Vince Walker and the remaining survivors from the town of Cloverdale, Indiana continue to come to terms with their new reality. Accepting the fact that the country has been thrust into nuclear war with an unknown enemy means they must forget their former lives and forge ahead.
The affects of the EMP blasts have left the survivors with no utilities, and no communication with the world outside of their once sleepy little town. A power surge also resulted in widespread fires, destroying most buildings and homes, leaving few resources intact.
The challenge of living is made even tougher by a roving gang of looters that will stop at nothing short of killing Vince and his crew in order to take what few supplies remain.
Can they outlast their enemies? Or will the fight for survival become their last stand?
This story has moments that are realistic and scary.
Upfront: This is the second book of a post-apocalyptic series. There is some violence... but understandable under the circumstances.
The small town of Cloverdale is still experiencing the after-effects of fires that broke out when the apocalyptic event occurred. That provided those that remained time to rest and decide the next plan of action for their survival. Even the best-laid plans cannot take into account the action of desperate people who'll stop at nothing to take over the hard work of others.
This story is scarily realistic because if an apocalyptic event occurred there is no telling what the situation will be. Even the best planning and best intentions might not work as well as one thought they would. What I enjoy most is how even despite their differences in opinion the group finds a way to work through things.
Bad actors against worse actors in this post EMP Indiana small town. Vince went to Indianapolis to pick up his adult son Sy who is visiting his dad after breaking up with his girlfriend and needing a period of self evaluation. Luckily, the plane landed early, but even as they started driving home to Cloverfield, a huge explosion occurred over the city and planes started crashing, cars were crashing, people were screaming and fires started everywhere. Also luckily, Vince was a mechanic with a garage back in Cloverfield and he happened to be driving a vehicle from before computers, so the two men were able to get back to the small town and see the destruction that was happening there as well. Fortunately, the garage was fine, the motel across the road was fine and it seemed like Vince, Sy, Tom, the motel owner and John, the town sheriff along with Mary, a widow who ran the local hardware store, were all going to be fine. The only thorn in their side was a renegade group, “The Looters” who came roaring into town on 4 wheel ATVs and started shooting. It was war! In this installment the group makes its way to a quarry and brings back a large piece of equipment that has a bucket and they use it to make a barricade with wrecked cars across the entrance to town. But The Looters are not giving up so easily.
The things about Bruno Millers books, and this is the third series I’m reading, is that the “heroes” are uniformly gun owners, people who have no trouble taking whatever they need to survive and damning anyone else who attempts to survive the same way. They shoot first and don’t ask questions. They may feel a pang of regret but they quickly become hardened in their belief that only they are entitled to whatever supplies or advantages they come across. It’s a very simplistic way of thinking but I’m sure it appeals to some people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Survival by Bruno Miller cranks up the tension from the very first book and throws its characters into an even harsher version of an already brutal world. With the aftermath of nuclear war and EMP devastation wiping out modern comforts, the story feels unsettlingly realistic in the way it explores survival, desperation, and the fragile balance between hope and chaos. Vince Walker and the rest of the Cloverdale survivors are well developed, making their struggles feel personal instead of just another post-apocalyptic action story. The constant threat of violent looters adds a steady layer of suspense that keeps the pages turning, and the realistic survival challenges make the danger feel believable rather than over-the-top. The pacing is strong, the stakes feel higher this time around, and that ending absolutely leaves you hanging in the best way possible. Definitely looking forward to seeing where the next book takes these characters.
I took off a star this time because it’s a little irritating that his books are so short. If I didn’t have kindle unlimited I couldn’t afford to pay for a complete series. Not if I wanted to read the rest of the month. Each book is only a few hours of reading. As for the series itself, I love them. The characters are well developed and the storyline realistic and plausible. This book had more suspense than the first book and ended with a cliffhanger. Looking forward to the next book.
I had quite liked the first book in this series as well as the Road series by this author, but this book, not so much. A lot of it was that this was a woefully short book. It is more like a few chapters of a regular sized book. There was a lot of action but it is hard to get much in the way of character development when it is this short. The cliff hanger is interesting but not too hard to see something like that coming.
This captivating novel explores themes of love and loss with exquisite prose. The characters are richly developed and relatable, making their journeys deeply affecting. The pacing is masterful, creating both moments of quiet reflection and breathtaking suspense. A truly unforgettable read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. This book is highly recommended for anyone seeking a story that will touch their heart.
Survival, book 2 in the Cloverdale series, continues the story of Vince and the rest of the Cloverdale survivors fighting to survive the after effects of the EMPs and the marauding looters terrorizing them. Every aspect of this book is put together exactly right, A non-stop rush for the reader! 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers and post-EMP survival thrillers!
The survivors are going to have to keep their heads up and continue to fight. The twists and turns that you have written are amazing. Vince will continue to do what is necessary to keep their heads in the game. I hope that the next book in the series is what I hope for.
.....second book to this series!!!! I don't usually leave a review between book one and the final book of the series, but in this case one is well deserved!!!! The BEST part of this book is the twist at the ending!!!!! Never saw it coming!!!!! Well done Mr. Miller!!!! Well done!!!!!!!
The book is ok, but the explanation of what each gun can do is too much explaining. Things are going downhill to fast. Someone loses their family yet is over it in a few days. Slow down, stop explaining what each gun can do especially when some of it is wrong. I'll continue the series, yet I'll continue to hope the writer stops explaining things so much
I love Bruno’s books. I have all of his series. I have just finished the second Cloverdale book. I Am begging, please tell me when book three will come out. I am warning you people don’t start reading his books. They are additive!! You can not put them down S Budgett
I definitely will be recommending this to my friends who are procrastinating. This IS happening. The end is coming. They wicked world we know is being dissolved.
Loved this second installment in this series. And what a cliff hanger! Now the hard part, waiting for book three. If you haven’t checked out Bruno Miller it’s time you do.
Exciting and scary. EMP's are very possible and it makes worry for future for my grandchildren and Greatgrand children. But I have Faith that will see us through. Great job Mr. Miller!
To be brutally honest, this is not one of the authors best stories yet. I was hoping for something better after the first book in the series, but this wasn’t the improvement I was hoping for. I will definitely not be buying any more books in this series.
Bruno Miller did an excellent job in writing Cloverdale Book 2. The characters remained believable true to form by Bruno Miller. He keeps each characters history straight and does not confuse the reader.
WOW, this series is just as good as the other series!
Loved this book, it is just as good as the other series by this author! It will keep you wondering what is going to happen next and holding your breath that it isn't bad! Can't wait to read the rest!
I can't get enough on one hand I want to finish the series on the other I dont want it to end ugh on to the next book if you haven't read any of this man's books please do they are going to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time!
Got this free on audible. Well written, nice character development through the series. Moved along quickly and kept me wanting to go back to see what happened next and to read the next in the series.
I cant decide if it's on purpose or not but the " looters " haven't actually done anything wrong up to the end of the book. The MC has just decided they are bad and constantly is launching suprise attacks on them
The author's take on structures being burnt up is different from some of the stories of this nature that I have read. The quadrilogy is pretty decent, with enough conflict to make it fairly believable.
Gosh I was so involved with the story I was stunned when I realized I had reached the end!! What! I’m sitting here going no! Great story. Can’t wait to see how it continues.
I like this series .I have trouble fine the rest of the series. I love the way the people band together to make a home. To take care of each other. Please keep writing!!!!!!