Customer Reviews

Days' End

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

What would happen if advanced DNA splicing and cloning techniques fell into the wrong hands? Headhunted for a project she knows little about, scientist Nysa becomes an unwitting accessory.

Days' End is a fast and compelling read with a shocking but satisfying ending.

This is probably just me, but it took me a little while to work out what the POV/first person switch at the end of the early chapters was all about. It didn't detract from the story, though, and overall it was a most enjoyable read, not to mention excellent value.

Enjoyable read; takes a few chapters to understand the pattern of the chapter endings; mildly predictable outcome, but very engaging story. Not preachy...I was ready to be offended, but wasn't. I'll read more of this author if his "literary" context sustains the boundaries of this present work.

I am an avid reader and Sci-fi books are my thing. I watch the Sci-fi channel and am a true-blue "Trekie" so this science fiction thriller was right up my alley. My mother was the one that told me that I should read this book, because she knew I would like it because it is not only Sci-Fi, but is set in my home state of Colorado. I always look for intricate details in a story and even the interesting names of the characters drew me in to the storyline. I have a great appreciation of the author's knowledge of scientific method and the weaving of biblical symbolism kept me so involved, I couldn't put it down after I started it. The story is a very flowing read and does a great job of bringing the characters to life and made me actually care about their outcome. This book is one that every Sci-fi reader should add to their library. --Troy

I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot from this novel, but I was pleasantly surprised. It drew me in and was very engaging, the story was good and there was sufficient research into the subjects at hand to make it believable. There was a lot more than could have been done to flesh the story out more and develop the characters further - the beginning did a good job with Nysa but then the author seemed to feel we knew all we needed to about her and didn't spend any further time on her thoughts or feelings. Then Alastair began to flesh out but never really felt quite completed either. I liked the end, but I would have liked to see a little more into the future and I think the abrupt ending is what made it feel like a short story that had been fleshed out rather than a complete novel.

Overall, I think it was a good first novel - I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in apocalyptic stories. I look forward to seeing more from Scott Collins.

Last things first - I loved the ending. I have seen a couple of customer reviews that didn't like the ending, and I can see why it might not appeal to every reader. But for me, it was perfect.

I really enjoyed the book. It was recommended on the Kindle board forums and I read the ebook version, though it's also available in paperback. It's a good story that raced along - I read it in a couple of sittings - and I couldn't guess where it was going, though other readers might.

I'm going to find it hard to say too much without spoiling the story but there are apocalyptic, thriller, sci-fi and love story elements in there, and all are neatly tied up as the book finishes. One of the tags for the book says 'techno thriller' and that seems a pretty good way of describing it.

I'm looking forward to the next one by this author.

It started with an offer she couldn't refuse, even if it meant that Nysa would be separated from her fiance, Alastair, for a year or more, with no contact permitted.

This SciFi/Thriller builds up momentum right from the start. An intriguing story combined with likeable characters make for enjoyable reading.

I liked the ending, it made me chuckle. I do hope there is a sequel as it is one of those books that makes me want to know what happens to the characters next.

I didn't like the transitions from third person narrating the story to the first person musings of the villain, which occurred at the end of a number of chapters. This problem would be simply rectified by use of italics or by a distinct break between the two sections.

It's an exciting book, hard to put down. Well written and creative. I recommend it.

I enjoyed the book, the story line was interesting and well written. I couldn't wait to finish it. I was a bit disappointed last night when I finished although this morning I'm less disappointed and feeling a bit more satisified with the ending. I think the (i'm not sure exactly what to call it) "end of most chapter paragraph" is a bit strange and kept throwing me off while reading it is an interesting way of doing it. Will definitely be adding this author to watch for new books from!

Scott L. Collins in his debut book, DAYS END, has skillfully merged bio technology into suspense, romance and mystery. While doing so the author also tells of the throes of a recovering alcholic, a reunited father to a once wayward son, world ending trauma and a love story involving a woman who has crashed through the technology ceiling to be the best in her field.

The reader is kept turning pages until the end when the surprise of all earthly surprises emerges, but is left unsure of that revelation when the protagonist says,"Jesus Chri-" Perhap clarity of those incomplete words will come forth in a sequile by Mr. Collin's. Will this author call it DAYS BEGIN?...I'll buy that!

I was very disappointed by this novel. I generally don't read 'religious' books, and I would not classify this as such. Yes, you have to accept the premise of Christianity, but you don't have to be a Christian to do that. I accept that a cat can come back to life after being buried in a haunted 'semetary' when I read Stephen King, so this concept was not difficult for me to accept. It actually has promise to be an interesting story (the reason I gave it two stars) but it seems as if the author was in such a hurry to pump it out that he forgot to develop characters in any kind of meaningful way.

I really hate to say it, but I couldn't help thinking that it read more like a 9th graders creative writing essay. The author hasn't quite mastered the concept of 'showing not telling'. "He walked up the stairs. He walked down the stairs. He walked back up the stairs." I kid you not, this is very close to being a direct quote from the book. Who cares that he walked down the stairs if nothing happened to him there? I'd highly recommend that the author read, then re-read, Stephen King's 'On Writing'. Then join a writing club - he would gain a tremendous amount of insight from others on how to create a really solid story.

As it is, I gleaned all the important information by skimming through this in an hour (after a few hours of trudging through the dismal prose before finally giving up). What was totally confounding was that he made no secret as to the 'mystery man's true identity or what exactly that team of scientists was up to, yet the ending seemed to be intended as a climax; an 'ah-ha!' moment. It was anything but, as anyone with even the most cursory knowledge of Christianity will have figured it all out 1/4 of the way into the book.

I also need to mention my dismay to find that nearly all of the five-star reviews for this book are written by folks who have written only one review. I have no idea if this is the case, but it makes one consider the possibility that these were written by supportive friends and family. If so, that's terribly misleading.

I started this book on a Saturday morning and couldn't put it down until it was finished. The story is imaginitive. It really made me think because it is actually possible. I can't wait to read the next book.