que no son relevantes y lo vuelve muy tedioso, me vi saltando párrafos completos de descripción ya que los personajes en sus diálogos decían más menos lo mismo.
Para el final vi escenas forzadas, claramente el romance no es el fuerte del autor jaja y bueno, las escenas de adrenalina si me dieron ansiedad.
Con respecto al final... Mira, siento que fue mucho, llego a un punto del último capítulo que dije... "Woow, eso es genial, no me lo esperaba" , pero luego el relato siguió y siguió, perdí la emoción porque fue como mmm ok... Debiste dejarlo hasta ahí amigo.
Mira es un buen libro pero en mi humilde opinión no uno que me encante y merezca una relectura. Si te gusta el suspenso y el misterio, pues voh dale.
Bueno, debo decir que el inicio es lento y con muchos tecnicismos sobre barcos, por lo que al no tener un conocimiento básico de cosas marinas pues me costó imaginar las escenas.
Si avanzamos un poco en el desarrollo, estuvo cool, o sea si me atrapó en su inicio. Es puro misterio y suspenso, de eso tiene mucho, pero viendo la forma de relatar la historia, si me estreso la verdad. Detalla de forma muy exasustiva escenas que no son relevantes y lo vuelve muy tedioso, me vi saltando párrafos completos de descripción ya que los personajes en sus diálogos decían más menos lo mismo.
Para el final vi escenas forzadas, claramente el romance no es el fuerte del autor jaja y bueno, las escenas de adrenalina si me dieron ansiedad.
Con respecto al final... Mira, siento que fue mucho, llego a un punto del último capítulo que dije... "Woow, eso es genial, no me lo esperaba" , pero luego el relato siguió y siguió, perdí la emoción porque fue como mmm ok... Debiste dejarlo hasta ahí amigo.
Mira es un buen libro pero en mi humilde opinión no uno que me encante y merezca una relectura. Si te gusta el suspenso y el misterio, pues voh dale.
March 1, 2023
Tim Bowler's novel Apocalypse tells a story about a guy named Kit. Kit is a teenager looking for his parents after a storm whips them ashore on an Island, and the islanders don't approve of the unwelcome guests. During the search, Kit runs in a mysterious man that looks exactly like him. Kit's journey through the Island changes his life forever.
One thing that really stood out was the fact that Bowler keeps readers on the edge. I liked how this book has multiple setbacks after another that keeps Kit from finding his parents. Kit struggles to stay alive and has nightmares about the future.
I would recommend this book for people who like mysterious and fantasy novels. This is also a book for young people to read because that goes through hardships and how to overcome them. Other novels that are related to this one are Half Bad, Wake, Gone, Fade, and Lirael
-T'K Lanier
One thing that really stood out was the fact that Bowler keeps readers on the edge. I liked how this book has multiple setbacks after another that keeps Kit from finding his parents. Kit struggles to stay alive and has nightmares about the future.
I would recommend this book for people who like mysterious and fantasy novels. This is also a book for young people to read because that goes through hardships and how to overcome them. Other novels that are related to this one are Half Bad, Wake, Gone, Fade, and Lirael
-T'K Lanier
Read
July 10, 2020This book was good up until the moment where it kind of tries to convince you to accept the devil. One of the characters starts to follow/be kind to the devil in it, which I found disappointing because I had to end the book there, so as to not go against my religion(Catholic). If you also are catholic I do not recommend this book for you.
January 28, 2022
This was not what I expected at all. Kit’s experiences on the island certainly kept me on my toes and not everything made sense, but I was so relieved when his parents were found, really, really relieved. I hope he returns one day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
Frases favoritas
“No era miedo a la muerte, de eso estaba seguro, porque casi deseaba morir. Era miedo a la manera en que podía morir. Sólo quería que fuera una muerte rápida.”
-Podemos impedirlo -murmuró-. Podemos impedir el Apocalipsis.
-Depende de nosotros -dijo.
“No era miedo a la muerte, de eso estaba seguro, porque casi deseaba morir. Era miedo a la manera en que podía morir. Sólo quería que fuera una muerte rápida.”
-Podemos impedirlo -murmuró-. Podemos impedir el Apocalipsis.
-Depende de nosotros -dijo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 23, 2024No entendí nada del libro, en especial las partes del barco esas, qsy como mierda es.
Super pesado de leer y aburrido.( mi opinion)
Super pesado de leer y aburrido.( mi opinion)
May 5, 2014
La verdad no sé que esperaba del libro pero definitivamente no es remotamente parecido a lo que imaginé que sería.
Esperaba un libro de aventuras y misterios, y aunque en cierto modo lo sea, es mucho más que sólo eso. Había visto muchas reseñas de los lectores, alegando lo terrorífico que era o que el final resultaba confuso. Siendo honesta, no me ha dado la sensación de tener miedo durante todo el libro; de incertidumbre sí, pero nunca miedo. Y en cuanto al final, la verdad ahora mismo no puedo recordar algo que me haya quedado más claro y que haya tenido más sentido que éste.
Estoy totalmente abrumada y se que no seré capaz de pensar en algo más que este libro durante los próximos días.
Al principio me molestaba un poco lo lento que avanzaba, ya que la acción verdadera comenzó a partir de la página 150 (más o menos), hasta aquél punto todo era una bruma de incertidumbre. Sin embargo, ahora que me he leído hasta la última palabra, me he dado cuenta de que todo fue escrito deliberadamente de este modo, y que a pesar de que en ese momento no lo disfrutara excesivamente, no cambiaría nada respecto a esta historia.
Esperaba un libro de aventuras y misterios, y aunque en cierto modo lo sea, es mucho más que sólo eso. Había visto muchas reseñas de los lectores, alegando lo terrorífico que era o que el final resultaba confuso. Siendo honesta, no me ha dado la sensación de tener miedo durante todo el libro; de incertidumbre sí, pero nunca miedo. Y en cuanto al final, la verdad ahora mismo no puedo recordar algo que me haya quedado más claro y que haya tenido más sentido que éste.
Estoy totalmente abrumada y se que no seré capaz de pensar en algo más que este libro durante los próximos días.
Al principio me molestaba un poco lo lento que avanzaba, ya que la acción verdadera comenzó a partir de la página 150 (más o menos), hasta aquél punto todo era una bruma de incertidumbre. Sin embargo, ahora que me he leído hasta la última palabra, me he dado cuenta de que todo fue escrito deliberadamente de este modo, y que a pesar de que en ese momento no lo disfrutara excesivamente, no cambiaría nada respecto a esta historia.
February 28, 2015
This book was not great but it wasn't bad. I found it to be quite vague and found myself having to re-read some paragraphs because I would get distracted. It was also quite hard for me to imagine the characters because there was not a lot of description of them, which is not necessarily a fault of the book since it allows the reader to use their imagination but it can help at times. There were also times where the book seemed to move from one topic to another which confused me. The plot, however, was quite original and I did feel the need to finish reading the book.
December 1, 2015
Hummmm. This book had many moments in it that really grabbed me, and I found myself completely absorbed. Unfortunately, for me, they were just that...moments. While I was reading, and waiting for those times, I was bored or confused. Kind of like fishing for me...throw out the line, start getting bored waiting...then confusion on why your wasting your time waiting and about ready to pack it in when, BAM ya get a bite.
May 3, 2011
Tim Bowler always manages to create a story that you have no idea what to think about, that even after you've finished the last page you're like "...what?" yet the words will still carry you on right through to the end. Even if you don't completely understand the mysterious events that happen... use your imagination! Or wikipedia.
April 18, 2013
Un buen libro, lento al principio y fue agarrando su trama un poco pasada la mitad. Resulto ser un poco Aura de Carlos Fuentes en los dos últimos capítulos. Me gusto el final al recordar a Ula y sus palabras de Ama todo lo que puedas. No me resolvió la duda del hombre desnudo y cada vez que aparecía me daba un poco de miedo. Si lo recomiendo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2010
wow! this imaginative, insightful, mysterious, instrinsic novel cannot be praised highly enough. with lovely descriptions, believable characters and impresively complicated twist at the end, this is not for light reading! one of my favourite reads in a while.
June 11, 2011
Although written for teens, this book can also appeal to adults. Rather scary, it should not be read alone at night in the middle of a storm! Very strange book, with an even stranger ending. Time-slip fantasy.
October 7, 2012
This is one of the best, and mist disturbing books I have ever read. No. One reads it in the library, but i dont want to sort out the book. I dont understand it. I still have angst because of the ending. But. Love it. It is so hauntingly written. (Suggestiv?) love it.
February 3, 2015
This is the only Tim a Bowler book that I couldn't finish. All the nautical and boat related descriptions just seemed to drag on for me and seemed unnecessary. If I had finished the book, I may have felt differently about it, but I just couldn't get through it I'm afraid.
October 21, 2007
This is an very good book, which really brings a new sense to the word 'apocalypse'.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-written books.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-written books.
April 26, 2010
Great opening! I love survival stories, esp. at sea.
September 26, 2010
this was a really good book...
i think kit will never forget what happened to him and i wonder how he will save the world from the apocalypse
i think kit will never forget what happened to him and i wonder how he will save the world from the apocalypse
April 5, 2011
Loved it. Kept me guessing and turning pages. I wish there was a sequel. Going to check out more books by this author!
October 23, 2011
A mi me gusto mucho, es un libro diferente y con una historia muy buena.
April 9, 2012
This was a good story line but it took a while to get going. I found that even though I wanted to find out what happened it was a chore to read. It dragged on for a bit too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews