What do you think?
Rate this book
Until the End of the World #1
Until the End of the World - Until the End of the World, Band 1
Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too.
This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of.
Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.
This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of.
Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.
622 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2013
1192 people are currently reading
8831 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Lyons Fleming
16 books1,446 followersI'm a wannabe prepper and lover of anything pre-apocalyptic, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic—-or anything in between. Add in some humor and romance, and I'm in heaven.
Besides an unhealthy obsession with home-canned food and Bug Out Bag equipment, I love books, making artsy stuff and laughing my arse off. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I now live in Oregon with my family and, in my opinion, not nearly enough supplies for the zombie apocalypse. But I'm working on it.
Besides an unhealthy obsession with home-canned food and Bug Out Bag equipment, I love books, making artsy stuff and laughing my arse off. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I now live in Oregon with my family and, in my opinion, not nearly enough supplies for the zombie apocalypse. But I'm working on it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 920 reviews
November 2, 2015
I listened to the audiobook version of this and it was excellent. Audiobooks are ruined for me if the reader tries to do a one-person performance as if the book is a stage play. This reader did enough to add value but without being annoying. And the overall story (a realistic, everyday life version of the zombie apocalypse) was a refreshing take on the genre.
February 12, 2025
Everything in this book I've seen before. It's not bad...honestly it's really good fun but it's typical for the genre.
November 29, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I ended up really liking this book. I stumbled upon this series quite by accident while I was browsing Audible. I am a huge Walking Dead fan so I thought this looked promising and decided to give it a try. This was a story that I liked more and more as I continued to read. I listened to the audiobook for hours at a time and never tired of the story. I am so glad that I took a chance with this book.
This book starts just as the trouble begins. Cassie and her friends live in New York City and there is a virus causing people to get sick. The group quickly figures out that things are a lot worse than they are being told and they make plans to get to Cassie's parents' home. Cassie's parents prepared for disasters and though they have both passed away the home is well stocked.
I found that during the beginning stages of the book the focus was more on the drama between the characters than the zombie outbreak. I really wanted someone to smack a couple of Cassie's "friends" and move on to more zombie stuff. As the book progressed, I started seeing more and more of the zombie action that I had wanted.
There is a rather large cast of characters to keep track of in this book but each of their personalities were well developed so it really wasn't too much of a problem. The characters do grow over the course of the book and the same characters that I wanted to feed to the zombies did end up redeeming themselves. I did end up liking the characters and wanted to see the whole group remain safe.
I thought that Julia Whelan did a great job with this story. She handled a large number of character voices very well. She put a lot of emotion into the reading of the story and made some of the scenes fell even more intense. She had a very pleasant reading voice and I look forward to listening to more of her work soon.
I would recommend this book to others. This may not have been the most original story but it was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what is in story for Cassie and her friends in the next installment.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this one. At the beginning, I did have a few moments that I wanted more zombies and less drama but as things progressed that changed. I was very invested in the safety of these characters and wanted to see things work out. The narration in the audiobook was very well done and I am looking forward to listening to more of the series very soon.
Book source: Audible purchase
I ended up really liking this book. I stumbled upon this series quite by accident while I was browsing Audible. I am a huge Walking Dead fan so I thought this looked promising and decided to give it a try. This was a story that I liked more and more as I continued to read. I listened to the audiobook for hours at a time and never tired of the story. I am so glad that I took a chance with this book.
This book starts just as the trouble begins. Cassie and her friends live in New York City and there is a virus causing people to get sick. The group quickly figures out that things are a lot worse than they are being told and they make plans to get to Cassie's parents' home. Cassie's parents prepared for disasters and though they have both passed away the home is well stocked.
I found that during the beginning stages of the book the focus was more on the drama between the characters than the zombie outbreak. I really wanted someone to smack a couple of Cassie's "friends" and move on to more zombie stuff. As the book progressed, I started seeing more and more of the zombie action that I had wanted.
There is a rather large cast of characters to keep track of in this book but each of their personalities were well developed so it really wasn't too much of a problem. The characters do grow over the course of the book and the same characters that I wanted to feed to the zombies did end up redeeming themselves. I did end up liking the characters and wanted to see the whole group remain safe.
I thought that Julia Whelan did a great job with this story. She handled a large number of character voices very well. She put a lot of emotion into the reading of the story and made some of the scenes fell even more intense. She had a very pleasant reading voice and I look forward to listening to more of her work soon.
I would recommend this book to others. This may not have been the most original story but it was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what is in story for Cassie and her friends in the next installment.
Initial Thoughts
I liked this one. At the beginning, I did have a few moments that I wanted more zombies and less drama but as things progressed that changed. I was very invested in the safety of these characters and wanted to see things work out. The narration in the audiobook was very well done and I am looking forward to listening to more of the series very soon.
Book source: Audible purchase
August 6, 2024
And yet again I find myself reading this genre, so I decided to jump into this one due to the fact that I really enjoyed this author's other apocalyptic series and thought I'd give this one a shot.
Even though I enjoyed this one I liked the other series a wee bit more, that just gave me more angsty zombie killing vibes whereas this one was a bit slower in that area and concentrated more on the group dynamics than anything else. Zero heat. Barely any zombie killing, but still an overall good read making me invested enough to carry on with this series.
The day the world decided to implode was the day Cassie had decided to break up with her boyfriend Peter. On top of that Cassie and her tight knit group of friends are fighting for their lives as they barely make it out of NYC before the outbreak of the virus hit her neighbourhood with one destination in mind the only safe place Cassie can think of to hide out is up North where her survivalist deceased parents house is, because before their passing they were prepared for the end of the world and had a food stash stored to feed a small army.
Like with many post apocalyptic stories it's not just the zombies they have to avoid but humans as well who will steal and kill for what you have and that's exactly what happened in this book.
Just when they think they are safe a large pod of zombies encroach on their land and to survive they have to leave and head to a safe zone which is where Cassie's ex fiance is set up.
Even though I enjoyed this one I liked the other series a wee bit more, that just gave me more angsty zombie killing vibes whereas this one was a bit slower in that area and concentrated more on the group dynamics than anything else. Zero heat. Barely any zombie killing, but still an overall good read making me invested enough to carry on with this series.
The day the world decided to implode was the day Cassie had decided to break up with her boyfriend Peter. On top of that Cassie and her tight knit group of friends are fighting for their lives as they barely make it out of NYC before the outbreak of the virus hit her neighbourhood with one destination in mind the only safe place Cassie can think of to hide out is up North where her survivalist deceased parents house is, because before their passing they were prepared for the end of the world and had a food stash stored to feed a small army.
Like with many post apocalyptic stories it's not just the zombies they have to avoid but humans as well who will steal and kill for what you have and that's exactly what happened in this book.
Just when they think they are safe a large pod of zombies encroach on their land and to survive they have to leave and head to a safe zone which is where Cassie's ex fiance is set up.
August 2, 2013
This book is about so much more than zombies. It's about family, friends, love, breakups and beer. The author had a large cast of characters to deal with but she was able to make each one of them feel like an individual. Each one was believable and independent. Sure they had similarities, but they were a tight knit group of friends; naturally there is overlap in opinions, tastes and voice.
Even outside the topic of the world ending there were heavy subjects dealt with but it never felt like it weighed you down. It's an apocalyptic doom and gloom novel that keeps you grinning and cheering for the characters even after you finish reading it.
I can't wait for the sequel.
Even outside the topic of the world ending there were heavy subjects dealt with but it never felt like it weighed you down. It's an apocalyptic doom and gloom novel that keeps you grinning and cheering for the characters even after you finish reading it.
I can't wait for the sequel.
July 4, 2015
1.5 meh stars
I really wanted to like this book because there are a lot of great reviews about it and it is highly rated on GR but it turned out to be same old same old zombie apocalypse and I've read better to be honest.
I wanted to experience the thrill/horror and the gory details and the fight for survival of a zombie apocalypse but all I got was reports after the fact from the internet, radio report and small experience retold by side characters of the fall of different cities and vague reposts of chaos in other countries. In the end, the boring plot, the lack of action and character development made it difficult to lose myself in the story.
I also couldn't stand the main character's immaturity, character inconsistencies, and the annoying relationship and angst involving Cassie (the protagonist) and Peter (her ex) who was selfish, self centred and Cassie's angst over Adrian, the one that got away. The relationship drama gave the book a typical YA book feel to it. I don't like to skim-read or quit on a book but I was bored silly seeing the world's end from Cassie's POV. I think I would've enjoyed this book if the story was told from a multi POV.
And I can't believe no one called Peter and the equally immature Anna out on their behaviour and whatever was going on between them. SMH.
I struggled to connect or even like the main character, Cassie, because she was inconsistent and would think or plan to do something decisive or ruthless (like setting Peter or Anna straight) and then go on to say or do the complete opposite and show herself to be weak and resentful because she is unable to be true to herself and say what she means. She came across a bit annoying, immature, adorably clumsy (when it was convenient) but somehow she had a well-honed survival instinct and the ability to think on her feet and act ruthlessly when needed. She even had the gear, weapon stash and a well stocked cabin prepared for the apocalypse. She even had had all her close friends along for the ride. Her inconsistent personality and Mary sue character got on my nerves.
I know there are a lot of people who liked this book but I guess this is not my cup of tea and not what I look for in a zombie apocalypse book.
Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too.
I really wanted to like this book because there are a lot of great reviews about it and it is highly rated on GR but it turned out to be same old same old zombie apocalypse and I've read better to be honest.
I wanted to experience the thrill/horror and the gory details and the fight for survival of a zombie apocalypse but all I got was reports after the fact from the internet, radio report and small experience retold by side characters of the fall of different cities and vague reposts of chaos in other countries. In the end, the boring plot, the lack of action and character development made it difficult to lose myself in the story.
I also couldn't stand the main character's immaturity, character inconsistencies, and the annoying relationship and angst involving Cassie (the protagonist) and Peter (her ex) who was selfish, self centred and Cassie's angst over Adrian, the one that got away. The relationship drama gave the book a typical YA book feel to it. I don't like to skim-read or quit on a book but I was bored silly seeing the world's end from Cassie's POV. I think I would've enjoyed this book if the story was told from a multi POV.
And I can't believe no one called Peter and the equally immature Anna out on their behaviour and whatever was going on between them. SMH.
I struggled to connect or even like the main character, Cassie, because she was inconsistent and would think or plan to do something decisive or ruthless (like setting Peter or Anna straight) and then go on to say or do the complete opposite and show herself to be weak and resentful because she is unable to be true to herself and say what she means. She came across a bit annoying, immature, adorably clumsy (when it was convenient) but somehow she had a well-honed survival instinct and the ability to think on her feet and act ruthlessly when needed. She even had the gear, weapon stash and a well stocked cabin prepared for the apocalypse. She even had had all her close friends along for the ride. Her inconsistent personality and Mary sue character got on my nerves.
I know there are a lot of people who liked this book but I guess this is not my cup of tea and not what I look for in a zombie apocalypse book.
August 9, 2014
***** 4 1/2 Zombilific Stars *****
And again I pick up a winning Zombie book full of twists, turns and emotional turmoil. I cried like a wuss bag not just once...but 2 times during reading.
I picked this book up yesterday and was done reading in less than 24 hours.
We have a load of characters but each one seems to have their own personality which endears each one to the reader. Not one time did I get lost with who was who because the author did such a kick ass job of bringing these characters to life. We have more than a book about the apocalypse, we have a story about second chances, growing up, making peace, happiness, overcoming guilt with so much more.
I loved Cassie's character...I want to be her - honestly I do!
A virus is spreading throughout the world while Cassie and her friends are living in NYC - they get out just in time and head toward Cassie's parents house in the north. They will be safe there since her parents were survivalists and their old house is prepared. Along with Cassie's friends, she ends up with an ex cocky boyfriend and a spoiled rotten little sister of her friend. This group of 6 must avoid the zombies and the military in order to get to their destination.
Just when they think they are safe - more disaster strikes and they need to move again but this time they are headed right for the one person left on the earth that Cassie is scared to be reunited with. She still harbors such strong feelings for him but doesn't know if the feelings will be reciprocated.
Why did I take a 1/2 star away? It was the ending - it seemed to me that it flew too fast and not enough time was spent on the reunion. I think there should have been a bit more build up and emotions.
Other than that....I think the book was a great story and can't wait to get into the 2nd one!!
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
And again I pick up a winning Zombie book full of twists, turns and emotional turmoil. I cried like a wuss bag not just once...but 2 times during reading.
I picked this book up yesterday and was done reading in less than 24 hours.
We have a load of characters but each one seems to have their own personality which endears each one to the reader. Not one time did I get lost with who was who because the author did such a kick ass job of bringing these characters to life. We have more than a book about the apocalypse, we have a story about second chances, growing up, making peace, happiness, overcoming guilt with so much more.
I loved Cassie's character...I want to be her - honestly I do!
A virus is spreading throughout the world while Cassie and her friends are living in NYC - they get out just in time and head toward Cassie's parents house in the north. They will be safe there since her parents were survivalists and their old house is prepared. Along with Cassie's friends, she ends up with an ex cocky boyfriend and a spoiled rotten little sister of her friend. This group of 6 must avoid the zombies and the military in order to get to their destination.
Just when they think they are safe - more disaster strikes and they need to move again but this time they are headed right for the one person left on the earth that Cassie is scared to be reunited with. She still harbors such strong feelings for him but doesn't know if the feelings will be reciprocated.
Why did I take a 1/2 star away? It was the ending - it seemed to me that it flew too fast and not enough time was spent on the reunion. I think there should have been a bit more build up and emotions.
Other than that....I think the book was a great story and can't wait to get into the 2nd one!!
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 10, 2017
Honestly, I do not understand what people liked about this book. I am sorely disappointed. Cassie talks and acts like a 17-year-old and she is supposed to be a grown woman in her mid-twenties (28?). As far as I understood, several of her childhood/college friends have ended up working at the same community centre in Brooklyn where she does "newsletters", and their dialogue and the way they act is beyond juvenile.
As far as I listened, Cassie kept lamenting in her head about some horrible mistake she made with regards to her then boyfriend/fiancé two years ago. This was around the time her parents tragically died in an automobile accident. We are supposed to be interested and curious about this HUGE mistake, but - YAWN.
Apparently this happened a spring, so Cassie spends all her time - when she is not working or out drinking with her friends OR spending time with the current boyfriend she almost loathes but is having a hard time breaking up with because she does not want to hurt his feelings... - in her flat with the shutters drawn in springtime. And she pays so little attention to news and the goings on of the world, that she had no idea until this morning how much the Bornavirus LX has spread around the world and in the country. But then, most people do not seem to think this is a biggie, even though some major cities in the US are under marshal law. Considering how hysterical people were in the US during the last outbreak of Ebola in Africa, I find that inconceivable.
Anywho. Today is different, though. Cassie is feeling a change in the air, and she is putting on some strappy sandals - despite her toenail varnish being chipped* - ready to tackle the world again. She is even going to break up with her current boyfriend, because she has promised one of her friends to do so and she cannot back out now...
I could see the trip to the cabin in order to avoid the city zombies being signposted a mile away, but we had to get there via awkward dialogue regarding the kissing skills of the nerd friend who finally seemed to have hit it off with Cassie's BFF Penny, via running away from an "infected" with his head hanging off his neck and I decided to back out of this trip while Cassie was inspecting some bins in the basement of her flat, containing gear that her survivalist parents had thoughtfully prepared for an incident such as this.
It did not help that the audio performance was lacking - every male voice sounded like the same guy was speaking.
(*mentioned first by Cassie then commented on by Penny)
As far as I listened, Cassie kept lamenting in her head about some horrible mistake she made with regards to her then boyfriend/fiancé two years ago. This was around the time her parents tragically died in an automobile accident. We are supposed to be interested and curious about this HUGE mistake, but - YAWN.
Apparently this happened a spring, so Cassie spends all her time - when she is not working or out drinking with her friends OR spending time with the current boyfriend she almost loathes but is having a hard time breaking up with because she does not want to hurt his feelings... - in her flat with the shutters drawn in springtime. And she pays so little attention to news and the goings on of the world, that she had no idea until this morning how much the Bornavirus LX has spread around the world and in the country. But then, most people do not seem to think this is a biggie, even though some major cities in the US are under marshal law. Considering how hysterical people were in the US during the last outbreak of Ebola in Africa, I find that inconceivable.
Anywho. Today is different, though. Cassie is feeling a change in the air, and she is putting on some strappy sandals - despite her toenail varnish being chipped* - ready to tackle the world again. She is even going to break up with her current boyfriend, because she has promised one of her friends to do so and she cannot back out now...
I could see the trip to the cabin in order to avoid the city zombies being signposted a mile away, but we had to get there via awkward dialogue regarding the kissing skills of the nerd friend who finally seemed to have hit it off with Cassie's BFF Penny, via running away from an "infected" with his head hanging off his neck and I decided to back out of this trip while Cassie was inspecting some bins in the basement of her flat, containing gear that her survivalist parents had thoughtfully prepared for an incident such as this.
It did not help that the audio performance was lacking - every male voice sounded like the same guy was speaking.
(*mentioned first by Cassie then commented on by Penny)
June 10, 2015
If there was ever a zombie apocalypse tale that seemed to be written JUST for me, this was it!!
It had everything I look for in my favorite genre! A strong female lead, a good group of characters who genuinely love each other like family, a lot of great prepper advice (just storing it away in my head for a rainy apocalyptic day - you never know), not too much "evil humans" which many of the PA books I read seem to be full of - this mix seemed 90% good humanity with 10% really evil (seems like most of the books I've read are 10 - 25% good with the rest evil), lots of wisecracking humor, and the perfect amount of romance.
Is there sadness, yes. This story really gets the tear ducts nice and juicy. And there is definately enough action to keep putting you back on the edge of your seat.
All in all, I really loved this and couldn't hit "buy" fast enough for book 2!
It had everything I look for in my favorite genre! A strong female lead, a good group of characters who genuinely love each other like family, a lot of great prepper advice (just storing it away in my head for a rainy apocalyptic day - you never know), not too much "evil humans" which many of the PA books I read seem to be full of - this mix seemed 90% good humanity with 10% really evil (seems like most of the books I've read are 10 - 25% good with the rest evil), lots of wisecracking humor, and the perfect amount of romance.
Is there sadness, yes. This story really gets the tear ducts nice and juicy. And there is definately enough action to keep putting you back on the edge of your seat.
All in all, I really loved this and couldn't hit "buy" fast enough for book 2!
May 7, 2015
Though I gave this book bonus points for starting with the events that lead to the apocalypse (something I love and few authors do) I could not even finish the book.
My first problem was with Cassie, whom I see as a glorified Mary Sue (with all the preparedness she has for the apocalypse and stuff). She behaves like a teenager but she is like the super survivalist, except when she is clumsy (Bella from Twilight anyone?). She was a big turnoff for me.
The second thing was Anna and Peter and not with their characters per say, but with the fact that no one called them on it.
I was motivated to read this due to the reviews but now I am wondering why people loved it so much! Truly a mystery.
My first problem was with Cassie, whom I see as a glorified Mary Sue (with all the preparedness she has for the apocalypse and stuff). She behaves like a teenager but she is like the super survivalist, except when she is clumsy (Bella from Twilight anyone?). She was a big turnoff for me.
The second thing was Anna and Peter and not with their characters per say, but with the fact that no one called them on it.
I was motivated to read this due to the reviews but now I am wondering why people loved it so much! Truly a mystery.
September 23, 2016
SPOILERS
This book was just kind of ok for me. There were a few things i liked and a few things that irked me.
The thing I've always found appealing about these kinds of post - apocalyptic zombie books is not anything to do with the zombies themselves, but more about the survival and the scavenging. It's like the world is one giant medicine cabinet. Walmart is always open and it's free. The odds of survival kind of depend on those you surround yourself with. The people who have to watch your back and become your new family. Because of this, I really think characterization is important. This is what i found most lacking in this book. The characters really didn't have all that much depth to them. I wouldn't go so far as to call them flat necessarily, just really kind of simple. Cassie was likeable enough but there wasn't really much to cause her to stand out. For some reason she was described as being kind of a quirky klutz but there wasn't much to her quirkiness. There weren't really any stand out moments where she tripped and fell on her own zombie bashing stick or anything like that. The rest of her group were also kind of labeled but no one really was any one way or the other and I can't figure out why the labeling was necessary. Not sure why it was even necessary to mention that Cassie was klutzy, nor that Penny was nerdy or that Ana was a self centered little bitch. I would rather just watch the klutziness, nerdiness and bitchiness unfold. Instead I felt like I was being forewarned and found myself watching for the signs.
This story begins right at the outset of the outbreak. I had a few problems with the timing of things. Cassie and her friends are living in New York City and soon find themselves on the run to Cassie's late parents' place up in the rural somewhere or other. I think getting out fast was a fabulous idea, don't get me wrong but the condition of everything felt like it progressed significantly more quickly than what I would expect. Also, this particular virus/whatever wiped out a giant portion of the population - more than what I am used to. There really weren't all that many people left at all. The town closest to Cassie's place was essentially a ghost town. I can't figure out why they didn't simply clear out the Walmart. Instead they immediately moved in and began gardening and living off what they were growing. Didn't seem like enough time had passed to harvest anything but what do i know? What about all that canned/boxed food in Walmart? Why did they have to make so many trips to pick up soap and personal goods. Why not clear out the pharmacy at least? These are adults, this is not a YA targeted book. Certainly they all had a thought that a pregnancy would be a nightmare. Why not clear out the whole condom section? There were no people left in that town to be conscientious of, so i think they would have been smarter to be greedy.
I liked that there was this background heartbreaking yet hopeful love story. Adrian, Cassie's ex-fiance is really built up as the story progresses. Cassie went through an emotional and dark depressed time after her parents were killed in a car accident three years prior. Adrian, her fantastic fiance stayed by her side throughout until she essentially dumps him, breaking his heart in the process. We meet Adrian through flashbacks throughout the story. It starts with their initial introduction in college and continues through dating, first kiss, engagement and finally the break-up. The flashbacks were touching. The reader assumes Adrian is fine because after Cassie dumps him, it's said that he followed his dream of purchasing a farm and living off of what he produces, completely self-sustaining. His well-being is confirmed when we get to hear him speaking on a Hamm radio. His farm is listed as a safe-zone. I kept waiting and waiting for this big reunion throughout the entire book.
I kept waiting and waiting for a lot of things. Instead there were a lot of gardening scenes, a lot of bitchy, selfish cat-fighting scenes, a lot of Cassie/Peter hate-spew. Oh yes Peter.. I forgot to mention Peter, Cassie's very very recent ex. She procrastinated so long in breaking up with him that he ended up tagging along. A few zombie bashing scenes, a battle with some bad humans and before i forget, some gardening scenes. It was all very middle-of-the-road. I simply did not feel the intensity. I also felt like the group could have benefited from some guard-duty rotations. They spent a lot of time gardening and small amounts of time fortifying or making contingency plans. Yet they all knew the day would arrive when a whole flock of undead would be knocking at their door. It was mentioned. Okay. I was ready. There are only so many ways to describe a tomato and a strawberry. Yet when that day finally arrived, no one was prepared.
Finally, a reunion. I'm so glad Adrian is gonna be in the story now. Yet it somehow just ended up being underwhelming.
I suppose I'm still going to finish the series. I wonder who the token pregnant girl will be.
This book was just kind of ok for me. There were a few things i liked and a few things that irked me.
The thing I've always found appealing about these kinds of post - apocalyptic zombie books is not anything to do with the zombies themselves, but more about the survival and the scavenging. It's like the world is one giant medicine cabinet. Walmart is always open and it's free. The odds of survival kind of depend on those you surround yourself with. The people who have to watch your back and become your new family. Because of this, I really think characterization is important. This is what i found most lacking in this book. The characters really didn't have all that much depth to them. I wouldn't go so far as to call them flat necessarily, just really kind of simple. Cassie was likeable enough but there wasn't really much to cause her to stand out. For some reason she was described as being kind of a quirky klutz but there wasn't much to her quirkiness. There weren't really any stand out moments where she tripped and fell on her own zombie bashing stick or anything like that. The rest of her group were also kind of labeled but no one really was any one way or the other and I can't figure out why the labeling was necessary. Not sure why it was even necessary to mention that Cassie was klutzy, nor that Penny was nerdy or that Ana was a self centered little bitch. I would rather just watch the klutziness, nerdiness and bitchiness unfold. Instead I felt like I was being forewarned and found myself watching for the signs.
This story begins right at the outset of the outbreak. I had a few problems with the timing of things. Cassie and her friends are living in New York City and soon find themselves on the run to Cassie's late parents' place up in the rural somewhere or other. I think getting out fast was a fabulous idea, don't get me wrong but the condition of everything felt like it progressed significantly more quickly than what I would expect. Also, this particular virus/whatever wiped out a giant portion of the population - more than what I am used to. There really weren't all that many people left at all. The town closest to Cassie's place was essentially a ghost town. I can't figure out why they didn't simply clear out the Walmart. Instead they immediately moved in and began gardening and living off what they were growing. Didn't seem like enough time had passed to harvest anything but what do i know? What about all that canned/boxed food in Walmart? Why did they have to make so many trips to pick up soap and personal goods. Why not clear out the pharmacy at least? These are adults, this is not a YA targeted book. Certainly they all had a thought that a pregnancy would be a nightmare. Why not clear out the whole condom section? There were no people left in that town to be conscientious of, so i think they would have been smarter to be greedy.
I liked that there was this background heartbreaking yet hopeful love story. Adrian, Cassie's ex-fiance is really built up as the story progresses. Cassie went through an emotional and dark depressed time after her parents were killed in a car accident three years prior. Adrian, her fantastic fiance stayed by her side throughout until she essentially dumps him, breaking his heart in the process. We meet Adrian through flashbacks throughout the story. It starts with their initial introduction in college and continues through dating, first kiss, engagement and finally the break-up. The flashbacks were touching. The reader assumes Adrian is fine because after Cassie dumps him, it's said that he followed his dream of purchasing a farm and living off of what he produces, completely self-sustaining. His well-being is confirmed when we get to hear him speaking on a Hamm radio. His farm is listed as a safe-zone. I kept waiting and waiting for this big reunion throughout the entire book.
I kept waiting and waiting for a lot of things. Instead there were a lot of gardening scenes, a lot of bitchy, selfish cat-fighting scenes, a lot of Cassie/Peter hate-spew. Oh yes Peter.. I forgot to mention Peter, Cassie's very very recent ex. She procrastinated so long in breaking up with him that he ended up tagging along. A few zombie bashing scenes, a battle with some bad humans and before i forget, some gardening scenes. It was all very middle-of-the-road. I simply did not feel the intensity. I also felt like the group could have benefited from some guard-duty rotations. They spent a lot of time gardening and small amounts of time fortifying or making contingency plans. Yet they all knew the day would arrive when a whole flock of undead would be knocking at their door. It was mentioned. Okay. I was ready. There are only so many ways to describe a tomato and a strawberry. Yet when that day finally arrived, no one was prepared.
Finally, a reunion. I'm so glad Adrian is gonna be in the story now. Yet it somehow just ended up being underwhelming.
I suppose I'm still going to finish the series. I wonder who the token pregnant girl will be.
January 24, 2025
This was one of those books that kept me up late, and I had to continue reading as soon as my eyes opened in the morning! I was hooked from the very beginning, and I'm so anxious to move on to book 2! Loved it!!
December 26, 2021
2 Stars
Too much drama and not enough zombies 😩 I also had a hard time liking any of the characters, and now knowing who she ends up with in the end? Ya, no thank you.
Too much drama and not enough zombies 😩 I also had a hard time liking any of the characters, and now knowing who she ends up with in the end? Ya, no thank you.
September 1, 2020
Absolutely loved this. Whelan is fantastic as always. Can't wait to continue with the series.
July 22, 2013
I am not particularly a fan of zombies and apocalyptic literature, but gave this book a try; the preview seemed to promise more than just zombies and death. I was not disappointed. The writing flows easily and the story never bogs down. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. Some you like and some not so much. They draw you in and you don't want to put the book down until you find out what has happened next. When not reading and just going about my day, I found myself wondering how Cassie and the rest of the group were making out. I recommend this book and hope there will be another novel from this author
May 3, 2018
5 stars!!
Listened to this on Audible and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it! I’m very tight at dishing out that 5th star but this one was worth it and I cant wait to dive into And After.
First though, I need to go download 1.5, So Long Lollipops 😊
Listened to this on Audible and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it! I’m very tight at dishing out that 5th star but this one was worth it and I cant wait to dive into And After.
First though, I need to go download 1.5, So Long Lollipops 😊
July 3, 2019
Hello book friends,
I’m super happy to bring you a review for a new series that I think is going to keep me busy for a while as I couldn’t tear myself away from it.
Sorry for being MIA for a while, Real Life bitch-slapped me in the face for a while and I kind of got stuck in a bit of a slump!
But I think I’m back and ready to make up some lost time (and reviews!)
Why did you pick it up Vicci?
Well, I saw lots of people talking about this book in a Facebook group that I am in, and you know how I don’t like to be left out of anything!!
Well, I have found myself a new series to binge, I can’t wait to read the next one in this series, I was on the edge of my seat for most of it.
A genre that I wouldn’t usually read was being banded around on a FB group that i am in, then I heard the narrator, Julia Whelan…..and I was invested.
I promptly bagged the whole series on KU and upgraded the Audio’s for £3.47 each!!! what a bargain!
Told in the POV of Cassie, we see her in her home town of New York, there seems to be some sort of “flu” epidemic that is sweeping the city, so people are being quite cautious, but until she gets a call from her friend explaining that people are dying and there is no cure does she really start to worry.
Her friends tells her to get out of town immediately, so her and her friends try and do just that, except it turns out that the people that are dying from this epidemic, have not done being dead yet!
This was such a great story, I was so invested in all of the characters, and they were all brilliantly narrated by the awesome Julia Whelan, one of my favourite narrators, who bought every one of them to life in my head.
This is not a gory book, there is a little gruesome talk, but nothing too bad, if you liked The Walking Dead then you will probably like this, as it is about a group of people trying to survive.
Try it, You never know, you might like it!!
Book 1 is only £2.49 on audio or free on KU, what have you got to lose?
I’m super happy to bring you a review for a new series that I think is going to keep me busy for a while as I couldn’t tear myself away from it.
Sorry for being MIA for a while, Real Life bitch-slapped me in the face for a while and I kind of got stuck in a bit of a slump!
But I think I’m back and ready to make up some lost time (and reviews!)
Why did you pick it up Vicci?
Well, I saw lots of people talking about this book in a Facebook group that I am in, and you know how I don’t like to be left out of anything!!
Well, I have found myself a new series to binge, I can’t wait to read the next one in this series, I was on the edge of my seat for most of it.
A genre that I wouldn’t usually read was being banded around on a FB group that i am in, then I heard the narrator, Julia Whelan…..and I was invested.
I promptly bagged the whole series on KU and upgraded the Audio’s for £3.47 each!!! what a bargain!
Told in the POV of Cassie, we see her in her home town of New York, there seems to be some sort of “flu” epidemic that is sweeping the city, so people are being quite cautious, but until she gets a call from her friend explaining that people are dying and there is no cure does she really start to worry.
Her friends tells her to get out of town immediately, so her and her friends try and do just that, except it turns out that the people that are dying from this epidemic, have not done being dead yet!
This was such a great story, I was so invested in all of the characters, and they were all brilliantly narrated by the awesome Julia Whelan, one of my favourite narrators, who bought every one of them to life in my head.
This is not a gory book, there is a little gruesome talk, but nothing too bad, if you liked The Walking Dead then you will probably like this, as it is about a group of people trying to survive.
Try it, You never know, you might like it!!
Book 1 is only £2.49 on audio or free on KU, what have you got to lose?
November 5, 2013
An okay read. Dragged a bit in the middle, but the end was kinda sweet. If you're not looking for anything too deep or unique and just want a nice straightforward 'end of the world' zombie type read its fine. Many of the characters (can you say Anna and Peter!) were SO shallow as to be one-dimensional. I wanted to reach through the book and slap, not the two of them, but the other characters in the book for not doing anything about them and putting up with their complete idiotic bullshit. Anyhow...I finished the whole book which means it wasn't all bad. I've been on a unlucky streak lately, reading a lot of books that are plain dull from dullsville.
July 10, 2024
Until the End of the World was a gripping survival thriller set in a world newly ravaged by zombies. This book pretty good thanks to its simple yet engaging writing style and its balancing of the dark and dire moments of an apocalypse with heartwarming and upbeat instances that keep the story fun and compelling.
One of the novel's main strengths lay in its characters. The protagonist, Cassie, was incredibly easy to root for and displayed plenty of resilience and determination amidst chaos. She was more prepared than most to survive the zombie apocalypse thanks to her father having been a lifelong preppier for just such a world ending event!
The supporting cast were equally well-crafted with each character possessing distinctive and relatable traits. Despite their flaws and imperfections, the group of survivors we got were largely likable, showcasing the importance of camaraderie and solidarity in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The focus on a small-scale survival tale was particularly refreshing. Rather than attempting to save the world, the story zeroed in on a tight-knit group of friends and companions simply trying to make it through each day in a world gone crazy. This intimate scope added depth and authenticity to the plot which made the characters' struggles and triumphs feel more personal and real.
All in all Until the End of the World was an enjoyable and heartfelt read that was a fun and different addition to the zombie apocalypse genre. Sarah Lyons Fleming did a great job of combining tension, emotion, and moments of levity to create a story that is both thrilling and touching.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Julia Whelan did a fantastic job with the audio. She was good everything a good the tone of the story.
One of the novel's main strengths lay in its characters. The protagonist, Cassie, was incredibly easy to root for and displayed plenty of resilience and determination amidst chaos. She was more prepared than most to survive the zombie apocalypse thanks to her father having been a lifelong preppier for just such a world ending event!
The supporting cast were equally well-crafted with each character possessing distinctive and relatable traits. Despite their flaws and imperfections, the group of survivors we got were largely likable, showcasing the importance of camaraderie and solidarity in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The focus on a small-scale survival tale was particularly refreshing. Rather than attempting to save the world, the story zeroed in on a tight-knit group of friends and companions simply trying to make it through each day in a world gone crazy. This intimate scope added depth and authenticity to the plot which made the characters' struggles and triumphs feel more personal and real.
All in all Until the End of the World was an enjoyable and heartfelt read that was a fun and different addition to the zombie apocalypse genre. Sarah Lyons Fleming did a great job of combining tension, emotion, and moments of levity to create a story that is both thrilling and touching.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Julia Whelan did a fantastic job with the audio. She was good everything a good the tone of the story.
September 19, 2019
Finally, after much recommendations of this series, I started it and I LOVED it. I was already a fan of the walking dead, this is like that but better. It starts with a few infected and then it blows up. Cassie and her gang realize things are about to hit the fan and they need to get out of New York city asap.
The fast pace of the story works well and they group all have a purpose. There are a few characters I did not like at all. I swear to you I hated them then by the end of the book was like omg I love them they made the most of it, even if it took them longer than others.
They add to the group, and lose people it’s a pretty intense read but I was hooked. The ending though all the happy joy!
I loved the narration, she sounds exactly like another narrator I listen to and love so it was seamless for me.
The fast pace of the story works well and they group all have a purpose. There are a few characters I did not like at all. I swear to you I hated them then by the end of the book was like omg I love them they made the most of it, even if it took them longer than others.
They add to the group, and lose people it’s a pretty intense read but I was hooked. The ending though all the happy joy!
I loved the narration, she sounds exactly like another narrator I listen to and love so it was seamless for me.
May 23, 2020
1.5 stars. I dont know why this book has such a high rating. I felt zero invested in the characters and the zombie theme was a joke. Combining soap opera drama with zombies can be a hit but that wasn't the case with this one. I also felt like i was reading YA with everyone behaving like a 17yo but no, these people are pushing 30. It might have been the audio that ruined things for me. While i usually dig Julia Whelan, this whole thing sounded like a long nasal whine and all male characters had been injected with too much botox around the mouth and/or chewing tobacco non-stop.
A shame, i was looking forward to the next installments but this is not my cup.
A shame, i was looking forward to the next installments but this is not my cup.
August 23, 2013
What a refreshing take on apocalyptic lit. I love the genre in general but this raised the bar with a real story-strong backing. I can read almost any end of the world novel and find something that I enjoy, but I LOVED this book. It didn't just focus on the tension of a zombie apocalypse, but instead wove a story of friendship, love, and the human experience of survival. I smiled, I teared up, I was nervous of the outcome. It took me only 2 days to read...and I'd read it again. Beautifully done...and that's hard to come by in any apocalyptic lit!
June 21, 2021
**3.75**
Decent zombie apocalypse, but lacking in character development.
Reads like a YA, lots of bickering with a couple of annoying characters, one fade-to-black scene. I spent most of my time reading this book waiting for things to happen. Lots and lots of gardening, prepping, canning, shooting practice, and dealing with some bad humans. Usually I don’t mind a slower apocalypse story, but I need that characterization to take lead and it didn’t here.
Decent zombie apocalypse, but lacking in character development.
Reads like a YA, lots of bickering with a couple of annoying characters, one fade-to-black scene. I spent most of my time reading this book waiting for things to happen. Lots and lots of gardening, prepping, canning, shooting practice, and dealing with some bad humans. Usually I don’t mind a slower apocalypse story, but I need that characterization to take lead and it didn’t here.
July 18, 2024
A really good look at apocalyptic end of world scenario.
A mesh of personalities trying to survive.
You need to read the series in order.
Tbc ending....
It's a trilogy plus a 1.5 book about a side character from book 1.
But if you want a HEA for the main couple then don't read book 2.
A mesh of personalities trying to survive.
You need to read the series in order.
Tbc ending....
It's a trilogy plus a 1.5 book about a side character from book 1.
But if you want a HEA for the main couple then don't read book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2015
This book is now one of my all time favorites. I could not stop reading and finished it in two days. (I actually listened to it and the Narrator Julia Whelan, narrator of the year for 2014, did an amazing job bringing the story and characters to life.) The characters are so well developed, each with a very different and interesting personality, and each facing their own struggles in the "end of the world," that I grew to love each of them and became very involved in their struggles and successes. I laughed out loud at times and I cried during the sad parts. The author does a wonderful job of telling the main story of the end of the world while giving the reader a glimpse into the characters' past through memories of the main character. The characters' physical and emotional struggles and growth are very believable and make you stop and think "what would I do in this situation." There is not a lot of violence and gore, this book is about the human struggles and interactions, not so much about the zombies. The zombies are the element that bring the characters together and teach them important lessons about family and love. This story shows what happens when a tough situation brings out the best in people as opposed to the worst, which you will see in others that the main characters come into contact with throughout the story. Of course there are a couple of love stories playing out throughout the story, but just the right amount for people facing life or death situations. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what happens to these people I came to know and care about.
February 4, 2018
I picked this up on a whim without really reading the synopsis. I thought it was an apocalypse story, which it was, but it was the zombie apocalypse. See, I don’t go looking for zombie books, they find me. However, this was totally about the survival aspect and the zombies were the instigator. The story reminded me a lot of Mic Roland’s Siege of New Hampshire series. It even took place in the same general area.
It was a good story and it kept me turning pages but it had one major flaw. The protagonist, Cassie, didn’t lose one person to the zombie plague or the subsequent race to find somewhere safe. There are only two people in her life still not accounted for and I suspect they are books two and three. This took away from the realism. I was even willing to overlook the fact that Cassie’s parents were conveniently preppers who had a ready-to-go place filled with food but someone should’ve died. Instead, this plague turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her.
Aside from that flaw, I really liked it and will continue with the series. If you love happy endings and apocalyptic stories, this is totally the book for you.
It was a good story and it kept me turning pages but it had one major flaw. The protagonist, Cassie, didn’t lose one person to the zombie plague or the subsequent race to find somewhere safe. There are only two people in her life still not accounted for and I suspect they are books two and three. This took away from the realism. I was even willing to overlook the fact that Cassie’s parents were conveniently preppers who had a ready-to-go place filled with food but someone should’ve died. Instead, this plague turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her.
Aside from that flaw, I really liked it and will continue with the series. If you love happy endings and apocalyptic stories, this is totally the book for you.
January 27, 2016
Cassie has got a lot of depth, and following her story - and her journey - through a post-apocalyptic world was a real pleasure. Over the course of the book I became quite attached to pretty much all of the characters, faults and all.
The story is pretty typical - there's a viral outbreak of some sort, zombies attack, group of survivors band together to reach safety, etc. Happily, Cassie's parents were survivalists, so they've left her well set up.
But it's not the plot that drives this book - most zombie/apocalyptic books have pretty much the same plot, with a few minor tweaks and shifts. It's the characters, and they're a lot of fun to hang around with.
For the hardcore folks - there isn't a bunch of gore and chapter-long fight scenes. There are some, of course - but it's not intense, which works well for this book.
An easy read, well thought-out - recommended for sure.
The story is pretty typical - there's a viral outbreak of some sort, zombies attack, group of survivors band together to reach safety, etc. Happily, Cassie's parents were survivalists, so they've left her well set up.
But it's not the plot that drives this book - most zombie/apocalyptic books have pretty much the same plot, with a few minor tweaks and shifts. It's the characters, and they're a lot of fun to hang around with.
For the hardcore folks - there isn't a bunch of gore and chapter-long fight scenes. There are some, of course - but it's not intense, which works well for this book.
An easy read, well thought-out - recommended for sure.
August 4, 2017
Because one of my fave narrators (Julia Whelan) performs this story, I ended up listening to YA Zombie Apacolypse fiction & being vastly entertained :) Loved the warm friendships the author creates among the make-shift family members. The book definitely focuses more on the relationships & people joining together to survive than violence---tho' there is some of that. Even though the ending was quite satisfying, I think I'm going to have to finish to the series just so I'll know what happens. No grisly descriptions or bedrooms scenes. Some language. Fun read.
March 11, 2024
I Buddied with a friend, absolutely loved this one. Didn't want to put this one down.
July 19, 2025
4/18/2023 Review: According to the internet Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming is supposed to be one of the best zombie apocalypse books ever, but having read it I'm left confused. Why? There is nothing new or unique about this book, unless you consider a passive aggressive prepper Mary Sue to be special. There's no heartbreak; every climactic point peters off into nothing; half the characters are interchangeable and lack personalities; there's hardly any struggling for survival; deus ex machina appears multiple times. The protagonist Cassie spends most of the book hung up on an ex for some reason the reader is never privy to. Oh, and perhaps my biggest complaint: every heterosexual character ends up with a happy ending (hfn tbh since it's the apocalypse) while the gay character is left with bupkis. Dude is honestly a badass who spends the whole book suffering and doesn't even get anything to show for it at the end! Ugh. Infuriating.
Still going to finish the series though. I'm just in a zombie apocalypse kind of mood these days I guess (just wanting to read about myself RIP) ;_;
7/19/2025 Reread: I agree with everything I wrote in my previous review, but I have a few points I'd like to add. This series improves tremendously at around the 20% mark in the second book, and the author's writing gets better and better following that. This author writes some of my absolute favorite zombie apocalypse books of all time.
So, what changed? Well, it is clear that the author spent this first book writing a romance that just-so-happened to be set during the zombie apocalypse. The problem is that the romance elements are absolute trash. The flashbacks are dumb, the weird way protagonist Cassie interacts with her ex is dumb, the way she thinks about romance is dumb. It's just not good. What happens starting in book 2 is that the author shifts from emphasizing romance to emphasizing survival - and that makes all the difference. There is certainly still romance (in every series she writes, actually), but the books are about surviving the zombie apocalypse, not romance during the zombie apocalypse.
Another issue I have is that this book in particular reads a bit weird. Everyone has cell phones, yes, but I find nicknaming a kid "Bits" to read like the 1950s rather than the 2010s. Cassie's attitude towards Peter and Ana (and their attitudes towards her) is just... really strange. I also think there are some slightly weird attitudes towards gender and even sexuality, although that's more of a gut feeling and nothing out of place a decade ago. Tonally the book reads sort of like Stephen King - like it was written by someone who grew up in a different time but doesn't totally "get" what life is like for The Youths today. But again, a lot of these issues are resolved as this series progresses, and they are absent in other books by this author. I think a lot of this can be blamed on this being a debut novel.
Still going to finish the series though. I'm just in a zombie apocalypse kind of mood these days I guess (just wanting to read about myself RIP) ;_;
7/19/2025 Reread: I agree with everything I wrote in my previous review, but I have a few points I'd like to add. This series improves tremendously at around the 20% mark in the second book, and the author's writing gets better and better following that. This author writes some of my absolute favorite zombie apocalypse books of all time.
So, what changed? Well, it is clear that the author spent this first book writing a romance that just-so-happened to be set during the zombie apocalypse. The problem is that the romance elements are absolute trash. The flashbacks are dumb, the weird way protagonist Cassie interacts with her ex is dumb, the way she thinks about romance is dumb. It's just not good. What happens starting in book 2 is that the author shifts from emphasizing romance to emphasizing survival - and that makes all the difference. There is certainly still romance (in every series she writes, actually), but the books are about surviving the zombie apocalypse, not romance during the zombie apocalypse.
Another issue I have is that this book in particular reads a bit weird. Everyone has cell phones, yes, but I find nicknaming a kid "Bits" to read like the 1950s rather than the 2010s. Cassie's attitude towards Peter and Ana (and their attitudes towards her) is just... really strange. I also think there are some slightly weird attitudes towards gender and even sexuality, although that's more of a gut feeling and nothing out of place a decade ago. Tonally the book reads sort of like Stephen King - like it was written by someone who grew up in a different time but doesn't totally "get" what life is like for The Youths today. But again, a lot of these issues are resolved as this series progresses, and they are absent in other books by this author. I think a lot of this can be blamed on this being a debut novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 920 reviews