THE END [[#Wattys2020]]

Full of growing suspense and surprise turns, "The End," set in the very near future, follows the winding and overlapping paths of several compelling characters as they're forced to navigate independent, yet inter-winding paths through the turbulent waters of a post-apocalyptic planet. These men, women and children struggle to make impossible decisions and, for some, unthinkable autocracies, in the name of self-preservation. At the moment of the event, time abruptly stops, and then slowly begins again, as our heroes are and heroines are jolted out of their mundane lives and sent reeling.

"When confronted with the impossible and the unbelievable, the most viable options are often the most irrational." --Greta Thunberg, May 2027

This book, although 'technically' a work of fiction, is unique because the author has actually been on-site and personally witnessed almost all of the events and narratives described in it. Dan Martin has seen some of the planet's worst natural and man-made catastrophic events--war, devastating earthquakes, government and economic collapse, pandemics, looting, killing and kidnapping. He has personally been immersed in the chaos, destruction and collapse of cities and nations, and is able to convey those raw, often gritty, surreal experiences through the novel's lead characters.

As the reader follows the unfolding drama, the characters assume real-life behaviors, actions and reactions with which the reader can relate and identify. You may even share some of the same tragic experiences. It is an inconceivable perspective and awareness that can only be imprinted on an individual who has actually experienced and been present during and immediately after such a horrific, life-changing event--something other post-apocalyptic authors are completely oblivious to and can only imagine.