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The Dark Roads
In 2020 the sun betrays the inhabitants of planet Earth, finally penetrating an abused ozone layer, scorching the world and decimating its population. A group of men including Richie, Buddy, and the unlikely Elvis resolve that times are way too hot in Miami, Florida and decide to trek out, on their own, as far to the north as they can make it. Richie, who is the leader of their faction, suggests Alaska as the most favorable destination and the journey begins. They find themselves navigating the U.S. and Canadian Highways through long and lonely nights, sleeping in underground dwellings to avoid the deadly radiation of the daylight hours. Throughout their travels they scavenge limited supplies in department stores and gas stations in order to sate thirst, hunger, and the need for ammunition to protect against the looming threat of human nature. As the three life-long friends make their way toward Alaska, they encounter new friends in the form of a strong, but damaged, woman who will hold them even closer together, a young girl and her substitute father, and an improbable stray cat. They find grave dangers in the forms of a loving father and his two seemingly innocent daughters, groups of cannibals and the people trying to avoid them, and a lack of easily procured supplies that have met the same fate as the charred plants and animals of the globe. The sun, though the most obvious hazard to their journey, is seemingly the easiest to overcome. Only determination, cunning, and loyalty to each other can ensure their survival in this savage existence.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2016
49 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Wayne Lemmons
7 books31 followersRemember when you were a kid and told everyone that you wanted to be an astronaut-cowboy-billionaire? I didn't really do any of that, but the principle still remains the same. I'm an electrician/mechanic by day, a writer/editor/proofreader/drunkard by night, and a scuba diver on the weekends. I was born in Kentucky and somehow found myself on Clearwater Beach living in a houseboat with a group of eclectic neighbors that are sure to grace the pages of one of my books in the near future. What a terribly boring life I lead, right?
I've been writing since I pumped out my first short story at the glorious age of nine. For some reason the story was absolutely violent beyond belief and I'm thankful that I've been able to tone down the language since then. I was a vulgar little kid.
I'm continuing the dream of that nine-year-old by writing full-length novels that will take you to emotional places that you may or may not want to go, but the journey will leave you fulfilled and unsettled. Two feelings that I love to invoke.
So read my books! You'll love them, I promise!
I've been writing since I pumped out my first short story at the glorious age of nine. For some reason the story was absolutely violent beyond belief and I'm thankful that I've been able to tone down the language since then. I was a vulgar little kid.
I'm continuing the dream of that nine-year-old by writing full-length novels that will take you to emotional places that you may or may not want to go, but the journey will leave you fulfilled and unsettled. Two feelings that I love to invoke.
So read my books! You'll love them, I promise!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 27, 2016
This is a great story of long time friendships, catastrophic global warming, survival and loss. Lifelong friends travel the dark roads from Florida to Alaska escaping from the killer sun. Their fight to survive forces you to question your ability to survive the conditions and the loss. You wonder what friends would be by your side. You dread the books end hating to leave the book's characters and can hope only for a sequel!
October 24, 2017
3.5* stars
I loved the premise of this book. It's an alternative reality set in the immediate future, in which climate change began to have a devastating effect on the world as early as 2015/6. By 2021, it is no longer safe to be above ground during daylight hours, and anyone caught thus is instantly burnt to a crisp. Most people are dead, water and food are scarce, and the heat has rendered vehicles unusable; the world is dying. Three young men (Buddy, Richie and Elvis) are travelling on foot from Florida to Alaska, in the hope of finding some relief from the heat. The story is their journey (I adore post apocalyptic cross-country stories, can't get enough of them!), as on the way they meet a few other survivors, struggle with near death as they almost get caught with no safe place to be before sunrise, cope with their own losses and, of course, are pursued by the evil 'feeders' ~ cannibals.
The book could do with a professional editor, or at least a more experienced pair of eyes; there are instances when a clunky omniscient narrator pops up out of nowhere, and a little head-hopping now and again, most noticeably in the epilogue, which changes from narrator to a first person point of view, out of the blue. Also, there are times when the story skips over the boundary between fiction and unfeasible; the group find shelter in department stores and service stations, but there never seem to be any houses. The author has a good handle on the effect of heat on some items, but now and again chooses to ignore his findings for the sake of the plot. The group has a never ending supply of ammunition whenever needed, but I can't see a) where it comes from or b) how they could possible have carried it all along with the food and the other utensils, medical supplies, etc.
However (and it's a big 'however'!), Wayne Lemmons is a good storyteller and I was able to suspend my disbelief, most of the time. I looked forward to getting back to it with each session. The basics are all there.
I would have given it 3.5* rounded up to 4 on Amazon (because 4* means 'I like it', and I did!), if it wasn't for the epilogue, which was a big disappointment. The whole book is about them getting to Alaska, where they hope to find a temperature in which they can sustain life, but there is no evidence to show that life is going to be much easier there, and the epilogue itself is less than two pages long. I felt as though someone had told the author that he had to finish the book by lunch time, or something, so he just scribbled down anything without giving it much consideration, let alone the painstaking redrafting that all novels need. It doesn't do the rest of the book justice. BUT (and it's a big but!), I liked it enough to want to take a look the next book, which I will. It's good, it's not bad at all - it just could have been terrific, that's all.
I loved the premise of this book. It's an alternative reality set in the immediate future, in which climate change began to have a devastating effect on the world as early as 2015/6. By 2021, it is no longer safe to be above ground during daylight hours, and anyone caught thus is instantly burnt to a crisp. Most people are dead, water and food are scarce, and the heat has rendered vehicles unusable; the world is dying. Three young men (Buddy, Richie and Elvis) are travelling on foot from Florida to Alaska, in the hope of finding some relief from the heat. The story is their journey (I adore post apocalyptic cross-country stories, can't get enough of them!), as on the way they meet a few other survivors, struggle with near death as they almost get caught with no safe place to be before sunrise, cope with their own losses and, of course, are pursued by the evil 'feeders' ~ cannibals.
The book could do with a professional editor, or at least a more experienced pair of eyes; there are instances when a clunky omniscient narrator pops up out of nowhere, and a little head-hopping now and again, most noticeably in the epilogue, which changes from narrator to a first person point of view, out of the blue. Also, there are times when the story skips over the boundary between fiction and unfeasible; the group find shelter in department stores and service stations, but there never seem to be any houses. The author has a good handle on the effect of heat on some items, but now and again chooses to ignore his findings for the sake of the plot. The group has a never ending supply of ammunition whenever needed, but I can't see a) where it comes from or b) how they could possible have carried it all along with the food and the other utensils, medical supplies, etc.
However (and it's a big 'however'!), Wayne Lemmons is a good storyteller and I was able to suspend my disbelief, most of the time. I looked forward to getting back to it with each session. The basics are all there.
I would have given it 3.5* rounded up to 4 on Amazon (because 4* means 'I like it', and I did!), if it wasn't for the epilogue, which was a big disappointment. The whole book is about them getting to Alaska, where they hope to find a temperature in which they can sustain life, but there is no evidence to show that life is going to be much easier there, and the epilogue itself is less than two pages long. I felt as though someone had told the author that he had to finish the book by lunch time, or something, so he just scribbled down anything without giving it much consideration, let alone the painstaking redrafting that all novels need. It doesn't do the rest of the book justice. BUT (and it's a big but!), I liked it enough to want to take a look the next book, which I will. It's good, it's not bad at all - it just could have been terrific, that's all.
March 7, 2018
Enjoyed
Different but entertaining as it was. Enjoyed the characters, & will read next book. Maintaining humanity while in a survival situation matters to me & the main characters did that while still having to do what was necessary to staying alive.
Different but entertaining as it was. Enjoyed the characters, & will read next book. Maintaining humanity while in a survival situation matters to me & the main characters did that while still having to do what was necessary to staying alive.
June 25, 2017
Fantastic book! A refreshingly original apocalyptic thriller. It keeps you on your toes and has plenty of surprises!!
August 3, 2016
A breath of fresh air in a bloated genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Roads. I will be honest, towards the quarter mark of the book I did wonder whether this was just another excuse the make a post apocalyptic novel about a group of people wondering towards an aimless goal that the reader wasn't really compelled by. At about the half way mark the friendship between the characters was the most relatable I have read in a long time. Each of the characters were compelling and easy to feel for. Their relationship was realistic and funny in the worst of circumstances, a trait which I believe we would all try to grasp in order to remain calm in such a situation. By the three quarter mark I felt like I was the fourth member of their group, I laughed and felt for each character. I believe Wayne tried to show this with the character of Amanda, who after the terrible circumstances that bought her together with Richie, Elvis and Buddy could still laugh along with them. They seem like the best type of people to be with when you life is risked second by second. The descriptions used throughout the book are effective and yet simply written making the story flow better than a lot of similar novels, which rely heavily on long, strong descriptive terms which I feel can be sometimes distracting to the reader. The dialogue used is relatable and funny, and allows the reader to be sucked into the three friends relationship easily, some of the conversations between Richie, Buddy, Elvis and Amanda I can see having with my friends, ******SPOILERS****** even after Richie looses his eye, his friends continue to be jovial about his situation, mocking and making Richie feel stronger at the same time, this, I believe we would all try to retain, taking both the characters and reader away from the horrible world they now live in, this can be seen when Richie dreams of a better time before.
Overall I felt that The Dark Roads was a fantastic and different addition to a bulging genre and one that shouldn't be overlooked. The way that Wayne writes is a different and welcome style of writing I enjoyed reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Roads. I will be honest, towards the quarter mark of the book I did wonder whether this was just another excuse the make a post apocalyptic novel about a group of people wondering towards an aimless goal that the reader wasn't really compelled by. At about the half way mark the friendship between the characters was the most relatable I have read in a long time. Each of the characters were compelling and easy to feel for. Their relationship was realistic and funny in the worst of circumstances, a trait which I believe we would all try to grasp in order to remain calm in such a situation. By the three quarter mark I felt like I was the fourth member of their group, I laughed and felt for each character. I believe Wayne tried to show this with the character of Amanda, who after the terrible circumstances that bought her together with Richie, Elvis and Buddy could still laugh along with them. They seem like the best type of people to be with when you life is risked second by second. The descriptions used throughout the book are effective and yet simply written making the story flow better than a lot of similar novels, which rely heavily on long, strong descriptive terms which I feel can be sometimes distracting to the reader. The dialogue used is relatable and funny, and allows the reader to be sucked into the three friends relationship easily, some of the conversations between Richie, Buddy, Elvis and Amanda I can see having with my friends, ******SPOILERS****** even after Richie looses his eye, his friends continue to be jovial about his situation, mocking and making Richie feel stronger at the same time, this, I believe we would all try to retain, taking both the characters and reader away from the horrible world they now live in, this can be seen when Richie dreams of a better time before.
Overall I felt that The Dark Roads was a fantastic and different addition to a bulging genre and one that shouldn't be overlooked. The way that Wayne writes is a different and welcome style of writing I enjoyed reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2016
(Warning: Minor spoilers may be ahead.)
An engaging post-apocalyptic novel debut, all in all. There were primarily two factors that grabbed and then kept my interest throughout:
1. The setting: Lemmons is adept at description. In The Dark Roads, he has created such a searing world...a ravaged, scorched earth, one that's so dangerous during the day, the wasteland survivors have no choice but spend their time traveling on foot at night (headed far to the north) when the average temperature is anywhere from 90-101 degrees, still sweltering enough but, at least, bearable. The tension was best not from the moments when the protagonists were facing off with human threats but rather when they were frantic to find cellars, basements, any place below ground with no windows just before the day struck. One of my favorite suspenseful (and well-crafted) moments in The Dark Roads simply involved a wristwatch and not much else (I won't say anything further than that. I just reacted with a "Oh, my God, that didn't just happen!")
2. The central characters' relationship: Richie, Buddy, and Elvis, the protagonist journeymen, had a believable friendship with a good rapport and natural humor and heart (it was easy to feel sympathetic towards them and their plight). While I think there ought to have been more character development crafted for some of the later significant travelers (Amanda, Dylan, Amber, the mysterious Mr. Dundel), I recognize that the focus was predominantly meant to be on the three central protagonists.
Good novel overall, readily recommended for anyone a fan of post-apocalyptic novels in the vein of The Road. If anyone wishes to have a book club read it, Tim Fehlbaum's film Hell (set in a very similar world) would be a great film to pair it with.
An engaging post-apocalyptic novel debut, all in all. There were primarily two factors that grabbed and then kept my interest throughout:
1. The setting: Lemmons is adept at description. In The Dark Roads, he has created such a searing world...a ravaged, scorched earth, one that's so dangerous during the day, the wasteland survivors have no choice but spend their time traveling on foot at night (headed far to the north) when the average temperature is anywhere from 90-101 degrees, still sweltering enough but, at least, bearable. The tension was best not from the moments when the protagonists were facing off with human threats but rather when they were frantic to find cellars, basements, any place below ground with no windows just before the day struck. One of my favorite suspenseful (and well-crafted) moments in The Dark Roads simply involved a wristwatch and not much else (I won't say anything further than that. I just reacted with a "Oh, my God, that didn't just happen!")
2. The central characters' relationship: Richie, Buddy, and Elvis, the protagonist journeymen, had a believable friendship with a good rapport and natural humor and heart (it was easy to feel sympathetic towards them and their plight). While I think there ought to have been more character development crafted for some of the later significant travelers (Amanda, Dylan, Amber, the mysterious Mr. Dundel), I recognize that the focus was predominantly meant to be on the three central protagonists.
Good novel overall, readily recommended for anyone a fan of post-apocalyptic novels in the vein of The Road. If anyone wishes to have a book club read it, Tim Fehlbaum's film Hell (set in a very similar world) would be a great film to pair it with.
March 20, 2016
Blockbuster right out of the gate!!
For a first novel, Wayne Lemmons has written a gem. This is the best book that I've read in a long time, and probably the best PA book. You simply love the main characters from the beginning, and can viscerally feel their friendship and love for one another. I got so immersed in the book that I looked forward to night, so that I could go outside. I feared the sun. Give this book a shot. You won't be disappointed.
For a first novel, Wayne Lemmons has written a gem. This is the best book that I've read in a long time, and probably the best PA book. You simply love the main characters from the beginning, and can viscerally feel their friendship and love for one another. I got so immersed in the book that I looked forward to night, so that I could go outside. I feared the sun. Give this book a shot. You won't be disappointed.
March 7, 2016
What a great read! The imagery and dialect made me feel like I was right there in the midst of the action with the characters. I laughed with them, I cried with them and cheered them on. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling North with this diverse group of "friends" and was sad to say goodbye when the book was over. I hope to see them again soon!
April 18, 2016
The authors explanations cover the bases, and after the spring like weather this winter...
The characters were lovable, and you hope you'd retain your humanity as they have. You want them to succeed, but remaining optimistic is kinda tough.
I enjoyed the story very much. I'm not giving the ending away. Go read it!!
The characters were lovable, and you hope you'd retain your humanity as they have. You want them to succeed, but remaining optimistic is kinda tough.
I enjoyed the story very much. I'm not giving the ending away. Go read it!!
June 17, 2016
What are the chances that out of the hundreds of books on my Kindle, I'd pick a post-apocalyptic about the sun destroying the earth right after I read a post-apocalyptic about the sun destroying the earth? At least I liked this one much better.
I loved the characters, although a little more backstory would have been nice. The setting was great, the action all too believable.
I loved the characters, although a little more backstory would have been nice. The setting was great, the action all too believable.
March 17, 2016
I have found another favorite author. Wayne Lemmons did an amazing job on a new post-apocalyptic thriller with a new twist. I won't spoil it for anyone, but it's a different problem for survivors to face. Ready for his next book now. Write fast Mr. Clemmons.
June 12, 2016
Finally, an apocalypse without zombies
Was drawn into the story and enjoyed it until the epilogue. After traveling all that way with the characters, I almost felt like they just went inside and closed the door in my face at the end.
Was drawn into the story and enjoyed it until the epilogue. After traveling all that way with the characters, I almost felt like they just went inside and closed the door in my face at the end.
March 15, 2016
Exciting journey
A story of true friendship and survival. I truly enjoyed this story. I was a "follower". I hope that there will be a sequel.
A story of true friendship and survival. I truly enjoyed this story. I was a "follower". I hope that there will be a sequel.
May 22, 2016
Great read! Interesting characters and great story. Well done.
November 23, 2016
Great story. Once I started this story, I found it difficult to put down. I was still reading it far past my usual bedtime and into the early hours of the morning. I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep because 1) I really needed some sleep and 2) because I wanted to enjoy the story for longer and not finish it too quickly.
Even though I have many kindle books downloaded and awaiting my attention, the thought of moving on to a fresh story with new characters offended me. I downloaded the second book in this series instead and so far I haven't been disappointed.
I will be definitely following this author.
Even though I have many kindle books downloaded and awaiting my attention, the thought of moving on to a fresh story with new characters offended me. I downloaded the second book in this series instead and so far I haven't been disappointed.
I will be definitely following this author.
January 20, 2018
I would say this is an author with loads of potential. If you like your science fiction to be more realistic this is not it. But the man can tell a story even if the premise of the sun suddenly burning the earth to the point nothing can live is one of the stranger apocalyptic stories I've read. Our group of friends heads to Alaska thinking it will not be as hot. They magically find food, ammo, antibiotics, and whatever else they need on the journey. But then why tell a story where the heroes don't succeed? I will read Part 2 and see how cool Alaska is.
October 15, 2017
A solid 4 star rating, based on the fact that I couldn't wait until bedtime to stay up too late plowing through this novel. Dystopian novels are a favorite of mine. Mankind has destroyed the planet, ignored all signs of ozone deterioration, and can no longer survive the blazing sun. Survivors must hide out underground during the day and travel only at night. The story follows a group of friends and other survivors along the way as they all struggle to live. Loved it - really fast read.
March 13, 2017
I am a sucker for anything post-apocalyptic, and have a reading binge in the genre every November. However, several times recently, I've been bitterly disappointed by US writers shoving their religious and feral political garbage down my throat, or by writers who produce a good first novel then drop the ball with the second (after which, I won't read the third).
The Dark Roads, I'm glad to say, was not disappointing.
It's the story of three friends struggling to survive in a world that's been fried to a crisp; a world where the mere touch of the sun's rays can blind or kill. Hiding underground during the day and travelling or foraging by night is the only way to survive. Alaska and the polar regions seem to be the only places where the temperatures *may* offer some kind of relief to the handful of human survivors - and that's where our trio is headed. The story documents their journey.
When I read post-apocalyptic stories, unlike many people, I suspend my judgement about the science behind the global collapse. Whilst I like to know what caused the apocalypse and why, I'm not going to nit-pick over plausibility. I hop on board with the characters and go for an emotional rollercoaster ride with them. I want a fantasy story where humanity has been almost wiped out and the survivors have to overcome tremendous hurt-me-bad odds just to make sure they wake up the next morning.
This is EXACTLY what I got in Dark Roads.
Don't expect the characters to be untarnished or intact by the end of the novel.
Don't expect a bed of roses or a total Game Of Thrones-type annihilation, at the book's end, either.
It's somewhere in between.
The Dark Roads isn't as emotionally bleak as Cormack McCarthy's 'The Road', but the situation with the sun is far more dire than the nuclear winter in the latter novel. McCarthy does give some hope of environmental regeneration at the end of The Road. I will be interested to see what the author does in his Dark Roads sequels, as it's very hard to imagine the Earth coming back from this scenario. I will admit I'm worried about what happens during a polar summer, i.e. polar summers where the sun just doesn't quite go down... Alaska might not be a safe haven after all.
Lemmon's sensitive treatment of one of the main characters who is Down Syndrome especially warrants a mention, as I have a family member who is Down's. I really enjoyed this part of the book and I'm not giving anything away in relation to this storyline. I also liked the maturity in the storyline where a rouse involving a potential rape was used and resolved very well. Again, I'm not going to give away plot - I want YOU to read it yourself.
Character development is slow, but as this is a series, I would expect it to be. The writing is solid, there is just enough prose to fill in details and no beginner's bloviating or self-indulgence.
The book has some swearing which is a big THUMBS UP for me, there is a lot of action and some violence, there is no sex (DAMN!).
I have bought the sequel and will be reading it soon. I'm looking forward to seeing how the author resolves some of the situations he's put his characters in.
The Dark Roads, I'm glad to say, was not disappointing.
It's the story of three friends struggling to survive in a world that's been fried to a crisp; a world where the mere touch of the sun's rays can blind or kill. Hiding underground during the day and travelling or foraging by night is the only way to survive. Alaska and the polar regions seem to be the only places where the temperatures *may* offer some kind of relief to the handful of human survivors - and that's where our trio is headed. The story documents their journey.
When I read post-apocalyptic stories, unlike many people, I suspend my judgement about the science behind the global collapse. Whilst I like to know what caused the apocalypse and why, I'm not going to nit-pick over plausibility. I hop on board with the characters and go for an emotional rollercoaster ride with them. I want a fantasy story where humanity has been almost wiped out and the survivors have to overcome tremendous hurt-me-bad odds just to make sure they wake up the next morning.
This is EXACTLY what I got in Dark Roads.
Don't expect the characters to be untarnished or intact by the end of the novel.
Don't expect a bed of roses or a total Game Of Thrones-type annihilation, at the book's end, either.
It's somewhere in between.
The Dark Roads isn't as emotionally bleak as Cormack McCarthy's 'The Road', but the situation with the sun is far more dire than the nuclear winter in the latter novel. McCarthy does give some hope of environmental regeneration at the end of The Road. I will be interested to see what the author does in his Dark Roads sequels, as it's very hard to imagine the Earth coming back from this scenario. I will admit I'm worried about what happens during a polar summer, i.e. polar summers where the sun just doesn't quite go down... Alaska might not be a safe haven after all.
Lemmon's sensitive treatment of one of the main characters who is Down Syndrome especially warrants a mention, as I have a family member who is Down's. I really enjoyed this part of the book and I'm not giving anything away in relation to this storyline. I also liked the maturity in the storyline where a rouse involving a potential rape was used and resolved very well. Again, I'm not going to give away plot - I want YOU to read it yourself.
Character development is slow, but as this is a series, I would expect it to be. The writing is solid, there is just enough prose to fill in details and no beginner's bloviating or self-indulgence.
The book has some swearing which is a big THUMBS UP for me, there is a lot of action and some violence, there is no sex (DAMN!).
I have bought the sequel and will be reading it soon. I'm looking forward to seeing how the author resolves some of the situations he's put his characters in.
January 6, 2017
Very entertaining, it reminds me a lot The Road.
The author did a good job of describing the desolation, the bleakness, and the feelings and emotions of our 3 friends.
The book did leave me empty, though, and sad. It seems it's book 1 in a series and I don't intend to continue.
The author did a good job of describing the desolation, the bleakness, and the feelings and emotions of our 3 friends.
The book did leave me empty, though, and sad. It seems it's book 1 in a series and I don't intend to continue.
January 23, 2017
Just... WOW!
A truly spectacular read from start to finish! This novel was thought provoking and impossible to put down once I began. It made me feel like one of the hang. The scary yet possible truth behind the entire plot was impressively written and I would recommend it highly!
A truly spectacular read from start to finish! This novel was thought provoking and impossible to put down once I began. It made me feel like one of the hang. The scary yet possible truth behind the entire plot was impressively written and I would recommend it highly!
July 31, 2016
Great read
Really enjoyed this book but sometimes some more details and revisits would have helped the story a little more. Will definitely be reading the next book
Really enjoyed this book but sometimes some more details and revisits would have helped the story a little more. Will definitely be reading the next book
April 7, 2017
A Great Road Traveled
Have you ever started reading a book that cast a spell on your mind and would not relent until you finished the story?
This is that kind of book.
These are the type of characters I like to read about. People who despite all their flaws and failures turn out to be the "heroes" in the end.
THANK YOU Mr. Lemmon's for having the courage to make one of your heroes a person with Downs Syndrome. The character makes you forget his challenges...and remember his spirit.
I truly hope Wayne Lemmons will be around for a long time and continue to create his awesome works.
Have you ever started reading a book that cast a spell on your mind and would not relent until you finished the story?
This is that kind of book.
These are the type of characters I like to read about. People who despite all their flaws and failures turn out to be the "heroes" in the end.
THANK YOU Mr. Lemmon's for having the courage to make one of your heroes a person with Downs Syndrome. The character makes you forget his challenges...and remember his spirit.
I truly hope Wayne Lemmons will be around for a long time and continue to create his awesome works.
April 18, 2017
The sun has penetrated an already abused atmosphere scorching the earth. This story follows a group of characters so well written that they felt like friends. There are jokes even in serious situations and horrendous events that the group have to deal with. This is the type of group that as long as they have each other they will survive anything. They have to travel at night as the sun kills everything very fast. They group are journeying from Florida to the north hoping for cooler weather. One of the characters has Down Syndrome and it was lovely to first have someone with a disability in a story and second to not be treated as anyone different. The characters Richie, Buddy, Elvis, Amanda, Dylan, Amber and especially King were so well written that I really felt for them and I felt sorry for Mr Dundel and the hard choice he had to make.
Well written and a breath of fresh air into a tired genre. Much better than the road too.
Well written and a breath of fresh air into a tired genre. Much better than the road too.
April 29, 2017
The Dark Roads by Wayne Lemmons is a refreshing take on the end of the world. There are no vampires or zombies, just cannibals as the true antagonist is the sun itself, whose sunlight becomes downright deadly after the complete collapse of the ozone layer. The story held my interest completely throughout the reading, and there were times I binge-read because I just couldn't put the book down. Mr. Leommons has created a world of intrigue and even hope despite the dire circumstances he's thrust his characters into. The thing that surprised me the most about this book was that it dared to tackle the issue of taking care of a pet even in the aftermath of utter devastation. I guess some semblances of everyday life just can't go away. Well done, Mr. Lemmons. Looking forward to reading more of your stuff in the future!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews