Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Apocalypse to Go (Nola O'Grady #3)

by Katharine Kerr (Goodreads Author)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 143 ratings · 38 reviews

Nola O'Grady has enough trouble when a were-leopard accuses her of receiving stolen property. But when her younger brother Michael goes searching for their missing father, he lands himself and his brother, Sean, in a world of hurt-quite literally-in a deviant world version of San Francisco.

Can Nola and her partner in the Apocalypse Squad, Israeli Interpol agent Ari Nathan,...more

Paperback, 1st Edition, 321 pages

Published February 7th 2012 by DAW

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Books won on Goodreads

114th out of 217 books — 90 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 413)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 25, 2012 E. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, sci-fi

3 1/2 stars
“Apocalypse to Go” by Katharine Kerr continues the ‘Nola O’Grady Novels’ series featuring the quirky woman who is part of a family of world-walkers (even though she doesn’t have that particular talent). Nola and her brothers Michael and Sean are reluctantly anxious to get their father back from his exile but there are plenty of ramifications that may help or hinder their efforts. Nola’s lover Ari is being recruited for a group called TWIXT (Trans World Interpol X Team) by Austin Osman...more 3 1/2 stars
“Apocalypse to Go” by Katharine Kerr continues the ‘Nola O’Grady Novels’ series featuring the quirky woman who is part of a family of world-walkers (even though she doesn’t have that particular talent). Nola and her brothers Michael and Sean are reluctantly anxious to get their father back from his exile but there are plenty of ramifications that may help or hinder their efforts. Nola’s lover Ari is being recruited for a group called TWIXT (Trans World Interpol X Team) by Austin Osman Spare Fourteen (Spare 14) but Nola is not quite sure how that will impact their relationship given her own employment with the secretive organization tasked with preventing Chaos’ destruction of civilization on this world. A frantic race to rescue her brothers from their imprisonment on an alternate world is complicated by mysterious interactions with leopard-people who have their own agenda as well as access to tools that facilitate their trips to Interworld and other locations. Allies are needed in order to overcome the many obstacles encountered...not least of which are the limited numbers of world walkers, the difficulty scanning for her brothers, the rules circumscribing the actions of the agents trying to rescue them, the mysterious messages Nola receives from various divine beings, and the complications caused by doppelgangers on the various worlds--including Nola’s own mirror image.

An inventive but bewilderingly busy tale of parallel worlds, fantastical mental powers, clones, secret agents, aliens, forgotten languages, and acronyms. Nola and Ari have a relatively unconventional relationship which will become even more strained if Nola’s rigidly conventional father has anything to say about it, not to mention how he is going to react to his radical sons. A familiarity with the previous books in the series might help disentangle some of the complexity presented but then again, it might not. A brief description of the acronyms is available at the end of the tale.

© Night Owl Reviews(less)

like · see review

Feb 26, 2012 Ratkin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not quite sure why I like Katharine Kerr's Nola O'Grady books, but I do. I started reading the series almost by accident - - I impulse-bought the first book in the series ("License to Ensorcell")based on the cover and the title. I almost gave up on the book itself quickly, since it's relatively far away from what I would normally read.

I'm glad that I kept going. The plots are good, the characters are fun, and the dry humor constantly sticking pins in bureacracy is a riot once you let it cree...more

like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Deborah Ross rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm an unabashed fan of Katharine Kerr's "Nola O'Grady" series. The third, Apocalypse To Go, lives up to its predecessors in inventiveness, drama, romance, and whimsy. In this urban fantasy, the heroine works for a supernatural Agency "so secret, the CIA doesn't know it exists". This takes place in an alternate San Francisco, one in which magic and the clandestine agencies necessary to regulate it are real. This world is not the only one; there are alternate, weirdly dystopic worlds (and a gatew...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2012 Robert Stubbs rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a Review of Apocalypse to Go the third book in the Nola O'Grady series as written by Katharine Kerr. I received this book via the Goodreads First Reads for free.

I admit I like series because If I like the first book then it follows that there's a very good chance I will like the other books that follow. The first book is the origin story so to speak or the Introduction book to someone new that you might be interested in continuing to meet. Sometimes you break up though with that characte...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2012 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Nola O'Grady gets deeper into the deviant world levels in the third installment of this exciting series. Greeted by a projection of a leopard-woman one morning, followed by a vision of the destruction of the level known as Interchange, Nola grabs her partner (in every sense of the word) and heads off on an exciting and fast-paced mission. Her goal at first is to find out who this "ASO Fourteen" who has been contacting Ari is. But it leads her somewhere I don't think she ever anticipated.

Family s...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 04, 2012 Cami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aliens, angels, gods, ghosts, library-book, paranormal, read-in-2012, series, urban-fantasy, werewolves

This book is definitely not a stand-alone story. It's important to read the preceding books before this one to understand what is going on. I discovered this when I picked up this book first and read a few pages before I backtracked and read the first and second in the series before moving on.

I really enjoy this series and the characters within. I could see the series continuing for quite awhile. The acronyms that I hated so much in the first book have simply become a minor annoyance in this one...more

like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Cynthia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

This book was absolutely maddening. I was chosen for a copy from the Goodreads First Reads program. I was so intrigued by the plot that I didn't notice that it was the third in a series. I didn't think it would be that much of a deal since I am an experienced Series Diver. I usually can hop right into the middle of a series and hold my own. However, this time was not so easy. There were so many bits of basic information and subplots about which I was totally clueless. I had no earthly idea what...more This book was absolutely maddening. I was chosen for a copy from the Goodreads First Reads program. I was so intrigued by the plot that I didn't notice that it was the third in a series. I didn't think it would be that much of a deal since I am an experienced Series Diver. I usually can hop right into the middle of a series and hold my own. However, this time was not so easy. There were so many bits of basic information and subplots about which I was totally clueless. I had no earthly idea what was happening for about a third of the book. And something else that made me crazy? The main character is really big on acronyms. There are so many of them that an acronym page was necessary. I found myself constantly flipping to the back of the book any time an ASTA or an SM:L was mentioned. It made me nuts.

So why didn't I toss it when I realized that I was going to have to work at understanding the story? Because it was urban fantasy at its finest. And that fact more than made up for my ignorance of the backstory.

What I know is this: The main character is an operative for a top secret government agency whose purpose is to hold Chaos at bay and keep the worlds (of which there are many) safe. Her bodyguard is her boyfriend. He wants to get married but she balks at the very mention of the idea. Her family is rather colorful. Her father, a world walker, is in an alternate-Earth prison. When her brothers, one a world walker like Dad and the other a finder (no idea what that means), are kidnapped during a world hopping attempt to find and rescue their father, Nola and her boyfriend, Ari, are called to find and rescue the rescuers. They join forces with Spare14, a clone of an agent with another agency much larger and more powerful than either Nola's or Ari's respective employers.

The plot is clever and Kerr's dialogue made me laugh out loud. The characters are strange and wonderful. There's a psychic squid and a pride of bad-ass were-leopards. There's a world hopping creature that delivers messages and eats leftovers. There are archangels and long suffering landlords. Kerr also gives a nod here and there to other SF/Fantasy authors. Her nod to Douglas Adams was choice.

When I got past the 'huh?' moments and got into the meat of the story, I could not put the book down. I think I may have found out a subplot point or two that are drawn out in the first two books. But that's OK. I don't mind spoilers. And I am definitely planning to pick up the first two books in this series so that I will be up to date when the fourth is released on down the road.

Definitely worth the read.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Kari Sperring rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of Katherine Kerr right since her very first book (Daggerspell) and she just gets better and better. This third volume in her Nola O'Grady urban fantasy series has it all -- pace, strong characters, cool stuff and an intricate, satisfying plot. Many urban fantasy series start of strongly but fade or become formulaic very fast. There's no sign of that here, though. Each book in the series has been stronger than the last, and the detail and complexity of the world-building is immac...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 05, 2012 Redqueen rated it 5 of 5 stars

How many more twists can you fit in one story? I’ve always loved parallel universe stories, and this one came up with some new deviations that caught me completely off guard! Still a loving tribute to San Francisco, still all too correct on the way Irish-American families interact and with new characters added to make the mix all that much more heady. These books are a delight and I only wish the next one was available now. (Full disclosure: I won this in a GoodReads contest. It was on my list t...more

like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 Lyn Nicholas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paperback-mass-market, reviewed, 2012-reviews

A humorous take on Urban Fantasy!

This book is an intriguing mix of urban fantasy and political thriller. Alternate universes, secret organizations, aliens, rival gangs and were-leopards!There are so many refreshing new ideas in this series. I mean where else can you find were-leopards?

APOCALYPSE TO GO is a fast-paced supernatural adventure, with tons of wit, some action, more wise-cracks, and a bit of romance.

The character development is excellent and I loved getting some insight into the lives...more

like · see review

May 31, 2012 Katharine Kimbriel rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: contemporary fantasy lovers, fans of Nola O'Grady books, Katharinr Kerr fans,

Recommended to Katharine by: Discovered from a Book View Cafe post.

Shelves: contemporary-fantasy

I enjoyed this quirky contemporary fantasy from Katharine Kerr, the sequel to License to Ensorcell and Water to Burn. Psychic Agent Nola O’Grady works for a very special agency, one of those ones even the CIA doesn’t know exists. Born into a large Irish-American Catholic family of eccentrics, Nola came into her power in her mid-teens, and discovered that nothing would ever be the same again. Now she works for the preservation of Harmony – balance in the Universe. It’s not working for Good – it’s...more I enjoyed this quirky contemporary fantasy from Katharine Kerr, the sequel to License to Ensorcell and Water to Burn. Psychic Agent Nola O’Grady works for a very special agency, one of those ones even the CIA doesn’t know exists. Born into a large Irish-American Catholic family of eccentrics, Nola came into her power in her mid-teens, and discovered that nothing would ever be the same again. Now she works for the preservation of Harmony – balance in the Universe. It’s not working for Good – it’s recognizing that things can go seriously wrong in the universe when there is not a balance.

Nola has managed to keep her distance from her crazy, enthusiastic family for years, but her agency has now based her in San Francisco, her hometown. They’ve been referring to her tiny outpost as the Apocalypse Squad, but the joke has seeds of truth. Chaos sightings have increased on the Pacific coast, doors into another world have been confirmed, and people are starting to cross in from multiple dimensions with distressing frequency. In fact, Nola helped her brother bring back one young woman from a horrendous alternate San Francisco. Now the friendships her brother made over on the other side have led to his disappearance.

The action quickly becomes complicated as a multiverse agency approaches Ari as a potential employee, Nola discovers that there’s a very good reason her family has such strange powers, and low and behold, there's news about her missing father. The needs and demands of keeping things steady in a dangerous universe have now firmly dovetailed into the massive secrets of the O’Grady family.

Kerr has chosen two galloping individuals as her protagonists. Nola is a deep introvert, both entangled and feuding with her family, anorexic in her desire to control her relationship with food, while Ari is hyper focused on his calling, has serious control issues, and has managed to alienate the majority of his working associates with his blunt micro-managing. They weave their way through a San Francisco that is both familiar and strange even to folk who know the city. The alternate San Francisco is eerie and believable, a place that has not yet descended into the chaos of Kate Daniels’ Atlanta. We’re talking definitely contemporary fantasy/noir here.

But let me stress a few things. This is not a romance. This is not a paranormal romance. In fact, if you’re looking for a heavy romantic subtext, which a lot of urban fantasy readers suddenly seem to want, this is not your book. This is fantasy noir with humor and touches of romance. Looking forward to the next one!
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Jaime (Twisting the Lens) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, did-not-finish

I won this book through GoodReads FirstReads. Did Not Finish.

This is tough to review, because I did not realize this is the third book in a series. Because of this, there really is a lot of background story and details that I feel a bit lost without knowing. I am one of those people who like to approach series in order, and am not good coming in in the middle of things.

That being said, the story does seem to have a few things to offer that seem a bit different than your standard paranormal ficti...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2012 Jenni Ebba rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you haven't read the previous Nola O'Grady novels there is going to be much confusion on your part and some definite spoilage... that said....
I fell in love with Kerr's Nola O'Grady novels from the first one and I have never been disappointed. In this novel Nola and her lover, Ariel Nathan, have to go to a deviant world where her brothers Sean and Michael have been kidnapped by an old gangster out for a profit. Nola, the ever neurotic eater, comes to a realization finally that she DOES INDEE...more If you haven't read the previous Nola O'Grady novels there is going to be much confusion on your part and some definite spoilage... that said....
I fell in love with Kerr's Nola O'Grady novels from the first one and I have never been disappointed. In this novel Nola and her lover, Ariel Nathan, have to go to a deviant world where her brothers Sean and Michael have been kidnapped by an old gangster out for a profit. Nola, the ever neurotic eater, comes to a realization finally that she DOES INDEED have an eating disorder and that her mother's at the heart of the problem.
I really thought there was major character development in this one and that Nola and Ari are definitely growing as a couple. Not to mention, I liked the little romance scenes when Nola was pulling classified information from Ari ;). I thought this novel was by bounds better than the last and the Spotties, who are actually from a deviant world where they evolved from leopards instead of primates, are a creepy touch that I cannot wait to see explored.
Ari also finally gets his wish, though it's at the end. (view spoiler) Her father is also brought back and she learns a family secret that equally devastates and explains her family to her. (view spoiler) I guess all families have secrets (hope mine aren't like this).
Let me just say that there has to be a next novel and I want the Spottie chick to come after Nola on her own turf. I just thought that Nola was a little bit too timid in the deviant world, but taking in the fact that she was coming to terms with seeing her father again, accepting that she has an eating disorder, and having to find her wayward brothers-it's more than understandable.
I also want to see Ari have to choose his job or Nola because I thought there was too much imbalance between his work and Nola.... (less)

like · see review

Feb 18, 2012 Maureen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, first-reads

I received this book through the first reads program and I found it very enjoyable. Nola O'Grady and company cross worlds in the third installment of the series when two of her siblings go missing. To find them and get them back safely, Nola and Ari team up with several new characters as they navigate this darker SanFran filled with rival gangs and man-eating species. Along the way, Nola learns more about herself and her neuroses as well as finding out more about her missing father and the story...more

like · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, favorite

What I like most about this series: Family causes more trouble than work!

It's nice to see an Urban Fantasy Heroine with such a full family life - so much that she's got to try and juggle them as much as her actual job. In this book - family is the huge problem and dealing with all the assorted fallout leads to many new possibilities.

Also, I love a stable romance - and Nola's boyfriend - the moody, gun-loving Ari is a wonderful foil to all the crazy.

like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nola and Ari are barely given any breathing space before Nola's brothers go missing in alternate San Francisco and they have to track them down and rescue them. Along the way Ari is recruited to an interworld Interpol and Nola is aided by a psychic squid.

I love these books. The urban refers to the lovely San Francisco setting which is a character in its own right and has its own incarnations in the multiverse and the fantasy is magical realism. Nola and Ari are rounded people who have their own...more

like · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Trevor Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Nola O'Grady series is one of the better more imaginative and original works to come out this Century. Katharine Kerr creates truly believable characters in a world of imagination where reality and fantasy mix in such a way you are no longer sure which is reality, and which is fantasy. Join Nola and her sidekick Ari in one of the worlds greatest fantasies from one of the greatest masters of her craft.

like · see review

Apr 29, 2012 Schnaucl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: april, fiction, last_in_currently_following_series, library, read_2012, series, urban_fantasy

The title has absolutely nothing to do with the story. That said, it was a good story. We learn more about world walking and the multiverse which was interesting.

I'm glad Nola's addressing her eating disorder in part because it's annoying to have people tell her to eat all the time. I assume it's sort of like telling someone who suffers from clinical depression to snap out of it and be happy.

like · see review

Mar 18, 2012 April rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Once again a title that I just don't get. In any case, while the author uses some dialogue that to me sounds inauthentic and there are some situations that felt put in for reasons other than furthering the plot, it was generally an enjoyable story.

I like the idea behind it, I like the family dynamics, and I like that there are several issues the author explores outside of the story itself.

like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Georgiann Hennelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nola O,Grady is a secret agent who has enough on her hands when a were Leopard accuses her of accepting stolen property.But things get worse. A mysterious trans-world law enforcement group wants to recruit her body guard and partner Ari Nathan an Israeli interpol officer. His new loyalties might hurt their relationship. Than Michael her younger brother goes searching for their missing father and gets himself and Sean in a world of trouble- in a dangerous deviant--- world version of San Francisco...more

like · see review

May 05, 2012 Marilyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: not-sorted

I normally read suspense thrillers and mysteries, but I was captivated by this Sci-Fi Fantasy book by Katherine Kerr. I understand it is a series, but I had no trouble reading this as a stand-alone.
The characters are quirky and fun and the pages fly by. I've promised to lend this book to my Sister, a regular Sci-Fi reader. I know she will be hooked from the start.

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Sharon Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very good addition to the series, bringing the story along although there were a couple of things I think I missed, may need to go back and re-read the first two again. A new character or two and interesting secondary characters returned with a larger role. This is one of my 'must buy' series at this point ... not my most favorite, but definitely in the top 5.

like · see review

Feb 16, 2012 Shelby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaways

I'm gonna avoid comparisons to all the other popular dark paranormal romance book series that revolve around groups/families/packs/clans/covens of cursed/tortured/hunted supernatural men. Yes, this is that type of series. There are unavoidable similarities. But there are also lots of differences that make this series unique and refreshing. I won this book from goodreads thank you!

like · see review

Jan 08, 2013 Deanna rated it 2 of 5 stars

I have not read the prior books so that may have affected my feelings about this book. I liked the Ari character. Nola was interesting. Their world was complex but not one that grabbed me as a reader. I feel this is a series that I could enjoy for a couple of books, but then get bored.

like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Dr susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-read

I read this book in February when it came out, and liked it enough to recommend it to friends, but I will wait until I am done rereading it to write a review...Kerr's worlds are fun, the characters are interesting, but Apocalypse lost my interest in spots.

like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Belinda Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-won, own

I won this book from First Reads Giveaway.
I was a little lost because this is the first book I have read from Katharine Kerr; and any of the previous Nola O'Grady novels. I was so fascinated with the flow of the story, how strong the characters are, and a very good plot!! I will have to buy the other Nola O’Grady novels! 5 stars!!!

like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 Bmquiram rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Hello,
I received Katharine Kerr’s Apocalypse to Go as a good reads first read. Thank you.
I think this book is a very good read even though I do not think it would be enjoyable for everyone. What book really is? This is definitely a read for individuals interested in paranormal. It is definitely a book that is out or this world.

like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Lori rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like Nola and Ari's relationship - looking forward to getting to know more about Nola's family and the world they live in.

like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 Rena marked it as to-read

I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. Waiting to read it when I receive it. Thanks.

like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 Lulu marked it as to-read

I won this book from the first reads giveaways and I am so excited to read it. Thanks.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

16 users

Fantasy

10 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

3 users

Romance > Paranormal Romance

3 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Katharine Kerr

Born in Ohio, 1944. Moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and has lived there ever since. Katharine Kerr has read extensively in the fields of classical archeology, and medieval and dark ages history and literature, and these influences are clear in her work. Her epic Deverry series has won widespread praise and millions of fans around the world.

More about Katharine Kerr...

Books by Katharine Kerr

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Apocalypse to Go

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Apocalypse to Go
avg rating	preview: Apocalypse to Go Goodreads rating: 3.82 (143 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11169952-apocalypse-to-go?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319679706l/11169952.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11169952-apocalypse-to-go?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Apocalypse to Go by Katharine Kerr[/url]

Apocalypse to Go (Nola O'Grady #3)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website