A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings.
The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that’s left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand. – Goodreads
UGHHHHH. I’m just going to get right down to the nitty-gritty & tell you – this was so bad. SO BAD. I had the biggest issue with one particular person’s story line – Sienna. Zan and Caden had story lines that, while not as atrocious as Sienna’s, still did nothing for me. I wish I hadn’t read this. Seriously.
The reason I have such a huge issue with Sienna’s story is because everything is so vague. Her dad comes to pick her up from the House (rehab I’m assuming? It never says right out) and there are a lot of references to her mom ‘being sick’ and ‘getting worse’. From what I understood, after Sienna’s mom passed away, Sienna tried to kill herself. But honestly? I have no idea if that’s really what happened because we never address that issue. Coutts also skirt-tailed around what Sienna’s mom was sick with so…? WTF people. The only thing I could gather is that she was bipolar/manic-depressive and that’s just because Sienna’s dad mentioned her not being ‘manic.’ It’s so stupid! If you’re going to write a book about dealing with mental health, you need to actually explain what it is otherwise no one will understand. Goodness gracious. (sorry for this insane paragraph).
The other thing about Sienna is that she comes home (to their beach house) and out of the damn blue, falls head over heels in love with this random dude she hasn’t seen since she was like 8. NO. Just… no. This just adds to me thinking that she was more going on than just a suicide attempt. She’s SO into Owen, and runs off with him with less than 48 hours until the world is obliterated, leaving her dad & brother with their dad’s new girlfriend/fiance… and then changes her mind totally randomly and goes back home?! WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HELL PEOPLE.
Zan also annoyed me – her story line was about a missing sister and her boyfriend that died 10 months ago who she ‘talks’ to on a rock every day. And her boyfriend’s best friend taking her on a ‘scavenger hunt’ to figure out if said boyfriend was cheating on her when he died. Come onnnnnn.
The only thing that irked me about Caden’s story was that his dad kidnapped him and then bought him a hooker. What kind of person does that? His dad was the worst.
This book was the worst. Please don’t waste your time. Don’t read it. Forget it exists. I gave it 2/5 stars on Goodreads because I was being nice… and then I switched it to 1/5 because I don’t want anyone to think this is salvageable. I’ve never not liked a book so much and honestly? It’s because of the ‘maybe bipolar/manic depressive/suicidal’ thing… I’ve dealt with bipolar & manic depression a lot in my life and it’s not a subject that should ever be hinted at or skirted around because you don’t want to address it head on… it’s not something to take lightly & I really feel like this is exactly what happened here. Disappointment is not even half of what I’m feeling, especially since this is the first book I’ve read that’s ever even tried to address it (or did it?).
and thus concludes my longest review ever that is mostly ranting but oh well. If you got this far, I’m proud. Until next time!
lifebetweenreads.com 