Generations after a near nuclear annihilation, America is a radiation-ravaged wasteland swarming with a thousand horrifically mutated life forms. Ryan Cawdor and his band of post-holocaust survivors barely excape a self-destructing redoubt in the new southwest and embark on a journey overland to find the nearest gateway. But without an adequate supply of food and water, their quest is doomed.
Ryan strikes a deal with the leader of a wagon train heading protection against all attackers in exchange for food and water.
It is a deal that pits the one-eyed warrior against his oldest enemy a sadistic, ruthless man who would stop at nothing to get his hands on Ryan Cawdor.
In the Deathlands, everyone and everything is fair game, but only the strongest survive
I have now read over 90 of these books. This book is one of the earlier entries in the series. I found it interesting to see how the characters have evolved over time. Granted there are different authors in the series, but they stay fairly true to the characters.
I like post-apocalyptic stories. Yes these are formulaic and predictable books but I still enjoy reading them. Lots of action, blood guts and gore, dead burnt bodies (apologies to Arlo Guthrie).