THE END OF THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN LOVE BY DAVINA BELL

This wonderful book opens with Winter and Summer, identical twins, living alone on an island in a post-apocalyptic world. Both sisters are narrators of their story and as it progresses, the reader is left with the knowledge that they are, at times, totally unreliable. Each chapter is seen through the eyes of one of the sisters as we follow their sometimes, idyllic existence in isolation, away from whatever the world has become. Their father bought them to the island when things went bad and shadowy characters were hunting him down. He had invented a way that the internet was totally accessible and free to everyone but the consequences got out of hand. As the world fell into a time of violence and uncertainty, an illness known as “The Greying” began to spread and kill hundreds of thousands of people. Their mother, who in the beginning we are led to believe died in childbirth, became a casualty to the brutality the world was now ruled by.

The girls were safe on their island until the day someone appeared at the edge of the forest. From that time on, their own world began to crumble. Winter fell in love with the intruder, Edward, and Summer was left with feelings of jealousy and abandonment. Her own prickly personality made things worse and eventually she decides to leave her sister and Edward to themselves. But by now things have turned nasty between the kind-hearted Winter and her beau.

The language used and the style of writing in this novel are fabulous. The chatty narration of Summer and her thoughts on everything are a joy to read. The questions that arise and the different way the sisters view the world create a scenario that, in the end, is heartbreaking. The sacrifices we make for those we love and the unbelievable pain left by betrayal are explored here with insight that leaves the reader breathless.

For Ages: 14 + years

Number of Pages: 288

Published: June 2020

Themes: Sacrifice, love, betrayal and courage

Rating: 4.5/5