What do you think?
Rate this book
The Way of Dan #4
The Oracle
As summer winds down in the mountains of Idaho, Dan and his group are preparing for a long winter in their hardened underground home. Unlike the majority of Americans, they have power, running water, and plenty of food thanks to the preparations of paranoid podcaster Kyle Cross.
On a beautiful day, Dan sets out on a solo mountain bike ride, one of his favorite ways to clear his head. In typical fashion, he pushes himself beyond his limits and wipes out on a challenging section of trail.
When he wakes up, he finds that his injuries are not the worst of his problems. He's bound to a tree and staring into the eyes of a woman they'd all hoped was dead.
On a beautiful day, Dan sets out on a solo mountain bike ride, one of his favorite ways to clear his head. In typical fashion, he pushes himself beyond his limits and wipes out on a challenging section of trail.
When he wakes up, he finds that his injuries are not the worst of his problems. He's bound to a tree and staring into the eyes of a woman they'd all hoped was dead.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2022
About the author
Franklin Horton
115 books412 followersFranklin Horton lives and writes in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He attended Virginia Intermont College and Virginia Commonwealth University. In his spare time he pursues outdoor adventures with his wife and two children. His interests include camping, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, and shooting.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 4, 2023
As with all Franklin Horton books its not going to be all peaches and sunshine for the main characters of the books. Things will happen to characters you have come to love that will make you unhappy, people that you want to see dead wont die. It is part of what makes his books so good. This was no exception. I had thought we were done with the way of Dan but was pleasantly surprised to see another book show up! These do not overlap with the Borrowed world, Mad Mick or The Girl from locker nine. There was a point where I felt like I was seeing some of those characters but I think they were just similar since this world is an EMP and not the same circumstances as those.
If you have not read book one of this series it is where you need to start. If you are on the fence about this series and like books where the main character is often his own worst enemy but keeps on with his lifestyle to the chagrin of those around him then this book is for you. Its a very entertaining series and Dan is one of my favorite characters in all of the Franklin Horton books.
#empsurvival
#postapocalypse
If you have not read book one of this series it is where you need to start. If you are on the fence about this series and like books where the main character is often his own worst enemy but keeps on with his lifestyle to the chagrin of those around him then this book is for you. Its a very entertaining series and Dan is one of my favorite characters in all of the Franklin Horton books.
#empsurvival
#postapocalypse
December 20, 2022
frustratingly good
I get frustrated when I expect a line in the story doesn’t match with how I expect it go. There’s a lot of up and down roller coasters in this book series that drive me nuts. Thing they do in a situation are not what I would have done or expected they would have done.. BOOM! SURPRISE! Here we go this way.. lost all the cool stuff we had but no big deal cause it grows on tree in the apocalypse.. or we don’t have to pay attention, just have fun with the whole experience, live in the now!
Dan, and everyone around Dan deserves to die immediately in the apocalypse, it’s Dan.. the dude is so frustratingly clueless ..F R U S T R A T I N G!
But, my point is, best plans also fail. Well devised, thought out and well executed plans only work if all the pieces function exactly as designed.. and this book highlights the fact they they don’t always.
Probably more accurate to a real life scenario, than everything working out majestically perfect, every time.
I get frustrated when I expect a line in the story doesn’t match with how I expect it go. There’s a lot of up and down roller coasters in this book series that drive me nuts. Thing they do in a situation are not what I would have done or expected they would have done.. BOOM! SURPRISE! Here we go this way.. lost all the cool stuff we had but no big deal cause it grows on tree in the apocalypse.. or we don’t have to pay attention, just have fun with the whole experience, live in the now!
Dan, and everyone around Dan deserves to die immediately in the apocalypse, it’s Dan.. the dude is so frustratingly clueless ..F R U S T R A T I N G!
But, my point is, best plans also fail. Well devised, thought out and well executed plans only work if all the pieces function exactly as designed.. and this book highlights the fact they they don’t always.
Probably more accurate to a real life scenario, than everything working out majestically perfect, every time.
January 28, 2026
This one was wild. I pretty much read it in one sitting. The Oracle is nonstop action from start to finish and still keeps the character stuff front and center.
Dan and Holly are still my favorite disaster couple, and I loved how their little found family. Bird and Krin add the right mix of chaos and heart.
Ivy is still terrifying and fascinating at the same time. She is genuinely scary, but her backstory is so interesting I was intrigued to learn more..
I laughed, I got mad, I was tense, and a few parts hit way harder than I expected.
The fight scenes, chases, and standoffs never let up, but there are some quieter emotional moments that really gutted me.
Read this if you like:
✨ Fast, high tension post-apoc stories
🧠 Cults, oracles, and just-weird-enough rituals
🏔 Small remote communities trying to survive
💥 Gritty action with characters you actually care about
Dan and Holly are still my favorite disaster couple, and I loved how their little found family. Bird and Krin add the right mix of chaos and heart.
Ivy is still terrifying and fascinating at the same time. She is genuinely scary, but her backstory is so interesting I was intrigued to learn more..
I laughed, I got mad, I was tense, and a few parts hit way harder than I expected.
The fight scenes, chases, and standoffs never let up, but there are some quieter emotional moments that really gutted me.
Read this if you like:
✨ Fast, high tension post-apoc stories
🧠 Cults, oracles, and just-weird-enough rituals
🏔 Small remote communities trying to survive
💥 Gritty action with characters you actually care about
June 16, 2025
Back on the road!
The Oracle, book 4 in the Way Of Dan series, begins with Dan being stupid and getting himself taken prisoner by Ivy, who forces him to drink psychedelic tea, leading him to a major decision on his part that has severe repercussions for the people he cares about. Things go bad fast when they decide to head for Tennessee and Dan's kids. An armed militia tries to take the compound, but it doesn't go well for them. Dan and Holly find themselves being thrown from one horrific situation after another, and not everyone they care about survives the fallout. This is another masterpiece of an apocalyptic survival thriller, The Way Of Dan just keeps getting better. Highly, highly recommended! 5/5 stars!
The Oracle, book 4 in the Way Of Dan series, begins with Dan being stupid and getting himself taken prisoner by Ivy, who forces him to drink psychedelic tea, leading him to a major decision on his part that has severe repercussions for the people he cares about. Things go bad fast when they decide to head for Tennessee and Dan's kids. An armed militia tries to take the compound, but it doesn't go well for them. Dan and Holly find themselves being thrown from one horrific situation after another, and not everyone they care about survives the fallout. This is another masterpiece of an apocalyptic survival thriller, The Way Of Dan just keeps getting better. Highly, highly recommended! 5/5 stars!
November 15, 2023
Dan, Dan, what are you doing, man? Dan’s looking for trouble and finds it in heaps. Another entertaining and suspenseful read with the way of Dan. His philosophy is getting him into trouble running his mouth like an outboard motor. Holly must rein him in before he gets both of them killed. A twofold story: Dan and Holly leave the house in search of Dan’s kids, leaving Bird and Krin to man the fort. But things don’t work out well for either party. Dan bumps into Ivy the cavewoman and later finds himself and Holly captured by a despicable family while trying to catch a train. Meanwhile, Bird and Krin have to deal with a demented Ivy. A great read.
May 23, 2025
Mixed Feelings
I liked this story but I continually shook my head about the idiocy of the protagonist. It seemed like half the time he was stoned on marijuana and the rest of the time it seemed like he was drunk. His head was mush. He repeatedly said smart mouthed things that invariably earned him a beating. I honestly did not like the guy and wondered why his gal liked him and found it in her heart to love him. This writer needs a better proof reader - some instances lack continuity , there are missing words, and repeated phrases. My favorite was the naked man wearing boots only, who was inexplicably barefoot a page later.
I liked this story but I continually shook my head about the idiocy of the protagonist. It seemed like half the time he was stoned on marijuana and the rest of the time it seemed like he was drunk. His head was mush. He repeatedly said smart mouthed things that invariably earned him a beating. I honestly did not like the guy and wondered why his gal liked him and found it in her heart to love him. This writer needs a better proof reader - some instances lack continuity , there are missing words, and repeated phrases. My favorite was the naked man wearing boots only, who was inexplicably barefoot a page later.
January 25, 2025
Great Series!
Absolutely loved the four books in this series! Refreshing to read a SHTF storyline that doesn't include gangs of low IQ men molesting women. The characters were brought to life so well that many times I wanted to kick Dan's butt. Ivy and her gang were kind of overboard but I enjoyed the description of the mushroom experiences. Reminded me of the Carlos Castaneda books I read way back. Most of all I haven't ever heard of anyone else that was a fan of Dave Van Ronk. Write on Franklin Horton!
Absolutely loved the four books in this series! Refreshing to read a SHTF storyline that doesn't include gangs of low IQ men molesting women. The characters were brought to life so well that many times I wanted to kick Dan's butt. Ivy and her gang were kind of overboard but I enjoyed the description of the mushroom experiences. Reminded me of the Carlos Castaneda books I read way back. Most of all I haven't ever heard of anyone else that was a fan of Dave Van Ronk. Write on Franklin Horton!
April 29, 2025
Best book in the Way of Dan series!
I almost stopped reading when I thought one character was dead, but I continued reading. I should have known that saving one life meant more deaths. So many plot twists and surprises. Good writing, good lessons, evil, and cunning. You will question whether you prefer Ivy over the pretenders who have lost their humanity. I would watch this as a tv show, get ready to feel sad, humor, anger, fear, pain, and disgust in this story and the characters.
I almost stopped reading when I thought one character was dead, but I continued reading. I should have known that saving one life meant more deaths. So many plot twists and surprises. Good writing, good lessons, evil, and cunning. You will question whether you prefer Ivy over the pretenders who have lost their humanity. I would watch this as a tv show, get ready to feel sad, humor, anger, fear, pain, and disgust in this story and the characters.
September 4, 2025
I have enjoyed the way of Dan series but this book was the one that will stop me from reading anymore of this series. It was contrived, bloody with great detail, and unbelievable. Dan seems like a reasonably intuitive person through the first couple of books, but this book shows he has no judgment, is reactive and way too immature without giving a spoiler. Dan was unbelievable this time. I mean to say it was out of character the way he acted through most of the book. I won't be finishing the series, although I did enjoy the first couple of books.
December 16, 2022
Love The Way of Dan series
Dan's back!!! This is such a great series. You just gotta love that stubborn thick headed stoner Dan. The trials he's been through since the apocalypse have been a great read and this book doesn't disappoint. Has Dan finally got in over his head? Check it out and while you're at it pray more people follow The Path of Water, The Way of Dan. The world would be a better place
Dan's back!!! This is such a great series. You just gotta love that stubborn thick headed stoner Dan. The trials he's been through since the apocalypse have been a great read and this book doesn't disappoint. Has Dan finally got in over his head? Check it out and while you're at it pray more people follow The Path of Water, The Way of Dan. The world would be a better place
December 25, 2022
An unusual (but interesting) hero!
Dan had an usual impact on people. Holly was the exact opposite of Dan, but she grew to love him. Krin was basically a non-violent "flower child" but Dan thought violence was "sometimes the only appropriate response", and in the end, so did she. Ivy was a human regressing to an "ancient pagan", who thought nothing of killing, but let Dan live (twice!). They were all influenced by "the way of Dan".
Dan had an usual impact on people. Holly was the exact opposite of Dan, but she grew to love him. Krin was basically a non-violent "flower child" but Dan thought violence was "sometimes the only appropriate response", and in the end, so did she. Ivy was a human regressing to an "ancient pagan", who thought nothing of killing, but let Dan live (twice!). They were all influenced by "the way of Dan".
December 26, 2022
Franklin Dang!
My heart was in my throat more than once reading this installment. I felt what each of them felt. Experienced each thing they all felt. I love when a book envelopes me and takes me where it is written. The Way of Dan does it every time..
Do yourself a favor and read about the way of Dan.
My heart was in my throat more than once reading this installment. I felt what each of them felt. Experienced each thing they all felt. I love when a book envelopes me and takes me where it is written. The Way of Dan does it every time..
Do yourself a favor and read about the way of Dan.
January 5, 2023
Good Conclusion To The Series
When Dan and Holly were going to leave the mountain and head back to Tennessee, I wondered if the author was going to draw out the trip. I really liked his ending as all the adventure had occurred in Idaho throughout the series, and he appropriately concluded the action there.
When Dan and Holly were going to leave the mountain and head back to Tennessee, I wondered if the author was going to draw out the trip. I really liked his ending as all the adventure had occurred in Idaho throughout the series, and he appropriately concluded the action there.
July 19, 2023
Good Book, Good Series that is another take on the same situations in the Mad Mick series, Locker Nine series and A Borrowed World series. I highly recommend these books, they are all good series and I rank them Mad Mick, Borrowed World, Locker Nine and then The Way of Dan. Now even though it says kindle, I actually only read in my hand books.
December 24, 2022
Dan's the Man
A happy go lucky guy meets his soul mate and has many battles to endure before finally finding their way to head home . I could have read this book nonstop to the end ! But I didn't want it to end .
A happy go lucky guy meets his soul mate and has many battles to endure before finally finding their way to head home . I could have read this book nonstop to the end ! But I didn't want it to end .
January 5, 2023
Loved
I loved this book by Franklin Horton. I also loved the characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of this Franklin’s books. I listened to this book on audiobook.
I loved this book by Franklin Horton. I also loved the characters. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of this Franklin’s books. I listened to this book on audiobook.
January 11, 2024
Put it down several times, picked it up determined to finish.
Finished it and hated it. Ivy was just too much. And so was Mountain Home. I wish Franklin hadn't pursued whatever this literary itch was....I found no redeeming value in the words.
And that makes me sad.
Finished it and hated it. Ivy was just too much. And so was Mountain Home. I wish Franklin hadn't pursued whatever this literary itch was....I found no redeeming value in the words.
And that makes me sad.
July 11, 2024
The Train Did Come…
What a ride getting to the train that they hoped would take them towards Tennessee. And Ivy, the craziest of all seems to have landed on her feet despite the mayhem and destruction she caused. Life is strange in the apocalypse.
What a ride getting to the train that they hoped would take them towards Tennessee. And Ivy, the craziest of all seems to have landed on her feet despite the mayhem and destruction she caused. Life is strange in the apocalypse.
September 22, 2025
another great one by Franklin Horton
Really enjoyed it again Franklin starting to help me understand the prepper world. What could happen in apocalypse keep doing it Franklin keep writing good stuff.
Really enjoyed it again Franklin starting to help me understand the prepper world. What could happen in apocalypse keep doing it Franklin keep writing good stuff.
January 26, 2026
Dystopian farce
Dan just can’t stop his wagging tongue and how Holly, an ex-cop, can partner up with this pot head, is a mystery. Still, the plot may run amok, but the pages keep turning as the problems multiply. Let’s see how they get out of this hobo dilemma.
Dan just can’t stop his wagging tongue and how Holly, an ex-cop, can partner up with this pot head, is a mystery. Still, the plot may run amok, but the pages keep turning as the problems multiply. Let’s see how they get out of this hobo dilemma.
February 17, 2026
another excellent read from Franklin Horton
I read them as fast as he put them out. Love the author, his characters, and his storylines. They always pull you in and keep you reading, no matter how heavy your eyelids get.
I read them as fast as he put them out. Love the author, his characters, and his storylines. They always pull you in and keep you reading, no matter how heavy your eyelids get.
December 22, 2022
I do not care for Ivy, and I think she is a fairly weak antagonist. The introduction of the NEW antagonists, however, is what saved this novel from simply being a book that went through the motions.
January 2, 2023
Another excellent book
If you haven't read this series, you are missing out. Great characters, plenty of action and a few losses along the way. Catch that train.
If you haven't read this series, you are missing out. Great characters, plenty of action and a few losses along the way. Catch that train.
January 30, 2023
love this series!!
This has to be the most fun, well written, and interesting apocalypse book, ever. I laughed out loud in so many places.
This has to be the most fun, well written, and interesting apocalypse book, ever. I laughed out loud in so many places.
April 5, 2023
Great Ending
This book had so many twists and surprises! Great story and great ending
Hopefully it’s not the last in this series
This book had so many twists and surprises! Great story and great ending
Hopefully it’s not the last in this series
December 10, 2023
Dans got the good stuff
If you enjoy some good devils lettuce. You gotta get to know this guy. Holly tries but Dans way is strong in this guy,
If you enjoy some good devils lettuce. You gotta get to know this guy. Holly tries but Dans way is strong in this guy,
February 7, 2024
good reading
Gives you plenty to think about if things ever go sideways in this country and hopefully some ideas on how you will do things
Gives you plenty to think about if things ever go sideways in this country and hopefully some ideas on how you will do things
May 29, 2024
The Oracle - Way of Dan Book 4
Horton knocks the ending out of the park: a shaman, a team of survivalists, and a group of backwoods murders. How will Dan and his friends escape?
Horton knocks the ending out of the park: a shaman, a team of survivalists, and a group of backwoods murders. How will Dan and his friends escape?
July 13, 2024
Horton knocks the ending out of the park: a shaman, a team of survivalists, and a group of backwoods murders. How will Dan and his friends escape?
March 2, 2025
Great Finish to a Great Story
The Oracle is a great finish to a great story. No cliff hanging here. Mr Horton does a fine job of wrapping up the epic tale of Dan! Bravo
The Oracle is a great finish to a great story. No cliff hanging here. Mr Horton does a fine job of wrapping up the epic tale of Dan! Bravo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews