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The Travelers Within: Into The Unknown

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Simon had always followed a typical routine in life. Work, TV, Sleep, Repeat. But when an unexpected series of events sends him on a wild adventure through Central America, his typically mundane world takes a dramatic turn to the extraordinary.

With no previous experience in third world travel, and driven only by a newly ignited lust for life and the need to survive, Simon sets forth on an epic journey through the dangerous mountains of Guatemala, the smuggler's jungles of Nicaragua, the islands of Honduras and more. Meeting a wonderful and eclectic cast of characters along the way, Simon eventually links up with Jonah, a young survival expert with a plan as bizarre and terrifying as anything Simon could have ever imagined. Inspired by real places and stories from the road, The Travelers Within: Into The Unknown is told with intrigue, suspense, humor and insight, capturing a visceral spirit of adventure and bringing out the wanderlust hidden deep within all of us.

415 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2020

19 people are currently reading
2474 people want to read

About the author

Daniel Mode

1 book14 followers

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5 stars
67 (47%)
4 stars
37 (26%)
3 stars
18 (12%)
2 stars
12 (8%)
1 star
8 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
10 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2020
I don’t want to give anything away, but there are about a dozen places on this journey that are now on my bucket list. I really enjoyed this novel. The author did an excellent job allowing the reader to identify with the characters and experience the adventure alongside them. The description of the book didn’t give much away, which I think is brilliant, since the increasing pacing of the story keeps you guessing and always moving forward. It’s been a while since I’ve found a good adventure fiction novel, so I’m thrilled that sequels are already in the works.
Profile Image for Austin.
43 reviews10 followers
January 12, 2021
Wonderful adventure book, loved the characters. Simon and Jonah were excellent protagonists, the author brings these two to life, felt like watching a fantastic adventure movie unfold. The people we meet along the way, the struggles and triumphs, the funny moments, the heartbreak, everything kept me wanting to read more. This was a great page turner, can't wait for the sequel!
2 reviews
May 2, 2023
No ending.

Wish I knew the book would just end in the middle of the story before I started it. It said on his website the second book was due out December of 2020 but nothing yet. Wicked bummer!
6 reviews
August 23, 2020
What we have here is a thoroughly entertaining adventure tale set amidst wondrous locales throughout Latin America. The author does an excellent job immersing the reader in the sights, sounds and even smells of the journey. All while telling a moving story of leaving behind the mundane for a heavy dose of self-realization and personal fortitude. The characters are driven, yet human, and the story has you rooting for them to succeed every step of the way. I must admit I was on the edge of my seat at times, as the perilous nature of third world travel is vividly portrayed, a clear indicator the author has experienced many of these challenges personally. Not the most refined prose, but an excellent first work by the author with enough done very right to make me want more.
12 reviews
August 23, 2020
I don’t know why I thought this was non-fiction when I ordered it since I had seen it on lists with “The Adventurer’s Son” and “Into the Wild,” but I was VERY pleased with the realism and immersive nature of the story. It definitely feels real. I read on the book's website about many of the places and things contained in this novel, and the author includes personal stories of his similar adventures. Maybe it’s semi-autobiographical? That would be incredible. Regardless, I adored the main characters, Simon & Jonah. Both of them feel like real people I know, and their relationship is heartwarming and hilarious at times. “Was that a Tiger?!” I’ll say no more.
8 reviews
August 23, 2020
A heartfelt story about truly “living.” The Travelers Within is an adventure story, but also an introspective journey as a man transforms from his least to his best version of himself. While I loved Simon's character, and his evolution was very relatable, I have to say I’m Team Jonah at this point. He’s one of the most intriguing characters I’ve read in some time. A delightful and rivetting book I’d highly recommend.
1 review
August 30, 2020
Every Thread Unique

The characters, the plot(s), the journeys, the locales, the adventures, mysteries, all, are unique, fresh and inviting. The Travelers Within is a satisfying journey for anyone interested in character, travel, adventure, mystery and, for those so inclined, perhaps a little romance.
23 reviews
August 23, 2020
Truly a real page-turning adventure! Loved the characters, both the main protagonists Simon and Jonah and all the unique people they encounter throughout Central America. What a weird, wild ride. Simon’s inner journey was extremely profound, but I found it accessible and relatable. Already counting down till the sequel comes out later this year!
9 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2020

As a traveler myself, I was very curious to see if Mode could make me feel transported. I am so glad to report that he did indeed. I loved the book, loved feeling as though I was actually experiencing all of the incredible places his main characters visit. A fun read! I have already recommended it to my friends.
7 reviews
August 23, 2020
Captivating and, at times, very thought provoking. I am so glad this book caught my eye. It has turned out to be a fantastic read, especially during a time where I am unable to travel. The author does a terrific job of capturing the emotional side of what it means to be a traveler. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Profile Image for Laura.
3 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2020
Captivating. A MUST READ!
The perfect read for people who love to travel but can't during this crazy time. I love the attention to detail the author gives..it truly transported me back to places I've traveled to before and more so, has inspired me to travel to places I haven't yet been.
Profile Image for Laura.
3 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2020
Captivating. A MUST READ!
The perfect read for people who love to travel but can't during this crazy time. I love the attention to detail the author gives..it truly transported me back to places I've traveled to before and more so, has inspired me to travel to places I haven't yet been.
A triumph.
1 review1 follower
July 31, 2020
I was completely transported by Mode’s writing. It was great to be able to escape the monotony of quarantine and get to explore places I’ve only dreamed of visiting. Now I just have to figure out a way to experience it for myself. This book definitely motivated me.
1 review1 follower
August 4, 2020
This book is really about two interconnected journeys: a geographical journey and a personal journey. I loved the colorful descriptions of new places and people, the relationships between the various characters, the difficult challenges they face, and the personal transformations they go through. The plot is fast-paced, the characters are real, and the insights are right on-the-mark. I can't wait for the next installment.
2 reviews
December 23, 2025
If you enjoy travel stories with rich detail, excitement and exceptional human description, you will love this book. I could not wait to read where they went and what happened next. Not just great visual descriptions of wonderfully different places but fine interactions with real likable (and some very dangerous) people. I felt as good as the characters did with every new place they discovered. Daniel Mode has a flair for writing excitement into every place he takes his characters and pulling you into the adventure. Great read and I can’t wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Cory Jackson.
73 reviews2 followers
May 5, 2021
To be honest, I felt a little tricked into this one. The book had high reviews (4+ stars) with glowing reviews. I could tell very early on that this was obviously the authors first attempt at writing a novel. The main character is not very believable nor particularly likable. I was almost rooting for his demise. What I hoped for was an adventurous fictional travel book. What I got was a poorly written coming of age novel about people I did not care about.
9 reviews
August 23, 2020
What a great read! From the moment you read the first page, it pulls you in and doesn’t let go! Exciting, emotional, honest, just a really great book. Congrats to the author! I can’t wait to read more of Daniel Mode’s novels.
Profile Image for Claudia.
264 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2020
The beginning was a little slow but the plot picks up significantly as it goes on. I’m ready for the sequel!
4 reviews
January 9, 2023
This book ended on several cliffhangers as "Part One." The sequel was due out in 2021 but isn't here yet, and I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to move on with my life not knowing what happened.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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