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philibin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
(2.0 Stars)
This is my typical go-to genre, dystopian/apocalyptic fiction... so I've read some beautifully written, excellent novels, and I've also read some real duds. Sometimes I think that I rate some books lower because of all the really good examples I have to compare them to. So, please take my review with that in mind.
For me, this book was just "ok". I read the audiobook version and the two narrators did a good job. This is told from the viewpoint of two main characters, one of which is a dog. I didn't have a problem with that, although I think the author gave the dog a lot more human nature than deserved.
The story was very different than most of this genre, so that was actually the best part of this book. I felt the characters were mostly flat, and the world was not very logically sound, or even make sense half the time.
The dog was a little "preachy" in weird way, and the main human character just never felt real.
I don't know who this book would be good for, it was a long book, so I think it is a big commitment for something without much of a payoff, but if you like the genre, you might get something out of it that I didn't. Maybe if you liked James Axler's Deathlands series, but wished that each book was three times as long, you would like this book. Instead of this book, I'd highly recommend Charlie Fletcher's A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.
This is my typical go-to genre, dystopian/apocalyptic fiction... so I've read some beautifully written, excellent novels, and I've also read some real duds. Sometimes I think that I rate some books lower because of all the really good examples I have to compare them to. So, please take my review with that in mind.
For me, this book was just "ok". I read the audiobook version and the two narrators did a good job. This is told from the viewpoint of two main characters, one of which is a dog. I didn't have a problem with that, although I think the author gave the dog a lot more human nature than deserved.
The story was very different than most of this genre, so that was actually the best part of this book. I felt the characters were mostly flat, and the world was not very logically sound, or even make sense half the time.
The dog was a little "preachy" in weird way, and the main human character just never felt real.
I don't know who this book would be good for, it was a long book, so I think it is a big commitment for something without much of a payoff, but if you like the genre, you might get something out of it that I didn't. Maybe if you liked James Axler's Deathlands series, but wished that each book was three times as long, you would like this book. Instead of this book, I'd highly recommend Charlie Fletcher's A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.
euzie's review against another edition
5.0
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers**
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Adrian Walker you absolute c**t. Don't do that to me!!!!!
(That was brilliant btw)
....
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Adrian Walker you absolute c**t. Don't do that to me!!!!!
(That was brilliant btw)
warriorwoman's review against another edition
1.0
Proceed with caution.
This is the second book this month that I have reviewed before finishing. I don't think there is any chance that I will finish this one.
If listening to a foul mouthed cockney mongrel talk about his love of piss and shit and fetid breath, sounds entertaining to you, then go ahead and read this book.
To me, the whole experience of chapter 1 felt like I was trapped in a confined space with a football hooligan.
Not my idea of fun.
This is the second book this month that I have reviewed before finishing. I don't think there is any chance that I will finish this one.
If listening to a foul mouthed cockney mongrel talk about his love of piss and shit and fetid breath, sounds entertaining to you, then go ahead and read this book.
To me, the whole experience of chapter 1 felt like I was trapped in a confined space with a football hooligan.
Not my idea of fun.
karatebird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Lineker's world has been tightly confined for the last few years, living with his master Reg and sticking tightly to a routine. He doesn't realise that the world has ended outside. Reg is happy in isolation and has never gone looking for other people. But eventually they come looking for him...
I've read Adrian's other books, the End of the World series, and very much enjoyed them. This is a slightly different beast. Because half the narration is coming from Lineker, who while very smart is still a dog and doesn't quite get what's happening, we never get the full backstory. I'm very confused, for example, about how Reg and Lineker managed to live in the city for three years after the exodus without realising that there was a literal war going on between two badly described side. I *think* one side was the actual Army and the other some kind of home grown Fascist group, but I'm really not sure. I'm also not sure why no other country sent help. There's a mention of bombs early on, with no explanation of who dropped them or why, but maybe there was some kind of world war going on?
As a story it's very good; engaging, good characters, and I may have cried at a certain point near the end even though I'm really a cat person. I just wish things had been better explained. But then, maybe I missed something...I have been known to do that!
A great read, all in all, and I highly recommend it.
I've read Adrian's other books, the End of the World series, and very much enjoyed them. This is a slightly different beast. Because half the narration is coming from Lineker, who while very smart is still a dog and doesn't quite get what's happening, we never get the full backstory. I'm very confused, for example, about how Reg and Lineker managed to live in the city for three years after the exodus without realising that there was a literal war going on between two badly described side. I *think* one side was the actual Army and the other some kind of home grown Fascist group, but I'm really not sure. I'm also not sure why no other country sent help. There's a mention of bombs early on, with no explanation of who dropped them or why, but maybe there was some kind of world war going on?
As a story it's very good; engaging, good characters, and I may have cried at a certain point near the end even though I'm really a cat person. I just wish things had been better explained. But then, maybe I missed something...I have been known to do that!
A great read, all in all, and I highly recommend it.
uberbutter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
I'm not going to lie, I'm big at picking up books based off little to no information and just going for it - that's exactly what I did with The Last Dog on Earth. The book follows the story of Lineker, a mutt, and Reg, his agoraphobic owner as they traverse a politically driven post apocalyptic world - eventually coming across an orphan they feel the need to save. The story switches back and forth between the point of view of nervous Reg and foul-mouthed Lineker.
The novel took me awhile to get into and it took me awhile to really care for any of the characters so I knocked off a star for that. It took a good 20% to get me into it but once I was, I was very curious where it was going. It was your typical good against evil sci-fi book but with a dog, that cusses like a sailor, that you can't help but love. I'm glad I gave The Last Dog on Earth a chance and enjoyed it for the most part!
This is my 2nd book for 2024. 2/100 for my yearly goal!
The novel took me awhile to get into and it took me awhile to really care for any of the characters so I knocked off a star for that. It took a good 20% to get me into it but once I was, I was very curious where it was going. It was your typical good against evil sci-fi book but with a dog, that cusses like a sailor, that you can't help but love. I'm glad I gave The Last Dog on Earth a chance and enjoyed it for the most part!
This is my 2nd book for 2024. 2/100 for my yearly goal!
tdavies1977's review against another edition
4.0
I started off struggling with this; I admit to being a bit of a sweary person, but the first few chapters felt like they were out to shock. Crassness and swearing for crassness and swearing’s sake. However, the story took over and it was more than I could have hoped for. Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, dystopian yet scarily realistic. I adored the characters, even though I wanted to shake the protagonist at many points throughout the story. The unveiling of his back story, and that of Lineker (sweary dog) was so sad, and really well-written. I would definitely try something else written by this author.
angelikareadsavariciously's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. The dog was pivotal to my enjoyment, but the writing style was superb. I think audio was the best form for it.
ca517's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0