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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super grateful for being part of the blog tour for this title & as always, my opinions are honest and my own.
I ended up enjoying the book, I hoped to enjoy it even a little more, but it was very good, and the author's style resonates a lot with me, even so, it was not entirely what I expected. The plot begins with a certain super catastrophic but at the same time intriguing promise that manages to keep you hooked from the first pages, but then begins to transform into a more than anything contemporary book of self-discovery, which wasn't an impediment to my enjoyment, it was just different and unexpected. I adore the author's style and how she always manages to give us a solid setting and relatable characters. In summary, I found a very interesting book to explore even though it doesn't cover the full experience that I expected, nor does it have a very clear direction.
3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can find more of my reviews & other fun content on my A Book. A Thought. blog
In this book, we follow Olivia, a highly introverted girl who's trying to live her life as comfortably as possible, until one-day humanity recognizes the damage has done to the earth for thousands of years is irreversible, therefore there are only nine months left till the "end of the world." Due to this tragic news, everyone is driven to start living their lives to the fullest and make the most of the time they have left as much as possible, which becomes a challenge for the shy Olivia who's still not sure how she wants to live her last months. But then almost out of nowhere Natasha, a cousin that Olivia didn't know, appears in her life and this will affect and change Olivia in ways she didn't expect.
This is a very interesting plot to read, as I said before, I was expecting something denser in terms of the end of the world and this apocalyptic thing, you know, but instead, I found a point of view more focused on the contemporary side, and in the consequences or actions that this news has on people and how, above all, it affects the main character Libby (Olivia), who has always lived a little fearful and withdrawn from other people. This approach isn't something negative as such, just something surprising for me, anyway I think it's important to emphasize it in case any of you are interested in reading it and perhaps a contemporary plot isn't what you're really looking for.
I'd already read the author in the past, I read [b: The One Memory of Flora Banks|30849412|The One Memory of Flora Banks|Emily Barr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474490389l/30849412._SY75_.jpg|46768863] and although I know it's an unpopular opinion, I loved it! So I was quite excited to read more about the author and even more to participate in this blog tour, which I don't regret since I think she has a very unique ability to describe settings, to create interesting and relatable characters, such as also to give a unique touch to their stories that make them stand out from others, perhaps exploring issues that aren't touched too much in the genre. This time I really liked the way the author gives personalities to the characters since both Olivia and Natasha and even the secondary characters, have very marked personalities and differ widely from each other, which puts the characters in difficult, uncomfortable, or even new situations, which makes the relationship between them help each of them to grow and develop, especially for Olivia this is an important factor since starting to interact with her cousin starts a strong journey of self-discovery and even acceptance for her.
Although I don't care that the book is more focused on the story of the girls, and the things we would do if we knew that the world was going to end, instead of focusing more on the apocalyptic of the matter, I have to confess I'd have loved to have that point of view too, maybe something more dystopian where people make plans to try to survive or this kind of thing.
In this book, it's rather a collective realization where everyone understands that although it's difficult to assimilate, the reality in which they live is like this, and now they must hurry to do everything they have always wanted to do. There are simply so many points to explore in a plot as such, that I feel that they were somehow left aside to focus on the more contemporary and human aspects. It also gives me the sense that it is poorly resolved as such, especially towards the end it's kind of messy as if the author didn't know well what definition to give it, in any case, I highlight the revelations since they seemed well executed.
In summary, I think that when you give your book such a dark and urgent tone, maybe the focus should be more developed in that area at least for the first part of the book, and then transition to the worldly problems of the characters, even so, This is my opinion and as I always say, you don't have to think the same.
As a contemporary plot, touches on extremely interesting and even important topics, such as revelations about the family, the search for who we are, and what we want to do with our lives. Why is it really worth fighting for? & the value of simply living fully, you know? What would you do if you knew that you only have nine months to live? I think it's an extremely interesting and intriguing question to explore and is asked quite intentionally in this book.
I quite liked the book, I don't think it's a bad read at all, it's not what I expected certainly, even so, it provides very unique moments, great characters and life lessons, as well as reflective moments that explore things in life we can all feel identified with. I recommend it? Of course! but only if you're looking for a solid contemporary book with a plot focused on the existential as such rather than an apocalyptic plot, you know? in that case, it's super easy to read, flows for the most part well as well and the characters are worth it. I'm still interested in continuing to read the works of the author since I really like her writing style.
This was absolutely awesome. Alice Oseman meets cli-fi meets thriller. I had no idea how it would end and my heart was galloping inside my chest throughout. I'm not sure if this was great for my health but I loved it.
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy.
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy.
I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but this has in no way had an impact on my review.
Things to do Before the End of the World - a YA apocalyptic thriller - written by Emily Barr who is well-known for her YA writings. This is my first time reading a book of her's, and honestly, I am not sure what to think of it.
Libby is a young teen girl who is very introverted and does not have high thoughts of herself as a person. The moment we step into the story we're presented with the date for the end of the world, and this is when Libby decides that she'll try and live her life. Joining the theatre group and interacting with Zoe - her crush - is a great start. Libby's estranged uncle dies in a traffic incident and here she comes in contact with her cousin, Natasha, whom she didn't know existed. Several times throughout the beginning, we are introduced to the idea that Libby has wanted a sibling close to her age, instead of her two half-siblings on her father's side who are both toddlers. She wishes that she had someone that could look out for her as her little sister looks out for their little brother. She speculates, that if she had had a big sister she would have been a different person today. Someone she'd like to be. So when Natasha shows up, it's almost as if her wish has been granted. Natasha challenges Libby to get out of her shell, but there is something off about the cousin - which Libby overlooks both in the excitement of having someone looking out for her and the impending doom that is the end of the world.
Getting into this story, I was under the impression that the end of the world would be more important for the story, but it feels more like a backdrop for a YA thriller. The thing is, even though the end of the world isn't the main part of the plot it still takes up a lot of space in the story. There are interactions between Libby and Natasha, but we're already halfway through the book when they finally get to meet each other IRL. At least, that's how it feels. The first half feels like a filler episode we get before the plot-filled episode. I'm not sure if it's due to the writing style, but I did feel like I was just waiting for things to happen. We get a lot of plot and actions in the last 1/3 of the book which I really enjoyed. It was here I wouldn't put the book down until I had gone to the end (no pun intended). But the ending itself just happened so quickly and I would have liked to get more of an opportunity to enjoy the end. The ending was still satisfying and tied up the story very well - it just felt rushed.
I thought the end of the world would be more important, but it serves as a backdrop of a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller. This is probably why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I could, my expectations for the book might have ruined it a bit for me.
Sidenote: I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover definitely gave me a 28 Days Later vibe, which has affected my expectations of what kind of book I was getting.
If you want to read a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller I definitely will recommend this book for you.
Things to do Before the End of the World - a YA apocalyptic thriller - written by Emily Barr who is well-known for her YA writings. This is my first time reading a book of her's, and honestly, I am not sure what to think of it.
Libby is a young teen girl who is very introverted and does not have high thoughts of herself as a person. The moment we step into the story we're presented with the date for the end of the world, and this is when Libby decides that she'll try and live her life. Joining the theatre group and interacting with Zoe - her crush - is a great start. Libby's estranged uncle dies in a traffic incident and here she comes in contact with her cousin, Natasha, whom she didn't know existed. Several times throughout the beginning, we are introduced to the idea that Libby has wanted a sibling close to her age, instead of her two half-siblings on her father's side who are both toddlers. She wishes that she had someone that could look out for her as her little sister looks out for their little brother. She speculates, that if she had had a big sister she would have been a different person today. Someone she'd like to be. So when Natasha shows up, it's almost as if her wish has been granted. Natasha challenges Libby to get out of her shell, but there is something off about the cousin - which Libby overlooks both in the excitement of having someone looking out for her and the impending doom that is the end of the world.
Getting into this story, I was under the impression that the end of the world would be more important for the story, but it feels more like a backdrop for a YA thriller. The thing is, even though the end of the world isn't the main part of the plot it still takes up a lot of space in the story. There are interactions between Libby and Natasha, but we're already halfway through the book when they finally get to meet each other IRL. At least, that's how it feels. The first half feels like a filler episode we get before the plot-filled episode. I'm not sure if it's due to the writing style, but I did feel like I was just waiting for things to happen. We get a lot of plot and actions in the last 1/3 of the book which I really enjoyed. It was here I wouldn't put the book down until I had gone to the end (no pun intended). But the ending itself just happened so quickly and I would have liked to get more of an opportunity to enjoy the end. The ending was still satisfying and tied up the story very well - it just felt rushed.
I thought the end of the world would be more important, but it serves as a backdrop of a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller. This is probably why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I could, my expectations for the book might have ruined it a bit for me.
Sidenote: I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover definitely gave me a 28 Days Later vibe, which has affected my expectations of what kind of book I was getting.
If you want to read a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller I definitely will recommend this book for you.
Things to do Before the End of the World is a powerful coming of age story that reminds the reader that our impact on the environment could mean our ultimate extinction.
What I Liked
The timing of this story is even more impactful because of our current world situation. Much like the environment in the story, I don’t think anyone believed our world would come to a standstill due to a disease. Beyond comprehension, with our explosive advancements in every area, anything cannot be quickly neutralized so that our lives remain the same. But, as we have seen, that isn’t true. That made me think twice about the story’s message as I imagine it will other YA readers – young and old.
I found Olivia’s coming of age story to also be impactful in an unexpected, inspiring manner. She starts the story as a girl who is scared to live her life – to enjoy everything life has to offer, even if it is right in front of her. Olivia writes emails that she doesn’t send or intends to send to a girl for which she has feelings. She keeps her circle very tight and doesn’t venture outside of that circle, considering invisibility to be her superpower until she meets her cousin through an email after learning about her existence. Natasha has a significant impact on Olivia’s life, and the story of their relationship is such a compelling storyline that it is hard to put the book down once Natasha appears.
The pace stays quick throughout the story as I waited to see if life really would end on September 17. It can’t end, right? Or can it? I found myself imagining what the world would be like if everyone knew the exact day, it would end. I pictured a society turning very hedonistic in my mind, but if you want to find Barr’s thoughts, you will have to pick up this book.
This story has a lingering effect - my thoughts returning to what I would do if I knew the exact date the world would end. I love that it has me asking tough questions of myself and society as a whole and making me contemplate if the changes I would make knowing the world was going to end are changes that I should be making now.
To Read or Not to Read
If you are ready to have your world change, this is the book that will take you there.
What I Liked
The timing of this story is even more impactful because of our current world situation. Much like the environment in the story, I don’t think anyone believed our world would come to a standstill due to a disease. Beyond comprehension, with our explosive advancements in every area, anything cannot be quickly neutralized so that our lives remain the same. But, as we have seen, that isn’t true. That made me think twice about the story’s message as I imagine it will other YA readers – young and old.
I found Olivia’s coming of age story to also be impactful in an unexpected, inspiring manner. She starts the story as a girl who is scared to live her life – to enjoy everything life has to offer, even if it is right in front of her. Olivia writes emails that she doesn’t send or intends to send to a girl for which she has feelings. She keeps her circle very tight and doesn’t venture outside of that circle, considering invisibility to be her superpower until she meets her cousin through an email after learning about her existence. Natasha has a significant impact on Olivia’s life, and the story of their relationship is such a compelling storyline that it is hard to put the book down once Natasha appears.
The pace stays quick throughout the story as I waited to see if life really would end on September 17. It can’t end, right? Or can it? I found myself imagining what the world would be like if everyone knew the exact day, it would end. I pictured a society turning very hedonistic in my mind, but if you want to find Barr’s thoughts, you will have to pick up this book.
This story has a lingering effect - my thoughts returning to what I would do if I knew the exact date the world would end. I love that it has me asking tough questions of myself and society as a whole and making me contemplate if the changes I would make knowing the world was going to end are changes that I should be making now.
To Read or Not to Read
If you are ready to have your world change, this is the book that will take you there.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Who knew that YA pre-apocalyptic thriller was a genre I was missing? Apparently Emily Barr did because that was something I've never read before, and I found myself getting really into it!!
I'll be honest, I was expecting to be sceptical about this book. I was anticipating more YA 'finding yourself' story than thriller. Even better, the thriller part of the story very slowly creeps up on you. You know that something isn't quite right but, with something like the end of the world coming, you can imagine why someone might overlook some of the obvious tells ...
In fact, all of those elements - of the teenager who is cripplingly shy and anxious and is desperate to be a slightly different person but doesn't know how, the backdrop of the end of times creeping ever closer, and the young woman who isn't quite what she seems - somehow work perfectly together. The author is playing her own game of smoke and mirrors and misdirection by presenting all of these elements together so that you are so overwhelmed by what appears to be going on, that you miss everything else. And I've got to say, that's some pretty clever writing.
The impending apocalypse - the melting of the permafrosts and the irreversible end of a breathable atmosphere - and the world's reaction to time ticking away is also frighteningly believable. The majority of people are going about their daily lives, because perhaps the problem will be resolved before time is up, and what else can you do anyway? There seems to be a collective decision made that the last few months will be one epic 'see the world' party, but until then you go to school and you work each day and you hope it won't really happen.
Libby's own growth throughout the story is surprising and steady. Thanks to the arrival of her estranged cousin she is being forced to come out of her shell; to learn slight of hand street magic, to talk with people, to stand up for herself. But can she use those skills when it really matters? And when being with the people you love matters more than everything else?
Although the end of the world should be taking precedence, Libby's time with her family starts to raise questions - why is her mum distrustful of her cousin Natasha? Who is Violet? What happened between Libby and Natasha's dads? I can't really go into explaining the plot without giving it away. But it has TWISTS. Just like the end of the world (The Creep) these twists creep up on you too - you sort of know that they are there, and then bam! Surprise!
I would have liked to have seen more of the pre-apocalyptic element - we see some signs of the end of times, but a lot of people also seem to be behaving rationally and calmly. There is talk of looting and fires and rioting, but we don't see those as much as you might expect, particularly given that there are a lot of scenes set in Madrid, Paris and finally London. I can understand why we don't - Libby herself is actively trying to avoid knowing anything, her mum and stepdad are trying to keep her calm and happy and, with everything going on with her and Natasha, she would be quite distracted ... but still, I would have liked a little more.
But I also loved the UK setting - the references to college and Sixth Form. It all just made sense and (for this Brit reader) made the whole apocalypse feel understated and understandable.
A really pleasing 4.5 stars (rounded down to 4) for this book!
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley, the publishers and The Write Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest, I was expecting to be sceptical about this book. I was anticipating more YA 'finding yourself' story than thriller. Even better, the thriller part of the story very slowly creeps up on you. You know that something isn't quite right but, with something like the end of the world coming, you can imagine why someone might overlook some of the obvious tells ...
In fact, all of those elements - of the teenager who is cripplingly shy and anxious and is desperate to be a slightly different person but doesn't know how, the backdrop of the end of times creeping ever closer, and the young woman who isn't quite what she seems - somehow work perfectly together. The author is playing her own game of smoke and mirrors and misdirection by presenting all of these elements together so that you are so overwhelmed by what appears to be going on, that you miss everything else. And I've got to say, that's some pretty clever writing.
The impending apocalypse - the melting of the permafrosts and the irreversible end of a breathable atmosphere - and the world's reaction to time ticking away is also frighteningly believable. The majority of people are going about their daily lives, because perhaps the problem will be resolved before time is up, and what else can you do anyway? There seems to be a collective decision made that the last few months will be one epic 'see the world' party, but until then you go to school and you work each day and you hope it won't really happen.
Libby's own growth throughout the story is surprising and steady. Thanks to the arrival of her estranged cousin she is being forced to come out of her shell; to learn slight of hand street magic, to talk with people, to stand up for herself. But can she use those skills when it really matters? And when being with the people you love matters more than everything else?
Although the end of the world should be taking precedence, Libby's time with her family starts to raise questions - why is her mum distrustful of her cousin Natasha? Who is Violet? What happened between Libby and Natasha's dads? I can't really go into explaining the plot without giving it away. But it has TWISTS. Just like the end of the world (The Creep) these twists creep up on you too - you sort of know that they are there, and then bam! Surprise!
I would have liked to have seen more of the pre-apocalyptic element - we see some signs of the end of times, but a lot of people also seem to be behaving rationally and calmly. There is talk of looting and fires and rioting, but we don't see those as much as you might expect, particularly given that there are a lot of scenes set in Madrid, Paris and finally London. I can understand why we don't - Libby herself is actively trying to avoid knowing anything, her mum and stepdad are trying to keep her calm and happy and, with everything going on with her and Natasha, she would be quite distracted ... but still, I would have liked a little more.
But I also loved the UK setting - the references to college and Sixth Form. It all just made sense and (for this Brit reader) made the whole apocalypse feel understated and understandable.
A really pleasing 4.5 stars (rounded down to 4) for this book!
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley, the publishers and The Write Reads in exchange for an honest review.