Title: The Man Who Ended The World
Author: Jason Gurley
Category/Genre: Sci-Fi, Apocalyptic
My Star Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Blurb:
When Steven Glass's third grade teacher asked his class what they wanted to be when they grew up, Steven's classmates shouted the usual answers: "A fireman!" "A teacher!" "The President!" When his turn came, Steven said, "When I grow up I'm going to be the last man on Earth." Warning signs don't come much clearer than that. Nearly thirty years later, Steven Glass is a billionaire. Surrounded by groupies, yes-men, investment opportunities and glamour, all Steven really wants is to be alone. Really, really alone. In secret, Steven builds a personal sanctuary nearly a mile underground. He vanishes from public life, goes off the grid. He's finally alone. Well, except for an artificial intelligence companion named after the only girl he ever loved. There, Steven plays video games, heckles the news, and waits for the apocalypse. When the end doesn't come soon enough, Steven goes to work. He still has billions of dollars to spend -- and there must be something he can do to accelerate the coming storm. Wrestling with his own destiny, unaware of the young stowaways who have discovered his underground paradise, and battling his duplicitous A.I. companion at every turn, Steven Glass struggles to create the reality he has always hoped for -- at the expense of the future of every single living human being on Earth... Unless a pair of eleven-year-old children can stop him and save the world, that is.
My Review:
The Man Who Ended The World provides a disturbing, thrilling view through the eyes of a billionaire misanthrope who is obsessed with the idea of observing humanity's reaction to the apocalypse. He's so obsessed, in fact, that he grows impatient and decides to bring it about himself. But, when his all-too-human A.I. brings two children into his private, luxurious shelter to survive the fallout, his master plan takes a wild turn.
I'm a big fan of Jason Gurley. I read his novel Eleanor sometime ago and have been reading his stories since. He has a distinct writing style; one that is simple, but impactful. He has a habit of approaching subjects that strike a little too close to potential reality, and this book is no different. It's capturing and insightful. Steve Glass is written gritty and without apology, and the children provide a healthy relief from that. My one and only criticism: the kids didn't behave like 11 year olds. I think their language and reactions were more suited for 14 or 15 year olds.
Sound like something you would enjoy? You can get your copy on Amazon here!
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