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The X: A Novel
AMERICA, ABANDONED.
Environmental and economic turmoil forces the United States to consolidate its borders, leaving nearly 2/3 of the country abandoned.
One year after moving from Colorado to New Mexico to comply with the Sunbelt Relocation Act, Leo Kline gets the itch to explore abandoned America and convinces his wife, Nova, to join him.
After a surreal day walking the deserted downtown Denver streets and skiing the untracked Rocky Mountains without seeing another soul, the Kline’s come face to face with the unsettling truth: abandoned America isn’t abandoned after all.
Leo learns that those left roaming the empty cities and towns of America are extremely dangerous and that he may hold the key to dismantling their sinister agenda.
THE X is a dystopian thriller for fans of Blake Crouch's WAYWARD PINES trilogy or Omar El Akkad's AMERICAN WAR.
Environmental and economic turmoil forces the United States to consolidate its borders, leaving nearly 2/3 of the country abandoned.
One year after moving from Colorado to New Mexico to comply with the Sunbelt Relocation Act, Leo Kline gets the itch to explore abandoned America and convinces his wife, Nova, to join him.
After a surreal day walking the deserted downtown Denver streets and skiing the untracked Rocky Mountains without seeing another soul, the Kline’s come face to face with the unsettling truth: abandoned America isn’t abandoned after all.
Leo learns that those left roaming the empty cities and towns of America are extremely dangerous and that he may hold the key to dismantling their sinister agenda.
THE X is a dystopian thriller for fans of Blake Crouch's WAYWARD PINES trilogy or Omar El Akkad's AMERICAN WAR.
284 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2020
20 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Derek Walker
8 books9 followersDerek Walker credits his passion for horror to his Nana Jo, who, despite being a conservative, suburban mother of six, loved the macabre. He lives in the Salt Lake area with his wife, Amanda and two daughters, Quinn and Maple Jo. His debut novel, The X, is due in 2020.
Follow him at derekwalker.me
Follow him at derekwalker.me
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 15, 2021
Sure you might think I’m biased because I wrote this book, which is why I’m offering you my completely unbiased opinion: this book is fantastic. I’d give it six stars if I could. Seven if it had more romance.
May 8, 2020
The characters are relatable.
The main character’s life is stagnant and when a friend makes a suggestion to go beyond the wall, he makes a decision that will change his life forever.
In an attempt at reclaiming some excitement he suggests a road trip which quickly sours and tragedy strikes.
An enjoyable read and one I’d recommend.
The main character’s life is stagnant and when a friend makes a suggestion to go beyond the wall, he makes a decision that will change his life forever.
In an attempt at reclaiming some excitement he suggests a road trip which quickly sours and tragedy strikes.
An enjoyable read and one I’d recommend.
June 1, 2020
A refreshing story, well written from start to finish. I rarely get to read books that grip so well I suddenly notice it’s 3 am. The world is fascinating and the author cleverly implements the possibilites such world allows him to. And there’s room for more stories in that world. Thank you mr. Walker.
May 24, 2020
Good story with a rather abrupt ending. I was hoping there'll be some resolution in Leo getting his child
I looked forward to some type of ending where Leo is able to get the children out. In a way, the ending leaves the story hanging . Is the author planning a sequel?
I looked forward to some type of ending where Leo is able to get the children out. In a way, the ending leaves the story hanging . Is the author planning a sequel?
May 9, 2020
The X is a plenty good tale overall, there’s no doubt about that. You can feel the scenes shift as the book progresses; instead of feeling like a movie with rampant jumpcuts and cutscenes, the flow stays unbroken throughout the story. The occasional memories and flashbacks don’t feel out of place despite this though. They’re introduced gently and convincingly rather than shoved down the reader’s throat.
The same, however, cannot be said for the odd philosophical, preachy passages where the protagonist, Leo, starts monologuing.
If you want to avoid spoilers, stop here.
You’ve had your warning. Once you pass this line, you will be in the Wild, and no law can save you.
Oh well. Moving on. About Leo’s “deep” monologues.
I get it, an author needs to find a way to insert their ideals and beliefs, and the easiest way is obviously to have the main character ponder these philosophical debates with himself when something just happens to trigger his regret over letting his wife die. Dying when he was the one being shot at, no less! Such loss surely calls for repeated resentment in the rare moments of peace and serenity.
But the problem is, these debates stand in glaring contrast with how he acts normally. He’d go from being a killer willing to give it his all to safe his daughter one moment, to a melancholy, broken man who seems more well suited to be having a coffee with Nietzsche than holding a gun and hunting big baddies with a cross over their eyes the next. While he does go through much character development, it’s this kind of personality inconsistency that sometimes makes him an unrelatable character.
Another issue is the ending. Or rather, the lack of one. Logically, it’s closure alright; by the last one-fifth of the book, Leo had a plan to bust his daughter, Xandra, from the Blue camp. There was much anticipation as to whether or not she was indeed still alive, whether he could run off on his own successfully, whether Zara the surviving church lady could slink into the camp undetected…
…and then she does, and the book ends. It’s anticlimactic, to say the least, and while some would appreciate this kind of ending, it’s not my cup of tea.
That’s not to say the book wasn’t good. Rather, aside from the two peeves mentioned above, The X was a brilliant read that I scarfed down with my dinner.
The action is plenty and gets one’s blood pumping. This ties into what I said much earlier about the flow—since the book flows so smoothly, there’s nothing to stop you from feeling like you’re right there in the middle of the crossfire. Everything is relayed to you, the reader, with just the right amount of detail. The world unfolds as it becomes important, so you’re not bogged down by excessive world-building and can focus on the action instead, then let your adrenaline die down too when all’s said and done and the bodies are no longer moving.
Then there are the emotions. While I did call Leo “sometimes unrelatable” just a few paragraphs ago, his emotions do ring true, and hats off to Mr. Walker for that. You can feel his anger, uncertainty, fear, and joy anytime they pop up. They’re vivid and lifelike, so to speak.
In short, The X is an enchanting thriller. It’s not perfect, but it’s got it where it counts, and at the end of the day, that’s what makes it a satisfying read.
The same, however, cannot be said for the odd philosophical, preachy passages where the protagonist, Leo, starts monologuing.
If you want to avoid spoilers, stop here.
You’ve had your warning. Once you pass this line, you will be in the Wild, and no law can save you.
Oh well. Moving on. About Leo’s “deep” monologues.
I get it, an author needs to find a way to insert their ideals and beliefs, and the easiest way is obviously to have the main character ponder these philosophical debates with himself when something just happens to trigger his regret over letting his wife die. Dying when he was the one being shot at, no less! Such loss surely calls for repeated resentment in the rare moments of peace and serenity.
But the problem is, these debates stand in glaring contrast with how he acts normally. He’d go from being a killer willing to give it his all to safe his daughter one moment, to a melancholy, broken man who seems more well suited to be having a coffee with Nietzsche than holding a gun and hunting big baddies with a cross over their eyes the next. While he does go through much character development, it’s this kind of personality inconsistency that sometimes makes him an unrelatable character.
Another issue is the ending. Or rather, the lack of one. Logically, it’s closure alright; by the last one-fifth of the book, Leo had a plan to bust his daughter, Xandra, from the Blue camp. There was much anticipation as to whether or not she was indeed still alive, whether he could run off on his own successfully, whether Zara the surviving church lady could slink into the camp undetected…
…and then she does, and the book ends. It’s anticlimactic, to say the least, and while some would appreciate this kind of ending, it’s not my cup of tea.
That’s not to say the book wasn’t good. Rather, aside from the two peeves mentioned above, The X was a brilliant read that I scarfed down with my dinner.
The action is plenty and gets one’s blood pumping. This ties into what I said much earlier about the flow—since the book flows so smoothly, there’s nothing to stop you from feeling like you’re right there in the middle of the crossfire. Everything is relayed to you, the reader, with just the right amount of detail. The world unfolds as it becomes important, so you’re not bogged down by excessive world-building and can focus on the action instead, then let your adrenaline die down too when all’s said and done and the bodies are no longer moving.
Then there are the emotions. While I did call Leo “sometimes unrelatable” just a few paragraphs ago, his emotions do ring true, and hats off to Mr. Walker for that. You can feel his anger, uncertainty, fear, and joy anytime they pop up. They’re vivid and lifelike, so to speak.
In short, The X is an enchanting thriller. It’s not perfect, but it’s got it where it counts, and at the end of the day, that’s what makes it a satisfying read.
May 20, 2025
3.75 stars, rounded up:
I picked this book up for an alphabet reading challenge, and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not. It's a little outside my comfort zone, but I did enjoy the Wayward Pines trilogy and it's pitched as comparable. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
First the good: This was action packed, and was a quick read. I was kept on the edge of my seat by the mystery of what was going on and I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters and dialogue were enjoyable.
At first the tone seemed a little disjointed, but it actually worked for me? Like it starts as a thriller action, then turns into a comedic buddy road trip, then goes back into action/mystery/thriller. The middle part gave a bit of breathing room - which was needed after a really intense description during one of the action scenes.
I also REALLY appreciated that the characters weren't just action heroes all the way through. Leo is processing what's happening to him throughout the story. He does breathing exercises. He breaks down, and acknowledges that he breaks down. He feels like a real person, and not just a macho male lead. The story shows male characters crying and feeling.
What frustrated me: I wish that there had been some content warnings about the level of descriptive gore. There were a couple scenes that made me physically ill. The story is set in a dystopian wilderness, I get that there's going to be blood and injury. I just didn't expect that level of detail.
Also hated that
The ending was a bit frustrating. It does -have- an ending, but it's a bit ambiguous about how everything will turn out, which is not my cup of tea, especially with an action adventure story. I appreciate that the author has already said there will be a sequel, so hopefully we get a more fulfilling conclusion.
I would like to see some other perspectives in the sequel. Maybe ?
All in all, I'd say it's worth a read. And I hope to see the sequel soon.
I picked this book up for an alphabet reading challenge, and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not. It's a little outside my comfort zone, but I did enjoy the Wayward Pines trilogy and it's pitched as comparable. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
First the good: This was action packed, and was a quick read. I was kept on the edge of my seat by the mystery of what was going on and I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters and dialogue were enjoyable.
At first the tone seemed a little disjointed, but it actually worked for me? Like it starts as a thriller action, then turns into a comedic buddy road trip, then goes back into action/mystery/thriller. The middle part gave a bit of breathing room - which was needed after a really intense description during one of the action scenes.
I also REALLY appreciated that the characters weren't just action heroes all the way through. Leo is processing what's happening to him throughout the story. He does breathing exercises. He breaks down, and acknowledges that he breaks down. He feels like a real person, and not just a macho male lead. The story shows male characters crying and feeling.
What frustrated me: I wish that there had been some content warnings about the level of descriptive gore. There were a couple scenes that made me physically ill. The story is set in a dystopian wilderness, I get that there's going to be blood and injury. I just didn't expect that level of detail.
Also hated that
The ending was a bit frustrating. It does -have- an ending, but it's a bit ambiguous about how everything will turn out, which is not my cup of tea, especially with an action adventure story. I appreciate that the author has already said there will be a sequel, so hopefully we get a more fulfilling conclusion.
I would like to see some other perspectives in the sequel. Maybe ?
All in all, I'd say it's worth a read. And I hope to see the sequel soon.
May 31, 2020
A really fascinating story, especially interesting during these unprecedented times where we are questioning our world’s future. The X is different from typical dystopian tales. I found the whole situation of the United States believable and the characters relatable and interesting. The author’s writing gave them great, unique, believable personalities, which is really important to me in a novel.
I will say, the focus on Leo’s Buddhist beliefs seemed heavy in some parts. Although it was an interesting and real struggle for Leo being torn in so many different directions. Again, very relatable, well-written characters! Maybe just less Buddhism would have made the story flow better.
All around, well worth a read! I was completely enthralled the whole time. I don’t want to share too much, but there better be a second book! I was actually tearing up at the end.
I will say, the focus on Leo’s Buddhist beliefs seemed heavy in some parts. Although it was an interesting and real struggle for Leo being torn in so many different directions. Again, very relatable, well-written characters! Maybe just less Buddhism would have made the story flow better.
All around, well worth a read! I was completely enthralled the whole time. I don’t want to share too much, but there better be a second book! I was actually tearing up at the end.
May 21, 2020
Good but misguided politics
Good dystopia plot and characters. A little slow in places.
Author felt compelled to throw his liberal political views into character development (gay) which added nothing of value to the story line. Also cast conservatives as the villains because he thinks socialism is a fair, workable economic system, when it is actual a road to dictatorship.
I hope he and other authors can execute their literary art without having to inject their politics in to their fiction so blatantly.
Good dystopia plot and characters. A little slow in places.
Author felt compelled to throw his liberal political views into character development (gay) which added nothing of value to the story line. Also cast conservatives as the villains because he thinks socialism is a fair, workable economic system, when it is actual a road to dictatorship.
I hope he and other authors can execute their literary art without having to inject their politics in to their fiction so blatantly.
December 1, 2025
Leo is Brave. Leo is determined. The X perfectly captures a fear of the unknown but the determination of every parent. The liquified finger almost made me puke but I survived! I was hoping for more closure at the end, or the promise of a second book. But I will settle for where we are.
December 7, 2020
For a first time author I found this book to be compelling! I found the plot to be intriguing, and I could connect with the characters emotions.
July 18, 2021
Worse ending ever!!!
Unbelievable,liberal fantasy hogwash. Trump hating politics are actually included in the authors note. News flash! If you make a living from people buying your product,book, movie, song, etc. keep your political views to yourself. Reading should be an escape from your everyday reality, sheltered from the authors political hatred of A president. I don’t need that in my relaxing time. I’ll pass from any other books from this author. The boot was very amateurish.
Unbelievable,liberal fantasy hogwash. Trump hating politics are actually included in the authors note. News flash! If you make a living from people buying your product,book, movie, song, etc. keep your political views to yourself. Reading should be an escape from your everyday reality, sheltered from the authors political hatred of A president. I don’t need that in my relaxing time. I’ll pass from any other books from this author. The boot was very amateurish.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews