End Times by Anna Schumacher (review)

The apocalypse may be coming, but at least the residents of Carbon County, Wyoming are well informed, given the extraordinary number of end-times signs and the presence of Daphne, a newcomer who seems well equipped at interpreting them. Daphne just wants to let go of her problematic family back in Detroit and settle in with relatives in a small but cozy town, but trouble seems to follow her. In Carbon County, she quickly finds herself stuck in a complex romance, trying to figure out how the world might end and what she can do to stop it, and seeking to help her cousin who is headed into a doomed marriage. Even as emotionally responsive as Daphne is, it’s odd that smaller human issues take up so much of her time if the world is coming to an end. Clumsy dialogue and characters who lack depth or nuance (adolescent boys, for example, seem to be either monstrous hormonally driven jerks or tough outsiders with hearts of gold) mar what could otherwise be an intriguing read, particularly for readers who are familiar with religious end times concepts. Nevertheless, the allure of a hot romance, a smart pace that builds effectively, and epic scenes of good versus evil may be enough to keep readers engaged and ready for the next installment of this new series. Final illustrations not seen.