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The Path of Ashes #2
Fireside
Post-nuclear war America is a dangerous place. Mutated animals and deadly plants kill within seconds, while marauding gangs threaten to wipe out what’s left of humanity.
Aeric Traxx, given the name after months of torture at the hands of the Vultures left him hideously scarred, leads the city of San Angelo through these troublesome times as diseases decimate the population and acid rains make the soil virtually unusable for the first few years after the war.
The residents of the city are barely surviving in the harsh west Texas wastelands, but in a rare stroke of luck, Traxx finds an engineer who helps to convert the engines of the city’s construction equipment to steam power, allowing them to build full-sized walls for defense and power their vehicles for patrols outside of the fences. They’re learning to fight back against the evils of the wastes and to grow crops so they can supplement their poor diets.
However, the Vultures aren’t finished with Traxx. Their hatred of the man’s past actions has festered through the years. They’ve infiltrated San Angelo and have a plan to destroy his beloved city. If successful, the gang’s move will irrevocably shift the power in the region and could cause the extinction of humanity.
Aeric Traxx, given the name after months of torture at the hands of the Vultures left him hideously scarred, leads the city of San Angelo through these troublesome times as diseases decimate the population and acid rains make the soil virtually unusable for the first few years after the war.
The residents of the city are barely surviving in the harsh west Texas wastelands, but in a rare stroke of luck, Traxx finds an engineer who helps to convert the engines of the city’s construction equipment to steam power, allowing them to build full-sized walls for defense and power their vehicles for patrols outside of the fences. They’re learning to fight back against the evils of the wastes and to grow crops so they can supplement their poor diets.
However, the Vultures aren’t finished with Traxx. Their hatred of the man’s past actions has festered through the years. They’ve infiltrated San Angelo and have a plan to destroy his beloved city. If successful, the gang’s move will irrevocably shift the power in the region and could cause the extinction of humanity.
- GenresAudiobook
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 15, 2024
Unfortunately this book was ruined for me by the epilogue and the parts of this book that are storytelling after the fact.
Once I knew that Aeric died when the community fell to the vultures it wrecked it for me. And then a side note in this one telling us who killed him. Fuuuudge.
And I bought the whole series!
Once I knew that Aeric died when the community fell to the vultures it wrecked it for me. And then a side note in this one telling us who killed him. Fuuuudge.
And I bought the whole series!
May 22, 2017
Aeric Traxx’s story is continued to be told by future generations. This part of his story is set when he becomes the mayor of San Angelo. And, the Vultures are still bringing terror down on anyone who tries to go against them.
Parker’s second novel in The Path of Ashes series, Fireside, shows how Aeric becomes the leader of his people and sets about to fortify the city from raiders. Since he is the only person to have ever survived the Vultures, he must be ever vigilant to them mounting an attack on his city.
It is during this part of the story that paranormal activity is introduced. While that is not my cup of tea, I did not let it distract from my overall enjoyment of the tale.
4 out of 5 stars.
Parker’s second novel in The Path of Ashes series, Fireside, shows how Aeric becomes the leader of his people and sets about to fortify the city from raiders. Since he is the only person to have ever survived the Vultures, he must be ever vigilant to them mounting an attack on his city.
It is during this part of the story that paranormal activity is introduced. While that is not my cup of tea, I did not let it distract from my overall enjoyment of the tale.
4 out of 5 stars.
August 26, 2019
This series is a family saga. It spans many generations and is really good. I always love Brian Parker’s work. I usually hate it when there are different narrators in a series. The first 3 of this one are all narrated by different people. It works here. I don’t mind it at all. Narration was great.
The Traxx family and friends continue their fight to survive. The Vultures are once again a problem. Star is one crazy ass psycho! She’d be a character you’d love to hate in a tv show but she’s way too psycho for any televisions series!
Already starred book 3!
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator
The Traxx family and friends continue their fight to survive. The Vultures are once again a problem. Star is one crazy ass psycho! She’d be a character you’d love to hate in a tv show but she’s way too psycho for any televisions series!
Already starred book 3!
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator
August 10, 2019
Out of all Brian’s wonderful series this might be my favorite
Picks up from book one as more of the story is told to the future generations
Well narrated with excellent characters highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
Picks up from book one as more of the story is told to the future generations
Well narrated with excellent characters highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
September 22, 2020
audible:This was good.It was just so long and I got SO bored by the end.I loved book 1.Maybe an edit,cut an hour? James Foster was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
May 6, 2017
This story is getting better and better, and a bit morbid too, still a lovely read!
March 14, 2017
This book has a little bit of a different feel than the first one, but in a good way. The way the story is told from a storyteller point of view intensifies this time, which only adds to it. There are some intriguing new characters and some surprising supernatural additions. This is definitely not for those with delicate sensitivities, but if you made it through the first one, you'll love this one!
April 20, 2016
My original Fireside audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
I did not listen to the first book in this series. I do not think that it would matter. Brian Parker did well to introduce the characters and the world that he has created. It is about 100 years since a nuclear war decimated the Earth. There are bands of survivors scattered throughout the wasteland. All fighting for what little resources are left. Some of the familiar animal life that we know has been mutated from the radiation and decades of evolution, to make the best of it. Including Demon Brocks that are a mutated form of the badger. Roughly the size of a human with almost a boney exoskeleton, and vicious and dangerous as all get out.
Opening with a tense action sequence. Of an invading Demon Brock. That somehow infiltrated behind the security of the wall surrounding the settlement. This was intense and made my hair stand up on end. However, some are injured and killed. Making Grampa feel like it was time to pass on the story of is family. This is where the real story begins.
The publishers summary does a pretty good job of summarizing the rest of the story. So I am not going to try.
I found the wasteland that Parker created absolutely fascinating. I wanted to know more about what exists now out there. The different creatures and different settlements.
As far as the characters go. I wanted to know more about what Traxx went through, maybe this was in the first book? Although his personality didn’t really seem like someone who was tortured for ages. He seem too upbeat. The personalities of the main players of the Vultures seemed like it was more for shock value than anything else. I found I couldn’t really connect to any of them. Making it harder to care about any of them or what they are going through.
All in all Fireside was an interesting and unique post apocalypse story. Without the use of zombies or any other sub genre crutches. It tries to be different. Not a complete success but much more appealing than many that try to go this route. I look forward to more stories by Parker and I think he has, what could be, a very intriguing world to explore.
James Foster delivered another fine performance. Everything that I have come to expect from him, he did. Decent characterizations. Pacing changes for the action scenes. Adding in a pause here and there to help the story along. Doing everything he could to keep me engaged.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
I did not listen to the first book in this series. I do not think that it would matter. Brian Parker did well to introduce the characters and the world that he has created. It is about 100 years since a nuclear war decimated the Earth. There are bands of survivors scattered throughout the wasteland. All fighting for what little resources are left. Some of the familiar animal life that we know has been mutated from the radiation and decades of evolution, to make the best of it. Including Demon Brocks that are a mutated form of the badger. Roughly the size of a human with almost a boney exoskeleton, and vicious and dangerous as all get out.
Opening with a tense action sequence. Of an invading Demon Brock. That somehow infiltrated behind the security of the wall surrounding the settlement. This was intense and made my hair stand up on end. However, some are injured and killed. Making Grampa feel like it was time to pass on the story of is family. This is where the real story begins.
The publishers summary does a pretty good job of summarizing the rest of the story. So I am not going to try.
I found the wasteland that Parker created absolutely fascinating. I wanted to know more about what exists now out there. The different creatures and different settlements.
As far as the characters go. I wanted to know more about what Traxx went through, maybe this was in the first book? Although his personality didn’t really seem like someone who was tortured for ages. He seem too upbeat. The personalities of the main players of the Vultures seemed like it was more for shock value than anything else. I found I couldn’t really connect to any of them. Making it harder to care about any of them or what they are going through.
All in all Fireside was an interesting and unique post apocalypse story. Without the use of zombies or any other sub genre crutches. It tries to be different. Not a complete success but much more appealing than many that try to go this route. I look forward to more stories by Parker and I think he has, what could be, a very intriguing world to explore.
James Foster delivered another fine performance. Everything that I have come to expect from him, he did. Decent characterizations. Pacing changes for the action scenes. Adding in a pause here and there to help the story along. Doing everything he could to keep me engaged.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
May 8, 2016
This starts with us seeing a grandfather telling a story to his grand kids about how they got their name and how they came to live where they do. He tells the story of Traxx and Tyler and their life after they escaped the Vultures and what happened in San Angelo.
Poor Traxx, he really doesn't get a break from the Vultures!! With life in San Angelo going good, but resources dwindling, Traxx has no other choice but to leave the walled safety and head to the nearest town. He has no idea though that there are traitors among him who are plotting revenge for what Traxx and Tyler did to the Vulture leader. What he learns from an odd inmate makes him decide to face the Vultures head on, but things don't go well and Traxx knows it's only a matter of time before the walls of his safe haven are breached, can he get home in time!
Traxx and Tyler make a great team, though my heart was breaking for Tyler!! I loved that he had some companionship and that he got on with his life but I was sad to see what was wrong with him. Traxx meanwhile, became a hard man. He had to make all the hard decisions and I found myself not liking him as much as I did in book 1. I am glad that he found happiness though!!
In all, this is a good read. I liked the mutated animals, though did think we needed to see them more. This is definitely a case of being more character driven than plot driven, which I did like but also found it to be a little slow at times. I wanted there to be more action in the wastelands and more action in regards mutations etc.
James Foster is quickly becoming one of my go to narrators. He is easy to listen to and always delivers a high quality recording. He puts his all into his performances and it shows!!
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
Poor Traxx, he really doesn't get a break from the Vultures!! With life in San Angelo going good, but resources dwindling, Traxx has no other choice but to leave the walled safety and head to the nearest town. He has no idea though that there are traitors among him who are plotting revenge for what Traxx and Tyler did to the Vulture leader. What he learns from an odd inmate makes him decide to face the Vultures head on, but things don't go well and Traxx knows it's only a matter of time before the walls of his safe haven are breached, can he get home in time!
Traxx and Tyler make a great team, though my heart was breaking for Tyler!! I loved that he had some companionship and that he got on with his life but I was sad to see what was wrong with him. Traxx meanwhile, became a hard man. He had to make all the hard decisions and I found myself not liking him as much as I did in book 1. I am glad that he found happiness though!!
In all, this is a good read. I liked the mutated animals, though did think we needed to see them more. This is definitely a case of being more character driven than plot driven, which I did like but also found it to be a little slow at times. I wanted there to be more action in the wastelands and more action in regards mutations etc.
James Foster is quickly becoming one of my go to narrators. He is easy to listen to and always delivers a high quality recording. He puts his all into his performances and it shows!!
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
May 10, 2016
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the series. Although I did not read the first book. It was not hard to get caught up in the story.
The story is being told by a grandfather telling the story of their family history and the past to his grandchildren.
It was a nice change listening to a post-apocalyptic story that did not have zombies.
As if living in a post-apocalyptic world struggling to survive with mutated animals isn't enough you also have to survive the human animals. While this is not a new concept for this type of book, the story is told in such a way that you don't want to stop listening. You want to know what is going to happen next.
I enjoyed the world that Brian Parker created.
Although I liked the story, I don’t think I will go back and listen to the first book just because it sounds like there was a lot of violence in it. While I don’t have a problem with violence in my books some of the things that were described, like how Aeric got his nickname, were graphic enough I don’t think I want to hear them.
This is the second book that I have listened to that is narrated by James Foster. Very smooth and even voice. Nice even pace. Clear pronunciation. Great job.
Brian Parker is a new author for me and I will continue with the series and listen to the next book when it is available on Audible.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
This is the second book in the series. Although I did not read the first book. It was not hard to get caught up in the story.
The story is being told by a grandfather telling the story of their family history and the past to his grandchildren.
It was a nice change listening to a post-apocalyptic story that did not have zombies.
As if living in a post-apocalyptic world struggling to survive with mutated animals isn't enough you also have to survive the human animals. While this is not a new concept for this type of book, the story is told in such a way that you don't want to stop listening. You want to know what is going to happen next.
I enjoyed the world that Brian Parker created.
Although I liked the story, I don’t think I will go back and listen to the first book just because it sounds like there was a lot of violence in it. While I don’t have a problem with violence in my books some of the things that were described, like how Aeric got his nickname, were graphic enough I don’t think I want to hear them.
This is the second book that I have listened to that is narrated by James Foster. Very smooth and even voice. Nice even pace. Clear pronunciation. Great job.
Brian Parker is a new author for me and I will continue with the series and listen to the next book when it is available on Audible.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
December 24, 2015
Book two relates the story of San Angelo through the eyes of great-grandfather Aidan to his great-granddaughter Tanya. Aeric Traxx commands a large portion of the tale as he was the main mover & shaker of the San Angelo development. The story is quite detailed and fairly interesting. Hard work, dedication, and an undying spirit finally seem to be paying off for the San Angelo folks, but the Vultures make an unwanted reappearance having other ideas. The story continues as the Vultures extend their hold on the countryside; geographically and politically. Not a bad story to be sure, but it's feeling drawn out. Steady on three.point.five.
August 13, 2019
This is a continuation of the story begun in the first book of this series: A Path of Ashes. I heard fewer grammatical errors in this book, although there were still a few. The compelling characters are what's most appealing about this story. And James Foster voices these characters well. His narration is excellent. .
As with the previous book, this book is brought to a satisfactory conclusion, although it's clear there's more to the story. Thankfully, it does not end in a cliffhanger.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
As with the previous book, this book is brought to a satisfactory conclusion, although it's clear there's more to the story. Thankfully, it does not end in a cliffhanger.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 3, 2016
Even though I haven't read the first book in this series I was able to easily understand and enjoy this book.The story of one families fight to survive in a post apocalyptic world,is shared by an injured grandfather with his grandchild.While I did enjoy this book I wished the author had spent more time world building and showing more of the actual world they resided in.I wanted to know more about the genetically mutated animals etcetera.The narrator did a good job and is pleasant to listen too.I received an audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2015
5 Stars
An excellent follow up to The Path of Ashes. Seamlessly blending the timeline so that the years seem to blend together. This story will suck you into it and keep you hooked. I found myself rooting for Aeric and the San Angelo people against the Vultures. Great character interaction and an action packed plot makes this one exciting adventure. I hope to read more of Brian Parkers works soon.
An excellent follow up to The Path of Ashes. Seamlessly blending the timeline so that the years seem to blend together. This story will suck you into it and keep you hooked. I found myself rooting for Aeric and the San Angelo people against the Vultures. Great character interaction and an action packed plot makes this one exciting adventure. I hope to read more of Brian Parkers works soon.
January 20, 2017
A fantastic second book in the 'Path of Ashes' series. Mr. Parker keeps up the pace with non-stop action and heart wrenching moments with the characters. I had to read this in one sitting and I can't wait to dive into the third book, 'Dark Embers'. The story totally engulfed me and I'm ready for more. Well done!
May 9, 2016
Love the apocalypse, but this one had some real violent stuff in it. I could do without some of the details. Still, I read the first two in the series and bought the third, but I haven't read it yet.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews