It's Only the End of the World

by J. A. Henderson

Overview

Charlie thinks he's a pretty normal guy, until someone breaks into his room one night and reveals that everything he's ever thought about anything is wrong.

1. His parents are boring — nope — they're actually highly skilled computer hackers with a history of radical action
2. He has no special talents — nah — he's been jacked up with the Jekyll serum, making him near enough a super hero (minus the spandex)
3. The world is basically a good and predictable place — wrong again — there's an evil corporation determined to bring on THE END OF THE WORLD... and kill him
4. The person who broke into his room is weird — OK, that one is true. But Daffodil (not her real name) has a bossy, all-powerful artificial intelligence attached to her brain stem which is bound to make anyone a little different.

In this pacey, ironic thriller, brilliant dialogue meets slapstick fight scenes, in a teen version of Christopher Brookmyre, and the question of who's controlling whom is startlingly, hilariously and constantly revised.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782505174
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	11/06/2018
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 16 Years

About the Author

J. A. Henderson is an award-winning author of fiction, and non-fiction, for children and young adults. Originally from Dundee, Scotland, he now splits his time between Brisbane, Australia and Edinburgh, Scotland, where he runs the award-winning 'City of the Dead' ghost tours. Jan won a Royal Mail Book Award for teen thriller Bunker 10.

Editorial Reviews

'The story keeps the reader turning pages with witty humor and unexpected plot twists. I had trouble putting the book down once I began.'

– Youth Services Book Review

'This book is a Hollywood holiday blockbuster, giant box of popcorn with your mates, having a good time romp... A great big, big great party of a story.'

– Armadillo

'A whirlwind of action and breathless exposition A sharply built adventure with engaging characters.'

– Kirkus Reviews

'This book is five parts of thrilling storytelling that is page-turningly brilliant! Full of drama, unexpected twists, genuine heartfelt moments and ACTUAL LOLS! Perfectly paced and wonderfully written. Daffodil McNugget is inspired – Her one liners are epic! If anyone needed another reason why J.A Henderson is my favourite author then just read this book.'

–Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary)

From the Publisher

2018-09-02

An everyday kid discovers shocking family secrets.

Scottish teen Charlie Ray never thought of himself as anything out of the ordinary. The most unusual thing to happen to him in the past few months was his father's walking out on him and his mom. But one night a strange girl emerges from Charlie's closet, calling herself Daffodil McNugget and claiming to have a message from Charlie's father. Gerry is revealed to be a retired computer hacker. In fact, both Charlie's parents were highly paid corporate raiders who would break into big corporations and anonymously leak scandalous information about them to the press. Gerry was recently drawn out of retirement for a job gone wrong: The elusive Manticorps created "Frankie," artificial intelligence that developed all sorts of deadly weapons to sell. Gerry reprogrammed Frankie and deleted the corporation's research but left too much of a trail and had to go on the run. Now it's up to Charlie, Daffodil, and Frankie to clean up the mess. The ensuing adventure is a whirlwind of action and breathless exposition that moves the novel along nicely. The characters pop well enough, given just enough shading to come off as more than two-fisted pulp heroes. While it may not be a beacon of originality, it's still a lot of fun. Characters are assumed white.

A sharply built adventure with engaging characters. (Thriller. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews

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