What do you think?
Rate this book
End Point
Peter Breakspear brings us End Point, a gripping work of sci-fi set at the sharp end of a major global event and the winner of a Writing Magazine competition to be published by Matador. At the start of the novel, protagonist Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world - from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind. Along the way the team encounter evidence, from missions to Mars and Venus, showing that the world has long been the subject of interest to other beings and that the environment on Earth has been manipulated over several millennia. One of the team vanishes only to return later as a changed person; is he the enemy, or is he simply trying to guide the team on their quest? They are led in circles and misdirected until they finally arrive at what they think is the answer. Is the fabled Ark of the Covenant connected to what is happening?Evidence from thousands of years ago leads them to an item so powerful that the fate of mankind is set. For Tom, the end point is only the beginning...End Point is a compelling adventure sci-fi story - and one that beat off over a hundred other Writing Magazine competition contenders. It will be accompanied by a vigorous marketing campaign and will be appearing regularly in Writing Magazine throughout its publication. Though End Point will mainly appeal to adults, it will also be enjoyed by young adult sci-fi fans.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1862
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 17, 2016
The plot summary for this novel was so promising, but this book ended up being a let down. I have several complaints. First off, I thought the writing was stilted and a bit too formulaic. There was also a lot of listing of actions and events. It didn't feel very organic. I also found it hard to motivate myself to pick it back up between readings. And where is the character development?!?! Please give me a reason to care!
All in all, I still think the idea behind the story is very interesting, but it needs to be reworked a bit.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
All in all, I still think the idea behind the story is very interesting, but it needs to be reworked a bit.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
July 11, 2016
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/07/1...
Publisher: Troubadour
Publishing Date: August 2016
ISBN: 9781785895906
Genre: Scifi
Rating: 1.2/5
Publishers Description: At the start of the novel, protagonist Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
Review: Well this had a lot of “too-ing and fro-ing” with speshul forces dudes talking, talking, talking and then you’re somewhere else with speshul forces dudes etc.
The prose was stilted to the point of painfulness. There is so much un-needed detail in every scene that it bogs down the movement which renders the suspense fully deflated. There were also no smooth scene transitions, just abrupt jumps from scene details to interactions and dialogue. The character development is non-existent and what is to be expected, occurs, as if to a patterned story board. The ending is also devoid of content/suspense and aches for a salable plot.
Publisher: Troubadour
Publishing Date: August 2016
ISBN: 9781785895906
Genre: Scifi
Rating: 1.2/5
Publishers Description: At the start of the novel, protagonist Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
Review: Well this had a lot of “too-ing and fro-ing” with speshul forces dudes talking, talking, talking and then you’re somewhere else with speshul forces dudes etc.
The prose was stilted to the point of painfulness. There is so much un-needed detail in every scene that it bogs down the movement which renders the suspense fully deflated. There were also no smooth scene transitions, just abrupt jumps from scene details to interactions and dialogue. The character development is non-existent and what is to be expected, occurs, as if to a patterned story board. The ending is also devoid of content/suspense and aches for a salable plot.
August 28, 2016
End Point By Peter Breakspear is a mystery and thriller and sci-fi and fantasy read.
At the start of the novel, protagonist Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
Along the way the team encounter evidence, from missions to Mars and Venus, showing that the world has long been the subject of interest to other beings and that the environment on Earth has been manipulated over several millennia. One of the team vanishes only to return later as a changed person; is he the enemy, or is he simply trying to guide the team on their quest? They are led in circles and misdirected until they finally arrive at what they think is the answer. Is the fabled Ark of the Covenant connected to what is happening?
Very good read. I loved the story and the characters. I loved how they all pulled together. I could see this as a movie it would be great. Very cleverly written with brilliant characters. Recommended. 4*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
At the start of the novel, protagonist Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
Along the way the team encounter evidence, from missions to Mars and Venus, showing that the world has long been the subject of interest to other beings and that the environment on Earth has been manipulated over several millennia. One of the team vanishes only to return later as a changed person; is he the enemy, or is he simply trying to guide the team on their quest? They are led in circles and misdirected until they finally arrive at what they think is the answer. Is the fabled Ark of the Covenant connected to what is happening?
Very good read. I loved the story and the characters. I loved how they all pulled together. I could see this as a movie it would be great. Very cleverly written with brilliant characters. Recommended. 4*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
September 10, 2017
Il libro si legge come un buon libro d'azione, e alcuni caratteri sono davvero azzeccati. Quando si entra però nel dettagli attribuibili alla politica, o nella parte fantascientifica vera e propria, il libro mostra un po' la corda. La collaborazione tra le varie nazioni per scoprire che cosa sono i "bidoni" che cascano sulla terra è un po' troppo alla "volemose bene", alcuni avvenimenti privi di spiegazione, la spiegazione di altri invece sembra posticcia, come se fosse l'autore l'avesse scritta perché, all'improvviso, si è ricordato di doverne dare una e abbia tirato fuori la prima cosa che gli è venuta in mente. Il finale poi, o meglio, tutta la parte che inizia con l'arrivo in Somalia, è confusa e frettolosa, e le ragioni di moltissime cose restano inespresse.
Raro caso di libro che si legge volentieri pur essendo di scarso merito.
Ringrazio Troubador Publishing Ltd e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
The book reads like an action novel, and some characters really hit the spot. When you enter the details, however, attributable to politics, or in the sci-fi core itself, the book looks weary. The collaboration between countries to find out what are the "bins" that fall on Earth is a bit too much like "we love each other"; some events are let without explanation, the explanation of others seems false, as if the author had written them because, suddenly, he remembered having to give one and has pulled out the first thing that came to mind. The end then, or rather, evertyhing that begins with the arrival in Somalia, it is confused and hasty, and the reasons for many things remain unspoken.
Rare case of book that reads gladly despite lacking substance.
Thank Troubador Publishing Ltd and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Raro caso di libro che si legge volentieri pur essendo di scarso merito.
Ringrazio Troubador Publishing Ltd e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
The book reads like an action novel, and some characters really hit the spot. When you enter the details, however, attributable to politics, or in the sci-fi core itself, the book looks weary. The collaboration between countries to find out what are the "bins" that fall on Earth is a bit too much like "we love each other"; some events are let without explanation, the explanation of others seems false, as if the author had written them because, suddenly, he remembered having to give one and has pulled out the first thing that came to mind. The end then, or rather, evertyhing that begins with the arrival in Somalia, it is confused and hasty, and the reasons for many things remain unspoken.
Rare case of book that reads gladly despite lacking substance.
Thank Troubador Publishing Ltd and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2016
Checkout my review blog: www.ageekinadress.com
TL;DR
End Point is a decent sci fi novel with some interesting ideas and concepts that kept me turning the page, even when the writing did not.
SYNOPSIS
In End Point a team of scientists and military men discover alien artifacts appearing around the globe and causing odd things to happen around them. As they explore each artifact they attempt to uncover the mystery of what is really happening on earth. Are they being invaded? Or just toyed with?
MY THOUGHTS
The premise had me really interested in this book, and it started off really strong. There’s some great moments in this book, especially when things really start going wonky. The problem is everything that happens in between, or for that matter, doesn’t happen. The book is a series of events, strung together by loooooong bouts of dialogue that primarily take place in a military debriefing. Each briefing scene goes something like this:
“Here’s what we’re gonna go. I’m gonna pass it off to someone else to explain.”
“Hi. I’m someone else. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m gonna pass it off to someone else to explain.”
“Hi. I’m also someone else. I can’t tell you everything because it’s confidential.”
Naturally, that eventually got pretty boring. I think Breakspear has some great stories rumbling around in his head, but he could use some work on how they’re delivered.
PROS
Interesting story
Great sci fi setting
CONS
Too much explanation that explained nothing
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
TL;DR
End Point is a decent sci fi novel with some interesting ideas and concepts that kept me turning the page, even when the writing did not.
SYNOPSIS
In End Point a team of scientists and military men discover alien artifacts appearing around the globe and causing odd things to happen around them. As they explore each artifact they attempt to uncover the mystery of what is really happening on earth. Are they being invaded? Or just toyed with?
MY THOUGHTS
The premise had me really interested in this book, and it started off really strong. There’s some great moments in this book, especially when things really start going wonky. The problem is everything that happens in between, or for that matter, doesn’t happen. The book is a series of events, strung together by loooooong bouts of dialogue that primarily take place in a military debriefing. Each briefing scene goes something like this:
“Here’s what we’re gonna go. I’m gonna pass it off to someone else to explain.”
“Hi. I’m someone else. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m gonna pass it off to someone else to explain.”
“Hi. I’m also someone else. I can’t tell you everything because it’s confidential.”
Naturally, that eventually got pretty boring. I think Breakspear has some great stories rumbling around in his head, but he could use some work on how they’re delivered.
PROS
Interesting story
Great sci fi setting
CONS
Too much explanation that explained nothing
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
August 28, 2016
End Point by Peter Breakspear is a so-so sci-fi thriller.
End Point opens with a mysterious object that fell to Earth in Wales being investigated by a special forces team lead by Tom. It seems that several of these objects have recently been sent to or launched at Earth. Even more startling is the fact that these objects have been on Earth for many years, and can also be found on Mars, and Venus. What are they, Are we being watched by some mysterious beings, and are they manipulating the environment?
While the start is intriguing in this competition winning novel, intriguing enough to keep me reading, the action falls apart into a formulaic recounting of what happens that bleeds all the excitement and intrigue out of discovering the purpose of the objects. There is a lot of laundry-list-action: they go hear, this is said, that is said, Tom thinks this. Breakspear had some good ideas; it's just the execution that needs work. He needs to make us care about the characters, good or bad, and develop their characters, while describing the setting and place us there, in the action. As a reader, I want to connect with these people and feel the desperation behind their search for the answers before the world ends. That didn't happen. The failure is in the writing, which could improve with more experience. This novel can be considered a YA novel.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
End Point opens with a mysterious object that fell to Earth in Wales being investigated by a special forces team lead by Tom. It seems that several of these objects have recently been sent to or launched at Earth. Even more startling is the fact that these objects have been on Earth for many years, and can also be found on Mars, and Venus. What are they, Are we being watched by some mysterious beings, and are they manipulating the environment?
While the start is intriguing in this competition winning novel, intriguing enough to keep me reading, the action falls apart into a formulaic recounting of what happens that bleeds all the excitement and intrigue out of discovering the purpose of the objects. There is a lot of laundry-list-action: they go hear, this is said, that is said, Tom thinks this. Breakspear had some good ideas; it's just the execution that needs work. He needs to make us care about the characters, good or bad, and develop their characters, while describing the setting and place us there, in the action. As a reader, I want to connect with these people and feel the desperation behind their search for the answers before the world ends. That didn't happen. The failure is in the writing, which could improve with more experience. This novel can be considered a YA novel.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
August 31, 2016
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Publisher's Description: Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
I really wanted to like this book. A little sci-fi, a little mystery, an exploration to the unknown looking for what could be the Ark of the Covenant. These are things I would normally enjoy. Instead I found it very difficult to read. The writing is choppy, sometimes jumping from one scene to another abruptly. There isn't much character development at all which leaves me feeling detached from the story. I'm giving it two stars, rather than one because I would love to see this story fine tuned and further developed.
Publisher's Description: Tom is leading a four-man team on the edge of a Welsh valley to find and recover an object that has fallen to Earth. But locating it only heralds the start of an adventure that will take some of the men halfway across the world – from the windswept Welsh valley to Aksum in Ethiopia, the reputed location of the Ark of the Covenant, and the possible end of mankind.
I really wanted to like this book. A little sci-fi, a little mystery, an exploration to the unknown looking for what could be the Ark of the Covenant. These are things I would normally enjoy. Instead I found it very difficult to read. The writing is choppy, sometimes jumping from one scene to another abruptly. There isn't much character development at all which leaves me feeling detached from the story. I'm giving it two stars, rather than one because I would love to see this story fine tuned and further developed.
August 24, 2016
I was curious about the premise of this book but ended up feeling like something was missing and sometimes I had to force myself to go on.
The story line is very intriguing and original but I felt like it needed more character development and overall descriptive narration. There was much of what someone thought, said or did but very little description of the reasoning behind it. I never felt like I was in the story.
A four man team are sent to recover an object which fell to earth but they end up traveling farther than they imagined to places they never imagined in order to find out the possible fate of mankind.
As I said, the idea is very original and I would love for the author to redo some areas such as character development and setting the atmosphere with his wording and scenery description. I would love to read the novel again with a few twerks here and there.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The story line is very intriguing and original but I felt like it needed more character development and overall descriptive narration. There was much of what someone thought, said or did but very little description of the reasoning behind it. I never felt like I was in the story.
A four man team are sent to recover an object which fell to earth but they end up traveling farther than they imagined to places they never imagined in order to find out the possible fate of mankind.
As I said, the idea is very original and I would love for the author to redo some areas such as character development and setting the atmosphere with his wording and scenery description. I would love to read the novel again with a few twerks here and there.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2016
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Troubadour Publishing Matador!
End Point reminded me of the Sigma Force novels. An elite military British team is tasked to retrieve an object that fell to Earth. They don't know what it is, but it is mysterious and dangerous. There is a Russian team watching outer space and many other task forces are trying to figure out what's going on. I can't say much more because of spoilers, but any thriller combining space exploration, dangerous missions and the Ark of the Covenant will keep me reading non-stop. The smooth way in which we get to see glimpses of the whole problem didn't hurt either. The combination between military thriller and sic-fi did not disappoint. And the ending... well, I didn't see it coming.
End Point reminded me of the Sigma Force novels. An elite military British team is tasked to retrieve an object that fell to Earth. They don't know what it is, but it is mysterious and dangerous. There is a Russian team watching outer space and many other task forces are trying to figure out what's going on. I can't say much more because of spoilers, but any thriller combining space exploration, dangerous missions and the Ark of the Covenant will keep me reading non-stop. The smooth way in which we get to see glimpses of the whole problem didn't hurt either. The combination between military thriller and sic-fi did not disappoint. And the ending... well, I didn't see it coming.
July 11, 2016
***NetGalley ARC***
Perhaps a 2.5. It's an interesting premise that falls apart rather quickly due to sketchy storytelling and zero characterisation. At the end it is what it is: a prize-winning entry in a writing contest.
Perhaps a 2.5. It's an interesting premise that falls apart rather quickly due to sketchy storytelling and zero characterisation. At the end it is what it is: a prize-winning entry in a writing contest.
October 23, 2016
An intriguing premise that is drowned in some painfully stilted writing and an over reliance on italics. Could be vastly improved with some hard polishing and rewrites.
I received an ecopy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2020
Now published by Matador and available most places.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews