I requested an advanced copy of the audiobook version of this book in exchange for this honest review because I love Jeffrey Kafer’s narration. However, this proved to be one of the most exciting and entertaining stories imaginable. The story starts out pretty quietly, but the second chapter hits and it is non-stop action from that point until the epilogue. Owen is the head of security for Synergy, a tech company in a small Appalachian town named Black Creek. While he is getting ready to show new hire Levy around the grounds of the company, his truck explodes and he realizes that something is very wrong. Thus begins an adventure that can’t be explained without giving away spoilers, but be sure to hold on tight for this wild ride.
Along the way, they pick up people – both friend and foe – and they struggle against natural and not so natural challenges, such as extreme weather fluctuations, predators looking for a meal, the power hungry scientist behind all of this madness, and maybe a mythological creature or two. The store eventually turns out with a happy and unique ending, but calling the road to get there bumpy is a vast understatement.
In addition to some incredible action scenes, nail biting suspense, and wonderful descriptions of varying scenery, this story has such terrific interactions between characters. Watching Owen accept his past and use it to make himself a stronger leader is very moving, and I loved how much he grew into his true self in this book. The author does such a good job of showing how people of incredibly disparate backgrounds and even histories can come together and work towards the common goal of survival under such desperate circumstances. I grew to love so many of the characters in this book, and I even loved hating the evildoers. Jeremy Robinson has written an amazing story, and he is an author that will become an auto-buy for me after reading Flux.
Now for the narration, which is the reason I requested this advanced copy in the first place. Jeffrey Kafer’s narration is as incredible as ever. He has a deep, melodious voice, and he adds the perfect inflection to ramp up the action or calm my racing heart depending on the mood of the scene. His delivery is absolutely flawless, and I cannot imagine a better choice for this epic story.