Review: The End of All Things

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