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    Vivian Apple at the End of the World: She's on an Epic Road Trip in Search of the Truth
    Unavailable
    Vivian Apple at the End of the World: She's on an Epic Road Trip in Search of the Truth
    Unavailable
    Vivian Apple at the End of the World: She's on an Epic Road Trip in Search of the Truth
    Audiobook8 hours

    Vivian Apple at the End of the World: She's on an Epic Road Trip in Search of the Truth

    Written by Katie Coyle

    Narrated by Julia Whelan

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents.

    But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior.
    She's looking for the truth...

    ©2014 Katie Coyle (P)2015 Dreamscape Media, LLC

    Editor's Note

    A unique coming-of-age tale…

    Vivian Apple is not a “Mean Girl” or a “Gossip Girl.” Vivian is a good kid. Nevertheless, she’s left behind in the “Rapture.” What follows is her journey to let go of the comfort of being a child who pleases adults.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDreamscape Media Audio
    Release dateJan 20, 2015
    ISBN9781633795266
    Unavailable
    Vivian Apple at the End of the World: She's on an Epic Road Trip in Search of the Truth
    Author

    Katie Coyle

    Katie Coyle grew up in Fair Haven, New Jersey, and has an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Her short fiction has appeared in One Story, The Southeast Review, Cobalt, and Critical Quarterly.   

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    Reviews for Vivian Apple at the End of the World

    4/5

    11 ratings17 reviews

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    • 4/5
      A semi-dystopian that seems all-too-plausible and really makes your think and question.
    • 5/5
      Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.My Review: I received this book from netgalley, after requesting it. I read a sample of it in Buzz Books 2014, and decided I'd give it a chance. It seemed good, after all. A little churchy, but that's what this book is about. Vivan Apple is just a teenager. She never expected the rapture to be real, and was surprised to find out that her parents had vanished, supposedly through two holes in the ceiling. It happens. She's confused, scared, alone, and broke. She doesn't know what to do. Instead of wallowing in her sorrow like she wants to, she gets up, leaves her empty house, and goes on an adventure with her best friend Harp, and their new mysterious friend that they met at a party, Peter. Everyone's in a panic. What really happened? Why did it happen? What to believe in? Where did everyone go? And through their frantic road trip, they eventually uncover the truth. And it's nothing like they thought it would be. This book is an awesome story. I know it took me a while to get through it, but honestly, I really liked it. It was fun. The characters were a little flat at times, but as I got to know them better I liked them more and more. I think Harp was my favourite. Definitely check it out if you get the chance, the apocalypse is waiting! Thanks for reading. (': (Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
    • 3/5
      17 year old Vivian Apple has spent her entire life being good, and doing what is expected of her, but when her parents got involved in a crazy apocalyptic cult that started making headlines across the country three years ago, she had to start thinking for herself. But it seems like the whole town - and maybe even the country is getting caught up in the creepy mass marketing of the cult. A grassroots resistance movement is developing in pockets all over the country against the religious, economic, and political machine that the cult has become. After a surprising event that finally takes her parents from her, she and the wild girl who lives next door set out on a road trip to find some answers - either about her past or her future.Some surprising twists, and some really great characters.
    • 4/5
      I started this book pretty annoyed, expecting a YA Left Behinds (Tim Lahaye) knock-off; non-believer survives the rapture only to find the light of god, yadda-yadda-yadda. I humbly apologize and admit this was so much more than that. In essence, despite its science-fiction, survivalist backdrop, it is at heart a coming of age story about a girl trying to discover herself - and the meaning of "family" - before her death. The subliminal and superliminal commentary on mass-commercialism and Big Business was all too real and close to home.
    • 4/5
      When a book blurb mentions Young Adult and the end of the world you immediately picture a plot with action, violence, and the requisite love triangle. And Vivian Apple has none of these ... which makes it refreshingly different. Vivian Apple's life changes when her parents, who are devout followers of a bizarre and popular cult, disappear on the night of the prophesied Rapture and all that is left of them are two holes in the ceiling of their bedroom. Did they ascend into heaven and leave their daughter and her friends to suffer with the rest of the sinners? Although there is a bit of a mystery and a long road trip, the main appeal for me were the descriptions of how people react when faced with the end of the world. Do you party madly, or do you try and toe the line and hope to get into heaven on the next round?This book has a lot going for it - interesting premise, unusual characters, but there were parts that seemed to meander without purpose. Still entertaining and worth a read.
    • 4/5
      Vivian Apple comes home after a party to find two holes in her ceiling and her parents missing. While dismayed, she isn't completely shocked. That is because The Church of America has predicted the rapture would come, and both of Vivian's parents were devout believers. But now Vivian, a high school student, along with her best friend Harp are left with no parents, no money, and no clue what to do next. The two girls embark on a road trip, learn some shocking secrets about themselves and the Church, and explore their own beliefs. The book explores themes of religion and belief, family, transitioning into adulthood, friendship, and survival. The audiobook was exceptional. Narrator Julia Whetan maintained unique voices for each character and kept the story flowing. I recommend this book to grades 8-12. It's the first in a series, and I'm looking forward to the next installment! -EC
    • 4/5
      When Vivian's parents, followers of the religion of Frick, are raptured, she is left alone, as are many other teenagers. A series of natural disasters and unnatural weather seem to presage Frick's fortold end of the world. Together with her best friend and a guy they met, Vivian undertakes a dangerous cross-country trip to try to find out what is really happening.
    • 3/5
      Vivian Apples lives in America, a place where most of the population have become followers of the Church of America, an extreme cult of evangelical Christianity. The Believers follow a prophet named Beaton Frick and his book of visions called the Book of Frick. Frick predicts a Rapture for all believers, but Vivian doesn't believe it is real. Until it actually happens. When Vivan's parents, along with thousands of other believers, disappear on the predicted date, Vivian and her friends set off on a road trip to discover the truth before the world comes to an end.This is a young adult, religious dystopian novel which almost feels a bit satirical at times. The Book of Frick and the entire premise of the Church of America seems almost silly and complete unbelievable, except that it just manages to come close enough to reality that it made me feel a bit uncomfortable at times. As a Christian, I would disagree strongly with the beliefs and practices set forth by the "Believers" in this book. I found them to be somewhat humorous, and I'm not sure how much it was the author's intent to be funny with this premise or serious or a little bit of both. I do think there is a little bit of truth about the American Christian church mixed in with the extreme religious views. I definitely thought it was thought provoking at times, especially with the ideas of consumerism and the American church receiving special blessings from God.The characters and the plot of this book were just okay for me. I liked Vivian and Harp and Peter, but I don't think they are memorable characters that will stick with me for very long. The plot felt a little lost and meandering at times, perhaps that was because the characters were a little lost on their road trip. The book ended, and I was left feeling unsure. Did I like it? Or not? I'm still not fully sure. There are definitely some interesting ideas here and fairly likable characters. It's an easy read, and something a little different from the other young adult dystopians out there right now.
    • 3/5
      When I read the synopsis for this book I was curious about how the author would portray this Rapture and the events afterward and so I wanted to read the book. I am not sure if I will continue this series though. Granted I found this first book enjoyable. Here is where I struggled - the parents are crazy! and even if they are in a cult wouldn't most parents make their children participate as well?... I mean if I was Vivian's age I think mine would have made me go with them - it is kind of like church, they go, you go but maybe I am just crazy too... who knows.Anywho, on with the review - Vivian Apple suddenly finds herself without her parents in a post-rapture world. She doesn't know what to do, where they are, and she wants answers. After a few false steps, Vivian finds herself on a journey to the cult leaders secret compound to find out the true about her parents and the rapture and what she finds is SO not what she expects. Vivian, the main character, was a good one. She starts as this shy wallflower and emerges into this take-charge, taking names girl in the post-apocalypse. She was interesting and I enjoyed her tale but I was more excited about her diverse best friend Harp, who used to be the take charge and slowly disintegrated in the aftermath. I found her to be a stronger character - she had a lot of influence - and she wasn't white - so rare in YA. Loved it. Then there is Peter, he seemed good enough in this book but I wasn't swooning...Overall I thought this was a cool take on this what-if scenario. I think these teens acted accordingly given the situation and I think the book was good - but like I said through it all I kept thinking 'my parents would have made me...'
    • 4/5
      Across the world, believers of the Church of America are raptured from their homes. When Vivian Apple finds two holes in her parents ceiling, she begins to wonder if the church could be right. Along with her best friend and a boy they just met, they travel across the country, determined to get to the bottom of what really happened.Overall, this was an interesting story. It wasn't as juvenile or childish as I thought it would be. I would like to know what happens next. It definitely set itself up for a sequel.
    • 3/5
      Vivian wakes one day to find two person-sized holes in the ceiling of her parents' bedroom. What follows is a study of why. There are some great questions presented- why would my parents leave me? how will we go on?- but there are also interesting moments of kids realizing that their parents/siblings/friends have their own lives and the kids may or may not be the center of it. The only thing that really bothered me was the ending- no spoilers but I was left feeling quite unsatisfied.
    • 4/5
      I'll give this one 3.5 stars: an enjoyable read for young adults. It's kind of a mash up of the Left Behind Series meets Amy & Roger's Epic Detour. I liked it.
    • 4/5
      This novel is a comment on American society, as the world is coming to an end with the Apocalypse.Vivian Apple doesn’t believe that the Apocalypse is about to occur, as the Church of America has predicted. When she returns home from a mockery of the end of the world party, she finds a hole in the roof of her parents’ bedroom and her parents gone. Many people are gone--so many that school cannot go on. Chaos begins to spread, as people begin stealing from abandoned homes. Strange weather events are also occurring around the world. Could the end of the world really be happening? Vivian still cannot believe in the Church of America nor can her best friend Harp, but how can you dismiss the strange, destructive weather? The question throughout the novel remains, “What is the truth?” Vivan’s grandparents also find the idea of believing ludicrous. They also refuse to believe that a devastating storm is about to destroy their town. Vivian takes their car, gets Harp, and a new friend, Peter, and they leave to find out what’s really going on. They determine to learn the truth--is the world really ending?In some ways, this novel was hard for me because I am a Christian. I didn’t want my beliefs to be mocked. I had to read with an open mind and see where the story was going. For me, I determined that it’s less about Christianity and more about American society where people worship power and money, the essence of American society. I do want to read the second book because I’d like to see what happens, for I did find it intriguing. The content is pretty mature in the sense that you have to have knowledge of American life beyond school and teen years. If you like mysterious happenings and journey books--because they journey from location to location--as they seek knowledge, you will enjoy this novel as well.
    • 4/5
      “The Rapture has been foretold for March 24th of three years hence.”You know when you finish a really good book and you’re left speechless? You know, when you just want to hug the book and never let it go? That’s how I felt about this book.I didn’t expect much when starting it, other than a light fluffy read. But it’s so much more than that.From the very beginning, Vivian Apple is a very interesting heroine. She’s thrust into a situation that is completely unimaginable; the Rapture happened, and she, along with several other thousand people got left behind. How does she handle this? She’s so levelheaded even in the most difficult situation. Vivian always went into a situation thinking through her options. She is not a reckless and impulsive character. She’s strong when she needs to be, speaks her mind, and her whole journey is driven by her need to find answers. Vivian’s character solely evolved thanks to the Rapture, which is really interesting seeing how she changes subtly into her own. I also love the fact that this book isn’t riddled with any of the typical YA tropes. No insta-love, no slut shaming, no Mary Sues. Instead it features a really strong female friendship between Vivian and Harper (which I’d like to add are two completely different people and still get along tremendously), a sweet, budding romance, and a lesson as to why family is so important.There’s a sort of religious undertone to the book that really makes it better. It’s kind of a parody/comic depiction of religious obsession. It explains how the Rapture in the book came to place, and makes us all question ourselves.Truly, this book has become one of my favorites merely because it was completely refreshing. I loved every second of reading it, and I can’t help but keep asking myself: “if the world ended, would I take it on as easily as Vivian did?” Highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      I couldn’t resist the idea of an Armageddon road trip and Vivian at the End of the World (originally published as Vivian Versus the Apocalypse) did not let me down--I read the book straight through because I couldn’t bear to stop. Sixteen-year-old Vivian had been on the meek side--she was the sort no one notices, including boys--but she’s not a blind follower so when natural disasters start piling up, a new religion’s prophecies predict the end of the world, her free-thinking friends are attacked by paranoid wanna-be-saved hordes, and her parents are apparently raptured away to heaven through the ceiling of their bedroom, Vivian makes the choice to chuck her passive persona, get some answers, and DO something. That DOING something involves a car journey from Pittsburgh to California with her best friend and a good looking guy they’ve just met, battling weird weather extremes, rescuing a pregnant half-believing former classmate, hoping their limited money supply doesn’t run out (gas is over $13 a gallon and rising), dodging desperate converts looking earn paradise points by smiting nonbelievers, and falling in love. This is the first book of the series and it’s full of wonderful characters I can’t wait to meet again. Though the new religion of the story is a rabidly patriotic End Times doctrine, people on all parts of the belief spectrum are ultimately treated by the author with sympathy and respect. There’s some violence and plenty of action and suspense, but the tone isn’t as grim as in The Hunger Games or Divergent--which are both series that I enjoyed, but even with the seriousness of Vivian’s situation there’s more fun in this book. For instance, Vivian’s blossoming first romance doesn’t diminish the tension, but it does allow for some witty repartee.
    • 5/5
      Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.My Review: I received this book from netgalley, after requesting it. I read a sample of it in Buzz Books 2014, and decided I'd give it a chance. It seemed good, after all. A little churchy, but that's what this book is about. Vivan Apple is just a teenager. She never expected the rapture to be real, and was surprised to find out that her parents had vanished, supposedly through two holes in the ceiling. It happens. She's confused, scared, alone, and broke. She doesn't know what to do. Instead of wallowing in her sorrow like she wants to, she gets up, leaves her empty house, and goes on an adventure with her best friend Harp, and their new mysterious friend that they met at a party, Peter. Everyone's in a panic. What really happened? Why did it happen? What to believe in? Where did everyone go? And through their frantic road trip, they eventually uncover the truth. And it's nothing like they thought it would be. This book is an awesome story. I know it took me a while to get through it, but honestly, I really liked it. It was fun. The characters were a little flat at times, but as I got to know them better I liked them more and more. I think Harp was my favourite. Definitely check it out if you get the chance, the apocalypse is waiting! Thanks for reading. (': (Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
    • 3/5
      2.5* for the book, 3* for this audiobook editionThe main plot seemed like an imitation of Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale with the usual YA stuff added in. It wasn't bad but the most interesting feature (and an important difference from Atwood's world) was introduced close to the end & then glossed over and ignored (perhaps to allow for the sequel? YA authors seem to hate standalone novels!).