Audible Book Review: Commune by Joshua Gayou

I liked these characters and the story.
Commune
Commune, Book 1
By: Joshua Gayou
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Commune Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-28-17
Language: English
Publisher: Joshua Gayou, Blue Heron Audio
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
For dinosaurs, it was a big rock. For humans: Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).
When the Earth is hit by the greatest CME in recorded history (several times larger than the Carrington Event of 1859), the combined societies of the planet's most developed nations struggle to adapt to a life thrust back into the Dark Ages.
In the United States, the military scrambles to speed the nation's recovery on multiple fronts including putting down riots, establishing relief camps, delivering medical aid, and bringing communication and travel back on line.
Just as a real foothold is established in retaking the skies (utilizing existing commercial aircraft supplemented by military resources and ground control systems), a mysterious virus takes hold of the population, spreading globally over the very flight routes that the survivors fought so hard to rebuild. The communicability and mortality rates are devastating, leaving only small pockets of survivors scattered throughout the countryside.
Commune: Book One is the story of one small group of survivors who must adapt to a primitive, hostile world or die. As they learn the rules of this new era, they must decide how far they're willing to go to continue living, continually asking themselves the same question daily: is survival worth the loss of humanity?
©2017 Joshua Gayou (P)2017 Joshua Gayou

Review:
Brian is part of a small group of survivors trying to rebuild after a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) took out all electronics. After the CME the population was decimated by a fast-moving, lethal virus. By twos and threes survivors found their way to Jackson, Wyoming and a ranch commune, now known as the Jackson Commune. Brian is interviewing the survivors in order to make a record of their experiences. He begins by interviewing Jake, the quiet leader who is one of the first who arrived at the commune with the owner of the land, Billy. No one really knows Jake’s history before the event. It is clear he suffered loss and along the way he has become hard and determined, rarely smiling. Brian and others have observed that Jake has learned to take the steps necessary for survival. He is not book smart, but he learns quickly by example and need. Jake met Billy, a Native American, along the byways of the Southwest. Jake was moving away from dangerous cities and he found Billy also moving toward Las Vegas. It wasn’t clear if it would be safe to approach the stranger, but his contact turned out to help Jake survive. Billy espoused the motto of always being ready for bad things to happen and fortunate for this group, Billy had a prepper mindset and was preparing his property for survival in crisis.

Amanda is a young Hispanic woman who arrived at the property with her daughter, Jake, and Billy. Her story is full of sorrow and horror. Her daughter, Lizzy, has been her purpose to survive and become strong. Amanda wasn’t in a good situation when Jake and Billy stepped in to rescue her and assure a chance for Amanda and her daughter.

This is the first book introducing the Commune series. The presentation in first-person point of view through journal-style is interesting. This provides a good base for character development, backstory, and descriptive danger. There is violence that is to be expected in post-apocalyptic. There are also interesting details about prepping, scavenging and surviving. Things like guns that have ammo that’s easier to find and how diesel fuel holds up better than degrading gas. I enjoyed the story and plan to continue in the series. I recommend this to fans of the genre.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a great narrator who delivers this story with personality and appropriate solemnity. He provides voices and ease of storytelling that keep the book moving forward. I liked listening to this and will most likely continue in audio.

Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.