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End Of Normal
Sixteen-year-old Olivia Richards’ last day of normal is just that, normal. She worries about impressing Sawyer Rising, the hottest guy in school, and argues with her mother. Everything seems fine except for that strange, glowing plant in the yard and her dad lying to her and deaf twin brother Charlie, which is the weirdest thing of all because their parents do not lie to them. Ever. Normal ends as lights shoot out of the sky and turn into stinging drones, killing their parents. As he lay dying, their father gives them cryptic clues about coordinates and begs forgiveness before insisting they leave. The twins join forces with Olivia’s boyfriend Axel, her best friend Clara, and heartthrob Sawyer. Together they go in search of answers only to find conspiracy, death, and an awful truth about their families.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2014
9 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Arscott
1 book10 followersSusan worked as a high school teacher until she thought her head would explode from all the ideas and questions her students asked. Thinking it would be easier; she foolishly switched from teaching to the ridiculous job of professional fundraiser. After spending more years than she wants to admit begging strangers for money, she gathered what pride she had left and enrolled in Spalding University’s MFA program where she became blissfully happy working with other writers and improving her writing. She currently lives and writes in Seabrook, Texas with her husband Mike, Vlad the cat, and their deaf dog Chester.
Susan’s first YA novel, The End of Normal, will be available Summer of 2014 by Burst Publishing and can be purchased through any online bookstore. You can find out more about Susan on her website http://www.susanarscott.com.
Susan’s first YA novel, The End of Normal, will be available Summer of 2014 by Burst Publishing and can be purchased through any online bookstore. You can find out more about Susan on her website http://www.susanarscott.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 16, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/en...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Adelynne
End of Normal had too much info-dumping for it to really have a fast-paced, electrifying feeling one would usually associate with a dystopian sci-fi novel. It did have its good points, but the whole book just turned out to be an average sci-fi novel.
I did like the twins/main characters Charlie and Olivia. And since the book was told from Olivia’s point of view, their relationship felt even more close. I really enjoyed reading about the two, and I love how family relationships are important in this book. Their parents are important to them and play a huge role in their daily lives, and I enjoyed how End of Normal was able to make their family dynamics so realistic. Olivia’s friendship with Diane was also very realistically written; and although it was not very complexly written, it was a nice, solid relationship.
What I didn’t like was the “romance” and the plot. The romance was kind of superficial (Olivia’s crush) and very indecisive. In fact, it was pretty much a love triangle until *spoiler* one of the characters died. Olivia kept going between the two and well, one of their deaths was conveniently placed so one of them could be the main love interest. Actually, it felt like a lot of the character deaths were just for convenience. Honestly, I wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters in the book, so I didn’t really feel anything when some of them died. The character dynamics felt pretty dry.
The plot was not as interesting and engaging as it should have been. In the beginning, I was really intrigued by what was going on, and I really loved the detailed descriptions. However, some chapters in, it just started getting more boring as the story went on. There were some plot twists placed in between but rather than giving the emotional impact they should have, they were just a tiny pebble on a road. I wanted more out of this story, but it just turned into info-dumping and random scenes.
However I did like the ending. The last two sentences were a nice conclusion to the book. Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light, realistic sci-fi read, and don’t mind info-dumping.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Adelynne
End of Normal had too much info-dumping for it to really have a fast-paced, electrifying feeling one would usually associate with a dystopian sci-fi novel. It did have its good points, but the whole book just turned out to be an average sci-fi novel.
I did like the twins/main characters Charlie and Olivia. And since the book was told from Olivia’s point of view, their relationship felt even more close. I really enjoyed reading about the two, and I love how family relationships are important in this book. Their parents are important to them and play a huge role in their daily lives, and I enjoyed how End of Normal was able to make their family dynamics so realistic. Olivia’s friendship with Diane was also very realistically written; and although it was not very complexly written, it was a nice, solid relationship.
What I didn’t like was the “romance” and the plot. The romance was kind of superficial (Olivia’s crush) and very indecisive. In fact, it was pretty much a love triangle until *spoiler* one of the characters died. Olivia kept going between the two and well, one of their deaths was conveniently placed so one of them could be the main love interest. Actually, it felt like a lot of the character deaths were just for convenience. Honestly, I wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters in the book, so I didn’t really feel anything when some of them died. The character dynamics felt pretty dry.
The plot was not as interesting and engaging as it should have been. In the beginning, I was really intrigued by what was going on, and I really loved the detailed descriptions. However, some chapters in, it just started getting more boring as the story went on. There were some plot twists placed in between but rather than giving the emotional impact they should have, they were just a tiny pebble on a road. I wanted more out of this story, but it just turned into info-dumping and random scenes.
However I did like the ending. The last two sentences were a nice conclusion to the book. Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light, realistic sci-fi read, and don’t mind info-dumping.
April 9, 2015
Unfortunately just an information heavy, average read for me. I didn't connect to this story or its characters, sadly.
August 3, 2016
I received this book from Barclay Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Olivia starts the day as an average teen, worrying about boys and pushing the boundaries her parents have given her - the 'skinnyness' of her jeans in this instance. It's a normal day at school and the evening looks to be like one of many. However, there is a beautiful meteor shower which draws the attention of everyone and that is when the nightmare begins.
This tale is cleverly woven using the right amount of teenage angst and general panic that you imagine would ensue in situation like this. I know that I probably wouldn't just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well"! This is a Young Adult so everything in it is 'gentle' and consists of kisses and cuddles, nothing more although this is not a problem for me. Something that happens not long after chaos descends surprised me, enough so that it brought tears to my eyes. I cannot allow myself to believe that that part is done although I am concerned about a possible triangle in the future (I don't like them!) if what I want to believe is true. This was not the end of the shocks reading this book as they come one after the other.
The writing will take you along as it weaves and twists its tale. S.C. Arscott has done an amazing job with her story and the characters. They are not perfect, they have their flaws, but they are strong and consistent. The tale is only beginning so I recommend you read this one and then start waiting impatiently for the story to continue.
Olivia starts the day as an average teen, worrying about boys and pushing the boundaries her parents have given her - the 'skinnyness' of her jeans in this instance. It's a normal day at school and the evening looks to be like one of many. However, there is a beautiful meteor shower which draws the attention of everyone and that is when the nightmare begins.
This tale is cleverly woven using the right amount of teenage angst and general panic that you imagine would ensue in situation like this. I know that I probably wouldn't just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well"! This is a Young Adult so everything in it is 'gentle' and consists of kisses and cuddles, nothing more although this is not a problem for me. Something that happens not long after chaos descends surprised me, enough so that it brought tears to my eyes. I cannot allow myself to believe that that part is done although I am concerned about a possible triangle in the future (I don't like them!) if what I want to believe is true. This was not the end of the shocks reading this book as they come one after the other.
The writing will take you along as it weaves and twists its tale. S.C. Arscott has done an amazing job with her story and the characters. They are not perfect, they have their flaws, but they are strong and consistent. The tale is only beginning so I recommend you read this one and then start waiting impatiently for the story to continue.
October 15, 2014
If I had to sum this book up in two words they would be: enticing and suspenseful. Within the first ten pages of the book, Arscott leads you to believe that something exciting and potentially harmful is going to happen to Olivia and those around her, but she does not give you any hint until the event is right upon you.
While reading this book, I found myself feeling like I was in Olivia's shoes - thinking her thoughts, feeling her pain, expressing her emotions. I wanted to be there, to work with Olivia, Axel, Clara, Charlie and Sawyer to figure exactly how and why these aliens are invading their homes and to find out who is responsible.
Through the twists and turns of the book, Arscott develops the characters both in maturity and in complexity - and we even see a little romance blooming between two of the main characters ( and no I will not say who is involved).
The only downside of the book is that it ends open ended - we find out the truth behind who is responsible for the invasion, but we do not know with 100% certainty what is going to happen to Olivia and her friends. In my mind, this means that Arscott is going to write a sequel to End of Normal and I really hope that she does.
While reading this book, I found myself feeling like I was in Olivia's shoes - thinking her thoughts, feeling her pain, expressing her emotions. I wanted to be there, to work with Olivia, Axel, Clara, Charlie and Sawyer to figure exactly how and why these aliens are invading their homes and to find out who is responsible.
Through the twists and turns of the book, Arscott develops the characters both in maturity and in complexity - and we even see a little romance blooming between two of the main characters ( and no I will not say who is involved).
The only downside of the book is that it ends open ended - we find out the truth behind who is responsible for the invasion, but we do not know with 100% certainty what is going to happen to Olivia and her friends. In my mind, this means that Arscott is going to write a sequel to End of Normal and I really hope that she does.
November 17, 2017
*thank you to Netgalley and Champagne Book Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
The beginning of this was quite enjoyable. Better than I was expecting, but about half way through, it slowed down. Still, it was definitely worth reading. I liked the main characters, Olivia and her twin brother, Charlie. Sawyer I could have done without, but Axel, yep definitely liked him. Clara, I cant decide if I liked her. I think I did but not as much as the others. The reason Charlie was a character I really liked, probably the most, was not just because he was so likeable but he was also deaf. It added to his character and I really enjoyed reading about him, he was sweet. A negative thought is that I would have prefered more 'Alien activity', what there was of it, felt a bit lacking. Otherwise, thumbs up on this. Its a decent Sci-fi Ya novel.
3 stars.
The beginning of this was quite enjoyable. Better than I was expecting, but about half way through, it slowed down. Still, it was definitely worth reading. I liked the main characters, Olivia and her twin brother, Charlie. Sawyer I could have done without, but Axel, yep definitely liked him. Clara, I cant decide if I liked her. I think I did but not as much as the others. The reason Charlie was a character I really liked, probably the most, was not just because he was so likeable but he was also deaf. It added to his character and I really enjoyed reading about him, he was sweet. A negative thought is that I would have prefered more 'Alien activity', what there was of it, felt a bit lacking. Otherwise, thumbs up on this. Its a decent Sci-fi Ya novel.
October 18, 2014
I really liked this book from the beginning. The writing was really good and so was the pacing. The story drew me in right away. The book starts with a shallow teenage girl who has a crush on a popular boy at her school and gets into a fight with her mother over skinny jeans. And then things start getting interesting. 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews