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The Watchers #1
The Bar at the End of the World
A starving city. A renegade bootlegger. A battle for the future of mankind. Zeke is a bad guy. He didn’t choose to be. It’s just who he is. It’s who he has to be to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where trust is as scarce as water. He's got nobody. No family. No friends. And he left behind the woman he loved for her own good. But it's time to change. After a brush with death far out in the wasteland, he decides he's done risking his life to help his greedy bosses control who gets to drink water and when. Now, he's stranded in a bar in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the perfect kind of ruffians who can help him go back and make things right. Armed with renewed purpose and a one-of-a-kind muscle car, Zeke hunts for redemption, seeks retribution and, maybe, just maybe, he can get his girl back while he’s at it. Take a ride across the wasteland in Tom Abrahams' newest post-apocalyptic, dystopian series, but with a fantasy twist. It will leave you wondering just what it means to be human. It's perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Hugh Howey, and Stephen King's The Dark Tower.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2020
383 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Tom Abrahams
71 books343 followersTom Abrahams is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award winning television journalist and member of International Thriller Writers.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
He is also a Kindle Unlimited All-Star, an Audible 5 Star Favorite, and author of more than forty novels.
He writes in several genres including dystopian, sci-fi techno-thriller, post-apocalyptic, and political thrillers.
The dramatic rights for his "A Dark World" trilogy are optioned for television and film.
He's married with two children and lives in Southeast Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 11, 2022
A starving city.
A renegade bootlegger.
A battle for the future of mankind.
A somewhat different take on the post-apocalyptic genre and this first book was an enjoyable read with lots of action and cool well-developed characters.
I do have some issues with it though, it felt rushed and lacked in the details which make a book an atmospheric read.
A renegade bootlegger.
A battle for the future of mankind.
A somewhat different take on the post-apocalyptic genre and this first book was an enjoyable read with lots of action and cool well-developed characters.
I do have some issues with it though, it felt rushed and lacked in the details which make a book an atmospheric read.
March 12, 2020
This was not what I thought it was going to be. And that is a good thing.
Great story. Lots of surprise twists with some unanswered questions.
Bring on the next book.
Great story. Lots of surprise twists with some unanswered questions.
Bring on the next book.
March 30, 2020
A Completely Unique Post-Apocalyptic Tale
A fair warning. I’m going to try my hardest to not spoil this book but I fear that will be impossible. Abrahams wrote a story that has something in the middle of it that really defines the book. And it’s really hard to write a review without talking about that point. I don’t even want to say what the story reminded me of because saying that sort of gives it away.
The Bar At The End of the World will be both familiar and different for those of you who are used to Abrahams’ other stories. Sure, it’s a post-apocalyptic world. But it’s completely different than his other stories. The main issue in this apocalypse is water… or the lack of it. There are two rival factions who control, distribute, and bootleg water to the people left. That is where most of the similarities go out the window (though I will say that once we meet Uriel she did remind me a bit of a darker version of another character from another story that Abrahams wrote).
So, here’s where I would talk about the part of the story that really shocked me, but I can’t without spoiling it. Let me say that it had one of those Fight Club-like reveals to it. Once you know that (spoiler alert for Fight Club) the narrator and Tyler Durden are the same person and you re-watch Fight Club it’s a completely different movie). Once I found out the big reveal that Abrahams wrote into The Bar At The End of the World I was like, well I probably should have seen it coming but I didn’t.
The story itself is one about redemption, love, loss, and a bunch of other issues that make us human. Just know if you liked Abrahams’ other books, you’ll enjoy this one. But if you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic tale that’s unlike anything I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a lot of PA books) then this one will really be for you.
Overall, I thought that Abrahams wrote a fantastic book that really provided me with tons of entertainment but also a fair amount of shock and awe. One that I won’t forget for some time. One that I can’t wait to see what else happens in this world.
A fair warning. I’m going to try my hardest to not spoil this book but I fear that will be impossible. Abrahams wrote a story that has something in the middle of it that really defines the book. And it’s really hard to write a review without talking about that point. I don’t even want to say what the story reminded me of because saying that sort of gives it away.
The Bar At The End of the World will be both familiar and different for those of you who are used to Abrahams’ other stories. Sure, it’s a post-apocalyptic world. But it’s completely different than his other stories. The main issue in this apocalypse is water… or the lack of it. There are two rival factions who control, distribute, and bootleg water to the people left. That is where most of the similarities go out the window (though I will say that once we meet Uriel she did remind me a bit of a darker version of another character from another story that Abrahams wrote).
So, here’s where I would talk about the part of the story that really shocked me, but I can’t without spoiling it. Let me say that it had one of those Fight Club-like reveals to it. Once you know that (spoiler alert for Fight Club) the narrator and Tyler Durden are the same person and you re-watch Fight Club it’s a completely different movie). Once I found out the big reveal that Abrahams wrote into The Bar At The End of the World I was like, well I probably should have seen it coming but I didn’t.
The story itself is one about redemption, love, loss, and a bunch of other issues that make us human. Just know if you liked Abrahams’ other books, you’ll enjoy this one. But if you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic tale that’s unlike anything I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a lot of PA books) then this one will really be for you.
Overall, I thought that Abrahams wrote a fantastic book that really provided me with tons of entertainment but also a fair amount of shock and awe. One that I won’t forget for some time. One that I can’t wait to see what else happens in this world.
April 7, 2020
Don't give up on the book.
A post apocalyptic book that doesn't support many good guys. There's two sides to this new world, both seem to be bad guys, so the only one I could root for was our main character, Zeke. Zeke is on the road to redemption, after deserting his girlfriend, Adelia. It doesn't take the reader long to realize just how naive Zeke is, but the story is still full of surprises, action, some supernatural fun, and character self-realization making it an enjoyable journey. Why I say, don't give up on the book, is that I almost did at the beginning, not being able to get interested in the characters. Could have been the narrator (didn't care for Pedro's voice), but like the characters, something clicked and I found myself interested. At any rate, I hung in there, enjoyed it and will probably go to book 2.
A post apocalyptic book that doesn't support many good guys. There's two sides to this new world, both seem to be bad guys, so the only one I could root for was our main character, Zeke. Zeke is on the road to redemption, after deserting his girlfriend, Adelia. It doesn't take the reader long to realize just how naive Zeke is, but the story is still full of surprises, action, some supernatural fun, and character self-realization making it an enjoyable journey. Why I say, don't give up on the book, is that I almost did at the beginning, not being able to get interested in the characters. Could have been the narrator (didn't care for Pedro's voice), but like the characters, something clicked and I found myself interested. At any rate, I hung in there, enjoyed it and will probably go to book 2.
June 24, 2020
A different tale
Wow. This story reminded me a little of the Dark Tower series. I didn't realize that until I finished the book. I was trying to think about what to write and it hit me. Definitely a good read and I am going right to the next book in the series.
Wow. This story reminded me a little of the Dark Tower series. I didn't realize that until I finished the book. I was trying to think about what to write and it hit me. Definitely a good read and I am going right to the next book in the series.
January 11, 2022
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: In the dying, drying up world of Zeke’s, it’s hard to tell criminals from government members. He ran from both of them. Ran for his life, away from death promised by both sides. And, wounded, battered, close to death… He woke up in a bar. A bar, where no one knows who he ran from, who he is. No one is looking for him, as the bartender offers ice for his drink. And no one’s explaining anything either, as the same man offers to help him with whatever chased him here…
My Opinion: The book is full of great ideas, elements, scenes even. There’s action, there’s sights. But even the best story will crumble if it’s not accompanied by well written characters. These here were all, without exception, barely developed, lacking in their own story when they even had one, lacking in character traits. No decent banter, no lore, no world building other than a few crumbs there and here.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: In the dying, drying up world of Zeke’s, it’s hard to tell criminals from government members. He ran from both of them. Ran for his life, away from death promised by both sides. And, wounded, battered, close to death… He woke up in a bar. A bar, where no one knows who he ran from, who he is. No one is looking for him, as the bartender offers ice for his drink. And no one’s explaining anything either, as the same man offers to help him with whatever chased him here…
My Opinion: The book is full of great ideas, elements, scenes even. There’s action, there’s sights. But even the best story will crumble if it’s not accompanied by well written characters. These here were all, without exception, barely developed, lacking in their own story when they even had one, lacking in character traits. No decent banter, no lore, no world building other than a few crumbs there and here.
March 31, 2020
3.5/5 The Bar at the End of the World is an apocalypse/end of the world story with an unexpected fantasy twist thrown in about half way through. While entertaining enough I think the Mad Max-esque story would have been better off with out it. Seeing has the author has many series in the apocalypse genre though I don’t fault him for wanting to switch it up. It was a fun novel and I enjoyed the wasteland setting and most of the characters were pretty entertaining although the protagonist was a little bland and the antagonists aren’t really fleshed out yet, maybe in future volumes. I may pick up the next volume in the series when it comes out though I feel I would probably enjoy Mr. Abrahams’ more down to earth end of days novels more.
September 16, 2022
Not really the book I thought I was getting so I was lost at first but it was a pleasant surprise. The premises is interesting and the internal struggle is pretty good. Not really happy with some of the characters but that could just have been so much going on I wasn't picking everything up.
April 2, 2020
Very good read. Great pacing
What can I say, this book was an amazing read. Left me wishing the next one in the series was already here. Can't wait to see what is next.
What can I say, this book was an amazing read. Left me wishing the next one in the series was already here. Can't wait to see what is next.
March 28, 2020
The Bar at the End of the World. Tom Abrahams
The world as we know it has collapsed. In America a group, the overlords have taken control. They justify their actions to no one. Marines are their enforcers. Other groups also contribute to the overlords. Their disgressions can be overlooked to a degree. But sometimes a mistake can be fatal. The watchers bring balance, redemption to some. The have one noticeable difference. Their dead, brought back to life to bring balance. They help others. This is an amazing and excellent read. Enjoyed immensely!
The world as we know it has collapsed. In America a group, the overlords have taken control. They justify their actions to no one. Marines are their enforcers. Other groups also contribute to the overlords. Their disgressions can be overlooked to a degree. But sometimes a mistake can be fatal. The watchers bring balance, redemption to some. The have one noticeable difference. Their dead, brought back to life to bring balance. They help others. This is an amazing and excellent read. Enjoyed immensely!
August 9, 2022
Oh dear.
TL;DR: A misandrist, bait-and-switch mess of a story that lacks any discernible stakes, contains characters who are so sketchily drawn as to be almost indistinguishable (Phil, Barach, Gabe .. someone else whose name I can't even recall), villains who are nothing more than moustache-twirling caricatures, and padded by heavy-handed chapters of political exposition. And it's boring.
I loved the premise of this one. Here's the blurb:
What do I expect from that? Renegade bootlegger; a bad guy; muscle cars; a woman he left behind; trust is scarce; wasteland. Yeah! I mean, I'm geared up to read that: Mad Max meets Wheels of Fire (the film) meets Escape from New York meets Dukes of Hazard. Cool!
Unfortunately, that's not what I get. And what I get, whooeee, that's some seriously disappointing shit right there.
First, I get the impression that this book was written twice. The first time, I guess it resembled the blurb. Badass, kick-ass hero serves some two-dimensional retribution on the bad guys and saves the girl in a madcap post-apocalyptic hell ride. There are occasional flashes of this version: where the hero disarms a bad guy of his knife, or , but only flashes.
The second time, I imagine it was carved up by a woke editor who took all the first part out and replaced it with ... something else.
So what did I get for my money and my time?
I got an emasculated hero who is passively dragged around from place to place by a far more competent woman, and regularly hen-pecked, patronised (matronised?), and made fun of.
I got a story with no build-up. Nothing about how the main character lives normally before the story starts. No reason to feel sympathy for him or to care what happens to him or his girlfriend or anybody else, for that matter. So I didn't.
I got badly-drawn, gossamer-thin, characters shoe-horned into the story for no discernible reason and with no rationale for suddenly being so helpful, or for the main character to accept their help.
I got chapter after chapter of boring, tedious political manoeuvrings that added nothing to the story except to make it longer and less interesting. Yes, we learn that the state is a fascist-adjacent one; we learn that the bad guys are really not all that nice; we get some shallow world-building. Felt like padding and slowed the already slow story to a crawl.
I got plot threads appearing and disappearing at random. There's a whole setup that suggests that a revolution may be being planned. Is it? We never find out. We never meet any of the people doing it. We never get to care about it. That whole plot thread is just lost in the noise and forgotten. Maybe it's for the sequel? Maybe it is, but in this book it feels unnecessary, pointless and incomplete.
I got a story with no stakes. What is at risk during this story? Nothing is at risk, nothing feels like it matters.
I got a twist so horribly obvious it was apparent from the opening chapter. Worse, keeping this twist secret was one of the main drivers behind so many of the weaknesses in this story. If Abrahams had just put it out there, I am almost certain that the story could have been rescued. It would certainly have made more sense and given some desperately needed depth to the ancillary characters.
I got a big bad forced into the story at the end without explanation or reason, just because.
I got a story with no fun. And that, after all, is probably the biggest fault. This story wasn't fun. It wasn't cool. The action scenes dragged because they lacked stakes, the plot made no sense, the characters we were meant to care about were repulsive, and the whole thing was weighed down by unnecessary, heavy-handed exposition.
In conclusion, the worst book I have read so far in 2022 and one of the most disappointing I have ever read.
TL;DR: A misandrist, bait-and-switch mess of a story that lacks any discernible stakes, contains characters who are so sketchily drawn as to be almost indistinguishable (Phil, Barach, Gabe .. someone else whose name I can't even recall), villains who are nothing more than moustache-twirling caricatures, and padded by heavy-handed chapters of political exposition. And it's boring.
I loved the premise of this one. Here's the blurb:
A starving city. A renegade bootlegger. A battle for the future of mankind.
Zeke is a bad guy. He didn’t choose to be. It’s just who he is. It’s who has to be to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where trust is as scarce as water.
He's got nobody. No family. No friends. And a woman he left behind for her own good.
But it's time to change. After a brush with death far out in the wasteland, he decides he's done risking his life to help his greedy bosses control who gets to drink water and when.
Now, he's stranded in a bar in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the perfect kind of ruffians who can help him go back and make things right. Armed with renewed purpose and a one-of-a-kind muscle car, Zeke hunts for redemption, seeks retribution and, maybe, just maybe, he can get his girl back while he’s at it.
What do I expect from that? Renegade bootlegger; a bad guy; muscle cars; a woman he left behind; trust is scarce; wasteland. Yeah! I mean, I'm geared up to read that: Mad Max meets Wheels of Fire (the film) meets Escape from New York meets Dukes of Hazard. Cool!
Unfortunately, that's not what I get. And what I get, whooeee, that's some seriously disappointing shit right there.
First, I get the impression that this book was written twice. The first time, I guess it resembled the blurb. Badass, kick-ass hero serves some two-dimensional retribution on the bad guys and saves the girl in a madcap post-apocalyptic hell ride. There are occasional flashes of this version: where the hero disarms a bad guy of his knife, or , but only flashes.
The second time, I imagine it was carved up by a woke editor who took all the first part out and replaced it with ... something else.
So what did I get for my money and my time?
I got an emasculated hero who is passively dragged around from place to place by a far more competent woman, and regularly hen-pecked, patronised (matronised?), and made fun of.
I got a story with no build-up. Nothing about how the main character lives normally before the story starts. No reason to feel sympathy for him or to care what happens to him or his girlfriend or anybody else, for that matter. So I didn't.
I got badly-drawn, gossamer-thin, characters shoe-horned into the story for no discernible reason and with no rationale for suddenly being so helpful, or for the main character to accept their help.
I got chapter after chapter of boring, tedious political manoeuvrings that added nothing to the story except to make it longer and less interesting. Yes, we learn that the state is a fascist-adjacent one; we learn that the bad guys are really not all that nice; we get some shallow world-building. Felt like padding and slowed the already slow story to a crawl.
I got plot threads appearing and disappearing at random. There's a whole setup that suggests that a revolution may be being planned. Is it? We never find out. We never meet any of the people doing it. We never get to care about it. That whole plot thread is just lost in the noise and forgotten. Maybe it's for the sequel? Maybe it is, but in this book it feels unnecessary, pointless and incomplete.
I got a story with no stakes. What is at risk during this story? Nothing is at risk, nothing feels like it matters.
I got a twist so horribly obvious it was apparent from the opening chapter. Worse, keeping this twist secret was one of the main drivers behind so many of the weaknesses in this story. If Abrahams had just put it out there, I am almost certain that the story could have been rescued. It would certainly have made more sense and given some desperately needed depth to the ancillary characters.
I got a big bad forced into the story at the end without explanation or reason, just because.
I got a story with no fun. And that, after all, is probably the biggest fault. This story wasn't fun. It wasn't cool. The action scenes dragged because they lacked stakes, the plot made no sense, the characters we were meant to care about were repulsive, and the whole thing was weighed down by unnecessary, heavy-handed exposition.
In conclusion, the worst book I have read so far in 2022 and one of the most disappointing I have ever read.
August 6, 2020
The world was somewhat interesting, but so many characters were focused on, yet underdeveloped. The most interesting characters were not the protagonist. Action scenes amounted to a description of Person A at the battlefield and how they were approaching Person B. Then switch perspectives to Person B on the battlefield waiting, checking his clip, waiting, thinking how he got here, that he's the last line of defense, what he was going to do when they won. And then the bullet catches him in the head-- just distracting times to finally decide to develop a character, followed by an uninteresting and sudden death.
Li's development made no sense. While she was interesting, it just makes no sense for her to be doing the things she does in the 2nd half of the book.
Zeke was nothing special at all. Seriously. Oh and then he's a perfect shot when it matters, despite just being a driver who lets other people do that sort of thing.
I can't see these 4-5 star reviews at all.
Li's development made no sense. While she was interesting, it just makes no sense for her to be doing the things she does in the 2nd half of the book.
Zeke was nothing special at all. Seriously. Oh and then he's a perfect shot when it matters, despite just being a driver who lets other people do that sort of thing.
I can't see these 4-5 star reviews at all.
October 19, 2020
I have read books by this author previously, and enjoyed them. So seeing a new series out kind of made me grab this one, though the story description was pretty "eh" in my opinion. The cover art did catch my eye though!
In a nutshell, the story isn't a bad one. Like the description, it is post-apocalyptic setting, where water is a scarcity. There are "districts", like cities, across the wastelands, and the particular setting for this story is just one of those. There are two factions fighting for control of the water, and the city. Zeke finds himself on the run, being chased across the desert. He happens across a single building in the middle of nowhere, just as his captors sort of catch up to him. He is wounded, and feels like he is dying as he falls on the doorstep of this building.
Waking up, Zeke finds himself in a bar full of odd-looking ruffians, and a barkeep that is elusive in his answers to questions. To not give out many spoilers, Zeke heads back to the city, with a handful of said ruffians, to save the girl he has fallen in love with from the clutches of either bad party of people. Along the way, he discovers more about those that are with him, and about himself.
Overall the action rode well, like most of Abrahams' books, and the character building was fine. The slight twist in the story I had guessed at pretty early on (won't say how) and kind of ruined the part were the character(s) discovered this fact. I did love the idea of the bar in the middle of nowhere, though some of the "magical" properties of things didn't quite match the background of the story (worldbuilding history) in my opinion.
Overall the book was written well, and as expected from this author. I would recommend for any fantasy reader if they like post-apocalyptic stories. There are two more books in this series, but I'm not real big on the type of characters, and some of the other attributes of the world, so will not be reading them.
In a nutshell, the story isn't a bad one. Like the description, it is post-apocalyptic setting, where water is a scarcity. There are "districts", like cities, across the wastelands, and the particular setting for this story is just one of those. There are two factions fighting for control of the water, and the city. Zeke finds himself on the run, being chased across the desert. He happens across a single building in the middle of nowhere, just as his captors sort of catch up to him. He is wounded, and feels like he is dying as he falls on the doorstep of this building.
Waking up, Zeke finds himself in a bar full of odd-looking ruffians, and a barkeep that is elusive in his answers to questions. To not give out many spoilers, Zeke heads back to the city, with a handful of said ruffians, to save the girl he has fallen in love with from the clutches of either bad party of people. Along the way, he discovers more about those that are with him, and about himself.
Overall the action rode well, like most of Abrahams' books, and the character building was fine. The slight twist in the story I had guessed at pretty early on (won't say how) and kind of ruined the part were the character(s) discovered this fact. I did love the idea of the bar in the middle of nowhere, though some of the "magical" properties of things didn't quite match the background of the story (worldbuilding history) in my opinion.
Overall the book was written well, and as expected from this author. I would recommend for any fantasy reader if they like post-apocalyptic stories. There are two more books in this series, but I'm not real big on the type of characters, and some of the other attributes of the world, so will not be reading them.
April 14, 2020
Initially I felt like I'd been dumped into a Mad Max movie, and that's not a bad thing, as I liked Mad Max especially the last movie! And then there's the Bar, which has a very other worldly vibe, like you get from any Bar or Pub or Restaurant that's at the edge of nowhere, or time or the galaxy, from say Doctor Who, or Quantum Leap, or maybe a Douglas Adams story. Then there's the man in charge... wise beyond his years, and who seemingly, inexplicably, knows you... He knows that you're on a desperate mission, and that you've got unfinished business to attend to... all the while, pouring you another drink!
Now, your car is gassed up, there's a team of champions who volunteer to join your mission... and that's what's what happened to Zeke, our main character here. A man who was lost and alone, until he stumbled into the Bar!
Expect crazy curve balls being hurled at you, as it seems the the author pitches a pretty mean game...
I absodamnlutely loved this book! A plot driven storyline with plenty of world building, and characterization, but there's still room for fun, with a healthy dose of edge-of-your-seat action!
So sit back and let Jonathan Davis tell you a mighty fine yarn...
Now, your car is gassed up, there's a team of champions who volunteer to join your mission... and that's what's what happened to Zeke, our main character here. A man who was lost and alone, until he stumbled into the Bar!
Expect crazy curve balls being hurled at you, as it seems the the author pitches a pretty mean game...
I absodamnlutely loved this book! A plot driven storyline with plenty of world building, and characterization, but there's still room for fun, with a healthy dose of edge-of-your-seat action!
So sit back and let Jonathan Davis tell you a mighty fine yarn...
April 11, 2025
4/11/25: 3 stars. This was a fantasy set in the far future post-apocalyptic Earth where water has become a scarce and treasured resource and bootleggers steal water to sell it for profit. In the midst of this, our protagonist has to save his girlfriend and seeks help from a supernatural organization that hang out around a bar—the Bar at the End of the World, as the MC calls it at one point. Overall, I had a decent time with this book, though it wasn't without its problems. While I loved the worldbuilding and setup for the plot, I felt that in practice the story was pulled in three different directions: "adult Percy Jackson" with the Watchers, "Dune-style politics" with lots of villain politicking POVs, and romantic drama due to wrong perceptions that the protagonist and his girlfriend have with each other. As a result, I felt what could have been a very fun post-apocalyptic adventure novel with interesting twists and turns got bogged down in exploring too many things that didn't matter and showing its hand too early through the antagonist POVs. Still, the novel was a fun time, and ended on a particularly high note, so I will definitely be checking out the sequel to see if it improves.
December 18, 2022
Die kurze Zusammenfassung reichte schon aus, um dieses Buch auf meiner Wunschliste landen zu lassen. Tatsächlich ist dieses Werk was es verspricht: eine Mischung aus Mad Max und Kill Bill und TFTF. Und auch Stephen King-Vibes lassen nicht missen.
Und tatsächlich wurden meine Erwartungen in keiner Weise enttäuscht. Ich bekam genau das, was ich erwartet hatte und genau das, was ich wollte. Verfolgungsjagden, Prügeleien, ein bisschen Alkohol und harte Figuren mit manchmal weichem Kern, aber oftmals noch härterem Inneren.
Ja, ich habe mich dabei köstlich amüsiert. Wer also Fan dieses Genres ist, der kann hier getrost zugreifen. Wer mit rasanten Autos, riesigen Waffen und teilweise blutigen Szenen nichts anfangen kann, der wird hiermit wahrscheinlich auch nicht warm.
Der einzige Punkt, der mich ein wenig störte, war die mehr oder weniger latente Fatphobia Abrahams'. Früher wäre mir das nicht aufgefallen, aber seit ich in Therapie bin, stechen mir solche Beschreibungen und Darstellungen ins Auge. Zum Glück war es nicht ganz so schlimm wie andernorts und passte teilweise auch ein wenig ins Setting.
Trotzdem werde ich natürlich auch den zweiten Teil sehr gerne lesen. Auf der Liste ist der Band bereits.
Und tatsächlich wurden meine Erwartungen in keiner Weise enttäuscht. Ich bekam genau das, was ich erwartet hatte und genau das, was ich wollte. Verfolgungsjagden, Prügeleien, ein bisschen Alkohol und harte Figuren mit manchmal weichem Kern, aber oftmals noch härterem Inneren.
Ja, ich habe mich dabei köstlich amüsiert. Wer also Fan dieses Genres ist, der kann hier getrost zugreifen. Wer mit rasanten Autos, riesigen Waffen und teilweise blutigen Szenen nichts anfangen kann, der wird hiermit wahrscheinlich auch nicht warm.
Der einzige Punkt, der mich ein wenig störte, war die mehr oder weniger latente Fatphobia Abrahams'. Früher wäre mir das nicht aufgefallen, aber seit ich in Therapie bin, stechen mir solche Beschreibungen und Darstellungen ins Auge. Zum Glück war es nicht ganz so schlimm wie andernorts und passte teilweise auch ein wenig ins Setting.
Trotzdem werde ich natürlich auch den zweiten Teil sehr gerne lesen. Auf der Liste ist der Band bereits.
April 15, 2020
Ezekiel Watson was a dead man. And he fights on, to restore the balance.
Completely intriguing, every action producing a response, every response leading to a goal. If only he knew what the goal was. He still had his impressive Plymouth Superbird, and now he had this oversized six gun with a nasty kick. And he could die. Again. End up back in the Bar At The End of The World. Still clueless. Still alive, sort of, to find his redemption.
Whimsical characters and a storyline premised on the Balance brought humor to the dire consequences of actions performed and perceived. I enjoyed the confusion and direction of the story. Altogether brilliant writing. This book kept me up a couple nights, and I loved it! I just preordered the next in this series, and picked up another work by this amazing author. I knew the author of the Travellers series would have more brilliant work, and I was not disappointed!
Completely intriguing, every action producing a response, every response leading to a goal. If only he knew what the goal was. He still had his impressive Plymouth Superbird, and now he had this oversized six gun with a nasty kick. And he could die. Again. End up back in the Bar At The End of The World. Still clueless. Still alive, sort of, to find his redemption.
Whimsical characters and a storyline premised on the Balance brought humor to the dire consequences of actions performed and perceived. I enjoyed the confusion and direction of the story. Altogether brilliant writing. This book kept me up a couple nights, and I loved it! I just preordered the next in this series, and picked up another work by this amazing author. I knew the author of the Travellers series would have more brilliant work, and I was not disappointed!
April 27, 2020
Ezekiel (Zeke) Watson left his girlfriend behind as he escaped certain death from his employers, the Tic a black-market cartel. The Tic battles the Overseers, some call them the government, for control of water. Nearly dead from being chased, Zeke stumbles on the property of a bar. But, it’s not any bar; it’s the bar at the end of the world.
Abrahams first novel in The Watchers series, The Bar at the End of the World is an odd mix of post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and paranormal. He does an excellent job of blending the genres to create a fascinating tale of redemption. I’ve never read anything like it, nor have I seen any other books of a similar nature.
Zeke’s character was well developed and while not the nicest person on the planet, he was relatable. The storyline is full of surprises and takes you through a maze. There is even one big ‘gotcha’ twist that makes you want to start all over from the beginning to see if you can pick up on the clues.
5 out of 5 stars.
Abrahams first novel in The Watchers series, The Bar at the End of the World is an odd mix of post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and paranormal. He does an excellent job of blending the genres to create a fascinating tale of redemption. I’ve never read anything like it, nor have I seen any other books of a similar nature.
Zeke’s character was well developed and while not the nicest person on the planet, he was relatable. The storyline is full of surprises and takes you through a maze. There is even one big ‘gotcha’ twist that makes you want to start all over from the beginning to see if you can pick up on the clues.
5 out of 5 stars.
July 21, 2020
How did he get away from them?
Zeke is a runner, not drugs, not guns, but water. In our near future, water and food are scarce. The general population waits in lines on different days for different things. The people now in control basically brought down the old system of government and live in their high towers. Zeke is running from the rest of the Tick gang. The ticks try to suck a little life via water from the normal way of things. But he double crossed them and now is on the run. He left a note for his girlfriend and ran. He drives out into the wastelands and now the wastelanders are on him like the hounds of hell. He is shot up but barely makes it to a bar at the side of road.
When he wakes up, he seems like he is okay. Nobody will give him a straight answer and Pedro the barkeep is the worst of all. Why is he safe? Who are these other people (including Pedro)? And why do they want to help him save his girlfriend?
Zeke is a runner, not drugs, not guns, but water. In our near future, water and food are scarce. The general population waits in lines on different days for different things. The people now in control basically brought down the old system of government and live in their high towers. Zeke is running from the rest of the Tick gang. The ticks try to suck a little life via water from the normal way of things. But he double crossed them and now is on the run. He left a note for his girlfriend and ran. He drives out into the wastelands and now the wastelanders are on him like the hounds of hell. He is shot up but barely makes it to a bar at the side of road.
When he wakes up, he seems like he is okay. Nobody will give him a straight answer and Pedro the barkeep is the worst of all. Why is he safe? Who are these other people (including Pedro)? And why do they want to help him save his girlfriend?
February 9, 2021
I purchased this book thinking I wasn't going to like it that much and I have to say that I was wrong. It was a good surprise and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Okay, so after reading the first four chapters I was like: "This is Mad Max". Well, I wasn't wrong in the sense that it has a lot of elements you can find in Mad Max, but then, there's a plot twist (A BIG ONE) that made me say "Whattt???"
So, I do recommend this book to anyone who likes a good action/dystopian story. It has a great pace, multiple PoV that really helps us have a sense of the reality of the story, and more importantly: GREAT CHARACTERS.
As someone who enjoys writing, I have to say that one of my struggles is to create realistic yet unique characters, so I always admire authors who can do justice to their characters and Tom Abrahams did.
April 30, 2022
Not quite what I expected.
I enjoyed the book. I was expecting a more dystopia/apocalyptic type of story, and although it was that to an extent that wasn't focus. This is a fast paced book with alot of fighting.
I didn't find the twists so shocking as I read in other reviews. I thought it was pretty obvious that he was going to be dead, and based on his name (and the others later on. ) I instantly thought angel.
I did like the premise of the book. and the storyline was very different than other books I've read in the genre. I may go ahead and try the next on the series, but it's not high on my list. The lack of depth in the characters made of difficult to feel pulled in and connected enough to be excited for the next book.
But I did not hate it. It was entertaining, well paced. and had good narration.
I enjoyed the book. I was expecting a more dystopia/apocalyptic type of story, and although it was that to an extent that wasn't focus. This is a fast paced book with alot of fighting.
I didn't find the twists so shocking as I read in other reviews. I thought it was pretty obvious that he was going to be dead, and based on his name (and the others later on. ) I instantly thought angel.
I did like the premise of the book. and the storyline was very different than other books I've read in the genre. I may go ahead and try the next on the series, but it's not high on my list. The lack of depth in the characters made of difficult to feel pulled in and connected enough to be excited for the next book.
But I did not hate it. It was entertaining, well paced. and had good narration.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2020
A new paradigm for apocalyptic allegory has arrived
Dropping right into the wasteland car-chase scene like the good bits of a Mad Max film lulls one into thinking this is just another dystopian action thriller. The clues are all around, glimmering in the shadows so that the eventual reveal shouldn't be too big a surprise; an outlandish premise that, nevertheless, seems to make complete sense by the end. If vintage muscle cars are your thing, you'll be impressed at the author's depiction of Detroit's less celebrated vehicles as opposed to those Mustangs, Chargers and such with which were so obviously familiar...
Dropping right into the wasteland car-chase scene like the good bits of a Mad Max film lulls one into thinking this is just another dystopian action thriller. The clues are all around, glimmering in the shadows so that the eventual reveal shouldn't be too big a surprise; an outlandish premise that, nevertheless, seems to make complete sense by the end. If vintage muscle cars are your thing, you'll be impressed at the author's depiction of Detroit's less celebrated vehicles as opposed to those Mustangs, Chargers and such with which were so obviously familiar...
October 7, 2020
Zeak has been running his whole life. Running from a hard life he was born into, running from the law that controls the water and the people with an iron hand, from the Tick that has his woman, ans that angry hoard trailing just behind his bumper. As a bootlegger for the mob he was just doing what he could to get by, but when the owner of the bar his girlfriend works at gets violent and ends up dead Zeak knows he has to run, and pray they believe the girl wasn't important. Unfortunately now everyone is after him, and they're closing in fast. If he can just get to Pablo's bar he has a chance at redemption, if not regaining the love he left behind.
June 8, 2021
Started out decent but soon fell flat
This book started out ok. I mean I was intrigued. I dont want to put any spoilers here so I cant say much except it was unique. Thats rare!
Unfortunately it went from a creative theme to childish crap and complete predictable. It feels like it was written by two different people!
I will not say: Do not get this book because it may resonate with others. For me I found it very tedious from the middle through to the horrible ending. Thankfully it didnt cost me anything but time.
This book started out ok. I mean I was intrigued. I dont want to put any spoilers here so I cant say much except it was unique. Thats rare!
Unfortunately it went from a creative theme to childish crap and complete predictable. It feels like it was written by two different people!
I will not say: Do not get this book because it may resonate with others. For me I found it very tedious from the middle through to the horrible ending. Thankfully it didnt cost me anything but time.
August 25, 2020
A thinking man's mystery
Very intriguing book! Lots of action, an intriguing list of interesting characters, and very convoluted plot. I loved this book and am looking forward to the sequels. This is the first of Tom Abrahams I have read but guaranteed, it will not be the last. The basic premise is superb, I was intrigued by it's originality and the clever use of smart, but not too smart hero. This is how a stunning SF story should read. I am impressed!!!!!
Very intriguing book! Lots of action, an intriguing list of interesting characters, and very convoluted plot. I loved this book and am looking forward to the sequels. This is the first of Tom Abrahams I have read but guaranteed, it will not be the last. The basic premise is superb, I was intrigued by it's originality and the clever use of smart, but not too smart hero. This is how a stunning SF story should read. I am impressed!!!!!
September 22, 2020
I didn't like the torture scene and had to put the book down for a few weeks before I was able to pick it back up and finish it. However, it turn out to be a rather interesting premise and a good story in the end. Plenty of action, blood, and death thrown in, normal for an action book and for the environment created. If you like that kind of thing you'll probably like this book & probably the sequels as well.
June 16, 2021
This was a generally entertaining book, though I spent most of it trying to figure out what was going on (and I suspect that was part of the point). I found Zeke to be only somewhat likeable and enmeshed in the confusion of what factions were what and who were the major players. I found this to be a bit of a cross between Paradise Lost and Dante's Purgatario. The unusual premise earned it an extra point.
July 16, 2025
Best I've read in a while
Sci Fi, futuristic world meets paranormal. Redemption, but whose? How can you save a life if you're dead? Unless you don't know you're dead. What if the government is out to trap you? But there's a few power hungry officials and a traitor in the mix. In a world when everything is rationed for the lower classes, because there's no middle class anymore, hope is rare and selflessness is even rarer.
Sci Fi, futuristic world meets paranormal. Redemption, but whose? How can you save a life if you're dead? Unless you don't know you're dead. What if the government is out to trap you? But there's a few power hungry officials and a traitor in the mix. In a world when everything is rationed for the lower classes, because there's no middle class anymore, hope is rare and selflessness is even rarer.
April 15, 2020
A bit offbeat and a whole lot of good reading.
We buy books for entertainment and the craft of the author. I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this book. I really liked the post apocalyptic parts of the story. The fantasy parts not so much because that is not my thing.
However, the author crafted a intelligent mix of the two that works. BUY THIS BOOK
We buy books for entertainment and the craft of the author. I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this book. I really liked the post apocalyptic parts of the story. The fantasy parts not so much because that is not my thing.
However, the author crafted a intelligent mix of the two that works. BUY THIS BOOK
April 26, 2020
Completely different and comprising
I've read all of the author's books, but this is a completely New direction for him. I found the book compelling and the protagonists by turns likeable and frustrating. The storyline keeps moving, and carries you along with it. The antagonists were a bit larger than life, but it all works out. I'll be continuing with the series.
I've read all of the author's books, but this is a completely New direction for him. I found the book compelling and the protagonists by turns likeable and frustrating. The storyline keeps moving, and carries you along with it. The antagonists were a bit larger than life, but it all works out. I'll be continuing with the series.
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