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Once Upon an Apocalypse #1
Once Upon and Apocalypse: Book 1 - The Journey Home by Jeff Motes
Authors This is a Revised Version of the original book. It has been revised to reflect a 1st person point of view for each chapter's main character. Take note of which character leads the chapter title. This will help make the flow of thoughts smooth. This is not a book on religion or religious ideology, however, two of the main characters are Christian. They pray often and acknowledge God's influence upon the events taking place. If you find praying, acknowledging God, or seeing Jesus' name used in a positive context offensive, then I suggest you do not read this book. These are strong characters, who I think many can relate to. I hope you enjoy the book. The Day The day was like any other day—until it became “The Day.” At 4:05 p.m. the United States was attacked with an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) weapon. A 20 mega-ton nuclear warhead was detonated high in the atmosphere above Kansas, blanketing most of the contiguous United States and parts of Canada and Mexico with an electro-magnetic pulse that damaged nearly all microprocessors and electronic controls beyond repair. Nearly every system that depends on computers and electronics has ceased to work. The electrical grid goes down. The water system goes down. The sewer system goes down. The phone system goes down. The cellular system goes down. Cars stop. Tractors stop. Radio and TV stations go dark. The internet is no more. No more ambulance services. No more emergency services. No more government services. No more 911. In the twinkle of an eye America is sent back deep into the 19th century. Jill Barnes, a single mom, finds herself stranded on the side of Interstate 459 near Birmingham, Alabama. Jack Chance, a bank vice-president, is stranded on Interstate 85 near Montgomery, Alabama. John Carter, a contractor, finds himself stranded near Leeds, Alabama. Each must travel home to Clarke County in rural southwest Alabama. Follow them as they each make their decisions and journey home while the fabric of American society is torn asunder and criminals run amok. The story is exciting and enlightening, compelling and fast moving, infuriating and redemptive, heart-rending and heart-warming. Keep some tissue close to hand, just in case . . . .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
October 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. The writing threw me off a few times. I couldn’t help laughing at all the name brand shout outs. I was sure there were going to be links to buy some of the items mentioned. There was a website mentioned. Do authors get paid for product placements??? Also I’m not entirely sure an EMP event would lead to such chaos so quickly. We’ve had week long power outages before & I really missed hot showers but I wasn’t ready to shoot someone for stealing a bike. Also, seems like there would be looting but not so much raping so quickly-yikes! But, despite all my complaints, this was worth reading until the end & I’m already starting book 2!
October 25, 2018
At first I was quite captivated by the book and planned on ordering the second book in the series. I found that as I got farther into the book parts of it were too much . . . too much talking about weapons and repetition with regards to the weapons, too much having one character describe what was happening and a second character describing again what the first character had said in exactly the same way, and too much feeling as if the reader was being "courted" to run out and buy named items to prepare for the apocalypse.
December 11, 2015
Excellent book
Excellent book, excellent information, it's a fun read. I can't wait for the next one. There were very few slow spots.
Excellent book, excellent information, it's a fun read. I can't wait for the next one. There were very few slow spots.
December 16, 2015
Can't wait for more
Loved this book !!! The style of writing in the second person keeps you in the moment. Also very instructive in disaster preparation.
Loved this book !!! The style of writing in the second person keeps you in the moment. Also very instructive in disaster preparation.
September 13, 2017
gets the prize for terrible this year
August 27, 2017
Had to stop reading
I don't enjoy leaving a bad review but have to be honest. If this book is ever cleaned up and edited properly, I would love to read it. I really liked the characters and the story line. The first person type is a little hard for some reason but really it came down to the constant repeating of simple facts as well as contradicting statements. Also it was written so elementary that I would think even a beginner would feel patronized.
I really liked the fact that God was such a big part in the story and in the characters lives. I hope it gets re-edited so I can finish it.
I don't enjoy leaving a bad review but have to be honest. If this book is ever cleaned up and edited properly, I would love to read it. I really liked the characters and the story line. The first person type is a little hard for some reason but really it came down to the constant repeating of simple facts as well as contradicting statements. Also it was written so elementary that I would think even a beginner would feel patronized.
I really liked the fact that God was such a big part in the story and in the characters lives. I hope it gets re-edited so I can finish it.
November 14, 2017
5 stars for the technical aspects. -3 for the story line. Meh.
April 6, 2017
Great book.
Makes me want to pull my get home bag out and make sure I have all I need and also for all my girls. Really makes you consider just how ready you are for a full blown meltdown. Thanks for the great characters.
Makes me want to pull my get home bag out and make sure I have all I need and also for all my girls. Really makes you consider just how ready you are for a full blown meltdown. Thanks for the great characters.
February 27, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the basic story line but it did not seem realistic to me. The characters did not seem believable. Their emotions fell flat. If I was a parent trying to get home to my child during an apocalypse I would not be as calm as Jill. I am also fairly certain I would not be concerned with shaving my legs in case something interesting should happen.
I found the second person viewpoint to be a tough swallow. Sort of felt like one of those online games whose outcome is determined by the selections of the player. Different selection changes the story. Also at times I felt like I was reading one of the If You Give A Mouse A Cookie type books.
What I did appreciate is that the narration was done by a male and female. This helped to establish which character was being focused on.
I found the second person viewpoint to be a tough swallow. Sort of felt like one of those online games whose outcome is determined by the selections of the player. Different selection changes the story. Also at times I felt like I was reading one of the If You Give A Mouse A Cookie type books.
What I did appreciate is that the narration was done by a male and female. This helped to establish which character was being focused on.
February 18, 2017
OUTSTANDING KINDLE BOOK -- Highly Recommended
Well-written, excellent plot, believable characters, credible scenario, accurate technical details, and clean. There's even a pleasant romantic angle for the ladies.
If you want to gain insights into how/what practicing Christians think about self-defense, self-reliance and "prepping," this is the book for you.
Highly recommended!
Well-written, excellent plot, believable characters, credible scenario, accurate technical details, and clean. There's even a pleasant romantic angle for the ladies.
If you want to gain insights into how/what practicing Christians think about self-defense, self-reliance and "prepping," this is the book for you.
Highly recommended!
December 28, 2016
The story was good but severely hampered by the formatting. Also, the technique of replaying a scene through another characters POV got old very fast. The author has a good story and hopefully improves his technique in future books.
January 28, 2018
Religious book
I only got through a few chapters, I didn't realize it was a religious book. It's a shame because what I read was good except for the praying and Psalms. I will also delete books 3 and 3
I only got through a few chapters, I didn't realize it was a religious book. It's a shame because what I read was good except for the praying and Psalms. I will also delete books 3 and 3
January 6, 2024
Gripping.
This is a truly gripping read I was hooked from the beginning and I knew I had found a new author. The only drawback for me was the amount of talking and I eventually did skip some of it.
This is a truly gripping read I was hooked from the beginning and I knew I had found a new author. The only drawback for me was the amount of talking and I eventually did skip some of it.
January 18, 2017
First half needs work
Too much unnecessary "filler" info. I had a tendency to start skipping all the wordy verbiage. Picked up a bit toward the ending cliffhanger.
Too much unnecessary "filler" info. I had a tendency to start skipping all the wordy verbiage. Picked up a bit toward the ending cliffhanger.
February 15, 2017
Spellbinding
Couldn't put it down very good writing, suspenseful. Will definitely be reading more of Jeff notes books. Thank you! Ginger
Couldn't put it down very good writing, suspenseful. Will definitely be reading more of Jeff notes books. Thank you! Ginger
August 1, 2017
What happens when a disaster occurs that renders the nation incapable of action and exposes the vulnerability to individuals to starvation, violence and the depredation of their fellow human beings?
In the series Once Upon an Apocalypse by Jeff Motes, multiple families in southern Alabama find themselves coping with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event without warning. A sufficiently strong EMP will destroy solid state circuit boards instantly turning the modern electronics upon which we depend to worthless junk; and the event depicted in the story does exactly that.
The series focuses on the interaction of members of several families; particularly the families of Jill Barnes and John Carter as they find themselves suddenly devoid of modern conveniences and transportation, sources of food and fuel, medicine and basics like tooth paste and toilet paper. Circumstances force them to depend upon what they have in hand for their survival.
In book 1, The Journey Home, the focus is on Jill Barnes and John Carter; two people who know each other and believe in being prepared as much as possible for such an occurrence. Jill is the single mother of Lizzy Barnes. Her father had taught her to shoot and much of the basics of being prepared for emergencies. John is the widowed father of Will, Lizzie’s boyfriend. John and Will are well trained in survival skills and preparation. The problem is the EMP stranded Jill near Birmingham, almost two- hundred forty miles from home; and John near Leeds, Alabama, more than two- hundred fifty miles from home. Besides Jill and John’s determination to survive, there is a Divine plan bringing them together to ensure each other’s survival. Getting home will tax every survival skill Jill and John have between them; not to mention a growing attraction between them and the ever growing anxiety about Lizzy and Will’s welfare.
The Journey Home, written in the first person, is a scenario demonstrating survival skills exhibited by well-prepared characters as well as an entertaining, nail-biting, story painting a bleak, but realistic portrait of what people can expect in times of serious disaster; times when citizens turn to their government for help and find, for whatever reason, there is no government to help. Jill and John fight through their fear and the worst intentions of their fellow man while fighting through their own anxiety about their families. They are well developed characters, sound of inner character and belief, for whom the reader cannot help but cheer.
The Journey Home will leave most readers disturbed and perhaps a bit shaken. None will walk away feeling fully secure. What they do about it will vary…as those in the story vary…from doing nothing, to preparing for a very long siege. None will walk away untouched.
In the series Once Upon an Apocalypse by Jeff Motes, multiple families in southern Alabama find themselves coping with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event without warning. A sufficiently strong EMP will destroy solid state circuit boards instantly turning the modern electronics upon which we depend to worthless junk; and the event depicted in the story does exactly that.
The series focuses on the interaction of members of several families; particularly the families of Jill Barnes and John Carter as they find themselves suddenly devoid of modern conveniences and transportation, sources of food and fuel, medicine and basics like tooth paste and toilet paper. Circumstances force them to depend upon what they have in hand for their survival.
In book 1, The Journey Home, the focus is on Jill Barnes and John Carter; two people who know each other and believe in being prepared as much as possible for such an occurrence. Jill is the single mother of Lizzy Barnes. Her father had taught her to shoot and much of the basics of being prepared for emergencies. John is the widowed father of Will, Lizzie’s boyfriend. John and Will are well trained in survival skills and preparation. The problem is the EMP stranded Jill near Birmingham, almost two- hundred forty miles from home; and John near Leeds, Alabama, more than two- hundred fifty miles from home. Besides Jill and John’s determination to survive, there is a Divine plan bringing them together to ensure each other’s survival. Getting home will tax every survival skill Jill and John have between them; not to mention a growing attraction between them and the ever growing anxiety about Lizzy and Will’s welfare.
The Journey Home, written in the first person, is a scenario demonstrating survival skills exhibited by well-prepared characters as well as an entertaining, nail-biting, story painting a bleak, but realistic portrait of what people can expect in times of serious disaster; times when citizens turn to their government for help and find, for whatever reason, there is no government to help. Jill and John fight through their fear and the worst intentions of their fellow man while fighting through their own anxiety about their families. They are well developed characters, sound of inner character and belief, for whom the reader cannot help but cheer.
The Journey Home will leave most readers disturbed and perhaps a bit shaken. None will walk away feeling fully secure. What they do about it will vary…as those in the story vary…from doing nothing, to preparing for a very long siege. None will walk away untouched.
November 8, 2017
I’m one of those apocalypse book junkies. I’ve read the most popular ones and now I’ve branched out to niche markets.
This book is great for the prepper, Christian, pro gun, abstinence until marriage crowd. To be warned.
And you have been alerted, as the book description now does a god job letting the reader know what to expect prior to purchase.
This book is a fantasy novel. Fantasy that if you prepare, pray, abstain and practice for the end of days you may be saved when the SHTF.
It’s a fantasy in that all the bad guys are obvious bad guys. In that a man without military training can, often and one handed, shoot all the bad guys with a wide variety of guns. In that society will collapse at the first chance of catastrophe.
What I liked about the book is that it was another apocalypse book (I can’t seem to get enough). I was ok with the detailed description of the survival equipment and getting into an engineer-level of detail about it. I enjoyed the easy read. That earned three stars.
What I didn’t enjoy is the simple good vs evil accounting in the book. A side is either good or bad. Even when one member in a group was a “bad guy” everyone secretly hated them and was waiting for our hero to punch them in the face.
What I love about most apocalypse books is the randomness and chaos of the world in the book, through disease, natural disaster or even zombies. The horror, randomness, and chaos of what I read in these types of books make me enjoy what I have in my real life. Food tastes better, relationships more precious, and the things I take for granted valuable. These books make me want to make the world a better place to avoid an apocalypse or to prepare for when an event occurs so that we can help others less fortunate
When I read this book I don’t feel relief in my regular life. I feel that not only should I be preparing for the end of days, but I worry that folks that believe this type of event will happen will actually cause the end of days. I feel that because of evil that already exists in the world, I need to be ready to fight evil and shoot them in the head three times to make sure they are dead while wearing night vision goggles then leave them to rot in the street.
To recap, it was a good read and I read to the end, enough for a 3 stars. The author does seem to be improving the description of the book and editing it on an ongoing basis, so it may get better. To get a 5 star rating from me on a book that leaves me fearful for my real life it has to be written as well as Cormac McCarthy.
This book is great for the prepper, Christian, pro gun, abstinence until marriage crowd. To be warned.
And you have been alerted, as the book description now does a god job letting the reader know what to expect prior to purchase.
This book is a fantasy novel. Fantasy that if you prepare, pray, abstain and practice for the end of days you may be saved when the SHTF.
It’s a fantasy in that all the bad guys are obvious bad guys. In that a man without military training can, often and one handed, shoot all the bad guys with a wide variety of guns. In that society will collapse at the first chance of catastrophe.
What I liked about the book is that it was another apocalypse book (I can’t seem to get enough). I was ok with the detailed description of the survival equipment and getting into an engineer-level of detail about it. I enjoyed the easy read. That earned three stars.
What I didn’t enjoy is the simple good vs evil accounting in the book. A side is either good or bad. Even when one member in a group was a “bad guy” everyone secretly hated them and was waiting for our hero to punch them in the face.
What I love about most apocalypse books is the randomness and chaos of the world in the book, through disease, natural disaster or even zombies. The horror, randomness, and chaos of what I read in these types of books make me enjoy what I have in my real life. Food tastes better, relationships more precious, and the things I take for granted valuable. These books make me want to make the world a better place to avoid an apocalypse or to prepare for when an event occurs so that we can help others less fortunate
When I read this book I don’t feel relief in my regular life. I feel that not only should I be preparing for the end of days, but I worry that folks that believe this type of event will happen will actually cause the end of days. I feel that because of evil that already exists in the world, I need to be ready to fight evil and shoot them in the head three times to make sure they are dead while wearing night vision goggles then leave them to rot in the street.
To recap, it was a good read and I read to the end, enough for a 3 stars. The author does seem to be improving the description of the book and editing it on an ongoing basis, so it may get better. To get a 5 star rating from me on a book that leaves me fearful for my real life it has to be written as well as Cormac McCarthy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2019
3 1/2 stars
The storyline was really good, but the writing wasn’t superb. Found a few typos. It felt like such a dude book with the specifications to the weapons, supplies, plans etc, lol. I went through a spurt of EMP apocalyptic books more than a year ago and what I most like about this book is the Christian theme permeating through, the reliance on Gods providence, prayers in Jesus name, and that it was clean. A couple gripes like nods to end times/dispensationalism, although he doesn’t go into that which I appreciated. I’m sure if an amil/post mil wrote a story like this it’d just talk about Gods judgement not end times, heh.
Basic storyline is an EMP event taking the grid down in the US. The two main characters are 150+ miles from home and their trek back home. One is a prepper the other is just generally prepared for emergencies. It shows the goodness in people (these are various Christians) and the levels of evil in others too, from mild to horrifying. It really encourages preparedness which was an interesting message of the book. Also a very gentle budding romance, but not a sappy story at all.
There are references to evil horrific deeds, rape, murder, arson, but nothing graphic, though it references women being naked and underwear etc.
Its a little crazy, how fast things turned bad. It is sold in the book due to the breakdown of all things stopped by the EMP (electromagnetic pulse) causing people to become more desperate than a regular power outage or storm. The timeline could have been altered better.
This is available on kindle unlimited. Reread bc the third book is finally written and I wanted to remember what happened to bring characters up to speed in my head. Worth reading again. Also excuse me while I go research bulk buying food items lol.
The storyline was really good, but the writing wasn’t superb. Found a few typos. It felt like such a dude book with the specifications to the weapons, supplies, plans etc, lol. I went through a spurt of EMP apocalyptic books more than a year ago and what I most like about this book is the Christian theme permeating through, the reliance on Gods providence, prayers in Jesus name, and that it was clean. A couple gripes like nods to end times/dispensationalism, although he doesn’t go into that which I appreciated. I’m sure if an amil/post mil wrote a story like this it’d just talk about Gods judgement not end times, heh.
Basic storyline is an EMP event taking the grid down in the US. The two main characters are 150+ miles from home and their trek back home. One is a prepper the other is just generally prepared for emergencies. It shows the goodness in people (these are various Christians) and the levels of evil in others too, from mild to horrifying. It really encourages preparedness which was an interesting message of the book. Also a very gentle budding romance, but not a sappy story at all.
There are references to evil horrific deeds, rape, murder, arson, but nothing graphic, though it references women being naked and underwear etc.
Its a little crazy, how fast things turned bad. It is sold in the book due to the breakdown of all things stopped by the EMP (electromagnetic pulse) causing people to become more desperate than a regular power outage or storm. The timeline could have been altered better.
This is available on kindle unlimited. Reread bc the third book is finally written and I wanted to remember what happened to bring characters up to speed in my head. Worth reading again. Also excuse me while I go research bulk buying food items lol.
February 20, 2020
This book follows two people trying to survive after an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) event has taken place. With almost all electronic devices, most automobiles, and primary ways of communication knocked out for good, the country is thrown back into a state of living comparable to the 19th century, something that most people are simply not equipped to handle. The main characters, a single mother and a construction contractor, find themselves stranded many miles from their respective homes. Each character is given a chapter or two to relate their adventures from their point of view before switching to the other, and the story of their fight to get back to those they love makes for very engaging reading.
The thing that I found to be quite telling was that the only people who actually seem to be ready for an event of this kind are those who are practicing Christians, but who are also carrying weapons around with them as a normal part of their daily lives. There is a notation in the intro of the book that this is a Christian story written by an author who professes that faith, but, personally, I find the idea of that many people, Christian or not, walking around armed to the teeth the way these people seem to be a little frightening in and of itself. Be that as it may, this is still a good book that is well written, and the little interludes when the characters stop momentarily to offer prayers does not take away from the action of the story. There is a lot of violence but very little strong language, so this would be acceptable for older kids. The first of a series, it will be interesting to see where the lives of these characters go.
The thing that I found to be quite telling was that the only people who actually seem to be ready for an event of this kind are those who are practicing Christians, but who are also carrying weapons around with them as a normal part of their daily lives. There is a notation in the intro of the book that this is a Christian story written by an author who professes that faith, but, personally, I find the idea of that many people, Christian or not, walking around armed to the teeth the way these people seem to be a little frightening in and of itself. Be that as it may, this is still a good book that is well written, and the little interludes when the characters stop momentarily to offer prayers does not take away from the action of the story. There is a lot of violence but very little strong language, so this would be acceptable for older kids. The first of a series, it will be interesting to see where the lives of these characters go.
October 15, 2017
John, Jill, and some other dude.
This apocalypse story is written in first person narrative from at least three characters. Jill is in Birmingham when an EMP takes out the power grid. She will have to travel nearly two hundred miles to get home to her daughter and mother. She has a few items essential for survival, but it's basically a three day but out bag.
John Carter, someone Jill went to school with, is also in the area, and though he has a much better survival supply, he also has to travel the nearly two hundred miles to make it home.
The first person narrative became annoying after a couple of chapters because of the random thoughts of the characters. For example; "My eyes are fluttering. I don’t know where I am. Someone slaps me in the face. The voices sound so faint, as if they were far away."
There was also a lot of praying and asking God for for help and guidance. That's ok in small doses, but I thought it was excessive.
There was another character earlier, but I forgot his name.
And no, I didn't finish this. I gave up at a little less than halfway through.
I suppose one day I might finish reading this, and if I do I'll revise my review. For now though, I'm calling it quits.
Results: I respect the author for writing and publishing this book, but I lost interest in the storyline.
This apocalypse story is written in first person narrative from at least three characters. Jill is in Birmingham when an EMP takes out the power grid. She will have to travel nearly two hundred miles to get home to her daughter and mother. She has a few items essential for survival, but it's basically a three day but out bag.
John Carter, someone Jill went to school with, is also in the area, and though he has a much better survival supply, he also has to travel the nearly two hundred miles to make it home.
The first person narrative became annoying after a couple of chapters because of the random thoughts of the characters. For example; "My eyes are fluttering. I don’t know where I am. Someone slaps me in the face. The voices sound so faint, as if they were far away."
There was also a lot of praying and asking God for for help and guidance. That's ok in small doses, but I thought it was excessive.
There was another character earlier, but I forgot his name.
And no, I didn't finish this. I gave up at a little less than halfway through.
I suppose one day I might finish reading this, and if I do I'll revise my review. For now though, I'm calling it quits.
Results: I respect the author for writing and publishing this book, but I lost interest in the storyline.
March 13, 2019
Pete and Repeat. I love a good apocalypse story, but this isn't one of them.
It's a multiple POV, which I like - when it's done well. This one is simply a repeater version that rehashes exactly what happened. And, if another character isn't repeating what the first said, the the first character is repeating themselves to someone else.
There's no clear delineation of personality as everyone sounds exactly the same. None of the characters have much personality to begin with.
The author spends SO much time identifying the weapons and gear, and branding them, that this begins to sound commercial like. The explanations of every action taken were very pedantic too, as though we readers are not smart enough to figure stuff out on our own.
I tried to read through the whole thing but kept rolling my eyes and then began paging through and skimming. This could have been half the length, and it is a LONG 374 pages, and still told the complete story.
The author warns in his blurb that if mention of God, etc... bothers you, don't read it. Let me warn you that this story has prayer several times each chapter. It's not exactly crammed down your throat, but wait... Yes, it is. I have no problem with religion and I too pray to God, but at certain points I began to wonder if they'd pray before every step they took, literally.
It's a multiple POV, which I like - when it's done well. This one is simply a repeater version that rehashes exactly what happened. And, if another character isn't repeating what the first said, the the first character is repeating themselves to someone else.
There's no clear delineation of personality as everyone sounds exactly the same. None of the characters have much personality to begin with.
The author spends SO much time identifying the weapons and gear, and branding them, that this begins to sound commercial like. The explanations of every action taken were very pedantic too, as though we readers are not smart enough to figure stuff out on our own.
I tried to read through the whole thing but kept rolling my eyes and then began paging through and skimming. This could have been half the length, and it is a LONG 374 pages, and still told the complete story.
The author warns in his blurb that if mention of God, etc... bothers you, don't read it. Let me warn you that this story has prayer several times each chapter. It's not exactly crammed down your throat, but wait... Yes, it is. I have no problem with religion and I too pray to God, but at certain points I began to wonder if they'd pray before every step they took, literally.
May 20, 2018
Journey home: I enjoyed the story line and characters. Preparing is a necessity, whether for a melt down (I wouldn't want to be a survivor if bombs dropped) or a hurricane, we need to be ready. I live in s Fla. and am NOW preparing for hurricane season. But there was too much detail of what to take for survival. I did skip several pages of that. I have trouble lifting a full gallon jug without having to carry all that other stuff. But I do know some people who have a full back pack in their cars. When I go out I take some water and bars with me in case I become another TILLIE TOOTER. I call what I take a Tillie Tooter survival kit. SHe is the woman who went over the guard rail in Ft. Lauderdale and wasn't found for three days. She survived but using her sun visor to catch water. But anything can happen and we should be prepared. (The GOVERNMENT IS!)
October 22, 2025
A good book for explanation
This book has a lot of good information and explains everything in great detail. Very well written for those just needing ideas for preparing and for those who don't know where to start. It helps greatly with understanding the worst case scenario, the reactions of scared people who are desperate and that have lost everything.
The only problem with this writing format, is it's repetitive and redundant. It works for children's books and if you're trying to get your word count up for publishing. But as I said, it's great for teaching people where to start thinking correctly as to survive. The number one item this book offers, out of all the possible scenarios, anyone could ever encounter, is Faith in the Lord God Almighty! In Him all things are possible, without Him you're lost. Pray always and constantly. Amen
This book has a lot of good information and explains everything in great detail. Very well written for those just needing ideas for preparing and for those who don't know where to start. It helps greatly with understanding the worst case scenario, the reactions of scared people who are desperate and that have lost everything.
The only problem with this writing format, is it's repetitive and redundant. It works for children's books and if you're trying to get your word count up for publishing. But as I said, it's great for teaching people where to start thinking correctly as to survive. The number one item this book offers, out of all the possible scenarios, anyone could ever encounter, is Faith in the Lord God Almighty! In Him all things are possible, without Him you're lost. Pray always and constantly. Amen
May 14, 2017
Making us aware.
I chose the rating because I love the way the characters were developed . I just finished 2 books of a 6 book series. I needed to step away from the series a while. I found out that I liked the way characters were developed better. I liked the way things were explained, to the what if's, to explaining why they should or should not do things. The explanation of what to have in storage to what you should have in your car if something like this should of old happen. BE PREPARED! Good lesson for all of us. Breaking down John's pack and the explanation of each item and
what it takes to stay alive. A real eye opener for me . But enough of this review, I have got to find the next book!!!
Thank you!
I chose the rating because I love the way the characters were developed . I just finished 2 books of a 6 book series. I needed to step away from the series a while. I found out that I liked the way characters were developed better. I liked the way things were explained, to the what if's, to explaining why they should or should not do things. The explanation of what to have in storage to what you should have in your car if something like this should of old happen. BE PREPARED! Good lesson for all of us. Breaking down John's pack and the explanation of each item and
what it takes to stay alive. A real eye opener for me . But enough of this review, I have got to find the next book!!!
Thank you!
November 24, 2017
Really was a 1.5 but I bumped to a 2 because I think the author really was trying to tell a good story. This needed an editor badly. Many errors, punctuation and sentence structure which spoiled the story more than necessary. I didn't see the blurb about it being a Christian novel but the constant praying was annoying. While I do think people in an actual disaster would pray or find solace in religion, this was excessive. The book also switches first person between Jill and John but overlaps and repeats parts of the story, including dialogue as it changes. That was very distracting and I only finished it because it is relatively short. I hope the author gets a good editor and improves in book 2 but doubt I will find out.
July 9, 2019
Sigh, I want to like this book but.....
The story is very good and probably pretty accurate about how life would de-evolve in the case of an EMP. But the use of religion and the constant treating women as weak and dependant upon their man is just sexist and unrealistic. They start off with a story where the woman could be that strong independant or equal partner but nope, as soon as she is with the man it is "do as I say", "yes dear". He is so smart, how would I have survived without him - yuck. And then throw religion, isolationists and the perfect house wife on top of it. Did Mike Pence actually write this book?
I might try the next book just to see if this trend continues and overrides what could be a very good story.
The story is very good and probably pretty accurate about how life would de-evolve in the case of an EMP. But the use of religion and the constant treating women as weak and dependant upon their man is just sexist and unrealistic. They start off with a story where the woman could be that strong independant or equal partner but nope, as soon as she is with the man it is "do as I say", "yes dear". He is so smart, how would I have survived without him - yuck. And then throw religion, isolationists and the perfect house wife on top of it. Did Mike Pence actually write this book?
I might try the next book just to see if this trend continues and overrides what could be a very good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2024
The plot itself was great and I love that the main characters a) pray and b) don't jump into bed immediately.
The lists and details about gear were tiresome. I know, I know. It's a thing in the apocalypse fic genre - some people evidently really like that. I do not.
But seriously. So many name brands and lists of supplies. For example, "I liked that holster. It was made by The Well Armed Woman LLC and cost about $45." No affiliate link?
The first person perspective can be really awkward. And it was. I am not sure if it got less awkward as the story progressed (it probably did - the opening chapters were cringey with awkwardness) or if I just settled into it as I became more engrossed in the plot (probably also true).
I have definitely read worse.
The lists and details about gear were tiresome. I know, I know. It's a thing in the apocalypse fic genre - some people evidently really like that. I do not.
But seriously. So many name brands and lists of supplies. For example, "I liked that holster. It was made by The Well Armed Woman LLC and cost about $45." No affiliate link?
The first person perspective can be really awkward. And it was. I am not sure if it got less awkward as the story progressed (it probably did - the opening chapters were cringey with awkwardness) or if I just settled into it as I became more engrossed in the plot (probably also true).
I have definitely read worse.
November 6, 2016
I was gifted this book by the author.
Let me begin with the bad. This is not an elegantly written, well polished fiction book. For those who only read the finest literature, this book isn't for you. The plot and character development is basic and the dialogue can be quite awkward at times.
However if one is trying to get into fiction like I was, I would argue this is a good place to start. The story is good and the author's mentality comes out through the work. It is always education to those who want to learn how to be prepared for any situation however unlikely.
There is much potential for improvement. I personally want to read his sequel!
Let me begin with the bad. This is not an elegantly written, well polished fiction book. For those who only read the finest literature, this book isn't for you. The plot and character development is basic and the dialogue can be quite awkward at times.
However if one is trying to get into fiction like I was, I would argue this is a good place to start. The story is good and the author's mentality comes out through the work. It is always education to those who want to learn how to be prepared for any situation however unlikely.
There is much potential for improvement. I personally want to read his sequel!
December 8, 2018
An excellent addition to the PA library
Jeff Motes does a great job of incorporating excellent prepper info into an interesting take of survival. I loved the book and will continue the story to discover what's in store for the characters woven into the story so well. I give the book for stars not because it's a perfect and magically spun tale but because he adds so much to it. I was initially a little put off with the inventory until about 3\4 the way through it. Then I had to back up and take notes,so readers have one ready! A few minor issues but nothing that can't be overlooked to completely enjoy this book!
Jeff Motes does a great job of incorporating excellent prepper info into an interesting take of survival. I loved the book and will continue the story to discover what's in store for the characters woven into the story so well. I give the book for stars not because it's a perfect and magically spun tale but because he adds so much to it. I was initially a little put off with the inventory until about 3\4 the way through it. Then I had to back up and take notes,so readers have one ready! A few minor issues but nothing that can't be overlooked to completely enjoy this book!
June 29, 2021
Once Upon an Apocalypse: Book 1 Journey Home by Jeff Motes.
It is a well thought out and explained preppers “How To” guide book with an amazing story behind it. There are some strong and likable characters that you can’t help but root for throughout this book. This story weaves many themes throughout such as perseverance, courage and importance of family. This is a must read book and a must read a second time again book. It is the first book in the series but it is so well written that you just keep reading until you have finished it craving more and more.
Great read. Highly recommend.
It is a well thought out and explained preppers “How To” guide book with an amazing story behind it. There are some strong and likable characters that you can’t help but root for throughout this book. This story weaves many themes throughout such as perseverance, courage and importance of family. This is a must read book and a must read a second time again book. It is the first book in the series but it is so well written that you just keep reading until you have finished it craving more and more.
Great read. Highly recommend.
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