A short but clever sci-fi novel with lovable characters and twists you won’t see coming.
The Quiet at the End of the World Summary
How far would you go to save those you love?
Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking for artefacts from history and looking for treasure in their once-opulent mansion.
Their idyllic life is torn apart when a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity’s entire existence. Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide who to save and who to sacrifice.
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The Quiet at the End of the World Review
The Quiet at the End of the World is the second of Lauren James’ books that I’ve read, and definitely my favourite so far. The concept is intriguing and, despite being a short novel, the world building is really quite vivid. I think that’s thanks to Lauren’s passion for science, which helps make the far-fetched seem realistic and genuinely feasible.
It took me no time at all to connect with the characters and the community living in this apocalyptic future. I quickly felt how much love surrounded Lowrie and Shen, and how important they were. Mitch the lifeguard robot is one of my favourite characters ever. I love that he says absolutely nothing, yet manages to become such a central part of this story.
The London setting was instantly relatable – it’s where I spend most of my time after all. Treasure hunting in flooded tube tunnels was so much fun to read about, particularly while I was on the commute on the London Underground at the very moment I was reading it.
Lauren managed to take me completely by surprise with the twists in this one, and it was a pleasant surprise too. Sometimes twists come out of the blue and can ruin the story, but this one made me love it even more.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this quick read that’ll make you smile, cry and gasp.
My rating
4.5/5 stars
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