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Until We End
It's been nine months since the virus hit, killing almost everyone it touched. Seventeen-year-old Cora and her little brother, Coby, haven't left home since. Not after the power cut out; not even after sirens faded in the distance and the world outside their backyard fence fell silent. But when a blistering drought forces Cora to go in search of water, she discovers that the post-apocalyptic world isn't as deserted as she thought when she meets Brooks, a drop-dead sexy army deserter. Fighting their way back home, Cora finds her house ransacked and Coby missing - kidnapped by the military for dangerous medical experiments in the name of finding a cure. Brooks knows exactly where Cora can find her brother, except he says it's a suicide mission. Cora doesn't care. But Brooks can't let her go...
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 69 reviews
October 2, 2013
Pumped with adrenaline, heartache, and nostalgia, Frankie Brown's heart-stopping debut will make you think, gasp, wince, smile, fist-pump, and ponder. Her protagonist Cora is unlike any hero you've met, and her dilemma is unlike anything you dare to imagine. Rapidly paced, thoughtfully staged, and entirely absorbing, UNTIL WE END is a tour de force, an impressive debut from a promising, authentic new voice. Keep eyes open for Brown.
August 12, 2016
This was an intense, well-crafted read; no one writes post-apocalyptic Savannah like Brown! Cora is a character you can't help but root for, and bad boy Brooks is complicated and oh-so-sexy. I flew through this dystopian tale, and I can't wait to see if there's more coming for these characters.
June 1, 2017
I truly hoped I would like this, but it didn't happen. I immensely enjoy post-apocalyptic scenarios, but it would be nice if the plots of these books wouldn't be regurgitations of the same elements over and over again. I'm getting really tired of the "saving the younger sibling" device. Could it be someone else for a change? Like the mother or the father, the twin sibling, the best friend, the boyfriend, the girlfriend, the favorite maths teacher etc.? Maybe then I would stop having the feeling that I'm reading the same book over and over again.
Another overused trope in this type of books is making the government/the army the main enemy, even though the world is falling apart for completely different reasons. Why does it always have to be this evil entity doing random things of cruelty for no reason whatsoever?
In this instance, most of the world's population has been wiped out by a mega-deadly virus and yet they can afford to go on and shoot people just because they refuse to leave their homes and go to shelters. Apparently the end of the world is the perfect time for the military personnel to start despising their fellow humans and calling them rats. Why on earth would they want to do that? Martial law, martial law, but when human beings are a such a rare sighting, why would they to contribute to the extinction of the human race? What is the point of being a ruler if you have no one to rule over?
Also, are we really supposed to believe that they concocted an extremely powerful virus, for biological warfare, in Savannah, Georgia of all places? And that no one knows how this virus got out of the lab. It seems there was vaccine too, but no word gets out about it either because it was all quickly wasted on a few billionaires? Really?
What got on my nerves the most was . Oh, the amount of plot-holes in this books...
Nothing good about the the characters either, they are all utterly unrealistic and unlikable. The girl drools over a hunky redneck army deserter just after her brother has been kidnapped and taken to who-knows-where. The deserter guy, Brooks, becomes loyal to her, a girl he just met, risks his life for her repeatedly just because and then they fall in love in a matter of days.*wave of nausea* Also, his comrades are these "outstanding" guys that became deserters because they have principles and they didn't want to harm innocent people, yet they torture Briggs then plan tie up and torture a sixteen year old girl to get her to spill where she keeps all her food. Doesn't matter if she starves to death after they steal her supply, that is if they don't kill her first. How is that any better that shooting people?
The only pro of this book, is that it's action packed and a quick read.
Another overused trope in this type of books is making the government/the army the main enemy, even though the world is falling apart for completely different reasons. Why does it always have to be this evil entity doing random things of cruelty for no reason whatsoever?
In this instance, most of the world's population has been wiped out by a mega-deadly virus and yet they can afford to go on and shoot people just because they refuse to leave their homes and go to shelters. Apparently the end of the world is the perfect time for the military personnel to start despising their fellow humans and calling them rats. Why on earth would they want to do that? Martial law, martial law, but when human beings are a such a rare sighting, why would they to contribute to the extinction of the human race? What is the point of being a ruler if you have no one to rule over?
Also, are we really supposed to believe that they concocted an extremely powerful virus, for biological warfare, in Savannah, Georgia of all places? And that no one knows how this virus got out of the lab. It seems there was vaccine too, but no word gets out about it either because it was all quickly wasted on a few billionaires? Really?
What got on my nerves the most was . Oh, the amount of plot-holes in this books...
Nothing good about the the characters either, they are all utterly unrealistic and unlikable. The girl drools over a hunky redneck army deserter just after her brother has been kidnapped and taken to who-knows-where. The deserter guy, Brooks, becomes loyal to her, a girl he just met, risks his life for her repeatedly just because and then they fall in love in a matter of days.*wave of nausea* Also, his comrades are these "outstanding" guys that became deserters because they have principles and they didn't want to harm innocent people, yet they torture Briggs then plan tie up and torture a sixteen year old girl to get her to spill where she keeps all her food. Doesn't matter if she starves to death after they steal her supply, that is if they don't kill her first. How is that any better that shooting people?
The only pro of this book, is that it's action packed and a quick read.
July 22, 2016
[See the full review at thoughts and afterthoughts.]
Rating: 3.5/5
Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less version:
-Biological warfare? Probably in the near future.
-There is finesse in the world building in tight and expansive areas.
-Easily relatable heroine who delivers a palpable sense of urgency in plotting.
-Interactions between characters are lighthearted but rooted in seriousness.
Initial Thoughts:
Not a social butterfly? Not a problem! For a simple fee of a widespread virus, you too can stay at home for nine months post-outbreak and live off of canned rations and decaying greenhouse produce.
This was another quick read selected due to its similarity with The Fifth Wave (you can read about my review for it here). I wasn’t particularly crazy about the cover design but the first bit of the synopsis hit the mark for me – can’t help but enjoy a quick, post-apocalyptic read.
But if there is a lesson that I’m reminded of during this read, it’s that skepticism in literary comprehension will go a long way in the enjoyment of the outcome. For better or worse, you decide.
Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.
Rating: 3.5/5
Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less version:
-Biological warfare? Probably in the near future.
-There is finesse in the world building in tight and expansive areas.
-Easily relatable heroine who delivers a palpable sense of urgency in plotting.
-Interactions between characters are lighthearted but rooted in seriousness.
Initial Thoughts:
Not a social butterfly? Not a problem! For a simple fee of a widespread virus, you too can stay at home for nine months post-outbreak and live off of canned rations and decaying greenhouse produce.
This was another quick read selected due to its similarity with The Fifth Wave (you can read about my review for it here). I wasn’t particularly crazy about the cover design but the first bit of the synopsis hit the mark for me – can’t help but enjoy a quick, post-apocalyptic read.
But if there is a lesson that I’m reminded of during this read, it’s that skepticism in literary comprehension will go a long way in the enjoyment of the outcome. For better or worse, you decide.
Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.
December 27, 2013
3.5
A rather enjoyable little apocalyptic gem. The formula is familiar to us by this time: Teen girl on the search to rescue her kidnapped younger sibling at the end of the world. But this one pulled me in right away and didn't let go until it was finished. The writing is gripping, clear, and, at times, humorous. Cora is an MC you can root for; smart and capable, but flawed in the right ways. I was intrigued by the greater mystery surrounding the virus, the military's involvement, and Coby's disappearance the entire time. There are moments of real horror and sacrifice as well as tenderness, caring, and love.
I will say that I am not a fan of love interests who commit some sort of crime against the MC, no matter how "good" the intentions are (and I don't even think they were here). When we meet Brooks he essentially carjacks Cora. Immediately after they discover the missing sibling and danger of the military presence he switches into a protective role and does everything in his power to help her. It's never really addressed and that bothered me. There's no "Oh hey. Remember when you carjacked me and tried to steal all of my water? Did you ever think you were sorry about that?" which would have gone a long way in justifying Cora's feelings for him. And yes, I know, he does a lot to make up for it and help out later on but still. I was bothered. Then again, he was pretty hot. Yes, I knowwwwwwww. I am shameless.
A rather enjoyable little apocalyptic gem. The formula is familiar to us by this time: Teen girl on the search to rescue her kidnapped younger sibling at the end of the world. But this one pulled me in right away and didn't let go until it was finished. The writing is gripping, clear, and, at times, humorous. Cora is an MC you can root for; smart and capable, but flawed in the right ways. I was intrigued by the greater mystery surrounding the virus, the military's involvement, and Coby's disappearance the entire time. There are moments of real horror and sacrifice as well as tenderness, caring, and love.
I will say that I am not a fan of love interests who commit some sort of crime against the MC, no matter how "good" the intentions are (and I don't even think they were here). When we meet Brooks he essentially carjacks Cora. Immediately after they discover the missing sibling and danger of the military presence he switches into a protective role and does everything in his power to help her. It's never really addressed and that bothered me. There's no "Oh hey. Remember when you carjacked me and tried to steal all of my water? Did you ever think you were sorry about that?" which would have gone a long way in justifying Cora's feelings for him. And yes, I know, he does a lot to make up for it and help out later on but still. I was bothered. Then again, he was pretty hot. Yes, I knowwwwwwww. I am shameless.
February 21, 2014
What a great debut novel! I didn't know anything about the book when I picked it up. I was presently surprised when it hooked me from the beginning. I couldn't put it down!
I have searched for any info on a second book and couldn't find anything. I would LOVE for there to be a second book!!
I have searched for any info on a second book and couldn't find anything. I would LOVE for there to be a second book!!
December 24, 2013
a total page-turner. the only thing that could have made it better was if all of brooks's shirts suddenly went missing LOL.
January 1, 2014
4/5 stars
I'm always pleasantly surprised when I read a dystopian/post-apocalyptic type book that's still good. It's a genre that feels full and it's been so well-done in some series, that it's hard to compete with what has come before. Until We End is a solidly good book. I had one major problem with it (and I feel like a broken record because once again my problem was the romantic relationship) but that does not detract from most of the book.
Seventeen-year-old Cora was raised by her father to be a survivor. He was one of those crazies, stockpiling food, building a self-sustaining greenhouse, keeping a cabinet full of guns, that the neighbors gossiped about. Until the world really did end, a highly contagious virus sweeping the country, and the neighbors all died. Six months have passed since Cora's father disappeared, leaving her alone taking care of her eight-year-old brother.
The book begins with a drought forcing Cora to leave the safe confines of her home, venturing to the local spring in an attempt to keep their greenhouse functioning. At the spring, she is ambushed by an army-deserter named Brooks who carjacks her at gun-point and forces her to take him back to her house to claim her stash of food. But when Cora returns to her house it's been ransacked and her brother Coby is gone.
Family relationships are typically the best drivers of dystopian/post-apocalyptic books. That's a connection that's solid and strong, something worth tearing the world apart for. Like Katniss with Prim, Cora's devotion to her brother is what forces the plot forward in this book. I believe in her relationship with Coby. I believe that she wants to save him, protect him and give him what childhood she can salvage.
I also like that Cora's survival makes sense. Cora was literally raised from her childhood to deal with this exact situation. Even though she doesn't always handle it well (who would?), she has the skill-set to survive. She's not just lucky. She's trained. Too often books are dependent upon coincidences to cobble together a plot that makes sense. But this book actually calls out coincidences and the main characters question them.
As I already said, I didn't believe in the romantic relationship that developed in this book. I could give you a whole list of reasons (how it started, who the main characters were before the apocalypse, etc) but I'll let you be your own judge of that. Overall this book is still worth reading, well-plotted, compulsively readable with twists that you won't see coming.
I received an advance reading e-book in exchange for an honest review.
For this review & more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books
I'm always pleasantly surprised when I read a dystopian/post-apocalyptic type book that's still good. It's a genre that feels full and it's been so well-done in some series, that it's hard to compete with what has come before. Until We End is a solidly good book. I had one major problem with it (and I feel like a broken record because once again my problem was the romantic relationship) but that does not detract from most of the book.
Seventeen-year-old Cora was raised by her father to be a survivor. He was one of those crazies, stockpiling food, building a self-sustaining greenhouse, keeping a cabinet full of guns, that the neighbors gossiped about. Until the world really did end, a highly contagious virus sweeping the country, and the neighbors all died. Six months have passed since Cora's father disappeared, leaving her alone taking care of her eight-year-old brother.
The book begins with a drought forcing Cora to leave the safe confines of her home, venturing to the local spring in an attempt to keep their greenhouse functioning. At the spring, she is ambushed by an army-deserter named Brooks who carjacks her at gun-point and forces her to take him back to her house to claim her stash of food. But when Cora returns to her house it's been ransacked and her brother Coby is gone.
Family relationships are typically the best drivers of dystopian/post-apocalyptic books. That's a connection that's solid and strong, something worth tearing the world apart for. Like Katniss with Prim, Cora's devotion to her brother is what forces the plot forward in this book. I believe in her relationship with Coby. I believe that she wants to save him, protect him and give him what childhood she can salvage.
I also like that Cora's survival makes sense. Cora was literally raised from her childhood to deal with this exact situation. Even though she doesn't always handle it well (who would?), she has the skill-set to survive. She's not just lucky. She's trained. Too often books are dependent upon coincidences to cobble together a plot that makes sense. But this book actually calls out coincidences and the main characters question them.
As I already said, I didn't believe in the romantic relationship that developed in this book. I could give you a whole list of reasons (how it started, who the main characters were before the apocalypse, etc) but I'll let you be your own judge of that. Overall this book is still worth reading, well-plotted, compulsively readable with twists that you won't see coming.
I received an advance reading e-book in exchange for an honest review.
For this review & more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books
December 15, 2013
3.5 stars. "Until the End" is a dystopian book that takes place after a virus has almost wiped out the entire population. Unlike a lot of other dystopian books, this book seems to take place in the nearer future, like the really near future, which makes it a little creepier. My fellow dystopian lovers will also enjoy this tale.
I really, really like the main character, Cora. She and her brother, Coby, are left behind by their doctor father to fend for themselves. Cora's dad was a prepper and said that they should never leave their house. When Cora leaves, it starts a domino effect of issues that move the book along. Cora is smart and brave and I loved following her through this book.
I did find myself wishing that the book went into a little bit more about the virus and how many people it had affected. I didn't really get much of a sense of the virus was localized or if it had spread throughout the entire country or world. I feel that if I had known more about the virus, I would have understood what was going on a little bit better.
Dystopian is one of my favorite genres to read about but sometimes a lot of them feel the same as each other. What I appreciated about this book is that it felt like something that could actually happen. A pandemic is a very possible threat. This book is YA fiction but probably is best for older YA readers as some of the book is there some violence. There are not any future books listed on Goodreads or Amazon that I could find but with the way this book ends (somewhat of a cliffhanger), I really feel like there could be a future book. Count me among those rooting for a sequel!
I really, really like the main character, Cora. She and her brother, Coby, are left behind by their doctor father to fend for themselves. Cora's dad was a prepper and said that they should never leave their house. When Cora leaves, it starts a domino effect of issues that move the book along. Cora is smart and brave and I loved following her through this book.
I did find myself wishing that the book went into a little bit more about the virus and how many people it had affected. I didn't really get much of a sense of the virus was localized or if it had spread throughout the entire country or world. I feel that if I had known more about the virus, I would have understood what was going on a little bit better.
Dystopian is one of my favorite genres to read about but sometimes a lot of them feel the same as each other. What I appreciated about this book is that it felt like something that could actually happen. A pandemic is a very possible threat. This book is YA fiction but probably is best for older YA readers as some of the book is there some violence. There are not any future books listed on Goodreads or Amazon that I could find but with the way this book ends (somewhat of a cliffhanger), I really feel like there could be a future book. Count me among those rooting for a sequel!
October 26, 2014
This is a really fun read. Fast paced, exciting, with plot twists I actually did not expect. I really enjoyed it.
In fact, my only criticism is that I wanted MORE - more detail and fleshing out of characters, more detail of the apocalyptic world, and of course more story! I too was not ready for it to end. Great work, Frankie Brown!!!
I gave this a 5 but goodreads keeps changing it to a four. It's a FIVE!!
In fact, my only criticism is that I wanted MORE - more detail and fleshing out of characters, more detail of the apocalyptic world, and of course more story! I too was not ready for it to end. Great work, Frankie Brown!!!
I gave this a 5 but goodreads keeps changing it to a four. It's a FIVE!!
September 26, 2016
Decent read. I am not seeing any other books in this series however. It is far from complete and ended rather empty? I'd read the next book if it's available now. Otherwise, if it doesn't come out over a year from now, I wouldn't bother reading it. Just not enough to hold my attention that long.
May 23, 2014
I'm so excited this is out! My interactions with Frankie on the AW forums have been brief but pleasant. I've been aching to read her book for a while now. I'll post a review once I've finished it. :)
December 23, 2013
I wasn't ready for this one to be over (which I can't say about a lot of books I read). Looking forward to more from Frankie Brown.
dnf
April 4, 2025I would have bet this was written by a man because the damsel falling in love with her capture just screams male fantasy and extreme tropism. Female writers are rare in this genre so it’s a double shame when they fall into the pitfalls of typical men.
Her writing is clearly not honed given the excessive repetition (please learn to use something other than TEOTWAWKI… every… single… time), structural issues, and overall quality are all novice-level at best. This is clearly one of the many examples of a prepper or wannabe who thinks they can impart the wisdom of prepping through the guise of a post-apoc book and adds to the over-flooded self-published drivel that’s ruined this genre.
I couldn’t stop the amount of eye rolls to the point I got a headache barely into the book so I had to DNF it. The female MC has zero common sense and zero sticktoitiveness. The dad being a prepper but also having a relatively basic set up but yet also having an underground container storage? The set up sounds like they have just one system for water, one system for plants, one system—— the first rule of prepping is two is one, one is none. And the writer keeps going back and forth that they’re heading towards dire circumstances and subsisting on barely anything but then talks about how much stockpile they have while also sounding like the female MC doesn’t have two bits of sense to sustain the set up they do have and can’t produce any more food. MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Are they prepared or not?
That’s even tolerable to look over but what made me give up entirely was the ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS fawning and immediate “attraction” to the point she can’t think clearly and had to keep clearing her head to focus on the dude that’s essentially kidnapped her. This just screams “she was asking for it.” Are you kidding me with this?
Never heard of this writer before but she’s going on the “never bother with again” list next to Kayla stone.
Her writing is clearly not honed given the excessive repetition (please learn to use something other than TEOTWAWKI… every… single… time), structural issues, and overall quality are all novice-level at best. This is clearly one of the many examples of a prepper or wannabe who thinks they can impart the wisdom of prepping through the guise of a post-apoc book and adds to the over-flooded self-published drivel that’s ruined this genre.
I couldn’t stop the amount of eye rolls to the point I got a headache barely into the book so I had to DNF it. The female MC has zero common sense and zero sticktoitiveness. The dad being a prepper but also having a relatively basic set up but yet also having an underground container storage? The set up sounds like they have just one system for water, one system for plants, one system—— the first rule of prepping is two is one, one is none. And the writer keeps going back and forth that they’re heading towards dire circumstances and subsisting on barely anything but then talks about how much stockpile they have while also sounding like the female MC doesn’t have two bits of sense to sustain the set up they do have and can’t produce any more food. MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Are they prepared or not?
That’s even tolerable to look over but what made me give up entirely was the ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS fawning and immediate “attraction” to the point she can’t think clearly and had to keep clearing her head to focus on the dude that’s essentially kidnapped her. This just screams “she was asking for it.” Are you kidding me with this?
Never heard of this writer before but she’s going on the “never bother with again” list next to Kayla stone.
May 30, 2021
Good end of the world, virus takes over kind of book if you are into it. Kind of leaves you hanging at the end tho. :/
January 7, 2014
Until We End is a fast-paced, action-packed tale that gives us a haunting window into the world after the apocalypse. On paper, it sounds like your typical post-apocalyptic tale -- humanity has been nearly wiped out by a widespread virus, and those who are left (at least, in the United States) have been forced to submit to the remaining military, or suffer some serious consequences.
So what makes Until We End stand out amidst a slew of other end-of-world stories? It's heroine. Cora Jane Delaney is no shrinking violet, but her struggle to reconcile her memories of the world before and the world as it is now is very real and riveting.
Her dad was a prepper, one of the few paranoid enough to believe the world might just end after all. He took care to make sure that she and her brother Coby were prepared for the end of days. And that Cora was well-equipped to defend them, no matter the cost. Particularly after he left to help out at the nearest hospital and never returned.
The story begins when Cora is forced leave the family farm to find water (leaving her brother behind for fear of the dangers outside), only to return and find him missing. From the get go, Cora's mission is clear -- get Coby back. No matter what.
Cora may have a leg-up in this world, thanks to her father, but ultimately she survives because she keeps her wits about her at all times. She is dogged, courageous, and always looking for an opening; a way to turn any situation to her advantage, no matter how slim her chances of success.
But she is still vulnerable and raw, aching for her brother, grieving for her father, and struggling with budding feelings for the first human she meets in the world outside -- former solider Brooks, whose animal magnetism is as dangerous as his mysterious motives. Cora must navigate a world populated with people who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and though her mission never wavers, the truth behind her brother's disappearance is far worse than she could have ever imagined.
I read this in two sittings. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Post-Apocalyptic YA!
So what makes Until We End stand out amidst a slew of other end-of-world stories? It's heroine. Cora Jane Delaney is no shrinking violet, but her struggle to reconcile her memories of the world before and the world as it is now is very real and riveting.
Her dad was a prepper, one of the few paranoid enough to believe the world might just end after all. He took care to make sure that she and her brother Coby were prepared for the end of days. And that Cora was well-equipped to defend them, no matter the cost. Particularly after he left to help out at the nearest hospital and never returned.
The story begins when Cora is forced leave the family farm to find water (leaving her brother behind for fear of the dangers outside), only to return and find him missing. From the get go, Cora's mission is clear -- get Coby back. No matter what.
Cora may have a leg-up in this world, thanks to her father, but ultimately she survives because she keeps her wits about her at all times. She is dogged, courageous, and always looking for an opening; a way to turn any situation to her advantage, no matter how slim her chances of success.
But she is still vulnerable and raw, aching for her brother, grieving for her father, and struggling with budding feelings for the first human she meets in the world outside -- former solider Brooks, whose animal magnetism is as dangerous as his mysterious motives. Cora must navigate a world populated with people who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, and though her mission never wavers, the truth behind her brother's disappearance is far worse than she could have ever imagined.
I read this in two sittings. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys Post-Apocalyptic YA!
August 11, 2016
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book a lot.
post-apocalyptic America, almost whole human population was killed by a virus.
It has been nine months since the virus hit, wiping out almost everyone it touched. Seventeen-year-old Cora and her little brother, Coby, haven t left home since.
When a blistering drought forces her to go in search of water, she discovers that the world isn’t quite as abandoned as she thought when a drop-dead sexy army deserter ambushes her, and forces her to take him home to her stockpile of supplies.
There she finds her home decimated, and her brother missing, kidnapped by the military.
If saving her brother from the government means a suicide mission, Cora's willing. But there's one guy who can't let her go…
The characters were well developed (especially Cara), but I was left wanting more...more of Cara and Brooks, more information on the virus that had brought about the End of the World, more of everything.....
I loved the relationship between Cora and Brooks. From the time he kidnapped Cora from the river till the end. Brooks is so unbelievably rugged. Translation: HOT!!!!! Another translation: Heart-breaker… Their chemistry was electrifying and to die for. Creatively dark and highly seductive.
May 6, 2014
I took this novel on a cruise because the book I really wanted did not come into the library in time. Sometimes that is a happy accident. I seem to be on a virus kick at the moment and this novel fit in nicely.
A virus sweeps through the world and destroys most of humanity. The virus seems to be some kind of hemorrhagic fever type of virus. This one kills incredibly fast, but it is particularly nasty because the incubation period is long, allowing it to spread to the maximum number of people. We meet our heroine Cora nine months into the plague. She has been locked in her house for the entire time. Taking care of her young brother after her father, the Doctor disappears. Cora and her brother were able to survive because her Dad was a prepper and left her with supplies to last for years. All this is pretty typical End-of-the-world fair. But what makes this novel different, is that it appears to be dumb luck if you did not get infected, the people who have survived so far have been lucky and not immune. The virus is still out there and still virulent. In other words the survivors were the ones who took to heart the wash your hands for the length of time it takes to sing “happy birthday” twice, used hand sanitizer, and avoided the infected. This makes the novel different enough to have kept my attention. Other than that it is your typical YA end of the world story. Girl survives by wit and luck, meets a dark brooding anti-hero with a good heart, they have adventures and fall “in luv.” This is a debut novel to what is clearly a series, and is interesting enough so I will eventually be reading the other novels as they come out (and the library gets them).
A virus sweeps through the world and destroys most of humanity. The virus seems to be some kind of hemorrhagic fever type of virus. This one kills incredibly fast, but it is particularly nasty because the incubation period is long, allowing it to spread to the maximum number of people. We meet our heroine Cora nine months into the plague. She has been locked in her house for the entire time. Taking care of her young brother after her father, the Doctor disappears. Cora and her brother were able to survive because her Dad was a prepper and left her with supplies to last for years. All this is pretty typical End-of-the-world fair. But what makes this novel different, is that it appears to be dumb luck if you did not get infected, the people who have survived so far have been lucky and not immune. The virus is still out there and still virulent. In other words the survivors were the ones who took to heart the wash your hands for the length of time it takes to sing “happy birthday” twice, used hand sanitizer, and avoided the infected. This makes the novel different enough to have kept my attention. Other than that it is your typical YA end of the world story. Girl survives by wit and luck, meets a dark brooding anti-hero with a good heart, they have adventures and fall “in luv.” This is a debut novel to what is clearly a series, and is interesting enough so I will eventually be reading the other novels as they come out (and the library gets them).
April 10, 2015
Since this isn't my usual genre, it gets a bonus star for managing to keep me interested anyway.
It was a fast-paced, easy-to-read book following a young woman's experience with the apocalypse. I have two complaints, so we'll get them out of the way first:
Similar to The Hunger Games, our protagonist is doing everything for her younger sibling. And just like in The Hunger Games, we're expected to love the little sibling simply because they're a kid and the protag loves them. We get a few moments with the little brother in this book but he is thoroughly unoriginal, a stock little kid, and maybe that's enough for most people...but I wanted a little something to set him apart.
My second issue is a spoiler, so beware! The queer guy died. You don't get diversity points if you include a queer character who is immediately killed after he kisses another dude.
But the protag was definitely someone to root for and while the romance wasn't for me, I also felt it wasn't overly romanticized--the character never lost sight of her world, never forgot what was real, and that was refreshing.
An excellent example of a first novel, and I hope there's more to come from Author Brown.
It was a fast-paced, easy-to-read book following a young woman's experience with the apocalypse. I have two complaints, so we'll get them out of the way first:
Similar to The Hunger Games, our protagonist is doing everything for her younger sibling. And just like in The Hunger Games, we're expected to love the little sibling simply because they're a kid and the protag loves them. We get a few moments with the little brother in this book but he is thoroughly unoriginal, a stock little kid, and maybe that's enough for most people...but I wanted a little something to set him apart.
My second issue is a spoiler, so beware! The queer guy died. You don't get diversity points if you include a queer character who is immediately killed after he kisses another dude.
But the protag was definitely someone to root for and while the romance wasn't for me, I also felt it wasn't overly romanticized--the character never lost sight of her world, never forgot what was real, and that was refreshing.
An excellent example of a first novel, and I hope there's more to come from Author Brown.
May 17, 2017
This book was a complete waste of time. I should have loved it, it had all the things I am usually looking for! Survival? check. "teens"? check, post-apocalyptic? check, SOUTHERN? check.
I was actually excited when reading the first chapter. Snarky girl protagonist with a cute younger brother surviving the end of the world? Awesome, I love that. In Georgia, a definite bonus. But this SUCKED.
I have actually been to Savannah. I was born in Savannah. Guess what? Could not picture one scene out of this book in Savannah. Could not picture a single character in this book. Could not understand any of the protagonist's decisions or plot points in the story. Maybe I was spoiled in dystopian ya fiction.
Hey, at least there weren't any love triangles, only cost two bucks, and only took me an hour and a half to read.
If you have read and love young adult post apocalyptic survival stories, don't read this one. Read Ashfall instead.
I was actually excited when reading the first chapter. Snarky girl protagonist with a cute younger brother surviving the end of the world? Awesome, I love that. In Georgia, a definite bonus. But this SUCKED.
I have actually been to Savannah. I was born in Savannah. Guess what? Could not picture one scene out of this book in Savannah. Could not picture a single character in this book. Could not understand any of the protagonist's decisions or plot points in the story. Maybe I was spoiled in dystopian ya fiction.
Hey, at least there weren't any love triangles, only cost two bucks, and only took me an hour and a half to read.
If you have read and love young adult post apocalyptic survival stories, don't read this one. Read Ashfall instead.
January 15, 2014
Very well-written. The plot was complex and although I feel there were some loose ends, overall I enjoyed the story. I laughed, I cried, and I cursed like hell. I feel like there should be a sequel, I really do. Something to tie up everything for a more solid end. The book was good, but the ending fell flat for me. I hope a sequel comes out. Read this if you like post-apocalyptic books, it's a good one.
February 17, 2014
You can't spend much time around teen fiction without coming across apocalyptic reads. This one is after a virus that kills most of the population. Unexplained is how the virus affected electricity, computers, water, etc... but I can ignore that stuff for a good story. And this was a good story. Cora leaves the house even though her father warned her not to. Her father left 6 months ago and never returned. Cora assumes he's dead. It's just Cora and her little brother and they are very prepared but are running out of water. Cora's kidnapped by a very hot guy and when they get back to her house (she's supposed to give him all the food they have), they discover her little brother has been kidnapped. It sounds far-fetched and it probably is... but told well, a very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
December 28, 2013
Not many people can make post-Apocalyptic love hot. But Frankie Brown pulls it off in this page-turner. I read it in an afternoon! After nine months of holing up in her suburban home outside Savannah, hiding from the virus that has killed most of the people on earth, Cora has no choice but to venture out in search of water after a long drought. An encounter with AWOL army soldier Brooks and the realization her little brother is missing when she returns, takes her on a mission to try and save him from the government's brutal medical testing. But she soon realizes there is more to the story behind the virus than she ever could have believed. If you are looking for a fast and gripping read, go no further!
December 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was short but "sweet" It had plenty of action and a little romance. There were plenty of intense moments, action, romance mystery; it has it all! Honestly I truly liked this one! When the book first started, I admit, I wasn't optimistic. But the author REALLY thought things out. It reminded me of Hunger Games in that respect. Where certain pieces were so thought out in the beginning that once I learned a fact later, the others made perfect sense. Like the blonde hair, and the greenhouse, and later the entire scheme. I have to say this one really impressed me in general though The ending was so interesting and intriguing, but now I can't wait to read the next book!!!
see full review at
http://beautysinbreakdown.blogspot.co...
April 27, 2015
I think I'm in the minority here. I kind of, sort of, not really but still did like this book. Does that make sense? No? Good, me either.
Why, though? I think it's because I couldn't connect to the characters. That's odd, too. See, my husband Sean is a lot like Brooks: he's not an Army deserter, but he is a Combat Veteran (Iraq). Sean and Brooks share a lot of the same good qualities... actually, the share MOST good qualities. Not so much with the bad, but I digress. There should have been a connection there. Nopers, none.
I think another part of my problem was how predictable this book was; still, that doesn't make it bad. The twist at the end I saw as soon as our MC (what is her name?!) went out for water.
Don't get me wrong: this isn't a bad book at all. It just isn't for me.
Why, though? I think it's because I couldn't connect to the characters. That's odd, too. See, my husband Sean is a lot like Brooks: he's not an Army deserter, but he is a Combat Veteran (Iraq). Sean and Brooks share a lot of the same good qualities... actually, the share MOST good qualities. Not so much with the bad, but I digress. There should have been a connection there. Nopers, none.
I think another part of my problem was how predictable this book was; still, that doesn't make it bad. The twist at the end I saw as soon as our MC (what is her name?!) went out for water.
Don't get me wrong: this isn't a bad book at all. It just isn't for me.
May 3, 2017
As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I didn't. There were some parts I found rather enjoyable, but it wasn't enough to keep me entertained. For me, there were too many errors. It's a story, filled with plot twists that you could smell miles away. An unnecessary romance. A damsel in distress. And clearly, the word 'stranger danger' did not apply to this book. There were too many cliques, and it didn't satisfy my needs at all. What I did like, was the few action scenes. The way they were written, was really good and I swallowed up those pages. And without them, this book would have stepped down a star.
All in all, if you want a quick read filled with cliques, then this is definitely the book for you!
All in all, if you want a quick read filled with cliques, then this is definitely the book for you!
December 31, 2013
Until We End covers a short amount of time but packs in a whole lot of action. Over the course of about a week, Cora is forced to (finally) deal with the reality of living in a world where a virus wiped out most of the population. And that reality involves kidnapping, murder, betrayal, running for her life, chemical baths, and forced medical/science experiments. Oh yeah, and a swoony boy who makes her temporarily forget everything that’s wrong with the world. What more could you ask for from an apocalypse book?
It’s a fun, quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And leave you wanting to know what happens next!
It’s a fun, quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And leave you wanting to know what happens next!
February 4, 2014
Uhh....ehhh...ummm...I don't know. I'm still trying to figure this book out. I liked the writing. Simple, straight-forward, with just enough description. I liked Cora, she was just strong enough but still acted like the teenager she was. I guess my biggest problem was with plausibility. The author tries to leave hints and clues, but they are too few and far between and Cora does far too little thinking of her own to figure out what was going on. I just kept wondering why? Why do that? Why do this? Then there is a huge information dump at the end that only creates a ton more questions and came across as contrived.
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