Vanishing Hour

by Lisa King

Seventy-year-old Matthew Werner, who suffers from a debilitating case of Not Normal, doesn't know that nearly everyone on earth has died. He only knows that, out in the world, something terrible is happening – something he's not willing to discover. So he barricades himself inside and tries to stay ignorant. That is, until twelve-year-old Ruby Sterling shows up at his doorstep, all alone.

The two have little in common. Matthew is old, strange, grumbly, and concerned only with figuring out what happened to his wife, who went missing months earlier. Ruby is serious, curious, and worried about the fate of her father and whether the future even exists. Neither wants much to do with the other. Which is why, when Ruby hears a voice on the radio telling people to come to a place called the Horizon, she's determined to find it, even if Matthew isn't.

But outside, he's the least of her problems, and she's the least of his. To survive, they must count on the last thing either expected: each other.

And the Horizon? It could be anywhere.

Or nowhere at all.

Vanishing Hour is a work of apocalyptic fiction unlike any other. As much a story about the beginning of an unlikely friendship as it is about the end of the world, it resonates on both the personal and social levels. You're not likely to forget this one anytime soon.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Dystopia

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Lisa King grew up on a farm in rural Ontario where she developed an overzealous imagination and appreciation for open spaces. She has degrees in psychology and neuroscience and is prone to overthinking.

King is the author of Vanishing Hour, an apocalyptic fiction that ironically released March 2020, and Blue Haven, a psychological sci-fi thriller that was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2022.

She currently lives in London, Ontario with her growing family.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanishing Hour by Lisa King is honestly one of my fave reads of 2020.

This book is excellent! It has the coolest mix of thrills and fun all in one. It's got hints of Up since we have an older gentleman named Matthew and a young twelve year old named Ruby. These two get stuck together during the end of the world: Everyone without some sort of brain illness or injury doesn't get sick, but all the healthy people suddenly die. They chase after Matthew's wife (who had Alzheimer's) who walked off one day and are trying to figure out where the Horizon is, because Ruby's Dad might be there.

It's quite the ride and I was thoroughly addicted to this book. Lisa's writing style is simple, easy and fast paced and kept me hooked the whole time. There was never a dull moment and I didn't expect some of the exciting parts of this plot that came about. I didn't expect there to be people trying to colonize (and maybe not doing a good job) and then that ending... Ugh. So sweet, so good, so cute! But massive cliffhanger! Break my heart Lisa!

I love that this is Lisa King's first novel, because that means (more than likely) she's only going to get better. This was a stellar start and I can totally see people loving this book! It needs to find it's audience ASAP because it is just lovely. Add to the bonuses: Canadian author, actual medical terminology, and lots of character development!

I wish apocalyptic horror was more like this. I'd enjoy the genre way more!

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes: fun thrillers, apocalyptic horror, a fast paced story or something to spice up their TBR.

Five out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, Lisa King, in exchange of an honest review.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut author Lisa King has written a compelling and enjoyable novel that caught my interest from the beginning and kept me turning pages until the very end. Vanishing Hour is an apocalyptic tale that follows two very unlikely companions through the horrors of a major disaster that kills off most of the world’s human population. Matthew Werner is a seventy-year-old man who suffers from what he calls his Not Normal. He becomes almost catatonic when he is forced to be around people so he has pretty much barricaded himself in his home and tries to ignore the tragedy happening outside his home. That all changes when twelve-year-old Ruby Sterling shows up at his door. The two are wary of each other, but they must learn to work together if they are to survive and find their way to possible safety at a place called the Horizon.

It has been a while since I’ve read any novels from this genre, but I must say this one intrigued me. This is definitely a character driven story since the tale is mostly set around Matthew and Ruby, and what they must endure to survive. Both have to not only learn to trust and like the other, but they also have to overcome their own problems. For Matthew that is his Not Normal and for Ruby it is the fact that she is sick with a brain tumor. I especially enjoyed seeing Matthew’s character grow and adjust to this new and terrifying world. It was also uplifting to see the two main characters slowly grow to rely on each other. This growth turned what could have been only an apocalyptic horror story into an uplifting tale that ends with hope for the future, at least for these characters.

I can recommend this book to anyone who loves a good end of the world fantasy story. Ms. King shows great promise as an author, and I will be looking for more of her writing in the future.

I received an ARC at the author’s request through NetGalley and The Story Plant for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

PostScript: This very timely ARC that I read several months ago keeps hovering on the edges of my thoughts these days: it exposed me to the growing concern about all the potential viruses and plagues that are being unleashed by global warming as glaciers melt and expose ancient microbes that may well prove lethal to all existing life forms on earth.

I am finding it hard to sit still and read during this global Stay At Home quarantine. My reaction to any perceived threat or problem has always been to look for a solution. If there is none, then I need to work off the adrenaline with some remedial action of some sort. Right now, I am making surgical masks, making grocery runs for myself and my siblings, and trying to find metal bobbins for my sewing machine - because it refuses to "deal" with the plastic ones. Things just got so frighteningly "real" as my grand-nieces would say, almost overnight. This novel explores a "new normal" after a virus attacks all the healthy people on earth, leaving behind the physically and mentally infirm. (I suspected that this novel was perhaps inspired by World War Z.) Life, as Ruby knew it, was not the same. She mourned its loss, but the instinct for survival is strong in all of us, even the terminally ill. An interesting but quirky read.

Stay well, everyone!
Here is my original review:
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm rating this quirky "End of Days" novel a 3.8 out of 5. An ancient virus, unleashed by global warming from its glacial vault. Only people with neurological conditions have been able to survive the deadly virus.
Ruby has a brain tumour, and Matthew is Autistic. A precocious child and a stuck in his ways senior band together to find Horizon, where they hope to find a cure to the deadly virus.
Along the way, they are taken by Jud, a madman, who has set up his own form of manic Utopia. Ruby has to resort to drastic measures to escape the asylum which was literally being run by the inmates. It was interesting that even in dystopian times, some survivors try to impose their own form of horrifying order. Those labels that the inmates wore in Jud's utopia were interesting.
I found it interesting that the meek once again appear to be "inheriting the earth." Everyone of able body and mind is gone, leaving only the physically and mentally sick. Quite ironic.
This story is set in Scarborough, which is a suburb of Toronto. (I live in the west end of Toronto - Etobicoke)
I loved how the survivors all ended up in the Muskokas - Ontario's prime back woods vacation destination has been taken over by the last humans on earth! Too funny!

[Xavier Hugonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanishing Hour, from author Lisa King, is a post apocalyptic novel, but far from what we usually expect from such of those.

Matthew Werner is a seventy years old grumpy man. He has some mental issues. Which mental issues ? No one has even been able to diagnose them. He’s not sociable. He’s the opposite of sociable. He doesn’t like people. They’re LOUD and unpredictable. He doesn’t like the modern world, computers and mobile phones. He doesn’t like young people, the entitled « me, mine, me, mine » generation, their heads always into their little computers. He’s the kind of old guy whose each sentence would begin with « In my days... » and end up with « ...get off my lawn ! »

He doesn’t have social anxiety. He has world anxiety, Hence, he seldom leaves his apartment, except on tuesdays, for a very difficult trip to the convenience store. He likes order, routine, predictability.

In spite of his condition, he has been married. But, after decades of bliss, his wife, afflicted with Alzheimer, went out and has never been found again. She’s presumed dead by the police, but he still waits for her come back.

Matthew is so recluse, that he barely notices the day the world crumbles down around him. Most people have just been wiped from the planet, in the span of a few hours, by a dormant virus.

Ruby is a sick twelve year old girl. On apocalypse day, her mother hid her in a shelf, asking her to wait for her return. She waited for a week then ventured out to an empty world, and on the porch of Matthew’s house.

Matthew doesn’t care for young people. He doesn’t know how to deal with people, lest alone young ones. He doesn’t understand feelings. However, Ruby manages to stir some of those into him. A bond, however unorthodox, has begun to form.

Ruby is Matthew’s opposite. In spite of her condition, she’s an extreme optimist. If there is once chance over a hundred that her father and Matthew’s wife might still be alive, she wants to believe in it and go search for them.

After some convincing, she embarks Matthew on a quest to do exactly that.

Vanishing Hour isn’t a standard apocalypse novel. Its strengths stem from the evolving relationship between Matthew and Ruby. The weaknesses of the one fueling the strengths of the other. It speaks about mental disease, and the unwarranted stigma affixed to them.

This is a book full of hope and optimism. And, it is uplifting. A trait rarely seen in apocalypse stories these days.

It’s not perfect, exactly. On the way, the author couldn’t help but to introduce a standard apocalypse novel trope the book surely could have done without. There was a message in it but, in spite of not being an author, I think the point could have been made another way.

Just after that less interesting chapter, though, the story goes back to its original and lovable premise. And, the epilogue proves more than satisfying.

It’s an unusual entry into the genre. Highly recommended. Especially if you need some mental relief between two seasons of The Walking Dead and its monsters (the humans, not the zombies). Humanity. This novel is full of it.

Thanks The Story Plant and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Matt Shepker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have struggled for a while with how and what to write in this review. It was a very well written novel that did a fantastic job with character development and world-building. It was suggested to me as a post-apocalyptic novel and, while this is true, it doesn't really ring the bell for me as being that genre. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what genre I would call it, though.

The two main characters, Matthew and Ruby, are as different from each other as two characters could be. Matthew is an old curmudgeon that constantly complains that the world is too loud. Ruby, on the other hand, is a young, outgoing, and very smart girl. Both characters grow individually and as friends to make a good team.

One thing that kept coming back to me with this was that it seemed to parallel the movie Up. An old man that has had a rough life, a child who is in a bad place that needs help, an unforgiving landscape, and a dog that has lines (even if they are only imagined).

I did like this book and now, after having some time to chew on it, I will probably go back and re-read it.

I want to thank Lisa King, Story Plant, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Vanishing Hour, Lisa King's debut novel, is a terrific and peculiar story with two very different main character, Matthew and Ruby. Seventy years old Matthew suffers from something the doctor couldn't understand. Maybe autism, Asperger or social anxiety, he has difficulty to live in the world, he can't stand people and their loudness. He finds the world overwhelming, preferring to be at home and not outside, surrounded by other people.
He talks about the LOUDNESS, that is "a storm in his mind, when his thoughts becomes less accessible, his vision clouds over and then he suffers from pain and darkness, unable to move and think"(semi cit from the book). He prefers to avoid people, their phones (silly little computers), complaining about young people and old times and so on. Hi wife Tabitha suffered from Alzheimer and she was the only one who could understand him. Their love is absolutely great and moving, I loved reading about it. After she went missing, her locket was found into a burned down building and the police presumed her dead, Matthew lives alone, tinkering with objects, safe with his routine. One day, he went out for groceries and starts to see that everything is changed. There is not sound, people are missing and then, when he's safely at home, a crisis blows, forcing him to barricate himself in his house, away from people running, screaming and dying. Matthew would have loved to live alone in his house, away from people and loudness, not caring about what happened to the world, but when Ruby, a twelve years old, knocks at his door, he found himself with her.

Ruby, taken away from school and forced by her mother to hide into a shed (Matthew's), is a smart, talkative and cancer sick girl. After seeing her mother dead, she's conviced by a radio trasmission to look for the Horizon, a place where to find other survivors, hoping to find her father. Holding on her parents' memories, his father's notebook full of ideas and her stubborness, Ruby and Matthew started their long and difficult trip to search for the Horizon. In an apocalyptic world, full of bodies, vacant cities, crazy people and violence, Matthew and Ruby learn to trust and love each other, creating a friendship bond and travelling together. Looking for Matthew's wife, Tabitha and Ruby's father, their trip is full of twists, false hopes, adventures and intertwined with flashbacks and parts explaining the virus and the infection.

This book is very peculiar. It's a apocalyptic, thriller...a mix of genres, with two characters, so different from one other. Matthew's sickness was beautifully written and the reader could feel his pain, his difficulty to see and face other people, feel his love and longing for Tabitha and the love and affection for Ruby. It's a peculiar friendship and I love how they cared for each other, how almost right away Ruby saw in the headphones and tape mixer a way to soothe Matthew's nerves. This book is divided in three parts, but most of it shows Matthew and Ruby as, almost, exclusive characters. It was interesting reading about Center One and the society forcibly created by Jud and the brilliant move and plan created by Ruby. I loved reading how her friendship with Matthew grows and how him become slowly more confident, taking care of the girl and of himself and then of Jim. Matthew is really realistic and relatable and he and Ruby are well rounded characters, full of fears and thoughts and moved by their feelings, hopes, braving their changing and scary new world.

I really loved this book. It was hopeful, moving and sad and I've devoured it in less than a day, because I needed to know what would happen next.

The world was a blaring orchestra- one he was powerless to conduct.

[Katie B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

I am a big fan of the "man vs nature" genre and frequently that can diverge into end-of-the-world scenarios. I was excited to read this book - Vanishing Hour definitely falls within that category, but it's approached in a different way (I won't tell you how, I don't want to give it away!)

The main characters, Matthew and Ruby, are both interesting and quirky in their own way. They come together as strangers and come to depend on each other so earnestly that they couldn't help but care deeply for each other by the conclusion of the book. Matthew is a grumpy old coot (tho, I will say that I found his aversion to electronics occasionally annoying - but he's also described as unofficially being on the autism spectrum, so his quirks became more understandable) and Ruby is an optimistic young girl separated from her parents who finds herself on Matthew's doorstep.

The plot itself flows well and is easy to read. (This is my first review ever, so I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to say here - I don't want to give anything away.)

Overall, Vanishing Hour was a sweet buddy-comedy, set at the end of the world as we know it. Highly recommend!

#VanishingHour #NetGalley

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a dystopian from the POV of an elderly person. It’s not something I even considered, really. This book did it so well. I can’t say I’ve ever read a dystopian quite like this…and I’ve read a fair amount! Lisa King is really good at writing solid stories with good twists, and this was no exception.

[Contemporary_literary_threads · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Vanishing Hour by Lisa King' is an apocalyptic work of fiction. Set somewhere where most of the World has ended.
Matthew Werner, a seventy-year-old gentleman, who is suffering from a mental illness one day finds Ruby, a wee, twelve-year-old girl, who has a tumour, at his doorstep. Both decide to fight against the ending of the world and reach a place called Horizon, where Matthew's wife supposedly has gone.
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This novel is about trusting each other and supporting the cause to survive the end of the world. I like the stories which keep characters in a highlighted zone instead of the narrative, and that's what kept me hooked to this novel.
The elements of mild thriller and nuances of Matthew and Ruby are something enjoyable as they face the vanishing hours of their lives.
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Writing and narration are something which was a plus in this novel because it takes good writing and narration to write character-driven plots.
My favourite is Matthew, a man being a child, his character is light-hearted and lovable.
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If you're looking for a fresh debut and something new which hits a bull's eye get this book.

[Elke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm (almost) out of words to adequately describe this fantastic book!

While the world is reduced by billions in just a short moment, Matthew is totally unaware of what's going on. Until he hears strange noises outside. Until he finds a body on his doorstep. Until a little girl named Ruby knocks on his door and forces Matthew to leave his comfort zone and go outside. And that's the beginning of a very unusual friendship.

While the end-of-the-world-scenario had its appeal (I'm just so glad there were no zombies around), it faded to background noise the moment Matthew and Ruby met. Ruby awakes Matthew from his convenient dormancy and leads him back into real life, even though it means being uncomfortable and in danger. It really broke my heart to see how much they cared for each other, encouraged and gave each other hope in an almost hopeless world. There was even a scene (the birthday) that brought me to tears, and that is something no other book accomplished so far. I don't 100% agree with the way Matthew and Ruby's journey ended, but that is based on my personal predilection for dark and tragic outcomes. Highest recommendation!

(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I thought it would be apocalyptic fiction. It turned out it is much more than that.

70 year old Matthew is "not normal." He finds the world overwhelming and prefers his simple routines. After a mysterious illness kills the majority of the population, he encounters 12 year old Ruby.

Both want to find missing loved ones and begin a journey to do so. The main theme is the relationship that develops between two disparate people.

It is a heartwarming book and I suggest taking the journey with Matthew and Ruby. .

I was given an advance copy of this book. I'm leaving my honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this poignant and engrossing novel, it made smile and it made me think.
I loved the great character development, the well crafted plot, and the amazing world building.
The writer is a talented storyteller and I hope to read other stories soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Erik McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I buddy read this book with my friend Amanda and we both really enjoyed it! It was told from two different perspectives, one of a young girl and one of an older man, and how they came together in crisis and worked together to figure out what to do next.

The dystopian style of this book was really cool and the whole time I had myself wondering what this mystery was and why all the people were suddenly being affected like this.

The older man had a very interesting way of telling his story since he had triggers that would set him off. I liked seeing how he coped with this and how the young girl would react and help with this inner beast that he was constantly facing.

The narrative is told in a very fluid way and the book didn't really have any boring parts for me. I found myself always wondering what was going to happen in the next scene.

It was also really cool that it was set a little bit outside of Toronto because I recognized the areas it was mentioning and made it a lot more realistic for me (being the Canadian that I am).

I would definitely read another book by Lisa King should she happen to write one (Hint, Hint send me a message when you do Lisa :P).

[Emily Portman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good character and I also (secretly) enjoy a bit of an emotional read - Vanishing Hour was PERFECT for me! This book was far better than I could have possibly imagined and it combined all my favourite elements into one fabulous story. From a perfect tone which really sets the story to an ending that positively moves you, the end result gave me a lovely, warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I wish I could have rated it higher, but I guess a five star will have to do… 🙂

This book was such a delight – I’m so thrilled to have the story of Matthew and Ruby cemented in my brain! Two strangers with very different stories do what they must to find answers and stay safe in a truly horrifying experience for the human race. It combines beginnings and endings, joy and sadness as well as gains and losses, and was honestly one of the greatest stories I’ve read in recent years. The author has created two perfectly lovable main characters who you can’t help but keep close to your heart and a plot which constantly impresses you no end. For me, I enjoyed every page – the writing style from page one grabbed me in an instant and held my interest to the final word. I’d definitely recommend this book to any reader and I’d be surprised if you don’t enjoy it as much as I did!

Take a look at my full review on my blog here: https://aquintillionwords.com/2020/04...

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending was a bit predictable but I did enjoy reading it.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the characters in this book. This book isn’t as dark as some apocalyptic books I have read. There is hope on the horizon just keep going.

[Emily King · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! I devoured this book in a single day, such a great read with an interesting and wonderful take on an apocalyptic adventure with some unlikely twist and turns along they way. Would %100 recommend.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanishing Hour, is just like the title talks about the vanishing hours of two individuals, too different from each other but yet too similar. It's a multi genre book, I would literally say it's my favorite dystopian book because of the unique theme and concept and the way the author weaves the storyline, it just makes it way more special. It revolves around Seventy-year-old Matthew Werner, who suffers from a debilitating case of Not Normal, doesn't know that nearly everyone on earth has died. He only knows that, out in the world, something terrible is happening – something he's not willing to discover. So he barricades himself inside and tries to stay ignorant and on other hand we have twelve-year-old Ruby Sterling shows up at his doorstep, all alone.
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Both of them have their own personal complex challenges, but I totally love how both of them are contrasting and kuddos to the author of literally picking characters having six decade age difference, it's a book that's enjoyable, fun, at times builds a lot of tension, it takes the readers through various human relationships and emotions, it's a book that just doesn't leave you until you are done, not until you reach the last page. It has so much in it, it's about the mysterious unknown Horizon, the quest of finding, two unknown personalities with different problems were amazingly brought in a single frame. It's something that could be read by all age groups.
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I feel the book's purpose is so much more than just entertainment, it ruled my heart because of many reasons, at times I found myself inside the storyline, watching and hearing things out all because the way it's narrated it arouses curiousity and touches many aspects of living at the same time. Matthew has to be my favorite, I did like Stella and Ruby as well, but not as much as Matt.
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I wish this book has a sequel, not that I am sure but if it has, I would be happy to get into their lives all over again. Definitely a book that is worth giving yourself, it's truly going to be a special one.
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Rating: 4.75🌟

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanishing Hour is a novel written by the author Lisa King. It is a story of a man, a girl and the end of the World. It is an apocalyptic fiction. The protagonist of the story is a seventy one year old man Matthew Werner. He didn't like people much except for few exceptions.

Matthew wasn't normal at all. He had some disorder which nobody knows what exactly it is. There was something going on outside and mostly everyone on earth had died. One day, a twelve year old girl Ruby showed up at Matthew's doorstep.

Both took the decision to fight against the ending of world and reach a place called Horizon. Horizon here doesn't mean the break between earth and sky. It is actually a place. Grab a copy of this book and read this interesting story to know whether they will be able to survive?

The book is divided into three parts with many chapters in each part. The story is intriguing and one couldn't put this book down until you finish it. I liked the way the story ends.

I really liked this debut work from the author. The writing is fine and the narration is smooth. The title of the book is apt however the cover page of the book could have been creative. Overall, it's a nice book to pick. You will definitely enjoy it.

[Jennifer Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Vanishing Hour was Lisa King’s first book, I ended up reading it just after Blue Haven (her second). I love when authors can change up their styles between books. Vanishing Hour puts a twist on the typical post-apocalyptic reads by shining a light on the relationships formed out of loss. I was instantly a fan of the characters - especially the grouchy Matthew who reminded me of Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace (and I couldn’t get that resemblance out of my head as I read). Such a great story of resilience and friendship in the face of hardship. Highly recommend!

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good story. It was a good change from what I normally read. It also definitely fits with the disaster that is now known as 2020. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different kind of apocalypse story!

This apocalypse story was different. The plot followed a senior citizen who had an undiagnosed autism disorder and a 10 year old girl with cancer.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A post-apocalyptic novel (with a very timely subject matter) that somehow manages to also give you all the warm fuzzy feelings. I would very much recommend it.

[Geoff Clarke]

Dnf. I've never had a book's conceit turn me off before, but once it was revealed I had no interest in continuing.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im honestly torn between 4 and 5 stars for this one, so I think I’m putting it at 4 for now but I reserve the right to change my mind.

[Felicity Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say this is the most sophisticated book I’ve ever read, but I did enjoy the cheesiness and the character dynamics.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an underrated book. I loved it. It was interesting and kept me engaged.