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blackash13's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Marcus Battle lives an isolated life on his ranch in Texas five years after a plague has devastated humanity. Despite his painstaking efforts to prep for just such a scenario, the plague claims the lives of his wife and son. Anyone who has ever come near his property in the days after the plague hasn't lived to tell anyone about it. One day a woman approaches, screaming for help, and being chased by a group of men, leaving Marcus with a choice of whether or not to intervene or continue with his past practice of leaving no one alive to speak of his presence.
The main character is an Army war veteran and expert marksman who served in the Middle East. As a prepper, he was ready for the plague with a significant stockpile of food and collection of guns, each of which he has named. The story shifts back and forth between the present moment and the days leading up to, and immediately after, the plague reaches his family. His character is pretty well-developed as a result. However, the remaining characters are not fleshed out.
The book is fairly short, so the story moves along steadily but it just wasn't a very captivating story. The book was written using plain and direct language so there wasn't much enjoyment gleaned from the writing. I listened to the audiobook and I felt the narrator did little to adequately accentuate the book's action-packed and tense moments. The narrator also sounded like an older gentleman, which confused me about the age of the main character, who son was only about 10 years old when the plague hit. An adversary referred to him as "old man" at one point, but yet he successfully find his way out of a few physical altercations with seemingly younger men.
This the the first of a 5-part series, and is not a standalone novel. I see no reason to continue.
The main character is an Army war veteran and expert marksman who served in the Middle East. As a prepper, he was ready for the plague with a significant stockpile of food and collection of guns, each of which he has named. The story shifts back and forth between the present moment and the days leading up to, and immediately after, the plague reaches his family. His character is pretty well-developed as a result. However, the remaining characters are not fleshed out.
The book is fairly short, so the story moves along steadily but it just wasn't a very captivating story. The book was written using plain and direct language so there wasn't much enjoyment gleaned from the writing. I listened to the audiobook and I felt the narrator did little to adequately accentuate the book's action-packed and tense moments. The narrator also sounded like an older gentleman, which confused me about the age of the main character, who son was only about 10 years old when the plague hit. An adversary referred to him as "old man" at one point, but yet he successfully find his way out of a few physical altercations with seemingly younger men.
This the the first of a 5-part series, and is not a standalone novel. I see no reason to continue.
midlifehedgewitch's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don’t want to hear about American bible beliefs. After reading another trilogy written by this author that was absolutely one of the best trilogies I’ve read in a long time, I was really surprised. There was so much religious guff in this book - actual quotes from the Middle Eastern Bronze Age mythology book (aka the Bible) that really left me gagging.
God-bothering nonsense really doesn’t go down well with Australians or normal people who live outside the US. Otherwise I would’ve given this five stars. I’m hoping that it’s part of a long-term character arc and this guy actually loses his religion. I will read on because again I like the author’s style, the action and the characters.
God-bothering nonsense really doesn’t go down well with Australians or normal people who live outside the US. Otherwise I would’ve given this five stars. I’m hoping that it’s part of a long-term character arc and this guy actually loses his religion. I will read on because again I like the author’s style, the action and the characters.
disagreeable's review
4.0
It was a fun action filled apocalyptic book. Over the top, and ridiculous in many different ways. The main character, a super military murder machine he loves Gods (a lot) loses his Trump loving wife and little son to a disease that kills 2/3 the population. It’s a fucking bonkers and bananas premise and ride, but it was fun.
My only complaints are the number of scripture quotes and their length. I’m not opposed to God stuff, it just felt like too much. It was dancing the line of being preachy.
The other being the fact the novel just randomly ends. There is ZERO conclusion. It’s like watching TikTok and the creator saying “like and follow for pt2”. Shut up.
Anyway, besides that it was a goofy fun ride. I’ll probably read the others. Super easy read.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
My only complaints are the number of scripture quotes and their length. I’m not opposed to God stuff, it just felt like too much. It was dancing the line of being preachy.
The other being the fact the novel just randomly ends. There is ZERO conclusion. It’s like watching TikTok and the creator saying “like and follow for pt2”. Shut up.
Anyway, besides that it was a goofy fun ride. I’ll probably read the others. Super easy read.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
taralittle's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Readable but didn’t find the characters very likeable or care about what happened to them.
val_halla's review
2.0
The story was mildly interesting, but this novel was badly in need of some editing. Dialogue went back and forth without attributing lines to characters, and quotation marks were not placed correctly to indicate the speaker. Many scenes seemed pulled directly from similar novels.
finn_vibing's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Average
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, and Cursing
jennyninnymuggins's review
4.0
Quick, interesting read
A post apocalyptic novel with a gritty, old west feel. A definite Clint Eastwood vibe to our hero and some good ol classic reluctant heroics.
A post apocalyptic novel with a gritty, old west feel. A definite Clint Eastwood vibe to our hero and some good ol classic reluctant heroics.
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