ARC Review: The Well's End by Seth Fishman

Title: The Well's End
Author: Seth Fishman
Expected publication: February 25th 2014 by Putnam Juvenile 
Hardcover (ebook/audio), 352 pages
Genre: 
Source: Publisher / Print ARC
Reading Level:  YA

A deadly virus and an impossible discovery unite in one enthralling can’t-miss read... 

Sixteen-year-old Mia Kish has always been afraid of the dark. After all, she’s baby Mia, the one who fell down a well. That was years ago, though the darkness still haunts her. But when her classmates and teachers at ritzy Westbrook Academy start dying of old age from a bizarre and frightening virus that ages its victims years in a matter of hours, Mia becomes haunted by a lot more than the dark. Their deaths are gruesome and Mia worries she and her friends may be next. In order to survive, Mia and her small crew must break quarantine and outrun armed soldiers in hazmat suits who shoot first and ask questions later.

And there’s only one place to go—the Cave, aka Fenton Electronics. Mia knows it’s somehow connected and hopes her dad, Director of Fenton Electronics, who has always been strangely secretive about his work, has the answers she needs, and more importantly a cure to save everyone before the whole town succumbs to the mysterious virus. Unfortunately, it’s not answers Mia discovers, but something far more treacherous and impossible than even the virus itself. 

A high-stakes, fast-paced adventure with imagination and heart.

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  The Well's End was a totally unexpected fun and thrilling read. I went into the story knowing only want I read from the book's synopsis expecting much another average sci-fi novel but what I found was so much more! This half "End of The World", half  "suspenseful" science fiction novel hooked me from page one. I found myself speeding through the pages again and again to find out what would happening next.

Mia Kish is your average teenage girl...well with the exception that she kind is or was famous. Mia was the little baby many years ago who fell down the well. (side note: referencing Baby Jessica) Now grown up she is soon to be faced with a new problem, one that will change her life forever. Mia's Father is the Director of Fenton Electronics. Mia really doesn't know what her Father does but has had no need to question it until now. 
While Mia and her friends, Jo and Rob are in school something strange and confusing happens. The school alarm goes off presumed to be a ordinary drill but ends up being so much more. After a desperate and ominous warning comes from her Father soon after the schools alarm sounds, Mia comes to find out an virus outbreak has occurred in her school which rapidly ages adults and teens alike until the only thing left is death. Mia and her friends are terrified to find out this shocking revelation. Teachers, and their fellow peers are dying all about them. With nothing else to do Mia remember her Father's warning and know she needs to somehow leave and find  the CAVE aka Fenton Electronics. Mia and her friends, including a mysterious new guy named Brayden she only just meet need to find a way out. The problem is the school is heavily guarded by many "men in hazmat suits" who know a lot more than they are letting anyone onto. 

Mia knows something just is not right here and is not being told the whole truth about "what" really is going on. All the answers lie within the one man who Mia always thought she knew and trusted. Her Dad. And the one place she knows nothing about. The race in now ON! 

I tried really hard to not spoil anything (I hope I didn't) but at the same time give you the basic plot of the story. 

I was extremely surprised by how much I enjoy The Well's End. From start to finished I was totalled captivated by the story-line. There was so much suspense and action. I never knew what would be coming next or how a scene would be played out. There was never a dull moment, a real page turner for sure! 

I enjoyed Mia's character immensely. She was strong willed, knew how to take charge, and never gave up even though she was faced with many hardships and dangerous situations along the way. A few of which really tied into the "Baby Mia" fell down the well subplot. 

If there was one thing that was not ideal for me in the book it was the lack of feeling something I would see in Mia and her friends. I mean if my Dad or friend died right there before my eyes I would be beyond devastated. I wouldn't care about anything else. Yes, I do feel the reactions to the deaths were adequate but for me they lacked something. As I said I loved Mia and her friends but at the same thing I long to see more emotion.

The ending was fantastic; a really cliffhanger. I for one can't wait to see what happens next! 

The Well's End is a perfect read for anyone who loves a good thriller and some epic science fiction all wrap into one. Author Seth Fishman is one to watch, and his new book is one not to pass up! 

4.5 STARS - Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

About The Author: Seth Fishman

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Seth Fishman is a native of Midland, Texas (think Friday Night Lights), and a graduate of Princeton University and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. He spends his days as a literary agent at The Gernert Company and his nights (and mornings) writing. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is his first novel (that’s not in a drawer).