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The End: A Novelette of Haunting Omens & Harrowing Discovery
It's impossible but it's on-screen. He's captured—on camera—the scene of his own death.
One weekday to the next, Trevor quietly fulfills his roles as loving husband and father-to-be, trusted best friend, and dependable employee. He's chosen normality, routine, simplicity, even predictability: everything he never had as a child. And he prefers it that way.
And then comes Saturday.
The weekends are Trevor's alone. On the weekends, Trevor is king.
Charging into the beckoning canyonlands of southern Utah, Trevor seeks out true challenge without hesitation, dares the ever-changing terrain to test his finest skill, and defies death itself as he pushes his mind and body to the max.
He is the Weekend Warrior. Master of his machine. Trevor is a freeride mountain biker, and when he rides, the earth is at his command.
Of course, he has to capture it all on camera. Trevor never rides without his helmet-mounted GoPro, recording the real-time video of his every triumph and technical maneuver.
But this Saturday, the camera captures so much more. When Trevor presses the play button, eager to relive the thrilling moments of his impressive, recent ride, the scene that plays out before him on the television screen ends in an unexpected way. The footage is more than captivating; it's horrifying.
They say that, in this age of advanced technology, if it wasn't filmed, it never happened. But what if it hasn't happened—yet—and it's already on film?
He has only two options: succumb to his fate the footage foretells or fight—to the death if need be—for his very own life.
Start Reading Now...
What are you waiting for? death foretold, outdoor adventure stories, mountain biking and extreme sports adventure, elements of your well-loved techno thriller, outdoor thriller, thriller wonder stories, and psychological thrillers best sellers, and so much more await you.
One weekday to the next, Trevor quietly fulfills his roles as loving husband and father-to-be, trusted best friend, and dependable employee. He's chosen normality, routine, simplicity, even predictability: everything he never had as a child. And he prefers it that way.
And then comes Saturday.
The weekends are Trevor's alone. On the weekends, Trevor is king.
Charging into the beckoning canyonlands of southern Utah, Trevor seeks out true challenge without hesitation, dares the ever-changing terrain to test his finest skill, and defies death itself as he pushes his mind and body to the max.
He is the Weekend Warrior. Master of his machine. Trevor is a freeride mountain biker, and when he rides, the earth is at his command.
Of course, he has to capture it all on camera. Trevor never rides without his helmet-mounted GoPro, recording the real-time video of his every triumph and technical maneuver.
But this Saturday, the camera captures so much more. When Trevor presses the play button, eager to relive the thrilling moments of his impressive, recent ride, the scene that plays out before him on the television screen ends in an unexpected way. The footage is more than captivating; it's horrifying.
They say that, in this age of advanced technology, if it wasn't filmed, it never happened. But what if it hasn't happened—yet—and it's already on film?
He has only two options: succumb to his fate the footage foretells or fight—to the death if need be—for his very own life.
Start Reading Now...
What are you waiting for? death foretold, outdoor adventure stories, mountain biking and extreme sports adventure, elements of your well-loved techno thriller, outdoor thriller, thriller wonder stories, and psychological thrillers best sellers, and so much more await you.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2015
82 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Justine Avery
75 books1,458 followersJustine Avery is the #1 international bestselling and award-winning author of stories large and small, for all. Born in the American Midwest and raised all over the world, she is inherently an explorer, duly fascinated by everything around her and excitedly noting the stories that abound all around. As an avid reader of all genres, she weaves her own stories among them all. She has a predilection for writing speculative fiction and story twists and surprises she can’t even predict herself.
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
May 23, 2019
The End was a quick and intriguing story. It didn't pan out the way I had thought that is would. And I have yet to decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I was confused slightly by the ending. The flow of the story while it went had moments where it was choppy. But I loved the scene when he was out riding. Avery did a remarkable job of showing and not telling.
October 18, 2019
I received an electronic copy on September 28, 2019, of this novelette as a gift from the author. Thank you for sharing your work with me. I have read this surprising story of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Justine Avery's work to my friends and family. She has a unique way of telling a tale.
Trevor is a man facing middle age and first fatherhood, pressured by his privileged but very unhappy childhood and his boring and limited future. He is tied to a job he finds distasteful and finds relief only on his mountain bike running the Utah hills and canyons he calls home. Both his pregnant wife and best friend Neil keep after him to make a will before the baby comes, to take care of Allison and the baby in case something happens to him.
After viewing a session from the GoPro camera of his last ride that, despite his safe completion, 'sees' him fall to his death, he consults a lawyer and has his friend Neil witness his signature on the new will, and basically says goodbye to wife and friend before what will most likely be his last big mountain ride, as predicted by the GoPro. Or is it? Maybe not all of his father's teachings were wrong.
Reviewed on October 18, 2019, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes & Noble. Not available at BookBub, Kobo or GooglePlay.
Trevor is a man facing middle age and first fatherhood, pressured by his privileged but very unhappy childhood and his boring and limited future. He is tied to a job he finds distasteful and finds relief only on his mountain bike running the Utah hills and canyons he calls home. Both his pregnant wife and best friend Neil keep after him to make a will before the baby comes, to take care of Allison and the baby in case something happens to him.
After viewing a session from the GoPro camera of his last ride that, despite his safe completion, 'sees' him fall to his death, he consults a lawyer and has his friend Neil witness his signature on the new will, and basically says goodbye to wife and friend before what will most likely be his last big mountain ride, as predicted by the GoPro. Or is it? Maybe not all of his father's teachings were wrong.
Reviewed on October 18, 2019, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes & Noble. Not available at BookBub, Kobo or GooglePlay.
December 21, 2017
I loved this little novella!!! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and so glad I did. This was my first novella read and now want to read more. So much story compacted in few pages. You wanted to keep turning the page to figure out this suspense thriller.
The beginning dragged a little with all the detail of the ride but after finishing the novella, I understood why! It showed what the main character (Trevor) loved about mountain biking and how it was an escape from his every mundane life. It is written for the reader to see the last week of his life, so each chapter is a day leading up to the last Saturday when something happens.
Yes this book made you think some and left unanswered questions, however I think that was the main point the author was trying to do. Depending on how you read and interrupt this little gem, you can conclude many things which makes this so amazing.
Trevor is working a mundane cubicle job, married to Allison with a child on the way and has 2 best friends (one is his mountain bike mentor Joe and the other is his life long friend Neil. Trevor mountain bikes every weekend and uses a GoPro to capture his rides so he can replay them and get that feeling of freedom during the week when he can't ride.
When he watches his last GoPro video he sees himself getting in an accident and dying (which did not occur yet). Which leads into the main gist of the story!
I believe that Allison and Neil were having an affair and the baby is Neil's not Trevor's. But because Trevor has a hefty trust fund, Allison and Neil need to make Trevor believe he is the father so that the baby inherits the money. Allison and Neil keep pushing Trevor to make a will after Trevor tells and shows Neil the GoPro video (which I think Trevor and Joe made). I believe Trevor found out about the affair, had Joe help him set up the GoPro video in order to trap Allison and Neil so their true colors of greed and lies and the affair came out.
I also think that Trevor made up the story about his father not being a good father and having a hard up bringing. In the end of the story Trevor said his dad gave him the best advice "Be careful who you love. You never trust anyone when you have money. Trust yourself." From this quote from Trevor's dad, I think from the very beginning of Trevor's and Allison's relationship, Trevor wanted to make sure Allison wasn't just after money. So Trevor devised a story about how much he hated his dad and how his dad abused him. This way he had a reason to live a life of week by week paychecks to test Allison and also his friendships so that he can make sure he wasn't being used for money. You never really hear about how Trevor's dad dies or about their relationship but from that one quote this is my conclusion on that part of this novella.
In the end Trevor trusted himself and discovered the truth about his marriage and his friendships. He was able to separate himself without a lengthy drawn out divorce, was able to keep his money, lose the people he couldn't trust, and start living his life again!
The beginning dragged a little with all the detail of the ride but after finishing the novella, I understood why! It showed what the main character (Trevor) loved about mountain biking and how it was an escape from his every mundane life. It is written for the reader to see the last week of his life, so each chapter is a day leading up to the last Saturday when something happens.
Yes this book made you think some and left unanswered questions, however I think that was the main point the author was trying to do. Depending on how you read and interrupt this little gem, you can conclude many things which makes this so amazing.
Trevor is working a mundane cubicle job, married to Allison with a child on the way and has 2 best friends (one is his mountain bike mentor Joe and the other is his life long friend Neil. Trevor mountain bikes every weekend and uses a GoPro to capture his rides so he can replay them and get that feeling of freedom during the week when he can't ride.
When he watches his last GoPro video he sees himself getting in an accident and dying (which did not occur yet). Which leads into the main gist of the story!
I believe that Allison and Neil were having an affair and the baby is Neil's not Trevor's. But because Trevor has a hefty trust fund, Allison and Neil need to make Trevor believe he is the father so that the baby inherits the money. Allison and Neil keep pushing Trevor to make a will after Trevor tells and shows Neil the GoPro video (which I think Trevor and Joe made). I believe Trevor found out about the affair, had Joe help him set up the GoPro video in order to trap Allison and Neil so their true colors of greed and lies and the affair came out.
I also think that Trevor made up the story about his father not being a good father and having a hard up bringing. In the end of the story Trevor said his dad gave him the best advice "Be careful who you love. You never trust anyone when you have money. Trust yourself." From this quote from Trevor's dad, I think from the very beginning of Trevor's and Allison's relationship, Trevor wanted to make sure Allison wasn't just after money. So Trevor devised a story about how much he hated his dad and how his dad abused him. This way he had a reason to live a life of week by week paychecks to test Allison and also his friendships so that he can make sure he wasn't being used for money. You never really hear about how Trevor's dad dies or about their relationship but from that one quote this is my conclusion on that part of this novella.
In the end Trevor trusted himself and discovered the truth about his marriage and his friendships. He was able to separate himself without a lengthy drawn out divorce, was able to keep his money, lose the people he couldn't trust, and start living his life again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2019
The End, by Justine Avery, is a novella that starts out with great promise, but ultimately disappoints due to an ending that is muddled, confusing, and unintentionally (I think) ambiguous. On the plus side, the novella starts out reading a bit like an episode of The Twilight Zone. The story follows Trevor, a man described as being on the edge of middle age, but who seems more like late twenties. Trevor has a wife and an unplanned baby on the way. He has an office job he hates, and a best friend with whom he drinks beer, but his life is a mundane stress of bills to pay and the baby on the way. Trevor's only escape from the treadmill of life is the thrill he gets from riding his mountain bike along a dangerous canyon edge alone on Saturday mornings. Trevor records his rides with a GoPro so he can relive the excitement later. One day, after a particularly exciting ride, he watches the video and instead of the exciting ride he remembered, he sees himself miss a jump and fall to his bloody death. (The recorded death includes his friend and his wife being there on camera and lamenting his tragic death.)
So, the set-up is interesting, and bizarre. Is the recording a portent of something that is going to happen in the future? Is it an alternate universe? Can Trevor avoid this fate by not riding his beloved bike anymore? Trevor has to live with the foreknowledge of what he interprets as his impending death. This is where we might expect an Edgar Allan Poe-type story about what happens inside the mind of the man as he slowly is driven mad by this apparition. Or, the author might spin a yarn about the hero’s attempts to alter the future and avoid his death (perhaps successfully, or perhaps not). Or, perhaps the recording was never real at all. There is a lot of potential here. I could, at this point, even overlook the author’s penchant for using ellipses instead of punctuation. I’m fully engaged in the story and I definitely want to see what happens.
Unfortunately, the author's execution of the second half of the story leaves much to be desired. There is a back story involving Trevor's father, who killed himself, and an inheritance he does not want to acknowledge. This leads to a subplot about Trevor needing a will to make sure that his wife and unborn baby are properly taken care of should he die. (This is not actually correct, and the details about the will preparation are mostly wrong, which irks me as a lawyer, but ultimately this subplot is inconsequential.) What we do get lack the horror or suspense that the author intends. Then, instead of a climactic ending, we get something that is very ambiguous, contradictory, confusing, and which leaves the reader without a real sense of feeling for Trevor one way or the other. I thought at first that there the author was going for an evil twist, but it never got there. I re-read the final chapter three times and still could not make heads or tails of what happened. I really wanted to really like this story at the half-way mark, but the second half left me quite disappointed.
So, the set-up is interesting, and bizarre. Is the recording a portent of something that is going to happen in the future? Is it an alternate universe? Can Trevor avoid this fate by not riding his beloved bike anymore? Trevor has to live with the foreknowledge of what he interprets as his impending death. This is where we might expect an Edgar Allan Poe-type story about what happens inside the mind of the man as he slowly is driven mad by this apparition. Or, the author might spin a yarn about the hero’s attempts to alter the future and avoid his death (perhaps successfully, or perhaps not). Or, perhaps the recording was never real at all. There is a lot of potential here. I could, at this point, even overlook the author’s penchant for using ellipses instead of punctuation. I’m fully engaged in the story and I definitely want to see what happens.
Unfortunately, the author's execution of the second half of the story leaves much to be desired. There is a back story involving Trevor's father, who killed himself, and an inheritance he does not want to acknowledge. This leads to a subplot about Trevor needing a will to make sure that his wife and unborn baby are properly taken care of should he die. (This is not actually correct, and the details about the will preparation are mostly wrong, which irks me as a lawyer, but ultimately this subplot is inconsequential.) What we do get lack the horror or suspense that the author intends. Then, instead of a climactic ending, we get something that is very ambiguous, contradictory, confusing, and which leaves the reader without a real sense of feeling for Trevor one way or the other. I thought at first that there the author was going for an evil twist, but it never got there. I re-read the final chapter three times and still could not make heads or tails of what happened. I really wanted to really like this story at the half-way mark, but the second half left me quite disappointed.
August 9, 2017
Trevor's a guy who escapes from the drudgery of his cubicle work life by riding his bike and filming his trips on his GoPro. He comes from money but has rejected his inheritance due to some tragedy involving his father. It's hinted as a dark secret throughout the story but never fully told (which frustrated me but didn't keep me from enjoying the story.) Trevor has a pregnant wife and a best friend Neil. Neil warns Trevor that he shouldn't ride his bike on the trails alone. This is the first hint that something is coming. Allison, Trevor's high school girlfriend, is heavily pregnant with their first child. She pushes Trevor to use his inheritance to better their life and the life of their unborn child. That is the second hint that not all is happy in Trevor's world. When she tells him he should really have a will now that he's going to be a father, then you just know this will not end well.
Things turn even darker when Trevor watches footage from his GoPro. It shows Trevor wrecking his bike on the rocks and dying. Neil and Allison rush to his side and seem genuinely distraught. Trevor feels like he's losing his mind, so he shows the footage to Neil. Neil tries to reassure his friend, but something changes in Trevor. Despite the warning of his pending death in the footage, Trevor refuses to stop riding. I won't say much more because I don't want to spoil the story, but what one expects to happen, doesn't. It has an excellent twist of an ending.
The positives are the plot itself and the twist in the end. It's a unique and quick read. There are a few negatives which kept me from giving it 5 stars. The beginning was overburdened with adverbs and description. I felt the author was trying to hard to paint a picture of the scenery and the ride. Cut the opening scene of Trevor's ride in half with half the description and it would still be fantastic. The other small negative is the overuse of ellipses and the use of exclamation points at times when it should have been a question mark or period for a rhetorical question. The hesitations in dialogue are often understood with word choice, but the author relies on ellipses which wouldn't be a negative except when they are used in sentence after sentence. That said, it doesn't take away from the story which was really good.
A few minor flaws, but it was such a great story with a phenomenal twist at the end. I look forward to the next short from this author. Highly recommend.
Things turn even darker when Trevor watches footage from his GoPro. It shows Trevor wrecking his bike on the rocks and dying. Neil and Allison rush to his side and seem genuinely distraught. Trevor feels like he's losing his mind, so he shows the footage to Neil. Neil tries to reassure his friend, but something changes in Trevor. Despite the warning of his pending death in the footage, Trevor refuses to stop riding. I won't say much more because I don't want to spoil the story, but what one expects to happen, doesn't. It has an excellent twist of an ending.
The positives are the plot itself and the twist in the end. It's a unique and quick read. There are a few negatives which kept me from giving it 5 stars. The beginning was overburdened with adverbs and description. I felt the author was trying to hard to paint a picture of the scenery and the ride. Cut the opening scene of Trevor's ride in half with half the description and it would still be fantastic. The other small negative is the overuse of ellipses and the use of exclamation points at times when it should have been a question mark or period for a rhetorical question. The hesitations in dialogue are often understood with word choice, but the author relies on ellipses which wouldn't be a negative except when they are used in sentence after sentence. That said, it doesn't take away from the story which was really good.
A few minor flaws, but it was such a great story with a phenomenal twist at the end. I look forward to the next short from this author. Highly recommend.
June 19, 2017
Two words describe this novel: thrilling and confusing. Even though this mystery novel was intriguing, it left me with unanswered questions. Who is Trevor’s father & why is their relationship strained? Who made the video depicting Trevor’s untimely demise on the mountain bike trail? Is Trevor the actual father? This book had me on the edge of my seat and formulating theories as to what the conclusion would be. Although he started off as one-dimensional, Trevor had me engaged in understanding his mental state and the daily progressions of his life. Trevor is a dare-devil mountain bike rider who apparently has a crappy job, a pregnant wife named Allison, and baggage from his past. It is revealed that his father has left him an insane amount of money; however, Trevor is determined not to use it because of the bad childhood he had with his father. He wants to make his own path in life. Naturally, he struggles to provide for his family, living paycheck to paycheck; and it is affecting his marriage. Then one night, Trevor finds a video on his GoPro camera, showing his supposed death on the mountain bike course he always rides. This terrifies him and makes him go crazy for a couple of days until he decides to fulfill this future incident. By the end of the novel, it is still unclear to the reader who put the video on the GoPro. Was it real or made-up? I do not understand if Trevor himself orchestrated the entire incident or not. I do understand that by doing this, he discovered the truth about his wife and best friend Neil secretly seeing each other and possibly trying to take him out in order to get the large amount of money Trevor’s father left him. They pestered him for days to get legal documents signed like a will and insurance so that everything could go to Allison if something happened to him. I knew something was fishy about Allison and Neil from the jump, but the way the story progressed made me change my mind. I highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in short mystery stories with a plot twist, such as Edgar Allen Poe (which the author is a fan of).
P.S. Another theory I just thought of as I was writing this review. Is it possible that Allison got pregnant on purpose so that Trevor would have no choice but to use the money his father left him? Cold.
P.S. Another theory I just thought of as I was writing this review. Is it possible that Allison got pregnant on purpose so that Trevor would have no choice but to use the money his father left him? Cold.
August 4, 2017
This is the third novelette I’ve purchased and read by Justine Avery. While the two previous short stories I read by Avery were written in a young-adult style, this one seemed more thought out and well-written.
The novelette is focused on the life of Trevor, your average weekday paper pusher. Unfulfilled by his job but doing his best to maintain a normalcy he never had as a child for his wife and unborn baby, you can feel his frustration and understand his internal struggles. Trevor is a man living his weekday life for others, he reserves one weekend day for himself and the thing he is most passionate for: Freeride Mountain biking. Each weekend, he takes a day to ride his mountain bike to destress and allow himself to enjoy a few epic moments of passion. And, of course, he fills it all on his trusty GoPro to re-watch later and relive each experience. But, on one fated trip, his GoPro catches more than the present leap. While re-watching his jump from the comfort of his couch, Trevor views filmed footage of his death which kicks off a life-changing thought process and leads the book’s ending on a series of plot twists.
I think this may be my favorite Avery novelette thus far. The author did her research and the descriptions of being a Freeride Mountain biker are well done. The author developed “the jump” scenes in a commendable way. You can feel the anticipation Trevor has for his weekend ride, the buildup of emotions as he approaches the “gap”, and the deep breath of freedom he feels as he makes his first hands-free bike jump.
I will admit that I had a sense of what the main plot twist would be. To not give details away, there is a specific point within the novel that triggered my sense of ending. However, I believe if you don’t pick up on the subtle hint, you will likely find the whole ending surprising. Regardless of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the novelette. Having an idea of an ending isn’t a deal breaker for me and the level of detail and overall well-written structure kept me engaged and satisfied with this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short, but captivating, read.
The novelette is focused on the life of Trevor, your average weekday paper pusher. Unfulfilled by his job but doing his best to maintain a normalcy he never had as a child for his wife and unborn baby, you can feel his frustration and understand his internal struggles. Trevor is a man living his weekday life for others, he reserves one weekend day for himself and the thing he is most passionate for: Freeride Mountain biking. Each weekend, he takes a day to ride his mountain bike to destress and allow himself to enjoy a few epic moments of passion. And, of course, he fills it all on his trusty GoPro to re-watch later and relive each experience. But, on one fated trip, his GoPro catches more than the present leap. While re-watching his jump from the comfort of his couch, Trevor views filmed footage of his death which kicks off a life-changing thought process and leads the book’s ending on a series of plot twists.
I think this may be my favorite Avery novelette thus far. The author did her research and the descriptions of being a Freeride Mountain biker are well done. The author developed “the jump” scenes in a commendable way. You can feel the anticipation Trevor has for his weekend ride, the buildup of emotions as he approaches the “gap”, and the deep breath of freedom he feels as he makes his first hands-free bike jump.
I will admit that I had a sense of what the main plot twist would be. To not give details away, there is a specific point within the novel that triggered my sense of ending. However, I believe if you don’t pick up on the subtle hint, you will likely find the whole ending surprising. Regardless of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the novelette. Having an idea of an ending isn’t a deal breaker for me and the level of detail and overall well-written structure kept me engaged and satisfied with this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short, but captivating, read.
December 13, 2017
This is the third novelette I’ve purchased and read by Justine Avery. While the two previous short stories I read by Avery were written in a young-adult style, this one seemed more thought out and well-written.
The novelette is focused on the life of Trevor, your average weekday paper pusher. Unfulfilled by his job but doing his best to maintain a normalcy he never had as a child for his wife and unborn baby, you can feel his frustration and understand his internal struggles. Trevor is a man living his weekday life for others, he reserves one weekend day for himself and the thing he is most passionate for: Freeride Mountain biking. Each weekend, he takes a day to ride his mountain bike to destress and allow himself to enjoy a few epic moments of passion. And, of course, he fills it all on his trusty GoPro to re-watch later and relive each experience. But, on one fated trip, his GoPro catches more than the present leap. While re-watching his jump from the comfort of his couch, Trevor views filmed footage of his death which kicks off a life-changing thought process and leads the book’s ending on a series of plot twists.
I think this may be my favorite Avery novelette thus far. The author did her research and the descriptions of being a Freeride Mountain biker are well done. The author developed “the jump” scenes in a commendable way. You can feel the anticipation Trevor has for his weekend ride, the buildup of emotions as he approaches the “gap”, and the deep breath of freedom he feels as he makes his first hands-free bike jump.
I will admit that I had a sense of what the main plot twist would be. To not give details away, there is a specific point within the novel that triggered my sense of ending. However, I believe if you don’t pick up on the subtle hint, you will likely find the whole ending surprising. Regardless of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the novelette. Having an idea of an ending isn’t a deal breaker for me and the level of detail and overall well-written structure kept me engaged and satisfied with this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short, but captivating, read.
The novelette is focused on the life of Trevor, your average weekday paper pusher. Unfulfilled by his job but doing his best to maintain a normalcy he never had as a child for his wife and unborn baby, you can feel his frustration and understand his internal struggles. Trevor is a man living his weekday life for others, he reserves one weekend day for himself and the thing he is most passionate for: Freeride Mountain biking. Each weekend, he takes a day to ride his mountain bike to destress and allow himself to enjoy a few epic moments of passion. And, of course, he fills it all on his trusty GoPro to re-watch later and relive each experience. But, on one fated trip, his GoPro catches more than the present leap. While re-watching his jump from the comfort of his couch, Trevor views filmed footage of his death which kicks off a life-changing thought process and leads the book’s ending on a series of plot twists.
I think this may be my favorite Avery novelette thus far. The author did her research and the descriptions of being a Freeride Mountain biker are well done. The author developed “the jump” scenes in a commendable way. You can feel the anticipation Trevor has for his weekend ride, the buildup of emotions as he approaches the “gap”, and the deep breath of freedom he feels as he makes his first hands-free bike jump.
I will admit that I had a sense of what the main plot twist would be. To not give details away, there is a specific point within the novel that triggered my sense of ending. However, I believe if you don’t pick up on the subtle hint, you will likely find the whole ending surprising. Regardless of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the novelette. Having an idea of an ending isn’t a deal breaker for me and the level of detail and overall well-written structure kept me engaged and satisfied with this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short, but captivating, read.
September 8, 2017
As I started reading 'The End' by Justine Avery, it started out a bit slow, was somewhat redundant in description of the character and environment, but quickly changed and picked up at the second chapter. Trevor, the main character in the book, has lived what he calls it, a bad childhood. Although he is living his daily life as "one of them" climbing the corporate later, he soon comes to find his purpose in life.
Trevor is a novice mountain bike rider, has a wife named Allison who was his high school sweet heart, and a best friend he's known since early childhood. Throughout the book, Trevor's wife and friend Neil are concerned for his well being as he displays a nonchalant attitude about his past, mainly his passing father. Trevor refuses to acknowledge what he has been through and tries to lead a life different from the one he grew up in, a life most people would die for. But he doesn't view his childhood as one with merit.
As the story goes on, Trevor discovers something which has happened in his current life but cannot be explained. He confides in his trusting friend Neil, who shows a great amount of concern and care. Then, something in Trevor changed. Being a push over most of his life, Trevor has had enough. He begin to view his reality from his father perspective, the one person he has despised most throughout his life. On his journey, Trevor not only finds who he is, but also how to trust himself.
'The End' was definitely an absorbing tale of how one should learn to let go of past hurt and pain, to find true love and excitement on a new journey and trusting ones self. Justine Avery has a knack for plot twists that make her stories all the more compelling. This book is a good read.
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Trevor is a novice mountain bike rider, has a wife named Allison who was his high school sweet heart, and a best friend he's known since early childhood. Throughout the book, Trevor's wife and friend Neil are concerned for his well being as he displays a nonchalant attitude about his past, mainly his passing father. Trevor refuses to acknowledge what he has been through and tries to lead a life different from the one he grew up in, a life most people would die for. But he doesn't view his childhood as one with merit.
As the story goes on, Trevor discovers something which has happened in his current life but cannot be explained. He confides in his trusting friend Neil, who shows a great amount of concern and care. Then, something in Trevor changed. Being a push over most of his life, Trevor has had enough. He begin to view his reality from his father perspective, the one person he has despised most throughout his life. On his journey, Trevor not only finds who he is, but also how to trust himself.
'The End' was definitely an absorbing tale of how one should learn to let go of past hurt and pain, to find true love and excitement on a new journey and trusting ones self. Justine Avery has a knack for plot twists that make her stories all the more compelling. This book is a good read.
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August 13, 2017
After reading other reviews, I have that odd feeling I read a different book entirely. As a whole I enjoyed it, as I usually do of Avery's work, but I will not sing out accolades for this one.
I enjoy a decent description, I do. I love my R. R. Martin and King, both noted for heavy descriptions, but I felt the first fifth of this novella was... desperately descriptive. It did not flow. It felt forced. It felt as though she tried to cram as much imagery into each sentence as humanly possible. This lessened later, thankfully, and it became a much more enjoyable read.
I'm also at a loss as to why other reviewers are raving about the main character being a dedicated husband, father, employee, and friend. Really? He refuses to rub his pregnant wife's belly. He isn't affectionate hardly at all. He refers to his unborn son as "it." He purposely avoids doing work at the office. He's late with bills despite his ability to pay. At his friend's urging to stop mountain biking solo because of his soon to be baby, he throws a tantrum.
I found the wife a much more sympathetic character, and without spoiling, if you read the novella you'll understand that my opinion is a very unpopular one. I accept that.
I will say I enjoyed the twist ending. I thought I had it figured out, but I was only partially correct. There's an extra coup thrown in that caught me, tho the hint was there.
The only thing this lacked was more information about the deceased father. One little line of wisdom from h at the end didn't justify the multiple hints of what Trevor's childhood was like, though we are told it was less than pleasant. I'd like to know more about the father.
I enjoy a decent description, I do. I love my R. R. Martin and King, both noted for heavy descriptions, but I felt the first fifth of this novella was... desperately descriptive. It did not flow. It felt forced. It felt as though she tried to cram as much imagery into each sentence as humanly possible. This lessened later, thankfully, and it became a much more enjoyable read.
I'm also at a loss as to why other reviewers are raving about the main character being a dedicated husband, father, employee, and friend. Really? He refuses to rub his pregnant wife's belly. He isn't affectionate hardly at all. He refers to his unborn son as "it." He purposely avoids doing work at the office. He's late with bills despite his ability to pay. At his friend's urging to stop mountain biking solo because of his soon to be baby, he throws a tantrum.
I found the wife a much more sympathetic character, and without spoiling, if you read the novella you'll understand that my opinion is a very unpopular one. I accept that.
I will say I enjoyed the twist ending. I thought I had it figured out, but I was only partially correct. There's an extra coup thrown in that caught me, tho the hint was there.
The only thing this lacked was more information about the deceased father. One little line of wisdom from h at the end didn't justify the multiple hints of what Trevor's childhood was like, though we are told it was less than pleasant. I'd like to know more about the father.
November 23, 2017
I wanted to like this book, but it was just too difficult to get through. This is the first book I ever read by this author and I must admit I don't think I'd be keen to read another. For starters, there are way too many descriptive words and run-on sentences to make this an easy read. The first paragraph was 70 plus words and only two sentences. Several times while reading I had to go back and re-read the sentence because I had forgotten what it was about. I found it all very distracting.
The title does not fit what the book is about at all. I had no idea that this book was going to be about mountain bike riding. However, the writer clearly knows her stuff when it comes to this topic. She did a good job of introducing this amateur to that world. That's why I'm giving this two stars instead of one. It's clear the author knows what she's talking about and that she did the research to support her work.
The dialogue was cliche and a bit predictable. The characters just didn't seem developed enough. There was a lot of inconsistency throughout the book with timing and flow. I must admit though, I was surprised by the ending. I had thought something different was going to happen given some of the foreboding language used throughout.
Overall, I find the 4.5 star rating on this book hard to believe. While this author has a great grasp of the English language, they need to tone it down a bit. You can still get your point across without overwhelming the reader with too many descriptive words. You can just say "sand" instead of "fine pink sand" or "dust" instead of "pompous dust" (can dust even be pompous??).
The title does not fit what the book is about at all. I had no idea that this book was going to be about mountain bike riding. However, the writer clearly knows her stuff when it comes to this topic. She did a good job of introducing this amateur to that world. That's why I'm giving this two stars instead of one. It's clear the author knows what she's talking about and that she did the research to support her work.
The dialogue was cliche and a bit predictable. The characters just didn't seem developed enough. There was a lot of inconsistency throughout the book with timing and flow. I must admit though, I was surprised by the ending. I had thought something different was going to happen given some of the foreboding language used throughout.
Overall, I find the 4.5 star rating on this book hard to believe. While this author has a great grasp of the English language, they need to tone it down a bit. You can still get your point across without overwhelming the reader with too many descriptive words. You can just say "sand" instead of "fine pink sand" or "dust" instead of "pompous dust" (can dust even be pompous??).
July 26, 2017
I've read enough Justine Avery at this time to know there will be a twist here, so I was looking for it.
This is probably the least favorite work I've read of hers up to this point. I don't know that I would call the twist predictable, but I definitely saw it coming. I also felt the explanation and events were a little thin. How the video that the entire story revolves around came into being is never really explained.
As this was also a longer work by the author I was excited because I thought this would give her a chance to really flesh out the characters and develop a deep story. Unfortunately I found the work mostly repetitive and a little flat. The story was very slow to start moving forward. The characters aren't particularly well developed. Instead the author spends most of the time reviewing the same facts over and over again. I didn't need to be beaten over the head with the fact that the main character did not get along with his father. I expected that to tie in in a more significant way but in the end the meaning behind it was fairly blase (present, but not earthshaking).
Even the characters were dull. The main character toils away at a job he hates. His wife seems to spend all day sleeping at home and complaining that they don't have any money without seeking employment of her own. I didn't find either character particularly deep and I had trouble summoning any empathy with them.
I would recommend skipping this read in favor of one of Avery's shorter works.
This is probably the least favorite work I've read of hers up to this point. I don't know that I would call the twist predictable, but I definitely saw it coming. I also felt the explanation and events were a little thin. How the video that the entire story revolves around came into being is never really explained.
As this was also a longer work by the author I was excited because I thought this would give her a chance to really flesh out the characters and develop a deep story. Unfortunately I found the work mostly repetitive and a little flat. The story was very slow to start moving forward. The characters aren't particularly well developed. Instead the author spends most of the time reviewing the same facts over and over again. I didn't need to be beaten over the head with the fact that the main character did not get along with his father. I expected that to tie in in a more significant way but in the end the meaning behind it was fairly blase (present, but not earthshaking).
Even the characters were dull. The main character toils away at a job he hates. His wife seems to spend all day sleeping at home and complaining that they don't have any money without seeking employment of her own. I didn't find either character particularly deep and I had trouble summoning any empathy with them.
I would recommend skipping this read in favor of one of Avery's shorter works.
May 22, 2017
This was my first short story by author Justine Avery. I was pleasantly surprised at the pace. In the beginning the overly descriptive style of writing kept me from becoming invested in the story but somewhere along the way I became hooked. I settled into the style and couldn't put the book down. This was my only hangup on the story. Much like watching a film with subtitles, in the beginning you feel distracted by the need to read the words instead of exploring the visuals on the screen but soon you forget you're reading and just enjoy the film. That's how this book felt to me. The story was so captivating I soon forgot everything else and just enjoyed the ride. And what a ride it was. It's a short book so finishing it in one sitting was easy enough if not required due to the intensity of the subject matter. Without giving away too much, the tale is a twisting thriller about a soon to be father out on his mountain bike shredding up the canyons of Utah. Armed with his GoPro helmet cam to capture the daredevil ride, he partakes in his adrenaline rush. When he's done and he reviews the footage, what he finds on the screen is not what he's expecting. The video before him foretells his own demise. Now Trevor needs to make a decision. Take it as destiny or fight to change the future. If you like thrillers and tales with a twist, you'll love "The End" by Justine Avery! I can't wait to read more from this talented author.
June 20, 2017
This book accelerates quickly and takes many quick turns, similar to that of the death-defying mountain bike trails that Justine Avery writes of. Trevor, the main character and mountain biking daredevil, finds himself at a crossroads in life. He's finding himself stuck in a dead-end job, yet thankfully happily married with a child on the way.
However, there's a slight problem. Trevor struggles with welcoming this soon to be newborn child into his life, yet he can't quite put his finger on it as to why. Is it because he thinks he'll be like his father: an absentee parent who was a workaholic that never seemed to have enough time for his family? Or is it something bigger...something beyond his current understanding. All Trevor knows is hell would have to freeze over first before he relied on the small fortune his father left him after his sudden death.
But this mentality seems to get him into a bit of a predicament with the mother of his child. And his love for riding death-defying mountain bike trails leaves his wife in a not-so-predictable predicament.
Avery's writing is superb with stunning visual imagery of a mountain biker's best day on the trails, while periodically weaving in mysterious moments which leaves the reader trying to guess the ending - several times over! This is a story of second chances, and a "message" of a new life to be lived that seemingly comes from beyond the grave.
However, there's a slight problem. Trevor struggles with welcoming this soon to be newborn child into his life, yet he can't quite put his finger on it as to why. Is it because he thinks he'll be like his father: an absentee parent who was a workaholic that never seemed to have enough time for his family? Or is it something bigger...something beyond his current understanding. All Trevor knows is hell would have to freeze over first before he relied on the small fortune his father left him after his sudden death.
But this mentality seems to get him into a bit of a predicament with the mother of his child. And his love for riding death-defying mountain bike trails leaves his wife in a not-so-predictable predicament.
Avery's writing is superb with stunning visual imagery of a mountain biker's best day on the trails, while periodically weaving in mysterious moments which leaves the reader trying to guess the ending - several times over! This is a story of second chances, and a "message" of a new life to be lived that seemingly comes from beyond the grave.
May 19, 2017
The End: (a Novelette of Haunting Omens & Harrowing Discovery) by Justine Avery is a story about Trevor, a soon-to-be father, who is tormented by an unhappy childhood and a neglectful father so much that he refuses to touch any of his considerable inheritance. This does not please his pregnant wife, Allison, who is fed up with living paycheck to paycheck. Trevor manages to escape the drudgery of overdue bills, adult responsibilities, unwanted memories and fights with Allison with his prize possession, his mountain bike, and heads to the desert canyon every Saturday where he can enjoy solitude and the challenge of man
(and machine) against nature.
The precarious balance of Trevor’s already conflicted life is disrupted when he sees something horrible and unexplainable on his GoPro, which he always puts on his helmet when he rides. He’s not sure what to make of it. Is it a warning? Is it his future? Trevor’s mental and emotional states deteriorate, as he has to make decisions about what he’s going to do next and is forced to face his own mortality. In the end, Trevor surprises a lot of people, even himself with the decisions he makes.
Avery’s descriptions are exquisitely vivid, especially Trevor’ experiences preparing to go to and riding in the canyon. There are some surprises in the story as well as some predictable elements, but in general it was enjoyable.
(and machine) against nature.
The precarious balance of Trevor’s already conflicted life is disrupted when he sees something horrible and unexplainable on his GoPro, which he always puts on his helmet when he rides. He’s not sure what to make of it. Is it a warning? Is it his future? Trevor’s mental and emotional states deteriorate, as he has to make decisions about what he’s going to do next and is forced to face his own mortality. In the end, Trevor surprises a lot of people, even himself with the decisions he makes.
Avery’s descriptions are exquisitely vivid, especially Trevor’ experiences preparing to go to and riding in the canyon. There are some surprises in the story as well as some predictable elements, but in general it was enjoyable.
August 27, 2017
Trevor is having troubles bounding with his wife and highschool sweetheart Allison after getting her pregnant and the financial issues aren't helping. His best friend and currently coworker Neil is always around to support and comfort him, take Allison around and hold his side at work. Reviewing GoPro footage from his usual Sunday mountain bike ride brings a shocking revelation to Trevor and turns his life around...
A mysterious plot that's supposed to keep you on your toes. I'm not sure if it's familiarity with Justine's style or the genre in general but I could see the ending along the way. I find the style to often be overly descriptive while neglecting the actual events which leads to slowly developing story with not much happening. I can see certain descriptions being there as a bait, luring you in so you overlook the details leading into a twist, but the downside is some important facts are not described at all or are just left hanging, like in this case Trevor's relationship with his father or who planted this video in the end or how was it made? Definitely some deadends left for the readers imagination, though I feel this lack of details degrades the whole story.
I feel this kind of writing suites short stories better and I read some real good ones from Justine.
In the end a fun quick read to keep you occupied.
A mysterious plot that's supposed to keep you on your toes. I'm not sure if it's familiarity with Justine's style or the genre in general but I could see the ending along the way. I find the style to often be overly descriptive while neglecting the actual events which leads to slowly developing story with not much happening. I can see certain descriptions being there as a bait, luring you in so you overlook the details leading into a twist, but the downside is some important facts are not described at all or are just left hanging, like in this case Trevor's relationship with his father or who planted this video in the end or how was it made? Definitely some deadends left for the readers imagination, though I feel this lack of details degrades the whole story.
I feel this kind of writing suites short stories better and I read some real good ones from Justine.
In the end a fun quick read to keep you occupied.
May 13, 2017
An excellent read. The story follows a familiar narrative, but poetic descriptions and careful use of foreshadowing elevate it into an entirely fresh experience. Interspersed with themes of escapism, The End: is tale of shifting perspectives. With slight adjustments in attitude, right shifts into wrong, cruel becomes gentle, and freedom becomes a prison.
The story begins with Trevor, an expectant father and avid mountain biker, who uses his weekly outings as a respite from the trappings of contemporary life and as a shield from the uncertainties of the future. With Trevor, the reader will experience a grand adventure in the guise of a simple life, an adventure that focuses on the very real fears and tribulations that plague the life of the average man.
Trevor proves to be fascinating character and an interesting man, but the true star of this book is the Justine's masterfully crafted prose. Her writing draws the reader in and illustrates the scene in a way that few books can. Her sentences and words support each other in a way that feels almost symphonic, allowing the reader to waltz through the narrative as the scenes swell and shift in tone, making for a very natural and fluid story.
It's a very fast, and one I highly recommend.
The story begins with Trevor, an expectant father and avid mountain biker, who uses his weekly outings as a respite from the trappings of contemporary life and as a shield from the uncertainties of the future. With Trevor, the reader will experience a grand adventure in the guise of a simple life, an adventure that focuses on the very real fears and tribulations that plague the life of the average man.
Trevor proves to be fascinating character and an interesting man, but the true star of this book is the Justine's masterfully crafted prose. Her writing draws the reader in and illustrates the scene in a way that few books can. Her sentences and words support each other in a way that feels almost symphonic, allowing the reader to waltz through the narrative as the scenes swell and shift in tone, making for a very natural and fluid story.
It's a very fast, and one I highly recommend.
June 14, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed The End, and couldn't put it down until... the end (sorry). From the first word there was a feeling of mounting dread because, despite the exciting and/or mundane events occurring, I knew that something terrifying was coming. I had to reread the last few pages to fully take in what happened, and I think it's open to interpretation to some extent, while still providing a satisfying conclusion to wrap up the ongoing mystery. If I could, I'd tell readers to avoid reading anything about the story ahead of time, including the description, blurbs, reviews, etc. but even if you do, you'll enjoy the ending.
There's a lot to identify with here, from doubts about impending parenthood, to loving yet strained relationships, to the drudgery of being a cubical drone. Trevor's wife could have easily become a one-dimensional stereotype, the nagging housewife, but there was more to her than that, and more to their relationship than what appeared on the surface. And while Trevor was far from an ideal husband or worker, I wanted things to work out for him (in one way or another). I also enjoyed his friendship with Neil, and the way they pick on each other but are always supportive, which felt true to life.
There's a lot to identify with here, from doubts about impending parenthood, to loving yet strained relationships, to the drudgery of being a cubical drone. Trevor's wife could have easily become a one-dimensional stereotype, the nagging housewife, but there was more to her than that, and more to their relationship than what appeared on the surface. And while Trevor was far from an ideal husband or worker, I wanted things to work out for him (in one way or another). I also enjoyed his friendship with Neil, and the way they pick on each other but are always supportive, which felt true to life.
June 23, 2017
Seeing is believing, it is said, but should one always believe what one sees? The main character of “The End” by Justine Avery repeats this question to himself. Trevor presents as a fit young man with a penchant for extreme sports and skills learned, practiced and mastered with the help of professional mountain bikers. He has made a life decision to ride by himself in the mountains and in life, without the support of his family’s position and place in society.
With the help of a helmet-mounted camera, Trevor is able to record each of his solo rides though forbidding country, and then relive his thrills later. No one sees Trevor riding, no one witnesses his style and accomplishments, so he uses video technology to capture and archive his rides. Trevor creates a life for himself with a rides alone on single-track trails and subsequent solitary screenings.
Trevor maintains his mountain ways, holds down a full time job, and pays the bills. He supports his seven-month pregnant without using his family’s money as a matter of principle. He sees his choice as matter of true self-expression and independence—a way to make his own mark. Friends and family, who did not grow up in a “sixteen bedroom home,” do not see what Trevor sees, and do not believe what Trevor believes.
With the help of a helmet-mounted camera, Trevor is able to record each of his solo rides though forbidding country, and then relive his thrills later. No one sees Trevor riding, no one witnesses his style and accomplishments, so he uses video technology to capture and archive his rides. Trevor creates a life for himself with a rides alone on single-track trails and subsequent solitary screenings.
Trevor maintains his mountain ways, holds down a full time job, and pays the bills. He supports his seven-month pregnant without using his family’s money as a matter of principle. He sees his choice as matter of true self-expression and independence—a way to make his own mark. Friends and family, who did not grow up in a “sixteen bedroom home,” do not see what Trevor sees, and do not believe what Trevor believes.
May 16, 2017
5 STARS From Underground Book Reviews!!
The End is a book you can read in one day, which is exactly what I did. Not just because it is short, but because you simply cannot tear yourself away from it. For me, this book was a little nugget of perfection. Trevor is an ordinary young man, working hard to provide for his pregnant wife. At the weekend though, he tests his mountain biking skills to the maximum, in the mountains of Utah. Back at home, Trevor watches the footage recorded on his Go-Pro camera and is shocked to witness his own death. How his own death could be recorded on the camera, and what this now means for Trevor and his family, provide a nail biting rush to the finish. A thoroughly engaging and vivid read with a spectacular twist. Everything about this book persuaded me to keep reading; the characters, their motives, the beautifully described mountain bike scenes, and the desire to know how Trevor’s death got onto the camera. I highly recommend this accomplished book to anyone who enjoys action and adventure stories, and for anyone looking for a quick, but fully engrossing and satisfying read...
Read the full review at UndergroundBookReviews.org !
The End is a book you can read in one day, which is exactly what I did. Not just because it is short, but because you simply cannot tear yourself away from it. For me, this book was a little nugget of perfection. Trevor is an ordinary young man, working hard to provide for his pregnant wife. At the weekend though, he tests his mountain biking skills to the maximum, in the mountains of Utah. Back at home, Trevor watches the footage recorded on his Go-Pro camera and is shocked to witness his own death. How his own death could be recorded on the camera, and what this now means for Trevor and his family, provide a nail biting rush to the finish. A thoroughly engaging and vivid read with a spectacular twist. Everything about this book persuaded me to keep reading; the characters, their motives, the beautifully described mountain bike scenes, and the desire to know how Trevor’s death got onto the camera. I highly recommend this accomplished book to anyone who enjoys action and adventure stories, and for anyone looking for a quick, but fully engrossing and satisfying read...
Read the full review at UndergroundBookReviews.org !
August 24, 2017
We are all always on the go. We go to work and live our lives every day. We always seem to procrastinate on doing important things. We may have an argument with our significant other and you both go to bed angry at each other or even work so much that you don't really have a relationship with your children or family. We always think that tomorrow is another day and tomorrow seems to never come. We never seem to expect the end. While it is not good to dwell on death itself, it is good to live your life as today is your last day, at least to the best of your ability. You may not see tomorrow.
The End, by Justine Avery, tells a story of a newly married man with a baby on the way. He is an avid mountain biker who enjoys Saturdays as his time to ride. After a recent ride, he plays a video of his recent ride from his GoPro and finds out that he is riding on borrowed time.
I found this book to be quite impressive. It had a story line that kept me interested from start to finish. I couldn't put the book down! The ending has a twist that was not expected but it was desirable and it made the story even better. I would highly recommend this to everyone!
The End, by Justine Avery, tells a story of a newly married man with a baby on the way. He is an avid mountain biker who enjoys Saturdays as his time to ride. After a recent ride, he plays a video of his recent ride from his GoPro and finds out that he is riding on borrowed time.
I found this book to be quite impressive. It had a story line that kept me interested from start to finish. I couldn't put the book down! The ending has a twist that was not expected but it was desirable and it made the story even better. I would highly recommend this to everyone!
October 16, 2019
This wonderful ‘novelette’, as it’s been described, focuses on Trevor: husband, father to be, accountant and, at the weekends, a free-ride mountain biker. We join him as he embarks on his weekly thrill of riding down a new unknown path of the canyons near his home. This time he pushes himself further than ever by taking a leap across a large gap. Fortunately for him he makes it and returns home safely. Things get strange for Trevor when he watches the footage captured by his helmet mounted GoPro camera. There he sees his own death after unsuccessfully attempting the leap. Justine Avery structures this story over the course of a week and we gradually get to learn more about Trevor's past and the death of his father. Add his own doubts about his ability to be a good father and this swirling knot threatens to tip him over the edge. Trevor's reacts in some bad ways as well as some good but will he ultimately survive taking his bike out again? The author delivers a suspenseful tale with many twists and turns that is a real treat. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2017
The End is a very refreshing novellete by J. Avery and exquisitely written despite the short amount of pages.
It’s something I enjoyed reading, along with the beautiful descriptions of Trevor’s first ride which would give the reader a clear image of what the author wants you to imagine or visualize.
The story is well developed and offers quite a twist when Trevor comes home to his wife, Allison, who is in the last few weeks of her pregnancy. Trevor reviews the video of his recent ride which reveals something more different and instead, he is faced by a video of his own death, with Allison and his best friend, Neil, in the clip.
This revelation prompts him to fix up his life and emotional state, especially with a child on the way.
Overall, The End, is a remarkably good read for a short story and deserves all the praise it’s receiving. I look forward to perhaps reading something from J. Avery in the future after this bit.
June 9, 2017
The book would have to be classified as science fiction because of some of the elements that occur are not possible unless I missed something. From the beginning, I was uncomfortable about the relationships that existed between the three most important characters. When I came to the surprise ending, I understood that their relationships were written in as a foreshadowing technique by the author. I also felt the mental struggles that caused the main character so much anguish. Any time an author can evoke emotion from the reader, I see that as talent. While the bizarre ending helped me understand the relationship between the characters, it left out some details that explained why some of the characters were in the final scenes of the story. I went back to reread parts of the last chapter to make sure I hadn't missed something along the way. The book is a fast read and holds the attention of the reader. Evoking emotion and keeping the reader's attention are marks of quality writing.
June 11, 2017
A gripping short story with some good plot twists and surprises that will keep you hooked until the end.
‘The End’ is a great book if you want to just pick up a book one evening and want a little bit of mystery and intrigue. With the book being relatively short, the author does a great job of pulling you into their world and making you invested in the events that unfold. One of the key strengths of this book is the way that the author makes you care about all the characters involved, so that by the end you really do care what happens.
My only critique would be the ending, I won’t say too much so not to spoil it for you, but I found the it to be a little rushed and, although it is a mystery book, I felt like the reader deserved a little more explanation and closure than they got.
However, the ending still works and it definitely doesn’t take away from the rest of the book. If you have a spare afternoon or evening I would recommend sitting down and giving ‘The End’ a read.
‘The End’ is a great book if you want to just pick up a book one evening and want a little bit of mystery and intrigue. With the book being relatively short, the author does a great job of pulling you into their world and making you invested in the events that unfold. One of the key strengths of this book is the way that the author makes you care about all the characters involved, so that by the end you really do care what happens.
My only critique would be the ending, I won’t say too much so not to spoil it for you, but I found the it to be a little rushed and, although it is a mystery book, I felt like the reader deserved a little more explanation and closure than they got.
However, the ending still works and it definitely doesn’t take away from the rest of the book. If you have a spare afternoon or evening I would recommend sitting down and giving ‘The End’ a read.
June 12, 2017
"The End" by Justine Avery is a storytellers story. Rich description throughout is meant to overwhelm the reader while it discreetly grabs them by the imagination and sends them head first into a tale full of twists and turns they won't see coming let alone be prepared for. To be successful, suspense stories must be able to do just that and "The End" does this and so much more. Justine Avery is a master at the short story, aptly able to take control of the experience she has presented and give you a thrilling ride in a moment of time. Very few authors can accomplish this in the medium of a short story. Justine Avery does it with ease. "The End" is a gripping tale about an adrenaline junkie who is given a glimpse at his own future when his GoPro helmet cam records his own death. What he does with this information and how he deals with the premonition is… well… read the story. Highly recommended!
July 3, 2017
I tend to go into books and movies without reading a synopsis; there's beauty in the surprise, but I feel that even though I didn't read a description on The End by Justine Avery, I would still be just as shocked at the plot twist.
Even now, a day after I read this novelette, I find myself thinking about how brilliant of a concept this truly was. Our main character, Trevor, a daredevil who spends his weekends riding dangerous paths, excitedly hits play on his GoPro to relive his most recent ride, but instead of watching what had happened, he's forced to view footage of what hasn't happened yet.
This is my second Justine Avery read, and it's clear to me that she's no stranger to a plot-twist. In only a few short pages, she manages to perfectly capture the main characters, their current predicament, and of course, one hell of a ride. If you're interested in a quick thriller, make sure to pick up Justine Avery's The End.
Even now, a day after I read this novelette, I find myself thinking about how brilliant of a concept this truly was. Our main character, Trevor, a daredevil who spends his weekends riding dangerous paths, excitedly hits play on his GoPro to relive his most recent ride, but instead of watching what had happened, he's forced to view footage of what hasn't happened yet.
This is my second Justine Avery read, and it's clear to me that she's no stranger to a plot-twist. In only a few short pages, she manages to perfectly capture the main characters, their current predicament, and of course, one hell of a ride. If you're interested in a quick thriller, make sure to pick up Justine Avery's The End.
August 5, 2017
Avery has an amazing ability to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and deliver an ending with a twist that is genuinely surprising. I wasn't sure where this story was taking me, and I was beginning to feel confused at the main character, Trevor's decision to live out what he sees on the tape, but the ending delivered just enough answers to my confusion that I let out a sigh of relief. I thoroughly enjoy Avery's prose because of her ability to do all of this, while also concentrating on vivid and specific word choice that allows the reader - even one with no experience in mountain biking - to feel like they're there with Trevor. The only thing I could complain about is the lack of description of the ride in the first chapter (indeed, it starts off well but rather abruptly ends), but as you get further into the story you understand why Avery makes this choice. Captivating, to say the least, and well worth the read.
August 8, 2017
Even though this book confused me and left some questions I had unanswered, it was still an engaging read. It rocks your expectations along the way and if you're not paying close attention, you will probably be shocked by the end.
The main character faces the realization of certain death and it changes him from the inside-out. You are shown how within a week, you can become a dramatically different person. The main character "Trevor" goes from being a total pushover into a man and everyone in his world gets affected by it in different ways.
Avery paints very vivid pictures of thrilling bike rides through the rocky canyons and the inner feelings of all the characters throughout the story.
The mystery of it all, the artistically descriptive writing style, and watching how the characters handled this encounter with an inevitable "end" was enough to keep me reading all the way through.
The main character faces the realization of certain death and it changes him from the inside-out. You are shown how within a week, you can become a dramatically different person. The main character "Trevor" goes from being a total pushover into a man and everyone in his world gets affected by it in different ways.
Avery paints very vivid pictures of thrilling bike rides through the rocky canyons and the inner feelings of all the characters throughout the story.
The mystery of it all, the artistically descriptive writing style, and watching how the characters handled this encounter with an inevitable "end" was enough to keep me reading all the way through.
February 1, 2023
Can a prerecorded event actually become true?
5 strong stars!
Although short in length, this novella is wonderfully long on exceptional writing. The dialogue is crisp, the plot unwavering in its design and the characters are as well developed as they can be within the small amount of pages.
Even the title is magnificently selected. "The End." But the "End" of what? The protagonist's marriage? His career? His close friendship with his best friend, Neil?
Cleverly plotted and brought to life by an author with exceptional skill, this story, while short, is the perfect length for the tale to unfold. I was pulled into the plot from the first chapter and devoured every page. The biting wit, succinct dialogue and unusual setting set this tale apart from a majority of previous novellas I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to any reader willing to take the risk to "the end."
5 strong stars!
Although short in length, this novella is wonderfully long on exceptional writing. The dialogue is crisp, the plot unwavering in its design and the characters are as well developed as they can be within the small amount of pages.
Even the title is magnificently selected. "The End." But the "End" of what? The protagonist's marriage? His career? His close friendship with his best friend, Neil?
Cleverly plotted and brought to life by an author with exceptional skill, this story, while short, is the perfect length for the tale to unfold. I was pulled into the plot from the first chapter and devoured every page. The biting wit, succinct dialogue and unusual setting set this tale apart from a majority of previous novellas I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to any reader willing to take the risk to "the end."
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