Lindsey Fairleigh

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

I was hooked right away and thoroughly enjoyed this romp through devastation after a viral plague (not so funny after reading about MERS, the latest coronavirus that's killing 56% of those who get it). We follow the double storyline of two friends who try to get back together after the world falls apart. Plenty of thrills and chills as the two groups struggle to get supplies, create some kind of order and cooperation, avoid the crazies and the nasties (while trying to decide if strangers show more they meet fall into the avoid category--not always easy to do), deal with (sometimes murderous) jealousies and overwhelming loss, and try to make sense of the new "abilities" the virus spawned in survivors. Mother Nature throws a few punches as well.

There are some flaws: a good copy editor would clear up many of the irritating small ones (using the wrong word ("reign" instead of "rein" for example), mis-hyphenated words, left out words (or left in), unnecessary commas, etc.). Although there are some likable things found in the emails exchanged (with believable increasing interruptions) between the girls, too often they're a rehash of what you've just read, which is both tedious and tends to break the flow of the narrative. The girls' voices are not disparate enough; it is often hard to remember which girl you're on at the moment (along with attendant storyline). This could have been solved so simply by having one girl in first person and the other in third as a cue to the reader...(sorry, I'm sure it's more politically correct to say "women" but people my own children's age or younger are still kids to me although I see them as definitely adult).

The romances are handled well with enough teasing, misunderstandings, etc., to be compelling (although how many times do I have to hear about a guy's perfect bod?). The guys in said romances are Jake and Jason; I kept wishing one was Bill just to get away from the similarity (oh yeah, they're both perfect physical specimens, have a hard time opening up emotionally, keep the girl guessing, etc., etc.).

Some things were a bit beyond belief (hundreds of animals responding to a telepath who loses consciousness but then no prey/predator or predator/predator problems while they wait around for her to wake?...putting a novice on a Thoroughbred and no problems? I grew up in the saddle but will never forget my first time aboard one of those magnificent animals) but these are relatively minor problems that don't interfere much with the enjoyment of the adventure.

The ending is satisfying, with an added little flip that sparks your interest to dive into the continuing adventure. The authors have built a great world for marching forward on more adventures and write well enough that I expect a series will do well. I will certainly be looking for the next one.

I often wish we had the option of giving a book 4.5 stars--this one would get that extra half star from me. show less

Here is the thing about Lindsey Fairleigh's writing for me: I fall into it and don't resurface for hours. It's something about the way she allows the reader to connect with the book's protagonist so that I never feel distant from the story.

I'm not saying this book is without flaws. There's quite a bit of info dumping, some cliched paranormal sex-and-romance stuff, and I'm betting some historical inaccuracies (but, hey, I'm letting any historical inaccuracies slide because the book is about show more nearly immortal super beings who were mistaken for gods and if that isn't a time to suspend your disbelief, I don't know what is). But I enjoyed reading it because I enjoyed being with Lex. Even when I was frustrated with her, I still completely understood her. Another thing I like from Fairleigh's writing is that family, both blood family and found family, is always important to her characters.

Trigger Warning: There is an attempted rape in this book and a trial about said rape that includes victim blaming. (Note: Lex the character and the author are obviously against that victim blaming.)

(Provided by publisher) show less

R U N, don't walk....read this book NOW.

Oh my, oh my! I absolutely love each and every book by this author, but goodness gracious this book has me hooked! I've long since loved anything about Atlantis. This book is completely unique to anything I've read before. Cora is raised on an island by her archaeologist mother. Her entire life she's never left the island due to her condition. She can't touch anyone our she immediately falls unconscious and has an episode. Instead she lives through show more playing virtual reality games and nourishing her mind with languages, history and more. When her mother sends her a mysterious package while away on a trip, the last thing she expected was what she discovered. Cora is not only not biologically her mother's child, but was an embryo in stasis from an ancient Atlantean race that her mother carried to term. In the package were items her mother hoped would help her with her episodes. They did just that and more! If you LOVED Indiana Jones, Laura Croft, or DaVinci Code then this is the book for you. Ancient secrets below the Vatican, a group within of highly specialized people searching for Atlantean information that will stop at nothing to gain it and now her. Cora comes into her own and goes on the adventure of a lifetime! Be warned, it's not wrapped up in a neat bow and does end in a cliffhanger. I was cheering Cora on every step of the way among the crazy twists and turns! I cannot wait for the follow up book, and I dare you not to fall in love with this series!! show less