Rating: 4.68 out of 5
Okay, so I just finished reading *When the Stars Fall* and I am literally staring at my ceiling trying to process my existence. Like, I went into this expecting some typical zombie apocalypse or big explosions, but this? This was something else entirely. It’s haunting in a way that just sticks with you.
The whole vibe of the story is "crumbling normality," and honestly, that’s the scariest part. It’s not about fighting monsters; it’s about society just... accepting that the end is coming and dealing with it. The way the author (fadingquill, you absolute legend/monster for breaking my heart) portrays people wrestling with their last decisions is so raw. Some people are clinging to their jobs and routines like everything is fine, while others are just going full chaos mode. It feels terrifyingly realistic.
The "slice of life" tag on a post-apocalyptic story sounded weird at first, but it works so well? It makes the tragic moments hit way harder because you actually care about these people just trying to have one last normal conversation before it all goes dark. There were chapters in the middle—especially the "Midnight Conversations" parts—where I was just sobbing because it felt so lonely yet comforting.
The suspense isn't the "jumpscare" kind; it's this heavy, ticking-clock feeling that suffuses every single chapter. You know the end is coming, the characters know it, and yet you’re still hoping for some miracle that obviously isn't going to happen. The climax... gosh. It wasn't a big battle, but the emotional weight of it crushed me. It was quiet and devastating, exactly how a real apocalypse would probably feel.
I know it’s a web novel and the formatting was a bit raw in places (the author literally mentioned writing volumes in weeks, which is insane??), but honestly? The roughness kinda added to the frantic, desperate vibe of the story. It didn't feel polished, it felt *real*.
If you want a story that will make you question your entire life and maybe cry at 3 AM, read this. But maybe bring tissues and chocolate, because you're gonna need them. 4.68/5, would get emotionally damaged again.
