Synopses & Reviews
It happened on Halloween. The world ended.
And a dangerous game brought it back to life.
Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks.
In the rural mountains of West Virginia—armed with only their rifle and their love for each other—the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of "Bellows"—creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good.
But The Game is changing.
The Bellows are evolving.
The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors—survivors who don't play by the rules.
And the brothers will never be the same.
T. Michael Martin's debut novel is a transcendent thriller filled with electrifying action, searing emotional insight, and unexpected romance.
Review
“Martins debut is the best of the undead bunch, meshing relentless action, intelligence, and emotion in a way that recalls Patrick Ness The Knife of Never Letting Go (2008)....Very. Exciting. Book.” Booklist (starred review)
Review
“Martin covers familiar territoryzombies, conspiracies, post-apocalyptic romancebut does so with style in this exciting debut novel. . . . the West Virginia setting, tense action, devoted fraternal relationship, and Michaels lovers-in-dangerous-times romance with a girl named Holly will keep teens hooked.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“Watching Michael as he struggles to find a safe haven in a world that has gone to hell is thrilling and utterly engaging. This is not just a monster novel; it is a tale of terror worthy of the early, great Stephen King.” Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Review
“In a new take on the zombie apocalypse, 17-year-old Michael and his 5-year-old, autistic brother struggle to find safety in the mountains of West Virginia…. It packs an emotional wallop, particularly when it comes to Michaels determination to protect his sibling.” School Library Journal
Review
“This is one of the sharpest, most unexpected zombie novels Ive read in a long time.” Mira Grant, bestselling author of the Newflesh trilogy
Review
“The End Games clutches the reader with chilling action, cushioning the gore with the love shared between two brothers, leaving enough cracks in the despair so that the reader is allowed to hope that humanity will trump all.” S.A. Bodeen, author of The Compound
Review
“The End Games is my kind of book. Its tense right from the first chapter - and believe me, it stays tense. It plays startling games with your head - lots of twists and surprises. A great read from a great new talent.” R.L. Stine, bestselling author of the Goosebumps series
Review
“The End Games is my favorite kind of zombie story: utterly thrilling, deeply moving, beautifully written, and entirely unputdownable. A must read!” Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Review
“Provocative, action-packed and unexpectedly stirring, full of twists and turns that youll never see coming, T. Michael Martins The End Games will shock and move you.” Pittacus Lore, author of I Am Number Four
Review
“Its full of both jaw-dropping action and heart-twisting beauty. Its a thrill ride that makes you think and feel: terrifying and joyful, funny and moving.” Sara Zarr, National Book Award Finalist for Story of a Girl
Review
“A stunningly intelligent, thrilling story about family and love that just happens to include some zombies.” John Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars
Synopsis
John Green meets Stephen King in this original take on the zombie apocalypse by author T. Michael Martin, which ALA Booklist called "the best of the undead bunch" in a starred review.
Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in the Game for weeks. In the rural mountains of West Virginia--armed with only their rifle and their love for each other--the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of "Bellows"--creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good. But the Game is changing. The Bellows are evolving. The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors--survivors who don't play by the rules. And the brothers will never be the same.
T. Michael Martin's debut novel is a transcendent thriller filled with electrifying action, searing emotional insight, and unexpected romance.
Synopsis
The End Games, T. Michael Martins stunning debut novel, both horrific and profound, takes place in rural West Virginia after a zombie apocalypse.
Seventeen-year-old Michael and his baby brother, five-year-old Patrick, have managed to stay alive by following the Instructions of a mysterious Games Master. They spend their nights fighting the Bellows, grotesque, flesh-eating creatures.
But the brothers may not survive much longer. The Bellows are evolving. And the others in The Game dont always follow the rules.
The thrilling plot twists and intense action scenes are combined with insights into human nature and environmental devastation, creating a fresh and unforgettable novel.
About the Author
T. Michael Martin is a novelist and screenwriter who holds a BFA in filmmaking from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He was inspired to write his debut novel, The End Games, by his own younger brother, Patrick, and their mutual love of zombie movies. He and his wife, Sarah, live in West Virginia.