Things To Do Before the End of the World - Emily Barr

1. Live your best life.

2. Uncover family secrets.

3. Trust no one

What would you do when you hear the news that humans have done such damage to the earth that there might only be a limited amount of safe air left - a year's worth at most?

You'd work through your bucket list, heal rifts, do everything you've never been brave enough to do before?

Olivia is struggling to do any of this. What it is she truly wants to do? Who do she wants to be?

Then out of the blue comes contact from a long-lost cousin Olivia didn't even know existed. Natasha is everything Olivia wants to be and more.

And as the girls meet up for a long, hot last summer, Olivia finds Natasha's ease and self-confidence having an effect on her.

But Natasha definitely isn't everything she first appears to be.

Emily Barr is no stranger to YA literature having penned many a well-received title including The One Memory of Flora Banks and The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods. Her latest offering, Things To Do Before The End of the World combines dystopia with a typical YA finding themselves plot which creates an interesting dynamic throughout the novel. 

Libby has dreams like all teenage girls: to be popular, bag herself her crush and travel the world. Except the Creep (or the end of the world to you and me) is slowly advancing closer and every day the world suffocates a little bit more in the toxic atmosphere that is slowly choking the environment. Libby is shy, socially awkward and selectively mute. She is not mentally prepared for the adventure the rest of the world think she should be having for one last time before the world ends; Libby is content with staying at home, writing countless emails to her crush that she never sends and spending time with her family.

However, after the death of her estranged uncle and the revelation that she has a cousin, Natasha, who is the same age as her, Libby starts to believe that maybe she should push herself outside of her comfort zone for one final time. When Libby and Natasha start communicating, it's clear that they have a spark, Natasha makes Libby feel confident and quietly encourages her to be brave in situations she usually shies away from. So when Libby's family leave for Spain for one final summer adventure and Natasha turns up Libby is excited to finally have a friend and explore her new found confidence. But one thing Libby hadn't expected was just how forceful Natasha could be, and how the reaction of her mother towards Natasha would put their friendship in doubt. Is Natasha actually the confident light that Libby needs or will she instead douse any flickering of a flame Libby did have? 

The concept of the world ending is certainly not a new one when it comes to fiction, however, the narration perspective of a teenage girl coming to terms with the fact that her life may end imminently gave the idea a fresh feel. Libby's character is realistic throughout, meek and socially awkward around her friends, in awe of the wonderful Natasha who appears to whisk her out of her comfort zone, and fiercely loyal throughout to her family. Barr's portrayal of Natasha is equally brilliant - the cool, adventurous American cousin who swoops in to help Libby enjoy one final adventure, but who is equal parts shifty and mysterious with her tarot cards and street magic. The teenagers provide balance to one another but simultaneously keep the reader questioning whether Natasha should be trusted. Is she really up to something or is it just Libby's paranoia stopping her from having a real relationship with the cousin she always wanted? 

The ending satisfyingly brings the plot together, although I will say that I was hoping for my serious end of the world explosions or some kind of explanation of what actually was happening to the atmosphere, but I think this is down to my own thirst for knowledge. Barr instead focuses on relationships and the importance of these when the end of the world comes - poignant and understandable given the rest of the plot focus!!

Overall Things To Do Before the End of the World is an unusual spin on the usual teenager coming-of-age trope. Impending doom is always guaranteed to spice things up a little and the chalk and cheese characters of Libby and Natasha are perfect for exploring subtle themes of confidence, peer pressure and family relationships.