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Catalyst #3
American Exodus
One man’s desperate journey home in a post-apocalyptic world. Steven Porter had a mostly charmed life, one that most people would envy, that is, until it all vanished. He was away from home on that day when the world changed forever. Millions of people are fleeing the cities trying to find safety. Many more are missing or dead. Steven finds himself as one of those lost souls wandering the highways. Each step forward is fraught with peril and the question that haunts him is what will he find if he even makes it back home.
To survive the dangerous journey he must battle hunger, thirst and the relentless attacks by others as well as brutal response by our government that raises more questions than answers. What’s left of his world? Normal is a fading memory, survival is all that matters. His challenge is simple, adapt or die.
To survive the dangerous journey he must battle hunger, thirst and the relentless attacks by others as well as brutal response by our government that raises more questions than answers. What’s left of his world? Normal is a fading memory, survival is all that matters. His challenge is simple, adapt or die.
285 pages, ebook
Published January 10, 2018
457 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
J.K. Franks
22 books207 followersAdmitted tech geek, entrepreneur, cyclist and inveterate storyteller, JK Franks’ world was formed by a childhood spent in the rural South growing up during the Space Age. This is when he developed a love for writing. He also became an avid student of history and science, and a regular reader of reference books and biographies. Once he discovered science fiction he never looked back.
His protagonists are human: not superheroes, just normal people with the same problems as everyone else, but who rise to challenges when they come along. The Catalyst series combines his passion for hard science fiction with his outlook on self-reliance.
Franks and his wife now live in West Point, Georgia. He is currently working on this next book. No matter where he is or what's going on, he tries his best to set aside time every day to answer emails and messages from readers. You can visit him on the web at www.jkfranks.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for updates, promotions, and giveaways. You can also find the author on Facebook or email him directly at media@jkfranks.com.
His protagonists are human: not superheroes, just normal people with the same problems as everyone else, but who rise to challenges when they come along. The Catalyst series combines his passion for hard science fiction with his outlook on self-reliance.
Franks and his wife now live in West Point, Georgia. He is currently working on this next book. No matter where he is or what's going on, he tries his best to set aside time every day to answer emails and messages from readers. You can visit him on the web at www.jkfranks.com. Please subscribe to his newsletter for updates, promotions, and giveaways. You can also find the author on Facebook or email him directly at media@jkfranks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 26, 2018
I have read many books in this genre and enjoyed most, however, American Exodus: a Post-Apocalyptic Journey tops them all. It's another 'trying to get home' story with believable characters and storyline. It is well crafted and told by one of the characters, Steve, an owner of Ford dealerships in the south. He is well to do, lives in an exclusive neighborhood, and can have anything he wants. When a solar flare reaches Earth, it kills everything electrical / electronic - no cars, radios, TV, computers...everything Steve depended on for survival. Now, at a convention several hundred miles away, he learns that he is not prepared to survive in this Apocalypse but will give anything to get back home to his wife and autistic son. Odds are extrememly high that he'll never make it.
During the first day after the event, Steve meets with a sole survivor in the hotel and joins him in the bar for drinks. Steve shares a few and learns from the old Australian man what might have happened. He also gives Steve some sound advice that saves him during the initial part of his journey. He's got several hundred miles to cover in reaching home and meets various types of people on the way; and soon partners up with another man and preteen orphan boy who agree to help him get home. The man claims to have worked for the government but he is extremely smart and has strong survival skills. Along the way, both Steve and the boy learn from this person and readers can see them both grow during this journey.
A side story also takes place in the government and a successor is named the new president of the U.S. However, she must abide by a script that others have presented to her or...
Roving bands of armed people are out scavaging and killing innocent people to take what they have. Armed soldiers, mercenaries, were also herding civilians from their homes and into special camps for their own safety; they're promised that the government will take care of them, but why do many believe they're like Nazi concentration camps? The new presidents' cabinet also inform her that Europe and Asia are almost fully engulfed with a virus that doesn't have a cure. And some military groups refuse to acknowledge the new president and go rogue. Was all this planned?
American Exodus can be a stand alone novel - I didn't read any of the other books in the series and felt comfortable in reading this one. The ending does leave it ripe for another installment, but I was satisfied with it as it was. If another continuation comes out in the future, I will surely go out of my way to read it. The author has an excellent flare for bringing readers into the story...and many are sure to learn from it as I did. Highly recommended!
During the first day after the event, Steve meets with a sole survivor in the hotel and joins him in the bar for drinks. Steve shares a few and learns from the old Australian man what might have happened. He also gives Steve some sound advice that saves him during the initial part of his journey. He's got several hundred miles to cover in reaching home and meets various types of people on the way; and soon partners up with another man and preteen orphan boy who agree to help him get home. The man claims to have worked for the government but he is extremely smart and has strong survival skills. Along the way, both Steve and the boy learn from this person and readers can see them both grow during this journey.
A side story also takes place in the government and a successor is named the new president of the U.S. However, she must abide by a script that others have presented to her or...
Roving bands of armed people are out scavaging and killing innocent people to take what they have. Armed soldiers, mercenaries, were also herding civilians from their homes and into special camps for their own safety; they're promised that the government will take care of them, but why do many believe they're like Nazi concentration camps? The new presidents' cabinet also inform her that Europe and Asia are almost fully engulfed with a virus that doesn't have a cure. And some military groups refuse to acknowledge the new president and go rogue. Was all this planned?
American Exodus can be a stand alone novel - I didn't read any of the other books in the series and felt comfortable in reading this one. The ending does leave it ripe for another installment, but I was satisfied with it as it was. If another continuation comes out in the future, I will surely go out of my way to read it. The author has an excellent flare for bringing readers into the story...and many are sure to learn from it as I did. Highly recommended!
February 3, 2018
“I don’t get it, what would cause that? It’s weird, but what does it have to do with . . . with all this?”
Georgia author JK Franks specializes his writing skills on the post-apocalyptic genre with three novels published to date – CATLYST DOWNWARD CYCLE, KINGDOMS OF SORROW, and AMERICAN EXODUS. According to Franks, “Really interesting things happen to people when it all goes sideways. Good dystopian stories just peel away all pretenses of civilized behavior and societal norms. What’s left when you expose all that is just rich characters with raw human needs and wants. This provides an opportunity for a writer to really tell an honest story.”
JK speaks directly to us as the book opens – a touch that indicates that an author not only cares about the structure and detail of the novel, but also the reader’s response and willingness to inhabit the world we are about to enter. ‘When I was developing the Catalyst series, the idea of a connected novella wasn’t part of the plan. That changed when I was asked a relatively simple question. “What would you do to get home if the CME happened, and you were a thousand miles from home?” From that, this story was born. At its heart, it is a simple “get home” journey, but embedded in it are clues to more of the Catalyst stories. I have written this in-between writing book one, two and now book three, so this book is influenced by all of those but is a standalone story. Fans of the series will see threads from the other books, and in some cases, rather similar situations dealt with in a very different manner. This story takes place essentially during the same time period as the first book—Downward Cycle. Revisiting the aftermath of that disaster I first wrote of several years ago was more fun than I probably should admit. It was also nice to explore the struggle to survive from a different point of view as well as visit scenes we may have only glimpsed in the earlier books.’
AMERICAN EXODUS is a bristlingly fine book, one of the best CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) post apocalyptic this reader has read. Not only is the prose dignified but the character development is so keen that we the reader can almost see and feel the characters as they struggle to return to a ‘place’ that will mean normalcy or home.
JK summarizes the plot well – ‘One man’s desperate journey to get home in a post-apocalyptic world. Steven Porter had a mostly charmed life, one that most people would envy, that is, until it all vanished. He was far from home on the day his world changed forever. How far does the devastation reach – the whole country, the world? Millions of people are fleeing the cities trying to find safety. Steve finds himself as one of those lost souls wandering the highways. Each step forward is fraught with peril. What will he find if he even makes it back home? To survive the dangerous journey he must battle hunger, thirst and the relentless attacks by others as well as brutal response by our government that raises more questions than answers. What’s left of his world? Normal is a fading memory, survival is all that matters. His challenge is simple, adapt or die.’
After reading this book the first word that come to min is Splendid! Writing of this order is too rarely encountered and even for those who usually avoid post-apocalyptic stories, this one is so well conceived and written that it supersedes genre and is simply fine writing. And the quiet message of survival in a world that seems shattered is most appropriate at this time ….!
Georgia author JK Franks specializes his writing skills on the post-apocalyptic genre with three novels published to date – CATLYST DOWNWARD CYCLE, KINGDOMS OF SORROW, and AMERICAN EXODUS. According to Franks, “Really interesting things happen to people when it all goes sideways. Good dystopian stories just peel away all pretenses of civilized behavior and societal norms. What’s left when you expose all that is just rich characters with raw human needs and wants. This provides an opportunity for a writer to really tell an honest story.”
JK speaks directly to us as the book opens – a touch that indicates that an author not only cares about the structure and detail of the novel, but also the reader’s response and willingness to inhabit the world we are about to enter. ‘When I was developing the Catalyst series, the idea of a connected novella wasn’t part of the plan. That changed when I was asked a relatively simple question. “What would you do to get home if the CME happened, and you were a thousand miles from home?” From that, this story was born. At its heart, it is a simple “get home” journey, but embedded in it are clues to more of the Catalyst stories. I have written this in-between writing book one, two and now book three, so this book is influenced by all of those but is a standalone story. Fans of the series will see threads from the other books, and in some cases, rather similar situations dealt with in a very different manner. This story takes place essentially during the same time period as the first book—Downward Cycle. Revisiting the aftermath of that disaster I first wrote of several years ago was more fun than I probably should admit. It was also nice to explore the struggle to survive from a different point of view as well as visit scenes we may have only glimpsed in the earlier books.’
AMERICAN EXODUS is a bristlingly fine book, one of the best CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) post apocalyptic this reader has read. Not only is the prose dignified but the character development is so keen that we the reader can almost see and feel the characters as they struggle to return to a ‘place’ that will mean normalcy or home.
JK summarizes the plot well – ‘One man’s desperate journey to get home in a post-apocalyptic world. Steven Porter had a mostly charmed life, one that most people would envy, that is, until it all vanished. He was far from home on the day his world changed forever. How far does the devastation reach – the whole country, the world? Millions of people are fleeing the cities trying to find safety. Steve finds himself as one of those lost souls wandering the highways. Each step forward is fraught with peril. What will he find if he even makes it back home? To survive the dangerous journey he must battle hunger, thirst and the relentless attacks by others as well as brutal response by our government that raises more questions than answers. What’s left of his world? Normal is a fading memory, survival is all that matters. His challenge is simple, adapt or die.’
After reading this book the first word that come to min is Splendid! Writing of this order is too rarely encountered and even for those who usually avoid post-apocalyptic stories, this one is so well conceived and written that it supersedes genre and is simply fine writing. And the quiet message of survival in a world that seems shattered is most appropriate at this time ….!
February 11, 2018
Written as a novella and companion book to his Catalyst Series, author JK Franks has produced a post-apocalyptic gem. This read reader has not yet read any of the other books in this series but having read American Exodus in just under three days I am now compelled to reach for the other books in this series.
In American Exodus, we meet Steve Porter, a successful and driven owner of several car dealerships across the South. He is husband to his third wife; father to an autistic son; lives in a well-to-do neighborhood in southern Georgia; and is on his way to a dealers convention in Charlotte, NC. On the final day of the convention he is at the Charlotte International Speedway when he is struck by one of his chronic migraine headaches. Once back in his hotel, he takes his medication, closes his eyes, and falls asleep only to awaken several hours later to a room without electricity or air-conditioning. From his penthouse window he see plumes of smoke arising from the speedway and assumes a tragic accident has occurred. Making his way to the lobby, he is startled to find it empty. In the hotel lounge he discovers another guest, an Australian man,. Together they sit in the darkened and empty bar and share a drink. The Aussie hints at dire possibilities: a CME or EMP, an invations by Russia or China, or even aliens. Steve soon learns that without electricity, something he has always taken for granted, his life is about to change.
With several hundred miles between Charlotte and Steve's home, he sets out on foot to cover the distance. Within an hour he learns how unprepared he is to cope with this disaster. He must learn to follow the advice of the Aussie he left behind: "Be a rat". The people and perils Steve encounters on his trek back home to Albany, Georgia comprise American Exodus. Will he return home to his troubled marriage and his autistic son Trey in time to provide help? And what of the disturbing news about the U.S. Government that he learns along the way?
Author JK Franks provides this compelling and oftentimes graphic look at the aftermath of a very real, very possible disaster scenario. Strong characters full of human frailties speak through their actions; some touch our hearts. Full of action, fans of the thriller genre will not be disappointed. And the cliffhanger ending has this reader demanding more. Action fans, don't miss this one!
In American Exodus, we meet Steve Porter, a successful and driven owner of several car dealerships across the South. He is husband to his third wife; father to an autistic son; lives in a well-to-do neighborhood in southern Georgia; and is on his way to a dealers convention in Charlotte, NC. On the final day of the convention he is at the Charlotte International Speedway when he is struck by one of his chronic migraine headaches. Once back in his hotel, he takes his medication, closes his eyes, and falls asleep only to awaken several hours later to a room without electricity or air-conditioning. From his penthouse window he see plumes of smoke arising from the speedway and assumes a tragic accident has occurred. Making his way to the lobby, he is startled to find it empty. In the hotel lounge he discovers another guest, an Australian man,. Together they sit in the darkened and empty bar and share a drink. The Aussie hints at dire possibilities: a CME or EMP, an invations by Russia or China, or even aliens. Steve soon learns that without electricity, something he has always taken for granted, his life is about to change.
With several hundred miles between Charlotte and Steve's home, he sets out on foot to cover the distance. Within an hour he learns how unprepared he is to cope with this disaster. He must learn to follow the advice of the Aussie he left behind: "Be a rat". The people and perils Steve encounters on his trek back home to Albany, Georgia comprise American Exodus. Will he return home to his troubled marriage and his autistic son Trey in time to provide help? And what of the disturbing news about the U.S. Government that he learns along the way?
Author JK Franks provides this compelling and oftentimes graphic look at the aftermath of a very real, very possible disaster scenario. Strong characters full of human frailties speak through their actions; some touch our hearts. Full of action, fans of the thriller genre will not be disappointed. And the cliffhanger ending has this reader demanding more. Action fans, don't miss this one!
July 21, 2018
I LOVE this series and I have recommended it to many people. I love how the characters grow from being every day normal people to survivors.
I hope Steve & JD meet up with Scott and the others from the first 2 books in the series in an upcoming story line. I love these two and I was so happy about Elvis. (That may be a tiny spoiler)
Franks is a master at creating characters you can relate to and love.
Varnum is an amazing narrator and does a fabulous job as expected.
I’m ready for the next installment in the catalyst world.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
I hope Steve & JD meet up with Scott and the others from the first 2 books in the series in an upcoming story line. I love these two and I was so happy about Elvis. (That may be a tiny spoiler)
Franks is a master at creating characters you can relate to and love.
Varnum is an amazing narrator and does a fabulous job as expected.
I’m ready for the next installment in the catalyst world.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
June 2, 2018
One of the best apocalyptic fiction/conspiracy theory books I’ve read!
Several books I’ve read recently have had a central theme of the need to significantly reduce the world's population if life on Earth is to continue. This book blends that idea with one I read in The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein. Be ready to take advantage of natural catastrophes...that’s when significant change can most easily be imposed on people that are unable to resist and fight that change the way they would normally. A well written account of a well thought out scenario.
Several books I’ve read recently have had a central theme of the need to significantly reduce the world's population if life on Earth is to continue. This book blends that idea with one I read in The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein. Be ready to take advantage of natural catastrophes...that’s when significant change can most easily be imposed on people that are unable to resist and fight that change the way they would normally. A well written account of a well thought out scenario.
March 14, 2025
Awesome Book
Great characters and well done plot. What is the next book? This will addict you into all night reading! Yeah!!!
Great characters and well done plot. What is the next book? This will addict you into all night reading! Yeah!!!
November 4, 2018
This continues the scenario set by the first 2 books, albeit this is from a completely different person's point of view. The main character is caught away from home (a familiar plot) and with no resources at all. It is interesting how his survival skills do evolve. There is a little more on the "government" and what they are doing but a lot of those short chapters were more of a diversion. Presumably it will weave together in a future book. This has been a good series so far.
March 8, 2018
I love a good story about the apocalypse. And I especially like an apocalyptic story with some basis in reality. That's not to say Steve Sterling's Emberverse novels aren't devoured quickly and The Walking Dead's still-unexplained premise isn't fun to escape into, but William Forstchen, John Barnes, and Mike Sheridan's more reality-based stories (each with a much different premise) are more satisfying to me in many ways.
JK Franks's American Exodus is now another reality-based apocalypse book I've added to my list of favorites. American Exodus is apparently just a novella set in the Catalyst series of novels (none of which I've read yet). The premise is very similar to the one used by William Forstchen - with a twist. Instead of a man-generated EMP wiping out civilization in the western world, it's a solar flare that takes the entire world to its knees. And the political upheaval that follows the collapse is right out of D.W. Ulsterman's Race Wars stories (with less emphasis on race and more on Hitler-esque cleansing).
The primary characters in the story are well-developed and pretty believable (a kid on his own, a wealthy guy who owns Ford dealerships, and an ex-military, survivalist guy). Most of the characters are average people who don't really posses any extraordinary abilities that allow them to survive in this chaotic new world, but mainly just get lucky while millions around them are less lucky. I didn't spot many grammatical/typographical errors in the book (just two typos that stood out - I wasn't really proofreading, just reading for enjoyment), so that was nice. I find poor writing and proofing to be super-distracting.
The book ends with a little bit of a cliffhanger, but I don't know if or when the story of these characters will continue.
Warning: There is quite a bit of profanity in the story (primarily of the f-bomb variety). Much more than was in any way necessary (I know authors think it makes the story feel more "real," but I just find it distracting and disappointing). The sexual content was very light and non graphic in any way. But due to the pervasive language, this isn't really a book for kids.
If you appreciate a good story about post-apocalyptic survival, you should pick this book up. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
JK Franks's American Exodus is now another reality-based apocalypse book I've added to my list of favorites. American Exodus is apparently just a novella set in the Catalyst series of novels (none of which I've read yet). The premise is very similar to the one used by William Forstchen - with a twist. Instead of a man-generated EMP wiping out civilization in the western world, it's a solar flare that takes the entire world to its knees. And the political upheaval that follows the collapse is right out of D.W. Ulsterman's Race Wars stories (with less emphasis on race and more on Hitler-esque cleansing).
The primary characters in the story are well-developed and pretty believable (a kid on his own, a wealthy guy who owns Ford dealerships, and an ex-military, survivalist guy). Most of the characters are average people who don't really posses any extraordinary abilities that allow them to survive in this chaotic new world, but mainly just get lucky while millions around them are less lucky. I didn't spot many grammatical/typographical errors in the book (just two typos that stood out - I wasn't really proofreading, just reading for enjoyment), so that was nice. I find poor writing and proofing to be super-distracting.
The book ends with a little bit of a cliffhanger, but I don't know if or when the story of these characters will continue.
Warning: There is quite a bit of profanity in the story (primarily of the f-bomb variety). Much more than was in any way necessary (I know authors think it makes the story feel more "real," but I just find it distracting and disappointing). The sexual content was very light and non graphic in any way. But due to the pervasive language, this isn't really a book for kids.
If you appreciate a good story about post-apocalyptic survival, you should pick this book up. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
June 14, 2019
American Exodus was a good side story to the main Catalyst series. I don’t think you have to read the other books in the series before reading this, but it adds to the book if you have. Although I’ve only just started the last book in the series, Ghost Country, I think some of the insight you receive about the politics going on behind the scenes is going to be a major part of this next book. This book also made some aspects of the rest of the series I found somewhat unbelievable fall into place.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and I hope the make an appearance in the main series. It was interesting to see the CME event from Steve’s perspective as a car dealership owner as opposed to Scott’s. We also were able to get a look at what is happening in major cities as most of the main series takes place in small country towns. The one criticism I have is that the part of the story involving river travel seemed a bit too much like Bobby’s story from book 2. Overall though this was an enjoyable side book that adds to the narrative of the main story.
I listened to the audio book. Just like the rest of the series I think Steven Varnum is a great narrator.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and I hope the make an appearance in the main series. It was interesting to see the CME event from Steve’s perspective as a car dealership owner as opposed to Scott’s. We also were able to get a look at what is happening in major cities as most of the main series takes place in small country towns. The one criticism I have is that the part of the story involving river travel seemed a bit too much like Bobby’s story from book 2. Overall though this was an enjoyable side book that adds to the narrative of the main story.
I listened to the audio book. Just like the rest of the series I think Steven Varnum is a great narrator.
April 8, 2018
Frighteningly realistic!
Author has provided us with believe able cast of characters. The action is spellbinding.I intolerant the last time in the trilogy will be available very soon.
Author has provided us with believe able cast of characters. The action is spellbinding.I intolerant the last time in the trilogy will be available very soon.
July 22, 2018
The main character Stephen was a successful businessman before the event struck. Away on a business trip, he now has the daunting task of getting back home to his autistic son who needs him. Along the way he befriends a man and a young boy. They run into their share of roadblocks, aggressive people and physical challenges. They witness government official-looking teams helping the citizens… but what are they really doing? Do they keep going or turn back?
This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another.
There are situations I have considered but not wanted to really let my mind think about, about what would happen to the average person if this kind of scenario were to be true. There were things brought up in this book along the lines of what I was thinking about, but now hearing them it’s hard to get them out of my head. What a horrific, terrifying thing to have happen. The worst was the daycare center scene. This book and the Catalyst series brings a realism to the post apocalyptic genre that I have not read before.
This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Steven Varnum) and I would listen to another. He brings the emotion and life into the story that allows me to forget I am listening to a book being read to me.
There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is the very occasional swear word.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another.
There are situations I have considered but not wanted to really let my mind think about, about what would happen to the average person if this kind of scenario were to be true. There were things brought up in this book along the lines of what I was thinking about, but now hearing them it’s hard to get them out of my head. What a horrific, terrifying thing to have happen. The worst was the daycare center scene. This book and the Catalyst series brings a realism to the post apocalyptic genre that I have not read before.
This is the second book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Steven Varnum) and I would listen to another. He brings the emotion and life into the story that allows me to forget I am listening to a book being read to me.
There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessive violence. There is the very occasional swear word.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
September 5, 2025
This book completely threw me for a loop. It doesn’t open with the character I expected but instead introduces a new one, Steven, a man on a simple trip to a NASCAR motor speedway in the South. What begins as an ordinary outing quickly spirals into the worst possible nightmare as the world collapses into chaos.
Steven’s story hit me harder than I anticipated. As a father of a son, who traveled often, I felt the weight of his situation immediately. He’s separated by many miles from his high-support-needs son, who is left in the care of his “Barbie doll” wife while he assumes he’ll be back home soon, why wouldn’t he? But the unthinkable happens, and we follow Steven’s desperate and determined journey to reunite with his son in a world that has completely unraveled.
The book is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it was not at all what I thought I was walking into. But that’s what made it so compelling. Instead of a familiar continuation, Franks pulls the rug out and introduces a fresh perspective that expands the Catalyst universe in a bold way.
I really enjoyed this unexpected turn, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about Steven and seeing how his story connects in the next installment of the Catalyst Series.
Steven’s story hit me harder than I anticipated. As a father of a son, who traveled often, I felt the weight of his situation immediately. He’s separated by many miles from his high-support-needs son, who is left in the care of his “Barbie doll” wife while he assumes he’ll be back home soon, why wouldn’t he? But the unthinkable happens, and we follow Steven’s desperate and determined journey to reunite with his son in a world that has completely unraveled.
The book is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it was not at all what I thought I was walking into. But that’s what made it so compelling. Instead of a familiar continuation, Franks pulls the rug out and introduces a fresh perspective that expands the Catalyst universe in a bold way.
I really enjoyed this unexpected turn, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about Steven and seeing how his story connects in the next installment of the Catalyst Series.
December 1, 2019
Enjoyable read
I struggle a bit reviewing this book.
Mostly it’s the same old suspiciously lucky, can do no wrong, everyday man dealing with the unexpected apocalypse. It has the same old trope of Joe protagonist being far away from home and needing to get back to his family.
What I enjoyed about this book is that it is not your typical prepper porn preaching about all those stupid sheep whose only role in life is to feed the cannons of apocalypse. There is certainly some of this, but it never feels preachy or forced. The author also avoids gun and vehicle porn...where they spend paragraphs talking about the wonderful gear/guns/monster 4x4s they have/find/steal.
All in all the story feels grounded and remains believable...well, the conspiracy stuff is a bit heavy handed. It progresses logically, our hero’s make mistakes with consequences and all ends up in a frankly heartbreaking finale.
This book is certainly worth your time...so much so that I am moving on to another of his books.
I struggle a bit reviewing this book.
Mostly it’s the same old suspiciously lucky, can do no wrong, everyday man dealing with the unexpected apocalypse. It has the same old trope of Joe protagonist being far away from home and needing to get back to his family.
What I enjoyed about this book is that it is not your typical prepper porn preaching about all those stupid sheep whose only role in life is to feed the cannons of apocalypse. There is certainly some of this, but it never feels preachy or forced. The author also avoids gun and vehicle porn...where they spend paragraphs talking about the wonderful gear/guns/monster 4x4s they have/find/steal.
All in all the story feels grounded and remains believable...well, the conspiracy stuff is a bit heavy handed. It progresses logically, our hero’s make mistakes with consequences and all ends up in a frankly heartbreaking finale.
This book is certainly worth your time...so much so that I am moving on to another of his books.
March 13, 2025
Firstly, this novel is a completely different story arch than the first two Catalyst novels.
As I came close to completing the book, I realized why this novel felt familiar to me. I very much reminded me of the novel The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.
Alright, what did I like about the novel:
- I enjoyed the development of the three main characters, particularly the relationship between Gerald and JD.
- The novel did flow well and I never felt lost.
- The length of the novel was just right.
What didn't I like about the novel:
- I wish there was a little more action from time to time. The beginning was a little slow.
- The novel was a bit more believable in the beginning. Later on, some things the folks encounter seem a little fare fetched. To add context, more information comes out about a character in the last few pages of the novel that made me reflect on previous events.
Summary:
If you are a fan of the first two Catalyst books, then I would read this novel for the sake of keep up with the series. I gave it three stars and thought it was alright.
As I came close to completing the book, I realized why this novel felt familiar to me. I very much reminded me of the novel The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.
Alright, what did I like about the novel:
- I enjoyed the development of the three main characters, particularly the relationship between Gerald and JD.
- The novel did flow well and I never felt lost.
- The length of the novel was just right.
What didn't I like about the novel:
- I wish there was a little more action from time to time. The beginning was a little slow.
- The novel was a bit more believable in the beginning. Later on, some things the folks encounter seem a little fare fetched. To add context, more information comes out about a character in the last few pages of the novel that made me reflect on previous events.
Summary:
If you are a fan of the first two Catalyst books, then I would read this novel for the sake of keep up with the series. I gave it three stars and thought it was alright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2018
This is another excellent dystopian/post-apocalyptic tale from J.K. Franks. Although this is marketed as a sequel to the Catalyst Series it can be read as a standalone novel. Here we have another harrowing tale of one man’s effort to get home. Conspiracy theories abound in this tale of survival. The greatest of which is our evil governments attempt at population control, or as they remarked “reduction of the burden”. I enjoyed the characters, background, and tempo of the story. There is still room for more in this series. I hope Franks continues with it. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
April 16, 2020
For myself the character of Steven Porter was at times complex and at other times simple as over the course of this story his world changes, as does he, in ways not dreamed of until forced by circumstances beyond anyones control.
The secondary and supporting cast of characters also added just the right amount of realism to otherwise unreal events as they unfolded.
My heart was in my throat several times, especially when at the end of his journey Steves worst fears became reality.
Starting Ghost Country soon after taking a break to get into different mindset for a bit with other genre books.
The secondary and supporting cast of characters also added just the right amount of realism to otherwise unreal events as they unfolded.
My heart was in my throat several times, especially when at the end of his journey Steves worst fears became reality.
Starting Ghost Country soon after taking a break to get into different mindset for a bit with other genre books.
February 24, 2022
Is a come likely?
This book one of a series presents an interesting warning about dependence on electricity. Everyone knows the effects of an EMP on modern equipment but not a solar flare. After reading the first book of the series I researched CME and found we had been hit by on almost 150 years before but we had little reliance on electricity at that point. But now the climate change people are trying to shift us to dependence on electricity for everything. Making us Prime targets for a cataclysm if we ever have a CME again.
This book one of a series presents an interesting warning about dependence on electricity. Everyone knows the effects of an EMP on modern equipment but not a solar flare. After reading the first book of the series I researched CME and found we had been hit by on almost 150 years before but we had little reliance on electricity at that point. But now the climate change people are trying to shift us to dependence on electricity for everything. Making us Prime targets for a cataclysm if we ever have a CME again.
October 5, 2025
a departure
The third volume of the Catalyst books leaves the setting of the first two books and introduces a new cast of characters. The main character, Steve Porter, is a successful car dealership owner who was out of town when the CME hit, and the story follows his attempt to travel over 600 miles back home to his family. Details are revealed about the shadowy forces rounding up civilians and attacking major cities. The story moves quickly through dangerous territory, and Steve makes pairs up with two useful allies. I enjoyed this installment more than Volume 2.
The third volume of the Catalyst books leaves the setting of the first two books and introduces a new cast of characters. The main character, Steve Porter, is a successful car dealership owner who was out of town when the CME hit, and the story follows his attempt to travel over 600 miles back home to his family. Details are revealed about the shadowy forces rounding up civilians and attacking major cities. The story moves quickly through dangerous territory, and Steve makes pairs up with two useful allies. I enjoyed this installment more than Volume 2.
March 20, 2018
Sickness Itself
This guy's language made me retch- no it made me want to puke. Retch is too dignified a word. It is beginning to look like most books on Amazon are written by sick perverts who have no idea what crudeness is because they live in a cesspool themselves. Apparently I grew up in the golden years and those years have turned to a festering death now. RIP America, you were great when you were young.
This guy's language made me retch- no it made me want to puke. Retch is too dignified a word. It is beginning to look like most books on Amazon are written by sick perverts who have no idea what crudeness is because they live in a cesspool themselves. Apparently I grew up in the golden years and those years have turned to a festering death now. RIP America, you were great when you were young.
August 25, 2024
This book was okay to me. I would like to think that America would mostly stick together through this kind of event.
In this book, the government turns on eachother and the American people. The more I sit thinking about this book, the more disappointed I am in this author.
Steve has a SEVERELY autistic son and an ex-wife but he owns his own business so of course he's in the next state when a cme happens. There are very few truly kind people in this book and it doesn't have a conclusion.
In this book, the government turns on eachother and the American people. The more I sit thinking about this book, the more disappointed I am in this author.
Steve has a SEVERELY autistic son and an ex-wife but he owns his own business so of course he's in the next state when a cme happens. There are very few truly kind people in this book and it doesn't have a conclusion.
January 21, 2025
Much improved versus the previous two books. This is a standalone story that is centered around a separate character in a different part of the country when the CME happens.
I like how the protagonist is far away from home when the CME happens. There are a couple hokey parts (blimp ride and being rescued and released by the Army), but all in all more realistic than the first two books. The characters are decent, easy to relate to. Overall it reads easily and was well worth my time.
I like how the protagonist is far away from home when the CME happens. There are a couple hokey parts (blimp ride and being rescued and released by the Army), but all in all more realistic than the first two books. The characters are decent, easy to relate to. Overall it reads easily and was well worth my time.
April 16, 2018
This is a really good apocolyptic book from JK Franks.He seems to be able to figure out ways to survive in every area of the country.Whie the ne government is putting people into work camps ,Steve and his new friends are trying to go south without detection.Steven Varnum is an excellent narrator for these books.“I was given this free review copy audiobook and have voluntarily left this review."
March 26, 2019
A JKF. SYFY. Adventure (PAJ-C)/ A Life Ending Virus is Released on the US
JKF. has. penned a SYFY. Novel About a life ending virus is released and the US and other major countries jump back in time. The survivors must attempt to find a way to survive. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
JKF. has. penned a SYFY. Novel About a life ending virus is released and the US and other major countries jump back in time. The survivors must attempt to find a way to survive. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
January 5, 2025
Good travel adventure story
I preferred the first two books with lots of strategy and action but really liked the ending of this story. On to the next book 4 to see what mess these two get into next. If you like stories very similar to this try Burning Bridges. EMP survival in New York City.
I preferred the first two books with lots of strategy and action but really liked the ending of this story. On to the next book 4 to see what mess these two get into next. If you like stories very similar to this try Burning Bridges. EMP survival in New York City.
February 8, 2025
Wow what a ride! I could not put this down. The only regret was not getting to know Gerald better. So glad the threesome met and decided to stick together throughout the CME attack. This book really teaches you resilience and how to overcome the what ifs. Just bought the last book in this series and looking forward to another breath holding ride.
June 17, 2018
Interesting
Good book. Really makes you think about what could happen if something so extreme were to cone about. It took me a while to read it though. Parts seemed a little slow.
Good book. Really makes you think about what could happen if something so extreme were to cone about. It took me a while to read it though. Parts seemed a little slow.
December 18, 2018
Fantastic read.
This is well written......the characters jump right out at you. They engage you from the get go and keep you right there on the edge of your seat thru the entire story. My kind of book. Love it, recommend it.
This is well written......the characters jump right out at you. They engage you from the get go and keep you right there on the edge of your seat thru the entire story. My kind of book. Love it, recommend it.
February 8, 2019
A great read
While at times heartbreaking, this was also a story of hope and becoming someone you didn't think possible. A story of never giving up even when you want to. Full of action and great characters. I loved it!
While at times heartbreaking, this was also a story of hope and becoming someone you didn't think possible. A story of never giving up even when you want to. Full of action and great characters. I loved it!
July 13, 2019
A great book to read.
The book leaves you wondering what would happen for real if that really happens, it scares the check out of you. The book goes into detail on what they went thru to survive, makes for good reading and good job.
The book leaves you wondering what would happen for real if that really happens, it scares the check out of you. The book goes into detail on what they went thru to survive, makes for good reading and good job.
April 3, 2020
Really good story
Do not read much of this kind of stuff, but this one is really good. Like the way it starts out and the ending reels you for the sequel. Recommend this one, good writing.
Do not read much of this kind of stuff, but this one is really good. Like the way it starts out and the ending reels you for the sequel. Recommend this one, good writing.
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