This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp Published by Sourcebooks on January 5th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, YA, Young Adult
Goodreads
10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.10:05
Someone starts shooting.Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.
I received a copy of this book for review, this does not influence my thoughts on the book or this review.
Wow, just wow. I heard amazing things about This is Where it Ends but I was a bit scared to read it, just in case I was disappointed. I am glad to announce that this novel was as powerful as I expected.
On the first day of the last semester of high school, everything seems to be going well in Opportunity, Alabama. But as the regularly-scheduled assembly comes to an end, the doors are locked. Told through four different point of views, the novel recounts the terrifying details of a school shooting and the devastating result.
Based on the synopsis, it should not be surprising that I sobbed hard while reading this novel, it is definitely emotional. I do recommend keeping a box of tissues when you read it.
Despite the four different point of views, I could easily identify and relate to all the characters. I loved that each character had their own unique perspective to their event. There were a lot of flashbacks throughout the novel which I can see as annoying some readers, but I thought it gave an extra layer to the complexity of the novel.
Because this is such a short novel, I do not want to spoil anything about the details of the shooting but I was hooked. The plot moved quickly, and shockingly, and did not let me breathe for a second.
In terms of diversity, This is Where it Ends was great. There was LGBTQ+, cultural, and religious diversity. If you’re looking for realistic diversity, or a novel that has a realistic amount of it, then I recommend this one.
Overall, This is Where it Ends is a heartbreaking and well-written novel that I recommend to everyone. I think it would make a great discussion novel for book clubs and for readers who are reluctant about YA and would like to see teens deal with some complex choices and situations.
This novel includes trigger warnings for shootings (school-specific), rape and sexual assault.
Have you pre-ordered/read This is Where it Ends? Are you looking forward to it? Let’s discuss in the comments!
I recently read this one and OMG, it was just so amazing!! I read this while on a plane and I was sobbing for most of the book. Thank goodness that I was in a row by myself. I didn’t have any other passengers giving weird looks to the girl who is crying over her Kindle.
I need to get my hands on a copy of this book. I am on a book buying ban so I have to request it from my library. Glad to hear it was so good!
I had seen the book around but reading your review has convinced me that I really need to read it once and for all! *goes to search for it on Amazon*
Great review Shelly!