This Is Where It Ends

Written by Marieke Nijkamp

Trapped in a school auditorium, students face a terrifying shooter. Can they survive the next 54 minutes?

3.7 Goodreads · 156,558 ratings

336 pages· 53,803 words· Est. 5 hour read· HL630L

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Bookroo's summary

At Opportunity High, the new semester begins with a chilling twist. As the principal's speech ends, students find themselves trapped in the auditorium. Within minutes, gunfire erupts. Over the next 54 harrowing minutes, four students must navigate their deepest fears and hopes while confronting the armed assailant. Will they find a way out, or will the boy with the gun shatter their world forever? This gripping tale explores the raw reality of school violence, challenging readers to reflect on courage, loss, and the urgent need for change.

From the publisher

The reviews are in! This Is Where It Ends, the #1 New York Times bestseller and one of the Best Books of the Decade (Buzzfeed, Paste Magazine, BookRiot), “could break you.” “I am speechless.” “The saddest book I have ever read.” “Literally tore my heart out.” Go inside a heartbreaking fictional school shooting, minute-by-terrifying-minute. Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun…10:00 a.m.: The principal of Opportunity, Alabama’s high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.10:02 a.m.: The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.10:03 a.m.: The auditorium doors won’t open.10:05 a.m.: Someone starts shooting.Over the course of 54 minutes, four students must confront their greatest hopes, and darkest fears, as they come face-to-face with the boy with the gun. In a world where violence in schools is at an all-time high and school shootings are a horrifyingly common reality for teenagers, This Is Where It Ends is a rallying cry to end the gun violence epidemic for good. Praise for This Is Where It Ends: A Buzzfeed Best Young Adult Book of the DecadeA Paste Magazine Best Teen Book of the DecadeA Book Riot Biggest YA Book of the DecadeA Professional Book Nerds Best Book of the DecadeA Bustle.com Most-Anticipated YA NovelA Goodreads YA Best Books PickA Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction Kids Indie Next List Pick”Marieke Nijkamp’s brutal, powerful fictional account of a school shooting is important in its timeliness.” –Bustle.com”A gritty, emotional, and suspenseful read and although fictionalized, it reflects on a problematic and harrowing issue across the nation.” –Buzzfeed”A compelling, brutal story of an unfortunately all-too familiar situation: a school shooting. Nijkamp portrays the events thoughtfully, recounting fifty-four intense minutes of bravery, love, and loss.” –BookRiot

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