The Girl at the End of the World

By: Richard Levesque

Narrated by: LC Kane

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Her fight begins the day the world ends.

Scarlett Fisher is an average California teenager. She likes hanging out with her friends and talking on the phone. She does all right at school, and she's made the best of her parents' divorce. But in one way, she's special: on her 15th birthday, a fast-moving plague wipes out everyone she's ever known, yet somehow it passes her by.

Her family dead, alone in a corpse-strewn metropolis, she has no choice but to survive. She needs food, shelter, a safe place to sleep. She discovers that an ordinary girl is capable of extraordinary things, and that she's more resilient than she imagined. Even so, she wishes more than anything that she could just find another survivor.

Unfortunately for Scarlett, not everyone who survived the plague is looking for companionship. And she's about to find out just how difficult survival really is.

©2013 Richard Levesque (P)2015 Richard Levesque

MAYBE YOUR THE COCKROACH

BURNT SULFUR
Not sure if it was the writer or the narrator, but the whiney beginning was over the top. First of all if Scarlet is the main character, acting as if she is going to die in the first hour is ridiculous. We know she is the main character and we know that there are hours left in the book, so pretending she is going to die is almost insulting. No zombies in this book, people go crazy and then their faces blow up fairly quickly. I actually thought the whole spore thing with stalks coming out of the face was a cool idea, would like to see that in a more adult version. There are lots of good young adult books out there, but this is not one of them. Frankly Scarlet, I just don't give a ____.

Great novel, even if you're not into YA

I'm usually not a big fan of YA, nor of post-apocalyptic novel. So I would definitely not have picked this book up if it had not been written by an author I've come to love (it was the 4th book by Richard Levesque that I read).

And I'm really glad that I listened to it! Even though it is YA it is still very interesting for an adult. The teenage girl was very mature (maybe even sometimes slightly too much so, with the overthinking of some of her actions - it makes sense in the context that she's trying to not make any mistake, but still, she's just 15, I wouldn't have expected that much maturity and detachment in her reasoning).

I found the beginning a bit slow (but maybe it is just me not liking the description of how the fungus spread and killed almost everyone), but then I was really fascinated by how she managed to survive, how she anticipated what she would need, learned new skills to be ready for almost anything.

I loved the fact that she's a very strong female character. She did not wait for anyone to help her out, did not wait for a 'knight in a shiny armour' to save her, like some female characters in many books do, she just took her destiny into her own hands, and one step at a time did everything she needed in order to survive. She did not lose any time to feel sorry for herself, apart of course some nostalgia of the time before the plague.

And you can tell that the author spent time researching how to survive in a hostile environment, the facts seem to make sense, I did not have any eye-rolling moment when I would find the explanations just silly.


As for the narrator, I found her narration very good, easy to follow, with enough acting and changing her voice for each characters to make the story even more interesting, but without it being in the way of the story. I just had some troubles understanding the people in haz-mat suits, but that's just a very minor point.

In short, I would definitely recommend that book, especially if you like strong-willed female characters, and want to know how she managed to survive without depending on somebody else.

Disclosure: I received this audiobook as a giveaway by the author (no strings attached, not even the promise of a review).

apocalypse with a twist

How would you feel if you were in Scarlett Fisher? Celebrating her 15th birthday with her dad and his family at a baseball game. When all the sudden you think the man behind you is so drunk and worried about your half siblings. Repeating over and over again the same thing, “Foul Ball!” Her dad was getting worried about his family as well as other fans around them over this guys’ outburst. Then all of the sudden the man falls over dead and these plants come shooting out of his nose and mouth. A puff of a cloud she thought was smoke. Scarlett was not sure or her family. Then all around them more people were going delirious. Then falling over and plants of some kind came shooting out of them. Scarlett’s family rushing to leave as everyone else to get back to the safety of home.

Getting home and doing what was suggested by taping all the windows and any way for whatever this was out. But, then Scarlett is worried as well about her mom and sister calling them. Only to one moment hear them and later receiving a message of don’t come here. Then her Dad and his family. Her best friend and her family. But, not her. Why not her?

What was happening to everyone? Why all of the sudden were homes bursting into flames. Scarlett not really knowing what to do after her own family dies. She gets some supplies from her dad’s home. then, she heads for her friends’ home only to a short time later the whole family dies. She takes her friend’s parents car even though she has no idea how to drive. But, she gets out of there and fast. Scarlett just kept on driving till she was clear of the town she knew so well.

Coming into an area Scarlett knew she had to get more supplies. She spots a sporting goods store. Perfect. For what she had was barely enough for one or two days. She heads for it and trouble. This is where her adventure really gets started. Will Scarlett meet more like her not effect by this virus. That they were calling it before no one else was transmitting the air waves? She does meet others and not on so friendly terms. What do they want?

Well, this is a well written book by Richard Levensque. Thought the way it started here we go again another apocalypse type book. Don’t get me wrong love apocalyptic books. However, this had a different twist on it. From a young girl’s point of view. A virus. Where did it come from? Warfare, an experiment that went wrong and got out. It was not hard to envision the plants exploding out of the bodies of people. For the narrator LC Kane was exceptionally great at conveying the feelings of Scarlett. A narration within a narration. Richard wrote the fear of the ones effected, the dread on their faces as they watch others die only to do the same. LC Kane conveyed it. The fear of Scarlett when she delivers a baby. Why she was only 15, how in the world is she going to deliver this baby? When she hadn’t been on a date yet! How when Scarlett comes across the bad guy! Yes, you know that there will be the bad guy. How her and the other capturers plan their escape. It was a standalone read. So no worries if you are afraid this is it and you will be left hanging. He does end it with an update in future years. Is it just Scarlett or did they all survive? Something you will have to listen for yourself

LC Kanes performance of Scarlett was really good. She had the perfect voice for a young girl. She does the accents well for a couple of the characters and okay for Chad with that young male voice. Setting aside the voices, it was the performance of the book that brought Richard’s story to life. The drama of the scenes from the fear, anger and concern in her voice for the characters. I will look forward to other books narrated by LC Kane.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.

Please find this complete review and many others at audiobookreviewer dot com

[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]

YA PA story with fast plot & good heroine

This PA novel was very readable, a quiet gem (despite the lurid pulp fiction cover). A strange creepy plague strikes Los Angeles, and quickly spreads, killing almost everyone. Our protagonist, a girl celebrating her 15th birthday at a Dodgers game, is exposed. She survives the contamination and watches as the world around her dies. The scenes of her outside her best friend's house, as her friends stop responding to text messages, seemed real and scary. She makes decent decisions for survival, and experiences sincere fear, panic, and despair as she wonders if she is the only person alive. In her loneliness,she attracts the attention of more survivors, but the friendly-seeming group are not so friendly after all.

I really appreciated how real Scarlett seemed. Her emotional reactions are careful and yet age-appropriate. She doesn't fall into weepy depression, double-guess herself, act sassy and sarcastic, or look for someone to save her. Even when she meets a boy her age, they are equals instead of her hoping that he is her white knight. She plays a full part in her escape from dangerous circumstances, but she doesn't have special powers or too much luck to be believed. The plot moves quickly in the book, as PA stories usually do. The language is straightforward, yet doesn't leave out descriptive details or small moments of beauty either. I felt very in the moment while listening to the book, caught up in the story. While I would have happily read a sequel, I was satisfied by the ending of the book - and it may have been stronger for it.

I kept thinking that this book is what California (the popular YA PA book from last summer) tried and failed to be.

NOTE: I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was pretty sure that I would enjoy the book, since I very much enjoyed his sci-fi detective noir novel Strictly Analog.

A good Post Apocalyptic read.

Any additional comments?

When Scarlett goes to a Baseball game for her birthday, she had no idea that it would change her life forever! She loses everything and everyone she loves. She is among a rare few who is immune to the deadly disease that swept the world and this is her tale.

This is kind of told in 2 parts, the first being the story of Scarlett at the start of the plague and her loneliness and the second part is about Scarlett meeting other survivors and how even then her life changes in another big way.

The beginning does a great job of showing what it's like to lose everything. Scarlett goes from being a normal 15 year old, to a girl alone and trying to survive. The plague is so fast and unexpected that it catches everyone by surprise. People who catch it usually die within a few days.

Scarlett is such an awesome heroine. She is very resourceful and knows what she needs to do. She is only 15 and yet despite seeing dead bodies everywhere, she keeps her cool. She knows she needs food and safe shelter so sets out to find both. I really liked her strength and admired her tenacity.

The second half focuses on when Scarlett meets some survivors. She is even more tenacious this time round because she has more to loose now. She grows up quickly and my heart breaks for her so much during this time.

One thing I have to say is that when the plague was first described and the first man dies, Scarlett says that stalks shoot out of his head and spores blast out from it. I was then picturing people dying with mushrooms growing out of them!! Lol. I liked that the plague is a fungus which I thought was really unique and different!

In all, a really good and different Post Apocalyptic read. It's not the most action packed book but that's because it's a story of surviving the aftermath. It's a story of struggle, of heartache and one of hope.

I listened to the audio, and let me tell you that LC Kane did an amazing job with this book. She portrayed the heartache and loneliness perfectly. She made my heart break for Scarlett!! There are certain times during the book where it felt like the narrator had a tough time fighting back the tears, she really put her all into this book and it showed!!

The girl

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl at the End of the World?

This is a Young Adult, post-apocalyptic novel! It's not often readers get to witness the world end through the narration of The Girl at the End of the World, you are there to experience Scarlett's shock and disbelief as the world as she knows it simply ends. Lots of excitement from beginning to end.

A Deadly Plague, You're 15 and Alone.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Girl at the End of the World to be better than the print version?

The audio version of "Girl at the End of the World" is enhanced by bringing to life, the characters by LC Kane's wonderful performance. This could be a dark narrative, but is kept light and flowing by having these characters come alive with LC Kane's portrayal of these characters. Very relate-able characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl at the End of the World?

There were several memorable moments. Not to spoil the story - the characters have been thrust into a very difficult survival situation. Each character is coming from a different mindset and perspective of how best to survive. The plague is bad enough, How do you survive the survivors?

What about LC Kane’s performance did you like?

Great voice. You can see this 15 year old "Scarlette", and hear her voice as a real person. She sounds like a 15 year old. You wonder how you would handle a survival situation at 15. The accents and portrayals were spot on. These characters came alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My most noted reaction of this book is one of enjoyment. It is a walk on a sunny day with a really serious situation. Light and fun. Like a zombie movie without the zombies.

Any additional comments?

Disclaimer - This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. The book has to have a good story line, the performance has to make the characters believable. The reader has to be able to relate, and like the book. The book and performance wins on all counts. Very simply, I enjoyed it. If you are looking for a fun read, vs. an intense zombie blood and gore book, you will like this on a rainy day, or laying on a sunny beach.

Not your typical PA novel

While this is more of a YA PA novel (and is not a zombie apocalypse story), I really enjoyed listening to it. It was very different from what you usually read where you have two characters... either one completely prepped for the aftermath or one who can't do anything ever. It seemed to me to be what REAL people would do in a lot of the cases and I didn't ever have a sense of "oh, come on" to some fantastical feat taken by the main character. Just a normal teenage girl who tells her story.

The Narrator grows on you quickly. Great story.

If you could sum up The Girl at the End of the World in three words, what would they be?

Ugh....I've read over 200 books and this makes my top 10. Old idea with a totally original storyline. So so good. It's one of those books that makes you sad it's over.

What other book might you compare The Girl at the End of the World to and why?

Jeeze...Only because of the emotional connection the characters create within the reader I would have to say The Help. I remember feeling almost like I was saying goodbye to a friend at the end of that book and I felt the same way with this.

Which scene was your favorite?

Maybe when she...shoot I don't want to ruin anything....when she finds a place to take a shower.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not anything that extreme but it was so good that instead of waiting to listen to it before bed like I usually do with audible I couldn't stop listening until it was over. First thing in the morning while getting ready, on my way to work...etc it was playing.

Any additional comments?

The only thing reviewers really should post is their love and hate list so you know who to listen to. Love:Author Robert Cormier, Author David Sedaris, Author Augusten Bourroughs,Laura Hillenbrand. Book The Gargoyle, The posionwood bible, memoirs of a geisha, the help, water for elephants, The five people you meet in heaven, Ghost boy, The great book of amber, UNBROKEN (all time fav), A midnight clear...you get the idea.

Books I hate: A million Little pieces (or tiny or whatever). Here is my impression of that book, are you ready? This and that and this and this and he and she and and and and. Dear God the whole thing is one giant run-on sentence. 50 shades of sad horny housewife. The "author" could have been a 13 year old boy. Wicked. I bought this excited to read it, it is covered in dust after I couldn't force myself to read any more.I think I left off on the witch going down on the scarecrow or something.

Audible Books I love: World war Z (Alan Alda is in it!) Girl at the end of the world (best audible book i've heard and I wish it was a series) The body of Christopher Creed (Even though the narrator doesn't get teenage colloquialisms) Ghost boy, Warm Bodies (GREAT narrator but almost boring plot. No buyer's remorse though)

Audible Books I HATE: Following Christopher Creed. The narrator is horrible, just horrible. No segway from one character to another, all voiced the same without so much as a change in inflection. Can't follow along. The curious incident of the dead dog. Good narrator, horrible overkill of tangents designed to create empathy for the main character's disability.The entire plot, if written without the gaps of pages long tangents would be maybe 3 pages. Bad Games. Here is a QUOTE from this 5 star best seller "There was one undeniable truth (they) couldn't deny..." Need I say more? If that doesn't make you want to call the editor then ignore everything I have said, you and I have no business.

Lastly, my guilty pleasures audible books: The cat who series by Lillian whatever whatever. The books are stupid, the author tried too hard to show versatility in her writing and ends up being transparent in her overuse of a thesaurus, the narrator does a good job with different voices but rushed dialogue and the cat worship makes me roll my eyes BUT these are like meatloaf with gravy or macaroni and cheese. You know they are bad but they are so comforting and cozy you don't care. These are great insomnia listens. I hope that helps

Great book! No zombies. Not really.

A fungal virus quickly kills off almost everyone on the planet, except for a tiny few who are immune. The victims have psychotic episodes and often act aggressively but they die shortly afterwards, before sprouting mushrooms from their heads.

The story moves rather briskly along, sometimes too briskly; I had to go back several times looking for why she was going to the observatory. If you blink, you miss it. I didn't think there would be much more to it than her wondering around by herself, but later things take a sudden violent turn. Not too violent, its for young adults after all. The story was original and I couldn't predict what was coming.

Scarlett was a character you liked. Her internal thoughts relatable, that's how you would think too! In she beginning she thinks things though, cries, but quickly accepts the situation, even her predicted death. Chad comes along later on. Too bad he is worse than useless though.

The narrator has an "attractive" voice to listen to.

Full stars for a young adult story.

Absolutely brilliant. An end of the world book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Girl at the End of the World to be better than the print version?

I've not read the print version but the narration was outstanding. The narrator seemed to really get into the story and the portrayal,of loneliness on the part of Scarlett was exceptional. Very good!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl at the End of the World?

I kind of mentally split the book into 2 and the first half where Scarlett is learning to cope with loss and her new normality was my favourite. Not to say that I didn't enjoy the way it dropped her into meeting other survivors and starting a new life. It's s great book.

Have you listened to any of LC Kane’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but it's an outstanding performance. I was very impressed by the narrator who portrayed Scarlett and the world within the story in an engaging, entertaining and stand out way!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Being different is lonely. And being special when the world collapses is just damn hard.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com