The End: A Post Apocalyptic Novel

I originally downloaded a sample of the Kindle version of the book along with several others, since I like the genre. However, once I started reading the sample I knew right away that this was a book I had to read in its entirety so I bought it even before finishing the sample. I couldn't stop reading it and now I can't wait to read the sequel. The characters are very well developed and the situations mostly believable although I don't think that everything would happen as described, but that's the point. This book will entertain you AND make you think. By all means read it, you'll enjoy it.

Recommended - if you are looking for sheer, mindless escapism of the postapocalyptic variety - sans zombies. So-so if you require good writing and character development along with a shoot-em-all-up plot.

The End and The Long Road are both postapocalyptic novels by G. Michael Hopf. The novels have several storylines in the narrative, but begin by mainly follow former marine Gordon Van Zandt and his family after a super EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack against the USA. Gordon immediately realizes what is happening and takes measures to secure supplies for his family. As he knew would happen, society immediately begins to break down. Unless a group of people can somehow manage to work together to protect their members without infighting, show more it is every man/family for themselves.

Originally self-published novels they are now being released by Plume/The Penguin Group in anticipation of the pending third installment of the story to be published soon.

Pros: The plot is interesting and will keep you engrossed in the story development and action. The movement of the scenarios in both of these books progress swiftly along. Whether you find the actions of characters believable or not at least the various storylines keep up a quick pace. It's always interesting to speculate what would happen to society and people under these kind of circumstances. Hopf includes all sorts of crazy groups and leaders. The Long Road is better than The End.

Cons: Someone got out their binos. If you read my reviews, you will know what this means. I may have to make a New Year's resolution or enact a rule that I will not read books where binos are produced.
Lots of violence and not all of it seems to be entirely necessary for forward movement of the plot.
The writing isn't the best. I would have set the first book aside well before the 50 page mark if I hadn't agreed to read it for a review. The second paragraph in The End would have been enough, but the following passage would certainly have ended my reading: "Hayley was small for her age, very girly with long, blond curly hair and very fine features. She was definitely all-girl and loved everything princess." (The End, pg. 16) especially when Gordon loved the same things about his wife: "He loved everything about her from her small frame and long, wavy blond hair to her light green eyes and full lips."(pg. 19) I sure would have liked to know something else about her, like maybe some character traits, besides her looks.
There are many other examples before the 50 page mark, so be forewarned: not good writing.

I might be tempted to say it would be a good airplane book - mindless escapism to keep you busy - but with the EMP hitting and sending planes falling from the sky...


Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes. show less

So, this is another apocalypse series, and I have to say I am a little surprised it is YA. It is very graphic, very military, and all the main characters are grown adults. I really liked this book. It is a very serious subject that resonates with what is currently happening in our world with ISIS. As attacks around the world are occurring at frequent pace, the US is hit with EMP that takes out all electronics and world changes forever. Society soon collapses, and nuclear attacks occur at Washington, D.C. and then New York. The book focuses on one family where the husband is former military and is trying to keep his family safe, while his brother is current military and trying to find his way to his brother. It ends with you wanting show more more, so of course I immediately purchased the second book in the series. show less

In The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel, a weapon of mass destruction is used to cause the fall of civilization. The States and some surrounding countries are hit by a super EMP.
Former Marine and war vet, Gordon Van Zandt, is at the heart of the novel as he takes quick actions to save his family from the ensuing chaos.

Also in the storyline is Gordon’s younger brother Sebastian, who serving in Afghanistan. His unit is recalled and people are wondering whether to go home to their families or to follow orders from a government who has fallen. The President of the U.S. and his people are also woven into the storyline as society completely collapses.

This book kind of reminded me of the tv program Doomsday Preppers, where people prepare bugout show more shelters and get ready for some catastrophic event or another.
I'm not sure I liked some of Gordon's actions, although he was set on saving his family, he felt very cold to me. But then again, he did what he had to do to save his family. It's definitely food for thought. Does one help others during an event such as the collapse of society or let others fend for themselves? How far would you go to survive?
Gordon is the kind of person that is a survivalist, due mostly to his military training, so he does have a plan that makes sense. Once he assures that his family is stocked with food and water, he starts to try and get others to work with him as a group. Strength in numbers type of thing.

This is a plot driven story and I didn't really warm up to any of these characters, but I was curious as to where the storyline would go. Author G. Michael Hopf paints a grim and detailed picture of what might happen if such an event were to take place. It was eye opening in that respect. Although this was a fast enough read, but it just didn't pull me in like I'd hoped.
As I read, I did wonder where the zombies were. For some reason I thought these were going to be post-apocalyptic zombie thrillers.

"We live in a city of about 2.3 million people. San Diego is a semi-arid desert; there is not a lot of agriculture around, at least not to support 2.3 million people for a sustained period of time. Right now, grocery stores are not being restocked; they have but a day or two of food in them. Water will soon dry up because the pumps that bring it in are down."
p.151, The End by G. Michael Hopf

Disclaimer:
This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors, such as this one, I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
I received my copy of The End via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest opinion. show less

I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as am not always a fan of apocalyptic novels, but I loved this one. The story started strong, was a little too realistic for comfort's sake, and kept me enthralled until the end of the book. I would recommend starting this one when you have time to read the whole thing in one sitting. :-)

I believe this is Mr. Hopf's first novel, and he deserves congratulations for an exceptional writing debut. If you have any interest in post-apocalyptic stories, you'll really enjoy it. If you don't have an interest, you'll probably enjoy it anyway. The book is well written and the characters are believable, as is the entire story line. Mr. Hopf takes you on a journey through the eyes of a survivor. While the book has an ending that doesn't leave the reader up in the air, it also opens the door to the beginning of another adventure. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Good job, Mr. Hopf! Keep writing.

The End by G. Michael Hopf has several storylines throughout the narrative and each had love/hate relationships between the characters. All in all, each scenario held immediate families in the highest regard and lead characters who would do anything possible to protect them in this end of the world as they know it.

WARNING OF GIVING THE STORY AWAY:

Most of the story follows Gordon, ex-military lifer, who recognizes an EMP event having taken place and quickly rallies to garner supplies for his family; alienating his neighbors and best friends. Clashes evolve between him and the head of the homeowners association who wants to discredit Gordon and goes out of her way to turn the neighbors against him. She is easy to hate.

The new President show more of the United States, the first available and living person in the line of political succession is hell-bent on retaliating against all on the list of US enemies as their countries were not affected by an EMP - whether they had anything to do with it or not. However, after a second strike against the US 3 weeks later, he launches against everyone on the list, but there is nothing said about the attack or follow-up of it afterward. After his road trip disaster to Oregon, his storyline ceases with about 25% left in the narrative.

Gordon's brother Sebastian wants to be reunited as a family and tries to get back to CA from Afghanistan and help protect them. The Marine Commander hijacks the fleet and disobeys orders, taking the fleet to the west coast vs. the east coast as directed. There is a mutiny at sea and US assets are dispatched from Hawaii to sink them. They are anchored near shore but this storyline also ends.

All three protagonists are portrayed as stone cold killers who don't hesitate to kill innocents...all do so in the storyline. Many of the characters within the narrative are killed...some leaving readers with mouths agape.

The story is an easy read but I felt it had too much explanation and redundancy which created "dead spots" for me in the story - spots where I either paged through or fell asleep. Mr. Hopf also built-up the Mexican cartel, who were growing and branching out near Gordon's gated community. I was expecting a showdown between the two groups - something similar to the Alamo - which never took place.

The book had multiple grammar and spelling errors throughout which I feel could have been found/corrected by an editor, and "showing more" of the story instead of "telling" it would have cut out a quarter of the narrative. This is the first of a four-book series and I'm undecided if I want to continue or not. show less