There is a lot of things going on in this book. Once you get all straightened out in your head the story is absolutely fascinating.
The story takes place in the distant future where the world has ruptured apart and has dived up humanity into different factions. The Technocrats rule most everyone through use of technology infused humanity and strict rules in the "Upper-Alpha" city. There is the poor cast off remnants of humanity that live below the city, doing what they can to survive. Mica Stone, our main character, does what she can to survive and keep herself supplied with Angel's Breath, a drug that keeps away the fears and nightmares of her family dying. Animkii, a soldier in the technocrat army is a mix of humanity and bio steel controlled by the Alphaknot. A sentient being that controls by thought. When an attack she leads meets with disaster her path is drastically changed and eventually ties to Mica and those she is trying to escape.
Overall a really good story, there is just many things going on but I found the characters interesting and the world building is top notch!

I really have no idea what to think here. It’s not that any individual component of this book was actively bad; it’s just that there are so many different components going on that it all starts seeming very odd and hard to follow. Half of the book takes place in a futuristic world where one of the main characters, Mica, is being hunted by a cult that has infiltrated the government because they believe they can bring forth their god by sacrificing her. The other half takes place in Animkii’s world, where technology is forbidden and clans cling to survival through a system of rituals and structures that seems like a grab bag of a whole variety of indigenous traditions from around the world. It’s all a bit jarring.
Also, Animkii is shown as white on the cover, and although her race isn’t specifically discussed that I remember, like I said her world seems to be drawing very heavily from indigenous cultures, which feels a bit appropriation-y. Come to think of it, I’m not sure there are any characters who are described as non-white, although I don’t remember character descriptions terribly well.
At any rate, I think the sheer quantity of different world-building elements makes it difficult to focus in on some of the core elements of the story. There are plenty of interesting things going on here – the mind-controlled warriors who are going around destroying cities for the Technocrats; the status of religion; Mica’s struggle with addiction; Mica and Animkii’s relationship; the fate of Earthen civilization – I’d love to see more of all of these elements. But they’re all competing with one another, and some of them are more just throwaway plot elements that never really get fully explored. Really needs to be narrowed down a bit.

This book is way cooler than I am. Highly recommend. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one but I do not regret a single minute. The action, the pacing, the characters?! Perfection. I love anything dystopian and The End of the World delivers.

Living in the future where the world is ruled by the oppressive Technocrats that infects beings with a hive-mind mentality, Animkii finds her mind struggling to break free. But even when she surprisingly does, she realizes that her troubles have just begun. Mica is a black-market recycler who trusts only her brother and was recently held captive by a cult. But when she crosses paths with Animkii, she goes against her better judgement and decides to try and help her. Little does she know that they’re both about to find themselves embroiled in a battle for freedom against forces greater than they could have ever imagined.

This work tosses you into the middle of things, but it doesn’t take too long to become situated in the world. While it’s told from a dual POV, they quickly merge which makes it easy to keep track of. There isn’t much plot, though. And what little plot there is was buried under info-dumping and worldbuilding that was sometimes interesting and sometimes not. The author utilized long flashbacks interspersed throughout the primary narrative, especially in the middle-end of the book, to provide background info. I disliked how excessive it was, even if some of the information was necessary. The last 10 to 15 percent of the book got intense and went at a breakneck speed, making it impossible for me to put down.

I did like the characters and enjoyed the different backgrounds of the two protagonists. It helped to flesh out the world some having these varied characters and made their POVs unique and worthwhile.

There wasn’t much resolved in this one, and it certainly set up for a book two. If you’re interested in dystopian sci-fi you might like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book takes place in a post-apocalyptic future run by the Technocrats. The Technocrats have the ability to enslave people as warriors. Animkii is one of these people. When she escapes the hive mind, she unexpectedly joins forces with Mica to protect what remains of the world. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but there was a lot going on and a lot of world building that I found myself having to push through certain parts.

I love fantasy but dystopian futures aren’t usually my thing. However, I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and ended up captivated by the characters and story! I really appreciated the way the story wove around two women and their relationship to one another, and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installment because I feel connected to the characters.

HS Gilchrist weaves the old and new, real and imagined, in this narrative. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy science fiction, and I would gladly read another work from this author.

This is the first novel in a trilogy (or series) and offers very little resolution. However, it does offer an entrance into an interesting story.

Animikii is a warrior, but one who’s been enslaved by the Technocrats. After something goes wrong in battle, she has a limited time to repair or remove the invasive tech inside her. Otherwise it will either kill her or destroy the last of her humanity.

She finds herself allied with Mica Stone, a black market recycler who faces her own struggle. Survival is hard, and she has to do it while avoiding those who’d like to use the power of her dreams to awaken a sleeping god.

The two of them find their struggles begin to align, as both slowly realise that their individual struggles may have grave implications for everyone. If they fail, the world could end.

I didn’t find this novel particularly outstanding. I struggled to engage with or care about the characters, and for a substantial part of the novel I felt that there was no clear goal or reason to be interested in what was going on. This is something of a slow burn, however, and while I never really loved the characters, an interesting, if somewhat jumbled, plot did eventually emerge.

It does feel a bit as though Gilchrist has thrown everything into this novel: multiple worlds, magic, crazed gods. degraded technology, high level futuristic technology, evil scientists, robotic soldiers… if you’ve ever seen it in a science fiction novel, you’ll probably see it again here. And it is, perhaps, a bit much.

Although I think part of Gilchrist’s point was intended to be the clash between the more naturalistic, grounded society that Animkii comes from and the highly technological society of the Technocrats, the result is actually a bit confused.

The novel is trying to depict both a magical/spiritual fight against an invader from another world or dimension, and a highly technological fight against (essentially) mad scientists. The two don’t meld all that well. At the end of the novel the two plots still seem very separate.
This is clearly the start of a series or trilogy; no resolution is offered for anything. I’d say it left me on a cliffhanger, except that I didn’t care very much.

This ambitious novel falls short of what it’s aiming for. Still, it’s full of interesting ideas, and some readers may find that sufficient.

I’m not sure I’d recommend it: I found it boring and confused. However, it’s possible the story will come to fruition in a later volume and this will look better in that context. Those with patience might like to give it a try.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Dystopian Sunrise Press; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

The End of the World is an interesting take on the topic of dystopia, with an interesting combination of science fiction in the technology, and fantasy in the magical elements. The two leading characters are compelling, particularly in their relationship with each other as it develops through the story. The world is dark, claustrophobic, and almost entirely lacking in hope, which frankly is exactly what I think it wants to be. The story is a little meandering at times, as its frenetic energy tends to bounce a bit quickly between scenes, especially towards the end of the book. I would say if dystopian fiction is your cup of tea, this is a pretty good brew!

For sensitive readers, there is a great deal of graphic violence, body horror, addiction and drugs, cults and religious fanaticism, torture, and child endangerment/murder.

In the uture era is rule by technocrats and their technology. Animkii Has lost the mind control that she was under. Yet she faces a crisis that has not wanting to lose the humanity that she still has. She forms an alliance with Mica who has the power to awaken an ancient alien god. They are both being hunted. On the run from cartel debt collectors, cultists, and an Alphaknot army of mindless drones, the pair are perpetually fighting for their lives, even as others try to take control of them. It seems an endless battle for their lives. A mechanized killing machine wanders the wasteland. When Animkii and Mica encounter this enemy on the edge of dying, they are able to manage a deal to survive. That is, until their mutual enemy comes to collect. Will they survive? Those who want to end the world want Mica’s soul as they believe it can release the alien god. Animkii is wanted as they see her as dangerous. She needs to be studied or killed. They continue to battle against impossible odds.

The writing is astounding as the crumbling earth and its inhabitants are well described. It’s a world that made me wonder if a planet would let technology take over as much as it does in this novel. I enjoyed reading the different views of this earth that are explored in this book. It is not a book I would read as a rule as I find technology to be the solution for our lives today. I do think technology has its good points but the bad points aren’t even recognized in our chaotic world. Read the book and decide if you want to live on that earth.

H.S. Gilchrist starts a duology set a thousand years after The End of the World (hard from Dystopian Sunrise Press). The world is separated by huge rifts. To the north people fight memory waifs with fire and spears. Animkii found a magical weapon, and was exiled from her tribe, somehow crossing the rift to the southern part dominated by the Technocrats, who promptly modify her into a cyborg soldier with her mind suppressed into a gestalt. But a computer virus releases her mind and she finds her way to Mica Stone, a troubled black-market recycler. Mica is being pursued by the Alter Cult because her blood will release their god from behind the blood gate. Soon Animkii and Mica are on the run from both the Technocrats and the Alter Cult as Animkii is turning into full machine, and Mica reveals unusual talents that seem magical. I am waiting for the second half.

Dark, dystopian, disturbing. Filled with moral questions; what is humanity? Is compassion a human trait? Well done.

This might be a generational thing but reading this is like reading a video game. Incompatible media mashed together. I've been re-watching Buffy this week and this book is a lot like that except most of Buffy is fun.

H.S. Gilchrist has delivered an action packed journey for us to embark on with a dystopian and fantasy theme that checks all of the boxes along the way! From the beginning, I was pulled in, and it never let up. What a fantastic start to what will be a fantastic series, and I'm so very glad to have had the opportunity to enjoy this arc ahead of publication!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for sharing this arc with me to read in exchange for an honest review. This is definitely a 5 star read for me! You won't be disappointed!

This book captivated me from the start. It was a very good story. I liked the adventure and questioning the ‘humanity’ of the MC as the character develops and transforms during the story. I enjoyed the return to hunter gatherer subsistence living of the world after an apocalypse. I enjoyed the concept of this story it had me thinking while I was reading it. The plot twist at the end has me looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A real page turner!

A fantastic 1st book in a series. This is nonstop action from cover to cover. Two incredible FMCs are our guide through this dystopian world. One is a human tech hybrid and the other, an empowered human being chased by a death cult. The world building is rich and the characters complicated by their past and present. This does end on a cliffhanger and I absolutely will devour the next book when it’s available.

I would like tо thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy оf this book. The End оf the World: Rise оf the After Lord by H.S. Gilchrist іs a dark and thrilling sci-fi novel that explores the consequences оf a dystopian future where humanity іs enslaved by a parasitic technology and an ancient alien god.

The book's plot іs fast-paced and action-packed, with twists and turns that keep the reader оn the edge оf their seat. The author creates a vivid and immersive world, with rich descriptions оf the settings, the technology, and the creatures that inhabit it. The book also explores themes such as identity, freedom, morality, and humanity, as the characters struggle tо retain their sense оf self and their values іn a hostile and corrupted environment. The book also raises questions about the nature оf reality, the role оf dreams, and the power оf faith.

The book's writing style іs engaging and captivating, with a clear and concise language that suits the genre and the tone оf the story. Overall, The End оf the World: Rise оf the After Lord by H.S. Gilchrist іs a brilliant and original sci-fi novel that delivers a thrilling and satisfying reading experience. The book has a strong plot, a fascinating world, a compelling character development, and a captivating writing style.

#theendoftheworld #NetGalley

There were definitely compelling elements to this story, and I wanted to like it. However, it seemed like the author was trying to do too much with the plot without providing enough exposition on certain elements in the story, such as the Technocrats, rift phenomena, and the apocalypse that had occurred a millennium prior to the story. It’s a shame, because this book had potential.

Will post full review soon!
This is a new to me author. Haven't finished it just yet but will update before release day!

DNFed at 30%

The world the author was trying to build looked interesting. The characters were ok. But the overwritten, purple prose that filled the novel kept me from ever being immersed. This book could be a lot shorter and more compelling if the author and an editor went through and cut out so much unnecessary descriptions and flourishes.

Mica is a scavenger, hunted by a cult while surviving some sort of apocalypse. Animkii was a soldier connected to a hive-mind who finds her connection severed. The two women must team up to help each other survive.

I really think this book would have been more readable for me if the author had opted for simpler prose. “Purple prose” is hard to get right, and unfortunately Gilchrist doesn’t quite have the skill to pull it off. There’s a solid foundation there, just needs more work. I’m sure there will be readers who love this style of writing, I think it hindered the story.