Thank you to NetGalley for the free arc of this!

This book was a very mixed bag for me. The first 60-70% of the book had excellent pacing and at times I thought I might even give this 4 stars, but I think the climax and resolution really lagged. I couldn't quite grasp why a novel with this sort of topic would wrap up in the way that it did, it didn't feel like a just resolution to the themes that had been set up at all.

One big set-back of this novel was the tendency to tell instead of show, for example in Chapter 1 when Charlie discusses her feelings regarding being adopted: "Deep down, I wasn't sure what I'd done to deserve abandonment, and I wasn't sure why I'd been chosen either. This left me incredibly confused about my purpose in my family, and the easiest way to avoid any heartache was to refuse to think about it at all." This is the sort of conflicting emotion that gives a good story tension and heart, but I think showing us that Charlie felt this way would be way more successful than simply telling us.

Another big set-back for me was that I don't think I'm in ethical agreement with the main-character. A very noticeable element of how Charlie (view spoiler) The book clearly invites these topics but seems unconfident in how to explore them...

Amazing debut! I don’t normally read this type of book but something about the synopsis grabbed my attention. I’m so glad it did! It was hard to put this book down. The story hooks you early and has both great plot and character development throughout. While this is a work of fiction, I love that the author chose this medium to help bring awareness to the illegal adoption/trafficking of Marshallese children within the US.

WOW I loved this book. I really enjoyed the sisterly bond between Maggie and Charlie, I loved the sort of slow decent into madness from Maggie, and the heartbreaking but incredibly touching ending. I alternate between a 4.5 and 5 🌟 simply because it did feel wordy at times and i guessed that Charlie would have a baby by the end within the first chapter.

This isn’t a book I would typically have selected but omg I’m so glad I did. Thanks NetGalley!

Adopted identical twins Maggie and Charlie could not be more different. Maggie is bold, assertive, and loves people. Charlie is timid and shy. Before they reach their teen years, the girls experience three traumas: they learn that their adoption was illegal and that they were, basically stolen from their biological parents, the boy they both love moves away, and The Limit becomes the dominant reality of their world.
The Limit refers to a scientific discovery that determines how many generations a species will achieve before it becomes extinct. This is bad enough when it refers to animals, but The Limit of the human race turns out to be roughly four generations. Fewer babies will be born and, eventually, people will cease to exist. Panic ensues as the lack of a future results in suicides, crime, and the destruction of too many families.
To combat The Limit, a government organization called the Mendelia (after Gregor Mendel) takes over the management of human reproduction in the United States. Their goal is to control breeding so that people either postpone childbearing to extend their generations or have as many children as possible in hopes that some of those children will have a better chance at survival. All children are screened to determine their genetic level. Young people like Maggie and Charlie, who test out as *5 (having the potential for five generations) and display high intelligence, are encouraged to join the Mendelia. This requires girls to donate their ovaries so that women who test low will have the chance to be implanted with fetilized eggs.. Male Mendels are required to provide quarterly sperm donations for the same purpose. In return, both men and women are guaranteed advanced education, permanent employment as fertilization specialists and a steady income.
While I'm not sure about the science behind this book, I was sufficiently enthralled to be willing to suspend my disbelief. Charlie is an engaging narrator and her descriptions of other characters (Maggie, Nolan, Theo, the twins' loving adoptive parents, and others) brought them to life for me. Unlike too many overly cerebral science fiction stories, The Beauty of the End doesn't ignore the physical side of life. I could almost taste the cookies and French toast, feel the tropical heat and winter cold of the various settings, and visualize the condition of the Mendelic patients.. I did figure out the final plot twist before the end, but it wasn't important enough to spoil my enjoyment of the story.

I really liked the premises of the book, I'm a big fan of speculative fiction and I thought that The Beauty of The End would be an interesting, thought-provoking novel about body-autonomy, reproductive rights, and coming to terms with existential dread.
I believe this is what the novel was trying to explore, but in my opinion it didn't meet expectations.

The story was too character-heavy, especially considering that the characters had basically no growth or development throughout the novel.
***SPOILER***The main change that happened was that Charlie went from being completely child-averse to thinking that her life finally had meaning because she had a child - which felt forced and underwhelming.***END SPOILER***

The whole speculative aspect of the novel was very fuzzy and under-developed, even though we spend the first 4 chapter just building up to an info-dump that could have been more satisfying as a simple prologue.

The whole book felt drawn out with lots of unnecessary, distracting details that didn't add anything to either the plot or the characters' development. It should have been much shorter in my opinion.

I liked the scientific/clinical aspects of the novel, but they felt almost completely separated from the actual plot and themes of the novel, instead of enhancing them.

What would society do if they knew the human species would go extinct? What would society allow? What lengths would people go to, to have a child? This work of speculative (arguably dystopia) fiction delves into these questions while followings sisters on their life journey.

The story is shocking with many themes and ties to the world today. This is not a light book/read,(see trigger warnings) but one that will sick with you. I couldn’t put it down and it lead to many conversations with people in my life. I enjoyed the pacing, the main characters and themes. There were a few times things felt a bit rushed or eased over (the legal/political parts later in the book), I also didn’t like the use of a prominent political name (even though yes this is a fictional story), it took me out of the story. However I cannot say express how much I enjoyed this books and just devoured it.

I go back and forth between a 4.5 start and 5 star. Since this is not the final edit, and the way this books provokes thought and emotions I’m landing on 5 stars.

Trigger warnings:
Human trafficking
Human rights
Mental health (depression, suicidal ideation)
Murder
Suicide
Medical and reproductive ethics
Racisim
Grief
Death
Infertility
Consent
Sexual abuse
Addiction

What a wild ride! The apocalypse is coming, and it's very, very human. Polar opposite twins Maggie and Charlie embark on an adventure to save the species. I didn't know what to expect from page to page. I was fully tuned in, easily overlooking the various plot holes along the way. For example, I wasn't fully convinced by how humanity reacts to news of the end. And I couldn't figure out how anyone could afford to buy "an exorbitant platter of country-fried steak" and burgers etc. given the rapid decline in the animal population. Finally, I didn't understand why any viable, remarkable set of eggs would be tossed out---ultimately, the more minds on the problem, the better. But this was less sci-fi and more heart.

This provocative novel dives deep into the ethical quagmires of a world on the brink of extinction. With a gripping narrative that explores the moral complexities of reproductive rights and societal duty, it challenges readers to confront tough questions about the future of humanity. The writing vividly portrays Charlie and Maggie’s personal and societal struggles, weaving a compelling story of sacrifice, ambition, and love. The stakes are high, and the characters’ emotional journeys make this a thought-provoking and deeply engaging read. An outstanding exploration of human resilience and ethical dilemmas in the face of an impending crisis.

Lauren Stienstra's "The Beauty of the End" is a literary treasure that effectively combines poetic language with insightful existential analysis. This book enthrals with its thoughtful analysis of life's temporary nature, effectively addressing topics of love, grief, and the pursuit of purpose.
The narrative centres on a main character who is struggling with a fatal diagnosis in a world that is about to change. This personal crises serves as a springboard for a more thorough investigation of interpersonal relationships and the legacy we leave behind. The distinctive qualities of Stienstra's writing are her philosophical observations and vivid images, which inspire readers to consider their own relationships and lives.

The novel's skill at incorporating existential issues into a very relatable and intimate story is among its most captivating features. The book bases its philosophical discussions in the real-life events and emotional journeys of its protagonists. This method not only makes the reader more involved, but it also helps the reader feel a deep emotional connection to the characters' hardships and victories. Though The Beauty of the End shines in its meditative and lyrical manner, there are moments when it leans on sentimentality, which may not be to everyone's taste. The philosophical overtones may occasionally seem overbearing to some, overshadowing the plot's action. However, the novel's main strength is its capacity to arouse empathy and inspire thinking, which makes it a valuable read for anybody who enjoys character-driven, contemplative fiction.

In summary, reading The Beauty of the End is a contemplative and significant experience. It is a wonderful choice for readers who want to delve deeper into the more profound aspects of human existence because of its unique combination of lyrical language and philosophical investigation.