Hello my lovelies!
Yes, I'm back. A little later than I anticipated, a little less done that I would have liked. But I come back with a bang and bring you a very awesome review of Lissa Bryan's new novel that is being released today!....
Title:
The End of All Things
Author: Lissa Bryan
Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Source: ARC via Publisher
Summary (from Goodreads)
After a terrible virus
ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in
her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only
occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she
found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to
continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option.
Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to
normal soon.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is
intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin
coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his
journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the
extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous
journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges
abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all
help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only
survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by
the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want,
leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But
their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every
struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of
bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning
for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find
along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
To say I was
excited to read another book by Lissa Bryan would be an understatement. I loved
her debut novel Ghostwriter and
couldn’t wait to get my hands on her new novel. Even though mixing supernatural
elements—or in this case, the end of the world as we know it—with romance isn’t
something new, I love the way Bryan does it. Her writing flows in a way that
completely draws you in and it’s so easy to imagine the novel as pictures that
you’re viewing rather than words that you’re reading. What she’s trying to get
across in her story is just so clear.
Whether people
want to admit it or not, 2012 was probably the most contentious year ever. You
had some who were running around preaching about the end of the world while
others sat back and laughed at the idea. Personally, I don’t believe we will
see the end of the world in our time, or our children’s time or their
children’s time, etc, but one day it will no doubt happen. All good things must
come to an end, and all that.
What I love
about The End of All Things is Bryan
put a spin on the apocalypse and made it an infection that took out (most of)
the world rather than the world exploding or whatever its supposed to do. Her
characters were once again ones that you cared about, that you were worried
for.
I want a
Justin in my life to take care of me if I’m faced with starting over in the
world. He was smart and resourceful, take charge yet not bossy or suffocating
with his opinions. At first I was worried Carly would be one of those women who
lived in denial and just went along and let others make decisions for her
because she couldn’t deal with what was happening around her. I was happy when
she realized she was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for when she
stepped up when Justin needed her most.
And can I just
say how much I loved the secondary characters—the animals. The relationship
that Sam and Tigger had was just as touching as the one between Justin and
Carly. It’s sweet and charming and at one point completely heartbreaking.
In the opinion
of this reviewer, it’s another hit for Lissa Bryan
