Given the subject matter of the book (end of the world) and the events of the main character (both in the present and in the flashbacks we see) I would say it’s probably not quite appropriate to say this was a fun and enjoyable title, but I’m going to say it anyway. The tone of the book is definitely dark. Tom (the book’s hero) has not had the easiest life and he had already suffered numerous tragedies before civilization began to collapse. But in this tale of survival things go from bad to worse for poor Tom. It’s quite the adventure. Fast paced and exciting…and did I mention dark? lol. But I mean that in a good way. It’s the end of the world after all, it’s not supposed to be all sunshine and puppies, right? Was it perfect? No, the story, at least for me, kind of falls apart a bit toward the end. Awful lot of things just seem too convenient or perhaps implausible is a better way to describe it, but it was still pretty dang entertaining and while this is the first book I’ve experienced by M.L. Banner, it won’t be the last. From the author’s note at the end I take that this is a side story or is at least some how connected to another his series, which I will definitely be checking out.
Kevin Pierce is one of my favorite narrators and once again he delivers a masterful narration. I’ve probably said it before, but IMO Pierce is the voice of survival fiction, so much so that even when I am reading a book I will hear Kevin’s voice in my head.
I received a copy of this audio title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.