The End of All Things
Lissa Bryan

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 (cover image and synopsis from Netgalley).

My Thoughts

When I first started reading this, I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like it. Well, guess what? I ended up loving it. Yes - a sappy, sweet, nice, often upbeat, positive, post apocalyptic love story.

I fell in love with Carly and Justin. I loved how they made each other better people and formed such a committed relationship. I enjoyed the clean story line - there were a few sex scenes, but they were appropriate for the story and not just tossed in.

Most post apocalyptic books I have read recently have left me saying - ok, if this is how it is going to go down, I would not want to be one of the survivors. This book left me saying - ok, maybe there could be hope left after devastation.

I am definitely interested in reading more from this very talented author.

Thanks to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: January 24, 2013