Audible Book Review: Home Coming, The Survivalist Series, Book 10 by A. American

I enjoyed this conclusion to a strong series.
Home Coming
The Survivalist Series, Book 10
By: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Series: The Survivalist Series, Book 10
Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
Release date: 11-13-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian Fiction, Survival
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
It’s been a long hard ride for Morgan and everyone. Just when things were starting to look up, the park was attacked, and they lost Bobbie. Danny’s physical wounds were nothing like the emotional loss of Bobbie. It was hard on Mel as well, and the rest of the group also felt the loss. With the attacks on the community becoming a greater threat, they must be dealt with. These attacks must end. But what can the group do against an army with artillery?
It’s been almost a year since "The Day", and Morgan is worried about his parents. It’s something that has been on his mind, often hidden or buried under the daily burden of his new reality. That worry is getting harder to ignore, and something is going to have to be done, so he can know, one way or another.
Even with all the life-threatening issues, life must go on. The daily requirements of feeding everyone and dealing with the innumerable challenges that crop up must be addressed. And there’s Fred’s pregnancy. While a blessing, it presents serious risks to her. Morning sickness is the least of her concerns. The only easy day in this new world is yesterday.
©2018 A. American (P)2018 Podium Publishing.

Review:
It has been a long year for Morgan, his family and friends since “The Day” when the initial EMP strike took out the power system in the US. Morgan managed to make it home where he has led his small community, with the help of a handful of armed forces men, to not only survive, but to begin to rebuild. But there is a well-armed enemy army camp not far away that still poses a major threat.

Sarge, the former army commander, is planning an attack to take out the enemy. Sadly, before the attack can take place, the enemy army initiates an aggressive and deadly attack bombing against a local city. The loss and damage is devastating and painful with no hospitals and limited skilled healers to give help the injured. Morgan and Sarge are more motivated to wipe out the enemy at their gates.

Once the battle with the enemy is over, things are expected to be quiet for a time. Morgan is ready to seek out the safety of his parents who are a few hours away. He finds some new friends who can provide him the means to get to them more easily, although there are always dangers in traveling to unknown communities.

I enjoyed coming back to this series to learn how the communities are rebuilding. I like the ‘prepper’ tips that are shared in the story from water use to herbal remedies. Fred’s pregnancy, the efforts to save lives, and the community of Morgan’s parents, provide a good mix of human interest to offset the ongoing battle issues. There is, as usual, salty banter among the military characters which I adds some humor, even if off color.

This series, The Survivalist Series, consists of 10 books written (or released) from 2013 through 2018. I stared listening in 2014 after received book 2 as an ebook through NetGalley. I am not a series binge reader as can be noted by the fact that I spread this out over 8 years. However, I enjoyed coming back to the series which was easy enough to follow even with some time gaps. I recommend the entire series to fans of the post-apocalyptic/dystopian genres.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine did a good job as the narrator throughout this series. I enjoyed his voices for the characters and the fitting emotion and energy he brings to the stories. As with the prior books, the narration contributed to my enjoyment of the story/ experience.

12/26/2021 Audible December Credits. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

My prior reviews in the series:
Book 1, Going Home My rating 4.5
Book 2, Surviving Home My rating 4.5
Book 3, Escaping Home My rating 4.25
Book 4, Forsaking Home My rating 4.25
Book 5, Resurrecting Home My rating 4.0
Book 6, Enforcing Home My rating 4.25
Book 7, Avenging Home My rating 3.75
Book 8, Home Invasion My rating 4.0
Book 9, Conflicting Home My rating 4.25

Audible Book Review: Conflicted Home: The Survivalist Series by A. American

This is a good continuation of a strong post-apocalyptic, survival series.

Conflicted Home
By: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Series: The Survivalist Series, Book 9
Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-10-18
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action & Adventure, Dystopian Fiction, Survival
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The only possible thing that could make Morgan's world even more difficult happened. The Japanese fleet off the coast of California was wiped out. An even that Morgan and friends and family only knew about because of the radio broadcasts from the Radio Free Redoubt. So far removed from them it barely warranted notice. That is until the Chinese retaliated by launching a nuclear counter-strike against Mac Dill Air Force base. This, did warrant their attention and had the potential to profoundly impact their lives.
As bad as the fear of nuclear fallout was, it wasn't the only threat still haunting northern Lake county. With proof the Russians had pathfinder units on the ground, at a minimum, in the state and discovery of Cuban forces cooperating with them, something had to be done. After encountering armored units and realizing they were ill equipped to deal with the threat, the old man called for help. The call was answered, but would require a near impossible trip by truck to Eglin Air Force base. America was certainly on the ropes, but she wasn't down yet.
All Morgan wants to do is protect his family and friends. To restore a normal sense of life. To see to it Mel and his girls are safe and protected. He doesn't want to get involved in these military actions. He's more focused on trying to restore power to town. But his desires are, to use a military term, overtaken by circumstances, and, once again, Morgan and his friends are compelled to get involved. And this time, it will cost them.
©2017 A. American (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
Morgan is back home recovering from injuries suffered at the end of Home Invasion. The biggest concerns though come from two major threats. A nuclear bomb has been dropped on an air force base in Tampa which is only 100 or so miles away from Morgan’s community in Eustis, Florida. Meanwhile, Russians joined by Cuban forces have invaded Florida to the south and are moving north. In order to protect their home and the neighboring community which includes US troops, Morgan joins the immutable Sarge and his handful of men take a road trip to Eglin Air Force Base (near Pensacola) which is roughly six hours away in normal days.

This episode of the series is very much a ‘days in the life of’ journal. Like the last book, Home Invasion, this book has less battle action and more life experiences. I actually enjoyed the relationship developments and the living details including foods and medical treatments. The story moves along well and the quiet portions get a punch with action engagement along the journey to Florida Panhandle. Then Morgan and his friends suffer a brutal surprise attack after the crew returns with supplies to share.

I will say that the rough ‘male humor’ continues (again see my review of Home Invasion) especially among Sarge and his special forces team. I’m not really in favor of that language but, fortunately, it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the story overall. I also like the fact that the setting in Florida is well known to me. I recommend this series to fans of the post-apocalyptic survival genre.

Audio Notes: I am glad that Duke Fontaine continues to narrate this series. He delivers the story with good energy and distinct voices. His narration successfully contributes to making this an entertaining listen.

Source: 7/16/19 Audible 2nd June Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7

This is a good enough continuation of the stories to keep the series moving forward.
Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 7
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-14-16
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Survival
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In Enforcing Home, Morgan and his group suffered some loss. They discovered their old foes weren't gone, as they'd thought. Not only were they not gone, but they were also stronger than before. Morgan would have to deal with this threat while at the same time trying to restore some sort of quality of life to his community.
But this wasn't going to be easy. With the bombing at the market and the wounding of his daughter, Taylor, it became all too clear to Morgan that he was once again in a fight for the lives of those who mattered most to him. Taylor was injured and would need care for some time. It wouldn't be easy. Added to that was the realization that he would have to deal with second-guessing himself. Was it his fault that she was now hurt?
In Avenging Home, we see how this long-running battle between Morgan's people and their number one nemesis plays out. While Morgan thinks this is the biggest threat they face, there are things on the horizon he cannot yet see that are going to dwarf these problems.
Morgan has lived in a vacuum. He's had little information about the outside world. While he's used radios to listen to what he can, there's been precious little real information. But now he's found what he believes to be a reliable source and knows when and where to listen. But is it valid? Or is it simply propaganda? News and information can be powerful tools, but they must always be taken in context to make an educated decision. And the challenge is that there's only one source. When you have to make decisions that mean the difference between life and death, the process becomes even more critical.
So we'll follow Morgan and his tightly knit group as they are once again in the fight. Will they finally defeat the federal thugs in their backyard? And, more importantly, what will be the cost?
©2016 A. American (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
I enjoyed listening to the latest confrontations in this series although I didn’t find it as good as some of the earlier books. This one seemed to have a little shallower focus on the characters while preparing for a showdown with the very nasty federal opposition. The books really should be read in sequence to know the characters.

The local town community is still seeking leadership from ‘Sheriff” Morgan. Morgan meets new suppliers in the market, gathers engineers to work on the power plant, recruits workers for the community garden and prepares his family and friends for a shoot-out. Meanwhile he must deal with captured enemies as well as drunken murderers and local thieves. Morgan doesn’t want to be judge, jury, sentencer and executioner… but someone has to do the hard jobs. He is seeking someone to serve as a judge at least for sentencing if not for fact finding as mostly the facts are clear when the culprits are caught in the act. Sadly, the man who steps forward for the job is just not the right person and he and his guards have to be dealt with firmly.

There are the usual antics from Sarge and his sometimes infantile and trigger-happy army guys, Mike and Ted. This repeated some of the male crudeness and of course violence considering the battle that occurs. Other characters add their part -- humor, determination, fear, revenge and even romance -- to the story. There were more survival tips shared, although maybe not as many as earlier books. I guess the help from the local military and the powers in high places really gives Morgan's neighborhood an edge but I couldn't help feeling that things were just a bit too easy going in the town.

Morgan catches a radio broadcast that brings disturbing news. They can’t tell if it is true, a hoax or propaganda, but it is scary if real. This book does a good job of continuing the story, wrapping up one phase and introducing a new conflict for future books. I hope the next book has a little more depth to it.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine does his usual solid narration of these characters. It just seemed to me that even he didn't have quite the same enthusiasm for this episode. Or maybe that was me projecting. I do enjoy listening to these though as they move well in audio.

My prior reviews in the series:
Book 1, Going Home My rating 4.5
Book 2, Surviving Home My rating 4.5
Book 3, Escaping Home My rating 4.25
Book 4, Forsaking Home My rating 4.25
Book 5, Resurrecting Home My rating 4.0
Book 6, Enforcing Home My rating 4.25

I am working on my Audio, TBR and Alphabet Challenges. This is a series I like and "A" title.

Audible Book Review: Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6 by A. American

I started this sixth book in the series and although calmer than prior books, I found it hard to put down.

Enforcing Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 6

Written by: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Series: Survivalist, Book 6

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:01-19-16

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Morgan has managed to get through a lot. Having made it back to his family and dealt with the issues of unscrupulous neighbors, he then had to deal with the presence of the federal government and their nefarious activities. But with the help of his close-knit group he prevailed. Life is settling into a familiar routine. And with the help of the US Army, they are starting to rebuild their community. But just when Morgan thinks things are assuming some kind of normal, another surprise lands in his lap. He's made sheriff.
Harkening back to a time when law enforcement was a local face in the community, Morgan is forced to step up and be that face, much to his chagrin. With the help of Thad, Danny, and the rest of the crew, he accepts the challenge and tries to make a positive impact. But he's in for yet another surprise. New foes will arise, and old ones will return to conspire to destroy his efforts.
Morgan's group will suffer loss, injury, and constant assault. His new position has made him a target as well as those he loves. The peace and tranquility that the group has fought so hard for will continue to elude them. The fight, as Morgan soon learns, is just beginning.
©2015 A. American (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
Morgan is now sheriff of his community and the local town. He isn’t thrilled but agreed to accept the responsibilities with several of his friends as deputies. His own community is experiencing a time of rebuilding and peace but that doesn’t last. There are many who are hungry and unrest is spreading especially as bullies try to take from others by force. These are local problems, but not the worst Morgan has to deal with. Stragglers with children who are coughing badly pass outside the neighborhood gates. Some of the community children do not realize there may be danger playing with these sickly waifs.

Morgan’s friends learn that the corrupt federal DHS forces never made it to the army base where they were being sent. Instead they escaped and are building forces with plans to eliminate Morgan, Sarge and the rest of the ‘resisters’. A stranger wander in and, although it is not clear if he can be trusted, he slowly becomes part of the group.

Fortunately, Sarge and Morgan have friends in high places. They are able to get the supplies for a field hospital flown in as well as getting some heavy power equipment that will be useful as the skirmishes with the DHS scoundrels intensify.

I was glad to be back with the familiar characters and I was pulled right into the story. The author addresses issues relating to the society reorganization as well as dangers of disease and lawlessness. This episode moves forward with daily concerns and not all the action is in fighting… there is enough of that too to keep things interesting. There are moments of humor and almost happiness as the community and nearby town look to reestablish a firm footing.  But Morgan becomes more of a target especially for the oncoming threat of a major attack by the DHS forces.

There was a bit more male crudeness and some rather brutal torture in this book. There was also some repetition but it didn't have a noticeable impact on my enjoyment. I found this engaging and I look forward to more action in this series.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine has certainly become the voice of these characters for me. His clear narration enhances the engagement in the stories and makes this a fast listen.

My prior reviews in the series:
Book 1, Going Home
Book 2, Surviving Home
Book 3, Escaping Home
Book 4, Forsaking Home
Book 5, Resurrecting Home

This was a 2016 selection for my own Audible library.

Audible Review: Resurrecting Home: A Novel by A. American

This is still entertaining although not as action packed as prior books in the series.

Resurrecting Home: A Novel

Written by: A. American

Narrated by: Duke Fontaine

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Series: Survivalist, Book 5

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-31-14

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Against all odds, Morgan Carter and his family have endured despite the deteriorating conditions surrounding them. Armed with survivalist tactics, Morgan's crew, alongside their new friends from the recently-liberated DHS camp, have worked together to build a sustainable community. But not all situations can be prepared for. When a massive wildfire threatens their very existence, they must decide: fight or flight?
From the author of the hit Survivalist Series books, Resurrecting Home is an action-packed adventure that depicts the harrowing possibilities of a world gone awry, and the courage it takes to protect what matters most.
©2014 A. American (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Review:
This is book five in an action, post apocalyptic series. EMP strikes have left the state of Florida with no power, water or other vital services. There are no food supplies and society has broken down. Morgan Carter and his family have survived and returned to their home neighborhood to establish a new life. They had been somewhat prepared so they have solar power, a water system and a supply of food that is quickly dwindling. They have received help from some tough army friends, led by Sarge, who Morgan met on his dangerous journey home (Book 1, Going Home).

Things have begun to quiet down a bit and the small community of seventeen or so are planning on setting up a garden and hunting for food to see them through the winter. In Book 4, Forsaking Home, they found Jess, who traveled part of the way home with Morgan and Thad, in the nearby government DHS camp. Sarge and his men helped the army capture the DHS camp tyrants and free Jess and the other people who were being used as slaves and worse.

There are those who are glad to be released and they begin to disburse to home or other destinations. But many of the people have become little more than cattle expecting to be taken care of even if they have to suffer abuse and loss of freedoms. They object when the army is given orders to move out.

Morgan is less concerned with the fate of the squatters at the camp than he is with the drifters who are challenging his neighborhood and nearby friends. He has to confront thieves who would go so far as to kill for a can of food, a house to live in or even a female to take for pleasure.

Morgan and his friends are mostly ready to deal with society threats but they hadn’t prepared for nature to flare up in a raging fire that is sweeping towards their community. Unless they can divert the conflagration, the band of survivors will be forced to pack up and move again.

This is a good continuation of the story, and moves at a good pace. There is some action but not as much as some of the prior books. This story addresses more relational issues as the group tries to rebuild and protect what they have.

I liked revisiting the characters and learning how they were getting on. I enjoyed the entertainment.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine has done a good job with the series. He portrays the different character voices and personalities helping to keep the story moving along well. The narration has enhanced my enjoyment of this series.

Other books in the Series:
Book 1, Going Home
Book 2, Surviving Home
Book 3, Escaping Home
Book 4, Forsaking Home

This is from my own Audible library and is part of my Audio Challenge. It is R for Alphabet Soup Challenge. :-)

Audible Book Review: Forsaking Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 4 by A. American

There are more survivor basics and adventures in this fourth book.
Forsaking Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 4
By A. American
Narrated By Duke Fontaine
Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 4
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:06-24-14
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Release Date: 06-24-14
Morgan Carter has weathered the weeks after the collapse of the nation's power grid, reuniting with his family and ensuring their safety, but his struggle isn't over yet. Carter must focus on survival in an increasingly unstable society - but the challenges he faces are beyond his wildest imagination. Meanwhile, the enclosed quarters of the nearby government-run refugee camp make for an environment where injury, assault and murder are the norm.

Review:
The survival saga continues in book four of this series. Morgan and his family are managing fairly well in the cabins by the lake. It is more crowded and rustic than their suburban community but the family is still together. Morgan shows the family how to forage in the swamp for natural foods and Thad is teaching the group how to make homemade soaps and other handy, old fashioned survival skills. They are staying safe for the most part except for a few thawrted attacks on their pigs.

Meanwhile Sarge and his unofficial army crew are making plans to take over the nearby government camp that is more prison and slave training than refugee camp. They know that Jess is in the camp but they don’t know how much danger she is in.

I enjoyed the educational survival details even though it isn’t necessarily exciting. There are issues of emotional stress from the society changes, including depression and degredation of morals. The matters in camp have gotten worse with Jess and her friends targeted for execution. Sarge’s plan for takeover of the camp is rather simplistic and goes surprisingly well with the exception of an unexpected twist.

This isn’t full of action and excitement like books 1 and 2 but it is still entertaining. A. American does a good job of pulling together loose ends. This might not be a book to rave about but it is a satisfactory installment, maybe even conclusion, to the series.

AUDIO NOTES: Duke Fontaine continues to do a really nice job with the narration. This was a very easy, quick and engaging listening experience.

I purchased this fourth book with my Audible subscription so I could continue the series.

My review links for the other books in the series:
Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1
Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3

Audible Book Review: Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3 by: A. American

This is a good addition to this post apocalyptic series. I hope there will be more.
Escaping Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 3
Written by: A. American
Narrated by: Duke Fontaine


Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
Series: Survivalist, Book 3
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:10-30-13
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
When society ceases to exist, who can you trust?
After the collapse of the nation's power grid, America is under martial law - and safety is an illusion. As violence erupts around him, Morgan Carter faces one of his most difficult decisions yet: whether to stay and defend his home, or move to a more isolated area, away from the prying eyes of the government. He and his family are hesitant to leave their beloved Lake County, but with increasingly suspicious activities happening in a nearby refugee camp, all signs point towards defecting. Morgan and his friends aren't going to leave without a fight, though - and they'll do anything to protect their freedoms.
From the author of the hit survivalist novels Going Home and Surviving Home, Escaping Home describes the struggle to live in a world with no rules, and how, sometimes, the strength of family is the only thing that can pull you through.
©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Review:
At the end of Surviving Home, Book Two in this series, Morgan and his friends, Danny, a neighbor, Thad, his traveling companion, and Sarge and his three team members (met in Going Home, Book One), had done a reconnaissance of the local ‘government’ camp to see if they could tell how things were going. It wasn’t clear if those living in the camps were being helped or mistreated but Morgan and Thad were surprised to spot a young woman that looked like Jess, the girl they helped travel home to Ocala in Book One. Unfortunately the spies were spotted and had to pull out under gunfire.

Sarge is insisting that everyone start planning the move to an alternative location since the government troops most likely know where Morgan and Danny live. Morgan’s wife doesn’t like the idea although the girls think it might be a fun ‘camping adventure.’ The guys begin to make trips moving necessary and wanted equipment and supplies to the rugged cabins that Morgan showed them.

Many trips with a lot of gear draws some unwanted attention and the survivors face an ambush. Finally the attack on their own homes comes including the hostile presence of one of their old neighbors who insists they all move to the government facility.

Contact is made by a stranded Marine troop who offers some helpful intel to Sarge in exchange for needed supplies. These men have come across a man who survived a disastrous escape attempt from the government camp. Meanwhile, the slave-like conditions of the government camp are portrayed through Jess and her roommates.

This is the third installment in the series and seemed not quite as action packed as the prior books. There was still good action but I would say that this was a ‘preparing’ interlude to the next book. I was fully engaged by the story which read (listened) very quickly. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Audio Notes: Duke Fontaine continues to do a fine job of narration. He manages to portray different accents and personalities. I have to admit that I tend to get lost in the story and pay less attention to narration details. That indicates a good narrator to me and I think the narration has enhanced the series and made it an easy listen for me.

I purchased this third book with my Audible subscription so I could continue the series.

Book Review: Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series) by A. American

This is another engrossing episode to this action-packed series.

Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
by A. American

• File Size: 705 KB
• Print Length: 528 pages
• Publisher: Plume (June 25, 2013)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00DMBMRYG

Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Book 2 of The Survivalist Series
No electricity. No running water. No food. No end in sight. If life as you knew it changed in an instant, would you be prepared?

In A. American’s first novel, Going Home, readers were introduced to Morgan Carter, the resourceful, tough-as-nails survivalist who embarks on a treacherous 250-mile journey across Florida following the collapse of the nation’s power grid. Now reunited with his loving wife and daughters in this follow-up to Going Home, Morgan knows that their happiness is fleeting, as the worst is yet to come. Though for years Morgan has been diligently preparing for emergency situations, many of his neighbors are completely unready for life in this strange new world—and they’re starting to get restless.

With the help of his closest companions, Morgan fights to keeps his home secure—only to discover shocking information about the state of the nation in the process.

Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.

Review:
Book Two picks up where Book One ended, with our characters having arrived home to their families. Now they have to sort how they will proceed to protect their families in their own communities. Very quickly there are those who didn’t prepare seeking handouts from others and threatening to take what they feel they need. Morgan takes a firm stance against those who might try to steal from his family or who threaten them. This creates bad feelings with some of the other residents. The deputy sheriff in the community won’t back Morgan nor make strong decisions. There are moments of coming together but then there are raiders who attack and Morgan puts out a call to Sarge for help.

Thad was pretty isolated with his family and a neighbor who had a nice little farm. He helps out the older farmer who provides food supplies in exchange. Then thieves attack the old man and Thad has to make hard decisions. Next government in the form of a postal worker with a security guard comes knocking on the door to give Thad and his wife assignments in a work camp. Thad has prepared his family to run but the men return before he can get his family out safely. Thad seeks revenge before heading out to join Morgan.

Meanwhile Sarge and the guys are moving from camp to camp as they are hunted by enemies and trying to join up with friendly forces. They finally get assignments to act as raiders when they find the opportunity and they combine that assignment with responding to Morgan’s call for help.

This story really causes one to think how you would respond in similar circumstances. There is great opportunity for fear of neighbors, raiders and the government. There is a fine balance of trying to help while still maintaining a protective base for your own loved ones. There are some brutal and gruesome scenes that some readers might shy away from but I still recommend reading and skimming those sections if the reader is squeamish.

This read very quickly considering the number of pages. I was so engrossed in this episode that I was startled and dismayed when it came to an end with a surprising cliff hanger! I will definitely be picking up the next books in the series!

I received this title for review through NetGalley.

Audible Book Review: Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1 by A. American

I like this addition to the end-of-the-world genre - I found it very engaging and a good listen.
Going Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 1

• Written by: A. American
• Narrated by: Duke Fontaine
• Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins 
• • Series: Survivalist, Book 1
• Format: Unabridged


Release Date:10-28-13
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Genre: End of the World, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
If society collapsed, could you survive?
When Morgan Carter's car breaks down 250 miles from his home, he figures his weekend plans are ruined. But things are about to get much, much worse: The country's power grid has collapsed. There is no electricity, no running water, no Internet, and no way to know when normalcy will be restored - if it ever will be.
An avid survivalist, Morgan takes to the road with his prepper pack on his back. During the grueling trek from Tallahassee to his home in Lake County, chaos threatens his every step but Morgan is hell-bent on getting home to his wife and daughters - and he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Fans of James Wesley Rawles, William R. Forstchen's One Second After, and The End by G. Michael Hopf will revel in A. American's apocalyptic tale.
©2013 A. American (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks

Review:
Morgan is in north Florida when something terrible goes wrong causing all electronics to die. Modern cars don’t work, phones don’t work; there is no electricity anywhere so no lights, no refrigerators, no running water. Morgan happens to be a survivalist enthusiast so he has always carried a prepared pack. It doesn’t take him long to realize that this isn’t just a local or temporary blackout. He takes his pack and heads out on foot to make the 250 mile trek home to Lake County in mid Florida where his wife and three girls will be anxiously waiting..

Morgan plans to make the trip alone but soon gets a tag along of a young college girl, Jess, who is trying to get home to the Ocala area. A bit further along they are joined by a burly black man, Thad, who needs to go to the Tampa suburbs. The two men are pretty formidable and even Jess adds extra hands to the work load and the security details that are clearly needed. The trio manage to get an old truck to help them on their trip but they will have to fight to keep that and their gear. There are clusters of people who are just sadly pathetic, looking for handouts, but other groups are violently aggressive seeking to take what they can.

Thad was a trucker and used to chat on the radio with a tough old military fellow he knows as Sarge. When Morgan is injured in an ambush Thad manages to get them to Sarge’s house, which is more like a mini military compound. Sarge is joined by three military men, Mike, Ted and Doc, who have gone awol from a government troop that isn’t right. Instead of giving aid the government is scaring people into camps which are more like concentration camps than a refuge.

I really found this story engaging with the survival gear and the basic realities of life without electronics. It also distinguishes between the range of people-good, lazy and evil-and how they might react to a world without power. The story is very much character driven with Morgan being the strong-minded man who will do what it takes, with a hard attitude, to get home to his family. Jess is a cheerful girl who thinks she is ready to face the trek but soon learns that life is going to be much harder and more brutal than she was prepared for. Thad is a friendly, kind and loving man. But even he learns that sometimes you have to be tougher than the next guy to survive. Sarge is a crusty old warrior with his team of commandos who are ready to hide and fight against corruption.

The writing is straight forward and quick reading/listening. There is obviously quite a bit of violence and gun fights and some foul language in typical scenes.

Audio Notes: I found this to be a really good listen and was anxious to keep listening when ever I could. I thought Duke Fontaine did a good job with the different voices and the nuances of the characters. If you enjoy end of the world scenarios this is a good addition to the genre and the audio moves it along at a good pace.

I picked this up at Audible to listen before reading Book 2 for NetGalley