The Bar at the End of the World

The Watchers, Book 1

By: Tom Abrahams

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

A starving city. A renegade bootlegger. A battle for the future of mankind. 

Zeke is a bad guy. He didn’t choose to be. It’s just who he is. It’s who he has to be to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where trust is as scarce as water. 

He's got nobody. No family. No friends. And he left behind the woman he loved for her own good. 

But it's time to change. After a brush with death far out in the wasteland, he decides he's done risking his life to help his greedy bosses control who gets to drink water and when. 

Now, he's stranded in a bar in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the perfect kind of ruffians who can help him go back and make things right. Armed with renewed purpose and a one-of-a-kind muscle car, Zeke hunts for redemption, seeks retribution and, maybe, just maybe, he can get his girl back while he’s at it. 

Take a ride across the wasteland in Tom Abrahams' newest post-apocalyptic, dystopian series, but with a fantasy twist. It will leave you wondering just what it means to be human. 

It's perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Hugh Howey, and Stephen King's The Dark Tower.

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

A Completely Unique Post-Apocalyptic Tale

A fair warning. I’m going to try my hardest to not spoil this book but I fear that will be impossible. Abrahams wrote a story that has something in the middle of it that really defines the book. And it’s really hard to write a review without talking about that point. I don’t even want to say what the story reminded me of because saying that sort of gives it away.

The Bar At The End of the World will be both familiar and different for those of you who are used to Abrahams’ other stories. Sure, it’s a post-apocalyptic world. But it’s completely different than his other stories. The main issue in this apocalypse is water… or the lack of it. There are two rival factions who control, distribute, and bootleg water to the people left. That is where most of the similarities go out the window (though I will say that once we meet Uriel she did remind me a bit of a darker version of another character from another story that Abrahams wrote).

So, here’s where I would talk about the part of the story that really shocked me, but I can’t without spoiling it. Let me say that it had one of those Fight Club-like reveals to it. Once you know that (spoiler alert for Fight Club) the narrator and Tyler Durden are the same person and you re-watch Fight Club it’s a completely different movie). Once I found out the big reveal that Abrahams wrote into The Bar At The End of the World I was like, well I probably should have seen it coming but I didn’t.

The story itself is one about redemption, love, loss, and a bunch of other issues that make us human. Just know if you liked Abrahams’ other books, you’ll enjoy this one. But if you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic tale that’s unlike anything I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a lot of PA books) then this one will really be for you.

Overall, I thought that Abrahams wrote a fantastic book that really provided me with tons of entertainment but also a fair amount of shock and awe. One that I won’t forget for some time. One that I can’t wait to see what else happens in this world.

Meh story, great narrator.

The problem with growing old, and loving to read, is that I keep running across stories that use the same, old, worn out formula. Bad boy wants to do right and save the girl. Again.
The writing was good, the characters were realistic and believable, the author did a great job of putting me inside each characters head so I could really understand their motivations and beliefs, and I liked the fantasy/supernatural twist and the mysteries the main character was slowly unraveling, but I'm tired of the whole, "Yes, I was a bad boy who did bad things for bad people, but it wasn't my fault, and I'm really a good guy inside." theme.
And the ending really disappointed me, The prologue is all about one of the main characters in the story. All through the story, this guy is sort of the bad guy, but the author makes it clear, he's not all bad, he just has his own view on how to do "the right thing". The prologue is about what happens to this character. As it progresses, it seems like the author is setting up this guy to return in the next story. I'm thinking we will get to learn more about this guy and see him grow and develop. Will he change and "see the light", or will he go all in to the "dark side"? I'm looking forward to this story. Then the author takes the easy way out and goes for the cheap vengeance thrill. SO DISAPPOINTING!
The story has a few chapters of torturing the damsel in distress, which I totally skipped over. Doesn't seem like I missed anything important. And there are plenty of fights, gun battles, explosions, car chases, etc., which I sometimes skipped over, I'm just more interested in the characters and the mysteries, than the action. Did I mention I'm old and jaded? I think I did.
So, I like the author, I like the world building, I like the way he lets me get inside each character's head and I like the way he sets up and slowly reveals the mysteries. I absolutely love Jonathan Davis narration. I just feel like I've read this story too many time already.
I'm still going to get the rest of this series, because I want to learn more about these characters and hopefully find out more about some of the supporting characters, like the bartender- there's a lot more to know about this guy.

So good!!!

Post apocalyptic fantasy is a genre I never knew I needed! Wow. Tom Abrahams is a great writer and this is my first intro to him. Will be seeking out more.

Salvation

Running from water bootleggers and wastelanders you come upon a Bar with your last gasp of life. You are offered assistance and aid, the catch, you have to go back and take care of finished business. This was a great story of redemption, the end times, and maybe a little divine intervention. There are so many layers here and I can't wait for the sequel. If you liked Mad Max and Good Omens I think you will enjoy this story.

Last call for Post-Apoc fans!

Tom Abrahams gives us a ride into the surreal wasteland of post-apocalyptic America that's rich in vivid imagery, characters and intrigue. It's a bountiful bonus to have Jonathan Davis pour out the saga. Here we're met with Zeke who's running from both the government and the water bootleggers known as the Tick. Having left the love of his life to their untender mercies, he finds refuge in a literal middle of nowhere bar that serves as a sanctuary for all who cross its threshold. Afterward, he teams up with a mysterious tatooed girl and band of equally tight-lipped muscle men to go find his lost love. Straightforward so far, except that nothing is about any of the players is what it seems. Buckle up and join the start of The Watchers series. It's going to be a dangerous trip.

Engaging Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Scifi

This is a fast-paced, yet thought-provoking work. The car chases and fights are interspersed with reflections on the characters' lives and the balance of good and evil, human nature and the choices we make in life and how they determine both our future and those of the people around us. An enjoyable listen that works both as the introduction to a series it is meant to be and also stands alone without the true need for more. As the official description says: perfect for fans of A.G. Riddle, Hugh Howey, and Stephen King's The Dark Tower!

Disclaimer: I was given this a free review copy audiobook and have voluntarily left this review.

Has a Mad Max feel, with awesome car chases.

This book has a Mad Max feel to it, which I really enjoy. The author does a great job blending fantasy with dystopian in this book. There are awesome car chases and epic fight scenes. The character development is great in this book. You can never say which characters are truly good or evil, because most of them often find themselves on both sides of the same coin. The narrator has a kind of raspy voice that really fits this book. He does a great job with all of the characters' voices, and his narration voice really helps bring the environment to life. Overall, an enjoyable listen and I’m looking forward to book two.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Another Grand Slam

Tom Abrahams continues to amaze. He truly is a wonder. His ability to craft a story and make it believable, personal, thrilling, and deeply moving is a most rare talent. And he keeps it clean. It's hard to put into words how much that is appreciated. The world he has created here has flashes of the Traveler series, but it's got a punk-esque kick to it. If the post apocalypse had a bit of a rebel kick, this would be it, with all its flash and imagery. One thing that he always adds is a need for an element, usually water. The great derth, as in this case. And in this chasm, the Tick come in and the Overseers. And this creates a world of intrigue, spies, bootlegging, and doing anything to survive. And to stay one step ahead of the powers that be. Abrahams uses the lack of water, instead of say an EMP, to create a most vivid and palpable PA world. The reader is there, feels it, and can believe it is very probable. So here's to Zeke, Leigh, Pedro, and all the other amazing characters the brilliant Tom Abrahams has created in the Watchers series.

Jonathan Davis is a revelation here. He's absolutely perfect for this series. It fits him, suits his talent. One knew he was good but he shows he's astounding here. And why he's the main voice in the Star Wars series. BRAVO!!!

WOW!!

This book is soo well-written. The energy and intensity it's amazing. The underlying fight between good and evil is Epic. The epilogue had me yelling yes, yes, YES! as I was driving. The audible version of this is just fantastic. Tom Abrahams, I love all of your work, but this is a vivid, colorful, epic masterpiece.

Heaven or Hell or somehere in between

On the surface, an adventure story, but beneath the surface is a philosophical essay that challenges concepts trust, love, heaven, hell, and purgatory. What is fascinating is the unique character development which is absolutely pristine and detailed. The story is extremely fast-paced a brutally graphic. But this is a story that makes you think and look at the alternative views karma, justice, right and wrong.
The "Watchers" starts a creative new genre that will expand I am sure and likely to expand its adventure and philosophy.
You will enjoy this audiobook as the narration is excellent and is supported by a great book.

Interesting twisting this storyline

Great interesting novel with some different themes running throughout and providing some very interesting twists throughout. The characters are well constructed and the way they are introduced ( without spoiling anything) only heightens the story and add to the suspense.

I was looking forward to listening/reading this book and it did not disappoint in the slightest and I will definitely be looking for other books by Tom Abraham’s the author.

it's average

I have to be honest it started out great then lots of sub stories on the way to help world building just made this messy in the middle. the narrator I didn't like the story righted itself towards the end