This book reads as a sanitized script for a TV show. The characters are so predictable that I found myself speaking out loud what they would do next and guessing right. The bad guys are cringe-worthy, not because they are doing evil things, but because they are ridiculously obvious and one-dimensional. Elliott, the former military guy who suffers from PTSD, is just a walking prepper’s manual, and his flat companions are there solely to represent the “naive” readers. The dialogues were comical, not because of intended humor, but because they all (including young women and little girls) sounded like they spoke like a 60-year old man, using old-timer idioms. Also, who wouldn’t grab a coat while escaping New York on January 1st?? Seriously?

In case the author ever reads this, I must say I admire anyone who can write a book, as I don’t think I would have the patience to sit down and do the same. I just wish there was much more depth and dimension to human emotions in a story about a post-apocalyptic world.

One thought about the narration: it was not great, but my bar is really high (Jim Dale), so I guess Kevin Pierce did alright.

I did finish the whole audiobook because I was doing manual work over the weekend and it was more like background noise, but I regret spending 1 credit on this one.