Official Review: Final Notice by Van Fleisher

[John Kingsley Ken]

Wow that's really interesting, knowing when I have to say my goodbyes? Technology is really improving daily, I really love the way the book leaves the reader to ponder on various topics after reading, nice job

[Elize Vermaak]

This sounds like a very interesting novel to read. The idea of having a watch that gives you your “final notice” is appealing and frightening at the same time. Should we really be able to know when our time on earth is up? Will it make things better or worse knowing? I think that with something like this, people's true morals will come to the foreground.

[Jack King]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Final Notice by Van Fleisher is a fiction novel that is not that far from reality. This book is set in the United States of America and follows the consequences of a new device that can predict the final days of a human's life. In this novel, a group of doctors have created a watch that, by monitoring your health and vital signs 24/7, is able to predict the end of life as long as it is connected to old age or sickness. This watch is based on science and not magic, therefore it can not predict sudden death as in a car accident or murder. With this new watch, people are able to get a “final notice” anywhere from a month to a few days before their time is up. Originally this sounds like a great idea, a device that will allow people to know exactly when they should start preparing themselves for the end. Citizens are now able to fix up their wills, tie any loose ends, and say their goodbyes before it is too late. Unfortunately, when guns are mixed into the equation, we soon find out that not everyone leaves life on a good note. While some people use this notice to give to charity and spend time with their loved ones, others decide to settle scores and take revenge because they know they will not be alive to deal with the consequences.

This novel follows the doctors who invented the device, the people who get their final notice, and in the middle of all that, an elderly couple who, in this increasingly hostile world, are faced with the decision of whether they need a gun for their own safety.

The plot of this book immediately caught my attention because it involved the much disputed topic of gun ownership. I am happy to say that my attention never wavered while reading this novel. The characters are likable and multidimensional. Initially, I was a bit worried about the number of characters with final notices that were being introduced, but that was all for naught since the author kept the character count low so I was able to remember each and every character. The plot was perfectly paced and I appreciated that the author was able to tie up everything quite nicely without making the ending feel rushed. This book also has an element of thrill to it. I kept on turning the pages because I was impatient to see how each character who received a final notice would react. I have to congratulate the author on the ability to surprise me multiple times throughout the story. This novel proves that we never really know people as well as we think we do.

The best thing about this novel is that it leaves you with a lot to think about. I think it is a story that will stay with readers. The debate about gun ownership is ongoing, and this book asks a lot of important questions that we should all be thinking about in our daily lives. Personally, I kept on going back and forth when it came to who should be blamed for the violent reactions of some of the people who receive the final notices. Is it the doctors’ fault for giving the person a reason to harm others? Is it the person’s own responsibility for what they do when they know they are about to die? Or is it the government's fault for making it easier for the average citizen to weaponize themselves? There are many answers to that question, but you have to read the book to see what the author thinks.

I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars. Overall, Final Notice by Van Fleisher was an enjoyable and well-edited read that explores a controversial subject. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is on the fence about owning a gun. If you are pro-gun ownership, I suggest you steer clear of this novel since it is mostly biased towards anti-gun ownership for the average citizen. I also feel that I have to mention that this book does include school shootings, so if you are sensitive to this topic I would recommend you pass on reading this novel.

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Final Notice
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Like Sarah_Khan's review? Post a comment saying so!

I love the concept behind this book and like all great science fiction the technology feels just real enough that it is very believable!

[Vincehealler]

The concept of having a device that tells one about his or her time of demise is entirely wonderful and creative. I love the plot and storyline of the book, and I'd love to know what happened to the couple in the end. Thank you for your honest review.

[Tara D Morgan]

It sounds like this is an interesting and well-written book. Your review has got me thinking, would I want to know when I would die? It's hard to know. I won't, however, be reading this book. There are too many reports on the news of the needless deaths of people in America because guns are so readily available. It makes me so angry when I hear about it, so I can guarantee I won't enjoy this book! Great review, though thank you for all the information, which has made me able to make an informed choice

[Phoebe Felix]

Now I'm wondering, what if I know how long I have to live? What will I do with what's left of my life? I agree that, though fictional, this book isn't far from reality.

[Esther Godwin Ogechi]

Being able to know when one will die is a very critical topic and not everyone will take it lightly. I love the storyline of this book and the review covers it very well.

[G D H]

The first recorded homicide may or may not have been the first, and while the pangs of guilt may plausibly have been undeniably and unbearably present, it sure has gotten a lot easier to imagine killing someone, and even much more to actually carry out the killing. In the country I was groomed in, Northern men arm themselves with matchetes and kill if they must, without a shroud of fear, far less of regret. Like the US and other pro-gun states, my country ought, perhaps, to discuss matchete-ownership laws. Of course, I am being sarcastic. What I want to point out is that people do not kill people because of guns, they would carry out the killings even without guns. In this age of iron and steel and a lot of woodwork, nearly everything is a weapon. You can walk into your hostile neighbour’s apartment, grab the wooden ladle in his kitchen or the baseball bat from his basement, get into stealth mode, and knock him out the moment he steps back in absent-minded. And by (knock) out, I mean (knock) dead. Guns just make it a lot easier; you can just walk up to someone, anyone, hold them at gunpoint in a moment, and shoot them in the next. Nevertheless, it’s a very interesting discussion that this book dives in. The idea of banking on a final notice, however to some extent, really has me hooked.

[Abril Zacca]

Final Notice by Van Fleisher is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that explores the consequences of a device that can predict the final days of a human's life. With likeable characters and a perfectly paced plot, the book raises important questions about gun ownership and personal responsibility. Congratulations on BOTD.

[Donna Walker]

I'm so excited that I just got a free copy of this book. It sounds intriguing and absolutely fascinating. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if this was made into a movie. It's one I would certainly watch. Great review!

[Cynthia Christabel Okolobi]

I am quite intrigued by the plot. Even though in this lifetime that kind of watch may be created, I don't think I'll get one. The thought of knowing when you will depart from this earth will be rather overwhelming.

[Esther Lisa Jones]

Wow, what a book! Hmmm, a device that tells how long I have to live sounds kinda scary. It's not funny at all to have a final notice when you have so much planned out for your life. The worry won't let you enjoy the remaining days you have to live. The question about gun ownership is one I don't have an answer to. Thanks for this great review. I would love to read this intriguing book of the day.

[Domeseo Camus Meda]

A FICTION BOOK TO READ. KNOWING WHEN WE ARE GOING TO DIE MUST BE VERY STRESSFUL AND VERY SAD.
CREATING A MACHINE THAT CAN PROLONG LIFE WHILE REMAINING HEALTHY WILL BE THE BEST INVENTION. GOOD REVIEW

[NadiaBoateng]

Final notice seems scary enough. The plot of Final Notice is a very unique and captivating one. It reminds me of the movie "In Time". I think if a time watch were to be created in real life, it will cause a lot of chaos and pandemonium.

[Famzi Ken]

I have read the second book in this series. It's interesting what that watch can do. However, its misuse is inevitable because, indeed, not everyone has a good heart. Great review.