Official Review: THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apoca...
-
ALRyder
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 20 Jan 2014, 14:01
- Currently Reading: The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke
- Bookshelf Size: 13
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alryder.html
- Latest Review: "Diet Enlightenment" by Rachel L. Pires
Official Review: THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apoca...
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apocalypse" by Kirby Wright.]
Share This Review
The End, My Friend: Prelude to the Apocalypse by Kirby Wright is a book of how a couple survives anarchy in America. The world has not been taken over by zombies, aliens, or an infectious virus; instead, Wright has introduced us to a future that rings true to many Americans.
The prologue is used as an introduction to the new world order. We are told of the nation’s collapse, and how it all happened. While the prologue is written in first person it isn’t personal, but rather a wide scale view. It is the facts through and through, and it is written in a way that is both frightening and eloquent.
“My name is Tony Pernicano.” is the first sentence of chapter one, beginning the introduction to our protagonist. While I really enjoyed the way that things were introduced in the prologue, I felt that the introductions with the protagonist could have been shortened up a bit. I had begun to wonder if the entire story was going to be telling about things happening, and not actually showing anything. The book does eventually get into the real story of Tony and his wife, Evo, it just took a little longer than I would have liked.
The couple faces many a challenge. Some of the challenges were of their own making, and some troubles seemed to seek them out. It wasn’t rape and pillaging every which way you turned, though people with little morals were definitely present. There were still good people in the world, but most of all everyone's simply fighting to survive.
What I think this book really showed, was the United States being flipped on its head, and bearing a shocking resemblance to a third world country. In a lot of ways we are shown what a great country America is, not because of the government, or money, or average American life, but because of its richness in natural resources. If someone has the ability and want, it is completely plausible for that person to be able to live off the land. There are places in the world where this is hardly an option.
In terms of characters, while I didn’t entirely relate to the protagonist and his wife I didn’t dislike them either. Tony is portrayed as an average joe who is willing to take what he’s given in life and go with the flow. For the most part, I found many of his struggles to be realistic, though I was hoping for a little more back story. We are told a few things about Tony's brother, but just enough to give a taste, not enough to really satiate your curiosity. Part of the reason Wright may have chosen to hold so much back, was because he wanted this book to be about the events happening in the here and now of the story, but I really feel I would have connected more if I had been allowed to get to know the characters a little better. There were times I even felt that we were told more interesting details about side characters than our two main ones.
The one thing that I can say lost most of the realism for me was the lack of struggle for food. Winter hits and they’re still able to make delicious gourmet meals with no worries about stores dwindling. I would think they would be a little more cautious of consuming so much, and there would be some explanation as to where all of the extra supplies came from.
Evo is said to be pregnant from the beginning, which for me was the only thing to really make this book any different than others on the same topic. Even so, I'm sure a pregnant woman has been thrown in here and there...Wait...there was also a cat with cancer who they fed chemo pills. That was definitely different from the norm. Back on the topic of Evo being pregnant, I thought it odd that it was never really said how far along Evo was. We are told in the beginning that she is pregnant, but time and again we are also told how hot Evo looks in all the skimpy outfits she wears. I can understand that Tony would be attracted to her no matter what, but up until nearing the very end her body is described as perfection.
I also had an issue with how much Evo drank wine throughout the story. Yes, I know that some mothers drink while pregnant no matter what research has shown us, but no one ever even acts like it’s odd. I would think SOMEONE would say something about it. Instead, her drinking is mentioned time and again with no qualms.
I felt that this book was meant to make you think. I suppose it did, but at the same time there are many books like this out there, and I just don’t see this one standing above the rest. Many of the situations were predictable in my opinion, and at times the dialogue was a little choppy, not quite reading true. A lot of the people in this book spoke very much the same as well.
In terms of writing style, though it could be slow at times, it worked for this type of book. This is not an action packed thriller, but more of a book written to make you think, with a few edge of your seat moments added in along the way. It was, what I would describe as a slow burn that stayed pretty consistent all the way through. I will also give the warning that it is written in present tense. While this isn’t something that completely stops me from reading a book, it does take me a while to get used to.
To me, this was just another book in the genre. It was decent, don’t get me wrong, but not stellar, and I feel that when writing a book in an oversaturated market it better be a stellar read if you want a super high rating. With all that being said, it was still a pretty decent read, and I would suggest it to any major fans of the genre.
When all is said and done I’m rating The End, My Friend: Prelude to the Apocalypse 3 out of 4 stars. Not too shabby.
***
Buy "THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apocalypse" on Amazon
Buy "THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apocalypse" on Barnes and Noble
Share This Review
The prologue is used as an introduction to the new world order. We are told of the nation’s collapse, and how it all happened. While the prologue is written in first person it isn’t personal, but rather a wide scale view. It is the facts through and through, and it is written in a way that is both frightening and eloquent.
“My name is Tony Pernicano.” is the first sentence of chapter one, beginning the introduction to our protagonist. While I really enjoyed the way that things were introduced in the prologue, I felt that the introductions with the protagonist could have been shortened up a bit. I had begun to wonder if the entire story was going to be telling about things happening, and not actually showing anything. The book does eventually get into the real story of Tony and his wife, Evo, it just took a little longer than I would have liked.
The couple faces many a challenge. Some of the challenges were of their own making, and some troubles seemed to seek them out. It wasn’t rape and pillaging every which way you turned, though people with little morals were definitely present. There were still good people in the world, but most of all everyone's simply fighting to survive.
What I think this book really showed, was the United States being flipped on its head, and bearing a shocking resemblance to a third world country. In a lot of ways we are shown what a great country America is, not because of the government, or money, or average American life, but because of its richness in natural resources. If someone has the ability and want, it is completely plausible for that person to be able to live off the land. There are places in the world where this is hardly an option.
In terms of characters, while I didn’t entirely relate to the protagonist and his wife I didn’t dislike them either. Tony is portrayed as an average joe who is willing to take what he’s given in life and go with the flow. For the most part, I found many of his struggles to be realistic, though I was hoping for a little more back story. We are told a few things about Tony's brother, but just enough to give a taste, not enough to really satiate your curiosity. Part of the reason Wright may have chosen to hold so much back, was because he wanted this book to be about the events happening in the here and now of the story, but I really feel I would have connected more if I had been allowed to get to know the characters a little better. There were times I even felt that we were told more interesting details about side characters than our two main ones.
The one thing that I can say lost most of the realism for me was the lack of struggle for food. Winter hits and they’re still able to make delicious gourmet meals with no worries about stores dwindling. I would think they would be a little more cautious of consuming so much, and there would be some explanation as to where all of the extra supplies came from.
Evo is said to be pregnant from the beginning, which for me was the only thing to really make this book any different than others on the same topic. Even so, I'm sure a pregnant woman has been thrown in here and there...Wait...there was also a cat with cancer who they fed chemo pills. That was definitely different from the norm. Back on the topic of Evo being pregnant, I thought it odd that it was never really said how far along Evo was. We are told in the beginning that she is pregnant, but time and again we are also told how hot Evo looks in all the skimpy outfits she wears. I can understand that Tony would be attracted to her no matter what, but up until nearing the very end her body is described as perfection.
I also had an issue with how much Evo drank wine throughout the story. Yes, I know that some mothers drink while pregnant no matter what research has shown us, but no one ever even acts like it’s odd. I would think SOMEONE would say something about it. Instead, her drinking is mentioned time and again with no qualms.
I felt that this book was meant to make you think. I suppose it did, but at the same time there are many books like this out there, and I just don’t see this one standing above the rest. Many of the situations were predictable in my opinion, and at times the dialogue was a little choppy, not quite reading true. A lot of the people in this book spoke very much the same as well.
In terms of writing style, though it could be slow at times, it worked for this type of book. This is not an action packed thriller, but more of a book written to make you think, with a few edge of your seat moments added in along the way. It was, what I would describe as a slow burn that stayed pretty consistent all the way through. I will also give the warning that it is written in present tense. While this isn’t something that completely stops me from reading a book, it does take me a while to get used to.
To me, this was just another book in the genre. It was decent, don’t get me wrong, but not stellar, and I feel that when writing a book in an oversaturated market it better be a stellar read if you want a super high rating. With all that being said, it was still a pretty decent read, and I would suggest it to any major fans of the genre.
When all is said and done I’m rating The End, My Friend: Prelude to the Apocalypse 3 out of 4 stars. Not too shabby.
***
Buy "THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apocalypse" on Amazon
Buy "THE END, MY FRIEND: Prelude to the Apocalypse" on Barnes and Noble
Latest Review: "Diet Enlightenment" by Rachel L. Pires
-
kibs33
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 09 Sep 2013, 13:34
- Bookshelf Size: 3
Thanks a bunch for getting me all depressed over your crapola review.
I hope you are happy.
I hope you are happy.
