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Wasteland #4
Cleric of the Wasteland
The road to redemption is long...
...but Abel won’t let Sal walk it alone.
Travelling beyond the city, Abel must escort Sal to the Protected Zone.
But how much will he compromise to get her there?
And what will he find if he does?
Cleric of the Wasteland is the fourth book is Jon Cronshaw’s post-apocalyptic series.
If you like heartfelt storytelling, deep characters, and bleak wasteland settings, you’ll love Cleric of the Wasteland.
...but Abel won’t let Sal walk it alone.
Travelling beyond the city, Abel must escort Sal to the Protected Zone.
But how much will he compromise to get her there?
And what will he find if he does?
Cleric of the Wasteland is the fourth book is Jon Cronshaw’s post-apocalyptic series.
If you like heartfelt storytelling, deep characters, and bleak wasteland settings, you’ll love Cleric of the Wasteland.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2020
18 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Jon Cronshaw
98 books136 followersJon Cronshaw is a British science fiction and fantasy author based in the north of England, just south of the wall.
As a freelance features writer, he has had work published in local and national newspapers across the UK, including the Yorkshire Post and the Guardian.
He earned his PhD in history of art from the University of Leeds in 2011, focusing on the life and work of Anglo-American sculptor, Jacob Epstein (1880-1959).
He's a voracious reader, guide dog owner, ex-gamer, and wrestling fan.
As a freelance features writer, he has had work published in local and national newspapers across the UK, including the Yorkshire Post and the Guardian.
He earned his PhD in history of art from the University of Leeds in 2011, focusing on the life and work of Anglo-American sculptor, Jacob Epstein (1880-1959).
He's a voracious reader, guide dog owner, ex-gamer, and wrestling fan.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2025
Now that I'm finished with this series I can say I wasn't crazy about it. Parts of the books came off like they were written by an inexperienced writer and seemed juvenile in nature. Maybe it's just me but I like my wastelands to have waste in them. However, these books are mostly set in the same stretch of the same highway where the same characters repeatedly check the same abandoned cars and buildings for something to scavenge and trade. Based on that, to call this the "Wasteland" series is at best misleading and at worst a silly joke.
Also, and I don't think this is a spoiler because it's from book one, but I am still pissed over the way the author killed Abel's dog Pip. I get it that Cronshaw had just experienced his beloved guide dog retiring and moving to another home and that he was very sad. But that doesn't mean he gets to take it out on his readers, which is how Pip's killing came off to me.
Additionally, the author spent a lot of time in the early books building Sal up to be a strong person and strong leader. Therefore, it seemed unrealistic Sal would devolve into such a helpless, simpering mess in the last book. To me it seemed the author was dabbling in mental illness without really knowing what he was doing.
And that brings me to Sal's death, jeez, what the heck was that?? Cronshaw never even told us why she was in exile from the protected area! The lack of detail about what was going on toward the end of the book made the entire ending seem rushed. It was like the author just wanted to get the series over with as quickly as possible. I sincerely wish the last book had been devoted more to Abel, David and Sis than to Sal cracking up.
Also, and I don't think this is a spoiler because it's from book one, but I am still pissed over the way the author killed Abel's dog Pip. I get it that Cronshaw had just experienced his beloved guide dog retiring and moving to another home and that he was very sad. But that doesn't mean he gets to take it out on his readers, which is how Pip's killing came off to me.
Additionally, the author spent a lot of time in the early books building Sal up to be a strong person and strong leader. Therefore, it seemed unrealistic Sal would devolve into such a helpless, simpering mess in the last book. To me it seemed the author was dabbling in mental illness without really knowing what he was doing.
And that brings me to Sal's death, jeez, what the heck was that?? Cronshaw never even told us why she was in exile from the protected area! The lack of detail about what was going on toward the end of the book made the entire ending seem rushed. It was like the author just wanted to get the series over with as quickly as possible. I sincerely wish the last book had been devoted more to Abel, David and Sis than to Sal cracking up.
November 8, 2021
I have the omnibus edition of this series and book 4 was a brilliant conclusion.
This instalment was about a quest, one for Sal and, of course, Abel is there to help.
From the beginning of the series I've never liked Sal - too arrogant, judgemental and self-satisfied. She's obviously never known hardship like Abel and many others but continues to preach about God and Jesus and Christianity - but to me, she stands from a protected point of view so it's easy to judge others. The quest shows just how weak she really is.
Their journey is fraught with danger, as you'd expect, but Sal's constant moaning and preaching is very annoying - but it makes for a great story. Her hypocrisy is demonstrated in bright colours. How Abel keeps on going is amazing. He is far wiser and filled with goodness, far better than her or those religious followers. She is set in her beliefs and will not consider any other opinion. And yet, her beliefs are just opinions, as are any others.
I enjoyed the Superman episode - no spoilers (I hope). To me, that was the perfect foil for Sal's small-mindedness.
This instalment also angered me in regard to 'those who have v those who haven't' - no spoilers. I would have liked to know more of the why behind this.
Overall, this was a great story that compelled me to read late, until it was finished.
Highly recommended.
This instalment was about a quest, one for Sal and, of course, Abel is there to help.
From the beginning of the series I've never liked Sal - too arrogant, judgemental and self-satisfied. She's obviously never known hardship like Abel and many others but continues to preach about God and Jesus and Christianity - but to me, she stands from a protected point of view so it's easy to judge others. The quest shows just how weak she really is.
Their journey is fraught with danger, as you'd expect, but Sal's constant moaning and preaching is very annoying - but it makes for a great story. Her hypocrisy is demonstrated in bright colours. How Abel keeps on going is amazing. He is far wiser and filled with goodness, far better than her or those religious followers. She is set in her beliefs and will not consider any other opinion. And yet, her beliefs are just opinions, as are any others.
I enjoyed the Superman episode - no spoilers (I hope). To me, that was the perfect foil for Sal's small-mindedness.
This instalment also angered me in regard to 'those who have v those who haven't' - no spoilers. I would have liked to know more of the why behind this.
Overall, this was a great story that compelled me to read late, until it was finished.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2021
Cleric of the Wasteland - a review by Rosemary Kenny
After things settle down, Abel, Sal, Big Ned and his people head back to Town, trusting that since Alf and his followers are securing Trinity to be their HQ, they can return to comparative independence.
Why does David stay behind? Why does Sal leave?
Big Ned and son, Bob 2, think that ruined parts of the city can become the new Town, though not everyone agrees with them
What helps Sal and Abel move on, in hopes of finding safety at Abel's home in the Wilderness?
A dangerous journey across the frozen Wasteland sees Abel and Sal struggling to cope and having to deal with the dregs of the City, as a new reality sees Sal cast out by the religion and its representative she struggled against the odds to reach. Before they can escape, tragedy strikes and only one will be freed to seek a true life with an unexpected ending for the revenant.
An amazing conclusion to not only Jon Cronshaw's magnificent tale, Cleric of the Wasteland, but also now the 4 book box set, that's hopefully not the last we'll hear of Abel and his fellow survivors in the Wasteland. Get it now for an outstanding epic of Post-Apocalyptic survival and new life beyond it!
After things settle down, Abel, Sal, Big Ned and his people head back to Town, trusting that since Alf and his followers are securing Trinity to be their HQ, they can return to comparative independence.
Why does David stay behind? Why does Sal leave?
Big Ned and son, Bob 2, think that ruined parts of the city can become the new Town, though not everyone agrees with them
What helps Sal and Abel move on, in hopes of finding safety at Abel's home in the Wilderness?
A dangerous journey across the frozen Wasteland sees Abel and Sal struggling to cope and having to deal with the dregs of the City, as a new reality sees Sal cast out by the religion and its representative she struggled against the odds to reach. Before they can escape, tragedy strikes and only one will be freed to seek a true life with an unexpected ending for the revenant.
An amazing conclusion to not only Jon Cronshaw's magnificent tale, Cleric of the Wasteland, but also now the 4 book box set, that's hopefully not the last we'll hear of Abel and his fellow survivors in the Wasteland. Get it now for an outstanding epic of Post-Apocalyptic survival and new life beyond it!
July 19, 2020
This fourth and final episode of the Wasteland Series finds Abel attempting to help Sal find absolution from her church. To say this journey is harrowing is an understatement, in fact their trek to the protected zone provides several revelations about the Wasteland. Without providing any spoilers for this story, I have to say I wasn’t prepared for several of the revelations that Able encounters. It’s a bittersweet ending to this story, knowing this is the last journey with Able through the Wasteland. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
July 18, 2020
Abel is a good man in a dark world. Each journey in his life teaches him something and changes him. I liked him. Sal, I felt, was a contradiction in word and deed. I found the broken world of the story to be quite well thought out and believable. I gave it 4 stars because some of the dialogue seemed to be too drawn out and made it a bit boring.
I received this book as an ARC and wished to leave a review.
I received this book as an ARC and wished to leave a review.
July 23, 2020
Enjoyed book
Enjoyed the last book of the Wasteland series. Always want more but it is good to see an ending of a series in the Authors eyes. You hate to let the characters go when you follow their lives and wonder “what will happen next”. Thank you Jon for an amazing book.
Enjoyed the last book of the Wasteland series. Always want more but it is good to see an ending of a series in the Authors eyes. You hate to let the characters go when you follow their lives and wonder “what will happen next”. Thank you Jon for an amazing book.
August 17, 2021
Another great novel, lots of self doubt expressed by the two main characters.
Unexpected action throughout.
Makes you consider your own beliefs on right and wrong. Also religion.
A nice summation of the series.
Unexpected action throughout.
Makes you consider your own beliefs on right and wrong. Also religion.
A nice summation of the series.
January 24, 2022
Excellent conclusion to an excellent series! I highly recommend it and it should definitely be read in the order written to enjoy the story to its fullest extent. Often harrowing, sometimes heartbreaking but always entertaining.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
March 25, 2021
Not happy!!!
Wow, just wow. To read a series of books you hope for a semi decent end to the story. Not with this book . What a downer!
Wow, just wow. To read a series of books you hope for a semi decent end to the story. Not with this book . What a downer!
September 1, 2022
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews