Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

The End of Time by Gavin Extence is a heart breaking tale of two teenage boys fleeing th war in Syria.

This book is a thought-provoking yet humorous look at important world issues such as race and religion.
It is a fiction book but reads although it could definitely be nonfiction and shines a light on the desperation it takes to leave your home behind to try and find a life else where.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

The immigrant experience: moments of humour are found in this upsetting look at brothers trying to better their lives.

From their home country to the UK. We hear about people of all ages making this journey every day. Not often do we follow a pair of brothers as they make it. Through the physical grind, the paperwork, the dehumanising treatment, the acts of kindness, the bonds made, the heartbreak.

Mohammed and Zain have been sent from their warn-torn home, not knowing the fate of their family, but knowing they cannot return. Heading for Britain, they have a long way to travel, and must strategically plan each step for resources, routes and risks.

Eldest brother Mohammed is an academic and secret atheist (a copy of The God Delusion hidden inside Dickens), with sexuality issues hidden from his brother that he worries about revealing. Zain is a rather typical teenager, obsessed with mobile phones and with a foul mouth a sailor would be proud of. On their journey they meet the alcoholic Jesus, who somehow ends up tagging along with them, his 'premonitions' disturbing them.

We see other characters in similar situations, see what immigrants en masse must contend with, though it felt like overall people they came across were either indifferent or philanthropic rather than angry/antagonistic.

The story takes some very moving turns and it's never certain if our brothers are going to make it to safety. Mohammed is very relatable, with a big heart and aspirations, Zain's spirit is hard to dislike.
"'We sit tight,' I told him. 'Wait for them to let us go.' 'That's not a plan!' my brother complained. 'That's just bending over and taking it!'"

Seeing young people struggling through these circumstances is difficult, it brings it home how an immigrant is just another person, trying to feel safe and happy.

The secondary story of Jesus is quite a moving one, with more than one issue raised from it, aside from his immigrant status. Together the three main characters tell a contemporary story that needs telling.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.

Every so often I need a break from crime fiction and just want to read a story. I want to meet wonderful characters and witness their journeys through life. This was that book for me. We meet two brothers as they are just about to start a new chapter in their lives. Mohammed and Zain are about to swim to freedom. To leave their dark pasts and embark on a new adventure. An adventure that, although they may not survive, they have to try. And so they take the plunge into the unknown...
On the other side (not really a spoiler as, if they didn't make it, it'd be a very short and pointless book) they meet up with the rather strange character of Jesus, a crazy alcoholic who obviously has a bit of a past but, needs must and safety in numbers and all that. And now is the time to really grab your tissues as we follow our, now, trio as the attempt to cross Europe and get to the UK. Faced with danger from all sides - not just the authorities - they have borders to negotiate. Will fortune favour the brave and will they all make it? Well, that'd be telling...
Oh my days. This book sucked me in right from the off, held me captive throughout, chewing me up a bit emotionally, before spitting me out at the end, completely exhausted but, at the same time, wholly satisfied. It was a journey that I thank my stars that I will never have to make myself. I felt for these boys (and their chaperone) every step of the day. To say I invested emotionally in them would be a bit of an understatement.
It also opened my eyes about a fair few things along the way. Some bad, obviously, but quite a few surprisingly amazing moments. Despite all the peril and danger there was always the feeling of hope bubbling under throughout. We see the best of people as well as the worst of them.
Pacing was, on the whole, good throughout. There are slow parts but I felt that they were necessary as they spoke to how the characters must have been feeling at those times, and so they reflected the story well.
All in all, a beautiful novel which shows humanity as it is today, pulling no punches and delivering shocks and surprises along the way. An important book and one that is pertinent in the world we live in today. A book I feel proud and privileged to have read. One that will stay with me for a while. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Gavin Extence is an undiscovered treasure. That is important for my review because the moment I saw his name on the cover I didn't really care for it or the synopsis before requesting it. That's how I got slapped in the face with this book's theme.
The book is still very funny in a Gavin Extence kind of way and there are plenty of heartwarming moments, the entire book fueled by fear but mostly by an undercurrent of love. Zain's love for his brother. The book doesn't pull any punches though.
At the same time, this book speaks to the West's hypocrisy and lack of empathy it also makes sure to notice how there are kind people everywhere, brave people that sometimes defy their government's rules to aid those in need. The reader still ends up feeling put on the spot because of the way the book is written, with Zain speaking to us in the first person and stopping once in a while to break the fourth wall.
One of the things I loved the most about this book was Zain. Zain has a secret, a very important, heavy secret but the author only reveals it midway through the book, making sure that it was too late for that to influence our opinion of Zain.
Gavin Extence's books are always imbued with a sense of magic that always make me feel that they are a portal to Fairyland. This book was no different. Although it wasn't as showy as The Universe vs Alex Woods, it's a pretty solid piece of writing that provides us with a window to a situation that most of us are only marginally aware of. My first reaction after finishing it was just looking around to all the things I make use of every day without a second thought.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

An excellent, uplifting read that gripped me throughout. Brilliant characters, a compelling plot and plenty of laughs despite the serious subject matter. Extence is a wonderful storyteller whose prose is so smooth and effortless, you feel like you’re actually living the story rather than reading it. A delight from start to finish. Bravo.

By far, my favourite book of 2019 so far.
19 year old Zain and his 14 year old brother, Mohammed have reached Turkey having fled from Syria. They hope that their final destination will be the UK. In Greece, their paths cross with ‘Jesus’ from Iran. The three of them set out to travel to Western Europe.
‘The End Of Time’ is an amazing book. Gavin is such a superb storyteller. What should be a wholly depressing tale, is yet filled with such light, joy and laugh out loud moments.
I cannot do better in my review than mention a couple of things that Gavin records in his author’s notes. First, he refers to Atticus Finch staying that novels novels encourage us to climb into someone else’s skin and walk around it. Secondly, Gavin states as well as trying to tell a compelling story, he wants to shout about compassion, understanding and empathy. He achieves all of these things in bucketfuls.
A highly recommended must read for all.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'll start by saying that The End of Time is one of my favourite reads of 2019.
I fell in love with Zain, Mohammed and Jesus and walked every mile by their side on their epic journey.
This book was sad and dark, whilst being funny, endearing and uplifting. I cannot recommend it highly enough and will be telling the world to read The End of Time. My first Gavin Extence, but won't be my last.

'The End of Time' is a fantastic book, the best I've read in a long while. I'm a huge fan of Gavin Extence's previous works, and this is another dazzler. It's hugely deep, real and emotional with many moments of sadness, fear and unfairness. And yet it is littered from the beginning with hope, humour and kindness. It truly shows the best of human nature, during circumstances bought on by the worst of it.

Zayn, and his brother Mohammed are fleeing Syria, in the hope of a new, safer life in Europe. Desperate to reach the UK to fulfill his academic dreams and protect his brother, Zayn constantly pushes through his circumstances with honesty and warmth. When they meet an odd, alcoholic man named "Jesus" their journey is changed...in some bad ways and some good. It's truly a fantastic story of humanity, and should be read by everybody. A lot of research and care was obviously taken to portray a very real story, and something we should all, as humans, feel passionate about.

Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy, and thank you Gavin Extence, for another fantastic story. I loved every moment.

‘I’d like to shout as loudly as I can about compassion and understanding and empathy. I hope that’s one of the things this novel does.’

The afterword Gavin Extence writes is as interesting as the novel itself. He is inspired by meeting a young refugee, part of whose journey from the Middle East involved swimming across the sea from Turkey to a Greek island, to imagine what it must be like to leave behind everything you have ever known and travel (by sea, rail, road and, most often, by foot) across Europe towards an uncertain future. His main characters, teenage Syrian brothers, are brave and resourceful yet dependent throughout on luck and the kindness of strangers. That’s the message: we (the strangers) have a duty to help.

Apart from that, I didn’t take anything much else from this book. I didn’t really learn anything new - the Greeks are willing but overwhelmed, the Germans are welcoming, the Hungarians not so much - and it seems a little out of date now (the Calais ‘jungle’, for example). But if it serves its purpose to highlight the plight of refugees, I’ll be happy.