REVIEW
Finding Harry Styles
by G. B. Hope
This review opportunity for Finding Harry Styles is brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours.
Description
When a total power black-out hits the world – planes falling from the sky, cars crashing, cell phones and computers dying – two Englishmen are stranded, separately, on the East Coast of the US. They both try to make their way to their girlfriend and sister, respectively, who is trapped in New York.
As society turns quickly to chaos, the two men encounter violence, tragedy, friendships and adventure, joined along the way by several different characters. Meanwhile, the girl they are working their way towards is surviving as best she can, all the while terribly worried for her idol; Harry Styles, of the band One Direction, who were performing in New York at the time of the unexplained apocalyptic event.
Note: This is a work of fiction, in no way endorsed by Harry Styles and in which Harry Styles himself does not feature. Recommended for over 18s as it does contain some strong language, moderate violence, a suicide scene, reported suicides and other disastrous events.
Praise for the Book
"Want a story that has a scary plotline, exciting action and fun background? Then Finding Harry Styles is it. Disaster, chaos, bewilderment, etc ... all describe the latest from GB Hope. Definitely a must read for you post-apocalyptic fans. I have enjoyed this one so much. Now it's your turn." ~ Zombie Gloria
"Not only did I enjoy the book, I read it in just one day. It really had me thinking and I had to check and make sure my phone and tablet were still working. I would recommend this book to anyone over 13 years old, due to some very mild sexual situations and scenes of suicide and quite a bit of violence. But the book does make you think, what would you do?" ~ Tracy Jillard
"A fun fast read, as post-apocalyptic books should. There was humour, a few unusual parts, not least one main character being given his own harem and as with all GB Hope books, plenty of twists at the end." ~ Mike
" ... an enjoyable dependable read. It's not going to win any literary prizes, but I was engaged with the story, wanted to know the outcome and really wouldn't mind if the author continues with the tale. I'd like to know what happens next to our little group and I'd like to know more about the event itself - this story is about the consequences and as such was surprisingly addictive." ~ Liz Wilkins
"The frequent references to pop culture were a nice contrast to the world going back to the times without electricity and computers. They were an even starker contrast to the violence and the several gruesome scenes. Life suddenly felt much too real when not lived vicariously through online games and chatting rooms. Finding Harry Styles was a refreshing take on a postapocalyptic society, with its focus on people having to face a life without smart phones." ~ BP
Note: This book has a lot of mixed reviews. Please take all reviews into account before making a decision.
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
After an unexplained event takes out all electricity, communications, and transportation in the US - and possibly the rest of the world - we follow two men searching for the same girl: Michael Clavell is in Connecticut and is trying to find his way to his girlfriend in New York; and Liam McCalister disembarks from a cruise ship in Massachusetts and tries to find his sister. During their travels, Michael and Liam encounter extreme violence, but also great gestures of kindness, friendship, and even love.
Throughout the course of the book, we are introduced to an enormous cast of characters - too many to keep track of even with the list at the beginning. Most of the female characters are not portrayed in a very attractive light. However, most of the male characters are not to be admired either, being violent and/or sexually depraved. A couple of ruthless men take advantage of the situation and set themselves up as leaders, forming their own communities with hierarchies and rules, mostly for their own advantage. This book provides a surreal glimpse into what lengths some people will go to in order to survive, and what trivialities other people will cling to in the face of doom.
While this book deals with a lot of serious issues, it maintains a mostly ironic and slightly humorous tone. Overall, I felt that most situations were resolved too easily. However, be warned, there is a cliffhanger ending and many issues do remain unresolved.
From the Author
What is love? Love is moving to Jakarta. Okay.
I think of myself as an apocalyptic fiction and crime writer, with one dubious foray into erotica.
I don't write books about tractors, even though Amazon keep connecting them to me. Actually, I'm quite attached to the tractor books now.
Links
