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The Last Mile #1

A Path to Utopia

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In the time it takes to create a single beat of a heart, 75 percent of the population drops dead. Within hours, another 20 percent succumb leaving only a speck of human life remaining. Believing they are victims of a preliminary act of war and eventual invasion, a group of survivors trek across a barren United States following a radio signal. The simple plan was to band with others to fight and defend their homeland. However, their journey not only brings them together with other survivors but also brings them a chilling truth. What had happened to their country was not a prelude to invasion, but rather the groundwork of global extermination. The enemy is not what they expect.

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2011

165 people are currently reading
59 people want to read

About the author

Jacqueline Druga

239 books580 followers

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5 stars
130 (50%)
4 stars
82 (31%)
3 stars
32 (12%)
2 stars
11 (4%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Dodger.
212 reviews40 followers
March 16, 2024
Oh, dystopian books, how I love you. Jacqueline Druga is my go to dystopian dealer to feed my need for this genre in my life.

Druga resides in the realm amid my favorite authors, though occasionally there exists a modest dissatisfaction displayed in her writing--her characters may emit the feelings of meeting old friends, then the realization occurs--they may be a rehash of recycled individuals.
A Path To Utopia features Robi, a clone of Brett in Torn who's a clone of Ellen in Beginnings. Druga should abandon this blueprint, and start over fresh--possibly the correct answer is quality instead of quantity.
Though there's one aspect I admire in her female characters--they posses strength, they fight hard and they never surrender to failure. In a disaster, I'd happily join their team to struggle through each hazardous day with them.

Twenty-five percent of the population survives a worldwide catastrophic event, in which the majority of people die, collapsing to the ground, leaving the survivors alone with their fears.
The concept of standing amid a dead populated planet isn't an original idea, though usually the populace finishes an illness to produce the same result as in The Stand by Stephen King. Autumn by David Moody also has the majority of the world drop to their deaths simultaneously, though they eventually rise as zombies. However it happens, the fear would intensify with the supplemented horrors of evil, zombies or aliens, pushing....http://somanybooksssolittletime.blogs...

Profile Image for Patiscynical.
287 reviews4 followers
February 10, 2018
Exciting start, then downhill all the way

It begins with most everyone dropping dead, so I was sure I would like it, but alas, no. The end of the world is very dull. Even with aliens, a man who loves spam, and other strange creatures, I found myself nearly going to sleep while reading it.
Apparently aliens, (mean aliens) want the Earth, and are wiping out the current population to take over. They sent the virus that caused most of the population to drop dead. They are sending two more waves to wipe out any who survived the first wave, which was the virus.
Then there are the aliens that were already here. These are the good aliens, that want to work with the survivors to fight the evil aliens.
The story follows one group of survivors as they travel across the country, searching for other survivors while heading for southern California, where a large number of survivors have banded together.
Results: I wanted to like this, but after a good start it just petered out. It had some humor, some horror, but it couldn't keep my attention.
There were a few spelling or grammar errors, some mild profanity and sexual innuendos, but nothing too disturbing.
Profile Image for Pam Shelton-Anderson.
1,961 reviews66 followers
January 14, 2019
This starts out well with most everyone dropping dead but starts to stall a bit, even as the mystery unfolds as to the cause. There are a lot of writing issues that should have been caught in the proofreading and editing process and at times rather spoiled the storytelling. I also struggled a bit with the characters. Robi is standoffish and strident and Jeb is just plain juvenile. A lot of time is spent on their relationship but I read fast through that part as it didn't quite work. I will continue on to see what happens and hope for improvement and also because I like this author.
Profile Image for Fiona Brichaut.
Author 1 book16 followers
May 25, 2015
The first 10% caught my interest, so I'll generously give it 2 stars. But I gave up around 40%. I don't think I've read a worse-written book. I did my best to ignore the constant editing mistakes - I'm talking about mistakes in almost every sentence - but as the novel deteriorated on every level the further I read, I finally couldn't stand it anymore.

To be fair, the only reason I read it was that I had enjoyed two other books by the author - The Flu and Healing. Read those instead.
Profile Image for Andrew B..
Author 61 books4 followers
February 19, 2013
Yet another cool take on the end of us all by Ms. Druga. I enjoyed it and I'm sure those into PA books will as well.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
65 reviews
June 27, 2013
This is a book that stays with you long after you finish the last page. It was such a great story and I found it hard not to just stay up all night reading it.
Profile Image for Ann237.
427 reviews5 followers
September 27, 2018
Never disappoints

Once again another book by Jacqueline Druga that does not disappoint, it kept me engrossed & hating each time I needed to stop reading. This book is a new look at the end of civilization as we know it. A group of folks who come together to travel to a place cross country that is supposed to be the start of a new civilization. Must say the building of the characters makes it easy to relate to love or dislike etc. I must say for those who read Jacqueline Druga‘s beginnings series will find one character, Jeb almost reminds you Frank. Well onto book 2. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Cherye Elliott.
3,397 reviews24 followers
June 13, 2017
Utopia

Favorite quote: “Every man can love Spam; he just needs to give it a chance.

Fav paragraph: He danced slowly, swishing his body back and forth. “You like this. Yep.” He turned backwards and wiggled his backside in front of her, side to side, then in a gyrating, manner. Robi could see his clenching butt cheeks sucking in the robe as he tried his hardest to be an erotic dancer. All she could think was, “Oh my God. Where’s Jeb?”

Funny read. Enjoyed it immensely.
4 reviews
March 31, 2019
Last Mile book 1

Excellent book! My kindle broke when I was halfway through and I panicked... Was on my way out the door to buy a new one when my daughter-in-law said I could download a kindle app to my pad, an it worked! I love her forever. Finished the book and now on to the next one.
570 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2020
I am not sure what I just read

This book was outrageous and funny and a whole lot of idiotic comedy. I am not much on comedy and I am not much on books with aliens being the bad guys but I read this and finished it because I like Jacqueline Druga's books. It was well written but I just don't like this type of books. I am going to try the second one though.
Profile Image for Amanda .
77 reviews
July 26, 2023
loved this book

I loved this book, characters are great, story is great and will start the second book as soon as I finished this review, There are some very funny moments in the book, some of the characters are bonkers, but I think we all would be like that if 99% of the world population died instantly. I’m not usually a lover of alien books but this has me hooked
358 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2024
Great book

I loved the way this story was written. The comedy made the story more believable, I caught myself laughing so hard I had to take a break. The great cast of characters helped the storyline making it so believable. She has a best seller here. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction.
10 reviews
September 15, 2020
Best darned book I've read in years

This book has it all, great characters, action, love, hope and above all else, people with a love of our country and family. I believe that this book kicks walking dead and any other comic books butt.
Profile Image for Kathy DeWees.
19 reviews
September 7, 2017
Good premise, intriguing characters

Glad to see J. Drugs is writing good characters and intriguing storylines again. Cannot wait to read next book in this series!
Profile Image for Melissa Blickem.
7 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2018
I have no idea what i just read...

I usually hate sci fi, but I love this author's characters always. It was weird and funny and I'm going to keep reading the series.
614 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2018
A good Wi-Fi adventure, thriller. Lots of strange things happening.
9 reviews
March 15, 2023
Interesting take on post apocalypse

An interesting start to a series from always reliable Druga. Looking forward to seeing how the motley group continue their adventure.
Profile Image for TheReadingKnitter/ Kasey.
1,021 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2024
Definitely not my favorite from this author. And language was kind of getting out of hand but I’m going to start the second in the series and see. May end up quitting the series, not sure.
4 reviews
July 12, 2025
Great story.

Loved the characters and storyline but the last 20% seemed rushed and more outlandish. Seemed like there was a need to make sure the book was not too long.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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