… It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
It's the end of the world as we know it
And I feel fine


When I saw the words "elite private school" and "epic masquerade ball" in the synopsis, I knew I had to read This Is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde. Also, throw in some end-of-the-world doom and gloom, and it has to be good right? I am going to have to go with a meh on this one. The idea was there, it was just the execution that was way off for me. The storyline felt all over the place, and it was like the author couldn't decide what they wanted the book to be. There were too many things mashed together for me, and I wish it had been a little less dramatic. There are some very valid, and current-day subjects in the book, but then some absolutely ridiculous things happen that I felt took away from what the essence of the story was supposed to be.

I'm not sure if I would have been able to keep going had it not been for the audiobook and the narrator Jesse Vilinsky. She has a younger-sounding voice, so she made the perfect Waverly, and while her tone for men and boys is kind of funny, I really enjoy her narration and she did a fine job on the audio. I couldn't go above a 2x speed on the app I was listening to, but for you fast listeners out there I can tell you that the speed could easily be turned up to a 3x. Her pacing is a touch on the slower side without being TOO slow, so it didn't kill me to listen at the 2x. While This Is the Way the World Ends was a little too over the top for me, I do recommend it if you are looking for queer and disability rep in books, and I really liked having an MC with autism. I saw plenty of people who enjoyed it, so don't let me stop you if you think it sounds good.

I was late reading this, so I ended up listening to the finished audiobook copy from my library. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but I ended up having fun. The main character was really well developed and I loved all the twists and turns. Some of the twists were a little out there, but I really just had a good time listening to the story.

It isn't you, it's me 😬

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. It wasn't quite was I was hoping for based on the synopsis. That isn't to say this isn't for someone though, because I definitely think it has its audience. Unfortunately, that audience wasn't me. I just didn't vibe with the writing style, or the content. That said, I do think it's awesome to see both queer and neurodivergent rep, and I think this would be a great boom for young adults (the intended audiance) exploring these topics!

This book was nuts. I feel like it's kind of two different books sandwiched together, and I really can't decide if it works. I think it's definitely an interesting story, but I also think the synopsis was a bit misleading because I went into this expecting a normal mystery and that is simply not what this is.

I think the autistic rep in this book is really well done, but I do think it might have been mentioned a little too much. I think this is honestly just a writing thing, and not a reflection of the actual autistic rep.

I liked Waverly a lot. She felt real and unique, and I enjoyed being with her throughout the story. I also liked the secondary characters, particularly Pari, but Waverly really stole the show.

Honestly I do not know how to feel about this book, and I might change my mind later, but overall the crazy plot kind of dampened my enjoyment. oh well.

The premise of this book had me intrigued: Cinderella moment at a masquerade ball gone wrong when there's a murder and all the technology isn't working.

The representation in this book was great. I really enjoyed the character of Waverly. She was not your typical private school student, instead she was on scholarship, her parents worked at the school, she lived in Queens, and she was queer. To stay under the radar, autistic Waverly keeps her nose down and endures the harsh treatment from the school bullies. She's also hiding a past relationship with the Dean's daughter who moved to another school. Waverly's best friend Pari was a POC, bisexual, disabled, and an all around kick-ass person. Her interactions with Waverly were great and I really enjoyed their dynamic.

Where this book kinda lost me is Caroline's involvement in everything, and just the craziness that ensues after the murder.

Jen Wilde does it again. Waverly's story was incredibly engrossing. I was guessing until the end. Truly a thrill ride.

The neurodivergent and LGBTQIAP+ rep was inspiring. I couldn't ask for more in a YA thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I absolutely loved the autism rep and the way the story took a dystopian turn. I love prep school settings and thrillers and this had everything I crave in a YA thriller! Top Notch!

Waverly is a scholarship student at one of the most prestigious schools in New York. Wanting nothing more than to fit in for a night, Caroline gives her a chance to attend a masquerade as her. What begins as a perfect deception turns into a night that no one sees coming.

This book starts out realistic before diving into a dystopian world. The book contains a variety of characters from all different backgrounds. A must read for teenagers/young adults.

The beginning of the story starts off so awesome and sucked me in but the second half just wasn’t for me. I loved the diversity, but the plot was far fetched and lacking for me.

So This Is The Way The World Ends is a YA romantic/suspense read? Not sure what it is honestly in terms of genre. I was expecting more of a murder mystery to be honest.

The first half here (maybe the first 1/3rd) is more like a cute romantic queer book.

Waverly agrees to go to a masquerade ball where everyone will think she’s rich and popular Caroline. Waverly wants go to talk to Ash her ex girlfriend who she has heard is in town and going to the ball too.

This part was fun and cute.
Then…it turns onto some climate control social commentary about the world ending and although the action picks up 100% it was so rushed and crazy and really unbelievable.

It’s a shallow plot point for me really and it is the plot. I didn’t hate this book at all, but I didn’t love it although it does have potential. 2.5 ⭐️’s and I do appreciate an early copy.

It was a quick read with fun characters.

“This is the Way the World Ends” was a page turner unlike anything I’d read in a while! Reminiscent of divergent and to all the boys I’ve loved before, this books slots perfectly in between for a fresh take on climate crisis, equity, and love. Will 100% buy for my classroom and recommend to students!

I was super excited to get into this book since it has a unique storyline but felt the description misguided my idea of what exactly this is about. Many of the main events are referenced until a good way into the novel. I absolutely love love love diverse stories but found the representation to be too forced. Overall, I just wasn’t interested in the storyline’s execution or characters.

I was drawn I to this apocalyptic dystopian book and could not stop reading it. It’s very well written and entirely plausible scenario. I was at first shocked by the brutality of what was happening, but it could happen exactly the way it’s written. Brave friends to stick together. I hope we don’t face this in my or my children’s lives.

I gave this book a four out of five stars. I really enjoyed the characters and the growth of those characters. I like the friendships that form in this book. This is my second book by this author and I have enjoyed both of them. I will keep an eye out for new things that Jen Wilde comes out with in the future.

This was definitely unexpected. I went into this one completely blindly. I honestly can’t remember why I even requested this ARC. The beginning was a little slow and took a while before anything interesting really started to happen but once it hit about the 40% mark, I couldn’t put this down! It was a fun, roller coaster ride of a book! If it weren’t for the slow start and some of the writing choices, I would have a rated this higher. Still glad I read it though.

2.5 Stars

Initially I was hooked. I loved Waverly’s character- queer, autistic, scholarship student at an elite school in NYC, and dealing with heartbreak from the dean’s daughter. She struggles to fit in and was so excited to go to the upcoming Masquerade Ball. She wasn’t invited but then the most popular girl in school asks Waverly to take her place. But then when Waverly gets the ball, the book takes a weird, dystopian/apocalyptic turn that I wasn’t excepting. I’m not going to give anything anyway but I wasn’t a fan. It was really farfetched an then it ended. The ending was very vague and left me with a lot of questions.

As others have said, this book took a turn about half way through and I opted not to continue reading.

What a ride! This story gave the elite glamour of Gossip Girl and the vibes of a great thriller. I was glued to the pages, waiting for what happened next. I love seeing Jen Wilde branch out from their usual (which I also love) and take on a different genre.

This book and I weren’t meant to be together.

Know that the synopsis gives A LOT away. I’m 35% into the book and still haven’t gotten to the interesting hook mentioned in the description.

I felt like neurodiversity was being hammered into my brain with repetition, literally reminding me over and over about her autism, rather than a natural flow with Waverly’s character.

The overall tone is very young.

Characters felt stereotypical, lacking complexities and depth.

I would describe the first third of this book as a YA contemporary (melodramatic) romance. The plot feels tired, like a yawn. Not at all what I expected. So I read some reviews with the hope of convincing myself to carry on. Apparently the story does spin into the expected murder mystery and eventual apocalyptic suspense, but I’m not feeling the call to continue.

DNF

1 star

I know when I don’t pick a book up for 2 days, it’s not my thing.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.