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lyntwhit's review
4.0
Great book. I enjoyed it. Good ending. Read it in a couple of days. Strongly reminds me of Earth Abides, but that's not a bad thing. Would recommend this to others who enjoy the genre.
cakesandtea's review
3.0
Thought it was decidedly meh...
The concept was fine but it didn't feel as though there was anything particularly unique about it, other than the fact he was isolated for a year before the end. I thought Martin was actually a little quick to accept everything that happened but we weren't given much insight to his character in the initial stages. Despite this I was really shocked by some of his actions. Particularly towards the end of the novel.
I wasn't sure why the author didn't address Martin being concerned he was going to die either. Surely he'd assume he wasn't immune and so would have been shocked and grateful to find out he wasn't going to die. That should have been a huge turning point for him but it doesn't seem to have even been addressed as far as I remember.
I also felt the end was very abrupt and that the actions at the climax felt inappropriate and somewhat out of left field? It could have been done smarter I thought.
I wasn't sure about the Diaz character either. If I'm honest I don't really see what his contribution to the story was apart from sending strays Martins way.
Overall a decent two/three. It was a quick read and I liked some of the characters. Some were hugely formulaic though and I agree with the many complaining about the treatment of religion in the book.
The concept was fine but it didn't feel as though there was anything particularly unique about it, other than the fact he was isolated for a year before the end. I thought Martin was actually a little quick to accept everything that happened but we weren't given much insight to his character in the initial stages. Despite this I was really shocked by some of his actions. Particularly towards the end of the novel.
I wasn't sure why the author didn't address Martin being concerned he was going to die either. Surely he'd assume he wasn't immune and so would have been shocked and grateful to find out he wasn't going to die. That should have been a huge turning point for him but it doesn't seem to have even been addressed as far as I remember.
I also felt the end was very abrupt and that the actions at the climax felt inappropriate and somewhat out of left field? It could have been done smarter I thought.
I wasn't sure about the Diaz character either. If I'm honest I don't really see what his contribution to the story was apart from sending strays Martins way.
Overall a decent two/three. It was a quick read and I liked some of the characters. Some were hugely formulaic though and I agree with the many complaining about the treatment of religion in the book.
readerxxx's review
4.0
One of my new favorite apocalyptic fiction books. I loved the chapters narrated by the dog.
jaffo's review
2.0
It's a decent post-apocalyptic story. Not the best, but by far not the worst. It could use some culling of words and a bit of a kick in the pants on pace and action.
I doubt this will be a "read it again" book, but not bad...not bad.
I doubt this will be a "read it again" book, but not bad...not bad.
cheekimonkey's review
4.0
All I did was decide to give this book a chance following a search for post-apocalyptic books. I enjoyed the premise and the chapters from the dog's POV were well done. Toward the end it got a little anti-religiony (I know, that's not a word) but that's not something that bothers me as long as it's not used strictly as a plot device to create tension. I wouldn't mind reading more books like this one.
jaybatson's review
1.0
If I could give this a zero, I would. I un-recommend it highly.
Essentially, the author's point ends up "Belief systems are bad; believers in them force people into thinking their way, and if you don't believe that way, the believer's natural reaction will be to kill you. So, the only belief system that works is Libertarianism. You must believe this way, or we will kill you."
Truly a) obviously circular, b) shows a blackness of spirit in the author that's just sad, and c) not the balance I believe the human spirit is capable of.
The writing and story didn't make up for the utter lack of intellectual or human value available to take away from the book.
Essentially, the author's point ends up "Belief systems are bad; believers in them force people into thinking their way, and if you don't believe that way, the believer's natural reaction will be to kill you. So, the only belief system that works is Libertarianism. You must believe this way, or we will kill you."
Truly a) obviously circular, b) shows a blackness of spirit in the author that's just sad, and c) not the balance I believe the human spirit is capable of.
The writing and story didn't make up for the utter lack of intellectual or human value available to take away from the book.
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