Until We End

Until We End by Frankie Brown- 4 stars

Synopsis-
It's been nine months since the virus hit, killing almost everyone it touched. Seventeen-year-old Cora and her little brother, Coby, haven't left home since. Not after the power cut out; not even after sirens faded in the distance and the world outside their backyard fence fell silent. But when a blistering drought forces Cora to go in search of water, she discovers that the post-apocalyptic world isn't as deserted as she thought when she meets Brooks, a drop-dead sexy army deserter. 
Fighting their way back home, Cora finds her house ransacked and Coby missing - kidnapped by the military for dangerous medical experiments in the name of finding a cure. Brooks knows exactly where Cora can find her brother, except he says it's a suicide mission. Cora doesn't care. But Brooks can't let her go…

*Received an ARC via net galley in exchange for an honest review

Overall-
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was short but "sweet" It had plenty of action and a little romance. There were plenty of intense moments, action, romance mystery; it has it all! Honestly I truly liked this one! When the book first started, I admit, I wasn't optimistic. But the author REALLY thought things out. It reminded me of Hunger Games in that respect. Where certain pieces were so thought out in the beginning that once I learned a fact later, the others made perfect sense. Like the blonde hair, and the greenhouse, and later the entire scheme. I have to say this one really impressed me in general though The ending was so interesting and intriguing, but now I can't wait to read the next book!!!

Plot--
I could totally see this happening. The idea is intriguing. But its been done. Sure, its nothing new. BUT, it doesn't go zombie, and it doesn't get too dystopian. It reminded me of Ashes, Ashes. (a book I loved). Cora makes some dumb moves, and obviously is new at survival, which was sometimes annoying, as a reader you see it coming! Yet at the same time, those moments make it all the more believable. Was the book entirely believable no. But it entirely interesting. :-) I liked that there was a twist of romance built in, and it never once felt forced. The chemistry was always there, and the author built on it over time, reminded me of External Forces. I am looking forward to the next book! (assuming there is one!) The twists and turns that came out throughout this book kept me fully engrossed in the book and I was sad to see it come to an end.


Characters-
Brooks-- I wasn't sure about Brooks at first, he made me uneasy and nervous for Cora. I never could figure out what his end game was. Did he have ulterior motives or something? But I was pleased in the end with his final role and how it worked out. He was sweet and protective, but Cora never ceased to amaze him or the reader, and nor did he, which was always a nice surprise. I liked the relationship he built with Cora and that as a reader you slowly get to know him just like Cora did. I am team brooks all the way.



Cora- I liked Cora a lot. She wasn't perfect, she made mistakes, and didn't think everything through. She certainly thought with her heart and not her head, but her strong willed determination could be felt through it all. I felt that her character also developed throughout the book, starting naive and ending up being more self sacrificial and recognizing that life is not as it seems can be the most terrifying revelation but she seemed to deal well with all the cards she was unfairly handed. Im a fan! She was well developed in generally, but also grew as a character throughout the book, both of which are important to me as a reader.