The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord

by H.S. Gilchrist

The End of the World is coming!

In a broken future governed by the oppressive Technocrats and their parasitic technology, enslaved warrior Animkii's mind is a battleground for control. After an act of sabotage shatters her bondage, she faces a dire ridding herself of the invasive tech implanted inside her before it consumes her remaining humanity. Seeking salvation, she forms an uneasy alliance with Mica Stone, a troubled black-market recycler, whose dreams hold the power to awaken an ancient alien god known as the After Lord.

Fleeing the bloody machinations of the After Lord's dark cult, Animkii and Mica embark on a perilous odyssey that takes them out of the dystopian depths of the undercity and into the remote and icy WItherlands. There, amidst the ruins of an ancient world, they face a force that hungers for more than just flesh and bone.

With reality crumbling and Earth's survival at stake, a battle between two worlds begins, leaving Animkii and Mica to confront the ultimate can they retain their humanity in a world on the brink of oblivion, or is the end of the world inevitable?

Genres: Science Fiction

357 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2024

About the author

H.S. Gilchrist’s ambitions of becoming a real-life Indiana Jones (degree in Anthropology) seeded her love for world cultures and history but conjured no realistic job prospects. So, she set aside the thrill of chasing ancient curses for the rigors of a twenty-year career in information technology, where she’s worked as both a technician (“I fix broken stuff”) and a data analyst (“I save management a lot of work”).

Outside of work, she grooms her daughter into becoming a fellow nerd (it’s sort of working) and, whenever a quiet moment takes her, she writes the adventures she wishes she could live.

Reviews

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captivated me from the start. It was a very good story. I liked the adventure and questioning the ‘humanity’ of the MC as the character develops and transforms during the story. I enjoyed the return to hunter gatherer subsistence living of the world after an apocalypse. I enjoyed the concept of this story it had me thinking while I was reading it. The plot twist at the end has me looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A real page turner!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in a post-apocalyptic future run by the Technocrats. The Technocrats have the ability to enslave people as warriors. Animkii is one of these people. When she escapes the hive mind, she unexpectedly joins forces with Mica to protect what remains of the world. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but there was a lot going on and a lot of world building that I found myself having to push through certain parts.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord took me on a journey through a broken future. It gripped me from the start. Reading this story felt like being caught up in a whirlwind of dystopian chaos, revealing deeper layers of suspense and intrigue.

H.S. Gilchrist, created a vivid and chilling picture of a world oppressed by technology and plagued by a battle for control. Animkii, is a fascinating character who struggles against the invasive tech implanted within her. As she navigates the complexities of her mission, I was drawn into her inner conflict, feeling every ounce of her determination and desperation.

The dynamic between Animkii and Mica Stone, the troubled recycler, adds a separate layer of intrigue. Their uneasy alliance and the high-stakes mission they undertake kept me on the edge of my seat. From the undercity's dystopian depths to the remote and icy Witherlands, every setting feels detailed. I felt immersed in Gilchrist's hauntingly crafted world.

Gilchrist challenged my perception of humanity, morality, and the essence of survival. The looming threat of the ancient alien god, the After Lord, gave me chills.

Reading The End of the World was like boarding an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride through a dark, unforgiving future. It's gripping story forced me to question the nature of existence and left me pondering the boundaries of humanity in the face of impending oblivion.

"A riveting dystopian odyssey through a broken future."

"A chilling battle between humanity and invasive technology."

"An electrifying tale of survival amidst technological oppression."

"A haunting journey through a world on the brink of oblivion."

"A gripping account of desperate alliances and relentless pursuit."

"A dark exploration of humanity's last stand."

"An adrenaline-fueled saga of sacrifice and uncertain fate."

"A vividly crafted world teetering on the edge of destruction."

"An epic struggle against an ancient, malevolent force."

"A thought-provoking quest questioning the essence of humanity."

[Manon St-Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A post-apocalyptic dystopian world so well created and described by the author that I was captivated right at the beginning by the story. The different parts of that world felt real and the different characters were all interesting, both the main and secondary ones. The flashback from both main characters were very well exploited and brought important meaning to the story.

A mix of scifi with advanced technologies, cyborg, modified humans and dark fantasy with fanatical cultists with otherworldly powers.

I let myself be carried away in this story and didn’t see the ending coming.
I am looking forward for book 2.

(Thanks NetGalley for providing this EArc)

[Ailyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into the flow of The End of the World, mainly it was so confusing at the start. The book does not feel like it is book one, more like I got dumped in the middle of the story with no sign of "start here".
Animkii and Mica are two females in a post-apocalyptic world, struggling to survive. On one hand, we have a hive mind of the Technocrats. Then we have a cult of the After lord.
Our Earth sundered, broke apart and created a rift and a new world where only the fittest will survive.
There are a lot of elements in the story, but the author thinks it is a good idea to explain things right at the end, expecting readers to just follow along the action, all confused, hoping for an answer.

For a Sci-Fi story, information dumping is so last age. Not a fan.

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange mix of The Borg, a dystopia, and a demonic magic fantasy that works in places from its slow and rather confusing start. There are places where events are clear, and places that are murky.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first novel in a trilogy (or series) and offers very little resolution. However, it does offer an entrance into an interesting story.

Animikii is a warrior, but one who’s been enslaved by the Technocrats. After something goes wrong in battle, she has a limited time to repair or remove the invasive tech inside her. Otherwise it will either kill her or destroy the last of her humanity.

She finds herself allied with Mica Stone, a black market recycler who faces her own struggle. Survival is hard, and she has to do it while avoiding those who’d like to use the power of her dreams to awaken a sleeping god.

The two of them find their struggles begin to align, as both slowly realise that their individual struggles may have grave implications for everyone. If they fail, the world could end.

I didn’t find this novel particularly outstanding. I struggled to engage with or care about the characters, and for a substantial part of the novel I felt that there was no clear goal or reason to be interested in what was going on. This is something of a slow burn, however, and while I never really loved the characters, an interesting, if somewhat jumbled, plot did eventually emerge.

It does feel a bit as though Gilchrist has thrown everything into this novel: multiple worlds, magic, crazed gods. degraded technology, high level futuristic technology, evil scientists, robotic soldiers… if you’ve ever seen it in a science fiction novel, you’ll probably see it again here. And it is, perhaps, a bit much.

Although I think part of Gilchrist’s point was intended to be the clash between the more naturalistic, grounded society that Animkii comes from and the highly technological society of the Technocrats, the result is actually a bit confused.

The novel is trying to depict both a magical/spiritual fight against an invader from another world or dimension, and a highly technological fight against (essentially) mad scientists. The two don’t meld all that well. At the end of the novel the two plots still seem very separate.

This is clearly the start of a series or trilogy; no resolution is offered for anything. I’d say it left me on a cliffhanger, except that I didn’t care very much.

This ambitious novel falls short of what it’s aiming for. Still, it’s full of interesting ideas, and some readers may find that sufficient.

I’m not sure I’d recommend it: I found it boring and confused. However, it’s possible the story will come to fruition in a later volume and this will look better in that context. Those with patience might like to give it a try.

If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

[Pascale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance reader's copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honnest review.

I don't read much Scifi in general, one of the reading goals I had set myself for 2024 was to read in the genre, to give it a chance as it were. This is one complicated novel, and might not have been the best for my forray into the genre. There is a lot happening, there are a lot of characters, settings, technology, beings and planetary geography that sounds nothing like earth.

I enjoyed the two strong female narators, I just wish more time had been spent describing their inner dialogue/termoil than the settings they found themselves in. With both characters I wish that the narration had started further back in time, rather than this being revealed later on. I understand that authors may want to reveal things gradually, but with Mica in particular this would have made the first chapters, and the subsquent lapse in time a bit clearer.

I think the technocrat society, and the religion of the orphaned mods that Gilchrist present are very interesting and I'd love to know more. When it came to Animkii's history/society I think I was distracted by the seemingly implausible wall of fire that blocked her people from the remainder of the planet. That and the discussion of the dreaded 'Dreamers' reminded me a bit of Game of Thrones, beyond the wall and the white walkers, and based on the way that show ended, its not the most favourable comparison. I would love to know more about Animkii's people and their conception of gender that sounded promising, and reminded me a bit of how gender is treated in some of the Indigenous peoples of Canada specifically Bernache and the idea of Ghost Wives and Husbands.

For me personally as a nube to the genre, I would have liked so much more to have gone in first with extensive world building, then follow it up with action. If anyone reading this is however, wanting an action packed read and doesn't need all that groundwork this is for you!

[A Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living in the future where the world is ruled by the oppressive Technocrats that infects beings with a hive-mind mentality, Animkii finds her mind struggling to break free. But even when she surprisingly does, she realizes that her troubles have just begun. Mica is a black-market recycler who trusts only her brother and was recently held captive by a cult. But when she crosses paths with Animkii, she goes against her better judgement and decides to try and help her. Little does she know that they’re both about to find themselves embroiled in a battle for freedom against forces greater than they could have ever imagined.

This work tosses you into the middle of things, but it doesn’t take too long to become situated in the world. While it’s told from a dual POV, they quickly merge which makes it easy to keep track of. There isn’t much plot, though. And what little plot there is was buried under info-dumping and worldbuilding that was sometimes interesting and sometimes not. The author utilized long flashbacks interspersed throughout the primary narrative, especially in the middle-end of the book, to provide background info. I disliked how excessive it was, even if some of the information was necessary. The last 10 to 15 percent of the book got intense and went at a breakneck speed, making it impossible for me to put down.

I did like the characters and enjoyed the different backgrounds of the two protagonists. It helped to flesh out the world some having these varied characters and made their POVs unique and worthwhile.

There wasn’t much resolved in this one, and it certainly set up for a book two. If you’re interested in dystopian sci-fi you might like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the uture era is rule by technocrats and their technology. Animkii Has lost the mind control that she was under. Yet she faces a crisis that has not wanting to lose the humanity that she still has. She forms an alliance with Mica who has the power to awaken an ancient alien god. They are both being hunted. On the run from cartel debt collectors, cultists, and an Alphaknot army of mindless drones, the pair are perpetually fighting for their lives, even as others try to take control of them. It seems an endless battle for their lives. A mechanized killing machine wanders the wasteland. When Animkii and Mica encounter this enemy on the edge of dying, they are able to manage a deal to survive. That is, until their mutual enemy comes to collect. Will they survive? Those who want to end the world want Mica’s soul as they believe it can release the alien god. Animkii is wanted as they see her as dangerous. She needs to be studied or killed. They continue to battle against impossible odds.

The writing is astounding as the crumbling earth and its inhabitants are well described. It’s a world that made me wonder if a planet would let technology take over as much as it does in this novel. I enjoyed reading the different views of this earth that are explored in this book. It is not a book I would read as a rule as I find technology to be the solution for our lives today. I do think technology has its good points but the bad points aren’t even recognized in our chaotic world. Read the book and decide if you want to live on that earth.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really have no idea what to think here. It’s not that any individual component of this book was actively bad; it’s just that there are so many different components going on that it all starts seeming very odd and hard to follow. Half of the book takes place in a futuristic world where one of the main characters, Mica, is being hunted by a cult that has infiltrated the government because they believe they can bring forth their god by sacrificing her. The other half takes place in Animkii’s world, where technology is forbidden and clans cling to survival through a system of rituals and structures that seems like a grab bag of a whole variety of indigenous traditions from around the world. It’s all a bit jarring.
Also, Animkii is shown as white on the cover, and although her race isn’t specifically discussed that I remember, like I said her world seems to be drawing very heavily from indigenous cultures, which feels a bit appropriation-y. Come to think of it, I’m not sure there are any characters who are described as non-white, although I don’t remember character descriptions terribly well.
At any rate, I think the sheer quantity of different world-building elements makes it difficult to focus in on some of the core elements of the story. There are plenty of interesting things going on here – the mind-controlled warriors who are going around destroying cities for the Technocrats; the status of religion; Mica’s struggle with addiction; Mica and Animkii’s relationship; the fate of Earthen civilization – I’d love to see more of all of these elements. But they’re all competing with one another, and some of them are more just throwaway plot elements that never really get fully explored. Really needs to be narrowed down a bit.

[BethK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a pre-release e-book obtained through NetGalley, provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I found this novel full of twists and turns, making it all but impossible to see the resolution to the story until it’s very end. Yet, the end is but a beginning, as this is the first in what’s intended to be a series. Set in a very dystopian future, run by the same Technocrats who poisoned and polluted the earth, with a cult underneath the whole thing, set out to sacrifice our heroine. She stays away from them with the help of a cyborg – through the power of will from what remains of her humanity who is exceeding her specifications as a cyborg.

There are cultists, technological experts, scavengers, collectors, modified and hybrid beings. There are ties to the “old world” – possibly ours, possibly to older civilizations. And technological or magical items. It’s difficult through the very end to see who are the good guys or the bad guys, and who our heroine can trust or should distrust.

Then, there is what being it is that either the Cult or the Outlanders worship.

This took much longer in calendar-time than it actually took to read. I was away from the device I read it on for close to a week, but I thought about it and considered it all the time when I was unable to read it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't know whether it was fantasy or science fiction. It starts off with a fantasy element with Mica held hostage by a cult about to be sacrificed to help the After Lord access a portal to her world. But it soon changes to the perspective of a bot, and the world is full of technocrats, and (perhaps) AI and machine culture.

Only it isn't. At least half the storyline takes part in a world apart from the machine culture, separated by a rift that keeps the two cultures apart physically as much as developmentally. The machine culture seems advanced, the culture Mica and Animkii wind up in seems much more underdeveloped or even dystopian.

There were enjoyable elements, but I felt the characters needed more development. We spend quite a bit of time in Animkii's memories, and Mica behaves unacceptably towards her, but Animkii still claims friendship and tries to save her (right after storming away because of something Mica does).

Will I read the next book in the series? Perhaps. There are enough elements in this book that are intriguing enough for me to want to find out more.

[Jade Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️
Ok, in the end, I don’t think I was the right audience for this book. It was great. The descriptions were so brilliant that I could picture it like a movie. And there were parts I enjoyed. Especially the ending. The twists on the last two pages was rude cause it is making me contemplate wanting to read the next book. However, for most of the book I felt like I was reading on autopilot, and if anyone was to ask, I would have no idea how the describe what just happened. It reminded me a little of my reading experience with Dune; I can recognize its brillance even though the science parts went over my head and made my eyes glaze over.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any sci-fi fans or fans of Dune but want the world to feel like being on the different planets in Star Wars. I recognize it’s a great story that did entertain me at times, however, it also was just not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dystopian Sunrise Press for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The End of the World" is an enthralling book that takes you on a thrilling journey into a dark and dystopian future where technology rules supreme. It's a world where the struggle for power never ends and everything is in chaos 24/7. Gilchrist paints vivid pictures of various locations, from the dirty underbelly of the city to the freezing Witherlands, bringing them to life before your eyes. Through her writing, Gilchrist forces readers to question the very essence of humanity, morality, and survival. She takes you on a journey that delves deep into the unknown, leaving you contemplating life and existence long after you finish the book. Moreover, the story is shrouded in spine-tingling mystery, with an ancient alien god, the After Lord, looming over everything. If you're looking for a mind-bending adventure that will take you to a tomorrow you never imagined, then "The End of the World" is the perfect book for you!

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord" by H.S. Gilchrist is a well-written, easy-to-read adventure with great characters and rich world-building. In this dystopian future, Animkii, a warrior breaking free from parasitic technology, joins forces with Mica Stone, a troubled recycler. Their perilous journey from the undercity to the desolate Witherlands is not only about preventing the awakening of the ancient alien god, the After Lord, but it's also a thrilling ride.

The book is just plain fun, offering an engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked. The characters are compelling, and the world-building adds depth to the story. As reality crumbles and the world teeters on the brink, Animkii and Mica's quest raises the question: Can they hold onto their humanity, or is the end of the world inevitable?

Thanks for the advance review copy. My opinions in this review are voluntary, and receiving the book early doesn't affect my thoughts on this entertaining story.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNFed at 30%

I was given a digital ARC of this book for my honest review.

The world the author was trying to build looked interesting. The characters were ok. But the overwritten, purple prose that filled the novel kept me from ever being immersed. This book could be a lot shorter and more compelling if the author and an editor went through and cut out so much unnecessary descriptions and flourishes.

Mica is a scavenger, hunted by a cult while surviving some sort of apocalypse. Animkii was a soldier connected to a hive-mind who finds her connection severed. The two women must team up to help each other survive.

I really think this book would have been more readable for me if the author had opted for simpler prose. “Purple prose” is hard to get right, and unfortunately Gilchrist doesn’t quite have the skill to pull it off. There’s a solid foundation there, just needs more work. I’m sure there will be readers who love this style of writing, I think it hindered the story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Dystopian Sunrise Press; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

The End of the World is an interesting take on the topic of dystopia, with an interesting combination of science fiction in the technology, and fantasy in the magical elements. The two leading characters are compelling, particularly in their relationship with each other as it develops through the story. The world is dark, claustrophobic, and almost entirely lacking in hope, which frankly is exactly what I think it wants to be. The story is a little meandering at times, as its frenetic energy tends to bounce a bit quickly between scenes, especially towards the end of the book. I would say if dystopian fiction is your cup of tea, this is a pretty good brew!

For sensitive readers, there is a great deal of graphic violence, body horror, addiction and drugs, cults and religious fanaticism, torture, and child endangerment/murder.

[Amy Verkruissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of things going on in this book. Once you get all straightened out in your head the story is absolutely fascinating.
The story takes place in the distant future where the world has ruptured apart and has dived up humanity into different factions. The Technocrats rule most everyone through use of technology infused humanity and strict rules in the "Upper-Alpha" city. There is the poor cast off remnants of humanity that live below the city, doing what they can to survive. Mica Stone, our main character, does what she can to survive and keep herself supplied with Angel's Breath, a drug that keeps away the fears and nightmares of her family dying. Animkii, a soldier in the technocrat army is a mix of humanity and bio steel controlled by the Alphaknot. A sentient being that controls by thought. When an attack she leads meets with disaster her path is drastically changed and eventually ties to Mica and those she is trying to escape.
Overall a really good story, there is just many things going on but I found the characters interesting and the world building is top notch!

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

H.S. Gilchrist starts a duology set a thousand years after The End of the World (hard from Dystopian Sunrise Press). The world is separated by huge rifts. To the north people fight memory waifs with fire and spears. Animkii found a magical weapon, and was exiled from her tribe, somehow crossing the rift to the southern part dominated by the Technocrats, who promptly modify her into a cyborg soldier with her mind suppressed into a gestalt. But a computer virus releases her mind and she finds her way to Mica Stone, a troubled black-market recycler. Mica is being pursued by the Alter Cult because her blood will release their god from behind the blood gate. Soon Animkii and Mica are on the run from both the Technocrats and the Alter Cult as Animkii is turning into full machine, and Mica reveals unusual talents that seem magical. I am waiting for the second half.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through this book and I have to say that I really enjoyed the read. I really enjoyed the visual descriptions of the scenery and the setting. As a reader you can really picture this book as being a movie come to life!
This is the story of 2 women named Animkii and Mica. Animkii has some technology put inside of her and she is trying to navigate it and deal with it basically. There is also talk of the After Lord, who is a really old god and that part was intriguing as a reader. I always love hearing about when authors create other worlds and belief systems, aka gods and such.
I really enjoyed the world building and sci fi genre of this one, it reminded me of Battlefield Earth or Dune in the writing style and I highly recommend this book to all sci fi readers!

[David Annable · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong portal-fantasy debut from an ambitious Canadian author. The writing is stronger than I'd expect from a first-time author of a self-published book, but Gilchrist does a great job of enveloping the story in her pleasantly refined voice. The descriptions are evocative, the characters are interesting and well-explored, and the plot is gripping and unique. Fantasy and science-fiction lovers will both find something to enjoy here, and I am particularly fond of the authors capacity to paint a bleak picture while maintaining a staunch pace. I will be watching for the next book with anticipation.

[Josie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, this was amazing!!

I LOVE being thrown into the deep end with action that just never stops, and this book delivered on that. From the first chapter, we're just going and going, and while I had to reread a few moments because I was getting ahead of myself, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Two badass FMCs, lots of action, enemies-to-friends, dystopian/sci-fi theme with a really good mix of fantasy at points... This book just constantly delivered!!

The pace, the timing, the plot... It really has it all!

Overall, it's a 5/5 for me!!

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌐⚙️Rather original.

In her prison cell, Mica woke up to her morning prayers, her mind still tormented by a horrible nightmare.

The "Cult" was convinced that Mica's dreams hid access to the portal to another world...

####

This is the story of how D-2301/Animkii met Mica and her brother Reid, and their adventures in a dangerous dystopian futuristic world.

I was catapulted into a complicated, action-packed read with lots of information to digest, and some confusing parts.

For fans of rather original dystopian science fiction.

[LeeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel reads like a dark video game.

Specifically, Elden Ring.

It has all the dark tropes required of high fantasy. Strong heroine, evil empire,

I mean, it's literally titled the end of the world.

It's also very scifi-heavy. Inspired by Dune and Horizon: Zero Dawn, in my opinion.

And it's okay.

I was not overwhelmingly swept away. But it was enjoyable enough to keep reading. Which is how I feel about a lot of video games. Just enjoyable enough.

Will I be reading the sequel? Most likely. Just like I have to get into Horizon: Forbidden West.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has been implicated with technology and she has been able to get rid of the control the government had. Now she needs to get rid of it before it kills her. It is not going to be easy and she will help to do it. Can she find help? Can she get rid of the technology? See just how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Mik Wasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The science technology action is great and it very well write with good detail that makes characters interesting to read about I like world setup is interesting to read about dystopian future fantasy fiction it fun book to read I’ll will read the next book whenever it comes out I got this book as arc reviewer

[Anonymouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be a generational thing but reading this is like reading a videogame. Incompatible media mashed together. I've been re-watching Buffy this week and this book is a lot like that except most of Buffy is fun.

I received a review copy of this book from the publishers through NetGalley.com.

[Steven Peiper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC:
4.5
Good first volume in new series. Compelling characters and interesting world.
Only issue for me is the pace. It is very go go go. I would have liked to stop down on occasion to experience the setting more instead of immediately moving on the the next thing.

[Anita Hofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story. The main characters are at odds from the beginning. However they do come to be allies against the evil in both their own societies. Would recommend