When I requested this book from Netgalley, I loved the title and the premise (the line is from a classic poem that I always liked and the storyline had a lot of great concepts). Initially the story, told from the POV of an autistic out student at an elite private academy, was a page-turner and although a lot of it seemed implausible (simply wearing a mask and her friend's dress was enough to convince a huge crowd of people that she was her friend? yeah, I had to suspend my disbelief a lot on that premise), I did keep reading. I was not expecting the second half of the book to be quite so apocalyptic (despite the title, which I thought was hyperbolic, and description) and even more implausible.

I partially blame marketing for the disconnect: the cover makes the book appear to be more about relationships and reality rather than sci-fi, which I would argue this borders on. That's fine of course but make that a bit clearer in the promotion so readers won't feel disappointed it isn't what they expected.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy to review.

Teenage outcasts in a world of the ‘perfect’ people. Initially that’s how I perceived this story about Waverly, an autistic teen from a working class family who is attending a very private, very elite high school in New York City. Waverly is a scholarship kid, and everyone knows it. Her parents both work in the school.

The story starts out in Caroline’s penthouse in her huge closet filled with high dollar clothes and accessories. Waverly feels she is only in Caroline’s world because Waverly is a tutor. But then Caroline does this amazing thing - having Waverly try on her couture dress for the annual school masquerade ball. And upon seeing Waverly all dolled up, Caroline decides that Waverly should go in her place. After all it is a masquerade!

Waverly’s best friends, Pari and Frank, will be at the ball as well. Frank, another scholarship student, but a genius one, was granted a ticket by one of the benefactors of the school. Pari comes from money, but she’s an outcast because she’s queer and south Asian. Waverly agrees to go to the ball. Waverly’s ex-girlfriend Ash, daughter of the school’s head and founder, will be there.

And that’s where things start to get really weird. The ball is everything Waverly ever could have imagined and more. Completely over the top. Until everything starts to go wrong.

This is such a great novel about teens and the power they have within them if they trust themselves to it. Waverly with all her ‘perceived’ flaws is able to overcome those things to step completely out of her comfort zone. Caroline, who appears at the surface to be nothing more than a pampered princess, is tougher and braver than one would imagine. Pari, with her snark and sass and cane, brings an element of humor to the whole group.

Honestly, wasn’t sure about this one at the start, but it 100% won me over with its forthrightness and charm. While it’s just a tad on the unbelievable side, it’s also very fresh and fun.

This is the way the world ends. immediately add to shelf, I love a good dramatic title. And this book was a ride on it's own! The story and the characters kept me on my toes throughout the entire book.

This is the Way the World Ends is a quick-paced YA thriller with a lot going on. This dark academia read follows Waverley, an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy, as she’s asked by the school’s “It Girl” Caroline to attend the masquerade gala dressed, which Waverley jumps at the chance to once she hears her ex girlfriend will also be attending. But the night isn’t all glitz and glamor—it’s a gala filled with secrets and murder and sinister plots. There’s honestly kind of too much going on this book. It’s part second chance romance, part sci-fi, and part YA thriller. I think had it stuck to more the thriller element, there could have been a really cool story in this, with the second chance as a B plot, but with everything going in, it started to feel a little convoluted and I felt myself getting a little lost. By the end too, it felt like there were a lot of characters too to keep track of. I did enjoy Waverley as a main character though, she’s sharp and brave and loyal, and she has such a trusting heart. She was very easy to root for. And I loved the backdrop of this gala that had a very haunting quality. I do think cinematically, this would be a very cool movie, but I think as a book, it felt a little too much. There was a lot of potential in this story and I loved the premise and Waverley and the diversity in the book, that was all really engaging and wonderful. It is a very fast-paced read too, so I devoured this story in an afternoon. But overall the book felt a like a little too much going on and didn’t really work for me.

I absolutely adored this! It was suspenseful, action-packed, and emotional. I knew going in it was a horror, so when I was reading the first few chapters I was a little confused, but it was an excellent build-up to an even more excellent book. I could not put this down, I read it all in one day, I took a short break to eat dinner but the entire time I was thinking about this book. Jen Wilde has become one of my favorite authors from this book alone, so while I'm waiting for a sequel, y'all need to pick up this amazing book!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

Representation: autism, queer, bi, disability, chronic illness, Asian American

CW: racism, ableism, inability to afford medical care, getting stuck in an elevator, and everything else that you’d expect when reading an apocalyptic horror/thriller

I give this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This was so incredibly exciting. From about 40% in until the very end, it was nonstop action. The characters in this book were so dynamic, and I found myself actively rooting for some and hating on others. There were multiple times while reading this book where I was literally holding my breath!! I loved all the representation within the characters. I desperately wanted this book to include an epilogue, but I think it was more powerful without. I would love to see this book turned into a movie.

I feel like this book needs to be broken in 2 parts, the beginning that I enjoyed, but the second half had me questioning if this was the best book choice for me. Sometimes YA isn’t the best fit for me, and I think that happened with this book.

This Is the Way the World Ends is a lot of things, but above all, I'd describe it as WILD. I never expected this to be where the story was gonna go, but you know what? I love that.

Waverly has a great voice and I instantly felt connected to her. Like me, she's an autistic lesbian and I LOVED seeing myself in an epic, over-the-top story like this. Seriously, that was so dear to me. The themes explored here are also really powerful, but the most important part is that this book does what it needs to do: it entertains.

With loads of twists and fun characters, This Is the Way the World Ends is addictive. I read it in one sitting... literally without getting up even once. If you're looking for something that feels a little absurd (although, is it really?), this one is for you!

As a beneficiary of a very generous scholarship, Waverly is very fortunate to attend one of the most prestigious college prepatory schools, Webber Academy.

Being a gay autistic student, Waverly struggles to fit in with her classmates. And coming from a low income family doesn’t help her situation. As a distraction and to also supplement the family income, Waverly become a student tutor in the hopes to make new friends in the process.

With an upcoming fundraising masquerade ball, Waverly can only wish for the opportunity to hob nob with the elite crowd. So when one of Waverly’s students, who also happens to be the most popular girl in the school, offers Waverly the chance to take her place, Waverly couldn’t refuse. It would be Waverly’s one chance to reconnect with her ex-girlfriend, Ash. But things don’t go as planned as Waverly gets hunted down for witnessing a gruesome murder during the building’s lockdown and during a global blackout.

This is the Way the World Ends is a mixed bag of genres. It’s part mystery, part second chance romance, and part sci-fi. And because of that, I have mixed feelings about the novel.

With no clear cut plot, the novel is a slow read at the start. I nearly gave up at 34% And nothing really happens until I was invested at 45% when Waverly witnesses the murder.

The characters were not as fleshed out as I would have wanted. The main protagonist is supposedly autistic but at what end of the autism spectrum was not made clear. But she wasn’t a “Rainman.”

The ending wasn’t a cliffhanger. But it was pretty vague and inconclusive. So is a sequel coming? Two okay stars.

I received a digital ARC from Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press) through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

Wow this book is so so good. Its amazing. I want book #2. I mean we have to have another book right? You can't leave us hanging with that ending. The twist I didn't see coming. I mean maybe I should have I don't know. With Waverly she is just great, all she wants to do is help her mother out, by going to this school it will help her get into pre med. Which is her goal. Falling for Ash wasn't part of that goal. But she does and when Ash leaves without a word... That is just the start of things. Waverly has two best friends whom I just love. Their little group makes up of Frank and Pari and Waverly. All are different in one way or another. But that is what is so great about them, they could care less really. But Waverly gets a chance to see Ash again when Caroline says hey take my place at the ball. Caroline is pretty popular and very rich.
But she seems to be very friendly with everyone. But at this ball is where it all goes down. This book is not to be missed. A definite must read.

No doubt this story will be talked about. I mean it just has has to.
This Is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde is seething, atmospheric and compulsively readable.
A suspenseful, fast paced, YA queer, romance and a touch of dystopian was a freaking bombshell of amazingness.
This was a riveting and thrilling story that kept me guessing until the very end! It was so exciting to read with all the twists and turns, incredible characters, and intriguing mystery happening. I couldn't put it down. This story is the definition of a page-turner! I loved it!
My first time reading Jen Wilde’s work and it most certainly won’t be last.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Wednesday Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

** spoiler alert ** I loved this book!!! The fantastic part was how realistic this could totally be.

Autistic scholarship student Waverly makes up 1% of the student at her prestigious prep school Webber Academy in New York. While most of her friends get by on the success and money of their wealthy parents she gets by on tutoring jobs and the help of the academy's Dean Owen Webber. So when Caroline, the "it girl" and also friend/tutor student to Waverly suggests that Waverly goes to the academy's masquerade ball in her place, though hesitant at first, Waverly agrees when she finds out that former girlfriend and daughter to Dean Webber, Ash is going to be there. Once Waverly arrives, it's almost everything she has dreamed of, feeling like a real-life Cinderella. But Waverly came with a mission and that was to speak to Ash to ask her why, without any warning, Ash left for London and never spoke to Waverly again. But when Waverly stumbles into a secret meeting overhearing the schools Dean and other donor parents discussing a sinister plat, she realizes that the school masquerade ball is nothing more than a cover-up for something disastrous and now she and her friends need to escape the ball before the plot unfolds. All of this while the apocalypse is happening outside.
I had so much fun reading this book. There were so many times that I got so mad at the thought of people in society not accepting someone for who they were inside and out. But, that's just it isn't it? There are still so many that aren't accepting of a mentally challenged genius or someone who is gay or someone with a disability. I live with 4 chronic illnesses so I completely related to the character Pari. I loved her take no s*** attitude and she didn't shy away from, nor felt no shame in embracing every part of her disability. Author Jen Wilde did an absolutely amazing job with this book. I truly hope the story continues. This was a short read, done in a few hours. Great for a rainy day or a sunny day

This is a story with so much going on that you can't help but be hooked. You've got teen angst with love lost and trying to fit in. There is a masquerade ball at a prep school that is more a rite of passage than just a celebration. You have kidnapping and cult behavior. And then throw in the end of the world as we know it. Most of the story takes place one one day, with some flashbacks to help set the scenes. It flows so smoothly despite how much is going on. I love the factory setting with the different levels, secret doors and elevators, and a mirror maze. Although terrifying, it also makes the story that much more exciting. And then the day ends. It seems kind of abrupt, but the story has to end somewhere, and we pretty much get an idea as to what will happen next. I really enjoyed the book!

Dear Publishing: this book is my jam! Action-packed thriller with end-of-the-world disaster movie plot that would rival any Roland Emmerich tentpole. And add to that a quirky, loveable, relatable, queer autistic MC, a cast of misfit teens who may or may not be in on the conspiracy and a locked room-type mystery with murder and loaaaads of mayhem. What a fantastic ride I can't wait to take again.

This book is definitely engaging. I read it in basically one day. But it was a mess. The first half is pretty slow and then the characters literally just start running all over the place. Waverly's obsession with Ash was annoying. Also, I have so many questions - which I won't post here because I don't want to give any spoilers. But that ending was just not good - how did these kids not die? It read like the ending to a superhero/action/spy novel - but these are regular kids, and not super-athletic ones. I really liked the characters, but we don't get to spend a lot of time with them, because they are too busy running around and reacting to the things that are happening.

Thank you to NetGalley and the pulbisher for allowing me to review this book.

This is a miss for me. The blurb says that this book is about Waverly, an autistic girl that agrees to go undercover as her friend Caroline to the prestigious Masquerade Ball her fancy school is throwing. It's a chance to see the other side of life that Waverly doesn't get to experience, and she'll have the chance to settle things with her ex-girlfriend, the Dean's daughter. Things get a little wild when the night goes horribly wrong, casting friends and foes against one another in the hopes of survival.

I wanted to love this book, but I just didn't. I feel like all I knew about Waverly was that she was poor, autistic, and still pining for her girlfriend. That was it. Autism seemed to be her only personality trait, and for me, that wasn't enough. I love to see representation in books, but it needs to be good representation.

I also found that the book just got more and more out of control and unbelievable as it went. It made it quite difficult to not roll my eyes at all the wild stuff going on. more than anything, that made me feel like I'd wasted good hours reading this when I could have been reading something else. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

I'm a big fan of Jen's other books but unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one. This book was very messy and all over the place. None of the characters were very likeable.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a copy in exchange for a honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 9, 2023
Waverly doesn’t fit in at Weber Academy. As a scholarship student from Queens, she’s taking on tutoring gigs to help pay her way to her dream of Yale Medical school, a dream that Weber can definitely help bring to fruition. So, when super popular socialite Caroline asks Waverly to attend the Weber Academy’s ultra exclusive annual ball in her place, Waverly awkwardly accepts, hoping that this glimpse into the rich and famous society of Weber alumni, donors, parents and students will be the chance she needs to finally reconnect with her ex-girlfriend who ghosted her months ago. But Waverly doesn’t expect is to see someone murdered, or to hear the nefarious plans the founder of Weber, and its dean, have for the future of Weber, and the future of humanity. Waverly has to find a way to get the Weber community to believe her, and to save the world in the process.
“This is the Way the World Ends” by YA author Jen Wilde is a sleek, modern and engaging story with diverse, spunky characters that will find quick fandom among fans of Karen McManus. Waverly, a queer young woman with autism, breaks the boundaries and stereotypes every step of the way, leaving readers with a strong, stigma-breaking protagonist to root for. A character with autism is nothing new, of course, but Wilde does Waverly and the autism community justice, by making her eccentricities and her anxieties part of the overall reality of the plot, and I appreciated Wilde’s honest depiction of Waverly’s struggles and behaviours.
Part YA, part dystopian fiction, “Ends” is full of page-turning action and suspense. The end of the world is at your door and you’re surrounded only by the rich, white men who helped create it? There’s no other choice but to get the hell out of there (and FAST), and Wilde pulls readers into the tumultuous adventure of Waverly and her friends as they aim to do just that.
Wilde is not a new author, but she is a new one for me, and I always love when I discover a hidden gem in my TBR list. Wilde’s “This is the Way the World Ends” will be on every “to read” list there is, and we will be hearing about it for months to come. An on-trend disaster story that manages to be both fresh and modern, “Ends” will leave an indelible mark (in the best way!)

I wanted to enjoy this book based on the description but I really struggled. This book was all over the place. It almost felt like 3 different stories and the author couldn’t decide where they wanted the book to go.

I liked that 2 of the MC were neurodivergent. The reason I gave the book 2 stars was because I felt like the author did a great job with the disability representation.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

3.5 stars
i’ve read a few jen wilde books and never clicked with her writing style, but decided to give This is the Way the World Ends a try anyway, because as an autistic lesbian, i’m a sucker for stories about autistic lesbians and those are few and far between.

this book immediately felt more mature and put together than any of the author’s previous work. i’m not sure if that’s because wilde’s skill has matured or if she acquired a really great editor, but whatever the case, it’s working out.

the story started out feeling like a typical ya contemporary. its shift into apocalyptic storytelling was extremely abrupt but i think it worked. i didn’t care much for the love story at the heart of it all and i think the side characters were quite underdeveloped, but that’s often to be expected with books of this length.

overall it was enjoyable. i would recommend it.