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The Ending #1
After The Ending
The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began. We may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed us.
When people started getting sick, “they” thought it was just the flu. My roommate, my boyfriend, my family…they’re all gone now. I got sick too. I should have died with them—with the rest of the world—but I didn’t. I thought witnessing the human population almost disappear off the face of the earth was the craziest thing I’d ever experience. I was so wrong. My name is Dani O’Connor, and I survived The Ending.
The Virus changed everything. The world I knew is gone, and life is backwards. We’ve all had to start over. I’ve been stripped of my home, my dreams…all that is me. I’m someone else now—broken and changed. Other survivors’ memories and emotions haunt me. They invade my mind until I can no longer separate them from my own. I won’t let them consume me. I can’t. My name is Zoe Cartwright, and I survived The Ending.
We’ve been inseparable for most of our lives, and now our friendship is all we have left. The aftermath of the Virus has stranded us on opposite sides of the United States. Trusting strangers, making sacrifices, killing—we’ll do anything to reach one another. Fear and pain may be unavoidable, but we’re strong…we’re survivors. But to continue surviving in this unfamiliar world plagued by Crazies and strange new abilities, we have to adapt. We have to evolve.
And more than anything, we have to find each other.
When people started getting sick, “they” thought it was just the flu. My roommate, my boyfriend, my family…they’re all gone now. I got sick too. I should have died with them—with the rest of the world—but I didn’t. I thought witnessing the human population almost disappear off the face of the earth was the craziest thing I’d ever experience. I was so wrong. My name is Dani O’Connor, and I survived The Ending.
The Virus changed everything. The world I knew is gone, and life is backwards. We’ve all had to start over. I’ve been stripped of my home, my dreams…all that is me. I’m someone else now—broken and changed. Other survivors’ memories and emotions haunt me. They invade my mind until I can no longer separate them from my own. I won’t let them consume me. I can’t. My name is Zoe Cartwright, and I survived The Ending.
We’ve been inseparable for most of our lives, and now our friendship is all we have left. The aftermath of the Virus has stranded us on opposite sides of the United States. Trusting strangers, making sacrifices, killing—we’ll do anything to reach one another. Fear and pain may be unavoidable, but we’re strong…we’re survivors. But to continue surviving in this unfamiliar world plagued by Crazies and strange new abilities, we have to adapt. We have to evolve.
And more than anything, we have to find each other.
478 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2013
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April 6, 2013
What I learned about the apocalypse from this book:
1. Your chances of survival will be predicated on the hotness factor ie. how good you look in survival gear. This is more true for women than men. Some less attractive males will survive but only to be cannon fodder because every apocalypse needs Red Shirts
2. Normally intelligent women will become horny teenagers
3. If the guy you are lusting after is sleeping with someone else, no problem, he is only sleeping with her for sex. This does not make him a horndog. It does, however, make her a skank which will be confirmed by your girlfriends. Once you start sleeping with him, you will not be a skank because he isn't sleeping with you for sex. Okay, this rule is a trifle confusing
4. No matter what dangers you encounter, always remember to think how you would best look to the hottest guy in the room
5. If your boyfriend should die, don't despair. He obviously wasn't hot enough. Soon, one of your hotter exes will realize and come to the rescue. After the requisite minute and a half of grieving, you can begin to imagine having hot monkey sex with the ex. However, there is a codicil to this rule. If the ex should try to actually have sex with you, you will develop the ability to read minds and seeing him seeing you having sex with him...ewww. Not ewww because he is seeing you - wow, you are some hot, girl. Look at you, all thin waist and raven black hair and emerald eyes. Damn, you look so good you would want to have sex with your own fine self. No, ewww because he is thinking about having sex with you while he is attempting to have sex with you. Hey, I didn't make up these rules!
6. And this is the most important rule of all. During the apocalypse, no matter where you are, there will be WiFi. This is important so that you can email your girlfriends about all the hot guys you are meeting. Besides, should you mistakenly date a Red Shirt, you may need to update your Facebook relationship status
I'm sure there are more rules to ensure your survival in the event of a teenaged apocalypse but I've decided I'm too old and, besides, night vision goggles make me look fat. So, after the first one hundred pages, I've decided to sit out the rest of this particular apocalypse. I'll catch the next one when it comes around.
1. Your chances of survival will be predicated on the hotness factor ie. how good you look in survival gear. This is more true for women than men. Some less attractive males will survive but only to be cannon fodder because every apocalypse needs Red Shirts
2. Normally intelligent women will become horny teenagers
3. If the guy you are lusting after is sleeping with someone else, no problem, he is only sleeping with her for sex. This does not make him a horndog. It does, however, make her a skank which will be confirmed by your girlfriends. Once you start sleeping with him, you will not be a skank because he isn't sleeping with you for sex. Okay, this rule is a trifle confusing
4. No matter what dangers you encounter, always remember to think how you would best look to the hottest guy in the room
5. If your boyfriend should die, don't despair. He obviously wasn't hot enough. Soon, one of your hotter exes will realize and come to the rescue. After the requisite minute and a half of grieving, you can begin to imagine having hot monkey sex with the ex. However, there is a codicil to this rule. If the ex should try to actually have sex with you, you will develop the ability to read minds and seeing him seeing you having sex with him...ewww. Not ewww because he is seeing you - wow, you are some hot, girl. Look at you, all thin waist and raven black hair and emerald eyes. Damn, you look so good you would want to have sex with your own fine self. No, ewww because he is thinking about having sex with you while he is attempting to have sex with you. Hey, I didn't make up these rules!
6. And this is the most important rule of all. During the apocalypse, no matter where you are, there will be WiFi. This is important so that you can email your girlfriends about all the hot guys you are meeting. Besides, should you mistakenly date a Red Shirt, you may need to update your Facebook relationship status
I'm sure there are more rules to ensure your survival in the event of a teenaged apocalypse but I've decided I'm too old and, besides, night vision goggles make me look fat. So, after the first one hundred pages, I've decided to sit out the rest of this particular apocalypse. I'll catch the next one when it comes around.
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November 16, 2015
After The Ending is book one in The Ending series by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue. You know, when I read a book, I want to be entertained, thrilled, romanced, kept on the edge of my seat. This book did all of that…and more. I loved this book. I sort of turned starting this series into a project. First I read all six of the prequel novellas (which are now available in a compilation called the Omnibus Edition.) This was a delicious build up for me to start the actual series. I fell in love with the prequels but would all the build up be worth it? Oh my gosh, it was worth it and so much more.
Dani and Zoe are best friends, have been since the fourth grade. They grew up on the west coast in Bodega Bay, CA and were pretty much inseparable from the first day they met. The girls are adults now, 26 years old. Zoe has decided to move to Salem, MA to pursue a career. Dani stayed a little closer to home moving north to Seattle where she fell in love with Cam.
Dani thought this was it, she had a great boyfriend, a great life and thought nothing of it when what she thought was the flu virus started spreading. But soon, people started dying. It wasn’t long until the virus took the life of her boyfriend and roommate and she herself became sick. But she survived. Why?
Zoe was going through life as usual, rushing between her two jobs, always busy. But everyone was getting sick, including her roommate as well. She too became ill and she too survived. Zoe and Dani are keeping in touch via email trying to support each other across the thousands of miles separating them. Zoe’s older brother, Jason, is near where Dani lives so Zoe asks him to check on her which happens just in the nick of time to help her recover.
These two girls are immediately thrust into an unknown post apocalyptic world where survival is what you strive for each and every day. The girls know they need to be together, they can’t imagine surviving without each other for support. But getting to each other will not be easy.
Dani has Jason and his friends to help her. She has had a crush on him her entire life. But he is a flirt and a womanizer. Plus she just lost Cam.
Zoe starts out with an ex boyfriend, Dave, but are soon joined by others. Both girls are forced to learn to live a life so different than anything they ever imagined. They have to train, get stronger, learn how to use weapons.
Everyone that survived seems to fall into one of two categories. They are either permanently damaged, slowly losing their minds, dubbed crazies. Or, they develop an ability, a sort of super power. Everyone seems to have one, some are just quicker than others at discovering what they are capable of. Which one of these two groups will our girls and their friends fall into?
And of course, there is romance. I want to say that in both girls situations, we have the slow build up with bushels of anticipation. I was thinking (or yelling) okay, come on already. Just jump each other! Dani is riddled with guilt with her growing attraction to Jason so soon after losing Cam. Plus, with Jason’s past, would she ever be able to trust him?
And with Zoe, well, she eventually meets Jake. “sigh” Jake is tough as nails, mysterious, quiet and totally off the charts hot! But at first he seems to not be able to stand Zoe. She can’t imagine what she has done to make him dislike her so much. He has saved her life, not once but twice. But still, persists in avoiding her at all costs. I already knew why since I read the prequels. The reason will shock you.
In their journeys to reach each other, both girls experience so much. But not all of it is bad. Dani and her group spend quite a bit of time at an old horse ranch. I was imagining how it would be for them to just stay there, live off the land. But you know that can’t happen. I loved that there are a lot of animals in this book. Jake has his amazing dog, Cooper, a husky. Dani has her partner, her german shepherd, Jack. And Dani also has a connection with a horse she names Wings.
Zoe and her group spend quite a lot of time at Fort Knox. They have the place entirely to themselves which they began to wonder if maybe they should just make it permanent. I mean, everything they needed for survival was here. But there is someone that does not want Zoe to survive. Someone that fit’s the crazies category. And this someone will bring pain, loss and sadness to their little group, eventually forcing them to flee.
Will the two groups ever find each other? This book was truly amazing. I could not put it down. I loved all the characters, was sighing at all the sweet moments and gripping my e-reader at the tense ones. And the ending, I was not prepared for that at all!!! What a crazy ride this book was. I loved every minute of it.
“We all have wants and desires and people we believe in. We have hope, and when we lose it, we might as well lie down and die.”
February 3, 2019
Got this book free on Amazon. Such gems can be found on Amazon. Such as this one. This is a book where a virus literally kills off majority of the human population. Think ‘The Walking dead’ without zombies. What would be zombies in this book are called crazies, the reason they’re called crazies is because survivors of the virus have changed. Every single person. Some go crazy in some sort of way, and others have some kind of special ability.
So this book is in the point of view between two people Dani and her best friend Zoe. When the virus strikes they are across the country from each other. Zoe’s brother Jason tells Zoe to head for Colorado Springs, and he’ll get Dani and do the same.
So going through the book, you’ll see what is happening to each girl and the people they are with or have met.
The minute I picked up this book, I didn’t want to put it down. But it’s a big book, and well worth the length. Because there is so much information in it, but not too much where it’s fillers or dead space. It’s literally something pertinent to the story the whole way through.
My final thought on this book besides the fact that it’s super amazing is.... do not make this book into a movie or a tv series. As any loss of any information from this book would be tragic.
So this book is in the point of view between two people Dani and her best friend Zoe. When the virus strikes they are across the country from each other. Zoe’s brother Jason tells Zoe to head for Colorado Springs, and he’ll get Dani and do the same.
So going through the book, you’ll see what is happening to each girl and the people they are with or have met.
The minute I picked up this book, I didn’t want to put it down. But it’s a big book, and well worth the length. Because there is so much information in it, but not too much where it’s fillers or dead space. It’s literally something pertinent to the story the whole way through.
My final thought on this book besides the fact that it’s super amazing is.... do not make this book into a movie or a tv series. As any loss of any information from this book would be tragic.
November 21, 2013
arc provided by L2 Books through Netgalley
DNF at 20%
What... what was this?
This was published?
How? Why?
Dani and Zoe are bff and they are at opposite sides of the country when a flu-like pandemic strikes and kills almost everyone. Their objective is to reach each other.
Seems like a pretty good set up for a dystopia, right? Girl power! Friendship between two girls who've known each other since they were kids taking precedence over the tired clichés of hunky dudes lusting after the main character.
WRONG.
The book starts off with Dani going on and on and ON about how perfect her boyfriend Cam is. No seriously.
"Cam, my adorable boyfriend"
"Cam’s been making soup for Callie…he’s so sweet."
"Cam’s unfailing support"
"Go to sleep, my Cam. I’ll be right here. I love you"
"Cam gave you a bear hug and said, “I love how much you love her!”"
Then he croaks and she's all "Waaaah! He can't do this to me, he promised we'd grow old together and have kids and our kids would marry my bff's kids and then he could die!"
BUT WAIT, because Jason, her bff's brother shows up to save the day and omg, isn't he dreamy? Cam who? Oh right, Cam, her boyfriend whom she remembers because the disposal of his rotting body caused some sexy contention with the hunk, Jason.
As annoying as Dani's narrative is, (and it really is!) it's not as bad as Zoe's. I don't mean plot wise or their personalities, they're both incredibly annoying people - I mean the writing skill. Dani's POV isn't anything special. It's bad, really, but Zoe's POV is My Immortal fanfic bad.
"I unzipped my knee-high, black, calfskin boots and flung them into the corner. The brisk air in the room was a reprieve, cooling my legs which had been fermenting in their leather confines."
"I pulled off my brown pencil skirt and laid it across the bed."
"Pulling my dark hair from its bun, I watched it cascade past my shoulders and settle just above my waist, uncreased despite the twisted knot it had been in all day. I tried to imagine what I’d look like with Dani’s wild curls and rolled my eyes. Wondering was pointless. My hair was boring and straight, but contrasted nicely with my light skin and blue-green eyes.
My dad had blue eyes, but not quite the same color as mine. They were paler, and his hair was so much lighter. I must look more like Mom…"
But does it have a strong message? Simply because female characters are annoying, and the story is written poorly, doesn't mean it can't convey a sense of girl power.
Haha, no.
Dani, in particular, is incredibly fond of girl hate. She makes mean comments and hates on other women for so much as looking at Jason - even though she's not even with Jason since what's his name, the love of her life, oh that's right, Cade. No Cam! Cam. As I was saying, since Cam just died and all.
And she complains about it. Endlessly. No, not about Cam's death. lol that dead dude? No. She complains about Jason not wanting to be with her, and choosing to patrol with a girl soldier instead of civilian old Dani. Why isn't he falling at her feet?! That bitch is totally trying to take him from her, even though he's not even hers to begin with! Look at that slut, trying to take her not-her-man!
Welcome to the Apocalypse, where women spend their days crushing over dreamy guys and emailing their bff about what bitches other girls are.
Because throughout this whole thing Dani and Zoe email each. And then they email each other some more. And some more. And some more.
They even email each other using their phones, even though phones were mentioned to be down, but whatever, because everything works for Mary Sues.
So I'm thinking, "Well, at least this can't get any worse..."
And that's when they gain super powers.
March 1, 2014
I love apocalyptic, end of the whole fucking world, what do we do now books. Yet, once in a while a book comes along that makes me just say what the fuck. Here's my synopsis of this book. Virus hits. Virus kills boyfriend. Girlfriend cries for a minute. Hot brother of BFF shows up. Boyfriend who?!? Blah blah blah blah. Some other shit with the girl's friend trying to find each other. Wham bam everyone who survived the virus suddenly has abilities!!! To read minds! And *gasp* communicate with animals! Huh?!? Well, here's my ability. Speed reading. I've always had it and it didn't come from any virus. Usually I use it when I'm so entranced in a book and I just want to devour the story. In this case, I used my "special powers" so my brain would stop hemorrhaging from reading. I'm sorry. I don't know if it was the fact this book had two cooks in the kitchen but it was the most non-cohesive book I've read in a long long time. I would read Another Little Piece again before subjecting myself more of this series. Now I must go scoop my brain off the floor. >.<
August 5, 2013
Disclaimer: Got this book from NetGalley for a review.
Where do I start? I'm sorry authors but this is just a clusterf*ck of a book. It's the most Mary Sue story I've read sinceTwilight I wrote myself into a Harry Potter fanfic when I was 15. (Yeah, that happened).
I don't even... god. Okay, first off, this book is rife with typos and grammar errors, and believe me, if that was all? I would have rated this much higher, I'm not *that* much of a stickler.
Instead we have a story of two unlikely heroines (fantastically beautiful talented ones at that) who are on other sides of the country when a deadly worldwide (US-wide?) virus strikes and kills 90% of the population. Oh no! End of world scenario, I can get on board with. We're okay so far. It's a bit cheesy but I'll press on.
It's all downhill after here, and there's too much to go into detail so I'll summarise with a list.
I'm done, I'm sorry. Read the other low-rated reviews for the truth about this book.
Where do I start? I'm sorry authors but this is just a clusterf*ck of a book. It's the most Mary Sue story I've read since
I don't even... god. Okay, first off, this book is rife with typos and grammar errors, and believe me, if that was all? I would have rated this much higher, I'm not *that* much of a stickler.
Instead we have a story of two unlikely heroines (fantastically beautiful talented ones at that) who are on other sides of the country when a deadly worldwide (US-wide?) virus strikes and kills 90% of the population. Oh no! End of world scenario, I can get on board with. We're okay so far. It's a bit cheesy but I'll press on.
It's all downhill after here, and there's too much to go into detail so I'll summarise with a list.
I'm done, I'm sorry. Read the other low-rated reviews for the truth about this book.
May 13, 2015
**3.5 Ability Stars**
This series is different from the "normal" Zombie Apocalypse books I have been reading. We don't have the dead waking up and wanting to eat brains, instead there are the "crazies" who just like to kill.
Each survivor (which is minimal) has a special ability from mutated genes - this group is full of drama, angst, love and determination.
What didn't work for me?
I grew so frustrated at one of the heroines in this book - Dani - she was immature, annoying and stupid. Where she should have been in her mid twenties, she acted more like a pubescent child.
Honestly, the rest of the characters were the same way - I would have believed this story more if they were aged in their late teens. So, to relate more to the story...that's exactly how I read it.
This book is told in 2 POV - Zoe and Dani ---- best friends who are miles apart and their goal is to get to each other while surviving.
It ends in a major cliffhanger which makes me want to read the second book in this series.
Hopefully the higher ratings on GR means the characters are a bit less frustrating.
This series is different from the "normal" Zombie Apocalypse books I have been reading. We don't have the dead waking up and wanting to eat brains, instead there are the "crazies" who just like to kill.
Each survivor (which is minimal) has a special ability from mutated genes - this group is full of drama, angst, love and determination.
What didn't work for me?
I grew so frustrated at one of the heroines in this book - Dani - she was immature, annoying and stupid. Where she should have been in her mid twenties, she acted more like a pubescent child.
Honestly, the rest of the characters were the same way - I would have believed this story more if they were aged in their late teens. So, to relate more to the story...that's exactly how I read it.
This book is told in 2 POV - Zoe and Dani ---- best friends who are miles apart and their goal is to get to each other while surviving.
It ends in a major cliffhanger which makes me want to read the second book in this series.
Hopefully the higher ratings on GR means the characters are a bit less frustrating.
October 10, 2013
This genre is normally one of my favorites. Lately that seems to be changing though. Cuz there is some crappy books coming out and shaming the whole idea of it. This is one of them. 2 BFF's (gag) email each other as they face the end of the world. Everyone has the flu and is dying off. (Good idea for a book-but this one squashed the life out of it) I mean dang one of them loses her boyfriend and does it bother her? Not. She has to email said BFF and let her know as she drinks wine.
Please save trees and not produce drivel like this.
Please save trees and not produce drivel like this.
February 11, 2015
Scars remind us we can live life without fear because no matter what happens, we'll heal. We'll get better.
The wisest character in this book is a dead guy. This isn't his story.
Instead, we have the POV's of two girls; Dani and Zoe. They are 26, going on 15, and they are boy-crazy, diary-writing, slut-shaming, mean-girls. ....with superpowers...
Every once in a while, I could like them for a few minutes, when they said something funny, or something funny happened to them. Like when all of the animals came running out to Dani.
Great, I'm an apocalyptic Disney princess. Zoe is going to laugh her ass off.
Now, that's an apocalyptic Disney princess!
But, then they act like total dumbasses again and I remember that they are actually supposed to be 26, and I am sad. Sad for womankind.
"Where did you even get the fireworks?Or do you know how to make them?"
"No," he said with a chuckle, "I can't make fireworks.."
"Oh." The disappointment in my voice surprised me.
"You thought I made them?"
"No.Yes. I don't know what I thought."
Really? Really? She freaking thought he made the fireworks? How completely stupid do you have to be to think that? And, she is disappointed that he didn't make her some fireworks? Uh, unrealistic much? "yeah, dude, if you want to really impress me, I want you to get a hold of some gun powder and some elemental compounds, mix them together, pack them up with a fuse, getting it all just right, with all of the needed ingredients in this post-apocalyptic world, where we can't even really find food, and make me a firework. Oh, and then make me 50 more and put together a show to music. Then, maybe I'll sleep with you."
Even in spite of the dumbassery, I did enjoy the book. I know, I know. So much dumbassery. But, it was a fun enough read. I am a total sucker for X-men kind of books, and end-of-the-world books, so I will overlook some silliness for the fun of it. If I pretend these girls are teenagers, I really have no problem with it at all. So, that is my recommendation. Just pretend they are 15, and you will enjoy the story.
The wisest character in this book is a dead guy. This isn't his story.
Instead, we have the POV's of two girls; Dani and Zoe. They are 26, going on 15, and they are boy-crazy, diary-writing, slut-shaming, mean-girls. ....with superpowers...
Every once in a while, I could like them for a few minutes, when they said something funny, or something funny happened to them. Like when all of the animals came running out to Dani.
Great, I'm an apocalyptic Disney princess. Zoe is going to laugh her ass off.
Now, that's an apocalyptic Disney princess!
But, then they act like total dumbasses again and I remember that they are actually supposed to be 26, and I am sad. Sad for womankind.
"Where did you even get the fireworks?Or do you know how to make them?"
"No," he said with a chuckle, "I can't make fireworks.."
"Oh." The disappointment in my voice surprised me.
"You thought I made them?"
"No.Yes. I don't know what I thought."
Really? Really? She freaking thought he made the fireworks? How completely stupid do you have to be to think that? And, she is disappointed that he didn't make her some fireworks? Uh, unrealistic much? "yeah, dude, if you want to really impress me, I want you to get a hold of some gun powder and some elemental compounds, mix them together, pack them up with a fuse, getting it all just right, with all of the needed ingredients in this post-apocalyptic world, where we can't even really find food, and make me a firework. Oh, and then make me 50 more and put together a show to music. Then, maybe I'll sleep with you."
Even in spite of the dumbassery, I did enjoy the book. I know, I know. So much dumbassery. But, it was a fun enough read. I am a total sucker for X-men kind of books, and end-of-the-world books, so I will overlook some silliness for the fun of it. If I pretend these girls are teenagers, I really have no problem with it at all. So, that is my recommendation. Just pretend they are 15, and you will enjoy the story.
April 5, 2013
I have to start off by saying that I love post-apocalyptic novels and this one sucked me in from the very beginning. This story follows Dani and Zoe as the world as they know it ends. Pretty much 90% of the world's population has died from a weird version of the flu. Only the people that have already had the H1N1 virus seemed to have survived.
The girls are separated, trying their best to meet back up. They correspond with email while the internet is still up, keeping each other up to date on the numerous changes in their lives. The people that survived either turned into "crazies" or developed unique developments, super powers if you will, but much more plausible. Both of the girls notice that they are getting these unique abilities and the ones that they get are so cool.
Dani is in a group of people with Zoe's brother Jason. She has had a crush on him for her whole life. Zoe is with a group of people that she just met up with, part of a military group. Jake is part of her group; he is a mysterious person who saved her life but won't let her get to close. Both of their groups were well-established. I loved the distinction of the characters, how everyone was developed and felt like a friend at the end. The romance was great, not too much, not too little. I was hooked from the first page and it was so hard to put it down. The ending was left wide open for the next book. I could not believe who MG turned out to be! This book had it all, mystery, excitement, sorrow, emotion, happiness, and hope. I cannot wait for the next book!
The girls are separated, trying their best to meet back up. They correspond with email while the internet is still up, keeping each other up to date on the numerous changes in their lives. The people that survived either turned into "crazies" or developed unique developments, super powers if you will, but much more plausible. Both of the girls notice that they are getting these unique abilities and the ones that they get are so cool.
Dani is in a group of people with Zoe's brother Jason. She has had a crush on him for her whole life. Zoe is with a group of people that she just met up with, part of a military group. Jake is part of her group; he is a mysterious person who saved her life but won't let her get to close. Both of their groups were well-established. I loved the distinction of the characters, how everyone was developed and felt like a friend at the end. The romance was great, not too much, not too little. I was hooked from the first page and it was so hard to put it down. The ending was left wide open for the next book. I could not believe who MG turned out to be! This book had it all, mystery, excitement, sorrow, emotion, happiness, and hope. I cannot wait for the next book!
June 4, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Lindsey Fairleigh, Lindsey Pogue, L2 Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members' Titles, and Netgalley.)
26-year-old Dani and Zoe have been best friends forever, but currently though they’re separated – Dani at College and Zoe working in her home town.
A new flu virus is sweeping the country though, and people are getting sicker and sicker, and then they begin to die. Dani and Zoe miraculously survive though, and start off on a mission to travel towards each other and to meet at a safe haven. Dani travels with Zoe’s brother Jason who she has always secretly had a crush on, and Zoe travels with her dead roommate’s best friend Sarah.
Will both Dani and Zoe survive? Who and what will they encounter on their travels? And what else can they expect after the ending?
This story had so many holes in the plot, and was so repetitive it really irritated me.
Dani and Zoe were both okay characters, but they were just so immature! They acted more like 6-year-olds not 26-year-olds, and the constant gossipy emails that they sent each other were so annoying. Not only was it seriously annoying that they had computers, but every email was just a recap of what had happened in the chapter, so it felt like I was reading everything twice. This book could have been half as long, or it could even have just been made up of the emails and still made sense.
Now, the internet.
The phone lines are down, there’s been an apocalypse, but the internet is still working. In fact you can even access the internet using your dead cell phone. How is that possible? What sort of crazy wi-fi do they have that works without phone lines or phone signals? And wouldn’t servers be affected by this lack of phone lines? Wouldn’t the computers that house the basics of the websites need phone lines? This was annoying.
And also, you’re fighting for your lives, you’re on the run, do you take your laptop with you? When you stop at a store to stock up on essentials, does this include art supplies?
I can see why the laptop might be useful with the internet still working, but wouldn’t survival gear be more important? Dani even comments on how clever she is to have taken her laptop because other people didn’t, what she doesn’t take into account is that the others have all had survival training, and bought useful things like hunting knives and water.
The art supplies are just a joke. Who thinks about painting when the world has ended? So frustrating. How these girls survived is a mystery, it certainly wasn’t survival of the fittest.
If all this wasn’t annoying enough, one of the blokes puts on a firework display for Zoe. Would you really do this? Would it not be like a big signal saying ‘we’re here!’ wouldn’t they want to keep a low profile? Just please! This is so silly!
I’m not going to go into why this annoyed me anymore, needless to say it took me a couple of tries to get all the way through it cause I just kept wanting to hit my head against the wall, and I won’t be reading the next one in the series.
Overall; a disappointing post-apocalyptic story.
4 out of 10.
26-year-old Dani and Zoe have been best friends forever, but currently though they’re separated – Dani at College and Zoe working in her home town.
A new flu virus is sweeping the country though, and people are getting sicker and sicker, and then they begin to die. Dani and Zoe miraculously survive though, and start off on a mission to travel towards each other and to meet at a safe haven. Dani travels with Zoe’s brother Jason who she has always secretly had a crush on, and Zoe travels with her dead roommate’s best friend Sarah.
Will both Dani and Zoe survive? Who and what will they encounter on their travels? And what else can they expect after the ending?
This story had so many holes in the plot, and was so repetitive it really irritated me.
Dani and Zoe were both okay characters, but they were just so immature! They acted more like 6-year-olds not 26-year-olds, and the constant gossipy emails that they sent each other were so annoying. Not only was it seriously annoying that they had computers, but every email was just a recap of what had happened in the chapter, so it felt like I was reading everything twice. This book could have been half as long, or it could even have just been made up of the emails and still made sense.
Now, the internet.
The phone lines are down, there’s been an apocalypse, but the internet is still working. In fact you can even access the internet using your dead cell phone. How is that possible? What sort of crazy wi-fi do they have that works without phone lines or phone signals? And wouldn’t servers be affected by this lack of phone lines? Wouldn’t the computers that house the basics of the websites need phone lines? This was annoying.
And also, you’re fighting for your lives, you’re on the run, do you take your laptop with you? When you stop at a store to stock up on essentials, does this include art supplies?
I can see why the laptop might be useful with the internet still working, but wouldn’t survival gear be more important? Dani even comments on how clever she is to have taken her laptop because other people didn’t, what she doesn’t take into account is that the others have all had survival training, and bought useful things like hunting knives and water.
The art supplies are just a joke. Who thinks about painting when the world has ended? So frustrating. How these girls survived is a mystery, it certainly wasn’t survival of the fittest.
If all this wasn’t annoying enough, one of the blokes puts on a firework display for Zoe. Would you really do this? Would it not be like a big signal saying ‘we’re here!’ wouldn’t they want to keep a low profile? Just please! This is so silly!
I’m not going to go into why this annoyed me anymore, needless to say it took me a couple of tries to get all the way through it cause I just kept wanting to hit my head against the wall, and I won’t be reading the next one in the series.
Overall; a disappointing post-apocalyptic story.
4 out of 10.
June 21, 2014
DNF@37%
There were just way to many issues with this novel for me to continue. I was interested in the overall plot but the execution was just too painful for me to continue. The reasons I could not finish this book are as follows;
-Some parts are very realistic(like making the decision to not help someone/being selfish during the apocalypse) and other parts were bafflingly convenient.(Finding surplus of supplies)
-Also one major gripe...I'm not a techie or anything but how the hell do you have internet access during the apocalypse! These are some seriously hardcore internet providers.
- The narrative is split between first person and emails and for some reason the emails read as if they were written by an entirely different character(I'm guessing these were written by the second author but still).The two females in this story(both 26) already act like they are fifteen but the emails seemed as though they were written by a ten year old.
- There was also a weird blasé regarding major events. There was never a single moment of disbelief over any of the crazy stuff that went down.
Overall while the premise has promise the writing has too many flaws for the story to flourish.
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
There were just way to many issues with this novel for me to continue. I was interested in the overall plot but the execution was just too painful for me to continue. The reasons I could not finish this book are as follows;
-Some parts are very realistic(like making the decision to not help someone/being selfish during the apocalypse) and other parts were bafflingly convenient.(Finding surplus of supplies)
-Also one major gripe...I'm not a techie or anything but how the hell do you have internet access during the apocalypse! These are some seriously hardcore internet providers.
- The narrative is split between first person and emails and for some reason the emails read as if they were written by an entirely different character(I'm guessing these were written by the second author but still).The two females in this story(both 26) already act like they are fifteen but the emails seemed as though they were written by a ten year old.
- There was also a weird blasé regarding major events. There was never a single moment of disbelief over any of the crazy stuff that went down.
Overall while the premise has promise the writing has too many flaws for the story to flourish.
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2016
After The Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue is exactly the type of book I had been wanting to read. I'm a huge fan of dystopian novels but you rarely come across books that begins at the start, or well, after the ending of society as we know it - just when it starts to crumble.
This book bounces between two characters, Zoe and Dani, who you really get to understand as they become very well developed in the story. Aside from them, the other characters, major and minor, also feel really thought out even if you only spend a brief amount of time with them.
It doesn't take much to suspend belief that the things happening within the pages of the novel could actually happen - from the happy and normal moments that still arise in chaos, to the sadness of losing those you love, to the grotesque happenings of human nature when given just a bit of control of others - it all seems plausible.
I am very excited to see where these two authors take us as the series continues and this was the perfect book to begin 2014 with.
This book bounces between two characters, Zoe and Dani, who you really get to understand as they become very well developed in the story. Aside from them, the other characters, major and minor, also feel really thought out even if you only spend a brief amount of time with them.
It doesn't take much to suspend belief that the things happening within the pages of the novel could actually happen - from the happy and normal moments that still arise in chaos, to the sadness of losing those you love, to the grotesque happenings of human nature when given just a bit of control of others - it all seems plausible.
I am very excited to see where these two authors take us as the series continues and this was the perfect book to begin 2014 with.
July 27, 2013
For me, this book moved along briskly, alternating the story lines of Dani and Zoe. Best friends since childhood, they make plans to join up again regardless of the difficulties they now face in a post-apocalyptic world. After the horrific plague wiped out most of the world population, the few survivors try to make sense of their new, changing circumstance. As Dani and Zoe each journey separately across the desolate countryside their groups face many obstacles and encounter weird phenomena – what is left of humanity must adapt or die. The young women make every effort to keep in touch with varying degrees of success and give each other support during their travails. I was entranced.
This book ends with a major cliff-hanger, so be prepared to deal with that frustration. I would have preferred this book to have ended a chapter earlier or to have another chapter or two added to wind down a bit. Oh well! I enjoyed the unique writing style, and loved feeling like I was part of the story, bouncing back and forth between the two groups and their various adventures and chilling encounters.
I purchased this book on Amazon for free.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
This book ends with a major cliff-hanger, so be prepared to deal with that frustration. I would have preferred this book to have ended a chapter earlier or to have another chapter or two added to wind down a bit. Oh well! I enjoyed the unique writing style, and loved feeling like I was part of the story, bouncing back and forth between the two groups and their various adventures and chilling encounters.
I purchased this book on Amazon for free.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
February 19, 2014
I absolutely really enjoyed this story. I thought the characters were awesome and invigorating. @ Friends are trapped on the opposite coasts after a worldwide virus gets unleashed. As they travel they find unexpected love and friendship that helps them survive the new world.
Overal the people and the story captured my attention and I couldn't stop reqading if I tried.
Overal the people and the story captured my attention and I couldn't stop reqading if I tried.
Read
January 9, 2024DNF @25% - usually love this author but sadly - this is just awful 😝
June 20, 2014
I have some bad news. The world has ended. Here’s some more bad news – statistically speaking, you probably didn’t survive. If you did happen to hang on, you might have turned into a violent psychopath. However, on the very small chance that you did survive and didn’t turn into a feral sub-human “Crazy”, then you are in for quite a ride. Not only is the world a whole new place, but you might be a whole new you. That’s right, cool powers!
This is the setup of After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue. The story unfolds through the eyes of protagonists Dani O’Connor and Zoe Cartwright. The two best friends are on opposite sides of the country when a mysterious and virulent virus strikes. After a chaotic week of death and despair, Dani and Zoe must face the reality that almost everyone they know is dead. The world is suddenly a much quieter, much more dangerous place.
Fortunately for Dani and Zoe, it isn’t a completely lonely place. They manage to connect with each other sporadically through email before the internet goes down and both vow to seek out a colony of survivors in Colorado and reunite. Each girl falls in with a group of other survivors where new friends and enemies lurk. Something else is lurking too – hot, steamy romance.
Yep, you read right, this story contains bands of wandering psychopaths, dystopian survival struggles, cool powers, and two alpha male love interests dangerously armed with guns, chiseled abs, and hidden emotional wounds.
The Lindseys have crafted a very unique and engaging story that quickly pulls you in. Dani and Zoe’s rock solid friendship and their long journey to reunite provide the foundation for a very active and adventurous novel. Dani and Zoe are both an interesting balance between strength and vulnerability. They do require rescue on occasion, but they also hold up extraordinarily well under the intense pressure and great challenges they face.
Romance fans are going to love the two hunky heroes that drive these girls insane. Quiet, conflicted Jake seems both drawn and repelled by Zoe. What does he know that he won’t tell her? Jason is handsome, stern, and made to lead. He also beds anything with a pair of boobs. Is he really interested in Dani, or does he see her as just another conquest? Let the misunderstandings, lusty loins, and longing looks commence!
And powers! Yes, people have them now. I won’t give away too much except to say that this definitely spiced up the story from my perspective.
I had a few issues with this novel. I’m not a big romance fan, and I felt the misunderstandings between the two women and their respective men stretched to epic eye rolling proportions. Additionally, in a few places the story seemed to fritz out, leaping ahead of a big development at the start of a chapter and then telling it as backstory. Lastly, I felt that several of the side characters were woefully underdeveloped and perhaps could have been left out of the story altogether.
All of these issues were more than forgivable, especially as I greedily read on in the grip of this novel’s strong current. Overall this is a great start to a promising series. I can’t wait to pick up the second book!
This is the setup of After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue. The story unfolds through the eyes of protagonists Dani O’Connor and Zoe Cartwright. The two best friends are on opposite sides of the country when a mysterious and virulent virus strikes. After a chaotic week of death and despair, Dani and Zoe must face the reality that almost everyone they know is dead. The world is suddenly a much quieter, much more dangerous place.
Fortunately for Dani and Zoe, it isn’t a completely lonely place. They manage to connect with each other sporadically through email before the internet goes down and both vow to seek out a colony of survivors in Colorado and reunite. Each girl falls in with a group of other survivors where new friends and enemies lurk. Something else is lurking too – hot, steamy romance.
Yep, you read right, this story contains bands of wandering psychopaths, dystopian survival struggles, cool powers, and two alpha male love interests dangerously armed with guns, chiseled abs, and hidden emotional wounds.
The Lindseys have crafted a very unique and engaging story that quickly pulls you in. Dani and Zoe’s rock solid friendship and their long journey to reunite provide the foundation for a very active and adventurous novel. Dani and Zoe are both an interesting balance between strength and vulnerability. They do require rescue on occasion, but they also hold up extraordinarily well under the intense pressure and great challenges they face.
Romance fans are going to love the two hunky heroes that drive these girls insane. Quiet, conflicted Jake seems both drawn and repelled by Zoe. What does he know that he won’t tell her? Jason is handsome, stern, and made to lead. He also beds anything with a pair of boobs. Is he really interested in Dani, or does he see her as just another conquest? Let the misunderstandings, lusty loins, and longing looks commence!
And powers! Yes, people have them now. I won’t give away too much except to say that this definitely spiced up the story from my perspective.
I had a few issues with this novel. I’m not a big romance fan, and I felt the misunderstandings between the two women and their respective men stretched to epic eye rolling proportions. Additionally, in a few places the story seemed to fritz out, leaping ahead of a big development at the start of a chapter and then telling it as backstory. Lastly, I felt that several of the side characters were woefully underdeveloped and perhaps could have been left out of the story altogether.
All of these issues were more than forgivable, especially as I greedily read on in the grip of this novel’s strong current. Overall this is a great start to a promising series. I can’t wait to pick up the second book!
August 12, 2016
So, I'm not going to lie. This was a re-read for me. I read it last year, I believe, during the time I wasn't blogging due to my lack of a computer. I read it again because I wanted the story fresh in my mind for the second installment, and because I wanted it fresh to be able to write this review. Two birds, one stone.
I feel like reading it the second time around was better because instead of rushing through to find out what happens next, I was able to appreciate the story even more and pick up on things that maybe I didn't before.
Because this is a dystopian story, you can expect there to be some common formulaic similarities between this and other dystopian novels. You have the "good guys", trying to survive in a world that no longer resembles the world they lived in just days before. Good guys that are multi-faceted enough to make them believable and endearing.
But, there's also the "bad guys". The ones that like to take advantage of the current situation and are harmful to our protagonists and others. However, you also have the "collateral damage". In zombie books, that's usually the zombies. The ones that, unluckily, managed to become face-eating monsters. In After the Ending there are no zombies, though. The poor souls in this story are, in my opinion, worse. They're almost scarier.
What this book has that the others don't? An absolutely fantastic narrative, for one. I loved seeing what was going on with both Dani and Zoe. Seriously, having each author write their own character, was brilliant. Each of the girls stands out to me. At times I felt like I was in a movie watching everything play out. And just when I'd be so devastatingly immersed in Dani's story, I'd get swept away into Zoe's. Both girls were likable, but not perfect. And their friendship is probably my favorite relationship in the series so far... Okay, maybe.
Also, what this book has is two amazing writers who know how to make a story interesting and informative at the same time. I didn't get bored. Ever. I mean, I was able to read it a second time without skipping over any of it. And the characters. ALL of them were interesting to me. All of them made me want to get to know them a little more. How can so many characters be interesting? I don't know! Ask the Lindseys!
My review for Into the Fire is coming. I just finished it last night. You'll want to pick up both of these. And then go pray that the next one comes out soon.
Christy @ Captivated Reading
I feel like reading it the second time around was better because instead of rushing through to find out what happens next, I was able to appreciate the story even more and pick up on things that maybe I didn't before.
Because this is a dystopian story, you can expect there to be some common formulaic similarities between this and other dystopian novels. You have the "good guys", trying to survive in a world that no longer resembles the world they lived in just days before. Good guys that are multi-faceted enough to make them believable and endearing.
But, there's also the "bad guys". The ones that like to take advantage of the current situation and are harmful to our protagonists and others. However, you also have the "collateral damage". In zombie books, that's usually the zombies. The ones that, unluckily, managed to become face-eating monsters. In After the Ending there are no zombies, though. The poor souls in this story are, in my opinion, worse. They're almost scarier.
What this book has that the others don't? An absolutely fantastic narrative, for one. I loved seeing what was going on with both Dani and Zoe. Seriously, having each author write their own character, was brilliant. Each of the girls stands out to me. At times I felt like I was in a movie watching everything play out. And just when I'd be so devastatingly immersed in Dani's story, I'd get swept away into Zoe's. Both girls were likable, but not perfect. And their friendship is probably my favorite relationship in the series so far... Okay, maybe.
Also, what this book has is two amazing writers who know how to make a story interesting and informative at the same time. I didn't get bored. Ever. I mean, I was able to read it a second time without skipping over any of it. And the characters. ALL of them were interesting to me. All of them made me want to get to know them a little more. How can so many characters be interesting? I don't know! Ask the Lindseys!
My review for Into the Fire is coming. I just finished it last night. You'll want to pick up both of these. And then go pray that the next one comes out soon.
Christy @ Captivated Reading
April 7, 2013
“The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began. We may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed us…”
After the Ending, a joint venture by authors Lindsey Farleigh and Lindsey Pogue focuses on two friends, Dani O’Connor and Zoe Cartwright, both twenty-six, best friends since childhood, both struggling to survive in a new and terrifying world amongst strangers they must learn to trust and rely on. Their goal is to reunite, hopefully in a new place that is a haven to re-build in. They are broken, scared, alone and ‘changed.’ Through their emails and texts, they relay life with the groups they have aligned with, sharing funny moments, sad moments, horrors, joys, and the just plain eerie things that are going on around them. Their communications are what keep them sane, sharing as only best friends can do!
Dani is in a group of people including Zoe's older brother Jason, a fierce womanizing soldier and Dani’s secret crush her whole life. Will he finally notice her? What are these strange abilities she is gaining?
Zoe has joined a military group and finds herself attracted to the standoffish, strong and broodingly mysterious Jake. Like everyone else, Zoe is gaining an amazing ability that she must learn to control, will she be safe with this group?
The action is intense and the creativity of the authors is fresh! They were not afraid to blend fantasy with the improbable and put it out there, because really, will cellphones still work? Will the internet still be up? Who knows? It’s their fantasy being shared with all of us, so why not??? The world building was truly believable and well done! I could feel the saddle sores-ugh! I could see, smell and feel the devastation! I felt I got to know the characters, who really ‘made’ the story! I think the authors have achieved their goal of creating a world that, in spite of what has destroyed it, still has a glimmer of hope for the future, hooking me in that cliffhanger at the end! There is NO way I will miss learning more about “MG”!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and L2 Books in exchange for my honest review.
After the Ending, a joint venture by authors Lindsey Farleigh and Lindsey Pogue focuses on two friends, Dani O’Connor and Zoe Cartwright, both twenty-six, best friends since childhood, both struggling to survive in a new and terrifying world amongst strangers they must learn to trust and rely on. Their goal is to reunite, hopefully in a new place that is a haven to re-build in. They are broken, scared, alone and ‘changed.’ Through their emails and texts, they relay life with the groups they have aligned with, sharing funny moments, sad moments, horrors, joys, and the just plain eerie things that are going on around them. Their communications are what keep them sane, sharing as only best friends can do!
Dani is in a group of people including Zoe's older brother Jason, a fierce womanizing soldier and Dani’s secret crush her whole life. Will he finally notice her? What are these strange abilities she is gaining?
Zoe has joined a military group and finds herself attracted to the standoffish, strong and broodingly mysterious Jake. Like everyone else, Zoe is gaining an amazing ability that she must learn to control, will she be safe with this group?
The action is intense and the creativity of the authors is fresh! They were not afraid to blend fantasy with the improbable and put it out there, because really, will cellphones still work? Will the internet still be up? Who knows? It’s their fantasy being shared with all of us, so why not??? The world building was truly believable and well done! I could feel the saddle sores-ugh! I could see, smell and feel the devastation! I felt I got to know the characters, who really ‘made’ the story! I think the authors have achieved their goal of creating a world that, in spite of what has destroyed it, still has a glimmer of hope for the future, hooking me in that cliffhanger at the end! There is NO way I will miss learning more about “MG”!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and L2 Books in exchange for my honest review.
November 3, 2013
Thank you kindly to the authors for the copy of this book to review.
The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began. We may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed us.
Right, the first thing I need to do is apologise for the “sitting on the fence” feel to this review – there were things I loved about this book and things I really didnt get on with. This being my first foray into fiction termed “New Adult” it was the Post Apocalyptic aspects of this one that drew me to it…
This had a good if cliched premise, reasonably well executed for the most part – with two female protagonists – Best friends who find themselves at opposite ends of the country when the virus hits and determined to be reunited. I liked that idea very much as a focus. As the survivors become “changed”, again, it was an aspect of the read that I was drawn to. The writing style is engaging, light, and involving enough.
However, I also had several issues. Most importantly the continuing ability of the two friends to interact via email. It seems most unlikely and takes you out of the story somewhat. Also despite their age, these two sound more like teenagers than the young ladies they are described as – and quite often act that way as well. This didnt really work for me, nor did the heavy romantic content – I was not convinced that A) within a very short timescale after discovering your boyfriend was dead you would be emailing anyone and B) that not that long after that your attention would be taken by another man.
Having said that, despite its faults, I did enjoy this. The road trip aspect of it was good, and the ending had enough of an edge to make me want to find out what happens next. Still,on a very personal reading level, I prefer less romantic content and more action and angst in my post apocalyptic fiction.
If you like this type of novel with a strong romantic element rather than a more relentless survival aspect feel, then I think you would enjoy this. I’m not sure what age group I would direct it towards – certainly it is more adult than young adult in content but equally I’m not sure the characters would stand up to the scrutiny of a totally adult audience. There is certainly room for development here.
Happy Reading Folks!
The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began. We may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed us.
Right, the first thing I need to do is apologise for the “sitting on the fence” feel to this review – there were things I loved about this book and things I really didnt get on with. This being my first foray into fiction termed “New Adult” it was the Post Apocalyptic aspects of this one that drew me to it…
This had a good if cliched premise, reasonably well executed for the most part – with two female protagonists – Best friends who find themselves at opposite ends of the country when the virus hits and determined to be reunited. I liked that idea very much as a focus. As the survivors become “changed”, again, it was an aspect of the read that I was drawn to. The writing style is engaging, light, and involving enough.
However, I also had several issues. Most importantly the continuing ability of the two friends to interact via email. It seems most unlikely and takes you out of the story somewhat. Also despite their age, these two sound more like teenagers than the young ladies they are described as – and quite often act that way as well. This didnt really work for me, nor did the heavy romantic content – I was not convinced that A) within a very short timescale after discovering your boyfriend was dead you would be emailing anyone and B) that not that long after that your attention would be taken by another man.
Having said that, despite its faults, I did enjoy this. The road trip aspect of it was good, and the ending had enough of an edge to make me want to find out what happens next. Still,on a very personal reading level, I prefer less romantic content and more action and angst in my post apocalyptic fiction.
If you like this type of novel with a strong romantic element rather than a more relentless survival aspect feel, then I think you would enjoy this. I’m not sure what age group I would direct it towards – certainly it is more adult than young adult in content but equally I’m not sure the characters would stand up to the scrutiny of a totally adult audience. There is certainly room for development here.
Happy Reading Folks!
April 25, 2013
I seem to be having a bout of bad luck with my fiction choices, especially in the post-apocalyptic genre. This one sounded like a quick-paced, action-filled thriller and ended up as one of the slowest books I’ve read so far this year.
There’s just no way of sugar-coating it: the writing is bad. Cringe-worthy bad. There are not only basic grammatical issues but also stylistic ones that make most readers want to fling the book away. There is too much “telling” instead of “showing” and this gets in the way of the already diluted plot. Add to that characters who are so underdeveloped you can interchange them or meld them into one and still have basically the same book, and you have one dull read.
Zoe and Dani, the two protagonists, are suddenly thrust into this post-apocalyptic world that is never really completely explained. Yes, there is a virus that takes out most of the population, but we don’t really get much about it, not even through flashbacks. But never mind that. What was most disconcerting about the two of them was that although society had crumbled around them, these two women were more interested in getting *pardon the expression* laid than anything else. The amount of time spent obsession over one man or another was absolutely ludicrous. And that’s not even the worst part about it: one of them actually loses a husband to the disease yet seems to completely forget him as she drools over another guy.
I’m not going to go on and on about it because it’s not worth it. Steer clear of this book. It will make you cringe.
There’s just no way of sugar-coating it: the writing is bad. Cringe-worthy bad. There are not only basic grammatical issues but also stylistic ones that make most readers want to fling the book away. There is too much “telling” instead of “showing” and this gets in the way of the already diluted plot. Add to that characters who are so underdeveloped you can interchange them or meld them into one and still have basically the same book, and you have one dull read.
Zoe and Dani, the two protagonists, are suddenly thrust into this post-apocalyptic world that is never really completely explained. Yes, there is a virus that takes out most of the population, but we don’t really get much about it, not even through flashbacks. But never mind that. What was most disconcerting about the two of them was that although society had crumbled around them, these two women were more interested in getting *pardon the expression* laid than anything else. The amount of time spent obsession over one man or another was absolutely ludicrous. And that’s not even the worst part about it: one of them actually loses a husband to the disease yet seems to completely forget him as she drools over another guy.
I’m not going to go on and on about it because it’s not worth it. Steer clear of this book. It will make you cringe.
June 5, 2013
A-MA-ZING!
Every once in a while, a book or movie comes along, that you don't expect much from, or maybe it's just that you don't know what to expect. More often than not, these pieces of pop culture will be mediocre at best, but then there are the "sleepers", the ones that surprise you in every good way they possibly can.
Dani and Zoe are lifelong best friends, but college, life, and young adulthood find them living far away from each other. Then a virus sweeps through the United States, decimating its population, and leaving the few survivors desperate to connect with each other. "After the Ending" is the start of Dani and Zoe's journey to find each other again. But there are intriguin differences in this new world order. Some survivors have gone insane, and the rest find themselves gifted with new and powerful psychic abilities. The interplay of these abilities is what makes the book so unique.
I loved Dani and Zoe, and the cast of supporting characters was fascinating. Also, Dani's "ability" was basically my secret wish come true,
I cannot wait til the sequel is released in the fall, as this novel ended with an exciting cliffhanger!
Every once in a while, a book or movie comes along, that you don't expect much from, or maybe it's just that you don't know what to expect. More often than not, these pieces of pop culture will be mediocre at best, but then there are the "sleepers", the ones that surprise you in every good way they possibly can.
Dani and Zoe are lifelong best friends, but college, life, and young adulthood find them living far away from each other. Then a virus sweeps through the United States, decimating its population, and leaving the few survivors desperate to connect with each other. "After the Ending" is the start of Dani and Zoe's journey to find each other again. But there are intriguin differences in this new world order. Some survivors have gone insane, and the rest find themselves gifted with new and powerful psychic abilities. The interplay of these abilities is what makes the book so unique.
I loved Dani and Zoe, and the cast of supporting characters was fascinating. Also, Dani's "ability" was basically my secret wish come true,
I cannot wait til the sequel is released in the fall, as this novel ended with an exciting cliffhanger!
September 8, 2016
I read this book to 13% & gave up on it. The writing is terrible - talk about bouncing all over the place. Loved ones are dying & these girls act like it's just another day. They're 26 years old, but I felt like they were 14.
The end of the world is happening, & they are more concerned with boys or clothes or looks.
I felt like these were 2 valley girl barbies who'd rather email each other than solve actual problems.
"Like, lets totally email each other in a world with no power but the wifi, like, works. OMG there is a sick person, iew! Do you think Dave likes me? How's my hair?"
DO NOT READ
The end of the world is happening, & they are more concerned with boys or clothes or looks.
I felt like these were 2 valley girl barbies who'd rather email each other than solve actual problems.
"Like, lets totally email each other in a world with no power but the wifi, like, works. OMG there is a sick person, iew! Do you think Dave likes me? How's my hair?"
DO NOT READ
March 15, 2013
I really liked the concept of this book. There were a few things that annoyed me about it - the emails seemed a little silly at times, the language was a little much, and the love scenes were more graphic than necessary.
Nice cliffhanger ending that I totally called from about halfway through, but I'm really interested to see what happens in book #2. At times it reminded me of The Walking Dead and I liked the survivalist stuff. I felt there were some plot holes that aren't very well explained, but overall I enjoyed the book.
Nice cliffhanger ending that I totally called from about halfway through, but I'm really interested to see what happens in book #2. At times it reminded me of The Walking Dead and I liked the survivalist stuff. I felt there were some plot holes that aren't very well explained, but overall I enjoyed the book.
January 23, 2024
Terrible in so many ways.
TL;DR sexist pick me characters, disgusting attitude towards mental health, slut shaming, bad writing, and just awful unlikable protagonists
I will not dunk on the achievement that is publishing a book. It's admirable and takes a lot of work. That being said, since it's out here and I read it I'm putting in my honest thoughts.
My problems were as follows (to be updated as needed)
1) Any kind of mental health issue is mocked and written off as being evil psycho bitches or people who weren't good enough to not off themselves. Apparently people who kill themselves in a post-apocalyptic world where their loved ones are more than 90% certain to be dead? "They lost hope. They're the fools." STRAIGHT from the mouth of a protagonist. Completely unnecessary to put down suicide victims in a story like this. Also the romantic interest being spoken to, his own sister stabbed herself to avoid fate, and according to book logic it's okay because she was trying to avoid a terrible fate but also by book logic, she was a fool? Whatever I guess.
2) Other women exist in this book as targets for ridicule or as props to prevent the protagonists from engaging in any real, meaningful, self-reflection.
3) Weird exotifying and fetishizing of Hispanic characters and some dogwhistles.
4) The protagonists have to be nasty about other women a few times every chapter and also seem to wonder why those same women don't like them.
5) I'm gonna probably repeat some points because everything overlaps and I can't emphasize certain ones enough but the slutshaming is so bad. Legit any woman who shows any kind of interest in the same man as the protagonists can't just exist as people who happen to show interest in the same guy. They get overinflated into caricatures of supervillains whose past traumas (which certainly inform their mental health) get discarded for the sake of being villains.
6) Intense hypocrisy from the characters. Expects people to be clued into them but doesn't put the effort in to getting to know them the way others try to get to know them. Denigrate others behind their backs and get surprised there are people that don't like them.
Expect to know personal details about someone they barely know because the dude be hot and they gonna bang and you gotta have drama, and then keep secrets because there's personal private things they have to figure out. But get mad when they aren't told things even though those people are also sorting out private personal things. And these things on either end involve both parties but our 'heroes' are never in the wrong.
Call other people psycho bitches who are entitled when they've done nothing but act entitled.
7) The continuous months long usage of wifi, electricity, and fuel are hand-waved off as a 'who knows when it'll run out' type deal until it's story convenient to run out.
8) Characters that are/were supposed to mean something are forgotten until its needed for a few words of emotion and convenience.
9) Super powers??? Since when was basic empathy and thinking about someone else for once a quality of our meant to be likeable protagonist's superpowers? Took forever for one to realize that the person leading and taking care of the group is a person who is strong, protective, and went through some shit. That's just basic surface level thoughts about another person and it's painted as part of a SUPERPOWER. She needed to have telepathy to realize this about someone.
10) Just not a good time.
TL;DR sexist pick me characters, disgusting attitude towards mental health, slut shaming, bad writing, and just awful unlikable protagonists
I will not dunk on the achievement that is publishing a book. It's admirable and takes a lot of work. That being said, since it's out here and I read it I'm putting in my honest thoughts.
My problems were as follows (to be updated as needed)
1) Any kind of mental health issue is mocked and written off as being evil psycho bitches or people who weren't good enough to not off themselves. Apparently people who kill themselves in a post-apocalyptic world where their loved ones are more than 90% certain to be dead? "They lost hope. They're the fools." STRAIGHT from the mouth of a protagonist. Completely unnecessary to put down suicide victims in a story like this. Also the romantic interest being spoken to, his own sister stabbed herself to avoid fate, and according to book logic it's okay because she was trying to avoid a terrible fate but also by book logic, she was a fool? Whatever I guess.
2) Other women exist in this book as targets for ridicule or as props to prevent the protagonists from engaging in any real, meaningful, self-reflection.
3) Weird exotifying and fetishizing of Hispanic characters and some dogwhistles.
4) The protagonists have to be nasty about other women a few times every chapter and also seem to wonder why those same women don't like them.
5) I'm gonna probably repeat some points because everything overlaps and I can't emphasize certain ones enough but the slutshaming is so bad. Legit any woman who shows any kind of interest in the same man as the protagonists can't just exist as people who happen to show interest in the same guy. They get overinflated into caricatures of supervillains whose past traumas (which certainly inform their mental health) get discarded for the sake of being villains.
6) Intense hypocrisy from the characters. Expects people to be clued into them but doesn't put the effort in to getting to know them the way others try to get to know them. Denigrate others behind their backs and get surprised there are people that don't like them.
Expect to know personal details about someone they barely know because the dude be hot and they gonna bang and you gotta have drama, and then keep secrets because there's personal private things they have to figure out. But get mad when they aren't told things even though those people are also sorting out private personal things. And these things on either end involve both parties but our 'heroes' are never in the wrong.
Call other people psycho bitches who are entitled when they've done nothing but act entitled.
7) The continuous months long usage of wifi, electricity, and fuel are hand-waved off as a 'who knows when it'll run out' type deal until it's story convenient to run out.
8) Characters that are/were supposed to mean something are forgotten until its needed for a few words of emotion and convenience.
9) Super powers??? Since when was basic empathy and thinking about someone else for once a quality of our meant to be likeable protagonist's superpowers? Took forever for one to realize that the person leading and taking care of the group is a person who is strong, protective, and went through some shit. That's just basic surface level thoughts about another person and it's painted as part of a SUPERPOWER. She needed to have telepathy to realize this about someone.
10) Just not a good time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2013
Although post-apocalyptic novels are a dime a dozen lately, After the Ending was brilliantly unique. I haven’t read anything else that has such relatable characters or that so vividly captures the terror of watching the world around you fall apart. The authors also avoid two things that bother me in most post-apocalyptic or dystopian novels and I loved them for it. First, many books have characters who take too long to admit that something out of science fiction is happening. I realize that I would take some convincing before I believed the events in this book were happening to me, but I think the sci-fi I’ve read would allow me to adapt. The characters in this book are, in my opinion, right on the money, adapting to their new reality at a believable speed. Second, a lot of books draw out interpersonal conflicts by having characters be so stupid I want to shake them. The characters in this book instead actually talk to people when they have problems with them. As a result, the plot advanced at an exciting pace and the authors were able to fill the book with an incredible amount of adventure.
In general, the characters were believably intelligent, not too perfect, and very relatable. While their e-mails to each other did sound a little young for their age, I thought the authors did a pretty good job capturing the way real people talk without giving the writing an unprofessional feel. The e-mails were integrated into the story nicely and didn’t break up the flow of the writing at all. In fact, I think they added information about the characters’ feelings which benefited the story telling. The view point swapping was also executed flawlessly. I’ve never minded books that swap between multiple view points, but I still appreciated that the authors would sometimes give a character consecutive chapters when something exciting was going on.
Finally, the science was a little bit of a stretch, but fairly believable. Of course it turns out someone nefarious is behind the whole thing, but the authors don’t rub your face in the fact, which for me made it feel less cliche. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger, but an acceptable one since the main conflict of this book was resolved first. The writing was superb and this is by far the best edited independently published book I’ve read, on top of it’s many other good qualities, so I’m waiting with bated breath for the next book. Highly, highly recommended!
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
In general, the characters were believably intelligent, not too perfect, and very relatable. While their e-mails to each other did sound a little young for their age, I thought the authors did a pretty good job capturing the way real people talk without giving the writing an unprofessional feel. The e-mails were integrated into the story nicely and didn’t break up the flow of the writing at all. In fact, I think they added information about the characters’ feelings which benefited the story telling. The view point swapping was also executed flawlessly. I’ve never minded books that swap between multiple view points, but I still appreciated that the authors would sometimes give a character consecutive chapters when something exciting was going on.
Finally, the science was a little bit of a stretch, but fairly believable. Of course it turns out someone nefarious is behind the whole thing, but the authors don’t rub your face in the fact, which for me made it feel less cliche. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger, but an acceptable one since the main conflict of this book was resolved first. The writing was superb and this is by far the best edited independently published book I’ve read, on top of it’s many other good qualities, so I’m waiting with bated breath for the next book. Highly, highly recommended!
This review first published on Doing Dewey.
August 30, 2013
I'm still unsure about my rating for this one.
I love Post Apocalyptic books so after reading the synopsis I knew I'd read it. A world wide virus hits and within weeks most of the population is dead. Dani and her boyfriend get the virus but he dies and she barely survives. Zoe, Danis' BFF, is hundreds of miles away and her roommate gets the virus and dies so she decides to send her brother to see if Dani is still alive(he lives near Dani). She is and they decide to meet up in this supposedly safe place. Each group leaves and checks on their own family members along the way.
The virus that killed everyone has changed others. Some of them have become 'Crazies' and some seem to have developed special powers. The Crazies are extremely dangerous and some of the people with the powers have let it gone to their heads and turned bad. Each group has their work cut out for them trying to stay alive.
OK, I wanted to love this, I really did but I have a few WTFudge moments and was like Ugh!! First of all there was the emails between Dani and Zoe. While it was a good idea it kind of fell flat. To me it was like they were just rehashing what we already knew and I found myself skimming most of them. Also how would the internet be working when there was no phones???? And how would they have WiFi everywhere they went? Also the way the girls were about meeting up was kind of obsessive. They would go on their own just to meet up even with what happened and the Crazies.
I hate being negative but so much annoyed me in this book. Dani 'loved' her boyfriend but within days of meeting up with Jason she was fawning all over him. The Crazies were another thing. They weren't explained well, how did they become like that? Maybe it will be explained in the next book though!!
Now saying that, I ended up liking it. The whole Virus giving super powers was unique to me and I liked the idea. Also there wasn't really a dull moment in the book. Something was always happening. The "villians" were really bad which I enjoyed and I liked most of the characters. Overall it wasn't a bad book it just raised a lot of What?? moments. The ending was a real cliffhanger and felt a bit abrupt but it will make you want to read the next book just to see what happens, also the hinting that the virus may not have been natural is another thing that will make you want to pick up book 2.
I love Post Apocalyptic books so after reading the synopsis I knew I'd read it. A world wide virus hits and within weeks most of the population is dead. Dani and her boyfriend get the virus but he dies and she barely survives. Zoe, Danis' BFF, is hundreds of miles away and her roommate gets the virus and dies so she decides to send her brother to see if Dani is still alive(he lives near Dani). She is and they decide to meet up in this supposedly safe place. Each group leaves and checks on their own family members along the way.
The virus that killed everyone has changed others. Some of them have become 'Crazies' and some seem to have developed special powers. The Crazies are extremely dangerous and some of the people with the powers have let it gone to their heads and turned bad. Each group has their work cut out for them trying to stay alive.
OK, I wanted to love this, I really did but I have a few WTFudge moments and was like Ugh!! First of all there was the emails between Dani and Zoe. While it was a good idea it kind of fell flat. To me it was like they were just rehashing what we already knew and I found myself skimming most of them. Also how would the internet be working when there was no phones???? And how would they have WiFi everywhere they went? Also the way the girls were about meeting up was kind of obsessive. They would go on their own just to meet up even with what happened and the Crazies.
I hate being negative but so much annoyed me in this book. Dani 'loved' her boyfriend but within days of meeting up with Jason she was fawning all over him. The Crazies were another thing. They weren't explained well, how did they become like that? Maybe it will be explained in the next book though!!
Now saying that, I ended up liking it. The whole Virus giving super powers was unique to me and I liked the idea. Also there wasn't really a dull moment in the book. Something was always happening. The "villians" were really bad which I enjoyed and I liked most of the characters. Overall it wasn't a bad book it just raised a lot of What?? moments. The ending was a real cliffhanger and felt a bit abrupt but it will make you want to read the next book just to see what happens, also the hinting that the virus may not have been natural is another thing that will make you want to pick up book 2.
April 23, 2013
I'm always up for a dystopian novel...and this was a good book...just not very plausible in some instances.
"What would you do if what you thought was the flu, killed 90% of the population. What would you do if you got sick but didn't die, and ended up with new ability. What would you do, to get to you love ones? save your loved ones? Well Dani and Zoe are about to find out."
I actually really enjoyed this book, most of the time. The two main characters were fun to read, and really came into their own as the book progresses. The book was well written, just not always well thought out. When I was reading the emails sent back in fourth between the two friends (the internet is up? What the Hell?) I felt they were more young college students (18/19) Not 26 year old women. Some of the emails seemed very teenagerish or even childish...Not what you would expect from women their age. Now let's gets back to the internet... Why aren't they suspicious about that... I mean hardly any gas, low food supplies...shoddy electricity...and the internet is on? Come On!!! Now onto the good stuff...
I loved reading about the relationships in this book, even before they got steamy. These girls really fought to stay alive, but at the same time found something they weren't really looking for. The thing about the world ending is that while it brings out the good in some people...it brings out the worst in most. I thought the villains in this story were brilliantly written. Each horrible person they came upon worst than the last. I am a big fan of the walking dead and revolution and I think to write a really good guy...you have to write the bad guy better. So this book gets 4 stars because it was just that Good, but I'm hoping the next in the series explains why is the internet on...and I don't like endings that leave me hanging...unless I can read the other book right then;)
I received this book as an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.
"What would you do if what you thought was the flu, killed 90% of the population. What would you do if you got sick but didn't die, and ended up with new ability. What would you do, to get to you love ones? save your loved ones? Well Dani and Zoe are about to find out."
I actually really enjoyed this book, most of the time. The two main characters were fun to read, and really came into their own as the book progresses. The book was well written, just not always well thought out. When I was reading the emails sent back in fourth between the two friends (the internet is up? What the Hell?) I felt they were more young college students (18/19) Not 26 year old women. Some of the emails seemed very teenagerish or even childish...Not what you would expect from women their age. Now let's gets back to the internet... Why aren't they suspicious about that... I mean hardly any gas, low food supplies...shoddy electricity...and the internet is on? Come On!!! Now onto the good stuff...
I loved reading about the relationships in this book, even before they got steamy. These girls really fought to stay alive, but at the same time found something they weren't really looking for. The thing about the world ending is that while it brings out the good in some people...it brings out the worst in most. I thought the villains in this story were brilliantly written. Each horrible person they came upon worst than the last. I am a big fan of the walking dead and revolution and I think to write a really good guy...you have to write the bad guy better. So this book gets 4 stars because it was just that Good, but I'm hoping the next in the series explains why is the internet on...and I don't like endings that leave me hanging...unless I can read the other book right then;)
I received this book as an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.
July 19, 2013
This is one of those books where you really enjoy but you’re not too fussed about the ending or what’s to come as literally anything could happen.
The story is about people getting the flu and dying… that is the apocalypse. Zoe and Dani two best friends who live on the opposite side of the country need to find each other after the “ending”. That is the jist of the book. Basically people die and then they gain these “abilities” which are pretty much superpowers (some can talk to you in your mind, others can calm you down, manipulate you) it’s all great fun (apart from all the dead people and their bodies just piling up)
So with the new hype of apocalypse with World War Z coming out in the cinema (which was pretty awesome) I couldn’t wait to be a part of this book tour and yay me for signing up for it. I really loved this book. I thought it was a really interesting idea and I really liked it.
The style of writing is brilliant. Each chapter is told by either Dani or Zoe and they switch about which I thought was pretty awesome as you get to know what is happening with both of the girls. At the end of the chapter the girls write emails to each other (who knew the internet would still be up after the end of the world?) which got really annoying. At first it was nice as the relationship between the girls grew but holy hell did that get boring. It was just re reading the chapter but with more chatty comments.
I love how two authors worked together on this book, it’s one of the first books that I’ve read that two authors are included in the whole story; and they really pulled through the book had a really good flow to it that I loved.
To be honest I would love to have one of those abilities… no I’d want more than one it would be so awesome… but shame about all the people dying and not surviving the virus.
The story is about people getting the flu and dying… that is the apocalypse. Zoe and Dani two best friends who live on the opposite side of the country need to find each other after the “ending”. That is the jist of the book. Basically people die and then they gain these “abilities” which are pretty much superpowers (some can talk to you in your mind, others can calm you down, manipulate you) it’s all great fun (apart from all the dead people and their bodies just piling up)
So with the new hype of apocalypse with World War Z coming out in the cinema (which was pretty awesome) I couldn’t wait to be a part of this book tour and yay me for signing up for it. I really loved this book. I thought it was a really interesting idea and I really liked it.
The style of writing is brilliant. Each chapter is told by either Dani or Zoe and they switch about which I thought was pretty awesome as you get to know what is happening with both of the girls. At the end of the chapter the girls write emails to each other (who knew the internet would still be up after the end of the world?) which got really annoying. At first it was nice as the relationship between the girls grew but holy hell did that get boring. It was just re reading the chapter but with more chatty comments.
I love how two authors worked together on this book, it’s one of the first books that I’ve read that two authors are included in the whole story; and they really pulled through the book had a really good flow to it that I loved.
To be honest I would love to have one of those abilities… no I’d want more than one it would be so awesome… but shame about all the people dying and not surviving the virus.
May 9, 2013
Awesome read!! I'm always up for a good apocalyptic/dystopia and this pretty much fit the bill. I admit, there were some holes in the plausibility factor, but I'll get to those. I first considered this to be a YA, but towards the end the sex scenes are definitely too much for the under 18 readers.
This is the story of two friends, separated across country when a savage strain of flu virus nearly wipes everybody out. Dani and Zoe have been friends since grade school and now they are working to find each other after all has happened. The story moves back and forth between them along with emails that tie them together.
This is a really fun read, with some great characters. I loved how it moved back and forth between the two main characters. And the integration of their new found abilities. Mostly it seems that its all mind generated abilities like telepathy and clairvoyance. There's no X-men like powers such as controlling fire or anything like that. I did find two big plausibility problems with this story. First of all, its the apocalypse and suddenly the phones aren't working, but they all seem to find wifi wherever they are. Secondly, the love triangles on both sides of this story seem to be almost identical. It doesn't matter that one girl lost the love of her life she's all ready to fall in love again. It doesn't hurt I guess that everybody is hot, everyone is slim or well built and gorgeous. I guess all the average people died in the flu outbreak.
Overall, its a fun read. It had a great cliff hanger. I so want to see how this continues.
This is the story of two friends, separated across country when a savage strain of flu virus nearly wipes everybody out. Dani and Zoe have been friends since grade school and now they are working to find each other after all has happened. The story moves back and forth between them along with emails that tie them together.
This is a really fun read, with some great characters. I loved how it moved back and forth between the two main characters. And the integration of their new found abilities. Mostly it seems that its all mind generated abilities like telepathy and clairvoyance. There's no X-men like powers such as controlling fire or anything like that. I did find two big plausibility problems with this story. First of all, its the apocalypse and suddenly the phones aren't working, but they all seem to find wifi wherever they are. Secondly, the love triangles on both sides of this story seem to be almost identical. It doesn't matter that one girl lost the love of her life she's all ready to fall in love again. It doesn't hurt I guess that everybody is hot, everyone is slim or well built and gorgeous. I guess all the average people died in the flu outbreak.
Overall, its a fun read. It had a great cliff hanger. I so want to see how this continues.
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