The famous Arthur Leander is starring in a stage production of "King Lear". Little does anyone know that it's his last night on earth. Kirsten was in that production; she's now starring as Titania herself. The stage isn't the same though, and nor are the audiences. Arthur gave Kirsten a copy of some comic books his first wife had produced on that evening when everything changed and she still has them. She'll never forget Arthur; she isn't the only one. 
 It isn't giving anything away to say that this is a novel about the disintegration of life as we know it after a world-wide pandemic. It starts off as a post-apocalyptic tale reminiscent of the "Terminator" films when mankind wakes up to a new world of no internet, electricity or civilisation as it was. These sections of the novel I really enjoyed; they were really interesting and believable, terrifyingly so, to be honest, and the way that the characters coped with the new world was extremely well imagined. 
 The flashback parts to Arthur's life I found less interesting. I didn't really like the character of Arthur, he was written as a typical, selfish Hollywood film star who didn't have much regard for those around him, even his own family and I don't like reading about people like that who are real, let alone in novels. Nevertheless, I did like the characters of Miranda and Clark and I suppose Arthur's story gave us a way to see more of her, at least, than we might. 
 In any case, I thought this was a very enjoyable novel. About 80% into it, I was hoping that perhaps it was going to lead on to a series of books about the characters, but at the last it finished off so neatly that I actually don't want to read any more, I'd rather just imagine. It isn't the best novel I have read in the last 12 months but it certainly ranks high up the list and I will definitely be looking out for more by this author. I am very glad I read this one.