The writing style is bad.
Or it is a first draft and was never proof-read, never saw an editor. More details on that below.
The introduction of Tank was an ok read, a little hyped, fast paced but left me interested.
When the brothers entered the picture, it went downhill fast.
The characters reflected the stereotypical American country life. Overdramatic speech, shooting the wildlife for fun, disguising it as pest control, it’s not even for self consuming, deep rooted faith and of course they are preppers. Their mindset still living in the early settler’s time.
I can’t fault that or criticise it. It is their way of life. It’s just not something i am interested in to read. It caters to a specific minority and won’t reach a wide audience. And their misogynous tendencies, the simplicity of everything is either black or white, didn’t help either and showed how much depth the characters haven’t been given.
The emotional handling of the situations were unrealistic. In one scene they struggle with the decision to help people or not, with the conclusion they can’t help everyone. The problem in that scenario is, that they haven’t helped anyone yet and not even seen or met any survivors. That simply makes no sense in the way it is presented.
There were a few inconsistencies as far as I read and to top it all off the book was in desperate need of a good editor.
...”Once they had their food, water, ammunition, bedding, clothes, backpacks, and miscellaneous gear in the bed, they packed the backseat.”
Listing of some weapons and ammunition.
Half a page later
...” In addition, they had all the ammunition, food, water, and other miscellaneous gear they might need in a hurry in the backseat.”...
And the writing continued this way.
Connor:
...”He had on his tactical vest, which held three magazines for his handgun, six magazines for his AR, a KA-BAR knife, and a multi-tool.”...
James:
...”He had on his tactical vest with three magazines for his handgun, six magazines for his AR, a long-bladed hunting knife, and a multi-tool.”...
For the love of god, you can’t call yourself an author when you simply list things like an endless grocery list.
I gave up and didn���t finish the book.