Reviews

The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker

bridging's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I am torn by this book. It parades as character driven, but the character development is almost non existant, such a sheer veneer it is almost infuriating. But the plot if solid, interesting, and there are a few bright points about human nature, and conflict, that I persoanlly found quite clever. It's a 3.5 kind of book. Not life changing, with its moment, plot driven, and somewhat fairly believable. 

adambest's review against another edition

5.0

Good.

alongreader's review against another edition

3.0

At first this book confused me, because while there was the end of the world, there was no running. But then, at about 50%, the running started.

As an apocalyptic story it's very good, with a type of apocalypse that doesn't often show up and a moderately unlikeable hero. I liked his determination, and being in his head as his mental state deteriorated was unsettling. Now, I must go and stock up some water and canned food...

Thanks to netgalley and sourcebooks for the chance to read it.

angelamorrison2606's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kirstynicol's review against another edition

4.5

Wow what a story. Not normally a book I would read/listen to but it was recommended to me. I really love the character & the journey they took. I can really visualize the world. It was very well narrated.

annauq's review against another edition

3.0

Not the best apocalyptic fiction but decent.

barefootamy's review against another edition

4.0

This book was both excruciatingly hard to read for the amount of tragedy, violence, and death but equally hard to put down once I started reading it. Walker weaves a tale of present day mass chaos centered around a man living outside of Edinburgh when a series of asteroids pummel the Northern hemisphere. The struggles of a middle class, modern parent who has been numbing his realty with alcohol and is emotionally checked out of his life fade into the background when he's now faced with death of himself and his family on all sides. There's moments in the book that feel a bit too preachy as our unlikely hero shores himself up and faces this new and cruel reality. Overall I liked the progression of his evolution from a couch potato to a driven father running the length of Great Britain to reunite with his family.

moviebuffkt's review against another edition

4.0

Really heavy first book for book club! Hopefully there will be lots to discuss!

cs172's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

simonstarr's review

2.0

A great premise, spoiled by shallow characters and a plot which jumps from one major plot point to another without going into any of them in real depth. Some of the dialogue is thoroughly cringeworthy and half the book reads more like a screenplay than a novel.

I bought this as a last minute holiday read because it was in Amazon's best sellers list, but in the end it just made me cross and relieved to get it over and done with. If you enjoy good sci-fi/dystopian novels then I'd recommend looking elsewhere.