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No Direction Home #1
No Direction Home
Ordinary People Surviving Extraordinary Times
A college student in Knoxville. An Irish couple on their dream vacation in Orlando. A bank robber in an Atlanta prison...what do they all have in common?
They are survivors of vPx073, the most deadly virus ever to be unleashed on the planet. One that has brought civilization to a standstill.
Haunted by the tragic death of his Gulf War veteran father, Cody Parsons is a struggling student at UTK when the pandemic hits Knoxville. Soon the sharpshooting skills his father taught him as a fourteen-year-old are put to good use --- especially when an ex-US army combat engineer takes him under his wing.
As food and water runs out, and roving gangs take over the cities, the paths of some very determined survivors are destined to meet...with surprising consequences.
With strong, original characters that jump off the page, this is a fast-paced story that fans of post-apocalyptic survival fiction will appreciate.
A college student in Knoxville. An Irish couple on their dream vacation in Orlando. A bank robber in an Atlanta prison...what do they all have in common?
They are survivors of vPx073, the most deadly virus ever to be unleashed on the planet. One that has brought civilization to a standstill.
Haunted by the tragic death of his Gulf War veteran father, Cody Parsons is a struggling student at UTK when the pandemic hits Knoxville. Soon the sharpshooting skills his father taught him as a fourteen-year-old are put to good use --- especially when an ex-US army combat engineer takes him under his wing.
As food and water runs out, and roving gangs take over the cities, the paths of some very determined survivors are destined to meet...with surprising consequences.
With strong, original characters that jump off the page, this is a fast-paced story that fans of post-apocalyptic survival fiction will appreciate.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2017
1073 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 13, 2019
Can you say....man, is this 'The Stand' with a twist? And I don't mean lemon! Nice surprise, very well written with Stephen King like character descriptions. You know, the good, the bad, and the ugly.... heading to the second part of this trilogy 'Eastwood', will check back afterwards.
August 6, 2017
I've put off writing this review for a week or so because I didn't really know what to say because most of what I want to say will spoil it!! It started with, and this isn't a spoiler, nearly everyone dying of a virus within the first few passages. This in itself isn't anything new with this type of book, but we don't find out how the virus came to be at all!! Then we have multiple POVs, which again isn't anything new, but there wasn't any character development at all. I just didn't care about any of them at all!
Plot wise, it fell flat too. Apart from not knowing how the Pox came to be, it's quite slow going and had no development either. I mean, how could a prison function with only 2 men, plus why would they leave just 2 prisoners go?? It didn't make sense. I just didn't connect with anything in the book, and I really don't think I'll continue on with the series.
Kevin Pierce was just as good as he always is! He has a pleasant voice and always delivers a great performance, I do have to say though, that he needs to work a little on his Irish Accent, it was pretty bad!! But I'm Irish so I know a good one when I hear it. Other than that, I enjoyed his performance.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
Plot wise, it fell flat too. Apart from not knowing how the Pox came to be, it's quite slow going and had no development either. I mean, how could a prison function with only 2 men, plus why would they leave just 2 prisoners go?? It didn't make sense. I just didn't connect with anything in the book, and I really don't think I'll continue on with the series.
Kevin Pierce was just as good as he always is! He has a pleasant voice and always delivers a great performance, I do have to say though, that he needs to work a little on his Irish Accent, it was pretty bad!! But I'm Irish so I know a good one when I hear it. Other than that, I enjoyed his performance.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
November 25, 2018
I will be purchasing the rest of the books. Interesting characters, good story line.
June 10, 2017
This book was gifted to me by the author, surprisingly enough, while I was reading another one of his books on my phone waiting to catch a flight out of LAX. His offer to me of a free read was the best part of that long, exhausting day. The gift of a free book, however, in no way influenced my thoughts on the book. Those are entirely my own.
No Direction Home is post-apocalyptic goodness, mostly sweet with a little bit of salty thrown in. The world comes down with a mysterious virus, with a near perfect fatality rate of its victims. No grading on the bell curve here. And the virus is quick - once infected, the victim succumbs to the disease within three days, dying a painful death, covered in lesions and pus-filled yuckiness. Thankfully, however, there is no Afterlife Revival in Zombiehood. Here, the dead stay dead - disease-ridden, decayed and rotting organic matter that would cause its own second pestilence, if left untreated. Into this world that is suddenly turned on its head, author Sheridan introduces us to a slew of different characters scattered across the southern United States. An Irish couple, Jonah and Colleen, vacationing in Orlando when the virus strikes. Cody, a college student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, who teams up with Walter, an Army engineer, and Pete, an ordinary guy. Ralph and Clete, two convicts who are mercifully released from incarceration by a corrections officer when the prison succumbs to the virus. And, of course, there are the bad guys.
The world of No Direction Home is tightly written, engaging, and highly detailed. Having lived in Florida for the past 20 years or so, I felt right at home with the author’s descriptions of the hotel, the freeway system, the local stores, the scenic wonders of O-Town. And I truly enjoyed the ‘flavor’ of the characters, particularly Tennesseen convict Clete (“Why, I’d be happier than a tick on a bloodhound’s balls!”) and Irish vacationer Jonah (“Jaysus, love, never in me life did I imagine I’d be traipsing around the Magic Kingdom with Donald bleedin’ Duck slung over me shoulder. Yeh don’t get a chance like that too often in your life, do you?” He chuckled. “Now yer sure yeh snapped that with the iPhone, aren’t yeh?) I love crazy characters, and these two are sure to be a lot of fun as the series progresses.
However, some of the characters were a little too goodie two-shoes for me. The Walter-Cody pair were the do-no-evil, think-no-evil duo, with super-survival skills to boot. All the women were sweet and smart and beautiful (Emma, Colleen, Maya) or useful and youngish (nurse Greta). I see babies in the future. Even convict Ralph, for whom I had high hopes of being a least a little morally ambiguous when he offed a fellow con on the way out the exit door, turned out to have “a heart of gold.” Sigh. Maybe next book someone will find their inner Rick. You know the one I mean.
Overall, an excellent start to the series, and one I would continue reading on.
No Direction Home is post-apocalyptic goodness, mostly sweet with a little bit of salty thrown in. The world comes down with a mysterious virus, with a near perfect fatality rate of its victims. No grading on the bell curve here. And the virus is quick - once infected, the victim succumbs to the disease within three days, dying a painful death, covered in lesions and pus-filled yuckiness. Thankfully, however, there is no Afterlife Revival in Zombiehood. Here, the dead stay dead - disease-ridden, decayed and rotting organic matter that would cause its own second pestilence, if left untreated. Into this world that is suddenly turned on its head, author Sheridan introduces us to a slew of different characters scattered across the southern United States. An Irish couple, Jonah and Colleen, vacationing in Orlando when the virus strikes. Cody, a college student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, who teams up with Walter, an Army engineer, and Pete, an ordinary guy. Ralph and Clete, two convicts who are mercifully released from incarceration by a corrections officer when the prison succumbs to the virus. And, of course, there are the bad guys.
The world of No Direction Home is tightly written, engaging, and highly detailed. Having lived in Florida for the past 20 years or so, I felt right at home with the author’s descriptions of the hotel, the freeway system, the local stores, the scenic wonders of O-Town. And I truly enjoyed the ‘flavor’ of the characters, particularly Tennesseen convict Clete (“Why, I’d be happier than a tick on a bloodhound’s balls!”) and Irish vacationer Jonah (“Jaysus, love, never in me life did I imagine I’d be traipsing around the Magic Kingdom with Donald bleedin’ Duck slung over me shoulder. Yeh don’t get a chance like that too often in your life, do you?” He chuckled. “Now yer sure yeh snapped that with the iPhone, aren’t yeh?) I love crazy characters, and these two are sure to be a lot of fun as the series progresses.
However, some of the characters were a little too goodie two-shoes for me. The Walter-Cody pair were the do-no-evil, think-no-evil duo, with super-survival skills to boot. All the women were sweet and smart and beautiful (Emma, Colleen, Maya) or useful and youngish (nurse Greta). I see babies in the future. Even convict Ralph, for whom I had high hopes of being a least a little morally ambiguous when he offed a fellow con on the way out the exit door, turned out to have “a heart of gold.” Sigh. Maybe next book someone will find their inner Rick. You know the one I mean.
Overall, an excellent start to the series, and one I would continue reading on.
Read
July 1, 2019DNF
two male characters are discussing the skill sets they bring to the surviving group, why they have been allowed to join the group. They discuss others in the group and neither of them seem to know the skill set of one particular young woman.
One male mc thinks about the fact that he finds that young woman attractive and notes that she doesn't seem to have a boyfriend (thereby assuming she is hetero) and then concludes that, of course, she must be in mourning bc so many people have died recently (99%+) bc of course she would have had a boyfriend, being so attractive (because all women must have boyfriends if they are attractive, and one can only conclude the next leap: that ALL women must want boyfriends but the less attractive one is the less assured they are of that outcome, and one must assume, no matter their skill set)
and then the coup de grace: one of the character suggests she has been allowed to join the group because she is attractive (not because she has a skill set they don't know about yet) and goes on to say "now that civilization bit the dust we can say shit like that again"
No Mr. Sheridan, the sign of civilization is not that people don't SAY stuff like that, civilized men (and other people) don't THINK like that about other people.
Civilized people VALUE other people as people.
I'm not saying that people shouldn't think other people are attractive. That's fine and natural.
Just saying that truly evolved/civilized people separate their own sexual attraction to someone from their assessment of that person in other areas. They also don't assume that their own sexual attraction to a person in ANY WAY indicates that that person will be attracted to them. They don't assume that their own sexual attraction means that that other person will have a coordinating sexual orientation, etc.
This was just one of the reasons I stopped reading...
(another, about another character: "she had Asian-shaped eyes" - Asia is a BIIIIIIIGGGGGG place with LOTS of different looking people in it... there is not one "asian" eye shape....)
two male characters are discussing the skill sets they bring to the surviving group, why they have been allowed to join the group. They discuss others in the group and neither of them seem to know the skill set of one particular young woman.
One male mc thinks about the fact that he finds that young woman attractive and notes that she doesn't seem to have a boyfriend (thereby assuming she is hetero) and then concludes that, of course, she must be in mourning bc so many people have died recently (99%+) bc of course she would have had a boyfriend, being so attractive (because all women must have boyfriends if they are attractive, and one can only conclude the next leap: that ALL women must want boyfriends but the less attractive one is the less assured they are of that outcome, and one must assume, no matter their skill set)
and then the coup de grace: one of the character suggests she has been allowed to join the group because she is attractive (not because she has a skill set they don't know about yet) and goes on to say "now that civilization bit the dust we can say shit like that again"
No Mr. Sheridan, the sign of civilization is not that people don't SAY stuff like that, civilized men (and other people) don't THINK like that about other people.
Civilized people VALUE other people as people.
I'm not saying that people shouldn't think other people are attractive. That's fine and natural.
Just saying that truly evolved/civilized people separate their own sexual attraction to someone from their assessment of that person in other areas. They also don't assume that their own sexual attraction to a person in ANY WAY indicates that that person will be attracted to them. They don't assume that their own sexual attraction means that that other person will have a coordinating sexual orientation, etc.
This was just one of the reasons I stopped reading...
(another, about another character: "she had Asian-shaped eyes" - Asia is a BIIIIIIIGGGGGG place with LOTS of different looking people in it... there is not one "asian" eye shape....)
July 6, 2019
This book o more specifically the writing was not to my liking. I for one was interested how one couple would cope when everybody got sick while they were on vacation far away from home but the author decided not to tell. Then 3 days later the couple was making jokes left right and center while everybody is dying and they are stranded far from home.Yeah right.
It did not connect. All the characters well most did react funny,well in my opinion they did and not how I think people would react.
Screaming for their mummies hahaha
Read more than half but then thought it a waste of my time.
It did not connect. All the characters well most did react funny,well in my opinion they did and not how I think people would react.
Screaming for their mummies hahaha
Read more than half but then thought it a waste of my time.
August 8, 2017
"Natural survival instincts kicked in." That line from the beginning of the book is simple, but it sets the tone for this book. This is truly a story about survival. I really enjoyed this concept, and it was exceptionally well executed. The plague in this book is terrifying. The characters are well developed and believable. The story starts off quickly, and it is a wild ride all the way through. I don't want to spoil too much of this story, but you will not be disappointed that you picked it up. In addition to being a truly great story, the narration is top shelf. I haven't listened to anything from this narrator or author before, but I will be seeking both of them out in the future!
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 27, 2017
This is one of the more enjoyable after disaster SF novels. Mr. Sheridan does have strong opinions about how one should go about surviving which I found problematic. Even if there is "the way" to survive the end of civilization, I think reasonable people can disagree and still be right for themselves. Too many characters, specifically the "good guys" thought exactly the same. I would've liked at least a few people to come to different conclusions. But these are minor quibbles. This book is worth the read if you like this sort of thing.
July 26, 2017
WARNING! This story is incomplete. It doesn't end just before the climax is revealed as it would be with a true cliffhanger, but none of the threads are finished. The characters are well drawn and the story has potential, but it's impossible for me to rate this book accurately. Kevin Pierce delivers his customary outstanding performance, but I recommend holding off reading this book until it has been completed.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 14, 2018
"Interesting and Entertaining Story Of Group Survival"
The most deadly virus has struck the world: Px073. About 98 percent of the population in the U.S. have succumbed to death in just a few days. A few ordinary people have survived: Cody Parsons in Knoxille,TN; an Irish couple visiting Orlando, FL; and a bank robber from an Atlanta GA prison. A few other survivors form gangs to attack these more friendly groups which only search for a way to survive. This is an awesome, fast-paced, well-written story to be enjoyed. I'm moving on to the next sequel.
The most deadly virus has struck the world: Px073. About 98 percent of the population in the U.S. have succumbed to death in just a few days. A few ordinary people have survived: Cody Parsons in Knoxille,TN; an Irish couple visiting Orlando, FL; and a bank robber from an Atlanta GA prison. A few other survivors form gangs to attack these more friendly groups which only search for a way to survive. This is an awesome, fast-paced, well-written story to be enjoyed. I'm moving on to the next sequel.
February 10, 2018
No direction
Enjoyed the book. It all happened north and south east from my backdoor. Know the towns, the landmarks. Makes me think living in rural East Tennessee will be bombarded with strangers if an event happens.
Okay the one thing that drove me crazy.. People in East Tennessee call their road The Interstate. Not a Freeway. That's a western thing.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
Enjoyed the book. It all happened north and south east from my backdoor. Know the towns, the landmarks. Makes me think living in rural East Tennessee will be bombarded with strangers if an event happens.
Okay the one thing that drove me crazy.. People in East Tennessee call their road The Interstate. Not a Freeway. That's a western thing.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
September 19, 2017
3.5 stars
Good start to a series. Overall an entertaining, interesting and enjoyable story. I love any stories dealing with just about any kind of apocalyptic event and while this story was entertaining overall I had a hard time being drawn into the story especially in the beginning. Not that it isn't a good story, it is, it just didn't flow smoothly jumping back and forth introducing all the characters. Once all the characters were introduced and the story really started to unfold it flowed more smoothly, pulled me right in and held my complete attention. At the point it was really getting good it ended. I wish it had been a bit longer. Now that everything has been set up and the characters have all been established the next book should be really good, I'm looking forward to it.
The story follows several different groups of people from different walks of life and even a set of tourists in Orlando. How each group deals with the events that have taken place, the changed world they live in and the obstacles each different group faces.
While it is a good diverse cast of characters, I liked some of the characters better than others. Although there is a reason for all the different characters and they all eventually come together I could have done without some of them. Cody you could immediately feel for, Walter and Pete were also great characters. Although Pete lost his way for a bit. For me the story could have just stayed with the three of them and followed their journey and the people they encounter.
Kevin Pierce once again does a great job with the narration. He has one of those voices that just pulls you into a story and makes it come to life. His narration is what kept me listening especially in the beginning. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices and accents. Every single character had a distinct easily recognizable voice. Perfect tone and delivery. It's always enjoyable listening to a book he narrates.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
Good start to a series. Overall an entertaining, interesting and enjoyable story. I love any stories dealing with just about any kind of apocalyptic event and while this story was entertaining overall I had a hard time being drawn into the story especially in the beginning. Not that it isn't a good story, it is, it just didn't flow smoothly jumping back and forth introducing all the characters. Once all the characters were introduced and the story really started to unfold it flowed more smoothly, pulled me right in and held my complete attention. At the point it was really getting good it ended. I wish it had been a bit longer. Now that everything has been set up and the characters have all been established the next book should be really good, I'm looking forward to it.
The story follows several different groups of people from different walks of life and even a set of tourists in Orlando. How each group deals with the events that have taken place, the changed world they live in and the obstacles each different group faces.
While it is a good diverse cast of characters, I liked some of the characters better than others. Although there is a reason for all the different characters and they all eventually come together I could have done without some of them. Cody you could immediately feel for, Walter and Pete were also great characters. Although Pete lost his way for a bit. For me the story could have just stayed with the three of them and followed their journey and the people they encounter.
Kevin Pierce once again does a great job with the narration. He has one of those voices that just pulls you into a story and makes it come to life. His narration is what kept me listening especially in the beginning. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Great character voices and accents. Every single character had a distinct easily recognizable voice. Perfect tone and delivery. It's always enjoyable listening to a book he narrates.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
August 7, 2017
Well, I have to admit at first I did not think I would like this listen only because I was getting confused with the introduction of so many characters. As the book progressed I found myself really rooting for these characters and sitting on the edge of my seat. This turned into a very awesome start to what seems to be a very awesome series. I really did not want the first book to end as it is a pretty short audio book but the cliffhanger ending really left me wanting more. Personally, I cannot wait for the second installment. There is a wide variety and a great bunch of characters from all walks of life just trying to survive in their own way. The author is very descriptive and you learn to appreciate all the little details he explains in the book as this one draws to an end. I for one loved almost every second of it and I even loved his special shout out to the Foxes of Lester, 2015 EPL champs!! Only a true fan of EPL soccer would mention this in the midst of an apocalypse. What more can you say about the performance. The voice of the apocalypse, Kevin Pierce delivers with a combination of Irish, German, American and some pretty thug accents. A particularly good scene that I enjoyed was a conversation between the person with the Irish, and the person with a German accent in the car. It must've been very difficult to keep switching back-and-forth. Just a great job by the author and a perfect narrator for this series. Bring on book too! Please note: I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review via Audiobook Boom and this in no way affected my opinion of this work.
September 26, 2017
This book begins at the tail end of the V-Pox annihilation, most of the population already dead or dying and the survivors scrambling to find their new place in this world. With only about a 2.5% survival rate, there are still plenty of people around to make trouble. The US settles into two types of people, those ready to build a new civilization and those waiting to take it from them.
The story follows five different groups of people, just enough to keep things interesting and still allow time for character growth. I was never confused by the switch to the next group, the characters were fleshed out enough that they didn't blend together. The stakes weren't too high, as each group happened to contain either an expert hunter, military man, or post-apocalyptic expert, sometimes all three. This kept the survivors from making real mistakes or falling into real danger.
The narration was well done, Kevin Pierce reads with a great pace and tone, and is easy to understand. The characters hail from Ireland, Florida, and Tennessee, but he doesn't attempt heavy accents for them.
This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there's obviously plenty more to come for the survivors. I'm looking forward to the sequel! I received a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
The story follows five different groups of people, just enough to keep things interesting and still allow time for character growth. I was never confused by the switch to the next group, the characters were fleshed out enough that they didn't blend together. The stakes weren't too high, as each group happened to contain either an expert hunter, military man, or post-apocalyptic expert, sometimes all three. This kept the survivors from making real mistakes or falling into real danger.
The narration was well done, Kevin Pierce reads with a great pace and tone, and is easy to understand. The characters hail from Ireland, Florida, and Tennessee, but he doesn't attempt heavy accents for them.
This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there's obviously plenty more to come for the survivors. I'm looking forward to the sequel! I received a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2017
Originally, I had Chapters 1-6 from the author and found that the beginning chapters showed promise. I was sent the entire book and burned through it rather quickly. Sheridan doesn't explain how the vPox comes to be. Rather, he starts off with character building; small cliques of survivors getting their heads back into the game.
Yes, you have the college kid, Irish couple, and bank robber, but you also have Walter. I think readers will connect with him. In subsequent chapters, other key players come into the story and make for a dynamic character-driven story about survival, control, violence, and perseverance.
I had originally assumed this would be a doom and gloom book (nothing wrong with that), but for me, it strayed a bit from pure dystopian lore. How? Walter, really. His presence is the glue that binds (for better and worse). Oh, and Ralph - I stated pulling for him as well.
In the kindle version, after you are finished, there is (currently) an offer from the author to get a FREE pre-chapter, which explains the vPx073 origins.
As stated, ARC provided by author for review.
Yes, you have the college kid, Irish couple, and bank robber, but you also have Walter. I think readers will connect with him. In subsequent chapters, other key players come into the story and make for a dynamic character-driven story about survival, control, violence, and perseverance.
I had originally assumed this would be a doom and gloom book (nothing wrong with that), but for me, it strayed a bit from pure dystopian lore. How? Walter, really. His presence is the glue that binds (for better and worse). Oh, and Ralph - I stated pulling for him as well.
In the kindle version, after you are finished, there is (currently) an offer from the author to get a FREE pre-chapter, which explains the vPx073 origins.
As stated, ARC provided by author for review.
July 23, 2017
The V-Pox has struck and brought most of civilization to a screeching halt. Some survivors find that they are immune to the virus although they don’t know why. The story rotates through several sub-plots of survivors dealing with the apocalypse in different ways. Although we have no zombies to deal with we do have the ever present ruffians who always surface in a crisis. Several of the sub-groups wound up meeting and consolidating into one larger community by Lake Oconee headed up by Sheriff Rollins. The gang from Knoxville had their eyes set on this larger group and made plans to take what they had. Groups were shuffled around due to irreconcilable differences and reformed. This is an excellent start to a new series. I look forward to more from Mike Sheridan. Kevin Pierce is wonderful as usual, one of my most favorite narrators. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
March 20, 2019
I'm probably low-balling the rating, but it wasn't terribly original. Still well-written and the characters were decently interesting. That said, I had read the Mad Mick recently, so the Irish bloke in the story seemed like a letdown compared to him. The part about forming into communities and what happens with that feels like it's been done a couple times. The ending (if you want to call it that, more like momentary climax before the book ended abruptly) was also a bit cliche. I couldn't help yelling at the car sterio (audiobook) for them to just shoot the damn guy, knowing full well (just as in every forced dramatic incident in movie and book history) it was going to go the way it did.
I may still go on to the next in the series to see if it picks up from there, but it's going to have to get in line behind some truly great authors who've released new work (Akart, for starters).
I may still go on to the next in the series to see if it picks up from there, but it's going to have to get in line behind some truly great authors who've released new work (Akart, for starters).
June 14, 2017
No direction home...
Post apocalyptic zombie books are my favorite. No zombies in this book but the storyline is really interesting.
A virus called v pox has decimated the population. Only a few people are immune. Cody, Walter & Clete find each other and after a nasty confrontation with Mason, our resident bad guy, decides to leave and travel to the lakes in Tennessee. They meet up with another group and decide to travel with them.
Everything changes once they reach their destination. More people, some good some bad, and a slew of problems begin. And Cody meets Emma which causes another problem. Will they survive?
The author did a good job with his characters. They re all very interesting & I can't wait to see which way we're going...😄
Post apocalyptic zombie books are my favorite. No zombies in this book but the storyline is really interesting.
A virus called v pox has decimated the population. Only a few people are immune. Cody, Walter & Clete find each other and after a nasty confrontation with Mason, our resident bad guy, decides to leave and travel to the lakes in Tennessee. They meet up with another group and decide to travel with them.
Everything changes once they reach their destination. More people, some good some bad, and a slew of problems begin. And Cody meets Emma which causes another problem. Will they survive?
The author did a good job with his characters. They re all very interesting & I can't wait to see which way we're going...😄
September 28, 2017
A solid post apocalypse adventure
This is a good book, but not a great one. The collapse of civilization happens pretty quickly and doesn't spend time hanging around before it gets to what the book's all about; surviving what comes after.
There are a few good characters in the book, unfortunately the guy it spends the most time with isn't terribly interesting. He's not badly written, just fairly generic.
The story moves along at a fair pace and is rarely, but there aren't a lot of surprises. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it's sometimes nice not to have to tax your noggin with overly labyrinthine plot threads that twist here, there and everywhere.
It is well worth a read and as long as you don't expect too much of it, you'll certainly enjoy it; I did.
This is a good book, but not a great one. The collapse of civilization happens pretty quickly and doesn't spend time hanging around before it gets to what the book's all about; surviving what comes after.
There are a few good characters in the book, unfortunately the guy it spends the most time with isn't terribly interesting. He's not badly written, just fairly generic.
The story moves along at a fair pace and is rarely, but there aren't a lot of surprises. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it's sometimes nice not to have to tax your noggin with overly labyrinthine plot threads that twist here, there and everywhere.
It is well worth a read and as long as you don't expect too much of it, you'll certainly enjoy it; I did.
July 18, 2017
Average Read
I found this book to be a slightly better than average read. I put the book down for a week and had trouble remembering who the characters were. An explanation for my lack of excited interested would be appropriate about now , however, it just was not compelling enough to remember. I gave this book three stars because what I find uninteresting someone might find interesting. So, I must likely will not purchase the rest of the series. It has been hard to find author's that write survival stories on the same level as Bobby Akart (Brahmin Series) and A American (Home Series).
I found this book to be a slightly better than average read. I put the book down for a week and had trouble remembering who the characters were. An explanation for my lack of excited interested would be appropriate about now , however, it just was not compelling enough to remember. I gave this book three stars because what I find uninteresting someone might find interesting. So, I must likely will not purchase the rest of the series. It has been hard to find author's that write survival stories on the same level as Bobby Akart (Brahmin Series) and A American (Home Series).
August 29, 2017
I wasn't expecting much from this book, but I really did enjoy it with the exception of the very bad Irish accents that two of the characters had.
Whilst this is the usual post apocalyptic, pandemic kind of story, with ordinary people having to find their way in a scary new world, I liked the way that the characters interacted and the personality conflicts between them. Not sure I buy into the bad guys - a bit contrived really, but the story, setting and characters appeal to me enough to want to read the next instalment... another TEOTWAKI, SHTF series to add to me ever expanding list!
Whilst this is the usual post apocalyptic, pandemic kind of story, with ordinary people having to find their way in a scary new world, I liked the way that the characters interacted and the personality conflicts between them. Not sure I buy into the bad guys - a bit contrived really, but the story, setting and characters appeal to me enough to want to read the next instalment... another TEOTWAKI, SHTF series to add to me ever expanding list!
October 7, 2017
Great no nonsense storyline.
Over the past 4 years I have been reading books of this type of genre..
Lately though I must admit that a few of the books I had read weren't quite up to scratch,
they left me a bit cold.
I found Mikes book by accident just surfing around, thank god I did.
From starting it to finishing it I was hooked.
Great storyline, likeable and truly believable characters.
In a word I was Hooked.
Have already downloaded part 2 Eastwood. Can't wait.
David Embleton, author Last Man Standing.
Over the past 4 years I have been reading books of this type of genre..
Lately though I must admit that a few of the books I had read weren't quite up to scratch,
they left me a bit cold.
I found Mikes book by accident just surfing around, thank god I did.
From starting it to finishing it I was hooked.
Great storyline, likeable and truly believable characters.
In a word I was Hooked.
Have already downloaded part 2 Eastwood. Can't wait.
David Embleton, author Last Man Standing.
December 30, 2017
While the plot development is rather slow, I do find that as the story progressed the characters did become became more lifelike and appealing. The assumption I made was that only two men in the prison survived, along with two guards. The multiple points of view and story lines makes it a little hard to follow at times. That being said, I have just ordered the next two books to read. I feel that once all the characters meet up that the story will come together and instead of being spread out. I found it interesting, and I enjoyed this.
February 12, 2018
A Very Good Book One of the Series
When a virus escapes a test lab it kills about 96% of the world's humans. Those remaining are immune. The power is out, good runs out, and only those with survival skills live. Several groups of people from different parts of the East Coast plus a couple of Irish tourists all head to the same area in Tennessee. Not everyone is a good person. A few enjoy killing and those are the ones the others need to protect themselves against. The plot is plausible and the story well written. Bring on part two!
When a virus escapes a test lab it kills about 96% of the world's humans. Those remaining are immune. The power is out, good runs out, and only those with survival skills live. Several groups of people from different parts of the East Coast plus a couple of Irish tourists all head to the same area in Tennessee. Not everyone is a good person. A few enjoy killing and those are the ones the others need to protect themselves against. The plot is plausible and the story well written. Bring on part two!
December 17, 2021
So many interesting characters and play lines! Ready for the next installment. Mike weaves a tale of ordinary people trying to survive after an pox/plague wipes out about 90% of the worlds population. Infrastructure breaks down faster than you can spell the word in a spelling bee! Will these characters meet up at some point? I certainly hope so! Can’t wait for the next one!
More of the amazing Kevin Pierce narrating to make my heart happy!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
More of the amazing Kevin Pierce narrating to make my heart happy!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 13, 2017
A great read about the descent into chaos. Whilst I'm a fan of the author generally, Mike has created a believable event and fitted the event into a real world. There's no prepper preaching, no lazy storyline super hero super soldiers. The characters descriptions of the news they're reading is a great way for the reader to gain an understanding of what's happening with out the need for any narrative writing
June 19, 2017
Ever wonder what your going to do today?
There are some readers who disparage the various timelines of separate groups in an apocalypse setting. However like a good garden everything blooms in its own good time. And when they do & as these disparate survivors meet can it be happenstance or benign luck? Read on & as you gather the storylines together you may be pleased as the aromas of the potluck simmers together.
There are some readers who disparage the various timelines of separate groups in an apocalypse setting. However like a good garden everything blooms in its own good time. And when they do & as these disparate survivors meet can it be happenstance or benign luck? Read on & as you gather the storylines together you may be pleased as the aromas of the potluck simmers together.
August 8, 2017
If you like end of the world as we know it stories, then you'll like this book... although on a side note, I kept waiting for their to be zombies. :) The characters were fleshed out and it felt very real. It did leave me with wanting more, which isn't a bad thing. I'm curious to find out what happens next. Worth a read/listen if you are into such stories.
Please note that I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review
Please note that I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review
August 14, 2017
The catastrophe happens fast here, nothing wrong with that. However, the various characters seem to get over it pretty fast too. Not a lot of residual trauma there but they are all fairly one dimensional. There a few pockets of survivor stories scattered around and somehow they all decide to go to the same general area. This also ends rather abruptly even though there is clearly a sequel. I may give the next book a try and hope for some improvement.
August 30, 2017
Pretty good story and worth reading
I'm pretty tired of EMPs and zombies. This one is a straightforward pandemic. I like the characters that are likeable and dislike the ones who aren't. The story moves along without the endless self doubt and internal existential crises that are the flaws of so many of these stories. Just people getting on with survival and learning skills lost in our world of social media and supermarkets with prepackaged foods.
I'm pretty tired of EMPs and zombies. This one is a straightforward pandemic. I like the characters that are likeable and dislike the ones who aren't. The story moves along without the endless self doubt and internal existential crises that are the flaws of so many of these stories. Just people getting on with survival and learning skills lost in our world of social media and supermarkets with prepackaged foods.
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