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The Wasteland Chronicles #2
Origins
Find the Black Files, or humanity falls.
Alex never thought he'd be recruited for a mission to save humanity. He's learned a lot since leaving Bunker 108, but the horrors of the Wasteland aren't through with him yet.
When the team risks everything to go after the Black Files, there's no going back. The Great Blight will prove the toughest obstacle yet, with nearly impassable terrain guarded by the virus's spawn: howlers, crawlers, and even more dangerous creations of the virus.
Alex and the crew must battle for their lives at every turn. Can they make it to Bunker One before the winter snows bury it, and will the Black Files reveal how to stop the xenovirus?
Alex never thought he'd be recruited for a mission to save humanity. He's learned a lot since leaving Bunker 108, but the horrors of the Wasteland aren't through with him yet.
When the team risks everything to go after the Black Files, there's no going back. The Great Blight will prove the toughest obstacle yet, with nearly impassable terrain guarded by the virus's spawn: howlers, crawlers, and even more dangerous creations of the virus.
Alex and the crew must battle for their lives at every turn. Can they make it to Bunker One before the winter snows bury it, and will the Black Files reveal how to stop the xenovirus?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2013
131 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Kyle West
53 books217 followersI'm Kyle West, author of the Wasteland Chronicles, Xenoworld Saga, Starsea Cycle, and more. I try to write books with lots of action and crazy twists to keep you turning the pages. Every book of mine can be categorized as "science fantasy," blending elements from both genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 25, 2024
Ok............
This was better than the first, especially with new revelations at the end. This turns into science fiction, which I ain't mad. It encourages me to continue reading the series.
But I don't wanna continue the series but pushing on for my sister.
This was better than the first, especially with new revelations at the end. This turns into science fiction, which I ain't mad. It encourages me to continue reading the series.
But I don't wanna continue the series but pushing on for my sister.
September 30, 2014
By the second book my thoughts are torn on how I really feel about the series so far. On one hand I am very lenient in my review because this is Kyle West's first book as far as I know. I am told by the fourth book the series picks up and by then West has found his true writer's voice. With that in mind I am very much able to ignore minor dialogue issues and small nit picks within the story that could of been fleshed out. What I do like is the setting of the story, it's filled with bad ass raiders and wastelanders struggling to survive. What is there not to love?
Some of the faults that this book has is what I believe is referred to as the Young Adult dilemma. We have a coming to age story where the main character discovers who he is and what he can do to help. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you have read this story before you can easily predict where it may lead. Not that I wasn't surprised, but it's a story that has been told many of times. (First time in as Post Apocalyptic world for me though!)
Maybe it's because I'm not a teenager anymore, but I would of liked some more mature themes in this story. Perhaps some more gore or a greater sense of danger the characters may face. Perhaps I've just been spoiled by Brian Keene but I never feel like these characters are in any real danger. Sure they face incredible obstacles and challenges, however the manner in which they survive is in a almost all too convenient fashion.
Again I'm not giving this book a bad review, these are just my pet peeves as a reader. I like more horror in my post apocalyptic books. Where it lacks in horror it does make up for it through science fiction. We do get to see space ships and aliens introduced into this story, so I have yet to feel bored while reading through this book.
I give this book three and a half stars. It isn't perfect and it has it's share of faults, but overall it does a great job keeping me feeling invested in the story.
I should note that the author is currently revising this series from the ground up. The first book is going to be triple the size it currently is now. So if you are really against reading this book without said flaws (but still want to experience it's awesomeness.) then wait until the final version is released.
Some of the faults that this book has is what I believe is referred to as the Young Adult dilemma. We have a coming to age story where the main character discovers who he is and what he can do to help. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if you have read this story before you can easily predict where it may lead. Not that I wasn't surprised, but it's a story that has been told many of times. (First time in as Post Apocalyptic world for me though!)
Maybe it's because I'm not a teenager anymore, but I would of liked some more mature themes in this story. Perhaps some more gore or a greater sense of danger the characters may face. Perhaps I've just been spoiled by Brian Keene but I never feel like these characters are in any real danger. Sure they face incredible obstacles and challenges, however the manner in which they survive is in a almost all too convenient fashion.
Again I'm not giving this book a bad review, these are just my pet peeves as a reader. I like more horror in my post apocalyptic books. Where it lacks in horror it does make up for it through science fiction. We do get to see space ships and aliens introduced into this story, so I have yet to feel bored while reading through this book.
I give this book three and a half stars. It isn't perfect and it has it's share of faults, but overall it does a great job keeping me feeling invested in the story.
I should note that the author is currently revising this series from the ground up. The first book is going to be triple the size it currently is now. So if you are really against reading this book without said flaws (but still want to experience it's awesomeness.) then wait until the final version is released.
March 30, 2016
The Wasteland Chronicles Book 2 This is the second book of the series, The Wasteland Chronicles. This series just keeps getting better and better. I liked this one just as much, if not more, then the first. The author's writing seems to be really developing and this story is more polished then the first. Once I start reading his books, I don't want to put them down. There is never a dull moment, the characters are likeable and unique and the setting/landscapes they traverse are pretty cool. I'm really glad I came across this series on Kobo. The first three of seven books are free on Kobo and Amazon which was even better but I'm definitely buying and reading the last four books too.
June 21, 2016
See more reviews like this at Brian's Book Blog
Everything they know will be tested
Origins tells the continued story of Alex, Samuel, and Makara as they continue to travel across the former United States in search of Bunker 1. Along the way, they will need the help of unexpected friends and meet many scary foes. The Xenovirus is continuing to take lots of life throughout the wasteland. Follow the ragtag group of survivors as they continue to fight across the arid landscape to discover the truth.
The narration for Origins was done by Graham Halstead the same narrator who narrated the first story in the Wasteland Series Apocalypse. Halstead does a great job again, and I'm always happy to have a continuation of story told by the same narrator. It really helps me as a reader/listener get into the story and the characters when I really feel like I know their voices.
Origins, by name confuses me. I thought that this was the first book in the series, but I was wrong. Then I thought about it, and with the way that the story was told and the things that the reader finds out when reading this book--it makes sense to me. Origins is a tale of survival and a tale of new friendships.
The writing was really well done. It was crisp, concise, and really allowed the reader to follow the story without being interrupt with random details or unneeded info. I am excited that there are more stories in this saga, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the third book soon.
Without ruining anything, the ending was a BIG surprise to me. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was shocked by it, to say the least. At first, I thought West was just going to leave it with an anti-climatic finale, but I was totally wrong. I do not believe in spoilers and will not write them if I can help it -- but just know, you're in for something when you finish Origins.
Everything they know will be tested
Origins tells the continued story of Alex, Samuel, and Makara as they continue to travel across the former United States in search of Bunker 1. Along the way, they will need the help of unexpected friends and meet many scary foes. The Xenovirus is continuing to take lots of life throughout the wasteland. Follow the ragtag group of survivors as they continue to fight across the arid landscape to discover the truth.
The narration for Origins was done by Graham Halstead the same narrator who narrated the first story in the Wasteland Series Apocalypse. Halstead does a great job again, and I'm always happy to have a continuation of story told by the same narrator. It really helps me as a reader/listener get into the story and the characters when I really feel like I know their voices.
Origins, by name confuses me. I thought that this was the first book in the series, but I was wrong. Then I thought about it, and with the way that the story was told and the things that the reader finds out when reading this book--it makes sense to me. Origins is a tale of survival and a tale of new friendships.
The writing was really well done. It was crisp, concise, and really allowed the reader to follow the story without being interrupt with random details or unneeded info. I am excited that there are more stories in this saga, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the third book soon.
Without ruining anything, the ending was a BIG surprise to me. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was shocked by it, to say the least. At first, I thought West was just going to leave it with an anti-climatic finale, but I was totally wrong. I do not believe in spoilers and will not write them if I can help it -- but just know, you're in for something when you finish Origins.
August 8, 2014
Love the way the story takes the sci-fi turn. Otherwise a quick and fun read though for some reason I liked the first book more. Probably because I'm not too fond of stories with YA. I'll definitely continue to follow the series as it is fun and I'm interested to find out what's gonna happen with the characters and the world in general.
May 5, 2021
Well the audible is getting better and author has put life in the story and the characters. The move from the first audible to this one was very smooth and the story flowed very easy and you could follow the action. In this audible you meet new characters both good and bad and you hear and meet some of the new Roman Empire that is located in Mexico and trying to move into the southern part of the US. In addition you take a trip thru the badlands to visit some of the fallen bunkers and meet new creatures that has been created by the spores from meteor that slammed into earth that nearly wiped out or turn humans, plants and animals into monsters that live off the humans not turned. The nice thing about this one the author start telling you some of the back grounds of what had happened or attempted to save the planet and people on the planet but they all failed except one and that is Sky City were some of the survivors from Bunker 1 escaped too after the fall of the bunker and in the very near future there maybe a way to still safe earth but depends on three people to do this and they could die in the process and the three are Alex, Samuel and Makara if they fell the earth dies.
January 29, 2024
Overall really enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading more. Compared to the first one I felt like everything was happening kinda fast and feel as though the book could have been longer and things spaced more but still very enjoyable. I really was caught off guard a lot in this one which I LOOVEED. Sooo many things that I expected to happen and was just thrown for a loop.
May 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this installment in the series. There was a surprise near the end and at first I was worried the surprise was going to ruin the rest of the series. However, it turned out to be ok and I don't think it ruined anything.
August 9, 2014
I have not read sci-fi in a while, yet thanks to some great friends on GR we arranged a great buddy read for this series the Wasteland Chronicles. A non-stop action packed story, I believe this is Kyle West first series, which does show. I do not mean this to be offences to the author as, I really did enjoy the novel. The story and the world he has created is brilliant, obviously he had been brought up on sci-fi from the 70s to the 90s and many computer games. Things I thought he may of been influenced by are Fallout series, Aliens series, Mad Max, Evolution, Red Fraction, resistance and I am sure many more. Kyle West though has crafted his story very well. Parts are predictable and cheesy, even clumsy (such as the character Samuel hurt arm seem to be forgotten part way through the book, then remembered to late !) but I can see the beginning of a great writer. The evolving of the story from the first book shows how it is improving. I truly had great fun with this novel and will look forward to reading the rest of the series in my buddy read.
December 10, 2020
Apocalypse introduced us to the main characters, bunker dweller Alex, Makara and her brother, Samuel. Origins picks up right where the previous book ended and adds a few more characters to the group. The best new character is Anna, a samurai sword wielding bodyguard to a warlord. The last book gave our crew a mission: get to Bunker 1 and retrieve the Black Files that hopefully tells us how to defeat the Xenovirus that is destroying everything. This mission encompasses the entire book.
Before our characters can head to Bunker 1, they must first go to Raider Bluff and seek medical attention for Samuel who was wounded at the end of the first book. This gives us a good idea of the city and the kind of world that exists outside the bunkers. The city is led by an “alpha” named Char. He pretty much leads as he is the strongest but can be removed by someone who is stronger. We are also introduced to the Empire, which is a far-off civilization in Mexico that is starting to encroach upon Raider Bluff. Later in the book, the group will encounter some of the Empire’s soldiers. The Empire is just introduced, and I assume will play a major role in later books.
Once our main characters leave Raider Bluff, they enter the Xenovirus and the story really begins to take off. From here the book is nonstop action as they must fight the many monsters that live in the Xenovirus. Their journey to Bunker 1 takes many different detours and what they discover about the Xenovirus will hopefully be built upon in later volumes. This book was a lot more fast-paced than the first, which to me made it a lot more enjoyable.
Before our characters can head to Bunker 1, they must first go to Raider Bluff and seek medical attention for Samuel who was wounded at the end of the first book. This gives us a good idea of the city and the kind of world that exists outside the bunkers. The city is led by an “alpha” named Char. He pretty much leads as he is the strongest but can be removed by someone who is stronger. We are also introduced to the Empire, which is a far-off civilization in Mexico that is starting to encroach upon Raider Bluff. Later in the book, the group will encounter some of the Empire’s soldiers. The Empire is just introduced, and I assume will play a major role in later books.
Once our main characters leave Raider Bluff, they enter the Xenovirus and the story really begins to take off. From here the book is nonstop action as they must fight the many monsters that live in the Xenovirus. Their journey to Bunker 1 takes many different detours and what they discover about the Xenovirus will hopefully be built upon in later volumes. This book was a lot more fast-paced than the first, which to me made it a lot more enjoyable.
August 11, 2022
Kirja jatkaa toisena osana "The Wasteland Chronicles"-sarjaa. Alex ja Makara, Samuel seurueineen matkaavat Ykkösbunkkeriin Chayenne-vuorelle josta paljastuukin kaikenlaista jännää. Matka on tietenkin vaaroja täynnä, pölymyrskyt, kilpailevat rosvojoukot, Xeno-viruksen saatuttamat metsät ja xeno-otukset vaikeuttavat matkaamista. Kun Mustat tiedostot löytyvät paljastuu Ragnarokista asioita joista kukaan heistä ei ollut kuullut aiemmin.
Tämä osa oli tylsähkö, liikaa xeno-otusten kuvausta ja taistelun mäiskettä jota olisi voinut tiivistää tarinan siitä kärsimättä. Lopun yllätys oli aika epäuskottava joten taidan nyt jättää sarjan lepäämään kun muutakin kiintoisaa on tarjolla.
Tämä osa oli tylsähkö, liikaa xeno-otusten kuvausta ja taistelun mäiskettä jota olisi voinut tiivistää tarinan siitä kärsimättä. Lopun yllätys oli aika epäuskottava joten taidan nyt jättää sarjan lepäämään kun muutakin kiintoisaa on tarjolla.
January 6, 2025
4.25
Alex and Makara leave what is called the Raider Bluffs after getting medical attention for Makara’s brother. The whole mission of this book is to go to Bunker 1 and get what is called black files. The writing is great and the setting you really get to know. I love this kind of stuff. I listened to it on audio and the narrator really makes the story for me in the love of Alex. More action and a bit more fast paced than the first. They are all trying to defeat what is called the Xenovirus who has turned all living things and turned them into monsters. Very action packed and if you love that stuff you’ll love this!
Alex and Makara leave what is called the Raider Bluffs after getting medical attention for Makara’s brother. The whole mission of this book is to go to Bunker 1 and get what is called black files. The writing is great and the setting you really get to know. I love this kind of stuff. I listened to it on audio and the narrator really makes the story for me in the love of Alex. More action and a bit more fast paced than the first. They are all trying to defeat what is called the Xenovirus who has turned all living things and turned them into monsters. Very action packed and if you love that stuff you’ll love this!
November 21, 2017
I found the second book in the series to be alright and I liked it. The story picks up right where the first one left off and the pace is quick throughout. I will be reading the third book in the series to find out what happens but am still torn as to how I feel about the series as a whole. There are parts that I really like but there are also sections where I feel let down, as if the story and some of the background was rushed. I have seen other reviews where they the author and the series really starts to pick up later so I am looking forward to that.
September 28, 2018
Written by someone who spends a great deal of brainpower on the zombie appocolyspe
I sit back and think after each book and knowing little about.the author I feel he preps for an impending apocalypse nearly as much as I do I have in place an exit strategy. That said xenofungus is brilliant zombies xenolife would starve trying to survive off human but if alternate food grew man just wow
I sit back and think after each book and knowing little about.the author I feel he preps for an impending apocalypse nearly as much as I do I have in place an exit strategy. That said xenofungus is brilliant zombies xenolife would starve trying to survive off human but if alternate food grew man just wow
July 14, 2021
Fun story, writing lacks
Just like the first book, this is a solid post apoc story with fun characters, monsters, terrains, and twists. I just so wish the writing were better. It's lackluster, has mistakes, and is very trivial at times. I was curious enough about the storyline to pick up the second book, but I think that'll be where this journey ends for me. Moving on to more polished and engaging reading.
Just like the first book, this is a solid post apoc story with fun characters, monsters, terrains, and twists. I just so wish the writing were better. It's lackluster, has mistakes, and is very trivial at times. I was curious enough about the storyline to pick up the second book, but I think that'll be where this journey ends for me. Moving on to more polished and engaging reading.
May 20, 2024
Book 2 picks up immediately after the first. The story is decent, and the writing is OK. I feel a little invested, so I'll keep reading, but this is a bit of a trudge. The characters all waffle between superhero level of optimism to complete quitters. They volunteer for sure death missions, then want to whine and cry when things don't go as planned. Now we have introduced aliens. OK...on to book 3.
April 12, 2024
This series started out action packed and its gotten increasingly more interesting as I continue reading. Its hard to put down lol. Based on the description i thought it would be a zombie series but the wasteland chronicles in my opinion is more like the offspring of fallout and the 100 and instead of nuclear warfare it's biological warfare.
September 18, 2020
The story continues as Alex meets others, and travels to find the tool needed to win this war of killer transformers. he and his friends find themselves fighting to stay alive. As they battle, they find an ally they thought was dead.
February 3, 2021
The awesome adventure continues.
The action and adventure continues with book 3 of this awesome series. I really like watching the characters grow and mature. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it.
The action and adventure continues with book 3 of this awesome series. I really like watching the characters grow and mature. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2022
This was the second Book in the : Wasteland Chronicles Book Series .
This was another great read I'm really enjoying this series so far . Looking forward to the next book in this series .
This was another great read I'm really enjoying this series so far . Looking forward to the next book in this series .
April 13, 2025
Book 1 was so much better!
For some reason the author added Gods name in vain 2 times. I tried to return the whole series but it was not offered. It just really ruined the whole series for me. I am now being cautious while reading and its just awful.
For some reason the author added Gods name in vain 2 times. I tried to return the whole series but it was not offered. It just really ruined the whole series for me. I am now being cautious while reading and its just awful.
January 2, 2022
Book 2 of the series does not improve upon the original or expand the universe in any real interesting way. Interesting enough to finish. I don't have high hopes for finishing this series though.
January 24, 2022
(read through LIBBY APP)
December 18, 2023
Decent. The ending saved it for me. From reviews I've seen, the story picks up in Book 4? Let's see how invested I get.
August 12, 2024
Pretty much the same as the first one.
Read
October 17, 2024Books 1 and 2 could have been combined into one.
September 22, 2025
A lot of monsters and devastation. It is getting interesting.
July 26, 2013
"Origins" the next book in the Wasteland Chronicles science fiction series is a heart-pounding post-apocalyptic thriller that takes the reader from the harshness of the Wasteland to the strange fatal beauty of the Great Blight with monsters, huge and lethal.
At Raider's Bluff after narrowly escaping death at the hands of brutal raiders Alex and Makara take a wounded Samuel to Raider's Bluff , where they face confrontation and death as they help stop a hostage attempt that could escalate into war after the Empire's ambassador is executed. Rather than be caught in a long siege Samuel, Alex and Makara make the decision to leave, their mission to find the Black Files in Bunker One at Cheyenne Mountain Colorado before winter encroaches of higher importance than fighting in the coming war. They know that solving the mystery of the xenovirus means life or death for humanity. What they don't know is that the Empire has sent a team ahead to ferret out resources and technology in Bunker One and that in the coming clash of wills lives will be lost and greater danger will be discovered.
The plot of this book is fast-paced and riveting as Alex, Makara and Samuel hurtle towards danger in the Great Blight. Facing killer dust storms, mutated creatures larger and more deadly than those in the Wasteland and seemingly insurmountable challenges, they're joined by Lisa, the owner of the Bounty, a bar at Raider's Bluff and Anna, a fierce , self-taught samurai.
Each of the characters comes alive in the pages of this novel. The personality of Alex the sixteen year old, matures and toughens but he keeps a pragmatic outlook as he quickly adapts to this hostile environment. Makara continues to be outspoken, independent and harsh although a tender side's revealed in her relationship with Samuel and Lisa. Samuel 's a stubborn and determined man with a scientific mind that refuses to concede that a solution to the mystery behind the xenovirus cannot be found. Lisa, the hardnosed bar owner and sharp-shooter, and Anna, the deadly warrior follow their destiny and join the mission, although the latter will have to fight Makara's growing animosity towards her.
Even the minor characters are realistic and add a new dimension to the story; Char, the arrogant and forceful leader at Raider's Bluff who faces war with the Empire because of a rash decision, the Wanderer a blind, far-seeing prophet and the brilliant and resolute Dr. Cornelius Ashton who exposes a deadly element in the struggle.
Even in a world filled with danger, turmoil and death Alex and Makara experience deep friendship, self-sacrifice and hope. This is a story with high powered action, twists and turns and captivating characters that keep the reader riveted. Even at the end there are more questions and a battle looms. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the next in the series.
At Raider's Bluff after narrowly escaping death at the hands of brutal raiders Alex and Makara take a wounded Samuel to Raider's Bluff , where they face confrontation and death as they help stop a hostage attempt that could escalate into war after the Empire's ambassador is executed. Rather than be caught in a long siege Samuel, Alex and Makara make the decision to leave, their mission to find the Black Files in Bunker One at Cheyenne Mountain Colorado before winter encroaches of higher importance than fighting in the coming war. They know that solving the mystery of the xenovirus means life or death for humanity. What they don't know is that the Empire has sent a team ahead to ferret out resources and technology in Bunker One and that in the coming clash of wills lives will be lost and greater danger will be discovered.
The plot of this book is fast-paced and riveting as Alex, Makara and Samuel hurtle towards danger in the Great Blight. Facing killer dust storms, mutated creatures larger and more deadly than those in the Wasteland and seemingly insurmountable challenges, they're joined by Lisa, the owner of the Bounty, a bar at Raider's Bluff and Anna, a fierce , self-taught samurai.
Each of the characters comes alive in the pages of this novel. The personality of Alex the sixteen year old, matures and toughens but he keeps a pragmatic outlook as he quickly adapts to this hostile environment. Makara continues to be outspoken, independent and harsh although a tender side's revealed in her relationship with Samuel and Lisa. Samuel 's a stubborn and determined man with a scientific mind that refuses to concede that a solution to the mystery behind the xenovirus cannot be found. Lisa, the hardnosed bar owner and sharp-shooter, and Anna, the deadly warrior follow their destiny and join the mission, although the latter will have to fight Makara's growing animosity towards her.
Even the minor characters are realistic and add a new dimension to the story; Char, the arrogant and forceful leader at Raider's Bluff who faces war with the Empire because of a rash decision, the Wanderer a blind, far-seeing prophet and the brilliant and resolute Dr. Cornelius Ashton who exposes a deadly element in the struggle.
Even in a world filled with danger, turmoil and death Alex and Makara experience deep friendship, self-sacrifice and hope. This is a story with high powered action, twists and turns and captivating characters that keep the reader riveted. Even at the end there are more questions and a battle looms. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the next in the series.
March 8, 2014
Book number two of the Wasteland Chronicles was just as much fun to read as the first one. I would say that my only complaint about either of the first two books is that the last ten percent of each of the digital file were the first chapter or two of the next book. That normally isn't an issue, but when the book is already sub one hundred pages, that makes for an even smaller installment. My complaint with this is the $3 a book cost. Thus far, I'm thinking that this should have been like a two book series instead of a five.
That aside, I really enjoyed this book and enjoy the continuation of the team and their adventures. Beginning book 3, 'Evolution'.
That aside, I really enjoyed this book and enjoy the continuation of the team and their adventures. Beginning book 3, 'Evolution'.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews