How to Get Over the End of the World

by Hal Schrieve

Boldly weird, cool, and confident, this YA novel of LGBTQ+ teen artists, activists, and telepathic visionaries offers hope against climate and community destruction. From the National Book Award–longlisted author of Out of Salem.

James Goldberg, self-described neurotic goth gay transsexual stoner, is a senior in high school, and fully over it. He mostly ignores his classes at Cow Pie High, instead focusing on fundraising for the near-bankrupt local LGBTQ+ youth support group, Compton House, and attending punk shows with his friend-crush Ian and best friend Opal. But when James falls in love with Orsino, a homeschooled trans boy with telepathic powers and visions of the future, he wonders if the scope of what he believes possible is too small. Orsino, meanwhile, hopes that in James he has finally found someone who will be able to share the apocalyptic visions he has had to keep to himself, and better understand the powers they hold.

How to Get Over the End of the World confirms Hal Schrieve as a unique and to-be-celebrated voice in LGBTQ+ YA fiction with this multi-voiced story about flawed people trying their hardest to make a better world, about the beauty and craziness of hope, about too-big dreams and reality checks, and about the ways in which human messiness—egos, jealousy, insecurity—and good faith can coexist. It also about preserving the ties within a chosen family—and maybe saving the world—through love, art, and acts of resistance.

Genres: Queer, Young Adult, Transgender, LGBT, Fiction, Fantasy, Disability

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one is out there writing messy queer teenagers like Hal Schrieve. Set in Olympia and Tacoma, this one follows a small group of trans teens making music, getting crushes, getting into fights with homophobic classmates and parents, making out, trying to get rides to the next punk show or the next queer youth group or their friends house on a school night. James has had a crush on his friend Ian for years, but Ian is still mid trying to figure out what gender and creative path to follow. Opal is currently sleeping in the living room of a local therapist after their home life became too unstable. Orsino is temporarily living with his older sister and her punk band trans boyfriend after his parent's divorce. Also, Orsino gets visions of the deep past and of hypothetical futures that might be gifted to him from a threatened alien race who want him to change the timeline. These visions spill out into other people in moments of heightened emotion filling some with creative inspiration, some with wonder, and some with fear. I listened on audio and really appreciated the multiple narrators for the three main voices and was rooting for these kids to find their way into brighter and bolder queer futures.

[Briar Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hal is so good at combining pitch-perfect parodies of recognizable queer "types"/interactions/dynamics, relationship drama, coming of age, and fabulist/psychedelic elements. I think I would have loved this book even more as an actual teenager (never mind the various personal revelations it probably would've triggered), which is one of the highest compliments I can give to a work of YA, but I would recommend it to other adults who enjoy Hal's comics work (Vivian's Ghost, Demon Butch, etc.)

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How To Get Over the End of the World is a young adult novel about trans teenagers coming together to raise money through a rock opera whilst some of them see visions that are trying to prevent climate destruction. James is a messy gay trans senior who is ignoring high school to focus on keeping the local LGBTQ+ youth space, Compton House, open, alongside his best friends, who are forming a band and dealing with their own stuff. When James meets Orsino, a trans boy having visions of the future, the two of them seem to be able to share this look at escaping destruction, but to make a difference, they all need to navigate the messy world of being queer teens.

Having read Schrieve's previous book Out of Salem (and following hir on social media), I was looking to this one, and it doesn't disappoint. It's quite a different book, far less focused on the otherworldly elements (to me) than the interpersonal dramas and realities of being a queer teenager that is part of various friendship groups, support groups, and "scenes", and this is what makes it so powerful. The style of writing, and the moving between three different points of view, really immerses you in the world of these characters and the ways in which they miscommunicate, try hard and not enough, and navigate the messiness of queer teenage life. Everything is fast-paced and Schrieve really pulls you along for the ride, not explaining everything but letting you feel as inside and outside of things as a lot of the teenagers do.

The characters are far more flawed and interesting than in a lot of books aimed at similar readers, making a lot of mistakes and having to learn that you can't always see yourself as the protagonist of everything because other people matter too. James in particular is at a real point of self-discovery as he explores the excitement and frustrations of being almost an adult, but not quite (and his friends express when he needs to be better to them). At the centre is a love triangle that is, as it is hard not to keep saying in this review, messy, but in a way that isn't annoying or forced, and it is woven into the entire plot. The inclusion of adults who are complex in their relationships with the teenagers is also a nice detail, bringing in some of the questions around how community support can push against personal circumstances.

This is a purposefully weird and messy book that revels in not just being another paint-by-numbers queer teenagers book, but instead mixes speculative elements (to a level that I as someone who doesn't really like sci-fi or fantasy felt was ideal) with the punk DIY queer scene. It's bold and fun, with some great characters, and like Out of Salem, may be aimed at teens but is great for adults too.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immaculate! I don't read much YA but I was so floored by the clarity this book brings to the queer teen experience. Schrieve does such a good job at depicting the duelling desires and anxieties of being young, as well as the heady mix of certainty and confusion that accompanies it. My heart is so full of love for these teens and the hope that more trans kids get to live these kinds of messy, hopeful lives. Obsessed with the use of the extra-terrestrial vibe to get at those elements of the trans and/or human experience that are just beyond the comprehension of our present "reality". Flawless use of non-binary naming conventions. Keep transexuals freaky!

[Mal N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I loved getting to know James, Monique, Orsino, Opal and the people around them. I loved feeling Olympia and the youth punk scene, but most of all I loved reading about young trans ppl loving each other messily and with their whole bodies!!

[Mary Shyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody writes messy queer teens quite like Schrieve.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling, atmospheric story with a real depth of feeling. I had trouble with it in the beginning--it's a little tricky to keep track of the large cast, and the POV changes don't come with much change in tone or voice--but the dynamic among the main characters kept me reading. I liked that James was not always at his best, but he works to navigate the hurt he causes others. His connection with Jukebox (and Jukebox's whole thing in general) felt really true to how things can be in queer DIY spaces. The characters' world feels immediate and lived-in, which I appreciate a lot. Though the supernatural aspects ultimately take a back seat in the overall story, they're still well-integrated and used to good effect. Most of the action takes place internally, or at a small scale--this is a highly character-driven narrative on community, love, and friendship, not alien invasions or anything like that. So if you enjoy big, messy friend groups and punk and a good old apocalyptic vision, this is a great book to try!

[Lex Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all of the books I read this year this will be the one that I buy a copy for my own collection.

Also I will forever hold the title of being the first person to read this book through the Chicago Public Library system >:)

[Skylar Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuuuuuuck!

[sebastian b · Rating 5 out of 5]

"transphobic people make me depressed" gworl same

[noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Get Over the End of the World is a book unlike any I’ve read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed! Schrieve weaves together contemporary YA and science fiction to create an atmosphere that is original, weird, and unique. The diverse cast of Queer teen punks were real, complex, and lovable. This book at times felt like a psychedelic trip, laced with intense and vivid imagery, earnest Queer love, and real teen struggles. I appreciated that this story showcases how raw and messy Queer relationships can be, and also how integral they are to individual and interpersonal growth. In the midst of reminding the reader (me, as an adult) how hard and strange it is to be a teen, Schrieve emphasizes the importance of imagining a different future—one that includes a harmonious relationship with the Earth, Queer community and liberation, and of course, aliens.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY strong voice. Unfortunately, not DISTINCT really strong voices, and I could not ever remember whose POV chapter I was reading, which was very confusing.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4-star rating for this is not really a personal 4-star at the current state of my life but a 4-star for me imagining reading it when I'm closer to the characters' ages and still experiencing teenager emotions.

Going into this book I also was hoping for way more of the aliens stuff, because that's the shit I like. In fact it's mostly about the emotional lives and relationships of teenagers, which is not a bad thing, but if you want a book about aliens maybe this won't satisfy you.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about queer teen’s in a world that isn’t always supportive of them. They struggle with romantic relationships, friendship, and trying to save their local LGBTQ community center for youth, while creating art and music, and also having alien visions.

It was a very character driven story, and I really enjoyed the way the kids supported each other, and how focused they were on their art.

I like that it’s left somewhat ambiguous whether the aliens are real (I am always going to believe they are).

[Book Fae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional, messy, cute, punk, queer and everything i wanted my highschool experince to be and more ( plus aliens!) Orision is my boi and james is sweet and just everything here reads like a hug and i cant wait to re read it 🫶💓

[gv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving this 5 stars before I even finish it because I haven’t felt this way about a book in a long time.

[Kira Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fully expecting this to be a 5 star read in the beginning but man... the second half of the book just really fell flat for me and I felt like there were a lot of subplots that deserved their own damn book honestly. If I was still in hs this would have been my favorite fucking book and I can definitely relate and see my own personality and past struggles in these dramatic, queer, teens but I think it's the alien subplot and the "making out will save everything" vibe that I got towards the end that bugged me. I think this could be a really good read for any queer person who wants to revisit the chaos that is high school (which seems really unappealing) but either way I would still recommend checking this out and seeing if it's for you! :)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book about messy and earnest and beautiful queer connections when I was a kid. Though reading it now, I can smirk along with some of the gentle parodying of those we’ve all crushed out on and/ or been annoyed by in our respective baby queer circles. Without spoiling- The sci fi elements woven through are delightful and ambiguous in a way that feels supportive of the interpersonal teeterings and fast paced narrative(s)

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basement punk shows, animal bones, queer anger, community fundraising, and alien messages to save Earth's future- this book was great from beginning to end!

The Ian/Monique chapters were the most relatable to me, the way she analyzed her own thought process and often double guessed stuff felt really familiar.

And let's hear it for sluts and polyamory and healthy communication (in the end lmao) and dreams about being a dog.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a queer YA masterpiece! It's so well written, and kind of psychedelic. It's apologetically queer and punk. All the teenagers in this book talk and narrate in a way that is really true to how teens talk. It's also one of those books that's really hard to put down. The only reason it took me so long to finish reading it was because I was swamped with homework. This book totally blew my mind.

10/10 highly recommend!

[Emmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters while at times confusing bc so many were so relatable. I was so jealous of Opal Monique and James’ friendship they made me so emosh. All of them making mistakes and reading their anxious thoughts was soooo real. I LOVE A WEIRD GAY!!!! Loved and made me feel like a kid with hope and dreams! Just kinda got confused with all the characters!!! 😫🫶😝❤️ didn’t want it to end

[grimmbeing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dnf’d at 50%
As much as I love the diy punk scene and messy queer characters/relationships, I just didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to. Maybe it’s time for me to stop reading books about teenagers

[Gianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the direction this took - you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop until eventually you have nothing to look at but what is right in front of you. To get over the end of the world we must get through the messy, often ridiculous process of navigating queer drama and interpersonal conflict.

[Alex Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really captured the chaos and drama of being a queer teenager. The feeling where everything feels super urgent and important, but also very temporary.

[Sky Hooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could inject this book into my veins I would

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible.
irrepressibly enjoyable and deeply respectful of its intended audience, there’s nothing quite like it.