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Endgame #1
Endgame
They called it the rapture virus.
It killed almost everyone. In the aftermath, gaming entrepreneur Ben Gardiner’s problems—his girl being in love with someone else, his double-crossing business partner, his prototype neural interface headset sending people into a life-threatening trance—vanish. Because now it looks like he and his lead programmer Vincent are the last two guys alive anywhere.
Is it even the same world?
Vincent isn’t bothered. He lives in a world of his own anyway, with that troublesome headset. But Ben is bothered: he’s lost his work, his friends, his family, maybe even his sanity. He drives the silent highways, searching for other survivors. And he finds them: a guy who's convinced Ben is a demon, a crazy woman who has cracked open the door to what might as well be Heaven, and the tiny group of survivors in Butte, Montana.
He’s got questions, though: why is he so much better at some things than he was before? What’s up with the feral crazy people who almost—but didn’t quite—die from the Rapture virus? What’s really going on in Butte?
Maybe the demons are real.
The survivors are too busy surviving to notice that world has gone slightly strange. But not too busy to notice that there’s something odd about Ben. Is he Human 2.0, or some creature from Hell? Or just a slightly shell-shocked survivor?
In a world scourged by the Rapture virus, Ben knows one thing for sure: it’s going to take every ounce of his courage, his puzzle-solving brain, and his will to live to survive the Endgame.
It killed almost everyone. In the aftermath, gaming entrepreneur Ben Gardiner’s problems—his girl being in love with someone else, his double-crossing business partner, his prototype neural interface headset sending people into a life-threatening trance—vanish. Because now it looks like he and his lead programmer Vincent are the last two guys alive anywhere.
Is it even the same world?
Vincent isn’t bothered. He lives in a world of his own anyway, with that troublesome headset. But Ben is bothered: he’s lost his work, his friends, his family, maybe even his sanity. He drives the silent highways, searching for other survivors. And he finds them: a guy who's convinced Ben is a demon, a crazy woman who has cracked open the door to what might as well be Heaven, and the tiny group of survivors in Butte, Montana.
He’s got questions, though: why is he so much better at some things than he was before? What’s up with the feral crazy people who almost—but didn’t quite—die from the Rapture virus? What’s really going on in Butte?
Maybe the demons are real.
The survivors are too busy surviving to notice that world has gone slightly strange. But not too busy to notice that there’s something odd about Ben. Is he Human 2.0, or some creature from Hell? Or just a slightly shell-shocked survivor?
In a world scourged by the Rapture virus, Ben knows one thing for sure: it’s going to take every ounce of his courage, his puzzle-solving brain, and his will to live to survive the Endgame.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2016
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 13, 2016
Full disclosure: I've known the author for many years, and we have numerous shared experiences. Some of those experiences are reflected in the events of this excellent first novel.
The story starts as a technology-vs-civilization-ending-plague thriller. Over the course of this first part of which I suspect is at least a trilogy, it transforms in to a lyrically written vision quest, old time Western and supernatural adventure. It returns to its original themes, but with an extra layer of mysticism.
The characters are largely well done. The occasional stereotype has a quirk or two which make them unique. The main character, Ben, starts out as a dotcom entrepreneur, Steve Jobs writ small, perhaps. He is not heroic in the sense of Jason Bourne or Dirk Pitt. He makes mistakes, but becomes better suited for this new world because of them. By the end of the novel, he's a significantly different person and much more engrossing. About a dozen secondary characters are well done, so that you want to know about their back story.
The fantastical element of the story revolves around an unrevealed relation between a contraption which turns anyone into a Tibetan monk-level meditator; and the civilization ending viral epidemic. The mystery is not solved by the time we reach a cliffhanger ending. This element seems believable.
Some elements of the story unsuspended my disbelief: the time line between events felt wrong occasionally. Some of the techo-babble will be dated shortly, or already is. Ben escapes from one predicament in a manner which I felt was impossible. These do not detract from an enjoyable read, though.
There are about half a dozen scenes which are riveting. This could easily be a action-packed Hollywood miniseries or movie, if that industry is comfortable shedding the fine snippets of philosophical musing.
The plot dragged me in so that I read this at top speed to see what happens next. I am going to read it again more slowly and enjoy the many beautifully written interludes. And encourage my friend to finish the next instalment.
The story starts as a technology-vs-civilization-ending-plague thriller. Over the course of this first part of which I suspect is at least a trilogy, it transforms in to a lyrically written vision quest, old time Western and supernatural adventure. It returns to its original themes, but with an extra layer of mysticism.
The characters are largely well done. The occasional stereotype has a quirk or two which make them unique. The main character, Ben, starts out as a dotcom entrepreneur, Steve Jobs writ small, perhaps. He is not heroic in the sense of Jason Bourne or Dirk Pitt. He makes mistakes, but becomes better suited for this new world because of them. By the end of the novel, he's a significantly different person and much more engrossing. About a dozen secondary characters are well done, so that you want to know about their back story.
The fantastical element of the story revolves around an unrevealed relation between a contraption which turns anyone into a Tibetan monk-level meditator; and the civilization ending viral epidemic. The mystery is not solved by the time we reach a cliffhanger ending. This element seems believable.
Some elements of the story unsuspended my disbelief: the time line between events felt wrong occasionally. Some of the techo-babble will be dated shortly, or already is. Ben escapes from one predicament in a manner which I felt was impossible. These do not detract from an enjoyable read, though.
There are about half a dozen scenes which are riveting. This could easily be a action-packed Hollywood miniseries or movie, if that industry is comfortable shedding the fine snippets of philosophical musing.
The plot dragged me in so that I read this at top speed to see what happens next. I am going to read it again more slowly and enjoy the many beautifully written interludes. And encourage my friend to finish the next instalment.
June 13, 2017
Before this book even came out, I knew I would read it due to my family connection to the author. Even though I knew about the existence of this book for years, I didn't know (very much) about what it was about until I began to read it.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book (particularly the main character), and that is usually the part of any book that I am most drawn to. The relationships weren't as close in this book as many I've read, but I think that was one of the main points of it. This genre isn't one that I typically read, but there were a few very intense points that really held my interest, and the knowledge that this book has a sequel coming out really propelled me to find out what was going to happen at the end.
Some of the technology in this book was quite fascinating, as was the post-epidemic world in Butte, Montana. I can see how it would be especially interesting to read this book if you live near that area.
All in all, I would highly recommend this exceptional first novel and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book (particularly the main character), and that is usually the part of any book that I am most drawn to. The relationships weren't as close in this book as many I've read, but I think that was one of the main points of it. This genre isn't one that I typically read, but there were a few very intense points that really held my interest, and the knowledge that this book has a sequel coming out really propelled me to find out what was going to happen at the end.
Some of the technology in this book was quite fascinating, as was the post-epidemic world in Butte, Montana. I can see how it would be especially interesting to read this book if you live near that area.
All in all, I would highly recommend this exceptional first novel and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
September 18, 2016
This engrossing and at times puzzling story of a mysterious game that triggers a mind change allowing some people to survive the rapture virus had me completely immersed for the first half and then a little less so. The idea that the game and real life can bleed into each other is great, but how it does so is unclear to me and the ending was a little too busy and jumbled. Having said that, I looked forward to reading it, which is a clear indication of how much I enjoyed it.
May 23, 2016
it should be 3,5/5, in fact.
What I can say is that the book is really nice to read. Of course, i thought there'd be some more dramatic/drastic events or feelings (guess it's the matter of my personal choice of books), but, generally it is quite good. Maybe it reminded me too much of The Stand which I guess I didn't want to see. As for me, there was also too many game-ilike comparisons, all those under-gearing, and instances I didn't like them.
But, guys, what are just two elements that I did not like in the view of the whole book? Well, they are nothing. I must admit I really liked the main character, Ben and still want to see where it'll all take him.
The whole post-apo atmosphere is very how I would imagine it. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of deserted places, the fear or uncertainty of the future. I think the central event with Ben and the Dog(for me), though I can say which for fear I might spoil the pleasure reading, was great. I will certainly look for such moments in the next books to come:)
Kelly thank you for the chance of reading the book, it was a pleasure.
What I can say is that the book is really nice to read. Of course, i thought there'd be some more dramatic/drastic events or feelings (guess it's the matter of my personal choice of books), but, generally it is quite good. Maybe it reminded me too much of The Stand which I guess I didn't want to see. As for me, there was also too many game-ilike comparisons, all those under-gearing, and instances I didn't like them.
But, guys, what are just two elements that I did not like in the view of the whole book? Well, they are nothing. I must admit I really liked the main character, Ben and still want to see where it'll all take him.
The whole post-apo atmosphere is very how I would imagine it. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of deserted places, the fear or uncertainty of the future. I think the central event with Ben and the Dog(for me), though I can say which for fear I might spoil the pleasure reading, was great. I will certainly look for such moments in the next books to come:)
Kelly thank you for the chance of reading the book, it was a pleasure.
October 11, 2016
Heard the author speak at a public reading, and was intrigued. Bought her book and was not disappointed.
The story follows a parallel between a virtual reality game and a biological apocalypse. There are many metaphorical and allegorical interweavings between the two realities, along with a profound but unvoiced search for the meaning of reality.
If you like stories where the author opens the door for you, but doesn't beat you over the head with her own answers to deep questions, you have found your next read.
While there appears to be a sequel planned for release next year (which I will snatch up), the book stands just fine on it's own.
The story follows a parallel between a virtual reality game and a biological apocalypse. There are many metaphorical and allegorical interweavings between the two realities, along with a profound but unvoiced search for the meaning of reality.
If you like stories where the author opens the door for you, but doesn't beat you over the head with her own answers to deep questions, you have found your next read.
While there appears to be a sequel planned for release next year (which I will snatch up), the book stands just fine on it's own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews