In Since the World is Ending we follow a violinist living in Vienna, who is navigating a new relationship with her colleague when her ex-boyfriend arrives unexpectedly for a visit. It’s intense and full of emotion, creating a sensory portrait of Vienna that makes you long to be there, whilst also exploring themes of love, self-discovery and memory.

I loved how music was interwoven into the narrative, through beautiful and detailed descriptions that brought Maya’s passion for music to life and evoked a strong and immersive atmosphere. The complex characters and relationships made this feel very realistic, with messy pasts, uncertain feelings and bad decisions making this a very engaging read.

Absolutely loved it! Thank you to Scribner for the NetGalley arc.

A weekend in Vienna among musicians in love, old flames and family issues. Sensual and poetic young love.

His novel follows the story of Maya a young woman who is a professional violin player in a symphony Orchestra. At the start of the novel, the Orchestra is playing in Vienna. As well as may we meet a number of other characters some of whom are orchestral musicians we also meet her ex-boyfriend who arrives unexpectedly to visit her. Ma is having a relationship with another musician who is female when her old male partner arrives unexpectedly and expects to stay in her flat she is conflicted.
I’m not really educated on clsssical music so a lot of these sections went over my head although I understood the sensual link particularly to a musician . Music and sex and sexuality are intimately linked in this novel.
Reading this novel reminded me that I have drifted to a place in my life where I don’t make much music and how much I need it
I’m not sure after reading his book that I fully understand the title even it’s explained in the acknowledgements
I dare you to read the Joni Mitchell Blue albums section of this novel without listening along
This section really resonates with me listening along definitely added a certain something to the reading
The author has a clean gear easily red writing style. The novel was an enjoyable read.
The Norfolk could’ve been said anywhere, but however setting it in the sultry heat of summer in Vienna ads a certain amount of exoticness to the story
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK
The book is published in the UK on 10 February 2026 by Simon and Schuster
This review will appear on netgalley. UK , StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com.

After publication it will also appear on Amazon and water stones.

The way that Schneider uses the flow of words on the page to capture music, or a sensation or thought is very effective. I enjoyed the overall plot and appreciated the main character's passion for music. I love how Vienna came to life on the page.

If I have one gripe, I would say that Josh is maybe a touch underwritten and I didn't quite believe the chemistry between him and Maya. The scenes with Lucia worked very well, however.