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The Apocalypticon Series #2
Post-Apocalypticon
The sequel to the international best-seller that Boing Boing calls "a hell of a lot of fun!" Ben Fogelvee isn’t having his best apocalypse. His madcap last-hurrah road trip from Chicago to Disney World ended in disaster; he lost his best friend, and he’s spent the three years since weighed down by ghosts and haunted by tragedy. He’s found a shred of purpose back on Horace’s train, riding the rails and teaching new Red Caps how to protect the dwindling freight. When the train is beset by bandits who steal a particularly precious piece of cargo, Ben heads out into the high desert of the Colorado-Utah borderlands on a post-apocalyptic mission to get back what he’s lost. He’s not alone, though...he has the memory of Patrick Deen to guide him at every turn—for better or for worse. With a desert full of snakes and cults and messengers and cliff-dwellers and all manner of after-doomsday weirdness ahead of him, plus a sinister blonde woman thundering dangerously along his trail, hunting him for reasons he can’t possibly fathom, Ben is going to need all the guidance he can get. But when he learns the real reason for the train robbery—and of the mysterious doctor who controls the bandits and performs gruesome experiments on M-Day survivors in his remote lab, protected by an army of dusters—well...this might be one adventure he can’t machete his way out of.It’s a hilarious, harrowing, and heart-breaking sequel that the apocalypse is hard...but a world post-Apocalpyticon may be more than Ben can handle.
286 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2018
52 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Clayton Smith
22 books149 followersClayton Smith is a writer, teacher, and entrepreneur based in Chicago. He is an assistant professor of instruction in the Business and Entrepreneurship Department at Columbia College Chicago, and he is the co-founder of Media Empire Media. His work includes the novels Apocalypticon, Anomaly Flats, and Na Akua and the comedic plays Death and McCootie and The Depths.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 1, 2018
The prequel to this book, Apocalypticon, is one of my top-ten favorite books (and I've read hundreds including a sizable number of post-apocalyptics). I love the fun interplay of dialogue between the 2 main characters and the strange characters they meet along their post-apocalyptic journey. This book has the same quirks of the first and succeeds in ways that I thought were impossible based on how book #1 ended. I love how the author is able to creatively pull off that same vibe within a different set of circumstances. Honestly, it kept me guessing the whole time. Is Ben delusional, is he not really delusional but his friend is going along with him, did Ben make a mistaken assumption at the end of the first book? Also, what's the point of the whole adventure? The ending is satisfying and pulls the novel together in the best possible way. It answers all these questions, and, of course, now we need a 3rd book in the series.
While the motivation for the post-apocalyptic journey of first book is visiting Disney World, the motivation for the journey of the second book is retrieving a stolen Jansport backpack. Ben's adventures are filled with train bandits, a damsel on the tracks, a city of women, ruthies, a berserker she-woman hot on his trail, weird canyon adventures, a bengal tiger, zombie-not-zombies, and a rumored scientific compound.
The book is also just as full of quirky lines as the first book. I'll leave you with a few of my favorites which explain the apocalypse as Ben sees it.
Concerning the grammar of the apocalypse:
Concerning traps of the apocalypse:
Concerning fashion of the apocalypse:
Concerning body shape of the apocalypse:
Concerning the worst people of the apocalypse:
Anyhow, this series comes highly recommended for a lighthearted yet heartfelt, fun romp through the apocalypse.
While the motivation for the post-apocalyptic journey of first book is visiting Disney World, the motivation for the journey of the second book is retrieving a stolen Jansport backpack. Ben's adventures are filled with train bandits, a damsel on the tracks, a city of women, ruthies, a berserker she-woman hot on his trail, weird canyon adventures, a bengal tiger, zombie-not-zombies, and a rumored scientific compound.
The book is also just as full of quirky lines as the first book. I'll leave you with a few of my favorites which explain the apocalypse as Ben sees it.
Concerning the grammar of the apocalypse:
He’d come to grips with the fact that there weren’t a whole lot of English teachers left alive, and that most AP style guides had probably been incinerated in the name of warmth during one of the five chemical winters that had passed since the Flying Monkeys fell. So now it was up to him to save grammar.
Concerning traps of the apocalypse:
“This is a trap! This is obviously a trap! This is a trap taken right out of the Idiot’s Guide to Traps! Don’t stop the train!
Concerning fashion of the apocalypse:
“But the real reason to carry around a machete...is because if you hold it just right, like when it’s dark and you’re in front of a fire on top of a hill, you’ll be in silhouette, with your machete-shadow stretching across the highway, or the desert, or the rubble, or whatever, and believe me…you will look totally badass.”
Concerning body shape of the apocalypse:
I’m pretty big now. Not fat or anything, but bigger. Apocalypse muscle.” You don’t have apocalypse muscle.
Concerning the worst people of the apocalypse:
“No one like you is supposed to exist. ...You’re a Cormac McCarthy character come to life.”
Anyhow, this series comes highly recommended for a lighthearted yet heartfelt, fun romp through the apocalypse.
June 21, 2019
You know how you finish a good book and wish there was more? Well, here is more. And it's even better.
"I did not brain him. He brained himself. He should have been paying attention. Yeah, the first rule of motorcycling is, 'Watch out for flying soup.' " Classic!
"I did not brain him. He brained himself. He should have been paying attention. Yeah, the first rule of motorcycling is, 'Watch out for flying soup.' " Classic!
November 15, 2018
He did it again.
Clayton Smith did it again. He made me cry and laugh out loud while reading this story. Just like the first book did. It's pretty good. You meet some familiar characters and some new ones on Ben's journey across the desert to save his most prized possession. There are gun fights, dusters, a crazy woman, and a tiger! I enjoyed reading this one!
Clayton Smith did it again. He made me cry and laugh out loud while reading this story. Just like the first book did. It's pretty good. You meet some familiar characters and some new ones on Ben's journey across the desert to save his most prized possession. There are gun fights, dusters, a crazy woman, and a tiger! I enjoyed reading this one!
December 10, 2018
Brilliant long awaited sequel
I enjoyed the first book so much I actually messaged the author begging him to do another, I'm so happy he did and can't wait for the next one
I enjoyed the first book so much I actually messaged the author begging him to do another, I'm so happy he did and can't wait for the next one
June 10, 2020
This review contains spoilers for the FIRST book. The second is spoiler free.
I got my book club to read the first one, Apocalypticon, a year or 2 ago. Most of us loved it. The rest of us, the WRONG ones, only didn't because of that unfortunate business with Ponch. And that's where the wrong ones stopped reading in a show of solidarity with a ficticous, delicious buffalo. Whatever. He's already been digested. (I make this flippant remark to conceal the pain. I threw my phone. I also cried a little bit. A lot, okay? I cried a lot!)
Anyway...
I follow the author and get his newsletter and when I found out he was writing a sequel I was so excited I screeched. Actually screeched. Like a banshee. Or a girl 5-10 years ago at a Bieber concert. So yeah... A banshee. But me being me, it took me this long to read the second one. Which was once again a pick for my book club. And I was NOT disappointed.
This one follows Ben and his "brain tumor" on another crazy adventure. I don't want to give too much away and spoil the joys of discovery. But I will tell you it's just as funny and moving as the first, and it makes me ever more certain of my love for Ben as a fictional character. (Ben > Pat. Fight me.) I love them both, but I have a special place in my heart for dumbasses. Also, you'll get to meet up with some old friends. And damn... What an ending! Can't wait for the next one!
I got my book club to read the first one, Apocalypticon, a year or 2 ago. Most of us loved it. The rest of us, the WRONG ones, only didn't because of that unfortunate business with Ponch. And that's where the wrong ones stopped reading in a show of solidarity with a ficticous, delicious buffalo. Whatever. He's already been digested. (I make this flippant remark to conceal the pain. I threw my phone. I also cried a little bit. A lot, okay? I cried a lot!)
Anyway...
I follow the author and get his newsletter and when I found out he was writing a sequel I was so excited I screeched. Actually screeched. Like a banshee. Or a girl 5-10 years ago at a Bieber concert. So yeah... A banshee. But me being me, it took me this long to read the second one. Which was once again a pick for my book club. And I was NOT disappointed.
This one follows Ben and his "brain tumor" on another crazy adventure. I don't want to give too much away and spoil the joys of discovery. But I will tell you it's just as funny and moving as the first, and it makes me ever more certain of my love for Ben as a fictional character. (Ben > Pat. Fight me.) I love them both, but I have a special place in my heart for dumbasses. Also, you'll get to meet up with some old friends. And damn... What an ending! Can't wait for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
Love this series. This is an amazing book!
January 1, 2019
Second books in trilogies are hard to get right. In fact, sometimes I think they're impossible to get right, because even some of my favorite authors really struggle when they're in the middle of an arc.
But Smith knocked nailed it. Like many second books, Post-Apocalypticon seems to separate the overarching story into two sections; the first book and the second two. But it's connected enough with Apocalypticon, and has enough of a standalone story, that it doesn't feel incomplete. Which is a huge accomplishment!
As with the first novel, much of this book's charm comes from the nutty people the main character meets on his travels. Instead of southern cities and swamps this time, though, Ben is headed on a trek through the western deserts, and there's a subtle but very fun western flair to this story. You've never read a western like this one, though. I laughed out loud—sometimes only pages away from paragraphs that made my heart ache.
Smith's ability to write characters that both chill the blood and warm the heart is on point. This is a trilogy on its way to becoming one of the greats of post-apocalyptic literature. I absolutely cannot wait for the third installment!
(Can I say again how amazing it is that this book works as a standalone story? Not sure the last time I read a second book that didn't feel a little bit like a cheat. Or a we-need-to-turn-this-duology-into-a-trilogy! entry.)
But Smith knocked nailed it. Like many second books, Post-Apocalypticon seems to separate the overarching story into two sections; the first book and the second two. But it's connected enough with Apocalypticon, and has enough of a standalone story, that it doesn't feel incomplete. Which is a huge accomplishment!
As with the first novel, much of this book's charm comes from the nutty people the main character meets on his travels. Instead of southern cities and swamps this time, though, Ben is headed on a trek through the western deserts, and there's a subtle but very fun western flair to this story. You've never read a western like this one, though. I laughed out loud—sometimes only pages away from paragraphs that made my heart ache.
Smith's ability to write characters that both chill the blood and warm the heart is on point. This is a trilogy on its way to becoming one of the greats of post-apocalyptic literature. I absolutely cannot wait for the third installment!
(Can I say again how amazing it is that this book works as a standalone story? Not sure the last time I read a second book that didn't feel a little bit like a cheat. Or a we-need-to-turn-this-duology-into-a-trilogy! entry.)
March 19, 2019
This is an amazing continuation of The Apocalypticon story. Apocalypticon is one of my favorite books (it's in the top ten) and I absolutely love these characters. We are BFFs...well not the bad guys or the zombies or the crazies...so maybe not BFFs. More like those family members that you don't mind seeing every other holiday so you can hear how messed up their lives are and then you think "wow, I am killing it at the adulting thing cause Uncle Jim is nuts." What I'm trying to say is that you really connect with all the characters in this book and you feel real empathy for all of them.
The dynamics of these characters are just so real. This IS what real people would do if the world ended. The author is excellent at making you want to end it all but you just keep on trucking with Ben because in the end we as humans assume there must be something more to this world, to life. It's a roller-coaster ride of laughter, tears, fear, hope and friendship. It gave me all the feels. If you haven't read Apocalypticon you should before you read this one because there are a lot of inside jokes that you won't get if you don't. Also it AWESOME! You won't regret it.
The dynamics of these characters are just so real. This IS what real people would do if the world ended. The author is excellent at making you want to end it all but you just keep on trucking with Ben because in the end we as humans assume there must be something more to this world, to life. It's a roller-coaster ride of laughter, tears, fear, hope and friendship. It gave me all the feels. If you haven't read Apocalypticon you should before you read this one because there are a lot of inside jokes that you won't get if you don't. Also it AWESOME! You won't regret it.
November 2, 2018
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed Apocalypticon so I was gladly surprised to discover the sequel was released a week ago. What I really liked in the previous book was the mix of absurd humor and horror. In this one, the formula is repeated, with slightly less success than in the previous one, IMO.
What I really enjoyed of this book though is the mix of funny situations and dialogues mix with serious, dark memories almost immediately. There was a bit of that in Apocalypticon, but I think it was emphasized in this book.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
What I really enjoyed of this book though is the mix of funny situations and dialogues mix with serious, dark memories almost immediately. There was a bit of that in Apocalypticon, but I think it was emphasized in this book.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
June 13, 2020
I read this book because I read and REALLY enjoyed the first volume. I kept reading it because I wanted to see where Ben's quest would take him. The unfortunate thing about this book is that it read like the first draft of a badly written Monty Python sketch, written by someone who is pretending to be in Monty Python. Way to much slapstick. And why did Ben fall so much? It seemed that in every chapter, the protagonist Ben, fell, tripped over or was knocked over by someone or something. For a guy who's described as vertically challenged, he finds himself on the ground almost as much as he does standing.
There was redemption in the last chapters as the story comes to an actually satisfying conclusion. But I saw the set-up for the next volume WAY before I got to the Epilogue.
There was redemption in the last chapters as the story comes to an actually satisfying conclusion. But I saw the set-up for the next volume WAY before I got to the Epilogue.
June 25, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Even though it has been a minute since I read the first installment, the author has a knack for gently jogging the reader’s memory so that references aren’t lost. My only real qualm is that the dialogue is almost TOO witty or effortful at times. I caught myself thinking, “you are five years deep into a brutal apocalypse, and you still have the wherewithal and energy to be snarky all the time!?” That being said, it did provide some comic relief and the rest of the narrative is beautifully written and easily lends itself to visualizing the setting and evoking a lot of emotion. There were many times when I was laughing out loud on one page, then crying on the next. This book was hard to put down, and I am really looking forward to book 3!
August 21, 2019
I didn't even know Apocalypticon had a sequel never mind be part of a trilogy so imagine my delight when this popped up on Audible on release day as I was looking for a book to spend a credit on.
I loved the first book and this second installment didn't disappoint one bit. It was just great fun. There were some genuine laugh out loud moments but it also had plenty of suspense and tragedy as Ben continues his post apocalyptic journey.
I can't wait for the third book!
I loved the first book and this second installment didn't disappoint one bit. It was just great fun. There were some genuine laugh out loud moments but it also had plenty of suspense and tragedy as Ben continues his post apocalyptic journey.
I can't wait for the third book!
December 4, 2018
One of my favorite new authors - because his books make me laugh like so few can. The apocalypse couldn't be funnier. It's witty, ridiculous, charming, and believe it or not, very touching. I think that's what makes it such a memorable story. And the ending had me grinning from ear to ear. I can't wait for the third installment.
January 27, 2020
This is a solid sequel to a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m not going to post any spoilers, but this one didn’t have the chemistry between characters and wordplay of the first for reasons obvious to those who read Apocalypticon, but it was still a fun and enjoyable read with plenty of laughs. I look forward to the next book!
October 16, 2025
Second book did not disappoint!
I liked the premise of the first book, and when I saw there was, indeed, a sequel, I grabbed it immediately.
Mr. Smith did an excellent job trying up loose ends. This author has a very vivid, unique imagination. I think a third book would not be unwelcome.
I liked the premise of the first book, and when I saw there was, indeed, a sequel, I grabbed it immediately.
Mr. Smith did an excellent job trying up loose ends. This author has a very vivid, unique imagination. I think a third book would not be unwelcome.
December 31, 2025
Kept me wildly engaged!! This author seems to have sucked me right in! There are kinda zombies and they will do! I think the dusters are actually grosser than actual zombies. The green goo…. And who was that damn lady that was able to kill everyone in her path?? I hope we learn more about her kind in the next few novels!
March 17, 2019
These books are spectacular!
I’m so very in love with the characters and their story.
I knew it! I fracking knew he wasn’t dead!!!!!
The end literally made me cry like a wee child.
I absolutely can not wait for the third book!
I’m so very in love with the characters and their story.
I knew it! I fracking knew he wasn’t dead!!!!!
The end literally made me cry like a wee child.
I absolutely can not wait for the third book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2019
Friendship at its best
I loved this series . The interaction between the two main characters was something I could relate to. There may be allot of snark but it exists alongside a friendship that is strong enough to survive the apocalypse.
I loved this series . The interaction between the two main characters was something I could relate to. There may be allot of snark but it exists alongside a friendship that is strong enough to survive the apocalypse.
April 26, 2019
Not bad
I absolutely love the first book and maybe I had my hopes too high. The storyline is meh. Still had the head and essence of Ben and Pat. Worth the read for the kinds closure. Jared saying goodbye to these two tho
I absolutely love the first book and maybe I had my hopes too high. The storyline is meh. Still had the head and essence of Ben and Pat. Worth the read for the kinds closure. Jared saying goodbye to these two tho
October 20, 2019
Yes, I read it despite my better judgement
Yes, there are some proofreading oversights. However it is a fun improbable romp through a post apocalyptic world.
Just read it and enjoy
Yes, there are some proofreading oversights. However it is a fun improbable romp through a post apocalyptic world.
Just read it and enjoy
August 30, 2021
Oh. My. God. This is without a doubt one of the best book series in the genre I've ever read. It made me both laugh until I coughed and cry until my face felt like it was going to blow up. This can NOT be the end. Please let it be third book coming up!
May 7, 2024
I stumbled on these books/author by accident and so glad I didn't pass them by. The terrible title,the plot blurb....should have been a complete train wreck, but instead, it was great. Will there be a pre or post post? I hope so, especially after that epilogue.
February 1, 2019
Can't wait for book three
Loved it properly funny hurry up and finish the third one here's to the survivors may you laugh out loud
Loved it properly funny hurry up and finish the third one here's to the survivors may you laugh out loud
August 29, 2019
Very entertaining
I enjoy the sense of humor in such a desolate world. I would recommend this book to people interested in post-apocalypse settings.
I enjoy the sense of humor in such a desolate world. I would recommend this book to people interested in post-apocalypse settings.
December 4, 2019
Great part-2 of the Apocalypticon!
March 6, 2021
Hilarious it is!
Ben and Patrick. After M Day there are a lot of challenges they face together. Good right to the last page!
Ben and Patrick. After M Day there are a lot of challenges they face together. Good right to the last page!
August 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this book/series. It is funny and fast paced. The author does a good job of balancing of serious and funny things.
January 4, 2026
Absolutely brilliant. Ben has taught me that it is possible for a dyspraxic human to survive post apocalypse - there is hope for us all 😁.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews