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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I was looking forward to reading this and then realized that Stuart Turton also wrote The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, which i wasnt a fan so, and so I started reading The Last Murder at the End of the World expecting not to like it much. 

But it grabbed my attention and took me for a ride! I was NOT expecting most of the story. Surprise after twist after surprise, plus short chapters, made this a page-turner.

The only reason I took half a star away is because I just didn't feel attached to the characters. 
challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

A very enjoyable read. Keeps you guessing throughout and finished nicely. 

emhansen's review

3.0
medium-paced

This was so unique. It was like 3 genres in one amidst an allegory. It was also like reading a limited series you’d see on TV, but originally in a book. I think the utter confusion & absolute feeling of being lost in the plot in the beginning was essential to the story being put together with readers building knowledge along with the characters. I’ve never heard of this author, but he’s apparently really good.

zworman21's review

3.0

3.5 because it was kinda hard to follow until near the end of the book
adventurous challenging medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was a fun one, and like many of Turton’s other books, incredibly hard to articulate why! If you liked his other books, you’re likely to enjoy this, as well.

This book is set on an island as we watch the last handful of humanity try to carve out a life in the only space protected by a fog that has killed the rest of the earth’s population. They are guided by “elders” who seem to have immunities and survive longer than other villagers, but the island inhabitants revere them rather than ask questions. But we have questions!! And when something terrible happens to one of the elders, fortunately the character Emory begins to ask the questions for us, working to reveal the ultimate truth about the elders, the fog, and the island’s purpose.

For the first half of the book, I had Horizon Zero Dawn vibes (if you have played those games) as the community survived by primitive means amidst the ruins of technology from just before humanity’s fall.

The second half felt very much like an action-based denoument like a Sherlock or Poirot story. If you like stories about unraveling how the world went south, dystopian communities run by seemingly benevolent “elders” with dark intents, and a few twists, this one will be a favorite for you.

Animal Alert Deer & Vulture:
SpoilerThere is a deer that is caught by carnivorous plants – it’s not described very long, but it’s clear the deer will not make it. A vulture is smashed to death by one of the characters.



What I Liked:

- I love that this author continually reinvents himself and tackles new environments and characters. Each of his novels so far has been unique. My favorite will still be The Eleven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle but I appreciate the variety.

- The story, while not entirely unique, still brought something fresh to the dystopian genre. I was impressed by the blend of mystery that kept propelling the story set alongside well-paced revelations and some very interesting science ideas.

- The characters here were fairly well done – I found most of them to be distinct, each with their own strengths and flaws. As was the case with most characters, it was ultimately hard to villify any one of them completely, and this book has left me thinking about who was "bad" or "good."


What I Didn’t:

- It was somewhat confusing to understand when Abi was talking in their heads versus when other actual people were speaking aloud to one another. This book would have benefited immensely from a different font type for Abi so that was made clear.