Lindsey Pogue

When I started this, all I could think is "Does Stephen King know they stole his Stand idea?" but as I continued, I totally got sucked in. I read this whole book in one day. It was great. Sure there were some plot holes and inconsistancies but hey, I was entertained and that is the whole reason I read. I know there are others books in this series out there and I'm actually thinking I will hunt them down which is something I almost never do.

Although post-apocalyptic novels are a dime a dozen lately, After the Ending was brilliantly unique. I haven’t read anything else that has such relatable characters or that so vividly captures the terror of watching the world around you fall apart. The authors also avoid two things that bother me in most post-apocalyptic or dystopian novels and I loved them for it. First, many books have characters who take too long to admit that something out of science fiction is happening. I realize show more that I would take some convincing before I believed the events in this book were happening to me, but I think the sci-fi I’ve read would allow me to adapt. The characters in this book are, in my opinion, right on the money, adapting to their new reality at a believable speed. Second, a lot of books draw out interpersonal conflicts by having characters be so stupid I want to shake them. The characters in this book instead actually talk to people when they have problems with them. As a result, the plot advanced at an exciting pace and the authors were able to fill the book with an incredible amount of adventure.

In general, the characters were believably intelligent, not too perfect, and very relatable. While their e-mails to each other did sound a little young for their age, I thought the authors did a pretty good job capturing the way real people talk without giving the writing an unprofessional feel. The e-mails were integrated into the story nicely and didn’t break up the flow of the writing at all. In fact, I think they added information about the characters’ feelings which benefited the story telling. The view point swapping was also executed flawlessly. I’ve never minded books that swap between multiple view points, but I still appreciated that the authors would sometimes give a character consecutive chapters when something exciting was going on.

Finally, the science was a little bit of a stretch, but fairly believable. Of course it turns out someone nefarious is behind the whole thing, but the authors don’t rub your face in the fact, which for me made it feel less cliche. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger, but an acceptable one since the main conflict of this book was resolved first. The writing was superb and this is by far the best edited independently published book I’ve read, on top of it’s many other good qualities, so I’m waiting with bated breath for the next book. Highly, highly recommended!

This review first published on Doing Dewey. show less

Although post-apocalyptic novels are a dime a dozen lately, After the Ending was brilliantly unique. I haven’t read anything else that has such relatable characters or that so vividly captures the terror of watching the world around you fall apart. The authors also avoid two things that bother me in most post-apocalyptic or dystopian novels and I loved them for it. First, many books have characters who take too long to admit that something out of science fiction is happening. I realize show more that I would take some convincing before I believed the events in this book were happening to me, but I think the sci-fi I’ve read would allow me to adapt. The characters in this book are, in my opinion, right on the money, adapting to their new reality at a believable speed. Second, a lot of books draw out interpersonal conflicts by having characters be so stupid I want to shake them. The characters in this book instead actually talk to people when they have problems with them. As a result, the plot advanced at an exciting pace and the authors were able to fill the book with an incredible amount of adventure.

In general, the characters were believably intelligent, not too perfect, and very relatable. While their e-mails to each other did sound a little young for their age, I thought the authors did a pretty good job capturing the way real people talk without giving the writing an unprofessional feel. The e-mails were integrated into the story nicely and didn’t break up the flow of the writing at all. In fact, I think they added information about the characters’ feelings which benefited the story telling. The view point swapping was also executed flawlessly. I’ve never minded books that swap between multiple view points, but I still appreciated that the authors would sometimes give a character consecutive chapters when something exciting was going on.

Finally, the science was a little bit of a stretch, but fairly believable. Of course it turns out someone nefarious is behind the whole thing, but the authors don’t rub your face in the fact, which for me made it feel less cliche. The ending was a bit of a cliff hanger, but an acceptable one since the main conflict of this book was resolved first. The writing was superb and this is by far the best edited independently published book I’ve read, on top of it’s many other good qualities, so I’m waiting with bated breath for the next book. Highly, highly recommended!

This review first published on Doing Dewey. show less

After the Ending was a book that I had kicking around on my Kindle for the better part of the last year. I knew it was one I wanted to read but just never seemed to find the time to sit down and read it. Boy was I wrong to wait. Not only was After the Ending an extremely well written story but it blended the best parts of several genres and left me wanting more by books end.

One of the things I really liked about After the Ending were the characters. Due to the story following two groups, show more the cast of characters was large but I never had a problem distinguishing who was on the page at any given moment. I'd say my favorite character was Sarah (Book nerds unite!) but by the ending Dani (shockingly) started to grow on me as well. While both girls (Zoe and Dani) do have the most focus in the story, the background characters are still allowed to shine as well and at times even outshined the leads.

Another thing that I liked about this story was the fact it felt like a Stand for this generation. Sure, nobody can replace Stephen King but these two ladies do a good job of trying. I can't wait to see where they take the story in the sequel especially after that ending, woah boy.

Lastly, I liked the nature of the virus itself. It was merciless and killed without prejudice. It also changed those who survived. The powers the characters develop was a nice little twist to the story and also set up those unaffected as potential antagonists for future books. In fact, we even see a glimpse of the prejudice against the changed in the middle of the story and trust me what went down wasn't pretty. It just goes to show how powerful fear of the unknown can be.

Now although I really enjoyed After the Ending and will certainly be reading the sequel that's not to say that I didn't find fault with a few things.

First off, I absolutely hated Dani in the beginning. Her boyfriend and supposed love of her life is dead barely 3 days and she's already lusting after her best friends brother Jason. Yes, I understand an attraction and even flirtation was inevitably happening but damn girl go take a cold shower already, rub one out even, just cool it with the sexy thoughts for awhile.

Secondly, I really wish we had learned a bit about mystery guy. He's obviously powerful to be appearing in peoples dreams (many miles away) and yet Dani never takes a moment to think that maybe, just maybe, he has his own agenda and it might not be something she wants to be involved in. Instead she was basking in the attention and it's only when Jason starts giving her the time of day that she seems to not care about MG disappearing on her. Of course there is a reason for this but still it doesn't help her cause any. Her need for male approval just made her seem incredibly self obsessed.

Lastly, I really thought it was silly that no cell phones or power was working but yet the internet is up running fine and well. The emails in the beginning, OK, but they should've stopped long before they did or at the very least made it known that the service was very shoddy as they made their way cross country. Yet, without fail, every stop Dani and Zoe along with other companions in their group use the internet to email loved ones stuck in their respective territories while the rest of the world goes to hell in a hand basket. It was too convenient for them to know exactly what was going on with each of them as they made there way to each other.

Final Thoughts
After the Ending was a fast paced, emotionally charged, thrill ride through an apocalyptic landscape. Not only did the story meet my expectations but it far exceeded them. I highly recommend picking up this title if you haven't already. In fact, go ahead and pick up the sequel as well because trust me, you'll want to read these back to back.

With that being said, I'll be rating After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue ★★★★. show less