This is Where it Ends: A Story of Heartbreak and Hope

School shootings in America are becoming a common occurrence every day. The number of school shootings has increased tenfold in the last 20 years, from 30 school shootings in 2001 to 327 school shootings in 2021. This year already, 183 school shooting incidents have been recorded, with an overwhelming number of shootings occurring in the high school. While active shooter drills are routine in schools nowadays, my parents were shocked when they learned we do one almost every month. Gun violence is a real problem, and when my friend suggested I read the book on it "This is Where It Ends" by Marieke Nijkamp, I was curious to know how the author would try to capture something so violent and terrible and still make it readable.

This book left me at a loss of words - there was so much emotion and suspense that I couldn't put it down. The story was presented in four different points of view, each engaging and heartbreaking. Nijkamp was able to capture the intensity and trauma of a school shooting in a way that I could feel what each character was going through. The best part about this book was the characters. The four main characters have different stories related to the shooter. Their experiences with the shooter aren't blatantly stated in the book but instead hinted at throughout the story, forming puzzle pieces that all connect at the end to create a big picture. The story's beginning was confusing as the role of the main characters was not revealed. Slowly, the past events take shape that leads up to the terrible incident, and it is disturbing and agonizing to read about. Each student written in the story has a different experience during the shooting; it was truly eye-opening to see how an event as devastating as this can affect not only those directly affected by the shooting in the building but also those on the outside, waiting and watching to see what the fate of their classmates would become. The story was structured extremely well - the chapters were short and quick, almost always ending with cliffhangers, making me more interested and intrigued as the book progressed. 

The conclusion of this book made me numb for hours - it was distressing yet realistic, showing the sacrifice and bravery that comes with a situation like the one in the book. Nijkamp also included social media posts throughout the book as a way to show the impact the shooting has on others, whether it be worry for the victims of the incident or  insensitive comments made by trolls, and even reporters.

Though this book is one of my favorites of all time, it falls short in a few places. The story is intriguing and exciting, but it focuses more on the backstory than the actual shooting. Most of the plot is through flashbacks, and the present story doesn't start moving until the end approaches. The book is structured in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with short, quick chapters that often end with cliffhangers. However, this pacing may not be suitable for all readers, especially those who prefer a more straightforward narrative. Despite these shortcomings, the book is a compelling read that sheds light on the emotional and psychological impact of such tragedies.

This is Where it Ends is a book that left me pondering. It left me wishing the ending was different and questioning how a situation as devastating as this could occur almost fifty times a year. I felt a deep sense of empathy for all the characters and a profound anger towards the shooter. Marieke Nijkamp's book is one that will stay with me forever; I was so engrossed in it that I found myself empathizing with past victims more than ever. This book had all the elements: mystery, suspense, romance, and truth. I would recommend this book to all readers - just be prepared for the emotional journey it will take you on.