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The End: An Apocalyptic Novel
The world has been ravaged and left to rot, tainted with heavy radiation. The people on the ground - those still alive at least - aren't sure what happened and no longer care. The truth wouldn't fix anything for them. It wouldn't help them survive each day; their first priority. But for why? There's nothing left to live for. Everything is gone. This is The End. An apocalyptic horror from Matt Shaw, the author of Sick B*stards.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2016
17 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
530 books2,205 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 20, 2025
4.5 stars. ::Double checks the cover:: Was this really Matt Shaw? The master of all things gross, uncomfortable, and nasty? Really?! Ok so now that I’ve collected myself, this was a really great story. Luke and David and their respective journies and experiences are very powerful and emotional. As they face various difficult situations simultaneously, they rely on giving each other guidance and strength. You just felt and appreciated the bond that they had. And, while the story jumps around quite a bit from past to present, and even person to person, there is always purpose. And all the loose ends are tied up by the end, despite feeling like it wouldn’t be the case at different points. My only minor critique here is that it is a very short story, clocking in at just over a hundred pages. So I would have liked to see a few more sections tacked on that further developed why people were being relocated to the US, and even just a few other minor interactions with characters at the camp and wandering the abandoned country. Nothing crazy, but I felt like it would have given an already very good tale a bit more substance in a few more spots. But this was very enjoyable, and again, I was shocked that Shaw avoided the temptation to devolve this into a mutant or zombie-filled horror tale. He just devised a really good story, taking the road less traveled with a common premise.
August 20, 2020
My friend Recommended this book to me. He suggested it as a good book to start off with Matt Shaw's Writing. I would have to agree with him. This is a Great place to start.
You are in a post apocalyptic England and The United States. The story is told in first person narrative. The setting is a dangerous ravenged landscape full of obstacles for our main character.
The tention is well done and the pacing is great.
I have heard that Matt Shaw writes extreme violent horror and intense scenes. This novel seemed to be a departure from that. This was well written and shines as a tragic tale of a future I wish to never see.
You are in a post apocalyptic England and The United States. The story is told in first person narrative. The setting is a dangerous ravenged landscape full of obstacles for our main character.
The tention is well done and the pacing is great.
I have heard that Matt Shaw writes extreme violent horror and intense scenes. This novel seemed to be a departure from that. This was well written and shines as a tragic tale of a future I wish to never see.
October 24, 2015
I beta read this book for Matt, which I was obviously stupidly excited about because this has been a highly anticipated read for me this year. I was not disappointed. This book make me cry (multiple times, may I add), there was plenty of twists and turns and this has definitely been one of my favourite reads this year. There was a moment of horrible realisation I had towards the end which actually made me say "Oh for fucks sake, no!" but it wouldn't be a Shaw book without one of those moments. Definitely recommend!!!!!
February 26, 2016
A definite change of pace and style from Matt's extreme horror books which is testament to his versatility. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking look at post apocalyptic separation.
Beautifully written.
Beautifully written.
January 6, 2016
Entertaining but oh so tragic
Very interesting read, sad sad stuff! Shaw introduces us to a pair of brothers who go through a living hell only to get hit again and again with tragedy, intense emotional issues and the threat of extinction. Surprised by the ending as always, and as always, highly recommend this to any and all fans of modern horror.
Very interesting read, sad sad stuff! Shaw introduces us to a pair of brothers who go through a living hell only to get hit again and again with tragedy, intense emotional issues and the threat of extinction. Surprised by the ending as always, and as always, highly recommend this to any and all fans of modern horror.
March 11, 2022
Not Matt’s usual style but I really enjoyed this one, great apocalyptic short story. Even a little sad in some places.
May 25, 2019
This is so different from what Matt Shaw usually writes. Love his extreme horror but this has to be one of my favs. I know as part of his research, he traveled where Chernobyl is located and saw first hand the devastation that occurred. This story captured the intense sadness and loss that brothers Luke and David felt and translated it into a great book. Well done Matt!
September 10, 2017
Liked it but still prefer Matt's extreme horror.
June 1, 2019
Wow
This is unlike anything I've ever read by Matt. I didn't see that ending coming. So very heartbreaking. Definite recommend!
This is unlike anything I've ever read by Matt. I didn't see that ending coming. So very heartbreaking. Definite recommend!
January 9, 2022
5 star read again from Matt Shaw. Wouldn't expect anything less.
August 16, 2016
Decent story....Terrible grammar and editing!
I enjoyed the storyline of this short book because I'm a total sucker for post-apocalyptic tales, and this one is relatively well written in terms of the plot. However, the grammar and editing are horrific!
Did no other reviewers notice the writer's tendency to incessantly switch between past and present tense, often in the same sentence? It was very bizarre and made it difficult to focus on the actual plot of the book. Additionally, the editing (in terms of commas, verbiage, etc.) was pretty much non-existent. Commas all over the place where there shouldn't be a comma, and then in places where there should've been one they're missing - plenty of stuff like that. Which seems pretty standard and all to common for these "Kindle Edition"/free download with Prime library books. It seriously seems like not even one person proofread this book before publishing! Oh, and I don't know if this is maybe a British thing, but the writer repeatedly used the word "whilst" instead of "while". That got pretty annoying as well.
So enjoyable plot content but difficult to read and enjoy due to the repeated switching of tense and grammatical errors. Otherwise would've given it 4 stars.
I enjoyed the storyline of this short book because I'm a total sucker for post-apocalyptic tales, and this one is relatively well written in terms of the plot. However, the grammar and editing are horrific!
Did no other reviewers notice the writer's tendency to incessantly switch between past and present tense, often in the same sentence? It was very bizarre and made it difficult to focus on the actual plot of the book. Additionally, the editing (in terms of commas, verbiage, etc.) was pretty much non-existent. Commas all over the place where there shouldn't be a comma, and then in places where there should've been one they're missing - plenty of stuff like that. Which seems pretty standard and all to common for these "Kindle Edition"/free download with Prime library books. It seriously seems like not even one person proofread this book before publishing! Oh, and I don't know if this is maybe a British thing, but the writer repeatedly used the word "whilst" instead of "while". That got pretty annoying as well.
So enjoyable plot content but difficult to read and enjoy due to the repeated switching of tense and grammatical errors. Otherwise would've given it 4 stars.
October 3, 2016
A dystopian England after what we assume (it never says - at least I don't think it did) is some kind of nuclear fallout and a husband attempting to reach his wife through hostile land. This is all great reading, and a subject which Matt has covered skillfully before therefore you know you are in for a great read. Having said that, i do have a few issues with it.
Would his wife REALLY have tried to make him hate her to avoid him coping with her illness? This seems extremely unlikely. I'm not aware of any real life examples when this has happend therefore I did take issue with it.
Would he REALLY turn up at his house just as his wife takes her own life? and then his brother turns up within minutes afterwards? REALLY?!?! They've been separated for what - five years??
The beginning scenes with (what we later learn is) his wife and son also kind of affected the final outcome as you were well aware how it was going to end.
Now don't get me wrong - this is a very well written and enjoyable book - I love reading Matts books - but I like to see some realism in the events that unfold and in this case my "realistic-o-metre" had a problem.
Would his wife REALLY have tried to make him hate her to avoid him coping with her illness? This seems extremely unlikely. I'm not aware of any real life examples when this has happend therefore I did take issue with it.
Would he REALLY turn up at his house just as his wife takes her own life? and then his brother turns up within minutes afterwards? REALLY?!?! They've been separated for what - five years??
The beginning scenes with (what we later learn is) his wife and son also kind of affected the final outcome as you were well aware how it was going to end.
Now don't get me wrong - this is a very well written and enjoyable book - I love reading Matts books - but I like to see some realism in the events that unfold and in this case my "realistic-o-metre" had a problem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2016
Matt Shaw's writing skills continually amaze me. He is known for his psychological thrillers with an edge; however, he writes across the board. This book is a perfect example of his ability to write outside his genre and do it very well. As tragic as this story was in parts of it, you are somehow left feeling hopeful. I know Matt traveled to Chernobyl to do his research for this book and you can feel the desolation he must have experienced, through his descriptions and words. Great book, a must read.
June 5, 2016
The book that could have been.
I quite enjoyed the story that was not told. Whilst reading this, frankly poor, new offering from Mr Shaw; I filled the empty spaces between the lines with engaging, vivid characters and action and struggle and fight and blood and friendship and all that should have been present in such a book from such a worthy writer. In the end, the sheer dullness of the printed words prevailed and I was left with a muted taste of disappointment hanging darkly on the last page.
P.S.: one star is out of respect for his previous opera omnia.
I quite enjoyed the story that was not told. Whilst reading this, frankly poor, new offering from Mr Shaw; I filled the empty spaces between the lines with engaging, vivid characters and action and struggle and fight and blood and friendship and all that should have been present in such a book from such a worthy writer. In the end, the sheer dullness of the printed words prevailed and I was left with a muted taste of disappointment hanging darkly on the last page.
P.S.: one star is out of respect for his previous opera omnia.
June 13, 2016
The End arrives with the army doing what it does best in these situations... it's classified. This novel takes you through the full spectrum of emotions. Action, suspense, and romance are masterfully blended by Shaw as Luke bears the burden of loss, while fighting to survive and reach his family. This may very well be one of my favorites of Matt's stories. I found myself experiencing everything Luke encounters. A great character driven apocalyptic tale that kept me enthralled to the end!
February 2, 2017
A much different approach from Mr. Shaw. The poetic step was certainly bold and often times forced, but most of the time worked very, very well with balancing the hope/dread that makes an apocalyptic novel so good. My only wish is that it was longer, but other than that it was well-thought and well-connected.
January 28, 2016
The End
A thought provoking read, in this world of war and threat this could happen I think Matt has excelled himself giving us a human story one where the lost are found only to be lost again.... another classic in his collection.
A thought provoking read, in this world of war and threat this could happen I think Matt has excelled himself giving us a human story one where the lost are found only to be lost again.... another classic in his collection.
February 12, 2016
More like a snack than a meal.
This is one of Matt's works I enjoyed, but way too short and predictable. Having said that I think Matt is going to produce work that will put him up there amongst his betters. I, for one, will be waiting.
This is one of Matt's works I enjoyed, but way too short and predictable. Having said that I think Matt is going to produce work that will put him up there amongst his betters. I, for one, will be waiting.
January 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book
I have been looking forward to this book since November. Having gotten it I devoured it in a few hours..
I have been looking forward to this book since November. Having gotten it I devoured it in a few hours..
Read
March 1, 2016Wow Shaw surprises yet again!! Great read
March 12, 2016
Good Book
This was a better book than I had expected, this book has exceeded all of my expectations. This book is worth the download.
This was a better book than I had expected, this book has exceeded all of my expectations. This book is worth the download.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews