The Quiet at the End of the World by Lauren James

Title: The Quiet at the End of the World
Author: Lauren James
Publisher: Walker Books
Date of Publication: 7th March 2019
Source: Purchased by reviewer

Summary:

How far would you go to save those you love?

Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of London and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking for artefacts from history and looking for treasure in their once-opulent mansion. 


Their idyllic life is torn apart when a secret is uncovered that threatens not only their family but humanity’s entire existence. Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide who to save and who to sacrifice . . .

Review:

This was such an interesting read. 

Lowrie and Shen were the two last children born on earth. They've been brought up in the last human settlement, learning the history of human civilisation, science, mechanics, engineering, farming. Everything they'll need to survive when their ageing parents and community are no longer around. 

I don't want to say too much about the plot, you absolutely want to read this without spoilers. The growth of the main characters, the development of their relationship, and the journey they go on to save their community is so beautifully structured. 

One of my favourite things about the book was at the start of each chapter, there is a record of what they have found while mudlarking, or just searching around their homes. My favourite was a fountain pen from the 1920s and a bic biro, both found down the back of an arm chair. I actually did laugh out loud at that one.

The ending managed to take me by surprise and the book really didn't go the way I expected it to. I also have questions about Lowrie's family name and exactly which branch of the family her ancestors were.

Lauren James is amassing an impressive collection of original and different sci fi. I look forward to more.