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The End of All Things #4
Dominion
A generation has passed since the pandemic known only as the Infection ended the world as we know it. In a little town in the Appalachian Mountains, Taylor has known only a harsh and brutal struggle for survival in a land littered with the rusted-out remnants of a lost world. By day, she labors in a coal mine. In the evenings, she tends a secret collection of beehives, and uses the honey to pay for lessons in survival skills, such as hunting, fishing, and collecting herbs. Her home is a single room in a crumbling old motel, and her only companion is a pet box tortoise named Go she's had since she was a child.
When her town is destroyed by a vicious gang of raiders known as the Nine, Taylor escapes with Dylan, the son of the mayor. Their only plan is to head south and escape the Nine's vast territory, avoiding areas contaminated by meltdowns and industrial pollution where mysterious illnesses plague the residents.
Dylan has never known hunger or hardship and struggles to learn survival skills. He's never known a woman like Taylor either. He tries to pay her back by teaching her to read and telling her the stories passed down from the world of Before.
They certainly didn't plan on falling in love. Taylor fights it every step of the way, because in her world, any emotional attachment is dangerous. She's been taught since childhood that love slows you down, makes you weak. But the feelings growing between them cannot be denied.
Taylor finds herself slowly breaking every one of her hard-learned rules of survival. She discovers that perhaps some of those things she's always fought to avoid are the very things that make life worth living.
. . . And death shall have no dominion . . .
When her town is destroyed by a vicious gang of raiders known as the Nine, Taylor escapes with Dylan, the son of the mayor. Their only plan is to head south and escape the Nine's vast territory, avoiding areas contaminated by meltdowns and industrial pollution where mysterious illnesses plague the residents.
Dylan has never known hunger or hardship and struggles to learn survival skills. He's never known a woman like Taylor either. He tries to pay her back by teaching her to read and telling her the stories passed down from the world of Before.
They certainly didn't plan on falling in love. Taylor fights it every step of the way, because in her world, any emotional attachment is dangerous. She's been taught since childhood that love slows you down, makes you weak. But the feelings growing between them cannot be denied.
Taylor finds herself slowly breaking every one of her hard-learned rules of survival. She discovers that perhaps some of those things she's always fought to avoid are the very things that make life worth living.
. . . And death shall have no dominion . . .
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2016
49 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Bryan
19 books335 followersLissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot.... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel, Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.
Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L...
http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/
She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel, Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.
Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L...
http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 7, 2021
I was shocked how much I liked this one! After being slightly disappointed in books 1- 3, I went into it expecting mediocrity.
The setting is post-apocalypse, Appalachian Mountains (aka the Wasteland). Thankfully the author didn’t invent an annoying new language for these characters!
This can absolutely be read as a standalone, as it takes place 30 years after the last book, with all new characters. (You’ll reconnect with a few from previous books at the end) It has an innocent feel to it with the two main characters being complete opposites but both incredibly sweet in their own ways.
Taylor is uneducated in terms of schooling, but has amazing survival skills. Dylan is the rich son from the family on the hill. But he isn’t arrogant, he knows he has a lot to learn and is willing to do what it takes to stay with Taylor and survive. It's like a dystopian coming of age, except they're both adults, and neither is a virgin. I got the feeling they are both in their early 20’s, but it’s hard to tell.
This story is intense, but not angsty. Violent, but not gratuitous. Almost fade-to-black intimate descriptions, which felt like a missed opportunity to show their innocent approach to this beautiful act. Especially knowing that sex was used as currency and with Taylor’s background.
I love the little tidbits the author drops in throughout the story. Words or catchphrases that have no meaning anymore, but are still used since the infection.
This book is filled with hope and the sweet vulnerabilities of falling in love for the first time. HEA.
The setting is post-apocalypse, Appalachian Mountains (aka the Wasteland). Thankfully the author didn’t invent an annoying new language for these characters!
This can absolutely be read as a standalone, as it takes place 30 years after the last book, with all new characters. (You’ll reconnect with a few from previous books at the end) It has an innocent feel to it with the two main characters being complete opposites but both incredibly sweet in their own ways.
Taylor is uneducated in terms of schooling, but has amazing survival skills. Dylan is the rich son from the family on the hill. But he isn’t arrogant, he knows he has a lot to learn and is willing to do what it takes to stay with Taylor and survive. It's like a dystopian coming of age, except they're both adults, and neither is a virgin. I got the feeling they are both in their early 20’s, but it’s hard to tell.
This story is intense, but not angsty. Violent, but not gratuitous. Almost fade-to-black intimate descriptions, which felt like a missed opportunity to show their innocent approach to this beautiful act. Especially knowing that sex was used as currency and with Taylor’s background.
I love the little tidbits the author drops in throughout the story. Words or catchphrases that have no meaning anymore, but are still used since the infection.
This book is filled with hope and the sweet vulnerabilities of falling in love for the first time. HEA.
December 7, 2016
Taylor’s town in under attack by the fierce gang The 9s, and she knows that she does not want to be made a slave. Desperate to escape, Taylor ends up killing one of the gang members, which means that they will never stop hunting her for revenge. She encounters another escapee, Dylan, the son of the town’s mayor, a rich boy she has never talked to before who has absolutely no survival skills. Taylor ends up letting Dylan stay with her as she makes her way through a world that does not offer any safety. Hopefully, the two can survive the obstacles that stand in their way.
I am a huge sucker for survival/post-apocalyptic (usually with some zombies added in for extra flavor) books so I was excited to get my hands on this. This story is set in the world the author created in her The End of All Things series, which is when a virus wiped out most of the population, some survived and some turned into mindless killers. This book could be considered a standalone though, since it is about 30 years after that series began and with a new set of characters, so it can be read if you haven’t read the other series no problem.
I was not disappointed by this book, it was the perfect blend of realistic horrible survival with the harshness and gore expected, with well developed characters and a few moments of heart thrown in that I have come to expect from the author. The story does not shy away from the tough things that makes life realistic, including prostitution, unwanted pregnancies, murder, starvation, and the aspects of killing and preparing animals to eat. With all the dark subject matter, the book was not depressing, instead I found myself looking forward to the next moment of happiness or hope the characters would experience. I will say that after reading this book, I feel that I am so unprepared for survival (just like Dylan) that now I am stressing over what I need to purchase/learn as a just in case (these kinds of books totally bring out the paranoia in me prepper-style).
I really enjoyed the story and the dual perspective between Dylan and Taylor. Taylor was hardened by the life she has had to live, yet was willing to give a chance to someone she could have refused. She had no formal education, yet was no means stupid and could easily survive with the knowledge she has acquired. Dylan is the complete opposite, full of good cheer and the belief in things to be better but no real life skills, they balanced each other out nicely. And yes, I am a sucker for a good romance, which there was here, but that was not the point of the story, more a side effect of the events.
I would say that this is a stand-alone book that wrapped things up nicely with no awful cliff hanger ending. If you are looking for a compelling survival/dystopian book, then this is the one to pick up.
I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.
I am a huge sucker for survival/post-apocalyptic (usually with some zombies added in for extra flavor) books so I was excited to get my hands on this. This story is set in the world the author created in her The End of All Things series, which is when a virus wiped out most of the population, some survived and some turned into mindless killers. This book could be considered a standalone though, since it is about 30 years after that series began and with a new set of characters, so it can be read if you haven’t read the other series no problem.
I was not disappointed by this book, it was the perfect blend of realistic horrible survival with the harshness and gore expected, with well developed characters and a few moments of heart thrown in that I have come to expect from the author. The story does not shy away from the tough things that makes life realistic, including prostitution, unwanted pregnancies, murder, starvation, and the aspects of killing and preparing animals to eat. With all the dark subject matter, the book was not depressing, instead I found myself looking forward to the next moment of happiness or hope the characters would experience. I will say that after reading this book, I feel that I am so unprepared for survival (just like Dylan) that now I am stressing over what I need to purchase/learn as a just in case (these kinds of books totally bring out the paranoia in me prepper-style).
I really enjoyed the story and the dual perspective between Dylan and Taylor. Taylor was hardened by the life she has had to live, yet was willing to give a chance to someone she could have refused. She had no formal education, yet was no means stupid and could easily survive with the knowledge she has acquired. Dylan is the complete opposite, full of good cheer and the belief in things to be better but no real life skills, they balanced each other out nicely. And yes, I am a sucker for a good romance, which there was here, but that was not the point of the story, more a side effect of the events.
I would say that this is a stand-alone book that wrapped things up nicely with no awful cliff hanger ending. If you are looking for a compelling survival/dystopian book, then this is the one to pick up.
I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.
January 11, 2020
The End of All Things was a favorite series and reading this, wow! I love how it came full circle.
March 27, 2017
Awesome!!!
This is a very well thought out book. The story flows seamlessly and to several well drawn out conclusions. I wish I could mark it in my kindle as a favorite but these new kindles don't have that option. I will b reading other works by this writer. Oh am very impressed.
This is a very well thought out book. The story flows seamlessly and to several well drawn out conclusions. I wish I could mark it in my kindle as a favorite but these new kindles don't have that option. I will b reading other works by this writer. Oh am very impressed.
February 6, 2017
Once again, Lissa Bryan has created a world and characters that get under your skin and invade your heart. Taylor and Dylan come from the same town, but their lives couldn't have been more different until the Nine invaded. They both escape, by the skin of their teeth, and run across each other in their escape. Taylor has been working at surviving her whole life; Dylan had a more privileged life as the son of the mayor. But, now, they are on level ground. Begrudgingly, Taylor decides to let Dylan accompany her on their flight from oppression. The only companion Taylor had previously was her tortoise, Go.
There is a lot of tension throughout this story as they are constantly looking over their shoulders, making sure the Nine aren't following. You see, Taylor is a wanted woman. But, there are some really funny parts too. The evidence of the disparity of their education (or in Taylor case, lack of education) is where some of the laughs come through. When Dylan asks, "Where do you think that expression came from, 'get the fuck out of Dodge?'" Taylor responds, "There used to be Dodge cars ... Grace told me she used to own one Back Then. So I think it means 'get out of the car now.'" At one point, Dylan introduces themselves as Jack and Rose when then encounter some strangers. And, then my heart soared when a young woman drops out of a tree and introduces herself as "Dagny." They finally made it to a safe haven!
You don't need to have read the previous three books in this series to follow this story, but to understand the background they are coming from, it certainly would help. And, really, if you haven't read them, why haven't you? They are amazing.
There is a lot of tension throughout this story as they are constantly looking over their shoulders, making sure the Nine aren't following. You see, Taylor is a wanted woman. But, there are some really funny parts too. The evidence of the disparity of their education (or in Taylor case, lack of education) is where some of the laughs come through. When Dylan asks, "Where do you think that expression came from, 'get the fuck out of Dodge?'" Taylor responds, "There used to be Dodge cars ... Grace told me she used to own one Back Then. So I think it means 'get out of the car now.'" At one point, Dylan introduces themselves as Jack and Rose when then encounter some strangers. And, then my heart soared when a young woman drops out of a tree and introduces herself as "Dagny." They finally made it to a safe haven!
You don't need to have read the previous three books in this series to follow this story, but to understand the background they are coming from, it certainly would help. And, really, if you haven't read them, why haven't you? They are amazing.
November 25, 2016
While this book does not pick up right after the first three, it is a continuum of this series.
While I haven't read a ton of dystopian books, this is one series that I have truly enjoyed. The books have kept me curious about a different world and even wondering how I would fair under these circumstances. Probably not too well at first but I feel like I could learn and adapt (at least I hope!)
Taylor is a tough, smart young lady (age isn't really know, but would guess 20ish). Dylan is somewhat pampered since he was the son of the mayor (as pampered as you can be in a dystopian world). So it wouldn't seem like this would be a likely pair to hook up, but they do out of necessity and it was probably the smartest thing either one of them does. Taylor has the skills to survive out in the wild and Dylan brings more cultured skills (like reading, understanding maps and dealing with people) and this makes the unlikely pair a good match. Along the way the friendship turns into more.
This book help me captive as Taylor and Dylan made their way out of the Appalachian mountains, away from the town they lived in and away from the group that was hunting Taylor for killing someone higher up in a terror group. Many times I wondered if she was going to be caught or how they were going to survive obstacles that presented themselves.
There is more that I liked but that would spoil things...needless to say there is something of a happy ending. But that is all I'm going to say!
While I haven't read a ton of dystopian books, this is one series that I have truly enjoyed. The books have kept me curious about a different world and even wondering how I would fair under these circumstances. Probably not too well at first but I feel like I could learn and adapt (at least I hope!)
Taylor is a tough, smart young lady (age isn't really know, but would guess 20ish). Dylan is somewhat pampered since he was the son of the mayor (as pampered as you can be in a dystopian world). So it wouldn't seem like this would be a likely pair to hook up, but they do out of necessity and it was probably the smartest thing either one of them does. Taylor has the skills to survive out in the wild and Dylan brings more cultured skills (like reading, understanding maps and dealing with people) and this makes the unlikely pair a good match. Along the way the friendship turns into more.
This book help me captive as Taylor and Dylan made their way out of the Appalachian mountains, away from the town they lived in and away from the group that was hunting Taylor for killing someone higher up in a terror group. Many times I wondered if she was going to be caught or how they were going to survive obstacles that presented themselves.
There is more that I liked but that would spoil things...needless to say there is something of a happy ending. But that is all I'm going to say!
January 6, 2026
Another captivating tale from Lissa Bryan. While there were some similarities to Carly and Justin's journey in the first books in this series, it was still an enjoyable read. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads
December 10, 2016
An excellent addition to Bryan's world
I admit I raced through the book the first time to find Carly, Justin and their family, but then had to go back to learn more about strong Taylor and her story. Thank you!
I admit I raced through the book the first time to find Carly, Justin and their family, but then had to go back to learn more about strong Taylor and her story. Thank you!
February 6, 2017
Marvelous! Loved Dylan, and it was great to see the characters from the earlier books.
February 4, 2024
Tengo que decir que empecé este libro porque la saga de "the end of all things" es de mis sagas favoritas de apocalipsis o del fin del mundo, y aunque este libro prometía mucho, me decepcionó un poquito.
Primero de todo, se me hizo casi imposible encontrarlo, sobre todo pensando que estamos en España, era casi como si no existiese. Pero bueno, no hay nada que frene a una lectora y con un poco de suerte lo encontré (estaba en KU por si a alguien le interesa, sí me costó encontrarlo ahí juzguen si quieren)
Pero bueno, en cuanto a la historia, me gustó bastante la trama, de verdad que prometía mucho y creo que me lo volveré a leer, porque hay veces que no sé que me pasa que no puedo terminar un libro y lo vuelvo a leer después de un tiempo y me encanta.
Bueno, adentrándonos en la historia, esto ocurre 30 años después de los otros libros por lo que se puede leer a parte. Tenemos a la protagonista, Taylor es la protagonista de la historia, es una chica que no ha tenido la oportunidad de tener educación (por parte del colegio) pero que tiene una barbaridad de habilidades de supervivencia (se parece mucho a Justin en esto). Y Dylan por otra parte es el chico de la historia es un chico que viene de una familia "rica" y que obviamente sabe mucho de educación y del colegio etc pero NADA de habilidades de supervivencia. Sí, polos opuestos.
Sinceramente, no me enteré muy bien cuántos años tienen, pero creo que están sobre los 20 o así. La verdad, es que en sí el libro estaba muy bien, porque en sí te adentra en la historia pero no deja detrás la cruda realidad de lo que sería que hubiese un apocalipsis en la vida real, es decir que no deja los temas duros de lado como la prostitución, los embarazos de riesgo, matar animales para sobrevivir o simplemente la hambruna. Aun con todos estos temas, la autora consigue que nos queramos adentrar más en la historia y al final siempre pensar en el final feliz que todos los lectores queremos.
Esta historia me ha hecho ver, que no estaría para nada preparada para sobrevivir en un apocalipsis.
Pero bueno, aun así tengo que decir que el libro esta bien, pero que tampoco puedo hacer una gran crítica porque me salte parte del libro dado que creo que ya no estaba en mi fase "post-apocalipsis".
Primero de todo, se me hizo casi imposible encontrarlo, sobre todo pensando que estamos en España, era casi como si no existiese. Pero bueno, no hay nada que frene a una lectora y con un poco de suerte lo encontré (estaba en KU por si a alguien le interesa, sí me costó encontrarlo ahí juzguen si quieren)
Pero bueno, en cuanto a la historia, me gustó bastante la trama, de verdad que prometía mucho y creo que me lo volveré a leer, porque hay veces que no sé que me pasa que no puedo terminar un libro y lo vuelvo a leer después de un tiempo y me encanta.
Bueno, adentrándonos en la historia, esto ocurre 30 años después de los otros libros por lo que se puede leer a parte. Tenemos a la protagonista, Taylor es la protagonista de la historia, es una chica que no ha tenido la oportunidad de tener educación (por parte del colegio) pero que tiene una barbaridad de habilidades de supervivencia (se parece mucho a Justin en esto). Y Dylan por otra parte es el chico de la historia es un chico que viene de una familia "rica" y que obviamente sabe mucho de educación y del colegio etc pero NADA de habilidades de supervivencia. Sí, polos opuestos.
Sinceramente, no me enteré muy bien cuántos años tienen, pero creo que están sobre los 20 o así. La verdad, es que en sí el libro estaba muy bien, porque en sí te adentra en la historia pero no deja detrás la cruda realidad de lo que sería que hubiese un apocalipsis en la vida real, es decir que no deja los temas duros de lado como la prostitución, los embarazos de riesgo, matar animales para sobrevivir o simplemente la hambruna. Aun con todos estos temas, la autora consigue que nos queramos adentrar más en la historia y al final siempre pensar en el final feliz que todos los lectores queremos.
Esta historia me ha hecho ver, que no estaría para nada preparada para sobrevivir en un apocalipsis.
Pero bueno, aun así tengo que decir que el libro esta bien, pero que tampoco puedo hacer una gran crítica porque me salte parte del libro dado que creo que ya no estaba en mi fase "post-apocalipsis".
June 22, 2021
Great addition!
I loved the trilogy when the Infection happened and this book continues that story years later. I really enjoyed the characters and the story that came from a different part of America. I was so happy with the ending. This was a great addition and I hope you had more. Maybe a story about Emily?!
I loved the trilogy when the Infection happened and this book continues that story years later. I really enjoyed the characters and the story that came from a different part of America. I was so happy with the ending. This was a great addition and I hope you had more. Maybe a story about Emily?!
September 27, 2025
This book was really well written with engaging character development. It is one of the best in the genre I’ve read in a while. The ending was a bit too “Disney” in my opinion and it almost dropped to a 4 from that, but ultimately I had to rate it as a whole. Highly recommend for end of the world dystopian fans.
March 5, 2018
Disappointed
The book was good at the first then towards the end it got very annoying go was lost and not looked for Dylan just lets Emily walk away never thought about again a revolution was started then they run
The book was good at the first then towards the end it got very annoying go was lost and not looked for Dylan just lets Emily walk away never thought about again a revolution was started then they run
October 16, 2022
great ending to series
Love the new take on this world a decade later. It allowed room for a entire new story from new characters. I love how they tied it in with the rest of the series and we get a glimpse of the old community! Great work
Love the new take on this world a decade later. It allowed room for a entire new story from new characters. I love how they tied it in with the rest of the series and we get a glimpse of the old community! Great work
October 21, 2019
Sucked me in, read in one sitting!
Urgh now I’m going to be super tired tomorrow... couldn’t put this down! Loved.. loved.. loved it! More please Lissa x
Urgh now I’m going to be super tired tomorrow... couldn’t put this down! Loved.. loved.. loved it! More please Lissa x
June 25, 2023
Great story and lovable characters
Amazing author and I enjoyed going on this adventure. I wish it was longer I still have questions about the end.
Amazing author and I enjoyed going on this adventure. I wish it was longer I still have questions about the end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews