Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming Narrator: Julia Whelan
Series: Until the End of the World #1
Published by Podium Audio on January 24, 2014
Genres: Horror
Length: 13 hours and 14 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Cities fall. Worlds end. Zombies never die.
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 stopped painting, broke off her engagement to Adrian, and dated a real jerk. Self-improvement can wait, however. First, Cassie and her friends must escape Brooklyn before they turn into zombies, too.
This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s ex-boyfriend and a friend’s bratty sister make everything—apocalypse included—more unpleasant. When the two attract a deadly threat to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves—and it’s further than she anticipated. Between this, her past mistakes, and the living dead, that losing streak shows no sign of letting up.
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 must find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot, and true love never dies.
I picked up this audiobook during a two-for-one deal on Audible. Sounded like a fun story and I liked the narrator, Julia Whelan. I’m glad I grabbed it. While this story is a pretty typical zombie story, I really like the characters. There’s been rumors about outbreaks in other cities in the west, but this group of friends in New York City think they are safe. But then they hear that there’s an outbreak in the city. The plan is to go to a house out in the country of upstate New York. But they plan to blow all the bridges and tunnels to keep the outbreak on the island.
We met several new people along the way. Some are good people and others are not. Like I said, a typical zombie story. But I really like the characters. Cassie is the person telling the story. She’s a pretty normal person who works in NYC. But her parents are preppers. Not crazy bunkers and militia preppers, but more like homesteaders who like to be overly prepared. However, those parents are dead from a car crash. But Cassie knows that their place will be safe because it is far from the city. Plus all the supplies they will need for a long while, including home canned food. Cassie and her friends grab her BOB (bug-out bag of emergency supplies) and hit the road. But things aren’t that easy.
It is really the characters that keep me engrossed in this story. I don’t want to go into each one, but they are a lot of fun. There is sadness as not everyone makes it. But there’s a lot of fun times. There’s even some love stories in the mix. I’ve already started the next book in the series. I needed to know what happens next to these characters.
Narration:
I’ve listened to Julia Whelan before, so I knew I would like her narration. She does a great job with the different voices. She puts real emotion into the characters’ voices, really pulls you into the story. I really love her performance. If you’ve never listened to her, you’re really missing out. I highly recommend you give her a try.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, life-long actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and Creative Writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. While in England, her flirtation with tea blossomed into a full-blown love affair, culminating in her eventual certification as a tea master. When not writing her own books, you can find her reading other people’s out loud into a microphone.
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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I own this whole series on audio but alas have not read it.
his is the first I’ve heard of this one but it does sound like it would be a good read.
Oh my gosh, I am in love with this series and really everything this author writes. I was just thinking that it might be time to re-read this one. I am glad to see that you liked it.
This sounds really good.
I love the narrator, and it’s been a while since i listened to a good zombie story. Adding to my list! Great review Mel.
I love this narrator for sure! The story sounds good, and I love the cover, I may have to check this one out. Great review!