Reap What You Sow

Seasons of Man #2

by S.M. Anderson

The best-selling story of Jason, Pro, and Rachel continues where “End of Summer” left off. ‘The Suck’ - the virus that claimed 97% percent of humanity - is gone. The arrival of other survivors with a different take on the future may be as dangerous as the virus itself. In the middle, with their hands on the scales, is a group of former soldiers and civilians who survived the virus in Antarctica. They’ve arrived to find a dead world, with no rules.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Dystopia, Survival, Military Fiction

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2020

About the author

Small town kid born in Idaho, raised in Eastern Oregon. I left the Northwest for the CIA. Twenty eight years and a ton of travel mileage later, I am living in Northern Virginia with my wonderful family and still writing. You can follow my progress and blog at www.smanderson-author.com

Reviews

[exploraDora · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 stars***

I'd say that book two in the series Seasons of Man wasn't quite as good as the first one, but it was a fun and entertaining read nonetheless. A well written page turner, with outstanding character development and a ton of action.

I'll be back with a few more details after I finish reviewing book one.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining sequel to End of Summer. Most TEOTWAWKI books have guns and forts and villains. On a sociological level they speak to some things that are deeply ingrained into Americans and it's interesting exploring that aspect of these types of books. But on a more basic (and maybe even embarrassing) level they are just good fun.

[rhiannon c gent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

Good characters, some original plot twists. Gripping and realistic. I really enjoyed these two books and will be looking out for more by this author.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a shame that a great author or any good PA author like this has to put up with fash weirdos in the comments section acting like this author is speaking to them and supports their fash agenda.

If you actually read this mans series, you will see he hates all extremist agendas. That is evidenced in book one: by the antagonist being some right wing Christian nut job who calls their fellow survivors "sheep" or "wolves". In book 2, the professor (never said she was liberal if half of you space cadets went to school, you would know that in actuality there are professors of all political stripes with extremists being rare because educated people are not attracted to nonsense like that).

This man kept it pretty neutral politically and i respect that because other PA authors were glorfying groups of traitors like the Boogaloo boys and other facists in their writings. The message being freedom/freedom of choice and leaders (men/women) who are moral and let people have freedom of choice are the only way to build humanity back up.

Would of liked to see what happened to a certain socipath but maybe in book 3.

To the people writing disgusting things about "liberals " like you want to "run them over with tanks". Know i did report your comments to the fbi cyber tips division. You are the exact socipaths this author is warning us against. You are the cult members at the college. The sad part is you are too far gone to see it. Change up the message with some Christian nationalism and you would eat that up. Also see book 1: also you taking up arms against pro and jason, who just want to do right by everyone.

Idealogy is dangerous. Pushing it on others: dangerous. As long as noone is hurting you; live and let live. That my take away from the book. Working together is the only way foward. Socipaths and hucksters, who for their own gain, want to divide us are the only winners in extreme ideology whether it be right wing nationalism (trumpism) or communist communes.

Also want to say that the person who got offended because the villian was a college professor: stop being a baby. Read book 1 before you get upset. Bad people are humanity wide. Dumb followers tend not to be very educated, but very smart amoral sociopaths are usually very successful in life.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a book three.

Great story and writing. I felt like I was friends with the people in the story. Please write a third book with a happy ending.

[Leonardo Acebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reap What You Sow is a fantastic follow-up to End of Summer. The book picks up with the same enthusiasm and action, continuing the story of Jason, Rachel and Pro, and the others they've picked up along the way. After the 'suck,' groups of survivors have started to make their own communities, just like Jason's group has as well. A new threat looms on the horizon and the book takes on a more militarized and tactical feel than the first. I thoroughly enjoyed S.M. Anderson's writing and his expertise in all things warfare. I look forward to his next book!

[John Gregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seasons of Man

Great book. I Thoroughly enjoyed reading both books so far. I hope they continue. I am looking forward to the next one

[Darren Dilnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly superb sequel that only confirms the author is going to be a titan in the PA genre. All the pieces that complete a brilliant PA jigsaw are here yet again, and i can't help feel the similarity to Jonathon Maberry's style of writing. That ability to package a story that simply has no weak points.
The characters are solid, and the dialogue is so natural, you could almost feel they are actual captured conversations. At no point during this or the first book did i feel any predictability to the scenes.
This author is so talented i really hope he decides to create a world around his story.
And should the author decide to take a stab at the ZA i think it would be incredible, such is his brilliant style.

[Cassandra Stryffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoy this series.

The book was pretty darn good. Book one was even better. My only criticism for book 3 is, there needs to be fewer POV characters. Hard to get attached to specific people when there are so many people fighting for page time. For a few deaths all I felt was a sort of vague, uninterested confusion about who it was that had just died.

That said, overall, most of the characters were interesting, the editing was good, pacing was ok and overall story was great. Can't wait to see what happens next!

I like the author enough that I am about to go pick up book one of his other series

[Severina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to "End of Summer." This book picks up where the last one ended. Our group of plague survivors have vanquished the bad guys, met up with some new good guys, and are trying to start a new settlement. All would be well except now there's another big group of bad guys. So, basically this felt like a rehash of the first book except now some of the good guys are Marines. The edition of the gobbledygook that comes from extended paragraphs about their vehicles and weapons bogs down any chance the action scenes have of gaining momentum. The author did a good job keeping his politics out of the first book but this one pinged on my too right-wing-y radar.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book.

I loved this book and I also believe that it could very easily happen. This book kept me on a knife edge because I couldn't see how they could get out of the mess they were in. A great read with great characters.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

We pick up after the gunfight and takeover of the Ritz Hotel in Tysons Corner, VA. Jason, Rachel, Michele, Pro, Daniel aka “Sleepy”, and Reid survived the firefight. A group of newcomers, headed by a woman named Carla, approached Tysons with the desire to stay. Our original group was extremely wary. Jason, not happy with the leadership role everyone wanted to saddle him with had been making a habit of going out on patrol by himself. Rachel knew that this was a way for him to get away and have some time to himself. They’ve had a semi-relationship for the past few months and she wondered if it was an excuse to get away from her. On his last roundabout, Jason came upon what looked like a survivors encampment but on closer inspection, it appeared more like a prison. The Boise, the attack submarine that picked up the U.S. and Soviet surviving scientists and soldiers from Alaska, was now sitting off the coast of Cuba, giving the confined survivors a break to be on land again. They would stay for a week, then head to the U.S. mainland; Fort Eustis, Newport News, VA. They feared what they would find there. A group of U.S. Marines, perhaps squad strength, have been living in a nine-level underground facility for the past year. It began as a two-week training exercise but then the suck happened. Some of the men are a bit stir crazy and want to go topside but they must wait. Gunnery Sargent John Bruce was in charge. It so happens, Colonel Strynek from the Boise was the person they had been waiting for to release them from captivity. As for Miss New Republic Cooper, Fascist Loser would fit for her egotistical concern for a title. With all the groups of characters introduced, the story switches from one group to another as usual. The main focus is the group from Alaska and the group from the underground facility banding together to form one powerful unit under Colonel Strynek. Their adversary is a large militia force led by a female sociopath. The characters are great and the fighting is tense but the realism score is a bit low. All-in-all a decent story.

[Bill Krieger · Rating 3 out of 5]

 
This is a great continuation of the End of Summer story. I'll go with 3 bill-stars. It's kind of a shame. This is a 4 bill-star book with a sugar sweet ending that left a sour taste in my mouth. (ha)

There's nothing terribly new here. It's a pretty standard post-apocalyptic tale. The setup sort of reminds me of Mad Max with "good" communities battling against bizarre dystopian ones.

It's the writing style that stands out and makes the book special. Anderson is one of these Goldilocks authors with just the right mix of characters and description and action and everything else. Yes, it's a page turner.

QOTD

Almost a year after the virus, the mosquitos seemed to be the big winner. Along with coyotes, turkey buzzards, rats, stray dogs, and birds of prey, the planet belonged to them. He’d layered up, just as they’d all learned to do since earlier in the spring. It was uncomfortable as hell in the heat, but it was better than being eaten alive.

Pretty funny...in the Author Notes at the end of the book, Anderson clarifies any questions about the timing of his novels. "I certainly didn’t write the book knowing the world be soon be facing COVID-19. To those who think I was trying to somehow game our real pandemic, I’d suggest they check the publication date (August 2019)."

And like I said...the ending...blech. Oh well. A good read. thanks...yow, bill

 

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm too "woke" for this book

Before going further in this review I'd like to describe the antagonist, she's a liberal college professor who is a war mongering dictator with no redeeming qualities who also occasionally talks about communism and she magically convinces men to follow her because she's just that hot. So yes the antagonist is mind blowlingly awful, and like his other series the authors weird politics that are straight out of the cold war make numerous appearances. Now it isn't quite as in your face as the other series, but you will have to suffer through characters complaining about "woke" culture and fascists who are thinly painted as communist, oh and the college students who have banded together to form a cult around their awful leader because they hate the old government. All the main characters from the first book are solid because the first book was good. Unfortunately the main antagonist is awful, the thinly veiled political dialogue is awful, and the romance just randomly appears from essentially nothing and thus is quite bad but not awful. I almost gave it 3 stars because the core characters and idea are good, but everything surrounding it made it an absolute slugfest. Oh and spoiler alert, but the whole last 40% of book which a lot of is battle is completely pointless.

[Henry Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love where this is going.

I loved the first book, I caught it soon after it released. This one is every bit as good & I hope to see more of this story. Soon. I had to reorient myself w/ what happened in the first book bc I had read so many other series in between finishing the first book and this 1 releasing. The thing I did miss that the first book included were details on the weapon loadouts Jason, Pro & Rachel were using. The descriptions on the mechanized hardware was cool, but as a hobby/competitive shooter I just really preferred the individual weapon descriptions.
I’m traveling up to Virginia from South Carolina for the James River Rooftop Tent Rally in October & I fully plan on going to check out some of the places described in your book. I think it would be really cool. And don’t worry, I’m happy to leave a review for great work w/ no expectation of a car wash. The Appalachia mud sprayed on my car are how you can tell an off-roader walks the walk & doesn’t build up their rig just to hang around the parking lot. Which makes me think of the Beast... if this is a real life truck, please take me on a ride through the hollers so I can see if it lives us to it’s name!!!

[John Brew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebuilding society after catastrophe

What’s left after a society collapses? In “Reap What You Sow”, the author helps us envision two emerging groups as they rebuild in a post-apocalyptic world. As in most novels in this genre, there’s a lot of fast, hard action which the author narrates quite well.

More important, the author fleshes out an underlying philosophy of survival. One of the Prindle characters describes this philosophy: “ ... we don’t have the authority to enforce the laws of a nation that no longer exists. The same holds for the norms of a civilization that is gone. For myself, I believe our principles may be the only type of law and order we have any hope of enforcing. They are the only guidelines that I think this world can afford right now.” Action speaks louder than words when the protagonist leads a group to clash with a neo-Marxist group.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wonders about the way civilization may rebuild after a collapse. For this book to make sense, I recommend reading the first book in the Seasons of Man series as a needed prelude to this book. I will look forward to reading more in this series and from this author. A minor note, if I could I would give this book a rating of 4.5 stars but that’s not possible in the

[jarmelino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and the concept.

I read the sneak preview and decided to buy both books based on the story line and style of writing. The characters were well defined and portrayed so I could anticipate their reactions and felt like I knew and understood them. Plenty of action and suspense to keep the story moving at a good pace. The ending was well thought out and very satisfying. I would recommend it to friends who enjoy this type of story line. Well done. I am a 82 year old mother, grandmother, and great great grandmother. I was still working part-time and very active with Sr. Groups right up to our Vivid crisis. I also sing with a group in area nursing homes till they all shut down to outsiders. So I enjoy reading and social media and zoom meetings. I am not ever bored. Thank you for your contributions to your grateful public. Jacqueline Armelino

grandmother

[Michael Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the series, I eagerly jumped into this. It had been 5 months since reading the first book so I needed the typical "refresh" of the characters and the events that had transpired. This is precisely why I rated the book only a three - I found it really disappointing in this regard. I really had forgotten several characters and how they all came together in Tyson Corner and chapter after chapter left me wondering when I was going to get hints to backstories. They FAR and FEW between and by the end of the book I still didn't have a good recall of those characters and their backstories. It's so much more satisfying to connect with characters when I can remember how they have grown. Otherwise a good continuation of the saga and await the next book.

[Tonya Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love

Wow. This is an awesome series, with characters you can grow to love. Yes, it's an End of the World as We Know It, so there's loss and sadness. But the fight of good vs. evil is always exciting, especially during times like these characters are facing. How and who loses their humanity?? ,and who remains strong ebbs and flows through these two books so far and it is oh so good!!! I so love Pro and all those that he loves and cannot wait to find out if his prediction of who he will marry pans out!!! Thank you Mr. Anderson!!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed your stories.

[RICHARD WILSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love this and his other series I would love to see them continue. My only problem is I read too fast and I dont have any more of his books to read. I see so much more from this book. Like they left many things open. What happens to the new towns? What happens with the current people? What about the air force lady from the town over? There will always be bandits and bad men. What about the rest of the world. Tap into the satellite system and get poy working on possible other settlements that could of popped up. Maybe get the rail system working again too. It can go anywhere

[Kim Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the first Two

As I recover from my 2nd TKR, I have been gifted over a hundred books to read, thinking they will help me kill 4 months of bed rest. Guess what? These books are such a goid read, 3 days is all it took. My one wish is everyone would read these books and see what COULD happen and what people COULD turn out like. It sure makes me think past the 4 months I will be in bed!!! Can't wait for book 3. Thanks for writing these books as close to reality as you have, not making them so outlandish that anyone who reads them will think " Well, that's never gonna happen !!"

[Saint Vitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

every bit as good as Bright Shore

I loved this action packed book, both for the soldiers and the realistic doctor and the Russians and the civilians. I have been to Charlottesville and would love to drive over a mob of liberal shits with a tank. that campus is full of cancers who are insults to the good southern folk. send them somewhere else to sew propaganda, or pen them up in a stadium. teach Honor with all of your writings, some need a refresher course. w hat happened to " live and let live"? we need to get back to allowing people to pursue their own happiness without telling them how to do it. anyway, I enjoy reading your work!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would enjoy this series more without the military and gun jargon. Seeing as I'm a tree hugging, new age hippie, I know nothing about that and have had to look several things up to know what they look like. That being said, the story line is solid. Though I'm peace loving, I HATE a bully and will take up for the underdog. That's basically the premise of these books. A bully comes to power and surrounds their self with likeminded bullies and lord over people who are too scared to fight. The bullies pick the fight with a wrong group that will stand up for what they believe in and poof! You have a great story of good verses bad.

[Nancy Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and Eh...

He's a very prolific writer and extremely knowledgeable in regards to military equipment and lingo. The books move quickly, so expect to miss sleep reading them. Now, for the bad. I had a problem with the two major women characters, Rachel and Michelle. Michelle was supremely unlikable because of her temper. In reality, you wouldn't want her to manage a convenience store, much less a group this size. I also hated the political commentaries that are more based in social networking gossip or extremist ideology and less in sourced reality. It was disappointing because I really like his writing style.

[Louise S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post apocalyptic book for a post COVID world

So I started this series after Covid19, and after the end of the first lockdowns, and after the rioting in Portland had started. I think that colors my view of the book. It is weird reading about something and knowing that for some things the author got wrong, and for others he got absolutely right. In my opinion, this second book is much better than the first book. The story is wonderful, and heart wrenching. I can't wait for book three!

[Trudy Perilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two

This series has thrown me off since i started reading it during our COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, I can picture this happening somewhere down the line. Well, book two of this series did not disappoint! As always Scott, your writing caught my attention from the first page, and I barely set it down until I finished it. I'm very happy to note that there is a book three, as your writing is like a breath of fresh air compared to most post-apocalyptic writers, and no, you do not have to send your kids to come and wash my car, since we are in Canada.

[~forever in bed~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and also fun

Even of only 4% of people survive that would still leave enough megalomaniac nutjobs to cause issues for ordinary folks wanting to get on with life after the apocalypse. It's not so hard to believe. We have seen it here with our rotten politicians and their response to a relatively minor epidemic.
That aside, yet again, Mr Anderson has written an action packed book, with realistic and multi-dimensional characters. He has a fan for life now in this reader from Australia.

[Paula J. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I should have left a review for book 1, but was in such hurry to get into book 2 that I didn’t get it done. I’ll admit that I didn’t follow all of the military “stuff,” but I still enjoyed the excitement of the battles. Love the characters....Jason, Rachel, and Pro are very realistic. Also enjoy Michelle....she’s a tough gal who keeps everyone in line. The pacing of these books is spot on and the length is reasonable. The series that many authors are publishing that are really one book chopped to pieces are just annoying. This writer understands plot.

[Clifford Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read - thank you to the author

Avid kindle reader of many years and this is my first ever review (shame on me)

Great story as the team fight the bad and try to rebuild.

Loved the characters and the struggles they endured with the wins they achieved.

As I read the story I could feel the world come to life around me. The people, communities and the world itself. Amazing a true skill the author has .

Thank you

Will BUY all of the series when next stories are released

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed.

Before I write what I loved, let me just put a little note here: there are a LOT of military tactics in this book that went right over my head. While they read as impressive, they easily could have been wrong. So I won't judge any part of that.
The interpersonal relationships are amazing. I could figure out pretty quickly how each character would react to a situation, but there were so many characters interacting with each other that I still managed to be surprised. I enjoyed that quite a lot.