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After The End
With international flights crisscrossing the skies on an hourly basis, are we ever safe?
When a strain of the Ebola virus mutates, it spreads quickly, leaving the medical community shattered. People are dropping in the streets, and life, as most know it, comes to an end. Two city dweller survivors, Dean and William, are forced to flee to the city and live in the wilderness, where dangers lurk behind every tree and in every valley. Not everyone alive after the end is good, and William and Dean face challenges that would bring many to their knees.
Growing up in the hood of Atlanta, Dean knows how to overcome trials, but he knows nothing of love. Can he sustain a relationship with William, or will his doubts end them before they have a chance?
From birth, William has had a silver spoon in his mouth and two in each hand, but the end brings him face to face with reality where he has to take responsibility for his life. After the end, money has no meaning, and life is lived on the edge.
Join William and Dean after the end and find out how close to the edge they come.
When a strain of the Ebola virus mutates, it spreads quickly, leaving the medical community shattered. People are dropping in the streets, and life, as most know it, comes to an end. Two city dweller survivors, Dean and William, are forced to flee to the city and live in the wilderness, where dangers lurk behind every tree and in every valley. Not everyone alive after the end is good, and William and Dean face challenges that would bring many to their knees.
Growing up in the hood of Atlanta, Dean knows how to overcome trials, but he knows nothing of love. Can he sustain a relationship with William, or will his doubts end them before they have a chance?
From birth, William has had a silver spoon in his mouth and two in each hand, but the end brings him face to face with reality where he has to take responsibility for his life. After the end, money has no meaning, and life is lived on the edge.
Join William and Dean after the end and find out how close to the edge they come.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2014
5 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 29, 2014
As soon as I heard about this book I wanted to read it. With all of the Ebola headlines everywhere at this very moment, it hits very close to home for all of us.
Dean and William are high school seniors at the best private school around, but they are from totally different backgrounds. William lives in a mansion on one side of town while Dean lives in the ghetto on the other side. William is where he is because his parents demand he have the best and do the best, a standard he can't meet. Dean is on a scholarship trying to better himself because he doesn't want to become a drug addicted sex worker like his parents. What started out as a joke, became a hook up between them and led to William and Dean regularly getting together.
In the middle of these two trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life, there is an outbreak of what is believed to be a new more deadly strain of Ebola. William's parents were out of country on business. Dean has no idea where his parents are. People are dropping dead everywhere. There's no one and no where to turn for help. Media networks have the same message playing on repeat.
The boys set out on their own to get away the madness of the city.
I love a good apocalyptic tale of this variety. Everything is forgotten except survival. Humans can't rely on all the modern amenities to which we've become accustomed. Some people transform to amazing versions of themselves, rising to the occasion, while others succumb the worst sides of human nature. Also there's no barrier between man and mother nature which can be a curse and a blessing at different times.
After the End can be categorized as coming of age, new adult, apocalyptic and M/M romance. This is my first time reading a book that fits all of these descriptives. I enjoy mixing it up. I found it entertaining and a little scary since everything that happened within was believable within our current reality.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
Dean and William are high school seniors at the best private school around, but they are from totally different backgrounds. William lives in a mansion on one side of town while Dean lives in the ghetto on the other side. William is where he is because his parents demand he have the best and do the best, a standard he can't meet. Dean is on a scholarship trying to better himself because he doesn't want to become a drug addicted sex worker like his parents. What started out as a joke, became a hook up between them and led to William and Dean regularly getting together.
William was gay, but firmly in the closet with the door locked and a security code to keep his secret safe. Dean would be out, but almost everyone at the school was blatantly homophobic, and he didn't want to deal with that crap.
In the middle of these two trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life, there is an outbreak of what is believed to be a new more deadly strain of Ebola. William's parents were out of country on business. Dean has no idea where his parents are. People are dropping dead everywhere. There's no one and no where to turn for help. Media networks have the same message playing on repeat.
"You are the last line of defense in this war on our civilization. There is no one who can help you at the hospitals. Most doctors are sick or dying, the rest are stuck at home. Be responsible. The fate of civilization lies in your hands. Few will survive. This may very well be the end of our civilization. God bless, and goodbye."
The boys set out on their own to get away the madness of the city.
Staying here would be suicide. Anytime the people in his neighborhood could riot, they would.
When people had the ability to kill with a touch, it made them the enemy.
I love a good apocalyptic tale of this variety. Everything is forgotten except survival. Humans can't rely on all the modern amenities to which we've become accustomed. Some people transform to amazing versions of themselves, rising to the occasion, while others succumb the worst sides of human nature. Also there's no barrier between man and mother nature which can be a curse and a blessing at different times.
After the End can be categorized as coming of age, new adult, apocalyptic and M/M romance. This is my first time reading a book that fits all of these descriptives. I enjoy mixing it up. I found it entertaining and a little scary since everything that happened within was believable within our current reality.
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
November 4, 2014
2.5
Баллы за многообещающее начало, за первые 20%. Я реально переживала, было страшно читать. Такая отличная задумка использована так глупо.
Как только герои вместо анализа ситуации и оценки своего положения пошли набивать брюхо, смотреть кино и обжиматься, я почуяла, что это не к добру.
Но и дальше это повторялось - планирование только на пару дней вперед и секс. Точнее тяжелый петинг.
Глубины нет, детские наивные чувства, все поверхностно. Обидно.
Баллы за многообещающее начало, за первые 20%. Я реально переживала, было страшно читать. Такая отличная задумка использована так глупо.
Как только герои вместо анализа ситуации и оценки своего положения пошли набивать брюхо, смотреть кино и обжиматься, я почуяла, что это не к добру.
Но и дальше это повторялось - планирование только на пару дней вперед и секс. Точнее тяжелый петинг.
Глубины нет, детские наивные чувства, все поверхностно. Обидно.
March 21, 2020
Reading this book today, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is quite eye-opening and makes it not as far-fetched as it might have seemed even six months ago . . . . I was seriously invested in Dean and William's story, loving how they made their way in the new world and found each other. I can only hope that our world ends up better off in the end . . . .
May 11, 2016
I have a thing for dystopian stories and After the End did not disappoint. I've actually read it three times at this point. I've read many of the author's other books and loved them. This book is very different from her usual subject matter so I was really curious how she would handle this style and subject matter.
This book is a bit different from many of the other dystopian tales I have read. In many ways this is book could be classified as horror and be shelved with writers like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The romance adds to the horror on many ways. I do wish that the emotional, mental and socioeconomic differences between them had been carried through the book. It felt a bit contrived that all it took for all them to disappear was "I love you", a few stories about parents and a bit of sex to eliminate all sign's of differences.
I would recommend this book but would say the horror aspect, though not terribly graphic, may make it inappropriate for some people.
This book is a bit different from many of the other dystopian tales I have read. In many ways this is book could be classified as horror and be shelved with writers like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The romance adds to the horror on many ways. I do wish that the emotional, mental and socioeconomic differences between them had been carried through the book. It felt a bit contrived that all it took for all them to disappear was "I love you", a few stories about parents and a bit of sex to eliminate all sign's of differences.
I would recommend this book but would say the horror aspect, though not terribly graphic, may make it inappropriate for some people.
October 11, 2014
October 9th to October 10, 2014
Sara York is one of my must buy authors. I love her work. I thought this book fell a little short of her usual work. I thought it just lacked any kind of depth. I'm sorry to say that I just didn't like this book at all. I'm sure others will love it. It just wasn't the story for me.
Sara York is one of my must buy authors. I love her work. I thought this book fell a little short of her usual work. I thought it just lacked any kind of depth. I'm sorry to say that I just didn't like this book at all. I'm sure others will love it. It just wasn't the story for me.
October 7, 2014
3.5 stars. Scary stuff, I live in a small town in the country but this totally makes me nervous because one of my neighbors is in Africa right now on vacation, ugh!! I'm thinking worse case scenarios now!!
April 26, 2021
I honestly did not expect to love this story as much as I did.
Dean and William are so young, and thought they both have feelings for the other and have been secretly hooking up for years, external circumstances prevent them for acknowledging their feelings and really being together. Everything changes when a spread of mutated virus Ebola bursts and kills the majority of the population. William and Dean find each other and stick together to survive, meanwhile exploring their young love.
A heartbreaking, anxiety-inducing but also heartwarming story.
Dean and William are so young, and thought they both have feelings for the other and have been secretly hooking up for years, external circumstances prevent them for acknowledging their feelings and really being together. Everything changes when a spread of mutated virus Ebola bursts and kills the majority of the population. William and Dean find each other and stick together to survive, meanwhile exploring their young love.
A heartbreaking, anxiety-inducing but also heartwarming story.
July 29, 2020
This book was not what I was expecting but in a very pleasant way. The storyline makes you stop and think about things in the world especially in the current climate. With good characters and a well built world this was a very enjoyable read.
October 16, 2014
Just before I started reading this I wondered why I signed up to review this as it wasn't my kinda read. I don't normally read dystopian genre. However I've read a few of this authors books and loved them so I thought I'd give it a go.
So I jump in without reading synopsis or any reviews. What a shock I got when I read that it's about a disease that's killed millions called Ebola. Ok picture this- I'm sitting reading, we got news on in the background talking about an Ebola victim and my kids are at the side of me talking about the disease. I don't freak out easily but that's just freaky. So me being Irish I do what I do when I get freaked out- I get the alcohol.
So I proceed to settle down with a strong drink and I seriously get lost in this story. William and Dean are opposites. They are attracted to one another but they aren't open about being gay or about their feelings for one another. That changes when all around them are dying and they need to fight for survival.
This is a really great read. It had me thinking about so much. What if there is a major outbreak? Loss of family &
friends. Fighting for survival. No technology, electricity or heating. The list is endless.
However this book is not all doom and gloom. We do have hope. We also see that there can be kindness in strangers.
My daughter lectured me two days ago about not watching the news when they talked about Ebola. For the first time ever she may actually listen to me about a book I've just read.
So I jump in without reading synopsis or any reviews. What a shock I got when I read that it's about a disease that's killed millions called Ebola. Ok picture this- I'm sitting reading, we got news on in the background talking about an Ebola victim and my kids are at the side of me talking about the disease. I don't freak out easily but that's just freaky. So me being Irish I do what I do when I get freaked out- I get the alcohol.
So I proceed to settle down with a strong drink and I seriously get lost in this story. William and Dean are opposites. They are attracted to one another but they aren't open about being gay or about their feelings for one another. That changes when all around them are dying and they need to fight for survival.
This is a really great read. It had me thinking about so much. What if there is a major outbreak? Loss of family &
friends. Fighting for survival. No technology, electricity or heating. The list is endless.
However this book is not all doom and gloom. We do have hope. We also see that there can be kindness in strangers.
My daughter lectured me two days ago about not watching the news when they talked about Ebola. For the first time ever she may actually listen to me about a book I've just read.
November 11, 2018
Sara York's After The End is a gripping and thrilling novel.
We meet Dean and William at a party. Dean's an outcast, trying to hide his real self from people so no one finds out how poor he is. Meanwhile, William's the rich kid who can't have what he really wants, Dean. Dean and William have been hooking up for a while now, but with Dean leaving for college soon, William begs him not to leave.
Then, in the blink of an eye, chaos erupts and the boys are on their own during an international epidemic. What follows is a chilling tale of the boys trying to escape the mayhem, trying to survive on their own, and trying to survive their new reality.
This book is so darn well written. I could feel every single emotion, and I could visualize every single scene. Every moment was written so perfectly, so descriptively. I could feel the danger of their situations as if I was there with them.
Ultimately, it's the life lessons the boys, and the new surviving society learn that are inspiring and remarkable. These new perspectives, after surviving hell on earth, can really change the world.
I am thrilled to have finally discovered After The End. I am an avid fan of Sara York, but this one flew under the radar for me. It truly is a special story.
We meet Dean and William at a party. Dean's an outcast, trying to hide his real self from people so no one finds out how poor he is. Meanwhile, William's the rich kid who can't have what he really wants, Dean. Dean and William have been hooking up for a while now, but with Dean leaving for college soon, William begs him not to leave.
Then, in the blink of an eye, chaos erupts and the boys are on their own during an international epidemic. What follows is a chilling tale of the boys trying to escape the mayhem, trying to survive on their own, and trying to survive their new reality.
This book is so darn well written. I could feel every single emotion, and I could visualize every single scene. Every moment was written so perfectly, so descriptively. I could feel the danger of their situations as if I was there with them.
Ultimately, it's the life lessons the boys, and the new surviving society learn that are inspiring and remarkable. These new perspectives, after surviving hell on earth, can really change the world.
I am thrilled to have finally discovered After The End. I am an avid fan of Sara York, but this one flew under the radar for me. It truly is a special story.
March 27, 2020
Well, that was boring... :/
Part of it was because I couldn't care less for the characters, and the rest because Christopher Dattoli's narration lacked tone and emotional range.
Obviously, not for me.
Part of it was because I couldn't care less for the characters, and the rest because Christopher Dattoli's narration lacked tone and emotional range.
Obviously, not for me.
March 29, 2024
It makes me sad that I didn't like this. I generally love a post-apocalypse survival story. But this felt kind of aimless.
Also, the audio narration was odd, with a huge gap between each word.
Also, the audio narration was odd, with a huge gap between each word.
September 29, 2014
Original Post: Happy Happy Release Day!! Blog Tour & eARC Review: After The End by Sara York
Dystopic novels of the science fiction category usually hold a grain of truth, especially when talking about the pre-dystopic event. For Sara York's take on this phenomena, she chose not only a timely subject matter, but an ongoing one: Ebola. As I write this review, and while reading the book, I could not but get distracted by CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera reports on the latest calamity that is hitting the African world.
Ebola is an enigmatic virus and it is scary, it is uncontrollable and it kills. This is the whole idea behind this book and it is scary in its realness.
The story is fictional, but then again, Ebola as a mutated virus was thought of as fictional just a few months ago. In this story, we have a highly evolved and deadly virus going haywire in its mutation and just drops people where they stand. It's virulence hit a global level almost without warning and two boys, two young men, at the cusp of adulthood, suddenly find themselves together but alone in an unknown and strange world of chaos and dead bodies piling up.
Dean and William had been lovers for some years but due to their stations in life, they could not reveal their relationship, neither could they reveal their feelings for each other. William, a prince of his father's financial empire, is closeted for fears of being disinherited. Dean, a poor boy from a poor and forgotten neighborhood, strives hard to get the grades which he does with ease as he has the brain. He is closeted for fear he will be booted out of the school halls he has a scholarship in. Their fate is suddenly uncertain when they wake up and the world is in chaos and anarchy ruled the streets. As they both try to deal with survival, the young men face the terrors in the city, on the freeway and in the forest they escaped to. They also both struggle to face up to the reality that now, when all hope is lost, they can finally be together as lovers and partners.
If they survive, will their sexuality even count in this dark, new world?
Sara York has written a scary world of the 'what if.' Unfortunately, the realities of this world encroach on her fiction and raises the real-world news into even scarier levels. She does not delve into the nitty gritty medical aspects but she does focus on the struggles the people face when they finally face their Armageddon.
How do they survive within the chaos of anarchy? How could they find food when a mere touch of another may cause infection and death which means grocery is out? How could they survive without the services we take for granted i.e. government and utilities? How do they survive without the Internet? Without Twitter? Without Facebook? Without CNN? and good gracious me, no FOX???? Although these are just really petty questions both boys face, I did ask myself these questions and found I had no answers. What would I do in this modern world of convenience when all just reverts to almost medieval times?
This book made me think: with all of the worries, wars, epidemics and terrorism going on in our lives today, how would I, as a mother, wife, handle life without modern amenities? Without the ability to use money even if I had a lot or a few?
This is an absolutely terrifying story that only gained some bit of levity with the romance that surfaced strongly and surely between two young men who knew they both needed to move on in order to survive. The two boys mature in this story of dread and their relationship matures with them, making this an absolute romance too.
This was such an engrossing and fantastic read and thankfully, it ends on the right note of happiness and hope!
Love it!
Dystopic novels of the science fiction category usually hold a grain of truth, especially when talking about the pre-dystopic event. For Sara York's take on this phenomena, she chose not only a timely subject matter, but an ongoing one: Ebola. As I write this review, and while reading the book, I could not but get distracted by CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera reports on the latest calamity that is hitting the African world.
Ebola is an enigmatic virus and it is scary, it is uncontrollable and it kills. This is the whole idea behind this book and it is scary in its realness.
The story is fictional, but then again, Ebola as a mutated virus was thought of as fictional just a few months ago. In this story, we have a highly evolved and deadly virus going haywire in its mutation and just drops people where they stand. It's virulence hit a global level almost without warning and two boys, two young men, at the cusp of adulthood, suddenly find themselves together but alone in an unknown and strange world of chaos and dead bodies piling up.
Dean and William had been lovers for some years but due to their stations in life, they could not reveal their relationship, neither could they reveal their feelings for each other. William, a prince of his father's financial empire, is closeted for fears of being disinherited. Dean, a poor boy from a poor and forgotten neighborhood, strives hard to get the grades which he does with ease as he has the brain. He is closeted for fear he will be booted out of the school halls he has a scholarship in. Their fate is suddenly uncertain when they wake up and the world is in chaos and anarchy ruled the streets. As they both try to deal with survival, the young men face the terrors in the city, on the freeway and in the forest they escaped to. They also both struggle to face up to the reality that now, when all hope is lost, they can finally be together as lovers and partners.
If they survive, will their sexuality even count in this dark, new world?
Sara York has written a scary world of the 'what if.' Unfortunately, the realities of this world encroach on her fiction and raises the real-world news into even scarier levels. She does not delve into the nitty gritty medical aspects but she does focus on the struggles the people face when they finally face their Armageddon.
How do they survive within the chaos of anarchy? How could they find food when a mere touch of another may cause infection and death which means grocery is out? How could they survive without the services we take for granted i.e. government and utilities? How do they survive without the Internet? Without Twitter? Without Facebook? Without CNN? and good gracious me, no FOX???? Although these are just really petty questions both boys face, I did ask myself these questions and found I had no answers. What would I do in this modern world of convenience when all just reverts to almost medieval times?
This book made me think: with all of the worries, wars, epidemics and terrorism going on in our lives today, how would I, as a mother, wife, handle life without modern amenities? Without the ability to use money even if I had a lot or a few?
This is an absolutely terrifying story that only gained some bit of levity with the romance that surfaced strongly and surely between two young men who knew they both needed to move on in order to survive. The two boys mature in this story of dread and their relationship matures with them, making this an absolute romance too.
This was such an engrossing and fantastic read and thankfully, it ends on the right note of happiness and hope!
Love it!
October 10, 2014
ORIGINAL POST: http://gaymediareviews.weebly.com/blo...
After The End by Sara York!
The virus Ebola spreads very quickly and has shattered the entire medical world. The citizens are dropping like flies in the streets and everywhere. Two survivors, Dean and William have no choice but to leave the life they know and run to the wilderness to try to survive this dreadful disease. Not everyone who survives this Ebola virus is actually good and now Dean and William have not just the disease to contend with!
Dean is from the hood in Atlanta and knows everything about overcoming bad situations but love has escaped his life. Does he have the capabilities to sustain a relationship with William or will his background end up being too much for their love! William has led a very privileged life and has been very sheltered so will he be able to handle the new world that he is facing?
Dean and William have been together for years but due to outside forces they have had to hide their relationship. William has always been frightened of his father learning the truth as he would have been cut off from a very wealthy family. Dean grew up very poor in a very unsafe neighbourhood and always scared if these people ever found out the truth about him. One day they wake up and the world is thrown into extreme chaos with the outbreak of Ebola. They both know they have to survive this deadly disease as the streets and city have turned into complete terror. Their first and main concern is to live and their worries about their relationship being a secret have now been pushed to the back burner as it might not even matter in this new world. Will their love for each other be enough to survive this new world of disease and terror or will the Ebola find them in the end?
I truly loved this story as I am a huge fan of the end of the world genre. I found the timing very surreal due to the reality of the Ebola problems that we are now being faced with. Sara's writing is simply riveting and quite the page turner. I found myself asking, could this actually happen and the answer is yes. She has written such a compelling and realistic account of what could be. I highly recommend this novel, After The End by Sara York as I simply loved it and I know you will too!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews
After The End by Sara York!
The virus Ebola spreads very quickly and has shattered the entire medical world. The citizens are dropping like flies in the streets and everywhere. Two survivors, Dean and William have no choice but to leave the life they know and run to the wilderness to try to survive this dreadful disease. Not everyone who survives this Ebola virus is actually good and now Dean and William have not just the disease to contend with!
Dean is from the hood in Atlanta and knows everything about overcoming bad situations but love has escaped his life. Does he have the capabilities to sustain a relationship with William or will his background end up being too much for their love! William has led a very privileged life and has been very sheltered so will he be able to handle the new world that he is facing?
Dean and William have been together for years but due to outside forces they have had to hide their relationship. William has always been frightened of his father learning the truth as he would have been cut off from a very wealthy family. Dean grew up very poor in a very unsafe neighbourhood and always scared if these people ever found out the truth about him. One day they wake up and the world is thrown into extreme chaos with the outbreak of Ebola. They both know they have to survive this deadly disease as the streets and city have turned into complete terror. Their first and main concern is to live and their worries about their relationship being a secret have now been pushed to the back burner as it might not even matter in this new world. Will their love for each other be enough to survive this new world of disease and terror or will the Ebola find them in the end?
I truly loved this story as I am a huge fan of the end of the world genre. I found the timing very surreal due to the reality of the Ebola problems that we are now being faced with. Sara's writing is simply riveting and quite the page turner. I found myself asking, could this actually happen and the answer is yes. She has written such a compelling and realistic account of what could be. I highly recommend this novel, After The End by Sara York as I simply loved it and I know you will too!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews
September 29, 2014
Let me start off by saying that I have read three other books by Sara York and rather enjoyed them. I really enjoy her writing style and characters. In After The End, we meet William and Dean. Two High School Seniors, who just happen to be messing around together, behind everyone's backs. William comes from an extremely well to do, wealthy family. And Dean is the boy from across the tracks, that has grown up relatively poor. They both attend a very prestigious high school, where William is the Captain of the football team and all around Mr. Popular. Dean is fairly well accepted by his peers, because he hides the fact that he comes from nothing.
When Dean is returning from a party at William's things in Atlanta seem to be going crazy. Fires have started and are burning out of control and little does Dean know, but Williams parents have just died. When Dean gets a chance to see the local news, he finds out that a super strain of Ebola has hit the earth. Leaving millions, Yes I said Millions dead.
Fearing for his life and Dean's, William travels across town to get him, hoping that they can find a way to out run this outbreak. What ensues in heart wrenching. They manage to escape the city, with what supplies that can gather and head for the mountains. Doing their best to make it as far away as possible. Only to be separated several days later by a massive flood. Pledging their love and devotion to one another across this massive divide, they set out to find a way back to each other.
To me, this story really touches on the possibility of a plague that could wipe out so many of us who reside on this earth. As it is there are third world countries dealing with an Ebola outbreak as I type this.
I really enjoyed Dean and William's story. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. We watch as William has to deal with the death of his parents and Dean has to also realize that even though his parents were terrible, they are no longer alive as well. we watch as the relationship between William and Dean grows. As they deal with the stress of being separated and the possibility of one of them getting sick. It is a true testament to how strong our love for someone else is and the lengths that we will go to, to make it all work.
4.5 Emotional, Roller Coaster Ride Stars
When Dean is returning from a party at William's things in Atlanta seem to be going crazy. Fires have started and are burning out of control and little does Dean know, but Williams parents have just died. When Dean gets a chance to see the local news, he finds out that a super strain of Ebola has hit the earth. Leaving millions, Yes I said Millions dead.
Fearing for his life and Dean's, William travels across town to get him, hoping that they can find a way to out run this outbreak. What ensues in heart wrenching. They manage to escape the city, with what supplies that can gather and head for the mountains. Doing their best to make it as far away as possible. Only to be separated several days later by a massive flood. Pledging their love and devotion to one another across this massive divide, they set out to find a way back to each other.
To me, this story really touches on the possibility of a plague that could wipe out so many of us who reside on this earth. As it is there are third world countries dealing with an Ebola outbreak as I type this.
I really enjoyed Dean and William's story. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. We watch as William has to deal with the death of his parents and Dean has to also realize that even though his parents were terrible, they are no longer alive as well. we watch as the relationship between William and Dean grows. As they deal with the stress of being separated and the possibility of one of them getting sick. It is a true testament to how strong our love for someone else is and the lengths that we will go to, to make it all work.
4.5 Emotional, Roller Coaster Ride Stars
May 13, 2015
Let me start off by saying that I have read three other books by Sara York and rather enjoyed them. I really enjoy her writing style and characters. In After The End, we meet William and Dean. Two High School Seniors, who just happen to be messing around together, behind everyone's backs. William comes from an extremely well to do, wealthy family. And Dean is the boy from across the tracks, that has grown up relatively poor. They both attend a very prestigious high school, where William is the Captain of the football team and all around Mr. Popular. Dean is fairly well accepted by his peers, because he hides the fact that he comes from nothing.
When Dean is returning from a party at William's things in Atlanta seem to be going crazy. Fires have started and are burning out of control and little does Dean know, but Williams parents have just died. When Dean gets a chance to see the local news, he finds out that a super strain of Ebola has hit the earth. Leaving millions, Yes I said Millions dead.
Fearing for his life and Dean's, William travels across town to get him, hoping that they can find a way to out run this outbreak. What ensues in heart wrenching. They manage to escape the city, with what supplies that can gather and head for the mountains. Doing their best to make it as far away as possible. Only to be separated several days later by a massive flood. Pledging their love and devotion to one another across this massive divide, they set out to find a way back to each other.
To me, this story really touches on the possibility of a plague that could wipe out so many of us who reside on this earth. As it is there are third world countries dealing with an Ebola outbreak as I type this.
I really enjoyed Dean and William's story. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. We watch as William has to deal with the death of his parents and Dean has to also realize that even though his parents were terrible, they are no longer alive as well. we watch as the relationship between William and Dean grows. As they deal with the stress of being separated and the possibility of one of them getting sick. It is a true testament to how strong our love for someone else is and the lengths that we will go to, to make it all work.
4.5 Emotional, Roller Coaster Ride Stars
When Dean is returning from a party at William's things in Atlanta seem to be going crazy. Fires have started and are burning out of control and little does Dean know, but Williams parents have just died. When Dean gets a chance to see the local news, he finds out that a super strain of Ebola has hit the earth. Leaving millions, Yes I said Millions dead.
Fearing for his life and Dean's, William travels across town to get him, hoping that they can find a way to out run this outbreak. What ensues in heart wrenching. They manage to escape the city, with what supplies that can gather and head for the mountains. Doing their best to make it as far away as possible. Only to be separated several days later by a massive flood. Pledging their love and devotion to one another across this massive divide, they set out to find a way back to each other.
To me, this story really touches on the possibility of a plague that could wipe out so many of us who reside on this earth. As it is there are third world countries dealing with an Ebola outbreak as I type this.
I really enjoyed Dean and William's story. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. We watch as William has to deal with the death of his parents and Dean has to also realize that even though his parents were terrible, they are no longer alive as well. we watch as the relationship between William and Dean grows. As they deal with the stress of being separated and the possibility of one of them getting sick. It is a true testament to how strong our love for someone else is and the lengths that we will go to, to make it all work.
4.5 Emotional, Roller Coaster Ride Stars
December 22, 2014
4.5 star review by Amber
I’ve read a few apocalyptic/dystopian stories and I usually always enjoy them but for some reason I generally do not seek these books out. I’m going to have to change that because I really enjoyed this book.
Dean is the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He doesn’t come from money. But he is brilliant so he makes it into one of the most affluent and prestigious high schools in the state. He knows that school is his only way out of the “hood.” While attending school Dean meets Will, and they hit it off almost immediately due to the fact that they both share the same secret, they’re gay.
Will has never wanted for anything. His parents are beyond mega rich and the lavish him with gobs of money and expensive toys. Dean and Will embark on secret rendezvous where they quench their physical desires in each other’s arms.
While navigating this tentative relationship a devastating strand of Ebola breaks out. It devastates the world. People catch it and have only hours before they die.
Remarkably the outbreak actually brings these two closer together. Dean always worried about Will’s feelings towards him. But during the fight for survival it becomes blaringly obvious that what Dean and Will feel for each other goes well beyond just like.
I hated how desperate the situation became. The fear was tangible and I was on the edge of my seat quite a bit throughout this story. I truly loved the connection that Will and Dean had for each other. I loved watching it grow stronger as the story got more and more serious.
The hardest part about books like this is watching the people pick up the pieces of life after such a devastating disaster.
This was a really great book. I absolutely adored it. Even though the MC’s are high school students this story doesn’t read like YA. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
I’ve read a few apocalyptic/dystopian stories and I usually always enjoy them but for some reason I generally do not seek these books out. I’m going to have to change that because I really enjoyed this book.
Dean is the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. He doesn’t come from money. But he is brilliant so he makes it into one of the most affluent and prestigious high schools in the state. He knows that school is his only way out of the “hood.” While attending school Dean meets Will, and they hit it off almost immediately due to the fact that they both share the same secret, they’re gay.
Will has never wanted for anything. His parents are beyond mega rich and the lavish him with gobs of money and expensive toys. Dean and Will embark on secret rendezvous where they quench their physical desires in each other’s arms.
While navigating this tentative relationship a devastating strand of Ebola breaks out. It devastates the world. People catch it and have only hours before they die.
Remarkably the outbreak actually brings these two closer together. Dean always worried about Will’s feelings towards him. But during the fight for survival it becomes blaringly obvious that what Dean and Will feel for each other goes well beyond just like.
I hated how desperate the situation became. The fear was tangible and I was on the edge of my seat quite a bit throughout this story. I truly loved the connection that Will and Dean had for each other. I loved watching it grow stronger as the story got more and more serious.
The hardest part about books like this is watching the people pick up the pieces of life after such a devastating disaster.
This was a really great book. I absolutely adored it. Even though the MC’s are high school students this story doesn’t read like YA. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
November 30, 2014
This novel was an amazing, dramatic, edge of your seat type of loving story. Dean and William were coming close to graduation. William had used Dean for blow jobs since their junior year, but he never showed Dean any compassion. Dean was going to leave for MIT after graduation, and William was doing everything he could, even giving him money to keep him near him. The next day William got a call from his parents from Europe as they were dying. A plague had hit and Billions were dying. They were calling it a variant of Ebola which was much worse. They called him to let him know that they loved him and knew he was gay, but they wanted him only to be happy...The news was telling everyone to stay away from everyone else, stay home...All William could think about was going to get Dean. When he got to Dean's house it seemed all hell was breaking loose. People were getting sick and dying...Just trying to get back to William's house was practically disastrous. Their journey through this hell just got worse. A real rollercoaster ride as they tried to survive. This story is a real gripping, scary story of what could happen in real life. Emotional, action packed, then the two were separated. The world was in chaos and they were alone...All they wanted was each other. You won't want to miss this one. Couldn't put it down for a minute. Makes you really cherish what you have especially if it could be taken away from you in a split second. The love these two men had for each other was heartwarming and amazing. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves MM Romance. This was a real twist from what I've read in the past, but it will always remain one of my favorites. True Love Prevails Through Disaster
November 10, 2014
This was fairly disappointing. Perhaps I just came in expecting something different from what this ended up being.
First of all, the name is completely misleading. I'm not even comfortable adding this to my post-apocalyptic/dystopian shelf because it's not POST- anything. And it's not "After" the end, either. Rather, it's mid-apocalypse, or "During" the end. And the "End" turns out to not actually be an end after all.
The bulk of the story happens from the day before the outbreak through when the disease has run its course and humanity then tries to pick up the pieces. The actual "After" part happens in a super-quick, detail-free quickie epilogue-like chapter.
Just not nearly what I'd expected.
Favorite Quotes:
"You are the last line of defense in this war on our civilization. There is no one who can help you at the hospitals. Most doctors are sick or dying, the rest are trapped at home. Be responsible. The fate of civilization lies in your hands. Few will survive. This may very well be the end of our society. God bless, and goodbye."
First of all, the name is completely misleading. I'm not even comfortable adding this to my post-apocalyptic/dystopian shelf because it's not POST- anything. And it's not "After" the end, either. Rather, it's mid-apocalypse, or "During" the end. And the "End" turns out to not actually be an end after all.
The bulk of the story happens from the day before the outbreak through when the disease has run its course and humanity then tries to pick up the pieces. The actual "After" part happens in a super-quick, detail-free quickie epilogue-like chapter.
Just not nearly what I'd expected.
Favorite Quotes:
"You are the last line of defense in this war on our civilization. There is no one who can help you at the hospitals. Most doctors are sick or dying, the rest are trapped at home. Be responsible. The fate of civilization lies in your hands. Few will survive. This may very well be the end of our society. God bless, and goodbye."
October 14, 2014
Suspenseful, fast paced, dramatic and emotionally charged, AFTER THE END is a Young Adult romance set in the future. As a suspected mutation of the Ebola virus wipes out most of the world's population, Dean and Will, two high-school students from opposite sides of the social spectrum, team up in an attempt to survive the global disaster.
As a long time fan of Sara York I must admit that AFTER THE END didn't quite live up to my expectations, based on previous reading experiences. While the dystopian elements of this story are unveiled in intricate detail, I found the romance between Dean and Will to be less realistic. Their characters are well developed and the sexual chemistry is undeniable, but the emotional transition from hidden hookup to out and proud lovers just didn't seem to fit the rest of the story.
Despite that small bump in the story line, I found AFTER THE END to be an entertaining page turner that contrasted both the best and worst of human nature and begs readers to ask them selves the question "What if?" I would recommend this to fans of both Young Adult and Adult novels who enjoy Dystopian/Apocalyptic fiction with a touch of young love.
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews
As a long time fan of Sara York I must admit that AFTER THE END didn't quite live up to my expectations, based on previous reading experiences. While the dystopian elements of this story are unveiled in intricate detail, I found the romance between Dean and Will to be less realistic. Their characters are well developed and the sexual chemistry is undeniable, but the emotional transition from hidden hookup to out and proud lovers just didn't seem to fit the rest of the story.
Despite that small bump in the story line, I found AFTER THE END to be an entertaining page turner that contrasted both the best and worst of human nature and begs readers to ask them selves the question "What if?" I would recommend this to fans of both Young Adult and Adult novels who enjoy Dystopian/Apocalyptic fiction with a touch of young love.
My OFFICIAL REVIEW written for Carly's Book Reviews
October 2, 2014
Sara York has brought out a nightmare of a situation, and allowed us to view and experience the downfall of the world, but still was able to show us hope in this wonderful book.
There have been books written about the end of civilization, and while this book is fiction, it still allows the reader to feel like "what if", and for that I have to say thank you.
Nobody wants to think of the end of the world as we know it, but to see how these two characters deal with everything and learn how to survive and trust in each other is awe inspiring. There are many twists and turns, but as found in life, sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you thought.
To see how Dean over comes his fear of what he thought love meant, and how William was able to put his fear of what others thought was wonderful for me. That is what I find so refreshing about this book. While this book brings about the end of modern civilization ina way, it also shows just how strong we are, or how strong we can be.
There have been books written about the end of civilization, and while this book is fiction, it still allows the reader to feel like "what if", and for that I have to say thank you.
Nobody wants to think of the end of the world as we know it, but to see how these two characters deal with everything and learn how to survive and trust in each other is awe inspiring. There are many twists and turns, but as found in life, sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you thought.
To see how Dean over comes his fear of what he thought love meant, and how William was able to put his fear of what others thought was wonderful for me. That is what I find so refreshing about this book. While this book brings about the end of modern civilization ina way, it also shows just how strong we are, or how strong we can be.
January 17, 2017
Wow! With all the Eboli headlines this really hit home.
William is a rich boy that likes a poor guy Dean that is at his school on a scholarship. William is in the closet and Dean isn’t out either but he doesn’t like the way William treats him and has decided after graduation they will both go their own ways.
This is such a poignant, emotional story. I loved both characters and sat on the end of my seat the entire time. There is lots of emotion, action and a few twists.
My only issue was near the end it seemed to get really rushed.
If you like post-apocalyptic stories, emotional romance, new adult, lots of adventure and suspense and a very lovely romance this is for you!
William is a rich boy that likes a poor guy Dean that is at his school on a scholarship. William is in the closet and Dean isn’t out either but he doesn’t like the way William treats him and has decided after graduation they will both go their own ways.
This is such a poignant, emotional story. I loved both characters and sat on the end of my seat the entire time. There is lots of emotion, action and a few twists.
My only issue was near the end it seemed to get really rushed.
If you like post-apocalyptic stories, emotional romance, new adult, lots of adventure and suspense and a very lovely romance this is for you!
February 18, 2021
Ok, maybe I'm being picky, but this would have gotten an easy 5 star rating if the reader could have been with the lovers when they finally had sex...There was great sexual tension & build up between Dean & Will and great sex scenes that had smokin' hot explicit detail of these two young boys who couldn't keep their hands odd each other! They talked about wanting to take that final step throughout the book. When they finally took it, I realized I missed it as it was referred to in past tense.
The book was great...harrowing, scary and eerily timely as is coincides with the real worls ebola virus resurgence. Excellent!
The book was great...harrowing, scary and eerily timely as is coincides with the real worls ebola virus resurgence. Excellent!
December 17, 2015
Wow! Loved it!
So not what I was expecting but I really,really liked it. I've read so many of Sara's books and this one was different from the others I've read. This is so much more than just a m\m book, at times I actually forgot that's what it was.
What would you do if there was an outbreak and you were one of the few people living? Could you survive? That's what I was thinking all though this book.
I absolutely loved the book, great story, fantastic writing and I loved Dean and William!
So not what I was expecting but I really,really liked it. I've read so many of Sara's books and this one was different from the others I've read. This is so much more than just a m\m book, at times I actually forgot that's what it was.
What would you do if there was an outbreak and you were one of the few people living? Could you survive? That's what I was thinking all though this book.
I absolutely loved the book, great story, fantastic writing and I loved Dean and William!
December 8, 2015
It's a New World
Sometimes tragedy forces you to recognize what is really important.
William is materially well off but doesn't have the love, attention or acceptance of his parents.
Dean is basically raising himself in a slum. His only way out is through hard work academically.
Then disaster strikes and they only have each other. Or. They're lucky enough to have each other.
A realistic portrayal of what could be.
Sometimes tragedy forces you to recognize what is really important.
William is materially well off but doesn't have the love, attention or acceptance of his parents.
Dean is basically raising himself in a slum. His only way out is through hard work academically.
Then disaster strikes and they only have each other. Or. They're lucky enough to have each other.
A realistic portrayal of what could be.
June 20, 2015
This book is absolutely a must read! The time that I started reading it, I can't put it down. But now,I NEED to put it down even I don't want to because I have quarterly exams but I manage my time so that I still have the time to read this amazing book. And I rate this 5 stars because it is just so great. I definitely recommend this book. :)
August 4, 2016
Hahaha. Sigh. I really want to like this book. Truly. I can say I enjoyed about the last fourty percent of it. I feel like the beginning was just a gay erotica book with Ebola thrown in. The end got interesting, I'm glad there was some plot and action. The dialog was ridiculously dry. I wish it was written differently because this book had great potential.
December 23, 2014
Wonderful life story
I was a bit unsure of the subject matter, death, etc but I knew with Sara in the driver's seat it would be wonderful, of course it was all of that and more, . Thanks Sara for another fantastic adventure.
I was a bit unsure of the subject matter, death, etc but I knew with Sara in the driver's seat it would be wonderful, of course it was all of that and more, . Thanks Sara for another fantastic adventure.
October 21, 2014
Awesome story line, couldn't put it down.Loved it from beginning to the end!!!
Read
November 28, 2014did not care about the sex life of the 2 men. Interesting story about Ebola and the strange people that they met. There were parts that were not very believable, the story line did stay on track.
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