Give me a post-apocalyptic novel, and you've won me over! This was an excellent example of one where the apocalypse has come slow and creeping, no big bangs, and feels very believable and realistic. The character of Griz is very well-formed and the writing is beautiful. There's also a nice twist which readers will probably be expecting from the beginning, but is a fun addition to a book that's already a fantastic read.

I enjoyed this! Not my normal read but despite that it grabbed my attention and left me satisfied. I loved the post-apoc feeling from this book :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this despite not being the biggest fan of post-apoc fiction. The writing is quality though there are a couple of instances where the pace falters a little. It is also what I'd describe as a 'builder' - a slow burn that rewards a patient reader, building up to a couple of intriguing twists (one pretty obvious, one that knocked me for six) and a touching and gently uplifting ending in which I was utterly invested. I loved the relationship between Griz and John Dark, but I adored/absolutely hated the one between Griz and Brand! I was also deliciously tantalised by the fact it was never fully defined at the end of the book - what happened between them is all in my imagination! To sum up, for a genre that I feel overwhelmingly 'meh' about, I found this story engaging and touching and I'm glad I stuck with it.

This was something completely different for me and I’m so glad I requested this one as it was a great read!

This book has such a great atmosphere, one that keeps you want to read on and find out what happens.

I liked that the author included a part about not revealing spoilers to future readers so I won’t way much more for fear of spoiling things, but I really liked all the reveals and found it such a brilliant reading experience!

I didn’t know much going in but I was hooked from the first page and read this one in just a few sittings. Utterly brilliant and incredibly gripping.

Unfortunately I could not get into this book and did not finish it. Other readers may enjoy this more.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The story hooked me from the beginning and the twist at the end was also enjoyable. Worth a read.

Unfortunately I had to purchase a new Kindle device and could no longer access this book. I will come back and review if I read this in the future.

WOW what a book. I was in a bit of a book funk when I started this story, but it has restored my faith in storytelling. I used to have a dog, she was my best friend but sadly passed away last year so I was a bit anxious starting this story about the emotions it would unleash within me, but I don't regret a single word, sentence or experience this book has given me.

The story is of a family making their way in a dystopian world, following some sort of virus / plague that has killed thousands of people. Griz and family live on an outer island of Scotland, eeking out an existence of survival, but one of family. One day a stranger, Brand, comes sailing up to the island offering trade....and that is the starting gun of one hell of a story.

Brand steals one of Griz's dogs and sets sail with her, so Griz follows.... A story of utter devotion, compelling characters, a vivid, evocative dystopian world with flashes of familiarity that have you aching for Griz's experience of the world. An emotional, page turning roller coaster......and top tip when Griz listens to Tannhausern's Overture take a moment to listen to it too, close you eyes and imagine yourself in Homely House..... A book for the senses and probably my stand out read of the year.

Griz has never had friends, watched television or gone to school. These things can’t be done any more because they don’t exist now. There are very few people left on the mainland because of the Before. None of this matters because Griz has Jip and Jess, two terriers that as much family as Griz’s parents, brother and sister. One day a stranger arrives at their island looking to trade and telling tales of far off lands and deserted cities. The stranger stays overnight after eating with them and when Griz wakes the next morning the stranger is gone. Unfortunately he has taken Jess so Griz rushes to follow him and get Jess back. So starts a journey of discovery, heartbreak and hope which has an outcome that will not only surprise but will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is beautifully written although I thought that in parts it was a bit wordy. That aside, the way that this story unfolds is wonderful and I felt like I was experiencing Griz’s journey too.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for honest opinion.

It’s not often that a novel based in a dystopian world plays so much focus on the main character. A brilliant example of rich character development paired with exceptional world building. I definitely recommend!

Loved reading about Griz's story and his journey, a really well written book that’s such an enjoyable read. It’s a book that will stay with you for a long time to come and not one you’d forget in a hurry, brilliant; absolutely loved it.

A fantastic book that drew me along, completely wrapped in Griz's story.

The dystopian / post-apocalyptic landscape, lack of people and fight for survival were so well described that it felt real.

Griz's voice was strong and likeable. And I really wasn't prepared for where the story ended up going - in a really good way! Loved every minute of it.

If you find this book then all is not lost.

I found this book and was instantly enveloped in the world of Griz, a world that somehow went back to the beginning, no TV, no phones, no internet and most importantly no people. What had happened we never fully discovered, only glimpses of Freeman and the Gelding, where people no longer bred, that brought us to this now devastated world. It was a world that Griz inhabited with their family, parents, brothers and sisters surviving on the islands on the west of Scotland, a simple life until a stranger arrived and suddenly everything changed.

We followed Griz on a journey through a devastated landscape. a landscape that Fletcher described in narrative that was so vivid and real I could imagine myself right there. I had a great time guessing where in the country he was describing some more obvious than others, but it was a stark reminder of what could happen if we do not look after what we already have or a catastrophic event laid the entire world to waste.

In some ways it was like stepping back in time and I loved the wonder and awe Griz felt on the journey, as they lived off the land, used what lay around to protect against those that threatened.

Griz as a character was just wonderful, full of a need to discover, but most importantly the need to rescue their dog Jess at whatever the cost. I loved Griz’s resourcefulness, their tenacity and that never to be broken bond Griz had with dogs Jess and Jip, one that I fully understood, that stirred great swathes of emotion in myself as I read.

Fletcher skilfully explored Griz’s emotions, the struggles of understanding the world around them, the need to find a peaceful means to end conflict versus brute force and violence all glared at me from the page. We watched as Griz, matured, grew up, understood more about human nature, the world that existed before, and the pitfalls of an emergent world that beckoned. You willed Griz on to make the right choices, to battle and win against adversity, to find Jess and return home, but Fletcher didn’t make it easy and the latter parts of the books were incredible, as Fletcher turned everything upside down, and surprised you in a way you never ever expected. In a way if I looked back, it was always there but Fletcher did a fantastic job at hiding it, relying on you the reader to make assumptions, to revert to stereotyping the characters you read. The whole book was a great lesson in looking beyond and underneath what was on the surface, not taking anything for granted and having the courage to carry out your conviction no matter the consequences.

For all that, The Boy and His Dog was a novel that was purely and simply a fantastic example of storytelling at its best, it had adventure, action and Griz was just the most wonderful character.

It was a novel that could be enjoyed by both adults and teenagers, a novel, that was both compelling and engaging and would in my opinion make a great film.

This book has that certain something which sets it apart from the standard dystopian drama. The focus is the main character and not the breakdown of society. Whilst that lurks in the background, it’s the determination of Griz that truly drives the emotion of the story. All he wants is his dog back but he must push through not only physical challenges but sentimental ones too if he is ever going to beat the thief.

I’m a big fan of a trilogy of Children’s books that C.A Fletcher wrote many years ago and his writing has gone from strength to strength. I was truly captivated with the tenacious Griz.

Five well-deserved stars!

I must confess that I’m not much of a reader of apocalypse-type fiction and was mainly tempted by the cover design and interesting synopsis.

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World was an engaging and ingenious story, written, very vividly, in the first person. There was something in the writing that was both dark and alluring and I loved reading it. C.A. Fletcher’s writing style was very special, giving an extremely strong atmosphere to the novel. This was an amazing, exquisite and remarkable story and I was disappointed when I finished reading it as I didn't want it to end.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Orbit via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

“And those that remain are still with us now, here at the end of the world. And there may be no law left except what you make of it, but if you steal my dog, you can at least expect me to come after you. If we’re not loyal to the things we love, what’s the point? That’s like not having a memory. That’s when we stop being human. That’s a kind of death, even if you keep breathing.”

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book.

A boy and his dog? I was clearly going to pick up this book just based on the title alone. The cover and the plot were just a bonus and I knew that I needed to read this as soon as possible.

There were not many characters in this book, but I liked it that I was. I loved the fact that the characters that were in the book were given so much attention and were developed so so well. I had such a good connection with them all, including the dogs. No. Especially the dogs. I loved them so much and each one can come and live with me if they desire. Please?

The prose was simple, beautiful, and full of meaningful passages. There is a mixture of first and second person but mainly first and it works so well. It is so powerful and there is something about it that just draws you in and just won't let you go again.

I loved this book and i recommend that you read it instantly!

"My name's Griz. My childhood wasn't like yours. I've never had friends, and in my whole life I've not met enough people to play a game of football.

My parents told me how crowded the world used to be, but we were never lonely on our remote island. We had each other, and our dogs.

Then the thief came.

There may be no law left except what you make of it. But if you steal my dog, you can at least expect me to come after you.

Because if we aren't loyal to the things we love, what's the point?"

Well, during this book i think i experienced every type of emotion possible. This is certainly a book that will stay with me. I loved the main character and his quest to find his beloved dog and the amount of loyalty that is instilled in him.
I will definitely be sharing this book with my son, who would love it.

Argh- this book was so good I had trouble putting it down every evening! It has everything I never knew I always wanted in a good story: From it's Apocalyptic setting to violence, death and destruction to love and family and what it means.
Griz is a child who lives in a deserted world with his family. One day a stranger comes and takes his dog and begins an epic journey to the middle of the world and far from the childhood home that Griz has known.
Along the way he learns more about the destruction of the world and its people and explores the true meaning of love and loyalty along the way.
Suspenseful and engaging thriller! Cannot wait to read more from C.A Fletcher

So this book is overwhelmingly loved by everyone that I know of who have read it. I got multiple 'give it a little time' and 'but there's a massive twist that is soooo good'. Unfortunately though, I struggled to finish this. It took me two months to read as I was constantly drawn to other more shiny things.

From the very get go, A Boy and His Dog felt a little like something I had read before but also kind of not at the same time. To be honest, I still can't work out what it reminded me of and I have been wondering for the past 2 months...

Now, I didn't hate it - it was a beautifully written narrative which could really stab you in the feels IF you were its intended audience. The main character Griz is on a John Wick style revenge mission to retrieve the dog that was stolen from him. I wanted some action and adventure but instead got depressing and grey.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good heartwrenching tear jerker of a novel, one of my favourite books of last year was The Book of M which honestly is so ridiculously draining it took me days to get over it. But this is just sadness on sadness which caused me to simply switch off periodically. So much so I had to reread large portions despite having taken notes.

I get that this is a post-apocalyptic world. There were 7.5 billion people less than a century ago, now this number has dwindled to 7500. Its going to be bleak. But at least add some form of reprieve for the reader. And the plot twist that was mentioned for everyone not to spoiler was actually just a little ho hum.

Overall, I can understand why some people love it so much but for me it was just a little underwhelming. The premise was an intriguing one but if this is how the Apocalypse plays out, I would want to make sure I disappeared in The Gelding.