The End

The End by Mark Golding is a gripping, dystopian novel that explores the terrifying consequences of a mysterious parasite from a comet that causes widespread personality transformations. The story follows Martin Larkin, a former teacher, who becomes embroiled in a global crisis when his fiancée, Katie, and others begin exhibiting violent, immoral, and unpredictable behavior after the comet’s passage. As the parasite spreads, society descends into chaos, with infected individuals turning into criminals, monsters, or even killers. Martin’s desperate quest to find and save Katie leads him through a web of conspiracy, intrigue, and moral challenges. Meanwhile, the Bohr’s Comet has completely transformed Katie, who wants a new identity. She is plunged into the underbelly of Sydney. A new life form becomes dominant, and Martin must fight to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. When he finally confronts Katie, will anything be left of what they once shared or even of her humanity?

Mark Golding paints a terrifying post-apocalyptic world, skillfully exploring identity, human morality, and the powerful influence of a comet that first causes excitement only to leave humanity utterly broken. The silence in a safari park in Africa and the absence of wildlife are premonitions of the dark atmosphere characteristic of Golding’s The End. It is a skill that is used in the book repeatedly, and that creates suspense, pushing you to turn the pages to find out what happens next. Characterization is superbly accomplished, and Martin’s love and despair become the driving force behind the narrative, the one thing that grounds the story in humanity and realism. The pathos hit me hard as I followed him. Katy’s transformation into the ruthless criminal, Emily Kingsley, is a plot point that also had me turning the pages, and Golding succeeded in making me hate and love this character in turns. This propulsive tale takes you on a ride from the African wilderness to the bustling streets of London and the landscapes of Australia. It is atmospheric and brimming with tension.