Cover Image: Things to do Before the End of the World

Things to do Before the End of the World

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I’m struggling to put into words what I thought about this book. I thought the premise of the book was great and there are so many things I would want to do before the world ends. However I felt like the chapters didn’t flow into one another, maybe this is how the author wanted it I don’t know but I feel like it could have flowed better. Also it’s been a while since I’ve really disliked a character and I disliked Natasha from the get go, I couldn’t put my finger on why I didn’t like her just that she came across really fake. I also think the ending was a little cliche but just thinking about it hit me. This book isn’t about the world ending it’s about doing all the things to improve yourself and make yourself a better person so if you did die you don’t regret the life you lived.

Was this review helpful?

This is a story about the impending apocalypse, but not in the way one might expect. A familiar concept is turned on its head as the narrative centres upon well developed characters and complex family dynamics, all taking place within an interesting variety of vibrant settings and a fast-paced plot that takes a long time to catch fire before ending on a high.

Rather than depicting an oppressive dystopian society at the end of its existence, that premise is merely a plot device acting as a backdrop to what is perhaps more of a contemporary with some minor elements of a thriller. That and the lack of genuinely high stakes for most of the book made it a neat little spin on the genre, and while it might not have been altogether successful, it was certainly an enjoyable enough read.

The news has just broken that the planet has suffered irreparable damage and everyone only has approximately nine months to live. There are many things Olivia wants to do before it happens, but she is too anxious and lacking in confidence to achieve any of them, instead taking comfort in spoiling her half-siblings and writing unsent emails to the girl she is secretly in love with.

But then she is informed of the news that her uncle who lived in the United States has passed away in a car crash, leaving behind a cousin she never knew existed. She immediately makes contact with Natasha, who comes across as self-assured and with a very positive frame of mind, everything that Olivia aspires to be.

The two eventually meet on holiday in Spain and under Natasha’s influence, Olivia becomes much more at ease with herself and around others. They soon begin to dress the same and perform magic to earn money from fellow tourists, but after spending increasing amounts of time in her cousin’s company, she begins to realise that Natasha is not what she seems.

While there is a lot said about the upcoming end of the world and the actions of the characters are largely dictated by it, this theme does not actually have a huge effect on the story as a whole. Many of the events that happen here could have taken place without the presence of that entire sub-plot and it would not have made much of a difference, although the way the author presents the doomsday scenario is intriguing.

There is no mass hysteria or desperate attempts to reverse the fate of the planet; just a general acceptance that there is not much time left and therefore everybody can live with a degree of freedom. As for the plot itself, certain elements were predictable but it really gets going towards the end, where there are plenty of questions to resolve and the odd unexpected twist.

The entire book is told in the first person from Olivia’s point of view, and the author does an excellent job of capturing her shy personality and feelings of awkwardness. This made her relatable in some ways and there is an effective contrast made between her and Natasha, who by comparison is larger than life. Despite everything she encounters and the influence Natasha has on her, Olivia’s heart is always in the right place and we get a further insight into her thoughts with the observations that are written in brackets.

Natasha’s exuberance is clear to see right from the start, but as soon as she actually meets Olivia and her family in Spain doubts about her true nature creep in and she always comes across as deceitful. All the magic tricks, fortune-telling, and her supposed ability to communicate with the dead were part of the mystery surrounding her, but for me this did get a bit too strange and also slightly tiresome.

However, she is not the only character who is hiding something. Olivia’s parents have also not been totally honest with her during her lifetime even though they seem like good people, and the sub-plot about Violet was as fascinating as it was enduring. My favourite member of the supporting cast meanwhile was Zoe, who was really kind and her relationship with Olivia becomes adorable.

The fast pace of the story means many of the settings are experienced without pausing for breath, but in spite of that the author still manages to pack in an impressive amount of detail and give everywhere a sense of place. I especially felt transported to the serene atmosphere of Moralzarzal and also the lavish hotel where Olivia and Natasha stay when they arrive in Paris.

In terms of the ending, a lot happens in a short space of time but this part of the book was rarely anything less than entertaining. There were one or two revelations which I did not see coming and some things are left to the reader to make their own interpretation, but for Olivia it turns into a journey of understanding and self-discovery.

Overall, there are a number of ideas and concepts involved in this story and they have varying degrees of success. The writing is good with Olivia’s perspective more or less spot on, and Emily Barr once again spoils us with the exotic settings. Quite whether the end of the world plotline works well is open to debate, but what cannot be denied is that it does provide an added dimension.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this YA novel which has a doomsday scenario as it’s backdrop. It’s a long time since I’ve read a book by this author (I think that I was almost in the target audience last time, about 20 years ago!) but I’m pleased to see that she’s still producing great reads.

The novel’s protagonist, Libby, is very likeable and will appeal to plenty of introverted book lovers. She’s a great role model for YA readers as she shows that it is possible to overcome shyness, feelings of inadequacy and peer pressure, even when you only have months left to live. The character of Natasha, a psychic magician, also had plenty of appeal, and the chemistry between the two, and their evolving relationship drove the narrative.

I enjoyed the novel’s split settings of Winchester, Madrid and Paris, and the way that we dropped in on several art galleries along the way. It was interesting that Barr envisages a different reaction to the end of the world in different locations. I did worry initially that novel would be somewhat depressing, given it’s premise, but it was nice to see that Barr has her characters making the most of their time, whilst telling us about riots and protests which are carrying on in other places.

This novel fits into so many different categories - dystopian, mystery, adventure, travel, romance - and I did feel that it was sometimes spreading itself a little thin. However, overall this is a fun read with an interesting and unique premise.

Was this review helpful?

2.5 Stars

I wish I could say I had loved it but unfortunately I found this a little dull and predictable. It had some real awesome potential but just didn't live up to it. The prospect of living your life to the full as the world comes to an end seemed amazing.

The plot primarily focuses on Libby's self confidence issues and how she uses this new connection with her cousin to come out of her shell. The initial depictions or social anxiety were quite good but these started to decline and skirted problematic on a few occasions. Eventually it was somewhat ignored and felt more like a plot device than representation. Some of the plot points were fun and interesting and there were some good little mysteries and some great moments of family love. But overall it just felt a bit predictable particularly within the main plot line.

The actual end of the world doesn't really play a role in the book at all really and that is what is disappointing. It is more a McGuffin to get all the characters in certain places but it easily could have been exchanged for any other life event that would allow you to let go a little and forget priorities for a while. It seemed like such an interesting concept that again just becomes ignored for other plot points.

I could see those looking for a fluffy and fun read enjoying this, just for me it needed a bit more substance.

Was this review helpful?

First off, I have to say that I am not the recommended reading age for this book. But I wanted to read it because I love stories about the end of the world, I still enjoy young adult fiction now and then, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

For younger audiences who are possibly experiencing an apocalyptic story for the first time, the concept is used efficiently and given enough detail to be convincing. The recommended reading age is 12-16 years and I feel like it would suit that age group perfectly. Olivia is a likeable character, she has some relatable bucket list goals, and there’s an added thriller element to the story that gives it an exciting edge.

However, older readers who crave more of an apocalyptic thriller may have the same struggles as I did, as the focus isn’t actually on the end of the world. Instead, it’s a backdrop for a coming-of-age story; a set up for Olivia to be brought out of her shell and to do the things she’s been too shy to do while she still has the chance to.

Had I not been expecting more end of the world antics, I would have enjoyed this story a lot more. But it just wasn’t what I expected it to be, and that’s my own fault rather than the authors. The characters were too young for me to relate to and so their priorities were very different to what mine would be in their circumstances.

But don’t let me put you off if you’re looking for a coming-of-age drama with a thriller twist, as this is definitely an appealing book for the right audience. I just wouldn’t recommend it as a book for older readers who are looking for something a little light-hearted.

(I'm on the blog tour for this on the 9th so my reviews will be live then)

Was this review helpful?

Ive been very limited to the books ive been saying yes to reading and reviewing currently but i couldnt refuse this one! such a gorgeous cover and a really great premise. Things to do before the end of the world is a coming of age story with some contemporary romance, LGBT and some suspense elements thrown in. Our main character Olivia is shy and perhaps a little niave, her world comes crashing down when the end of the world is predicted in a few short months. When a distant cousin Natasha gets in touch it unlocks some secrets from the past. Is Natasha everything she claims to be?

I was expecting a sci-fi heavy story with some science elements surrounding the end of world events but this book focused more on Olivia and he feelings, coming out of her shell and finally focusing on herself. I loved how much Olivia went out of her comfort zone in order to live her best life whilst she could, it really gave me that yolo feeling and cemented that you never know what tomorrow will bring so say yes to everything that you can while you can!

Ive heard of Emily Barr but had never read any of her books before but will definitely check them out now! This was a really surprisingly uplifting story, the writing was gorgeous and it really hit me in the feels more than i expected it too! It was scarily realistic when it discussed the idea that humans had caused the demise of the earth, not too much of a stretch from the current state of our world. I would have liked more about the end of the world itself and would have liked to have seen that be a bit more developed as a setting for the overall story but i did really enjoy this story and cant really fault it for what it was. I acually have already thought about rereading this! haha. Please pick this book up and give it a go, i promise you its really addicting.

Was this review helpful?

I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but this has in no way had an impact on my review.

Things to do Before the End of the World - a YA apocalyptic thriller - written by Emily Barr who is well-known for her YA writings. This is my first time reading a book of her's, and honestly, I am not sure what to think of it.

Libby is a young teen girl who is very introverted and does not have high thoughts of herself as a person. The moment we step into the story we're presented with the date for the end of the world, and this is when Libby decides that she'll try and live her life. Joining the theatre group and interacting with Zoe - her crush - is a great start. Libby's estranged uncle dies in a traffic incident and here she comes in contact with her cousin, Natasha, whom she didn't know existed. Several times throughout the beginning, we are introduced to the idea that Libby has wanted a sibling close to her age, instead of her two half-siblings on her father's side who are both toddlers. She wishes that she had someone that could look out for her as her little sister looks out for their little brother. She speculates, that if she had had a big sister she would have been a different person today. Someone she'd like to be. So when Natasha shows up, it's almost as if her wish has been granted. Natasha challenges Libby to get out of her shell, but there is something off about the cousin - which Libby overlooks both in the excitement of having someone looking out for her and the impending doom that is the end of the world.

Getting into this story, I was under the impression that the end of the world would be more important for the story, but it feels more like a backdrop for a YA thriller. The thing is, even though the end of the world isn't the main part of the plot it still takes up a lot of space in the story. There are interactions between Libby and Natasha, but we're already halfway through the book when they finally get to meet each other IRL. At least, that's how it feels. The first half feels like a filler episode we get before the plot-filled episode. I'm not sure if it's due to the writing style, but I did feel like I was just waiting for things to happen. We get a lot of plot and actions in the last 1/3 of the book which I really enjoyed. It was here I wouldn't put the book down until I had gone to the end (no pun intended). But the ending itself just happened so quickly and I would have liked to get more of an opportunity to enjoy the end. The ending was still satisfying and tied up the story very well - it just felt rushed.

I thought the end of the world would be more important, but it serves as a backdrop of a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller. This is probably why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I could, my expectations for the book might have ruined it a bit for me.

Sidenote: I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the cover definitely gave me a 28 Days Later vibe, which has affected my expectations of what kind of book I was getting.

If you want to read a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller I definitely will recommend this book for you.

Was this review helpful?

What would you do if you got the news that you only have about a year left to live – and so does everyone else? That the world is about to go down? Quite a spooky thought if you ask me. It makes my stomach turn, it makes me scared. Humanity has lived through so many scary and possibly life-threatening scenarios – there were world wars, atomic catastrophies, and now we’re living through a pandemic. Every day we have is a gift, and we should treat it as such – but I’m drifting off topic lol.

Olivia – Libby – our heroine here, just got away from a Christmas party at her college when the breaking news hit her – and everyone else’s – phone. I found it very interesting to see her reaction compared to that of the other people around her. While adult men are breaking down crying, Libby is taking the news almost as if… they don’t really concern her. And I think that’s exactly how Libby’s life has been so far. It is as if she’s been detached from it all, and I could feel with her so well, seeing my teenage self in her a bit.

Libby is a great character in what I would say is her coming of age story – when her actual coming of age is stopped by the impending end of the world. I loved Libby’s way of dealing with her problems, her social anxiety the way she did. The impending doom helped her insofar as it turned her decisions that were ‘I’ll do it one day’ before the news of ‘The Creep’ (as people call the disaster that’s about to strike out humanity) suddenly into ‘If I don’t do it now I will never do it’. She was given an ultimatum, and Libby made the most of it. After all, you can only panic for so long when you are given the news that the world ends in a year, before you have to start really living it.

I loved the writing. Author Emily Barr made it into such a personal account, I loved reading Libby’s uncensored thoughts in brackets, it felt like talking to a friend! I loved seeing the character coming out of her shell, even under these circumstances and despite her shyness. Reading about her liberation felt liberating to me too, and every time she managed to talk to strangers or did something else that not long ago would have been very hard, if not impossible, for her, I wanted to high five Libby.

She isn’t the only great character in this book, though. Her best friend Max, the one she barely exchanges more than six words with on a daily basis (they both feel more comfortable typing), her step-mother with the great taste in fancy clothes, her crush Zoe, her new found cousin Natasha, all these are amazing support characters that made this novel into something even more special. I loved that Libby has such a great connection with her family and that they are all so close.

I loved her mum especially. While at first she seemed to turn toward religion as her way to cope with the impending end of the world, she was more of a free spirit and you could tell by the way she soon abandoned her church visits again. I loved how well she knew Libby, and the way she didn’t judge her for being who she is. Libby appreciated her honesty too, and liked that her mother knew and understood her way of thinking, I feel like. Furthermore, Libby’s step father, step-mother, dad, and her two half-siblings were all great, individual characters that added a nice touch to the story, every single one of them.

Libby’s two half-siblings were sweet, funny, loveable little toddlers who, over the course of the story, grow into smart little two-year-olds. It was lovely seeing how much Libby loved being around them, and how she blossomed in these scenes. It made me chuckle how she disregarded her father’s and step-mother’s rules the second they left the house, and how she made her own when it came to her siblings’ wellbeing.

Libby thought she was invisible back then, but she was actually loved by many people. If only she could have seen how special she was! I loved how she turned what she had in her head thinking she would one day possibly, maybe do, into reality. Even if it needed the knowledge that the world would soon come to an end to achieve that. Sometimes you need a little nudge to come out of your shell, and that was certainly a proper nudge that Libby got.

One other character who has a really big impact on the story is Natasha, Libby’s cousin she didn’t know she had. Natasha lives far away, and they will never meet anyway, so why not talk to her, right? Well, not only that seems to turn out much different than Libby expected, there’s also so much more to Natasha… but you will have to read this book yourself in order to find out what that is!!

Things to Do Before the End of the World will be published on 13th May by Penguin. Mark the day in your calendars, you will not want to miss this amazing new YA story!!!

5 stars from me!

Was this review helpful?

Ultimately, this is a story about Libby finding herself and her wings. We spend so much time focused on Libby’s anxiety and her inability to speak up about her feelings that you almost forget the world is going to end in what they call "The Creep."

Libby is painfully naïve. Watching her make one mistake after the next is like watching a train wreck. My daughter is the same age, and I cannot imagine a situation in which she would leave the house without a wallet or phone. But Libby battles crippling anxiety, and not only do I relate to that, but I can imagine her lack of street smarts comes from not going out and living life.

Poor Libby, you want to reach into the book, take her by the hand, and promise her everything good in the world. Finding out she has a cousin is a saving grace for her. Natasha is everything Libby needs, and she helps push her out of her comfort zone. There’s a good balance between The Creep and watching Libby navigate the days she has left. While this is more a story about Libby finding herself, it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of reading this. This is a cute and engaging read that hooks you from the start.

Was this review helpful?

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you knew the world would end of a specific date? Well Olivia Lewis - better known as Libby - had never really considered it, but on the 12th December, the truth is revealed - humans have destroyed the planet so much, than the permafrost will have completed melted by September 17th, and will release toxic fumes in the air that will kill everyone and everything. Now that she knows about 'the Creep', Libby is determined to live her best life - including performing as Juliet on stage, and telling the girl she likes the truth. But, when a long lost cousin comes out of the woodwork, and wants to meet up in Europe before it's too late, will Libby trust her gut that not everything about Natasha seems right, or has she gone too far?

Alright, so I hadn't heard anything about this book until the blog tour invite came in, and I was intrigued. I'm not a lover of thrillers, but I guess I enjoyed it this time around. Libby was seventeen, and discovering that life for everyone would be over in just nine months times was a shocker to say the least. She starts to shake off some of her more introverted aspects, and branch out - especially when it came to her acting - and I loved seeing her growth in that way. That being said, I never really grew to love Libby, so wasn't overly invested in the story if I'm telling the truth. The idea of the world ending on a specific date was compelling, as was the explanation; we all know climate change is killing the planet, and the permafrost is hiding some pretty nasty things, so I appreciated the way Barr incorporated this into the story, but because of Libby's characterisation, she wasn't really looking into the scientific aspects of the 'Creep', and I would've liked more of that. Her family, especially her mother and step-father, who took her to Spain for the summer, were lovely, and though her dad wasn't as hands on - partially because he had two little ones at home to keep an eye on - he really came through for her at the end when she needed him.

Now, turning to Natasha, it was clear from the started that something was up with her, and I never trusted the story she came out with. I also didn't like the way she pushed Libby, nor the way she was adamant they needed to pretend to be sisters - or rather twins. It was clear this was going to come to bite them later on, and Libby was a little too naive to be caught up in it all. I can understand why she was, but she needed to trust her gut a lot more than she did in reality. Also, the speaking with spirits, and fleecing strangers for money bit, always felt like an act for me, and was another way I really disliked Natasha. All in all, this was an okay read, though I wanted some more meat to the story if I'm truthful. It had all the building blocks, but was lacking something for me to give it more than three stars.

Was this review helpful?

Ever since Flora Banks, anything by Emily Barr is a must-read for me and this one didn't disappoint. I was so immersed in the book that I almost started to believe it was really happening! At first I thought this might not be the best type of story to read about with the current situation (not mentioning the C word...) but it is written so well and in some ways it is actually quite comforting.

Despite knowing this is a thriller and it's about the end of the world, it lulls you into a false sense of security. I got caught up in Olivia's excitement of all the new places she was visiting and experiences she was having. Then around halfway through the slightly sinister feeling really starts ramping up. I must admit I was surprised at how little the end of the world affected everyone and how smoothly the world kept running. This was kind of explained but not completely satisfactorily, though I kind of liked that it didn't focus on it too much.

This is exactly the kind of book that is perfect for a buddy read or book club because you'll want to discuss all your theories with someone. It also really makes you think about a lot of things, just like Olivia does. The importance of enjoying life while you can and taking a few risks sometimes. A little friendly warning here, you should prepare yourself for the ending!

Was this review helpful?

3.5*
Things to Do Before the End of the World is a truly unexpected read that manages to exceed expectations by breaking out of genre norms. Barr manages to fit a coming-of-age story and thriller all into a book about the end of the world. All of which the author manages to do very well.

It’s evident from the beginning that this book's primary themes revolve around the main character growing into herself under the most unique of circumstances. One concept repeated throughout this book is that going outside your comfort can sometimes help you live your best life. And, while doing so, you can manage to become more of the person you’re meant to be.

Taking that into consideration, and with the context of the world ending, this book was definitely in danger of falling into the realm of cliche. About one-third of the way through the book though, you discover the secondary plot that sort of seems to come out of nowhere. This storyline is truly what adds the flavour to this book, pulling it out of genre-specific expectations set up by the prevailing circumstances of the story.

While this does prove to work in this book's favour, it can be off-putting to some. At times it feels as though the book isn’t quite sure what it wants to be, which can detract from the intentions and layers of the story. It was a risky decision on behalf of the author, one with the potential to have a great pay off for unexpecting readers.

Was this review helpful?

This is a read of two halves, so I'll review them separately.
The apocalyptic story: Although it's a very plausible apocalypse, I didn't quite follow the way it presented. The CO2 was seeping out all the time, which is why the weather got hotter and birds and small animals died. But at some point, it was going to erupt in a huge wave and kill everyone everywhere all at once, and they could track that right to a specific day? I just didn't follow it, and I know that Libby didn't care much so wasn't reading any research about it but I still think we could have been given a better explanation.

Libby's adventures: It's easy for an introverted character to be swept along by an extrovert, she says from pained experience. And from outside the story we can see things much more clearly than the characters can. I'm torn about whether Libby should have suspected Natasha or not; to me personally she just didn't seem like a nice person, but Libby so badly wanted a connection that I can understand why she ignored all those little things. I can say now that I wouldn't have let anyone push me into the things Natasha pushes Libby into, but if I were in that situation? Hard to say.

Overall it's an intriguing read. I'd have liked to know more about how the world was reacting to the Creep, but as Libby was actively avoiding finding that out it would have been hard for the author to work it in. The romance seemed a little creepy to me if I'm honest, but at least Zoe seemed really nice and friendly. I felt bad for Libby's mother, and loved her stepfather for all the assurances that of course they wouldn't make Libby chose between them and her father's family. Her little half siblings were cute but not in it very much.

I'm glad I read it, and I think other readers will enjoy it, but I won't be racing to reread it.

Was this review helpful?

When I was offered me a sneak peek of Things to do Before the End of The World, I knew I had to take a big step out of my Middle Grade comfort zone – and wow…I am so glad I did – what a book!

This dramatic coming-of-age, psychological thriller is set against the dystopian backdrop of an impending ‘end of days’ environmental catastrophe nicknamed ‘The Creep.’ As the Permafrost melts away and the earth rapidly heats up to searing temperatures, so does the plot as we watch our protagonist Olivia become totally intoxicated with cousin Natasha’s heady charisma, confidence and charm.

Natasha has the ability to push Olivia way out of her comfort zone and make her do things she never imagined she could – from hustling tourists with street magic, reading palms and setting her dare-like ‘tasks’ to complete, in a bid to bring her out of herself.

But a sinister side of Natasha starts to emerge – controlling… manipulative and there is no way she could know some of the details she does about Olivia’s family…

Travel is central to the book and from a slow burning start in Winchester, the story rapidly shifts up through the gears as Natsha’s character gets deeper and deeper under Olivia’s skin. After a smouldering stay in Spain the plotline reaches a break-neck, pace when the girls travel to Paris for an adrenaline-fuelled final part of the book. As the ‘End Times’ creep closer, so does the feeling of unease in the pit of your stomach around Natasha. Only days remain until the cataclysmic event and there’s an explosion of twists, turns and revelations of dramatic proportions – the feeling of sheer panic is palpable in more ways than one!

Unfortunately I can no longer categorise myself as a Young Adult, but Emily Barr transported me back to 17 year old me, enjoying my first taste of independence on a holiday abroad with a friend. The sun, the crushes, the parties teamed with the imminent end of the world and dark psychological undertones make this the perfect teen summer binge-read.

Things to Do has whetted my appetite to read more of Barr’s novels and Young Adult in general.

Was this review helpful?

This story is a unique coming-of-age story. Our main character decides to step out of her shy, reticent self when the end of the world is predicted to happen in just a few short months.  I expected "the end of the world" to be the main focus of this story. It actually takes second billing to the feelings, thoughts, and actions of humans who are adjusting their mindset to this doomsday prediction.

While I expected chaos, people seem to continue on with their life for the most part while expecting a miracle to step in and save the Earth from the global destruction humans have caused. Upon reflection, I can see this attitude being the norm. After all, who is better at burying our heads in the sand.

The main character, Olivia, refuses to take a chance on ending her days without taking chances and trying to gain the love of her life. Disaster ensues when she is duped by Natasha, a previously unknown cousin. On the surface, Natasha is everything Olivia wishes she could be. But, is she really? There are hints throughout the story that all is not as it seems.

When days are running short, Olivia realizes she is in over her head. She has no choice but to turn to her family. In the course of solving the mystery of Natasha, long-buried family secrets are disclosed.

I enjoyed the drama of family secrets, mysteries, and reconciliations. The doomsday aspect is ever-present in the background influencing actions and feelings, but if you are looking for it as the main character of this story, you won't find it.  Let me finish by saying ...What an ending!

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish this book, as it triggered some of my past OCD triggers that I was surprised to find were still there. However, what I was able to read I did enjoy; I like the character, and I liked the fact that the author had chosen someone that wasn't the life of the party as sometimes there are too many books who focus on people who are. I can see this being very popular.

Was this review helpful?

Libby was an interesting character to follow throughout the book and I really liked her as the protagonist, even if she was a bit naive at certain times about everything that happened with Natasha throughout the book. Natasha was very complex but she was quite fishy throughout the whole book so I knew that she would inevitably do something questionable. However, I did love seeing Libby change into someone more confident and come out of her shell in the style of a coming-of-age book which I did really enjoy reading because it added a sort of sad note to the book given that it was all happening just as the world was about to end.

The plot was, as I said a coming-of-age and that was lovely to read even with the growing threat of the Creep throughout the book. However, I thought that the idea of the end of the world could have been played up a little bit more to create a bit more of a dramatic atmosphere and more of a sense of sadness at the end of the book. Speaking of the end of the book I did think it was all handled very well, with the dramatic conflict between Natasha and Libby and then the Creep coming around.

The writing was very enjoyable and easy to read, keeping me engaged throughout the book. I think that there could have been more of a sense of tension around the Creep and then Natasha being fishy around Libby. I did like how the little clues about Natasha came back later to explain her actions and that is something that I appreciate.

Was this review helpful?

Part eco-thriller, part mystery and part coming-of-age tale, Emily Barr’s Things to Do Before the End of the World is an odd book to categorise but, in spite of that, a compelling one to read.

As the title suggests, Things to Do Before the End of the World takes place in a near future setting where humanity’s negligence has resulted in potentially irreversible environmental catastrophe. Melting polar ice caps and the subsequent rise in carbon dioxide levels is going to wipe out the majority of life on earth and, as the novel opens, its main character Olivia is having to come to terms with the fact that not only will the world most likely end but, more specifically, it is going to do so in precisely nine month’s time. Which rather puts her inability to socialise with her classmates at the school dance and her worries about her exams into perspective.

Olivia – or Libby as she tends to be called – is shy, awkward and suffers from almost crippling social anxiety. Adept at planning out conversations and dreams in her head, she struggles to enact these in real life. Hence why despite her eloquently composed emails to the girl of her dreams, they’re going to sit unread in her drafts for what will quite possibly be the rest of Libby’s life.

Until, that is, Natasha turns up. Confident, easy-going, and extroverted, Libby’s long-lost cousin is everything that Libby isn’t – and everything she wants to be. So when Natasha proposes an all-out ‘end of the world’ road trip, Libby decides to throw caution to the wind and go out to explore the world she feels like she’s been hiding from her whole life. But is Natasha everything she claims to be? Or are there secrets to be discovered before the end of the world?

There is quite a lot going on in Things to Do Before the End of the World – possibly a little too much at times if I’m honest. Starting out with the imminent threat of ‘The Creep’ (as the rising levels of carbon dioxide come to be called), the book takes a turn into more comfortably YA ‘coming-of-age’ territory with an increasing focus on Libby’s insecurities and her budding romance, then switches modes into a Pretty Little Liars-style thriller/mystery as Libby’s doubts about Natasha develop, before ending back as a ‘coming-of-age’ story as Libby discovers the truth behind all the mysteries.

Whilst all of these strands are interesting in and of themselves, the sudden lurches in tone were occasionally jarring and I did feel that some of the most interesting elements of the premise – most notably the threat of the ‘The Creep’ – were side-lined as the story continued in favour of more well-worn tropes such as the thriller and romance elements.

That isn’t to say that Things to Do Before the End of the World isn’t an enjoyable read however. I rattled through it over the course of a couple of evenings and very much enjoyed my time with it. Libby makes for a likeable and interesting protagonist and the development of her unease about Natasha and her motives adds a creeping sense of unease to the proceedings that ensured the pages kept turning. But the ending did feel a tad rushed – with such a lot going on, there was a lot to wrap up – and whilst the ‘end of the world’ premise added a unique and interesting backdrop, I felt that element – emphasised quite heavily in the blurb and at the beginning of the novel – was underutilised in the rest of the story.

That said, the ending does manage to be both heart-warming and poignant – no mean feat given the many layers and complexities of the plot – and I did really enjoy seeing the way in which Libby develops as a character over the course of the book.

Offering plenty of drama and suspense and with a premise that, whilst not wholly realised for me, added an additional layer of complication to the well-trodden YA ‘coming-of-age’ narrative, Things to Do Before the End of the World makes for an interesting and unique addition to the YA thriller genre – and a fantastic way to while away some summer evenings or a sunny weekend!

Was this review helpful?

You have five minutes left to live. What will you do?

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinukbooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Life is way too short when it comes to misunderstandings and ego. It becomes even more shorter when global warming decides to act out. Things come into perspective when we become aware of our time left on this world, and everything not said and not done become the sole purpose of our existence.

'Things to do before the end of the world' is a book that talks of ethics, living life to the fullest, and how we're killing our planet on a daily basis. Libby is an introverted college teen who goes into an existential crisis when she finds out that the world as she knew it was coming to an end. She sets out to discover family secrets, explore Europe, learn about the street world, and invariably gets hurt in the process.

Libby had such an amazing character arc, and so did all the characters in the book! The most important takeaway would be that life is unpredictable and it's upto us to live it like no other.

Heartwarming, quick and light, this book is perfect for when you're in a slump or otherwise!

Was this review helpful?

Emily Barr is no stranger to YA literature having penned many a well-received title including The One Memory of Flora Banks and The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods. Her latest offering, Things To Do Before The End of the World combines dystopia with a typical YA finding themselves plot which creates an interesting dynamic throughout the novel.

Libby has dreams like all teenage girls: to be popular, bag herself her crush and travel the world. Except the Creep (or the end of the world to you and me) is slowly advancing closer and every day the world suffocates a little bit more in the toxic atmosphere that is slowly choking the environment. Libby is shy, socially awkward and selectively mute. She is not mentally prepared for the adventure the rest of the world think she should be having for one last time before the world ends; Libby is content with staying at home, writing countless emails to her crush that she never sends and spending time with her family.

However, after the death of her estranged uncle and the revelation that she has a cousin, Natasha, who is the same age as her, Libby starts to believe that maybe she should push herself outside of her comfort zone for one final time. When Libby and Natasha start communicating, it's clear that they have a spark, Natasha makes Libby feel confident and quietly encourages her to be brave in situations she usually shies away from. So when Libby's family leave for Spain for one final summer adventure and Natasha turns up Libby is excited to finally have a friend and explore her new found confidence. But one thing Libby hadn't expected was just how forceful Natasha could be, and how the reaction of her mother towards Natasha would put their friendship in doubt. Is Natasha actually the confident light that Libby needs or will she instead douse any flickering of a flame Libby did have?

The concept of the world ending is certainly not a new one when it comes to fiction, however, the narration perspective of a teenage girl coming to terms with the fact that her life may end imminently gave the idea a fresh feel. Libby's character is realistic throughout, meek and socially awkward around her friends, in awe of the wonderful Natasha who appears to whisk her out of her comfort zone, and fiercely loyal throughout to her family. Barr's portrayal of Natasha is equally brilliant - the cool, adventurous American cousin who swoops in to help Libby enjoy one final adventure, but who is equal parts shifty and mysterious with her tarot cards and street magic. The teenagers provide balance to one another but simultaneously keep the reader questioning whether Natasha should be trusted. Is she really up to something or is it just Libby's paranoia stopping her from having a real relationship with the cousin she always wanted?

The ending satisfyingly brings the plot together, although I will say that I was hoping for my serious end of the world explosions or some kind of explanation of what actually was happening to the atmosphere, but I think this is down to my own thirst for knowledge. Barr instead focuses on relationships and the importance of these when the end of the world comes - poignant and understandable given the rest of the plot focus!!

Overall Things To Do Before the End of the World is an unusual spin on the usual teenager coming-of-age trope. Impending doom is always guaranteed to spice things up a little and the chalk and cheese characters of Libby and Natasha are perfect for exploring subtle themes of confidence, peer pressure and family relationships.

Was this review helpful?