The End Games

May 06, 2013 Blythe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-favorites, 2013-reads, arc, awesome-world-building, brb-biting-my-nails, clever-plot-twists, creeeeepy, deserves-the-hype, didn-t-see-that-coming, exceeded-my-expectations, favorites, freaking-brilliant, hand-me-some-tissues, highly-anticipating-2013, i-will-have-children-with-this-book, judge-a-book-by-the-cover, mind-blowing-ending, loved-it, netgalley-edelweiss-arc, print-arc, read-reviewed

From what I've been incredibly fortunate to read so far, I am able to say that it looks like 2013 is shaping up to be the year of absolutely excellent debut novels, and T. Michael Martin's The End Games is certainly no exception to that high standard of excellence. Filled with chilling creatures, wonderful characters and heartwarming (and at times heartbreaking) relationships, and a surprising sense of poignancy similar to that of Courtney Summer's This is Not a Test, The End Games is a novel th...more

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May 02, 2013 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, science-fiction

3.5 stars

End-of-the-world stories are nothing new, especially not those of the zombie-apocalypse variety. Insert a deadly virus or contagion and we're still talking about roughly several dozen other books. No part of me expected The End Games to be original, or even mind-blowing (and I was right to think so), but this slightly bothersome fascination that I have with apocalyptic situations refused to let me ignore this debut novel entirely. And I’m glad, because while The End Games is not being r...more 3.5 stars

End-of-the-world stories are nothing new, especially not those of the zombie-apocalypse variety. Insert a deadly virus or contagion and we're still talking about roughly several dozen other books. No part of me expected The End Games to be original, or even mind-blowing (and I was right to think so), but this slightly bothersome fascination that I have with apocalyptic situations refused to let me ignore this debut novel entirely. And I’m glad, because while The End Games is not being relocated to the favourites shelf any time soon, T. Michael Martin’s first book is still wonderfully gripping and surprisingly emotional.

I was not expecting there to be such a distinct personal edge to the story. The characters here are not forgotten in place of the world-building or plot, and neither are their relationships. Michael Faris and his younger brother Patrick are alone in a Bellow-infested world, separated from their Mother and on a silent journey to what they hope is a ‘safe zone’. There are the usual zombie-like creatures we have met countless times before – the Zeds or Bellows, in this case – whose howls and animalistic shrieks keep Michael and his rifle on constant alert. What’s interesting about the two brothers’ situation here is The Game. The Game means that the Bellows are more than just mindless monsters that echo human words and phrases – they are creatures to be defeated in the interest of winning The Game. They must earn points (and do as the Game Master says) if they ever want to reach The End, where the safe zone and their mother lie.

Truth be told, the Bellows and their presence did little for me. I fear I may have finally reached desensitization point where descriptions of rotting skin and hanging limbs are concerned (it was bound to happen sooner or later). Instead, I was far more interested in the religious cult sacrificing survivors, a somewhat frightening Captain Horace Jopek of the United States Army, Michael and Patrick’s backstory, and the origins of The Game. Jopek, especially, proved to be an interesting part of the story. His blunt attitude alternates between protective and deceitful, from dependable to threatening. If anything, Jopek is a lot more unnerving than the Bellows are.

What really stands out in this book though is Michael’s need to protect his younger bother. The relationship between the two siblings here is unexpectedly affecting. With Patrick’s belief in The Game sheltering him from the true horrors of his situation, Michael is the weight-bearer of the duo, the brother with all the responsibility. Despite the nail-bitingly intense plot, we find out a great deal about these two and their life before the events of Halloween and the start of the end of the world. We learn that 5-year-old Patrick is susceptible to episodes of ‘Freaking’, in which moments of distress quickly transcend to self-harm. We learn that Michael is very much a normal teenager, with a less-than-cheery home life, and whose only friends are those on Xbox Live, his mother and his younger brother. There is a great amount of attention and care given to the characters here. My heart broke for Michael over and over.

While I hesitate to recommend The End Games to those who are more experienced with this genre, I do think T. Michael Martin has a lot to offer as an author. His debut novel is a solid introduction to his writing and I definitely look forward to seeing what else he has in store for us in the future.

(This review also appears on my blog)(less)

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Mar 28, 2013 Emily May rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-na, arc, zombies, 2013, dystopia-utopia

3 1/2 stars
I am so torn about this book. Even after taking a few days off from goodreads, I'm still no closer to deciding how I actually feel about it and whether, in the end, I think it's worth recommending to others.

Let me just say first: I love the idea. I love the clever twists that took me completely by surprise, I love the creepy setting and I also love the relationship between Michael and Patrick. This is a very eerie novel, one that is filled with zombie-like creatures called Bellows th...more

3 1/2 stars
I am so torn about this book. Even after taking a few days off from goodreads, I'm still no closer to deciding how I actually feel about it and whether, in the end, I think it's worth recommending to others.

Let me just say first: I love the idea. I love the clever twists that took me completely by surprise, I love the creepy setting and I also love the relationship between Michael and Patrick. This is a very eerie novel, one that is filled with zombie-like creatures called Bellows that moan back your words to you in an elongated, disturbing echo. The End Games opens up right in the middle of the action, there's barely room to breathe before we are thrown into this dark world of monsters, where two young boys must fight to survive against the odds and make it to the end of the game: the safe zone.

This is the element that immediately sets this book apart from every other dystopia/sci-fi/horror story (or at least the ones that I've read) - the game. Michael and Patrick must play the game, evade the monsters, collect their points and make it through the various challenging levels until they reach the game's end. They follow instructions from a mysterious Game Master who assures them that the monsters cannot hurt them inside the game, who assures them that their mother awaits them at the game's end. But who is this Game Master? Can he be trusted? Or is he something else entirely? This part of the book with the boys' uncertainty and the constant action is told brilliantly.

Another strength of The End Games is the relationship between Michael and Patrick. I have personally always loved a good tale of sibling bonds and this one is fantastic. Michael's protectiveness of Patrick and the fear he feels over the possibility of any harm coming to him seem very genuine and believable. On the other hand, Patrick's idolisation of his older brother and his own heartwarming attempts to protect him in return make this one truly well-rounded and touching relationship. Being all each other have in this game world, the strength of their love for one another is made evident, but it also means they have much more to lose.

I think, ultimately, this book's greatest strength also becomes its biggest problem and it would be very difficult for me to talk about it without heading into spoiler territory. What happens about a quarter of the way into the book is excellent and yet, in some ways, it takes something away from the rest of the novel and left me with a story very similar to the vast amount of other zombie apocalypse novels I've read. Which is not necessarily a bad thing if you're a big fan of the average zombie apocalypse novel. But I'm not. In order for me to enjoy a story about staggering dead people, there has to be something more to it. Like, for example, in This is Not a Test and The Reapers Are the Angels.

The End Games is a great idea but the very backbone of the story is flawed, in my opinion. It is an odd book in that I want to tell people to read it so we can talk about it; and yet, I feel the need to warn them of its problems.(less)

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May 22, 2013 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, netgalley-edelweiss, books-i-own, didn-t-see-that-coming, ebooks, oh-so-meh

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

3.5 stars

Thank you HarperTeen for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

'The Bellow replied: "NEEEEEWWW-" Three, two..."Good morning," Michael said, and the first shafts of dawn slit bright and pink over the trees, glimmering the snow and windshield dust on their dashboard. The sunshine struck the Bellow's eyes: the creature collapsed on its knees, and it's roar became a roar of pain.'

The hardest reviews to write are...more See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

3.5 stars

Thank you HarperTeen for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

'The Bellow replied: "NEEEEEWWW-" Three, two..."Good morning," Michael said, and the first shafts of dawn slit bright and pink over the trees, glimmering the snow and windshield dust on their dashboard. The sunshine struck the Bellow's eyes: the creature collapsed on its knees, and it's roar became a roar of pain.'

The hardest reviews to write are always the ones that I had nothing completely against or anything that I loved entirely. The End Games was clearly one of those as I'm struggling to find words to place together and form comprehendible sentences. Yet on all, The End Games was rather enjoyable.

It's simple enough. The rules in the Game. Follow them, collect points and keep away from Bellows and you will find the Safe Zone. But if it were only that simple. At a glance, The End Game's premise is rather absurd. But once becoming enveloped into the novel, twists will jump out and surprise you when you least expect it. In a new take on aliens in sci-fi world, Bellows are the alive dead that are a mixture of zombies/vampires where they imitate people talking in a 'bellowing' voice and bite them. Their bite is viscous, if a human comes intact with one, they will also soon evolve into a Bellow. Michael tells is five year old brother, Patrick, that the 'Game Master' guides them to the Safe Zone where they will meet their mother. But who is the Game Master? Why do they need to collect points? Martin successfully illusions the atmosphere with doubt, suspicion and sceptical-ness towards each and every character. This original level of uncertainty Martin created brightened up The End Games even at the most uneventful of times.

Told in third person, naturally it is hard to relate or understand what the characters are pondering in their minds etc. However Martin accomplishes this aspect so flawlessly it seems rather surreal and impossible at times. Not only was each character outlined intricately, the relationships with the main character were so diverse and attaching. Michael, our main character is not exactly what he seems on the surface. He holds are dark, secretive regret towards his little brother, and deems that it's wrong to tell Patrick what really is going on. What I admired about this was Michael's protectiveness and intelligence. Majority of Michael's actions were reasonable and not out of impulse. Yet still, I constantly felt a nagging point of him where he was too overly regretful of his own actions etc. sometimes, Michael was too caught up in self regret to acknowledge the urgent issues being addressed.

Despite all negativity, The End Games will promise a heart warming relationship between the two brothers; Michael and Patrick. I was constantly relating them back to me and my own sister. Many people remark that our age difference is excruciatingly large and what a surprise it is that we ~~kind of~~ get along. And nothing beats one where the ages are 17 and 5. That is DOUBLE the age difference of my sister and I. In post-apocalyptic situations, Martin lightened, ever so skilfully, the mood with this gravitating interaction that kept me entertained during the attention-poo- ish holes, but also levelled out a blunt sense of humour to really make this book stand out.

Another relationship I found loveable was Jopek's and Michael's. Jopek, is, in my opinion much more eventful than the Bellows, I felt like the Bellows were just some random alive dead corpses running around moaning nothing was to horrifying. It only seemed to add a slight tinge of atmospheric taste to The Games. But Jopek, was what I found fascinating to analyse. Definitely a unpredictable character, jumping out unexpectedly, Jopek manages to make The End Games far more eventful. Half the time, I really couldn't know what to expect when Jopek was part of the plot as his attitude and motions were just slightly abnormal. The way he interacted with Michael striked me as jovial then seriously intense at other times. Completely contrasting.

All in all, The End Games was somewhat satisfying while I believe it could have been improved in many levels (i. e. Bellows playing a larger role). The characters were definitely a strong point in this book as well as the idea and twists. An eerie debut novel that kept me struggling to find coherent words. (less)

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Apr 24, 2013 Rayne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, action, post-apocalyptic, between-the-3-and-the-4, boy-narrator, stand-alone-novel, survival, young-adult, you-have-disturbed-me, zombies, there-s-romance-in-there-somewhere

3.5 stars

The End Games has one of the most interesting premises I've read about in quite a while. It is not hard to understand the great anticipation for the release of this book when it promises to be a game-changer in the YA zombie genre. The End Games definitely delivers chills, entertainment and an unquestionable edge of complete originality, along with characters that were easy to care for.

The End Games does not come short on its promise for adventure, blood and gore. Michael and Patrick's...more 3.5 stars

The End Games has one of the most interesting premises I've read about in quite a while. It is not hard to understand the great anticipation for the release of this book when it promises to be a game-changer in the YA zombie genre. The End Games definitely delivers chills, entertainment and an unquestionable edge of complete originality, along with characters that were easy to care for.

The End Games does not come short on its promise for adventure, blood and gore. Michael and Patrick's journey was an absolutely thrilling ride that leaves one absolutely exhausted. It's not just the fact that the events in the book are creepy and exhilarating at turns, but there's also an intensely emotional facet to the novel that brings the characters to life and makes the situation they are in all the more perilous. I believe this was one of my favorite aspects of this novel. It would've been easy for a zombie novel to just focus on the blood and gore and the action and give us a strong protagonist that fears nothing and will stop at nothing to protect what he loves. Well, The End Games has that, but the dimensions to that main character, Michael, went a lot deeper and farther than that. He's a completely believable teenager, with thoughts, wishes and desires all perfectly corresponding to his age, but he is also a teenager living the end of the world alongside his little brother and he experiences the fear, desperation and horror of that situation in completely believable ways. His relationship with Patrick was amazing, their emotional bond moving and absolutely realistic. Everything Michael experiences with Patrick, from the absolute loyalty and unbreakable love to the exasperation and frustration and sometimes outright meanness, are perfect depictions of what we all experience with little siblings and that made the novel all the more engaging. Patrick's condition also added a lot of depth to the story and Michael, even though, admittedly, it ended up hurting the main attraction of the book, which was the concept of the game.

The narration took some getting used to and I don't think I ever fully got used to it, especially because the style changes a bit towards the ending as Michael's journey reaches its peak. Still, I really enjoyed that the author made the effort to convincingly sound like a teenager and I am also very thankful that he accurately referenced video-game titles and plot-lines, not for the sake of name dropping, but because it came natural to the character and helped with the visualization of this world through Michael's eyes. I also really appreciated the author's effort in giving the whole set of characters depth enough that they were not the necessary, stereotypical figures needed to get the story going. The best case is Jorek, who had a well-developed psychology working behind the character, which made him a more than formidable opposition to the main character. I did feel like Holly, the only girl in the novel, was a bit of an accessory here, but I am glad I can say that did not feel like the case with every single character in the novel.

The End Games gives the fans of the genre what they want: action, blood, violence and a thrilling adventure, but it also has a lot more in store for those who want something else, like believable characters, psychological development and emotional investment. This is definitely an exhilarating and enjoyable ride that, while it went a little off from what the premise originally promised, it delivered a lot more than what could possibly be expected from a book in this genre.

I received this arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for Balzer+Bray for this arc!(less)

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Apr 27, 2013 Faye (The Social Potato) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1st-in-series, 2012, action, young-adult, zombie, survival, thriller, stand-alone, post-apocalyptic, male-pov, edelweiss, arc

An ARC was provided in exchange for a review. This in no way influenced my thoughts in any way.

Almost more than 24 hours later, I'm still a bit stumped and at a loss. No, no, it's not because this book gave me something to ponder on for days on end, rather, I simply found it difficult to gather my thoughts and coherently put them into words. Did this book have zombies? Well, yes, close enough. Was it entertaining? Yes. Did I like it? Yes and no. If that sounds fickle to you, it probably is, but...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Beth (Curling Up With A Good Book) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

I was really eager to read this book when I first saw it. The synopsis grabbed me from the beginning. I am all about a post apocalyptic book that involves humans fighting monsters to survive! HECK YEAH!

but....

It started off immediately throwing you into a survival scene with the main character, Michael and his little brother, Patrick. So I was like, Yeah here we go! and then they called the "monsters" by a name...Bellows? Ok I'm not so sure that the name did the monster justice because I just di...more

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May 20, 2013 Reading Teen rated it 5 of 5 stars

At a Glance:
Zombie books. Despite the fact that zombies have become somewhat of a fashion in YA fiction, I still haven't grown tired of books about dead people eating alive people. However, if you take an interesting zombie apocalypse plot and add a video game scenario, such as that in The End Games? Count me in.

Cover:
I have admitted many times to judging books by their covers. As much as I hate it, it's just something that I do. And I was immediately interested in The End Games after seeing the...more

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May 07, 2013 Once Upon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

In The End Games we find two brothers who are trying to survive in a pretty messed up world. A world where people get turned into zombie like bellows. Playing the “Game” Michael and Patrick are thrust into a new situation that will force them to face the demons of the world. Martin uses a fine balance of humor and cruel reality to provide a realness to his characters. His characters grow along with the novel allowing the reader to feel more connected. The action scenes flow well with the book ad...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Step Into Fiction rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: jessica

You know how a main theme for me is romance, right? Well, fear not - there isn't really any in this book and you know what? It's perfectly okay. It's better than okay, actually! I know, you must be wondering if I'm feeling alright or something but I assure you, I am well. This book was brilliant and heartwarming and it made me anxious the whole time. The best aspect of this book, above all the action and adventure is the relationship between our main character, Michael Faris and his younger five...more

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May 07, 2013 Cathe Olson rated it 3 of 5 stars

17-year-old Michael and his 5-year-old brother are playing the Game--trying to survive and make it to the Safe Zone where they will be reunited with their mother . . . but the game changes when the "bellows" zombies begin to evolve and aren't following "the rules" anymore -- and then other "players" are added into the mix . . .

I thought this was going to be sort of a Hunger Games with zombies, but it's really pretty much just a zombie story. And to be perfectly honest, it doesn't stand up to som...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that this book is much different than what I thought it be. Very exciting, I found myself enthralled and pulled into the story.
The plot of the book seem something like a mix of The Hunger Games/The Maze Runner. Very interesting, I was completely intrigued by the idea of a game. A game, where a Game master tells you your next move. And then, the plot changed. Now, I don’t want to give away this tidbit but I mostly certainly was taken by it. After this little piece of info, I had n...more

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May 18, 2013 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Michael and Patrick are brothers. They enjoy playing games. Thus when they receive instructions from “The Game Master” they don’t hesitate. Armed with a rifle and the clothes on their back, they go out into the real world to find other survivors. It will not be easy as they have to fight off the Bellows. It will be a battle to the end.

If the End Games is Mr. Martin’s debut novel then I can’t wait to read his second one.
O-M-G. This book became an instantaneous hit and one day read for me. Michae...more

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May 09, 2013 Stevie Finegan rated it 4 of 5 stars

To see my video review:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Zombies, Zombies everywhere and not a moment to think!

The End Games by T. Michael Martin

22 days. It’s been 22 days since it all started, since the virus started to spread, since the dead started to rise, since Michael and his little brother Patrick set out alone. And somehow they have managed survive, hiding as best they can whenever the sun sets, looting deserted stores for supplies, killing the Bellows, the terrifying, once-human, now min...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Michelle added it

Up until Halloween, Michael Faris thought he had a rough life. For so many years, it was just his mother and him eking out a living. Once his stepfather entered the picture however, their relationship changed, and now Michael worries about his much-younger brother in this now hostile environment. Little does he know that the day he decides to set out to protect Patrick, the world ends. Now, fleeing a new and dangerous enemy, Michael and Patrick set forth on The Game, which pits Michael and Patri...more Up until Halloween, Michael Faris thought he had a rough life. For so many years, it was just his mother and him eking out a living. Once his stepfather entered the picture however, their relationship changed, and now Michael worries about his much-younger brother in this now hostile environment. Little does he know that the day he decides to set out to protect Patrick, the world ends. Now, fleeing a new and dangerous enemy, Michael and Patrick set forth on The Game, which pits Michael and Patrick against the Bellows in a fight for their very survival.

The End Games by T. Michael Martin is a twisting, unsettling story in which a reader is left mirroring Michael’s own confusion at the unexpected changes in their plans and in the world. Michael and Patrick are so good at The Game that the line between reality and their own version of reality is indistinguishable, further adding to a reader’s uncertainty. The lack of clarity, however, is perfect for setting the tone of the story, as not all survivors have the same need for rescue as Michael and Patrick, and a human mask hides one’s inner monster. The end of the world should be bewildering and uncomfortable, and Mr. Martin makes sure it is for both his lead character and for the reader.

One of the truly fascinating aspects of the story is all of the characters’ dynamism. No one is immune to character development and growth, including the Bellows. Since even the Bellows are changing and evolving, neither the reader nor Michael knows what to expect at each meeting. This only enhances the considerable tension and sense of unease that permeates the entire story. Michael’s growth is particularly messy but fitting, as he is forced to face some necessary truths about his ability to read situations and the overall goodness of others. The fact that he gets taken down a peg or two along the way only serves as reminder of his youth and inexperience in the wider world. He might be wise in some areas, but as he finds out, he still has a lot of learning to do.

Michael’s situation regarding his brother Patrick is particularly compelling. It may be one of the first times in a YA, dystopian novel where the younger sibling is mentally challenged, and this definitely adds a layer of complication as well as sense of urgency to the proceedings. For Michael, survival in this scary new world is not as simple as finding food and shelter, but he also has to maintain a level of composure and confidence in order to keep his brother calm. It is an intriguing plot twist, and one that helps set The End Games apart from the rest of this overpopulated genre.

The End Games really does rise above the rest of the ever-popular dystopian young adult storylines that exist. While there are indeed familiar elements – teen with no parents on his own and fighting for his survival, facing both evil monsters and humans – there are enough modifications to make all the difference. In particular, the evolution of the monsters, as they adapt to each battle and show surprising intelligence for being zombies, is a surprisingly effective twist. The landscape of Mr. Martin’s envisioned world is not as hopeless as one might initially believe, and this as well is a welcome change. For Michael and Patrick come across scenes of beauty interspersed among the chaos, and this natural beauty is hope. Most importantly, The End Games is a stand-alone novel. There are no cliffhangers, no loose ends, and no unanswered questions to frustrate readers. Mr. Martin remains true to his sense of realism and avoids tying up the story into a neat little package, but there is enough closure for even the most discerning reader. This all combines to create a fresh new story in an overdone genre that does much to help readers remember why the genre became so popular in the first place.(less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I read the synopsis of this book it sounded almost like a cross between Ernest Cline's Ready Player One and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, with a dash of The Hunger Games. In other words, a book that I definitely wanted to check out. Plus LOOK at that cover! Holy canoli, that is eye catching, is it not? And my verdict after reading The End Games? I did like it. Maybe not to the degree I had hoped, but I found it to be very entertaining edition to zombie apocalypse trend in YA literature.

Okay....more When I read the synopsis of this book it sounded almost like a cross between Ernest Cline's Ready Player One and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, with a dash of The Hunger Games. In other words, a book that I definitely wanted to check out. Plus LOOK at that cover! Holy canoli, that is eye catching, is it not? And my verdict after reading The End Games? I did like it. Maybe not to the degree I had hoped, but I found it to be very entertaining edition to zombie apocalypse trend in YA literature.

Okay. Zombie apocalypse books aren't really my thing. Especially the really gory, brain and body part munching kind. Ick. I just don't always have the stomach for that kind of stuff. But I do like CREEPY. And The End Games definitely has that in spades. It is also one of those books that takes you on a journey, literally and figuratively. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride as I was reading. Lots and lots of seat of your pants action in this book, you guys.

But what I think makes this particular zombie apocalypse tale stand out is the personal relationship between the book's narrator Michael and his little brother Patrick. These two kids have been through a LOT. And I'm not just talking about when the world as they knew it ended on Halloween night. There was a lot of trouble at Michael and his half brother's home. And to make things even more challenging, Patrick has special needs. It's the culmination of all of these things that make The End Games such a harrowing story.

If you read the above synopsis you can see that video games and Gamer themes in general are a big part of this story. I am hesitant to go into too many details about the plot because I don't want to spoil things. But let me say that if you are a Gamer, you are going to dig this book. And if you aren't a Gamer (like me) you will still dig this book. It never goes full throttle on the tech speak or virtual realities (which was one of the problems I had connecting to Cline's Ready Player One) but this part of the story is still VERY interesting. I won't say more, just know that there are plenty of twists in this plot which I liked a lot.

As far as characters go, narrator Michael was wonderfully rendered. The book really let's the reader get into Michael's head, and trust me, it can be a gut wrenching place to be. Imagine facing down the zombie apocalypse all alone except for a vulnerable and fragile younger brother you are responsible for? Now you can see why I said this book was a roller coaster of emotions. Michael is the type of guy who you admire and want to cheer for but he's not prefect. Not all of the difficult decisions he makes are the right ones. But again, that is what makes his character so compelling.

Patrick was sweet and brave and definitely the kind of kid you just want to wrap your arms around and protect. And there are a host of secondary characters as well. Along the way Michael and Patrick encounter others who are trying to survive their scary new world. There are some endearing characters and there are some really effed-up ones. And it all felt very realistic. I can imagine with the world falling apart at the seams; with pockets of people spread out all over trying to find a way to survive and locate one another; and with law and order completely broken down, all types of personalities are going to emerge, both good and really, really bad. And T. Michael martin delivers just that in The End Games.

And I also really enjoyed the setting of rural West Virginia. It's an area of the country that I am not that familiar with, but it really was kind of perfect as the backdrop of a post apocalyptic zombie book. And the little mountainous coal mining towns almost gave the book a Wild West vibe, especially in terms of the lawlessness that abounds in this new world.

Romance fans, there is a little bit of one in this book. But it's pretty minor in respect to everything else. Which I actually appreciated because who has time for romance when you are facing down killer zombies and fanatical religious cults? Yeah, there are crazy religious people in this one too, and you know I love CULTS, you guys!:)

So, with all these great aspects I just mentioned, why didn't this book score a little higher in my opinion? Look, it's a great book. And that it is a debut is even more impressive. But I found that after a dozen close calls and near misses with the religious nuts and Bellows (Michael's name for the zombies) I was kind of ready for things to wrap up. Unfortunately that was about 100 pages before it actually did. I was never bored reading this book, it's just that I think by a certain point I was mentally wiped out by all of it. Now to be fair I did have to read through fairly quickly. It was a touring ARC and I was only allotted a certain amount of time to read it. Perhaps if I could have slowed my pace and taken my time, maybe putting it down for a day or two when things just got to be too much and my nerves were SHOT, then I would have felt differently. But I will say that right after reading The End Games I read another post apocalyptic book (that was actually longer in length) and felt very, very differently about it. I was racing through that book like nobody's business. So, take what you will from that.

In summation, The End Games is a great take on the zombie apocalypse trend. Along with tons of action and adventure, very cool video game themes, and light romance, there are some touching moments between the two brothers who are really the heart of this story. It felt like it could have maybe been shortened just a tad, imo, but all in all a very entertaining read by debut novelist T. Michael Martin. He is now on my radar and I will be waiting to see what this author does next.(less)

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May 16, 2013 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian-post-apocalyptic, horror, sci-fi, ya, zombies, vine

It took me a while to get into this - at least a hundred pages - but then it grew on me. Post-apocalyptic zombie tales are a dime a dozen these days, but this is truly unlike anything else I've read. For one, it's not really about zombies. It's much more about the characters and their relationships. And although there is a wee bit of a teenage romance towards the end, the focus is, refreshingly, on Michael's relationship with his 5-year-old brother, Patrick (and that relationship is complicated...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Jenna Does Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full review available at Jenna Does Books!

THE END GAMES by T. Michael Martin is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will take you on a wild ride of the likes that has rarely been seen before in young adult fiction. My husband and I read this book at the same time – and we both found ourselves having a very hard time putting it down to conduct our normal daily responsibilities. It is worth it to mention that my husband is not much of a reader (and even less a reader of YA fiction) and THE END GAM...more Full review available at Jenna Does Books!

THE END GAMES by T. Michael Martin is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will take you on a wild ride of the likes that has rarely been seen before in young adult fiction. My husband and I read this book at the same time – and we both found ourselves having a very hard time putting it down to conduct our normal daily responsibilities. It is worth it to mention that my husband is not much of a reader (and even less a reader of YA fiction) and THE END GAMES was the first book I have seen him pick up in going on 4 or 5 years. His response at the end? “That was really GOOD. Will there be a sequel?” (To which I had to tell him, “I don’t know. At this point, I don’t think so?”)

If you are a fan of zombies, post-apocalyptic (non-dystopian) adventures, survival stories or thrilling reads in general, THE END GAMES is a must-read for you. Told from the point of view of a young teen, Michael, THE END GAMES kicks off right into the heart of the story. The world has seemingly already ended, and Michael and his five year old brother, Patrick, are already on the run in the midst of a Game of survival. It is through Michael’s frequent flashbacks and various other revelations that we learn how this Game came into place, how the terrifying creatures called Bellows were created, who the heck the omnipresent Game Master is and whether or not Michael and Patrick will be able to reach the “Safe Zone”… What you believe to be the truth may not always be the case – and that is what makes this story tick. Both terrifying and startling in it’s telling, THE END GAMES gave me some serious Life is Beautiful-esque feelings at its start. Confusing, right? Oh, but as you read, you, too, will understand.

The most unique thing about THE END GAMES is in the way that it is told, which is from the perspective of the main character, Michael. Imagine experiencing a world of destruction (the end of the world, if you will) through the eyes of a teenage geek. Never in all of THE END GAMES’ almost 400 pages do you ever doubt who is telling this tale. The characterizations of Michael and his little brother, Patrick, are so realistic and entirely probable as to how things would play out if two young, male siblings really were left on their own after the rest of civilization (as we know it) has been destroyed. This is all thanks to the incredible voice the author gives to his main character. The entire book is written as though we were inside Michael’s head, and I don’t think the book would have worked as well had it been written any other way.

My heart went out to both Michael and Patrick on nearly every page of THE END GAMES. Though I admit, as the parent of a five year old, I really had more pity for Michael than I did Patrick. It would take a lot of guts (as well as a lot of patience) to deal with a five year old in such a terrifying world. Of course, I felt bad for Patrick (no five year old should ever have to deal with the things he is put through in this book) but I seriously wanted to wring his neck on more than one occasion. Heck, I would have sent him to his room for the entire book, if he’d had a room to be sent to, that is.

THE END GAMES offers a new turn of events in every chapter and the action rarely has a chance to cease before something else turns the reader upside down in a summersault of emotions and terror. Prepare for shock after shock, many of which will catch you completely off guard. While I did predict the very first “revelation”, each subsequent reveal did manage to surprise me. Also, when new characters come onto the scene about 30% of the way in, all bets are off for our main characters. Whew! Can I just say that some of the people in this book are CRAY-zee (with a captial “CRAY-CRAY”)!!!

In the end, I enjoyed THE END GAMES by T. Michael Martin more than I ever thought I would (and so did my husband!) A thrilling and certainly a different “type” of story set in a post-apocalyptic world, THE END GAMES is a *must-read* for all lovers of zombies or for those who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven fiction. Period.

Now, please someone, answer me this: Will there be a sequel??(less)

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Apr 22, 2013 Twisty J rated it 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars:

I have mixed feeling about this one. On one hand, the style was a bit difficult to really get into at times. However, the story and topic was quite darker and different than what I was expecting. I wound up really enjoying this, despite anything negative I could say. Given the attention to zombies right now, this is a YA novel that stands apart from the rest. It is dark, creepy, tackles quite a few issues, and there is no romance- which is refreshing. Also, this is a stand-alone, whi...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Leah (The Pretty Good Gatsby) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

On the blog (link goes live 5/7)

Twenty-two days since Halloween. Twenty-two days since Michael followed the Game Master's Instructions and carried Patrick through a door into the night and saw their first Bellow. Twenty-two days since that moment, since the world seemed to end, but then instantaneously resurrected, to a frightening and beautiful life.

Michael's world changed Halloween night. His original plan had been to take his younger brother and run away from their abusive stepfather. Unfortu...more

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May 01, 2013 Dayla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, edelweiss, action, addicting, adventure, apocalypse, awesome-ya, beautiful-writing, coming-of-age, cool-concept, creepy, death, debut, disturbing, emotional-rape, family, favourites, fucking-amazing, good-character-development, great-descriptions, great-pacing, great-writing, horror, humanity, humour, monsters, post-apocalyptic, promising-series, romance, sassy, series, society, surprising, thrilling, young-adult, zombies

Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7

I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

The beginning of May is riddled with a few zombie novels that have opened up the world of zombies for us beyond the usual shambling and insatiable creatures that haunt our dreams. T. Michael Martin's young adult debut, The End Games, plays perfectly into this genre-changing month with its unique take on the undead, and its very emotionally stimulating and raw internal struggle. Brim...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Cynthia (A Blog about Nothing) rated it 4 of 5 stars

You might think to yourself while reading the synopsis that this might be just another same old zombie book, but let me tell you that you are WRONG! The End Games is not your typical zombie novel, it’s much more than that, and also it’s not gory like most of the others.

I was pretty excited to get to read this one since I’m a big fan of The Walking Dead and the season is now over. I was going through some zombie withdrawals and needed a good fix. Fortunately I was given the opportunity to read th...more You might think to yourself while reading the synopsis that this might be just another same old zombie book, but let me tell you that you are WRONG! The End Games is not your typical zombie novel, it’s much more than that, and also it’s not gory like most of the others.

I was pretty excited to get to read this one since I’m a big fan of The Walking Dead and the season is now over. I was going through some zombie withdrawals and needed a good fix. Fortunately I was given the opportunity to read this one and was immediately sucked in. From the beginning the End Games gives you the feeling--thanks to its main character-- that you’re seeing everything as if you were watching someone play a video games. Michael, the MC is trying to not only survive with his little brother through this apocalyptic world but also cope with everything that is happening and is acting it all out as if it were a game that he and his brother were playing. It’s pretty exhilarating and I seriously found it very hard to put it down. I think the thought of having a little 5 year old running around with his teen brother to survive in a zombie-like creatures infested world made it so nail-biting. The relationship between those two was my favorite thing in this novel. I did not want to see anything happen to both of these kids and it had me at the edge of my seat the whole way through.

I liked that this book didn’t take place years after a zombie apocalypse but just a few days after. The reader is able to see the way life has changed and the toll it has taken on people psychologically. Also the zombie aspect was pretty interesting, they are called Bellows because they repeat everything they hear, like an echo, it was actually a bit hilarious at times and I did laugh several times while reading it. We also get to see them evolve, they don’t just stay the same old boring flesh eating zombies. I thought it was a very entertaining read, and even if you are not a zombie novel type of reader I think anybody would enjoy it. It’s a story about survival and two brothers struggling to stay together and staying sane amongst a world that is going crazy, not just because of zombies but also because of people.(less)

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May 23, 2013 Lyndsey rated it 2 of 5 stars

So I've really had to think about what to say to about this book. I really hated giving it only two stars because the story just sounded wonderful and I was so excited I started it the day I bought it...but I have been sadly disappointed.

I felt lost from the moment I started the book. The story is seen through the eyes of Michael who is trying to save his brother and himself from the bellows. The the start they reminded me of the creatures of the movie I am Legend. They seemed to have the same a...more

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May 17, 2013 Nick marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: arc

The End Games, with it's intriguing cover, seemed to promise an exciting story about two brothers in a post-apocalyptic world. As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, the writing made it incredibly hard for me to follow the story-line that I ended up having to DNF it.

The book started off with a bang and immediately captured my attention, but that was about the only memorable parts of the book. Soon after a major plot (and strange) plot twist was revealed, the book went downhill for me. Not only...more

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May 03, 2013 Stories & Sweeties {Becky} rated it 4 of 5 stars

The End Games was a really great surprise. I know I've said this before, but I tend to have a hard time with zombie books. Sometimes I just can't take the brain-eating, skin-rotting, guts and eyeballs gore. Honestly, I only made it through an episode and half of Walking Dead before I couldn't take it anymore. But The End Games? Well, this story was something so much more than just another zombie novel. At the heart of it's story, it's about two brothers, Michael and his little bro Patrick. It's...more The End Games was a really great surprise. I know I've said this before, but I tend to have a hard time with zombie books. Sometimes I just can't take the brain-eating, skin-rotting, guts and eyeballs gore. Honestly, I only made it through an episode and half of Walking Dead before I couldn't take it anymore. But The End Games? Well, this story was something so much more than just another zombie novel. At the heart of it's story, it's about two brothers, Michael and his little bro Patrick. It's about their bond and what incredible lengths Michael will go through to make Patrick feel like he's safe in a really messed up world.

Michael and Patrick were both incredibly well-written characters with distinct voices and a language all their own. For me, it took a bit to really adapt to it, there were terms that didn't seem to make sense at first, but much like learning a new language, once it clicks in your own head, it immerses you even deeper into their world and their bond. Martin's whole writing style was unique and stylistic in a way that immediately gave Michael a voice that was intense, sometimes comedic, and almost always on the verge of panic at loosing control of the situation---as well as a spot-on voice to Patrick, a troubled 5-year-old whose emotions are on a constant precarious cliff. Their connection to each other just seemed perfectly real, how brothers would be even in the most extraordinary of circumstances, both humorous and intimate.

The world is stark and deserted, and the eeriness is only added to by the fact that the apocalypse just happened to hit on Halloween, the forgotten decorations and jack-o-lanterns everywhere adding an extra creepy flavor to the abandoned world. This was a really different take on zombies. It was chilling the way they would moan back any word that they heard, which is why the boys called them "bellows". But the most terrifying part was how they evolved. Their change from Bellows to Shrieks was heart-stopping, as they somehow learned to adapt themselves and make themselves even more dangerous. But even with the dead walking the earth, the greatest threat the brothers faced were other human men that were quickly losing their grasp on sanity.

Most of the story was fast-paced and intense, I do admit to feeling a little drop in attention somewhere in the middle, but it quickly picked up again and gripped me until the wildly exciting ending. I really enjoyed this debut, highly recommend to fans of zombies and especially those looking for YA reads that are perfect for boys!(less)

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May 06, 2013 Kevin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-arc, to-buy, reviewed

Review? "REVIEWWWWW" (On that Bellow talk)

From the second I heard about this book, I knew I had to have it. So it's no surprise to me that I in fact ended up enjoying it as well!

The End Games combines some pretty "LOL-worthy" moments and zombies? I mean whats not to love? Martin's humor reminded me oh so much of the famous "John Green Prose," which I hear has created quite the fan base.

This one depicts the story of brothers Michael and Patrick. Michael the older brother and the protagonist of...more Review? "REVIEWWWWW" (On that Bellow talk)

From the second I heard about this book, I knew I had to have it. So it's no surprise to me that I in fact ended up enjoying it as well!

The End Games combines some pretty "LOL-worthy" moments and zombies? I mean whats not to love? Martin's humor reminded me oh so much of the famous "John Green Prose," which I hear has created quite the fan base.

This one depicts the story of brothers Michael and Patrick. Michael the older brother and the protagonist of the story has QUITE the imagination, and that imagination helps his five-year-old brother deal with the surrounding chaos of the Bellows (or the zombies.) These zombies are not unique really in any way other than the fact they can't go out in the daylight, and they like to scream repeat things characters say, as I started this review with.

Oh but if you are afraid of the common zombie book, don't be here, this one is so so much more! There are some crazy creepy characters that include a general who has so lost his marbles, and a religious cult with an even CRAZIER leader. To add on to that there are some Bellow with lets just say... advanced skills. Basically there is just a lot to love here.

Some of my favorite things were Michael's humor and his relationship with his brother. It's rare that I actually openly laugh out loud while reading, but this book had me laughing even at some of the more serious moments. Martin is a funny guy, people should read this book for the humor alone.
I also adored the relationship with his brother. Michael is Patrick's main caregiver and acts according, protecting Patrick from the real world dangers in anyway he can. Michael and Patrick have not had the easiest of lives either. Michael not getting along with his less than ideal step-father and Patrick dealing with his own behavioral problems. This duo kept things interesting for me and I enjoyed watching the highs and lows of their relationship.

There were some things that kept this from a five star book though. The romance I felt was unneeded here and a bit just thrown in there. There wasn't any "John Green feelings" there, and there definitely wasn't any swoon-worthy spark. I just didn't care for it and it wasn't terribly exciting, and completely predictable.

Early in the book you learn about a "game" aspect to the story. I'm not going to spoil what happens with the game, but to me it was a letdown. This zombie book really HAD everything, but it didn't have that thing to throw it over the top and make it one of the best of its genre. The game could have been that thing, but it kind of just fell flat.

I'm not sure if there is going to be another book or not in this series, but if there is, sign me up.

This book was provided to me via edelweiss. (less)

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May 18, 2013 Nikki (Fiction Freak) rated it 3 of 5 stars

The End Games was...completely unexpected. It was such a hopeless, bleak kind of book and really, really depressing. No matter what they did, it felt like Michael and Patrick would be running forever, and never really live without fear.

Actually, I think depressing was sort of an understatement.

The plot and the writing were two of the top things for me (that, and the sort of twist on the zombie apocalypse.) Right from the beginning of the bat, we learn two things. A) just how dangerous the world...more The End Games was...completely unexpected. It was such a hopeless, bleak kind of book and really, really depressing. No matter what they did, it felt like Michael and Patrick would be running forever, and never really live without fear.

Actually, I think depressing was sort of an understatement.

The plot and the writing were two of the top things for me (that, and the sort of twist on the zombie apocalypse.) Right from the beginning of the bat, we learn two things. A) just how dangerous the world is, and just how desolate it is now, and B) things are already changing and getting creepier. Their were so many action scenes and so many twists that had me gasping and stunned. And, waning, a lot of deaths.

I rarely talk about voice in my reviews, but it was like you were in Michael's mind, not just as a narrator! The way the story was told is phenomenal and the writing was superb (I love that word.) You could just feel Michael's nervousness, his fear throughout the entire book.

The characters, though, were not my favorite. I'd say they annoyed me, but I mainly felt a bit impartial to them. If one died, I honestly didn't care. They weren't relatable to me, though they might be to some, and I got so irritated by all the lying. I mean, I could understand. The world pretty much ended, after all. But Michael kept lying all to raise hope, knowing it wouldn't last. It was horrible of him and I wanted to sock him in the face.

And onto the zombies (I found it funny that people didn't call them Zombies. They did live in this century, but no one thought to call them zombies?). I loved discovering about the disease that brought them back to life, it's origin, and it's purpose. There was a lot of thought out into this worldbuilding and it was fascinating.

The End Games is a game of survival, and the rules are being broken. With twists or attacks around every corner, there's almost no one to trust, but all the more reason to take a chance. The ending was perfect for the book! I just wish we could've seen an epilogue!
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Apr 08, 2013 Jessica (Step Into Fiction) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, 5-stars

Review originally posted at Step Into Fiction

You know how a main theme for me is romance, right? Well, fear not - there isn't really any in this book and you know what? It's perfectly okay. It's better than okay, actually! I know, you must be wondering if I'm feeling alright or something but I assure you, I am well. This book was brilliant and heartwarming and it made me anxious the whole time. The best aspect of this book, above all the action and adventure is the relationship between our main...more Review originally posted at Step Into Fiction

You know how a main theme for me is romance, right? Well, fear not - there isn't really any in this book and you know what? It's perfectly okay. It's better than okay, actually! I know, you must be wondering if I'm feeling alright or something but I assure you, I am well. This book was brilliant and heartwarming and it made me anxious the whole time. The best aspect of this book, above all the action and adventure is the relationship between our main character, Michael Faris and his younger five year old brother, Patrick. This relationship is just the highlight of this story. The whole reason for this story, actually. The way Michael does everything to not only protect Patrick but make sure Patrick is happy and feeling safe is just . . . mind blowing. I don't know of any sibling who would go as far as Michael does.

The humor, for example, I-have-questions-but-I-also-have-bacon-and-guess-which-I-love-more good, is one of the greatest things about this book, behind the brothers relationship. That was probably one of my favorite lines, it's a line right after they reach a 'safe house' and he's eating real food, bacon in fact. Now, if I were in his position, this is definitely how I would be thinking because I mean, hello, it's bacon! After eating stale pop-tarts, eating delicious bacon is like heaven. That's only one example, there are too many, a lot of which come from Patrick. He's so cute and funny and he doesn't even realize how just perfect he really is.

You learn a lot about Michael and Patrick's lives before Halloween, before people starting biting each other and turning in to Bellows (or Zeds) - zombie-like people. His life wasn't easy especially once Ron, his step-father and Patrick's biological father came in to the picture. He was abusive in every sense of the word and because of his behavior, it cause Patrick to have social and emotional issues. Similar to panic/anxiety attacks where he would just start freaking out, hitting himself and yelling to the point where it gets so bad he just is completely in a daze. Michael thinks taking he and his brother away from this will open up his mothers eyes to do the same thing and that's when everything changes. It's very sad seeing his childhood and how everything just went from bad to worse.

So many times in this book I thought it could've been the end but then another curveball was thrown our way and the game started all over again. It certainly kept me on my toes and biting my nails when things got rough. It is fresh, new and unlike most Young Adult books out there. It will keep you alert, keep you laughing while also making you on the verge of tears. The amount of emotions you go through while reading this book is mind boggling.
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Apr 22, 2013 Go Flash Go! rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, horror, post-apocalyptic, zombies, young-adult, unnecessary-romance, die-already

This review and others are posted at Read, Rinse, Repeat.

I've read through the current reviews on Goodreads, and one common thread is that everyone loved the relationship between brothers Michael, seventeen, and Patrick, five. I'll be the lone wolf who says I did not like it. At all. This child seemed straight out of 80's sitcom land: way too cutesy and overly precocious in a way that made me (and I can't believe I'm writing this about a young child) dislike him. I suppose I can understand why...more This review and others are posted at Read, Rinse, Repeat.

I've read through the current reviews on Goodreads, and one common thread is that everyone loved the relationship between brothers Michael, seventeen, and Patrick, five. I'll be the lone wolf who says I did not like it. At all. This child seemed straight out of 80's sitcom land: way too cutesy and overly precocious in a way that made me (and I can't believe I'm writing this about a young child) dislike him. I suppose I can understand why readers who responded positively to the relationship rated the story highly. For better or worse, this relationship drives nearly the entire plot. I do appreciate a boy who puts the needs of his little brother first and goes to extraordinary (and often unbelievable) lengths to protect him. I'm going to pause now to allow you to get out your pitchforks...

Are you ready? Pitchforks in hand? OK...

I wanted the zombies to eat Patrick. There, I said it. In part, just to get this annoying person out of the book. But also, I think the plot would have received a much-needed jolt of energy by dispatching this child who required constant care and attention, admittedly just as would any 5 year old in a setting populated with ravenous zombies.

Look at the last two words of the synopsis: "unexpected romance." Well, no, it was not unexpected to me. Unnecessary? Definitely. Thrown in at the request of the agent or publisher? Maybe. It seems as much an afterthought in the book as it did in the synopsis. Out of the tiny, and I mean TINY, group of seemingly-normal survivors the boys found, one just happened to be the correct age and gender to appeal to a heterosexual teenage boy. Her character could have been a different age or gender, and if you take away the flirty moments, you've got the same book.

If you've visited my site before, you might know that my obsession with zombies often leads me to give some leeway to flaws that might bother other readers. As fantastic as the synopsis sounded, and THAT AWESOME COVER, I just couldn't do it here. In addition to the character problems I mentioned, I was also turned off by the overly juvenile tone of the writing. Yes, it's YA, but the tone of the book and Michael's own voice seemed a bit dumbed-down. It almost seemed more MG than YA. The secondary characters, particularly the villains, were little more than caricatures, and there is absolutely no surprise in who gets their zombie comeuppance. Worst of all, these zombies/bellows were not all that scary, and I never had the sense that the characters who were obviously going to make it to the end were ever in danger. And that, my friends, is a major zombie fail.

Note - I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review.
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May 13, 2013 Brad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: edelweiss-arc, 2013-favorites

The End Games is mind-blowing. Fast-paced, electric, and amazing in every way possible, this debut novel is powerful.

You guys don't even understand how much I was anticipating The End Games. A) Fantastic cover. B) The plot sounded awesome. And let me say that everything about The End Games worked for me. I want to start with the world-building - oh my gosh, is it terrifying. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on and what happened to our world, but once I did, I got a perfect picture i...more The End Games is mind-blowing. Fast-paced, electric, and amazing in every way possible, this debut novel is powerful.

You guys don't even understand how much I was anticipating The End Games. A) Fantastic cover. B) The plot sounded awesome. And let me say that everything about The End Games worked for me. I want to start with the world-building - oh my gosh, is it terrifying. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on and what happened to our world, but once I did, I got a perfect picture in my head. The Bellows are these eerie and creepy freaks that roam around, and the first chapter of the book starts off with an attack from the Bellows. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. In fact, I don't think there was a moment when I wasn't on the edge of my seat. T. Michael Martin did a brilliant job at crafting his world together.

A thing I love the most about The End Games is that it doesn't focus just on the world and the Bellows, it also focuses on the characters and how this world changes them. Michael and Patrick's brotherly relationship was awesome. Sometimes you read books about two sisters, but I don't think that I, myself, have ever read a book where two brothers are together the entire book. And seeing as that I have a brother, it was a really nice change. Michael was the strong, I'll-always-protect-you kind of big brother, which was great. I connected to his character instantly, and he never let me down. Patrick is the naïve, silly little brother, and he knows that his brother would always keep him safe. I just really appreciated the change that The End Games brings to the table - not only is it a male POV, the main characters are two brothers.

Talk about twists and turns. At the end of every chapter, my mouth had fallen open. Seriously. Michael did a phenomenal job at plotting out the story so perfectly so he could put in plot twists. And man, there are loads! Lots of things I didn't even expect or see coming happened, and once they did, it always boggled my mind. It's so amazing. It's only May, but I can definitely see The End Games on my Top 13 of 2013 list. The End Games is definitely the best debut novel I've read all year!

Overall, The End Games is truly, truly a must-read. If you haven't started it, what are you waiting for? This novel is marvelous, and I can't wait to see what T. Michael Martin writes next!(less)

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