This Is the Way the World Ends
A Novel
by Jen Wilde
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date May 09 2023 | Archive Date May 23 2023
St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books
Description
Fans of One of Us Is Lying and The Hazel Wood are cordially invited to spend one fateful night surviving an elite private school’s epic masquerade ball in Jen Wilde’s debut thriller, This Is the Way the World Ends.
As an autistic scholarship student at the prestigious Webber Academy in New York City, Waverly is used to masking to fit in—in more ways than one. While her classmates are the children of the one percent, Waverly is getting by on tutoring gigs and the generosity of the school’s charming and enigmatic dean. So when her tutoring student and resident “it girl” asks Waverly to attend the school’s annual fundraising Masquerade disguised as her, Waverly jumps at the chance—especially once she finds out that Ash, the dean’s daughter and her secret ex-girlfriend, will be there.
The Masquerade is everything Waverly dreamed of, complete with extravagant gowns, wealthy parents writing checks, and flowing champagne. Most importantly, there’s Ash. All Waverly wants to do is shed her mask and be with her, but the evening takes a sinister turn when Waverly stumbles into a secret meeting between the dean and the school’s top donors—and witnesses a brutal murder. This gala is harboring far more malevolent plots than just opening parents’ pocketbooks. Before she can escape or contact the authorities, a mysterious global blackout puts the entire party on lockdown. Waverly’s fairy tale has turned into a nightmare, and she, Ash, and her friends must navigate through a dizzying maze of freight elevators, secret passageways, and back rooms if they’re going to survive the night.
And even if they manage to escape the Masquerade, with technology wiped out all over the planet, what kind of world will they find waiting for them beyond the doors?
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250827975 |
| PRICE | $20.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 272 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Anne F, Educator
This book hooked me from page one! Protagonist Waverly is autistic, gay, and broke; her parents both work at the private school she got into as she works as a tutor, helping other students study. When her friend, Caroline suggests she "trade places" and wear the expensive gown she bought for the elite masquerade ball, Waverly is excited but apprehensive as she is worried about being discovered. But it turns out there is much more to be concerned about as odd things happen at this party and secrets are unveiled as the night goes on! The future is formidable as Wilde explores the possibilities that exist within this nightmarish landscape. Raced through it to get to the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Andrea D, Reviewer
A mind blowing YA book chock full of interesting diverse characters, This is the Way the World Ends will hook you right in! Waverly attends a private NY school on scholarship due to her parents employment and her tutoring abilities. She is an autistic student and gay and feels like she doesn't "fit it." When her very wealthy and popular tutee Caroline asks her to switch places with her at the Masquerade Ball she is nervous but intrigued.
What goes down at the Masquerade is crazy! And Waverly is in the middle of it all. If you like fast moving and fun YA, great diverse characters living realistic lives or if you just want to attend a Masquerade Ball (with a Murder) then This Is The Way The World Ends is for you! #ThisistheWayTheWorld Ends. #JenWilde
#Stmartins
Tylar N, Reviewer
For fans of dystopian classics, This Is The Way The World Ends by Jen Wilde is a story that hits every dystopian mark. What will really happen as the world ends around us? Will we turn on each other or save the ones we hold the closest to us? Wilde spins a cautious and downright creepy tale of survival and differences in a world that wants nothing more than to kill off what makes us unique. I went into the story hoping for some good autism representation and I think Wilde did a great job. Waverly, our main character, is dynamic while also being very vocal about who she is and what her plans are for her future. The supporting cast, specifically the girls, take this story to another level. The pacing is great as well. The story unfolds quickly before us as we watch our characters having to face the wildest night of their lives. Hitting shelves in 2023, make sure to check out This Is The Way The World Ends.
Rachel L, Reviewer
This book in 3 words: Diverse. On-Edge. Excitable.
Waverly attends a masquerade ball, held by her high-brow private school which she attends by scholarship, dressed as one the most popular girls in school. The ball has some weird occurrences and then a nationwide blackout proves that things are not what they seem.
OOF this book is all secret societies, quirky and relatable characters, and power struggles (literally and figuratively). It's a quick read but jam packed full of strong characters, relatable emotions, and action. A solid YA read with diverse characters - we love to see it.
I loved Waverly. Our main character has a voice that pulls you in, from the first page, with you desperately seeking all of the answers to her questions. The author's ability to create a diverse character that is authentic, genuine, and portrays life through a lens different than our own.
The plot is unique, innovative, and a bit dire at times. The pacing is solid and you'll be itching to turn the page.
Reviewer 946578
This was INCREDIBLE!
it felt a bit like a retelling of Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death—a rich white man throws a party for all his rich white friends at the end of the world as Death makes its way through all the rooms of the fancy mansion
except, Death here is an autistic lesbian scholarship kid and her amazing group of friends
(i LOVED the friendships in this SO MUCH!!!)
This Is the Way the World Ends was TENSE and ACTION PACKED and SO AUTISTIC!
now i need to get my hands on Jen Wilde’s backlist
CW: ableism, racism, classism, violence, death, death of teenager, blood, vomit, panic/anxiety attacks, meltdowns, and scenes that could provoke claustrophobia
Readers who liked this book also liked:
