Until the End of the World

By: Sarah Lyons Fleming

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

2014 Voice Arts Award Winner

2015 Audie Finalist - Solo Narration, Female

©2013 Saray Lyons Flemin (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Loved it! Best zombie book so far!

I don't even know where to start. Before I bought this book I was iffy because the reviews I had read about it said 'it was a 'zombie' book but with so much more'. I wasn't really in the mood for some sappy book, I wanted zombies damn it! But decided to give it a try because audible offered a free novella to go with the series. I never write reviews but for this book I will! The characters came to life and I fell in love with all of them (even Penny's pain in the ass sister). The ending was THE best and it brought tears to my eyes. And yes there were zombies but the review I first read was sooooo right...it has so much more. Soooo happy a have this one a try!!!

Zombie and Literary: Do they go together?

Would you listen to Until the End of the World again? Why?

Absolutely, not only is Julia Whelan one of the best narrators, but Sarah Lyons Fleming has combined three things together: zombies, literary fiction, and chick lit. Granted, I'm not a fan of the term chick lit, since I am a man and I don't think that it should matter whether a book is intended for female or male listeners/readers. However, Fleming has a way of putting real life drama into a genre that really only says: 'VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE! VIOLENCE!' Yes, there are scenes of brutality, horror, etcetera, but the humanity conveyed is what makes this book so special.

What did you like best about this story?

I love zombies. I love literary fiction. Plain and simple.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

Everything! The fact that she can be Amy from 'Gone Girl' and Cassie from 'Until the End of the World' says more about her talent than anything I could describe.

Any additional comments?

Sarah Lyons Fleming is a genius when it comes to combining two things that normally wouldn't go together and making it seem like they were meant for each other. Men and women will love this book and series.

not a youth book

for some reason this was categorized as a youth book when I first got it but I'm glad it wasn't. very good book that gets right into the action.

Love, love, love!

I couldn't stop listening! Fantastic!!!! Perfect for my morning commute. Can't wait for more

Character centered zombie survival series

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

emotional survival engaging

What did you like best about this story?

I love how this whole series is character based and makes you extremely attached to the different people and their struggles to survive. It reminds of a Joss Whedon show like Buffy The Vampire Slayer where there is a core group of people trying to survive and fight a horrific nightmare but the focus is on the interactions and relationships of the group more than your average zombie survival tale. I will be a fan of Sarah Lyons Flemming for life.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

I usually have trouble with female narrators keeping my attention. I'm not trying to make any sexist comments here at all but personally I have found many of them have trouble keeping my attention but Julia Whelans performance was outstanding and brought these characters to life.

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

Every emotion possible comes out in this series

Great Listen!

Wow, I loved this book and I normally only like paranormal romance books!!! I listened to the entire book in one setting, I couldn't put it away!

The next part of this series is a short novella and Audible gives it to you FREE!!! Don't want to spoil anything so will only say I will definitely be listening to the rest of the series.....probably multiple times!

GREAT Narration + GREAT STORY= FABULOUS LISTEN!

Definitely worth a credit!!!

Second Time Around

This is the second time I’ve listened to this wonderful story. It’s like visiting with old friends. On to book 2.

❤ This

Great narration, superb writing, and relatable characters. Even the noblest of characters fractured a bit under the stress of the end of the world, but they also rose to the occasion. Loved the relationships and friendships.

The Narrator

I first must say that Julia Whelan is my favorite narrator. Julia Whelan narrated all of "The One" books by Nora Roberts. She is amazing. I would listen to any book that Whelan was contributing her talents to. This was a very entertaining book to read especially during the Cov virus. This subject matter was not to heavy nor was it light. Wonderful read.

Wonderful audiobook!

I have read this book (the whole series) at least three times, but listening to it - wow! The writing is so good, which I already knew, but hearing it read to me... the writing is SO FREAKING WONDERFUL! And the story is timeless: love, loss, transformation, survival, protecting who and what you love, redemption, hopelessness and hope, it’s all here.

The narrator was excellent. I can see why this audiobook has won awards. She captured every emotion and then some. This will be the best $7.49 you spend. Trust me on that. 🙂