Here We Are at the End

by Sara Barnard

Twelve people must decide what matters most in this wildly compulsive, inspiring, generous-hearted adult debut.

Here it comes. (It was always coming.)

Two families and their guests gather on a private Italian island for what should be the perfect destination wedding. But before the celebrations begin, the news breaks that a doomsday comet will collide with the Earth in thirty-six hours. With no way home, no phone signal, and no hope, the guests are left to face the the end of everything.

As the hours count down, twelve people reckon with themselves, one another, and the fragile grace of being human when time itself runs out. With humanity stripped to its rawest form, they discover what we cling to, what we let go of, and who we truly are.

Astonishingly wise and unforgettable, Here We Are at the End is a celebration of what it is to be vulnerable, resilient, and alive.

Genres: Adult, Dystopia

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 16, 2027

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent not amazing end of the world story. Was deeper than I expected, however the majority of the book was kinda the same thing.

As for Grace, the soon to be bride, was mostly insufferable.

Can easily be read in a day, but I was in NYC at the Harry Styles concert!! 😜

[Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new-to-me-author and if her other novels are as compelling as this one, this won’t be my last book of hers that I will indulge in.

Knowing the premise before going in brought me a sense of anticipation. When will everything hit the fan? And how will each of these carefully nuanced characters with such diverse background stories react? You get to know them a little before they find out what’s going to happen, so you start making predictions of how they’re going to cope with the news. Who will do away with pretenses and be horrible? Who will embrace their goodness to make their last moments count? Who will find their voice and air their grievances? What will their regrets be?

I loved seeing all the little intricacies of their relationships reveal themselves through their interactions with one another. Barnard has a way of conveying all their feelings (hurt, betrayal, grief, etc) perfectly through their conversations with one another without being straightforward and explaining it to you bluntly. Also, the third person omniscient narrator helped dig around in their brains a little further, so we could get more acquainted with what made each of them tick.

This was truly a unique spin on a doomsday scenario because they’re isolated and trapped on a remote island in the expected impact zone. My interest was piqued from start to finish! Be sure to grab a copy and go through the wringer with Grace, Ben, and their wedding’s attendees when “Here We Are At The End” is released on March 16, 2027!

Thank you to Sara Barnard and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled this one down almost in one sitting. It takes place on a tiny island off the coast of Italy at a destination wedding, and the time span is less than three days. There are at least nineteen different points of view, which would normally turn me off, but somehow Sara Barnard makes it work. More than just work, the timing, the characterizations are pitch perfect. It is a character-driven story, despite the huge concept that would seem to demand an action oriented plot.

The first indications of trouble come when phone calls start coming in from those who say they can't make the wedding because their flight has been canceled. All the flights, all over the world. All canceled. Then everyone's phone blasts out with the same warning. A huge comet will hit central Europe. Impact in 38 hours. Here we are at the end isn't about the catastrophic event. It's about the people, some family, some strangers, and how they each react to the news, and what they think and feel in what they expect to be their final hours.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was equally devastating and touching. I loved getting to know the characters and see how each one chooses to experience the end of the world. There were moments that surprised me and others that broke my heart. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Kristina Nichole]

WOW! Not every day that I am the FIRST to comment!!!!

Debut author and Berkley = I will read!!!!

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC

I love a natural disaster theme. As others noted, it does get deep, but not unbearably so. The humor and multiple points of view keep the story from being overwhelming.