Audible Book Review: Catalyst Downward Cycle by J K Franks

This is a good beginning of a post-apocalyptic series, though not stellar.

Catalyst Downward Cycle
by J K Franks
Narrated by: Steven Varnum

Series: Catalyst, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-28-16
Language: English
Publisher: J K Franks
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
In the first five minutes, more than a million people will die.... That’s just the beginning of the nightmare.
The super solar storm wasn’t supposed to hit Earth - the odds were against it. And yet it did, and everything changed. The storm causes a global blackout. Society begins to come apart as the planes begin falling from the sky and all traces of normal vanish. Scott Montgomery watches helplessly as pandemonium consumes the world around him. But the loss of electrical power is just the first of the problems facing the survivors in the chaos that follows.
Soon, they discover the loss of electricity was just the beginning of their problems. In a land without laws and few consequences for their actions, individuals must come to terms with their darkest fears and desires. What will Scott do when he learns the draconian plans one secret group has for regaining control and ensuring their own vision for the new world?
Catalyst is a shockingly realistic tale of how society copes when the world is thrust back to a time before technology. If you are a fan of Steve Konkoly, Tom Abrahams, or A. American, you will love this audiobook.
©2016 J K Franks (P)2016 J K Franks

Review:
Scott is a computer analyst who lives in a solitary life in a small, rather isolated community on the Gulf. Scott became a bike enthusiast and a loner after a failed marriage. Scott isn’t a prepper although he is familiar with the group because his brother is one. Scott quickly recognizes the devastating impact of the solar flare that disables all electric systems in America and around the world. Scott isn’t sure how he will survive especially after he uncovers secret government plans regarding the recovery efforts.

Scott is fortunate to stumble upon three other men who are ready to band together for survival. Jack is a gritty ex-con turned preacher who is ready to help those who are ready to help themselves and he won’t take guff from anyone. Bartos is a rugged lineman who is more than prepared to defend and protect his friends. Todd is a former warrior with skills that can help with planning strategies while protecting the gathering band. These new friends see in Scott an intelligent, steady man who has valuable information and one who can help lead other men and women to work together for common good.

Scott is surprised when Todd volunteers to help him travel several hundred miles away to try to find and retrieve his niece who is in college. They are surprised to find a strange militaristic group controlling the campus. Will they be able to sneak Scott’s niece out safely? And what sort of community can they develop at their small town?

I did enjoy this overall story. Scott is a reluctant leader who needs a lot of help to succeed. He finds that help in interesting rather gritty comrades. Their communications were peppered with foul language which bothered me but wasn’t why I didn’t find the work compelling. I felt the story started slowly and plodded along. The story is realistic but seems to skip sections of development as the survivors gather. I’m not quite sure if it was the narration or the POV that made this seem like a lot of tell rather than show. There could have been more time spent on developing the community before they face a violent gang directed by an arrogant man of privilege.

I acknowledge that the story is worth listening to and continuing in the series. The problem is, with so many other series in this genre, this wouldn’t be my first choice. I do recommend this for readers/listeners who enjoy this genre.

Audio Notes: Steven Varnum does a fair job providing voices, but I think he could have provided a little more energy. I think this is partially the nature of the material. I still love listening to audio as it moves stories along for me.

Source: 9/18/18 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020 TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.