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Homelanders #1-4
The Homelanders
Charlie West just woke up in someone else’s nightmare. He went to bed an ordinary high-school student. He woke up strapped to a chair, covered in blood and bruises. He hurts all over. And a strange voice outside the door just ordered his death. The last thing he can remember, he was working on homework, practicing karate, day-dreaming of becoming an air force pilot, writing a pretty girl’s number on his hand. Now the police want to arrest him for the death of his best friend. And a team of ruthless killers is rapidly closing in for more drastic measures. He’s desperate to survive. And to discover what happened. The truth of the matter is more incredible—and more deadly—than he could ever imagine. The entire four-novel adventure—now in a single volume. “Action sequences that never let up . . . wrung for every possible drop of nervous sweat.” — Booklist review of The Long Way Home
1131 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
39 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Klavan
103 books2,356 followersReference for now:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 4, 2013
My little sister told me this was an awesome book...though a skeptic, I listened to the book connoisuer and read it. It was AMAZING! The fist day I started reading, I said to myself, "Just one chapter before going to bed..." Over 100 pages later, I thought I should really get to sleep. It almost killed me to put it down. It is such a gripping series it is almost a sin to stop reading and torturous not to have all four books on hand. A must read for a lover of action, mystery, and page-turners.
February 14, 2022
I'm giving this book five stars simply because it's one of the books I've remembered reading from yearsssss ago. And if it still surfaces in my mind so many years later, it must be really good!! I think I read this book (series) three years ago and recently I've been thinking a lot about it, but I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE TITLE AND IT WAS SOOO FRUSTRATING!! But I was scrolling through old pictures today on my phone, and I stumbled upon one of a book page that mentioned "the homelanders" on it, and it rang a bell, and eeek! I'm so happy I found the book I've been searching to remember for quite some time now. I highly recommend this book; I remember it being so captivating and interesting. I couldn't put it down and back then I wasn't an avid reader so me enjoying this book so much, says something!
February 2, 2014
I was stressed out reading this novel.
I love action novels, movies, anything thrilling and adventurous. I love the biting-your-nails, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes your heart pound.
Klavan did an amazing job at this. I don't think there was a sibgle chapter ending that didn't leave me absolutely needing to read further. That being said, it was nit the best book to read when yiu have a huge pilenof work to do.
But the part that I like even more is the heartwarming ideas, or morals, or whatever you want to call them, that the book focuses on. Throughout the series Charlie West struggles to do what he believes is right. When things go wrong, Charlie keeps trying. He dosn't let his problems bring him down. He dosn't let the fear get the better of him. He never gives in to the doubt and pressure, but strives to follow his morals no matter the strength of the enemy. Though these ideas weren't brought up in the subtlest of ways, it nonetheless brought something very important to the novel, because it not only defined an important part of Charlie but also his motivation. While Charlie's character dosn't develope too much throughout, his motivation to uphold what he believes right makes him such a likeable character that it dosn't take away from the story.
I'm not religious, so I tend not to read novels that refer to a specific religion too much (it feels awkward to me, because I feel as if either A. it's trying to convert me or B. I'm somehow insulting it by nit understanding. I don't know). This book didn't hit that note for me. Yes, Charlie is religious and there are many scenes where he prays to God. But these didn't bother me like other books, because it showed Charlie's character and values. He believed in the good virtues of religion, about helping the helpless, standing up for your beliefs and not hurting others for the sake of hurting. It added to Charlie's motivation, and at points to the world and situation.
Overall, I would reccomend! Very thrilling, and a very good message.
I love action novels, movies, anything thrilling and adventurous. I love the biting-your-nails, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes your heart pound.
Klavan did an amazing job at this. I don't think there was a sibgle chapter ending that didn't leave me absolutely needing to read further. That being said, it was nit the best book to read when yiu have a huge pilenof work to do.
But the part that I like even more is the heartwarming ideas, or morals, or whatever you want to call them, that the book focuses on. Throughout the series Charlie West struggles to do what he believes is right. When things go wrong, Charlie keeps trying. He dosn't let his problems bring him down. He dosn't let the fear get the better of him. He never gives in to the doubt and pressure, but strives to follow his morals no matter the strength of the enemy. Though these ideas weren't brought up in the subtlest of ways, it nonetheless brought something very important to the novel, because it not only defined an important part of Charlie but also his motivation. While Charlie's character dosn't develope too much throughout, his motivation to uphold what he believes right makes him such a likeable character that it dosn't take away from the story.
I'm not religious, so I tend not to read novels that refer to a specific religion too much (it feels awkward to me, because I feel as if either A. it's trying to convert me or B. I'm somehow insulting it by nit understanding. I don't know). This book didn't hit that note for me. Yes, Charlie is religious and there are many scenes where he prays to God. But these didn't bother me like other books, because it showed Charlie's character and values. He believed in the good virtues of religion, about helping the helpless, standing up for your beliefs and not hurting others for the sake of hurting. It added to Charlie's motivation, and at points to the world and situation.
Overall, I would reccomend! Very thrilling, and a very good message.
January 3, 2016
I simply couldn't put it down. Fun fact, I got a free copy of the first book from the author himself. So I bought the final three as soon as they came out.
January 7, 2020
Terrible writing, clunky and childish. Plus the writer is a misogynist, anti-feminist and it comes across quite strongly in how he writes about women.
Red flags guys, avoid this novelists books.
Red flags guys, avoid this novelists books.
January 13, 2022
Riveting
I couldn't stop reading. I needed to finish but hated for it to end. The action was nonstop and also exhausting. I recommend this book to anyone. If you love a good story with great energy and passion, you will love this book. Beware you will lose much sleep.
I couldn't stop reading. I needed to finish but hated for it to end. The action was nonstop and also exhausting. I recommend this book to anyone. If you love a good story with great energy and passion, you will love this book. Beware you will lose much sleep.
August 11, 2020
Written for youth, good clean fun, fast-pasted. No misogeny noticed.
Read
October 13, 2020loved this series so much!
January 26, 2021
Needs to be made into a movie
April 25, 2023
It was great from start to finish,I had trouble putting it down!
April 20, 2024
I only checked out this 4 volume book to have extra reading material on this trip. Not my genre
July 23, 2025
one of my favorite childhood books❤️ great YA thriller and suspense series that kept me turning the page. ending shocked me!!! all wrapped up nicely at the end
June 14, 2021
I’m currently on book 2..so good!!
I’ve finished all 4 books! Highly recommend! I could hardly put them down!!
I’ve finished all 4 books! Highly recommend! I could hardly put them down!!
November 22, 2013
The Homelanders by Andrew Klavan is a fiction novel about a young man who loses a year of his life do to amnesia. When he wakes up after the year he finds not only is a terrorist organization after him but the police as well. Through the book Charlie West has to try to clear his name of the murder of an old friend, all while staying out of reach of everyone who wants him locked up or dead.
At times of action the book is very fast paced and captivating (it was made so captivating because its action but something that can easily imaginable) , one the other hand some parts seem boring and unnecessary. The constant developments and flashbacks always give a new sense of excitement and perspectives to the story while the plot twists keep moving the story along at a good pace. The plot isn't really original however its not a story line that you come across often. Furthermore the characters seemed pretty static throughout the whole story.
I enjoyed the book very much because of the action and adventure. The lack of character development didn't bother me at all and I like the story line, even if there were a lot of repetitive flashbacks.
At times of action the book is very fast paced and captivating (it was made so captivating because its action but something that can easily imaginable) , one the other hand some parts seem boring and unnecessary. The constant developments and flashbacks always give a new sense of excitement and perspectives to the story while the plot twists keep moving the story along at a good pace. The plot isn't really original however its not a story line that you come across often. Furthermore the characters seemed pretty static throughout the whole story.
I enjoyed the book very much because of the action and adventure. The lack of character development didn't bother me at all and I like the story line, even if there were a lot of repetitive flashbacks.
April 26, 2016
4 stars for the entire series. So many series start great and then fizzle. This one didn't! While it isn't perfect- hence the 4-star instead of 5 rating- it is solidly good and I don't want to pick it apart. This is YA, so expect the plot, characters, language etc. to be aimed at teens. It begins when 17 year-old high school junior Charlie West wakes up chained to a chair with no memory of how he got there. He hears a man order his death and he realizes he's got to escape quickly, regain his memory, and keep away from both the cops and the bad guys if he wants to live to see his family and friends again. I do appreciate that Klavan kept swearing and other adult content out of this YA book. His books for adults are written differently. Despite a few plot holes, this series is well written, and I was eagerly turning the pages, hoping that Charlie would survive another chapter. I found Charlie's faith and patriotism refreshing in our politically correct society where an author might normally shy away from those traits. Recommended for adventure lovers, especially reluctant readers and teen boys.
Content note: Quite a bit violence, but it's not too graphic.
Content note: Quite a bit violence, but it's not too graphic.
June 23, 2013
My twelve-year-old daughter found this book in the teen section of a Christian bookstore. She loved it! She would give this book 6 stars! She wanted me to read the book as well. Of course I was busy and put her off until finally she put the book in my lap. I am glad she was so persistent.
There are lots of flashbacks, and some repetition that is a little distracting. I skipped lots of the "self-reflection" that the main character goes through, but again this is a teen book and my teenager didn't seem to think it was odd.
Over all I liked the story. I really liked the morals displayed in the book, the scripture references, and the Winston card.
The Winston card is a quote from Winston Churchill that the main character keeps in his wallet. It is meant to encourage him through tough situations. That card and its sentiment come in to play throughout the book. I think the idea of a Winston card is a good one.
Whether it would be a scripture verse or a different quote that inspires you, it is good to keep inspiration handy when you need it.
There are lots of flashbacks, and some repetition that is a little distracting. I skipped lots of the "self-reflection" that the main character goes through, but again this is a teen book and my teenager didn't seem to think it was odd.
Over all I liked the story. I really liked the morals displayed in the book, the scripture references, and the Winston card.
The Winston card is a quote from Winston Churchill that the main character keeps in his wallet. It is meant to encourage him through tough situations. That card and its sentiment come in to play throughout the book. I think the idea of a Winston card is a good one.
Whether it would be a scripture verse or a different quote that inspires you, it is good to keep inspiration handy when you need it.
May 11, 2012
Thomas Nelson has released Andrew Klavan’s Homelander series in one volume. Now you can get all four of Charlie West’s adventures in one.
The Homelanders includes these four books:
The Last Thing I Remember
The Long Way Home
The Truth of the Matter
The Final Hour
Great idea for a story. I loved the mystery of what was going on and the way Andrew Klavan told this tale, how he weaved it backwards and forwards with action and memories and mystery. It was very cleverly done. This is a GREAT series for boy readers. So if you love action and adventure novels, or if you’re looking for some books for a young man, look no further. This is the series. I highly recommend it.
The Homelanders includes these four books:
The Last Thing I Remember
The Long Way Home
The Truth of the Matter
The Final Hour
Great idea for a story. I loved the mystery of what was going on and the way Andrew Klavan told this tale, how he weaved it backwards and forwards with action and memories and mystery. It was very cleverly done. This is a GREAT series for boy readers. So if you love action and adventure novels, or if you’re looking for some books for a young man, look no further. This is the series. I highly recommend it.
June 12, 2014
This was my first reading of Klavan, I it was thoroughly enjoyable. While it brings forward certain virtues, it's a great summer read. Full of action from start to finish, Klavan spins a believable story, despite setting a pretty high bar at the outset.
It's hard to imagine, when starting, how a young man looses a year and ends up a criminal, with no recollection. How can you clear your name when you can't remember? Do you know who you are anymore? Do you listen to what your told? Or do you stick to what you remember?
Klavan weaves a story that is full of action, but credible in its fantastic feats. A great summer read.
It's hard to imagine, when starting, how a young man looses a year and ends up a criminal, with no recollection. How can you clear your name when you can't remember? Do you know who you are anymore? Do you listen to what your told? Or do you stick to what you remember?
Klavan weaves a story that is full of action, but credible in its fantastic feats. A great summer read.
December 17, 2023
When reviewing this for its intended audience (teenagers), I'm happy to give it 4 stars. It was fast-paced, clean, and full of the desire to do what is "good" and "true". Of course, if I were reviewing it as a Christian teenage book, I would be less enthusiastic about the review. There was no gospel - just lots of mentions of God and the desire to do what was right. But since most books geared for teenagers have a heartbreakingly twisted worldview and are likely filled with the glorification of what is evil, I am thankful that there are books like these for teenagers to read!
March 10, 2015
This is a great series! The story never slowed down, never got boring and it kept my full attention from start to finish.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes these kinds of books -- Christian Young Adult, Action, Suspense, Mystery. But then, I'm not a big fan of YA books and I absolutely loved these!
I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes these kinds of books -- Christian Young Adult, Action, Suspense, Mystery. But then, I'm not a big fan of YA books and I absolutely loved these!
May 25, 2019
I have this book. The 4 books that it contains are the best books I've ever read! It is just soooooooo good! I don't even know how to write it. It contains action, fights, internal conflicts with the main character and of course a love story with a plot you'd never see coming.
January 6, 2014
The first two books in this series were amazing, so I almost feel bad giving this book such a low review. But the key word is *almost.* This book was preachy, had such one-sided stereotypical characters and despite the amazing action scenes was just awful.
February 17, 2016
My all time favorite book!
I fell in love with Charlie West on the first page of "The Last Thing I Remember" and couldn't leave him until I was done with "The Final Hour".
His love of America was one of my favorite things about him.
I loved the Homelanders!
I fell in love with Charlie West on the first page of "The Last Thing I Remember" and couldn't leave him until I was done with "The Final Hour".
His love of America was one of my favorite things about him.
I loved the Homelanders!
March 31, 2016
Young adult books nowadays are always so full of extra stuff that just messes up the plot. These books were pretty much jargon free. It was a very quick and easy read full of action and drama. You'll never be bored with these books!
July 15, 2013
I feel like the book was dragged out and got boring every once in awhile, but overall it was a great story line.
August 14, 2012
I borrowed my son's book, and had a hard time setting it down!
Read
August 27, 2012This book was action packed and kept me on my toes the whole time !! Amazing
April 8, 2013
Was soo Fantastic! Totally a Must Read.
July 4, 2013
Absolutely fantastic. Great story from beginning to end. Serious page turner and just the right amount of romance and friendship. Must read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews