This is Where It Ends Book Review: A Gripping 54 Minutes of Tragedy at School

This is Where It Ends is Marieke Nijkamp's young adult novel, published in 2016. It tells the tragic story of a school shooting that takes place on the first day of the semester at Opportunity High School in Alabama. In this story, we'll witness the gruesome events from the perspective of four students, all of whom are related to the shooter, Tyler Browne.

Author

Marieke Nijkamp is a Dutch best-selling author who wrote the novel This is Where It Ends. She is a versatile author who produces novels, graphic novels, and comics spanning different themes and genres, addressing important topics, and giving voice to diverse characters. Her other works include the novels Before I Let Go, Even If We Break, and At the End of Everything. She has also ventured into writing graphic novels and comics like Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp, The Oracle Code, and Hawkeye: Kate Bishop.

Theme

The author explores the characters' relationships with Tyler Browne, the shooter, and delves into the impact of family trauma and past incidents leading up to the tragedy. The novel highlights the interconnectedness of the community and the profound role each individual plays in shaping others' lives. It provides a deep exploration of each narrator's psychological landscape, shedding light on their motivations and the complex mix of personal relationships, trauma, love, and violence.

The novel presents a humanistic exploration of the multifaceted struggles, pain, and desire for revenge that can drive an individual to target an entire student body and community. It underlines the urgency of addressing abuse and trauma within communities to prevent further escalation while emphasizing the need for strength and support through meaningful connections with others. Also, while exploring the connection between gun violence and issues of male entitlement in society, the novel's focus on sensationalized villainy and heroism during the shooting can detract from its broader critique. This emphasis diverts attention from the systemic problems that contribute to gun violence.

Characters

Autumn Browne

Autumn, a junior at Opportunity High School and Tyler's sister, struggles with her drifting family and her tumultuous relationship with Tyler. Her perspective sheds light on the aftermath of her mother's death, with her father turning to alcohol and blaming herself for all the loss. Despite feeling like an outsider at school, Autumn finds solace in her passion for dance and her secret relationship with Sylvia. However, Tyler actively sabotages her relationship and her aspirations, asserting control over her. These memories reveal Tyler's sense of entitlement and desire for power.

Autumn's narrative humanizes Tyler and portrays the complexity of their bond. Despite Tyler's troubling behavior, she continues to love him unconditionally and confronts him towards the end of the novel, expressing her unwavering love for him. In response, Tyler shoots her in the knee before taking his own life, shattering her dreams of becoming a dancer. Her character adds depth and empathy to Tyler while examining the complexities of sibling bonds.

Sylvia Morales

Sylvia, a narrator in the novel, is Tomás's twin sister. She is known for her excellent behavior and academic achievements. She faces a challenging decision when she is accepted into Brown University, but she contemplates deferring her dreams to care for her dying mother. Sylvia's dedication to her family strains her relationship with Autumn, and she is confronted with the fear of being separated. She also carries the secret burden of being raped by Tyler, which she keeps hidden, causing her to become withdrawn and anxious. However, she finds solace in her close bond with Tomás, eventually confiding in him about the traumatic incident.

Despite her calm and gentle demeanor, Sylvia's competence and strength shine through as she becomes a pillar of support for her family during the shooting. Throughout the novel, Sylvia remains a source of strength for Autumn, even as she mourns the loss of her own brother at Tyler's hands. Her unwavering support showcases her resilience and determination. She navigates difficult choices and carries the weight of trauma while remaining a source of support for her loved ones.

Tomás Morales

Tomás, a narrator in the novel, is Sylvia's mischievous twin brother. Despite his prankster reputation, Tomás has made a personal commitment to change his behavior and be more responsible for supporting his family, who are struggling with their mother's illness. His determination to help his family becomes a driving force in his actions. Also, Tomás's ability to think creatively and outside the box becomes crucial during the shooting. Being outside the auditorium, he devises a plan with Fareed to open the doors and rescue students, ultimately saving lives through his resourcefulness and willingness to take risks.

Throughout the story, Tomás is troubled by his strained relationship with Sylvia. Discovering that Sylvia was raped by Tyler, he reacts with empathy and a desire to understand and support his sister rather than seeking revenge or harboring resentment. His selflessness is exemplified in his ultimate sacrifice. He gives up his own life to distract Tyler and buy Sylvia time to escape, highlighting his unwavering love for his sister and his willingness to protect her. His transformation from troublemaker to selfless protector emphasizes the significance of familial bonds and the power of compassion in the face of adversity.

Claire Morgan

Claire is a senior at Opportunity High School and Tyler's ex-girlfriend. During the shooting, she is outside attending track practice, providing her with a unique perspective as she witnesses the events unfolding from the outside. Claire experiences guilt as she blames herself for not recognizing Tyler's anger and potential for violence, as she had once dated him. Before the shooting, she was in a transitional phase, contending with her identity and purpose as graduation approached. Engaged in track and JROTC, she yearns for direction. And the shooting unexpectedly brings her closer to her community and inspires her to pursue a career in teaching, seeing it as a way to make a positive impact.

Family is paramount to Claire, especially her sister Tracy, who is deployed as a soldier, and her brother Matt, who has Lupus. Claire acts as a caregiver for Matt, but during the shooting, she cannot protect him from Tyler's rage. The loss of Matt in the shooting forces Claire to confront immense grief and trauma. However, it also prompts her transformation, leading to a sense of belonging and a renewed commitment to community impact.

Tyler Browne

Tyler is Autumn's older brother and the central antagonist of the novel. His character is revealed through the flashbacks and recollections of the four narrators. Initially, Autumn portrays him as a troubled yet caring older brother, and she hopes to repair their relationship. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Tyler is also an abusive and controlling sibling. Tyler's actions demonstrate his abusive behavior toward Autumn. He actively undermines her career plans and desires to control her, wanting her to be solely devoted to him. He becomes jealous and homophobic, particularly towards Sylvia, Autumn's girlfriend. Tyler resorts to threatening and eventually raping Sylvia in an attempt to separate them.

While Tyler experiences universal feelings of insecurity and alienation as a teenager, he is also depicted as a deeply entitled individual who lacks empathy for others. He is unable to comprehend or respect the feelings and experiences of those around him. The novel portrays Tyler's heinous crimes as the result of a broader culture of male entitlement and aggression.

Plot

Tyler enters the auditorium with a gun during the assembly, creating chaos. Claire and Chris escape and find help, discovering Tyler's car filled with ammunition. Sylvia and Autumn witness Tyler shooting teachers, realizing his capacity for violence. Autumn tries to reason with her brother, while Sylvia worries about becoming his target. On the other hand, Tomas and Fareed arm themselves with tools from the janitor's office and decide to stay and assist. They come across the janitor's lifeless body, highlighting the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, Claire and her track teammates inform the police and find safety outside. Claire worries about her younger brother still inside the auditorium.

Inside, Tyler addresses the terrified students, expressing resentment towards the community. Sylvia tries to divert his attention while she guides the students to escape with Tomás and Fareed. At the same time, Claire and Chris encounter the police, who are already aware of the situation. Autumn engages Tyler in conversation, trying to protect sneaky students. She discovers Tyler's jealousy toward her passion for dance and his feelings of abandonment. Then he forces Autumn to dance on stage before violently attacking her. Sylvia, Tomás, and Fareed hide upstairs, planning their escape. Tomás then sacrifices himself to distract Tyler, allowing Sylvia to flee.

Furthermore, Autumn finds a phone for Claire's injured brother, Matt, to call for help. However, paramedics cannot enter until the building is secure. So, Matt tragically succumbs to his injuries, devastating Claire. Autumn then searches for her brother and Sylvia, eventually finding Tyler standing over Tomás's lifeless body. She tries to reason with him, but Tyler shoots her in the knee before taking his own life. And as the police find Sylvia and Fareed in hiding, she supports Autumn as she suffers from her injuries. Then, the paramedics finally arrive. Later, Fareed organizes a memorial ceremony where students release lanterns with the names of the deceased. Sylvia holds her brother's lantern, finding solace in letting go and embracing a new day.

Writing Style

The author employs a multi-perspective narrative, featuring four seniors who provide a comprehensive view of the events unfolding during a school shooting. The story's fast-paced progression, aided by vivid and concise language, keeps readers engaged. Also, the use of short episodes and flashbacks adds depth to the characters' experiences, while symbolism highlights the impact of the past on the present.

Notable Scene

Through these passages, the readers are reminded that despite Tyler's horrible and unjustifiable actions, he is ultimately a teenage boy who has experienced the loss of a guiding parent. These lines serve to humanize Tyler, highlighting his vulnerability and the complex emotions he grapples with.

"My brother, who cared for my bruises when Dad couldn't contain his grief. Who helped me dance in secret. My fingers wrap around the ballet charm. Even after everything he's done, he is my home."

"The last thing I see before I fade is Ty turning the gun on himself. The last thing I hear is Ty saying, ??I just don't want to be alone anymore'".

Regrettably, the novel doesn't provide a profound exploration of Tyler's thoughts and motivations. He is portrayed as a superficial teenage boy seeking attention, and his character lacks the depth and complexity often associated with real-life school shooters. In contrast to the complexity observed in many actual cases, Tyler is presented as inherently evil, compounded by his history as a bully and rapist. This portrayal may oversimplify the complexities and underlying factors that contribute to such tragic events, potentially detracting from a deeper comprehension of the issue.

Final Thoughts

This Is Where It Ends has generated mixed reactions among readers. Some feel that the novel presents a distorted representation of a school shooting, simplifying the complex factors involved and suggesting that such tragedies occur solely because of inherent evil. Many readers find this fictional take to be unrealistic and lacking in depth, making it difficult to connect with the story. The novel is often criticized for prioritizing suspense over meaningful substance.

If you're seeking a book that addresses societal issues like school shootings, it may be best to explore other options. However, personal opinions on this novel can vary, and you may still choose to give it a try and form your own perspective. If you decide to read This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, keep in mind that your experience with the book might differ from others.

FAQs

Q: What is the This is Where It Ends novel all about?

A: This is Where It Ends is the tragic story of a school shooting at Opportunity High School in Alabama caused by a troubled boy named Tyler Browne.

Q: Who is the author of the novel This is Where It Ends?

A: Marieke Nijkamp is the author who wrote the novel This is Where It Ends

Q: What are the themes tackled in the novel This is Where It Ends?

A: This is where it ends delves into the themes of personal and family relationships and trauma, changes and uncertainties while growing up, and violence that is rooted in trauma, rage, and grievances, resulting in a gruesome tragedy.