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Sympatico Syndrome World #1
Alone at the End of the World
While a deadly virus races through the world’s population, survivors struggle to find others who are still alive because nobody wants to be Alone at the End of the World.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan should be practicing his skateboard moves, not watching his family members die, one by one. He knows he could become a victim of the evil infection at any minute. Scared and alone, he fills his backpack and goes in search of other survivors, hoping he lives long enough to find someone. Anyone.
When Cassie sees the bodies of neighbors and strangers littering what had been pristine front lawns, she realizes her intense focus on business and family may have saved their lives. How does a single mom and her two kids survive an apocalypse alone?
Noah emerges from his two-week fishing trip in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, shocked to learn that a devastating pandemic has swept the world. Should he venture into the fray to find other survivors or retreat into the woods and isolate himself as long as he can?
When their paths converge, they face a new struggle ─ learning to trust total strangers as if their very survival depends on it... because it does. Sympatico Syndrome is intent on sparing no one.
Thirteen-year-old Ethan should be practicing his skateboard moves, not watching his family members die, one by one. He knows he could become a victim of the evil infection at any minute. Scared and alone, he fills his backpack and goes in search of other survivors, hoping he lives long enough to find someone. Anyone.
When Cassie sees the bodies of neighbors and strangers littering what had been pristine front lawns, she realizes her intense focus on business and family may have saved their lives. How does a single mom and her two kids survive an apocalypse alone?
Noah emerges from his two-week fishing trip in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, shocked to learn that a devastating pandemic has swept the world. Should he venture into the fray to find other survivors or retreat into the woods and isolate himself as long as he can?
When their paths converge, they face a new struggle ─ learning to trust total strangers as if their very survival depends on it... because it does. Sympatico Syndrome is intent on sparing no one.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2020
555 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
M.P. McDonald
26 books180 followersM.P. McDonald makes a living from taking your breath away... then giving it back via a tube or two. She lives in a frozen land full of ice, snow, and abominable snowmen. On the days that she's not taking her car ice-skating, she sits huddled over a chilly computer, tapping out the story of a camera that can see the future. She hopes it can see summer approaching, too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 9, 2020
Outstanding book , even now
It's a tough read with the world currently battling both Covid 19 and 45 together. As such, the first 100+ pages are pretty grim given the post apocalyptic event. But, like the original trilogy, the author does a wonderful job of character building and instilling hope. Being honest, I found myself practically speed racing through the last 50 pages to see how this installment ends. Much like life, this book is an emotionally journey focusing on the positive. I look forward to reading the next book hopefully in better real life times.
It's a tough read with the world currently battling both Covid 19 and 45 together. As such, the first 100+ pages are pretty grim given the post apocalyptic event. But, like the original trilogy, the author does a wonderful job of character building and instilling hope. Being honest, I found myself practically speed racing through the last 50 pages to see how this installment ends. Much like life, this book is an emotionally journey focusing on the positive. I look forward to reading the next book hopefully in better real life times.
February 26, 2023
great story!
Really enjoyed this!
Some parts of the story the characters tended to ramble quite a bit and I found myself skimming.
But I did enjoy it enough to go on to the next.
Really enjoyed this!
Some parts of the story the characters tended to ramble quite a bit and I found myself skimming.
But I did enjoy it enough to go on to the next.
Read
November 9, 2020I've always enjoyed reading any of Ms McDonald's novels. This one is right up there with her other series of the Sympatico Syndrome Worlds. I like how she does not miss tiny details that so many authors do not feel like it is important enough to include with the story. Im not going to give details of the story.. as you will see yourself when you read this series.
This is a well written book, by a very good author, and I saw no errors of any kind while reading.
Thank you for this story Ms McDonald, and I'm patiently waiting for the next one.
This is a well written book, by a very good author, and I saw no errors of any kind while reading.
Thank you for this story Ms McDonald, and I'm patiently waiting for the next one.
May 6, 2023
I really struggled with the rating on this one, and that's because I ended up really enjoying it and am planning on reading the others in the series. I really wanted to give this a least a solid 4 stars. The writing is good, the style tight and doesn't really meander too much. I liked the characterization. The characters were really nicely fleshed out within the timing and flow of the story. I absolutely loved the type of zombies of this world. I mean, this is not a bad way to die LOL! The post-apocalyptic scenery and actions the survivors have to take are believable and really well done. There are a few issues that I could just wave away as it didn't influence my enjoyment at all, but then there a a couple of major continuity/logic issues that took me a bit to get past. It's for this reason that I settled on 3 stars.
Minor things like editing one can just plow through without batting an eye, but the contractictions are hard to accept and I had to suspend disbelief for a couple of times in order to continue enjoying my read. For example, when Noah encounters the accident and how he reacts to the dead body makes no sense at all, since not soon after we are told that is an Afghanistan vet and has seen countless of dead bodies. The dialogue between the characters seemed odd at times. For instance I never understood Vivian's attitude towards Noah. I wasn't convinced it was just out of fear on her part. Perhaps a bit more of to let us know why the b*tchiness would have helped. Maybe that that trait is just inherent in her personality, but it that never came across clearly to me.
All in all, though, I am sufficiently intrigued to continue the series. Hopefully some of the issues won't repeat themselves in the other installements.
Minor things like editing one can just plow through without batting an eye, but the contractictions are hard to accept and I had to suspend disbelief for a couple of times in order to continue enjoying my read. For example, when Noah encounters the accident and how he reacts to the dead body makes no sense at all, since not soon after we are told that is an Afghanistan vet and has seen countless of dead bodies. The dialogue between the characters seemed odd at times. For instance I never understood Vivian's attitude towards Noah. I wasn't convinced it was just out of fear on her part. Perhaps a bit more of to let us know why the b*tchiness would have helped. Maybe that that trait is just inherent in her personality, but it that never came across clearly to me.
All in all, though, I am sufficiently intrigued to continue the series. Hopefully some of the issues won't repeat themselves in the other installements.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
An ultimately hopeful apocalypse!
Alone At The End Of The World (Sympatico Syndrome World Book 1) is about the survivors of a fast acting and deadly virus that makes the victim euphoric and desire to drink and party immediately before it kills you. Unlike many books in the post-apocalyptic genre in which survivors try to kill each other for limited resources, the focus is much more character driven, and the characters are well written and multidimensional. Ethan has quite a personal arc, as do Noah and Dexter. The way the survivors found each other and didn't immediately turn on each other, instead coming together to form a family is refreshing. If you want a well written apocalypse thriller that's more survival and less Mad Max, this book is for you. If you're looking for a good, character driven apocalyptic story, this book is for you. As long as you aren't looking for protracted gun fights and killers around every corner, you really enjoy this. It wasn't what I was expecting, in a good way!
Alone At The End Of The World (Sympatico Syndrome World Book 1) is about the survivors of a fast acting and deadly virus that makes the victim euphoric and desire to drink and party immediately before it kills you. Unlike many books in the post-apocalyptic genre in which survivors try to kill each other for limited resources, the focus is much more character driven, and the characters are well written and multidimensional. Ethan has quite a personal arc, as do Noah and Dexter. The way the survivors found each other and didn't immediately turn on each other, instead coming together to form a family is refreshing. If you want a well written apocalypse thriller that's more survival and less Mad Max, this book is for you. If you're looking for a good, character driven apocalyptic story, this book is for you. As long as you aren't looking for protracted gun fights and killers around every corner, you really enjoy this. It wasn't what I was expecting, in a good way!
April 7, 2023
I quite liked the book, a sort of apocalypse with an optimistic touch. Some bits were confused like at the beginning it was Monday but there was little traffic for the middle of the week when Noah first came upon the crashed car with the body in it. He starts out as a loner but soon adopts the family who stop to help and who explain the pandemic to him setting him up as their sort of saviour. A couple of characters are the typical end of days types but Noah shoots one of them and sends the other on his way, another takes a shot at Cassie as she forages for food for her and her kids but apart from them he drops lucky finding Dexter and Vivian and the kids then gets shot by a doctor to fix him back up, all good. No megalomaniac types setting up armies to enslave the survivors here just a bunch of survivors setting up a community and helping each other out nicely.
September 15, 2023
I don't think this was as good as the books in the original Sympatico pandemic series, but it didn't miss the mark by much. Most of my problem was that I struggled to warm to the Noah character. I live in the Middle East and Africa, so I feel about the American military and its soldiers exactly like Ukrainians feel about the Russian military and its soldiers, for exactly the same reasons. And the author couldn't stop reminding us that Noah is so absolutely amazing because he served in the military ... puke, vomit! But Noah was actually quite likeable, and so were the other characters. It's again a post-apocalyptic survival story, with the main characters overcoming numerous challenges on their way to getting together on a farm. Relatively little thrilling, fast-moving action, but the characters drove the story forward well enough.
December 14, 2022
Good Story
I love stories about the end of the world. I don't know why. Maybe its the fact that someone always survives. This was a good story about people surviving. A virus traveled the world and killed everyone. One man was off grid fishing, one family stayed indoors for weeks, one boy managed to survive as his parents and baby sister died, and one lady survived by bar rice ding her home. The stories of how they survived and found food shows how people will step up and do what needs to be done in a crisis.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the end of the world stories.
I love stories about the end of the world. I don't know why. Maybe its the fact that someone always survives. This was a good story about people surviving. A virus traveled the world and killed everyone. One man was off grid fishing, one family stayed indoors for weeks, one boy managed to survive as his parents and baby sister died, and one lady survived by bar rice ding her home. The stories of how they survived and found food shows how people will step up and do what needs to be done in a crisis.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the end of the world stories.
January 15, 2023
A little confusing at first. I kept re-writing sentences to make them make more sense. Then there was his reaction when he came upon the car crash and saw the body, clarifying that he'd never seen a dead body before, but, heh! he had served two combat tours of duty in Afghanistan!! Writing finally evened out.
Ok, I made it over 1/2 way through, but my eyes started hurting from all the times I rolled them. Such inane. I just don't believe so many people can have such inane conversations. I'll not be continuing with this series.
Ok, I made it over 1/2 way through, but my eyes started hurting from all the times I rolled them. Such inane. I just don't believe so many people can have such inane conversations. I'll not be continuing with this series.
June 25, 2020
A more realistic apocalypse story
Read fiction about a pandemic, during a pandemic? Yes,I have been... A difference between this story and other I have been reading 📚lately is that the people in this book reacted to their circumstances like real people. Thank you, M. P. McDonald for that.
Read fiction about a pandemic, during a pandemic? Yes,I have been... A difference between this story and other I have been reading 📚lately is that the people in this book reacted to their circumstances like real people. Thank you, M. P. McDonald for that.
May 7, 2021
Enjoyable and realistic.
White trying to figure out how a mom and her two kids address leaning in an apocalyptic world, a teen learning to survive on his own after both parents and a sister die, a family and veteran.. it all meshes together. A few things seem a little fantastical, but all in all, a good book
White trying to figure out how a mom and her two kids address leaning in an apocalyptic world, a teen learning to survive on his own after both parents and a sister die, a family and veteran.. it all meshes together. A few things seem a little fantastical, but all in all, a good book
May 7, 2021
Awesome pandemic!
I enjoyed every word of this book and intend reading the next one. The characters pop off the page. Situations are realistic. The entire group is positive, genuine and determined to be a family. So far evil has been fairly fleeting but ugly. This was an enriching read!
I enjoyed every word of this book and intend reading the next one. The characters pop off the page. Situations are realistic. The entire group is positive, genuine and determined to be a family. So far evil has been fairly fleeting but ugly. This was an enriching read!
May 14, 2021
I'm impressed!
Well written and edited. It's not a deep complicated read with endless peril and overwhelming odds. It's a believable tale of survival with sympathetic characters and a fast moving story. A very easy and enjoyable read. I didn't hesitate in buying the second installment.
Well written and edited. It's not a deep complicated read with endless peril and overwhelming odds. It's a believable tale of survival with sympathetic characters and a fast moving story. A very easy and enjoyable read. I didn't hesitate in buying the second installment.
November 20, 2022
Exceptionally Good Read!
Finally, we have an apocalyptic book that isn’t all fighting gangs and constant war! The book is a great read about family, new friends, and all surviving together. M.P. McDonald did a great job in character development, story, and establishing relationships. I’m looking forward to the next book!
Finally, we have an apocalyptic book that isn’t all fighting gangs and constant war! The book is a great read about family, new friends, and all surviving together. M.P. McDonald did a great job in character development, story, and establishing relationships. I’m looking forward to the next book!
January 2, 2023
good and complete
One of my biggest pet peeves is cliffhanger endings which require buying the next book. This isn’t one. There is a next book and it looks good, but this book ends in a logical place. Yay. Likeable characters and a decent story round out a good 4.5 on the indie book scale. You just need to suspend disbelief at the speed and severity of the virus.
One of my biggest pet peeves is cliffhanger endings which require buying the next book. This isn’t one. There is a next book and it looks good, but this book ends in a logical place. Yay. Likeable characters and a decent story round out a good 4.5 on the indie book scale. You just need to suspend disbelief at the speed and severity of the virus.
May 26, 2020
Liked it
I liked this story because these were ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. There was no evil manicial person running around wanting to rule the world. Just ordinary people trying to survive
I liked this story because these were ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. There was no evil manicial person running around wanting to rule the world. Just ordinary people trying to survive
June 13, 2020
Great book
This book was well worth your time. It's well written, the character's are interesting and well developed, the storey line advances quickly and easily holds your attention. Buy this book you will not regret it.
This book was well worth your time. It's well written, the character's are interesting and well developed, the storey line advances quickly and easily holds your attention. Buy this book you will not regret it.
June 14, 2020
Fast clean read
Really enjoyed this book scary at this time makes you stop and think how would you handle this if it happened to you.looking forward to reading ore by this author.
Really enjoyed this book scary at this time makes you stop and think how would you handle this if it happened to you.looking forward to reading ore by this author.
June 22, 2020
Relax,it's just the End of The World
A very different take on the End of The World. A nice change from all of the violent ,kill everything that moves ,dystopian books. It's well worth reading
A very different take on the End of The World. A nice change from all of the violent ,kill everything that moves ,dystopian books. It's well worth reading
July 5, 2020
Good Read
This book is like an extension to the Sympatico Syndrome series. New characters with good characterization. Also, thank you to M P McDonald for working on the front lines of the current pandemic.
This book is like an extension to the Sympatico Syndrome series. New characters with good characterization. Also, thank you to M P McDonald for working on the front lines of the current pandemic.
July 9, 2020
Great Post-Apocalypic Read
I’ve read a lot of post-apocalyptic books and this is definitely a favorite. I loved the characters and that in spite of the great loss of life, the book ends with hope and optimism.
I’ve read a lot of post-apocalyptic books and this is definitely a favorite. I loved the characters and that in spite of the great loss of life, the book ends with hope and optimism.
July 13, 2020
I liked it
Great character development. Story flowed nicely. A little violence, not much for vulgar language. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a more hopefull story of people coming together.
Great character development. Story flowed nicely. A little violence, not much for vulgar language. I think you'll enjoy it. It's a more hopefull story of people coming together.
July 20, 2020
McDonald has developed a great survival tale!
People are dying by the thousands but a few lucky ones survive. A camper in the woods, a family of four fleeing violence, a lad of 13, and a single mother of two. Very well written book.
People are dying by the thousands but a few lucky ones survive. A camper in the woods, a family of four fleeing violence, a lad of 13, and a single mother of two. Very well written book.
August 28, 2020
Strange Virus
Kind of a different type of a virus in the beginning but all starts to come together with a likable group of strangers that come together to form a different kind of family
Kind of a different type of a virus in the beginning but all starts to come together with a likable group of strangers that come together to form a different kind of family
August 28, 2020
Not quite alone!
I loved this book! Post-apocalyptic books are my favorite genre and it's hard to find them without zombies or a lot of violence. This book had believable characters and a great story line!
I loved this book! Post-apocalyptic books are my favorite genre and it's hard to find them without zombies or a lot of violence. This book had believable characters and a great story line!
November 30, 2020
Great end of the world fiction
Good character development. Great approach in the characters and story. Easy to read and not slaughterhouse book. While it is the end f the world, at least most of the horror is toned down.
Good character development. Great approach in the characters and story. Easy to read and not slaughterhouse book. While it is the end f the world, at least most of the horror is toned down.
April 28, 2021
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial is for bacteria.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial doesn't work on virus.
Anti bacterial is for bacteria.
May 7, 2021
What a wonderful collection of characters, an amazing blend. There won't be any question in which side they fall on. The group dynamics mature as time goes on and you will immediately want to grab the next book.
May 26, 2021
End Of The World
It's kind of funny. If you've read one end of the world book you've read them all. The names change and circumstances change but all in all ...it's the same stories.
It's kind of funny. If you've read one end of the world book you've read them all. The names change and circumstances change but all in all ...it's the same stories.
June 7, 2021
Viral Apocalypse!
This was actually a very good story! Very well written book about what could happen after a virus kills off our population. Good plot, believable characters, drama, heart warming scenes. Give this book a try you won't regret it.
This was actually a very good story! Very well written book about what could happen after a virus kills off our population. Good plot, believable characters, drama, heart warming scenes. Give this book a try you won't regret it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews