Reviews

End of Days
By Eric Walters
Reviewed by Zach, Grade 10
Rating: 5\5
If you like reading a page-turning suspenseful pre-apocalyptic sci-fi novel about
an asteroid hitting the Earth, then End of Days is the right novel for you. It is written by
Canadian author Eric Walters and is the first in a 2-novel series.
The setting is Planet Earth. 28 years ago, it was discovered that an asteroid was
on course to make a devastating impact on Earth that would kill all life. 4 years later, the
world’s most brilliant scientists, astrophysicists, and mathematicians all died within a
12-month period. Or so the world thinks. Actually, they have all been kidnapped by the
International Aerospace Research Institute, where they are tasked with coming up with
solutions to destroy the asteroid before it impacts Earth.
Professor Daniel Sheppard is the stereotypical math professor - unfashionable,
brilliant, not physically fit. He was living his ordinary life when 4 men captured him in his
sleep and whisked him halfway across the world to a classified building in Switzerland.
He then is reunited with his presumed dead scientist friends. In Switzerland, Sheppard
learns of the impending disaster. There, he has to use math and science to come up
with a solution that could save billions of lives. Sheppard has a very important role in
this novel later on.
Joshua Fitchett is the richest man in the world, a genius, and a very secretive
man. 17 years before impact, he calls an unexpected press conference. During the
press conference, he releases a statement stating that 10 men tried to abduct him and
failed. He also stated that an asteroid would impact Earth and wipe out all life. After the
press conference, a fire at his mansion believed to be suspicious happens. Joshua
Fitchett’s “lifeless” body was found in the fire. Just like the scientists, his faked death is
for a greater good.
Since Fitchett’s announcement, the world has not surprisingly collapsed. It is
every man for themselves and governments have little control. This is the world that
16-year old Billy is living in. He is a street-smart teen who is the leader of a gang of
children squatting in New York. Billy has a high IQ and is very skilled at leading others at
such a young age.
The plot progresses with Sheppard using science to come up with a plan to
destroy the asteroid before it hits Earth. Meanwhile, Fitchett and Billy are planning for
life after the impact.
This book is exciting from beginning to end and I had to start the sequel,
Regenesis immediately. I give End of Days a 5\5 and it is one of my favourite books of
all time!