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White Wasteland
Black Autumn drove them to the edge of oblivion, but that was before the winter set in…
December descends on a broken nation, and the Homestead survival clan trembles beneath a tide of human suffering crashing at the gates of their mountain refuge. A fanatical warlord arises and drives the Mormons* of the Rocky Mountains toward civil war.
While threats surge around the Homestead, Special Forces veterans and civilian fighters face a moral collapse at home, as the founder of the community struggles with personal demons, and a secretive group of women follow their hearts into uncharted waters. Strange visions, precarious faith and troubled dreams gnaw at the Homestead’s survival. Is their salvation hiding in the dim corners of their nightmares?
474 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2022
While it was certainly great to be back at the Homestead since the first book of this series, the reunion wasn't what I expected (or hoped) it would be. Any excitement I was feeling about getting to more intimately know the characters post-Black Autumn battle was effectively deflated the further this book carried itself out into new plotlines, many of which were poorly or unevenly developed. And by the end of this thing--once I finally dragged myself to get there, of course--I just sighed with utter disappointment at the "what could have been" becoming "what it was."
I think Jeff Kirkman and Jason Ross are fine authors. Their wealth of natural knowledge of war and survival, as well as their ability to add gritty realism to their stories have been effective in reeling me in since the get-go. I loved Black Autumn, Travelers, and The Last Airforce One. They were carefully crafted 5-star reads with amazing characters, plotlines, and action. Conquistadors was the only 2-star read I've experienced in this series, way lackluster compared to the others. It was a rating I had hoped would not be met again.
And then came White Wasteland.
It wasn't even the heavy focus on the Mormon war angle that did me in. I mean sure, it was kinda annoying that the general story of surviving the fall of America had to bend in that particular direction, but I dealt with it. Frankly, the fact that the authors' inclination to "explain" the Mormon angle in their author's note was a telling enough warning that I'm gonna be reading about Mormons, especially given the Homestead's location. It was fine and whatever to me. It ain't like Mormons don't exist, and it makes sense they and their beliefs would be present.
The REAL culprit that hurt, no... that damaged my appreciation of this story was the poor character development (namely the supporting ones). The sheer amount of tackily squandered opportunities for these characters to grow and interact with each other so that I could, oh I don't know, actually CARE about them was such a damn travesty. It made this book that much more difficult to love, or even like. And then given the devastating events happening in the Homestead (including deaths of seemingly major characters), the fact that they WEREN'T more fleshed out prior to their fates within the story was damn infuriating.
The whole flu plotline could have REALLY meant something to me if it didn't occur in the background. I could have REALLY been emotional about Emily's death or Jason's response to her death if I wasn't told about it later on. I could have felt something for Tara being permanently damaged, or Jeff's pain over the fear of losing her if I got to be a part of it. If only I was given a chance to actually experience any of it as a reader as it was happening. I should be reading painful, emotional interactions between people on their death beds with their loved ones. I shouldn't be forcibly taken into the Mormon war plotline for the majority of this story. I need to be as much, if not MORE in the people of Homestead. I want to frickin' CARE. If I'm not permitted to care about the REASON for the war, then why would the war itself be important enough for me to give one crap about? It isn't! Character development was CRUCIAL in this story, and it was botched. Badly.
The pacing and certain plot-points of this book were rocky too and were heavy factors in why the characters pass by the wayside as simple names on the page to me. Even when I'm told that characters mean something to other characters, or when they make compelling, life-altering decisions that should inject shock or awe into a story, I don't get to SEE any of it. For whatever reason, the authors choose not to dwell on what SHOULD be meaningful plot points. And because of this blatant lack of care or attention to what's going on with the characters or the bad moments they experience when the world is falling apart, nothing that happened weighed on me as much as it could have. Chad's flip-flopping made no sense. Evan marrying Tanya without even DEVELOPING the two into that direction was laughable. The passing of time was just all over the place and I absolutely did NOT like it.
The only reason this story got the extra star (I was originally gunning for one star), was the action and the plot points (despite being badly developed). It had a fantastic opening sequence and follow-up sequences throughout that were truly entertaining. But I hate when I'm not allowed to care about the GLUE of a story (characters!!), and that damn well better not happen again as I continue on this series.
I think Jeff Kirkman and Jason Ross are fine authors. Their wealth of natural knowledge of war and survival, as well as their ability to add gritty realism to their stories have been effective in reeling me in since the get-go. I loved Black Autumn, Travelers, and The Last Airforce One. They were carefully crafted 5-star reads with amazing characters, plotlines, and action. Conquistadors was the only 2-star read I've experienced in this series, way lackluster compared to the others. It was a rating I had hoped would not be met again.
And then came White Wasteland.
It wasn't even the heavy focus on the Mormon war angle that did me in. I mean sure, it was kinda annoying that the general story of surviving the fall of America had to bend in that particular direction, but I dealt with it. Frankly, the fact that the authors' inclination to "explain" the Mormon angle in their author's note was a telling enough warning that I'm gonna be reading about Mormons, especially given the Homestead's location. It was fine and whatever to me. It ain't like Mormons don't exist, and it makes sense they and their beliefs would be present.
The REAL culprit that hurt, no... that damaged my appreciation of this story was the poor character development (namely the supporting ones). The sheer amount of tackily squandered opportunities for these characters to grow and interact with each other so that I could, oh I don't know, actually CARE about them was such a damn travesty. It made this book that much more difficult to love, or even like. And then given the devastating events happening in the Homestead (including deaths of seemingly major characters), the fact that they WEREN'T more fleshed out prior to their fates within the story was damn infuriating.
The whole flu plotline could have REALLY meant something to me if it didn't occur in the background. I could have REALLY been emotional about Emily's death or Jason's response to her death if I wasn't told about it later on. I could have felt something for Tara being permanently damaged, or Jeff's pain over the fear of losing her if I got to be a part of it. If only I was given a chance to actually experience any of it as a reader as it was happening. I should be reading painful, emotional interactions between people on their death beds with their loved ones. I shouldn't be forcibly taken into the Mormon war plotline for the majority of this story. I need to be as much, if not MORE in the people of Homestead. I want to frickin' CARE. If I'm not permitted to care about the REASON for the war, then why would the war itself be important enough for me to give one crap about? It isn't! Character development was CRUCIAL in this story, and it was botched. Badly.
The pacing and certain plot-points of this book were rocky too and were heavy factors in why the characters pass by the wayside as simple names on the page to me. Even when I'm told that characters mean something to other characters, or when they make compelling, life-altering decisions that should inject shock or awe into a story, I don't get to SEE any of it. For whatever reason, the authors choose not to dwell on what SHOULD be meaningful plot points. And because of this blatant lack of care or attention to what's going on with the characters or the bad moments they experience when the world is falling apart, nothing that happened weighed on me as much as it could have. Chad's flip-flopping made no sense. Evan marrying Tanya without even DEVELOPING the two into that direction was laughable. The passing of time was just all over the place and I absolutely did NOT like it.
The only reason this story got the extra star (I was originally gunning for one star), was the action and the plot points (despite being badly developed). It had a fantastic opening sequence and follow-up sequences throughout that were truly entertaining. But I hate when I'm not allowed to care about the GLUE of a story (characters!!), and that damn well better not happen again as I continue on this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
The saga continues from Black Autumn series, following Jeff Kirkham and crew at the homestead. The Mormons of Utah are regrouping and as tends to happen in a vacuum, an asshole with delusions of conquest takes control of the southern Mormons. This whole series has been incredibly well crafted in every respect. The characters are outstanding, interesting and funny (some). The events both within and without the homestead keep the drama ratcheted up through the entire book. It also helps that it wasn't just another 6 or 7 hour audiobook. Thank you very much to the authors for not shorting us.
July 20, 2023
Continuing the Black Autumn series....and back to the Homestead with Jeff, Evan, Jason, and the gang. Jeff finds himself in the middle of a war between Mormons, a deadly flu is spreading throughout the homestead and beyond, and Jason is losing his shit as head of the homestead. This installment was fun and full of excitement following both internal struggles (Jeff and Jason), chaos in the homestead (Jason and everyone), a clandestine nursery totally against the rules, and a full on Mormon civil war.
November 25, 2021
DNF - wanted to like it, I enjoyed the first book. Made it through ~25% and just could not finish. Characters are one dimensional with no nuance. I don’t like either main character, kill off one or both and it may be interesting… other than that it’s a hard pass.
May 13, 2024
This one went a bit like I expected, but still had a few surprises. One thought where they are talking about issues growing food out of season... No pollinators!
Otherwise, a good addition to the series.
Otherwise, a good addition to the series.
July 6, 2024
I enjoyed the follow up to the first book. It closed some open doors. Made me think about what life could be like if there was a collapse. The entire series really. From the Mexican Drug Cartels to the statements at the end of this book dealing with Hawaii.
July 26, 2021
Excellent read. Love the characters. This series is worth reading.
October 1, 2021
I love this series and these writers! I've read a lot of this genre and I think they have the perfect mix of SOF, civilians, and interesting stories.
January 11, 2022
Thanks for another amazing book, guys! I love this series!
September 18, 2023
Fascinating series
Read
September 16, 2025DNF at 20%. I think this book is probably pretty good, but I just read too many books in this series in too short of time and I burned myself out. I'll have to come back to it at a future date.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews