It’s no secret that my book of last year (and probably EVER!) is We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. The book broke my heart into a million pieces and will remain with me forever. I heartily recommend everyone reads it. And I’m not the only fan as it was also Thriller of the Month at Waterstones and it recently won the CWA Gold Dagger. But we’re not here to talk about WBatE! We’re here to talk about Whitaker’s stunning new YA novel, The Forevers. Chris excels at writing memorable teenage characters in his adult fiction so his first YA novel was a thoroughly exciting prospect and one I couldn’t wait to read! Mae is seventeen and about to die. Along with the rest of her friends, her family and probably most of the world. Asteroid Selena is hurtling towards earth and is due to crash into the planet in 30 days time. But this isn’t new news. The world has been aware of its impending destruction for 10 long years. Attempts have been made to redirect Selena. So far, all attempts have failed. As the deadline approaches, emotions within the small community are heightened. Several teenagers take their own lives. But did Abi Manton jump or did someone intentionally kill her? Mae is determined to find out what happened to her childhood friend. But the devastating secrets she uncovers along the way will have far reaching consequences for the local community… The Forevers is a beautifully written, emotional tale of grief and loss, of secrets and lies, and of falling in love. Of facing your own mortality and in Mae’s case, staring it down. It’s about belonging, about having something to cling on to when all hope has gone and about being true to yourself. All of the books I have read written by this author have left their mark on me. The Forevers is no different. It made me question my own mortality in a way. It made me consider how I would feel in the same situation as Mae, and how I would spend my last thirty days. What I found fascinating was the path the author chose to take his characters down. It probably isn’t the one you would immediately expect. I can promise you they don’t all head to Alton Towers and ride Oblivion until they puke (which is probably what most of the teenagers I know would do!). I loved the steady, intriguing pace of the book. I was fully immersed in Mae’s investigation, following in Abi’s footsteps to try and find out what had really happened to her once-friend. All the i’s were dotted and the T’s crossed and it all just felt….right. Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Forevers is a beautifully dark but totally beguiling story. I sobbed big, fat, ugly tears at points throughout the novel which just goes to prove that the author has pitched it just right for this reader, because books don’t normally make me cry (unless it’s a book by Chris Whitaker it seems!). Reading The Forevers felt to me like I had been on a journey – it had been an experience – which is a feeling I think most writers aim to leave their reader with, but doesn’t always happen. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Forevers and I cannot wait to see what the author writes next. One thing is for sure, I will be at the front of the queue to read it! Highly recommended.

The Forevers is a beautifully dark and beguiling story. I felt like I had been on a journey, it had been an experience, which is a feeling most writers aim to leave their reader with. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Forevers and recommend anyone giving the beautiful book a read.

This is a beautifully written, gripping novel about the wait for the end of the world. It's quite a surreal story - scenes shift mid page without warning, so it makes for a strange reading experience, but given that the characters can literally feel the ground shifting beneath their feet, this works really well to put you in the right frame of mind to experience this read. Mae as the protagonist is amazing -she's spiky, lost and sad, but very likeable, and the plot is a lot more than a simple apocalypse tale - Mae's town is full of secrets and tensions, and these will all come to a head by the end of this book. Honestly one of the most memorable YA books I've read for some time -I'll be happily recommending it!

A messy start but mainly because there's so many characters and no clues as to what is going on. But each and every character has resonance, some will grab hold of your heart and make you cry. Imagine being a generation that knows they will die at the age of 18, unless someone saves the day. And scientists are trying desperately to save the world but doom is impending. I like the fact that people are trying to stick to civilisation, going to work, going to school, planning for a school dance. Praying that it's all a bad dream and that life will prevail. The other option is chaos and most people will never actually choose chaos. Tied up in all of this are a couple of suicides, but the most recent one doesn't ring true as a suicide. And here is where the story starts; uncovering the secrets and the lies, the hidden desires and uncomfortable truths. I woke up early just so I could finish this today. I really enjoyed it.

Thankyou @hotkeybooksya and @chriswhitakerauthor for my proof copy and happy publication day. First off, this book is a great and easy read. Its a book that you just want to keep reading to find out what happens. I was hooked! I recommend it. The forevers - An asteroid is heading for earth, they've know its been coming for 10 years, but they are in the last 30 days before it hits. Mae, is a great character - she's not popular, she doesn't have a lot, her parents died, her little sister is blind and her grandmother isn't exactly nice... But she doesn't let it stop her - she's a forever. - A forever, is a place for all the weirdos and creeps, a place to belong, a place to take back their forever - This is something that Mae and her childhood friend Abi came up with, however they drifted apart.. And then Mae finds Abi dead - Suicide or murder - Mae will find out. This book gives you all the feels - so many emotions while reading it - it's funny, happy, sad and a little heartbreaking.. Felix was one of my favourite characters - he's not sleeping so that he doesn't miss any of the world - However he has no luck, with anything, he's hilarious. I would say that this book has triggers for some people - suicide, bullying, abuse, ect.. But overall a good read for me and I for one will join the forevers. ❤️