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booksabrewin's review
5.0
Of course, I had to read the sequel! Why would I simply read the first book and not continue on in a series that marks one of the best dystopian worlds I have ever found myself entrenched in. When asked whether I wanted to read the first book, second, or both, I naturally went for all I could get (and that was even before I knew I was going to adore them). After reading The End, I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Gordon and the rest of the motley crew of characters.
In The Long Road, Gordon, his family, and a caravan of his best and brightest neighbors are on the way to Idaho where they hope to find safety and a place to start over. Gordon's family owns property out that way and he figures that's as good a place as any to begin forming his own community. What Gordon didn't count on was that danger would lurk around every corner. He and his group have not even made it out of California before they are plagued by violence and devastation.
Whereas before Gordon's instincts worked in his favor, now they threaten to be his downfall. His desperation to always have enough resources for his people drives him to investigate a military base outside of Barstow, California. This mistake in judgment and the determination of his eight-year-old son to help his father, leads them both to be captures by a religious zealot and his psychotic followers. Now Gordon can only hope to find a way to escape with his son and find his way back to his wife, daughter, and group.
Meanwhile, the government is collapsing and Colonel Barone has set himself up to be it's new leader with the help of his Marine followers. Little does he know but the current government AND a drug cartel leader both have their eyes set on running the ruined country.
Sebastian has sought out his brother's neighborhood but found only death. Others and even, almost, his own when his helicopter crashes. He is rescued by a Mormon community headed by bishop Sorenson and his very attractive daughter. Sebastian is torn between continuing his search for his older brother and staying with the Mormon's to be the leader they so desperately need.
Gordon, Sebastian, Colonel Barone, and others all have a lot to accomplish and a long road ahead of them in all their goals.
This book was vastly different from the first book. The first book set the stage for the new world and this one was more into a concise story line of events and character development. I was more emotionally drawn to the characters than I was in the first one. I felt their plights. I was teetering on the edge of my seat most of the time, reading as fast as I could so I could know what happened to some of the fictional people I had come to admire or love. Avoiding spoilers, I absolutely sobbed my eyes out at some points in the book. My heart broke, my stomach turned, and rage coursed through my veins the likes of which I have ever experienced in all the books I have read. In short, this book rocked my world.
Hopf's New World series continues to make me appreciative of the things I have and the world of luxuries our country has. A Long Road will make it's readers who have children clutch them tight and never want to let go.
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mftaylor's review
3.0
The 2nd in the series and I almost gave it a 2-star rating but felt the last few chapters brought it up to a 3-star.
This book picks right up where the first ended. Gordon is travelling with his family and a small group in hopes of reaching their place in Idaho. It follows mostly the same group of characters over about a month period and how they are dealing with the end of the world as they knew it. The new world has become a very different and violent place where people kill for food, survival, power, and fun.
I found the writing in this one was much better, but there were a few more editing mistakes. The story was pretty slow throughout and does jump around between characters a lot but the ending gets much better. I will probably continue with the series but am not in a big hurry to get out and buy the next book.
There was a major mistake with the dates/timeline. Nothing that affects the story too much but it should have been picked up. The 1st book takes place mainly in December 2014 and Jan 2015. Then the 2nd book picks right up in Jan but the date is Jan 2014.
This book picks right up where the first ended. Gordon is travelling with his family and a small group in hopes of reaching their place in Idaho. It follows mostly the same group of characters over about a month period and how they are dealing with the end of the world as they knew it. The new world has become a very different and violent place where people kill for food, survival, power, and fun.
I found the writing in this one was much better, but there were a few more editing mistakes. The story was pretty slow throughout and does jump around between characters a lot but the ending gets much better. I will probably continue with the series but am not in a big hurry to get out and buy the next book.
There was a major mistake with the dates/timeline. Nothing that affects the story too much but it should have been picked up. The 1st book takes place mainly in December 2014 and Jan 2015. Then the 2nd book picks right up in Jan but the date is Jan 2014.
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