Editorial Review: In The End by Michael Weisberg M.D.

In The End manages to straddle diverse genres while telling a story that is as compelling as it is unpredictable. 

The story kicks off with five characters who are as different as can be, but who are all bound together by an upcoming medical procedure. The author takes his time to really flesh out these characters and exposes their fears, doubts, and insecurities as well as the issues that they are grappling with. From religion and sexuality to loss and abuse, it is interesting to get a peek into the personal lives of these characters. The author is certainly not afraid to tackle all manner of tough issues that other novels tend to shy away from, but does so in an engaging manner.

It is also very clear that the author has a thorough knowledge of the medical industry as he describes the procedures in a very detailed and compelling manner. However, In The End is far from just a medical thriller as it quickly ups the stakes to truly epic proportions. It would not be an understatement to say that this is a novel that pulls the rug out from underneath you when you least expect it. The story is far from predictable and has a scope that is far greater than expected.

In The End is a very dialog-driven story with deep conversations between characters, but unfortunately, there are a few sections where it can feel a little stilted. This is due to the complex social topics that the author chose to tackle through his characters which, at times, can come across as a little heavy-handed. However, it all makes sense within the broader context of the story and everything fits together in the end.

The book is also not lacking when it comes to action, especially towards the end and the story definitely veered off into unexpected directions that kept things interesting. It does require some suspension of disbelief to appreciate some of the more extreme events that occur, but at least the story is never boring.
Overall, In The End is a unique novel that isn't afraid to take risks or tackle difficult topics. It starts out relatively slow and takes its time to tie all of the different narrative strands together, but remains unpredictable enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Whether you like medical thrillers, science fiction, slice of life drama, or even post-apocalyptic fiction, In The End offers a little bit of everything.